Rythian Marlowe, patriarch of the Volcanic Fury Sect and magma aspected Saint, was quite a shrewd man. In the century since he had started his ventures on Asura, he had managed to monopolize nearly half of the world's industries, overwhelming their heads with both the charm of his smile and the weight of his wallet.

And, under his watchful eye and powerful spirit, the trade of Asura flourished, returning his investment dozens of times over. By his eightieth year on the world, even the factions that were not directly under him were begging to collaborate. After all, if nothing else, no one could say that Rythian Marlowe was not a patron of mutually beneficial deals.

Thus, when a mangled woman at the peak of the Third Circle had come into his office with a proposition, he couldn't help but be intrigued.

"Honored Saint, this humble mystic of the Aspectual Linking stage knows that your time is valuable, so she will attempt to relay her offer in a timely manner."

Rythian's perfectly trimmed eyebrow twitched, and he gave her an impatient stare.

"This 'timely manner' that you speak of, woman — I have yet to witness it . Who are you, what do you want, and what do you have to offer?"

The woman's charred lips tugged upwards, revealing a mouthful of cracked teeth.

"Of course, honored Saint. I am Hong Ma, a Harmonization-stage mystic from the lower worlds, and I wish to inform you of a potential… business venture. My enemy has recently found herself on this world — another Saint aspected with storm mana."

A coughing fit overtook her, and she wiped a smear of blood from her lips.

"She is the one that has done this to me, honored Saint, and she has stolen the most talented prodigy my clan has seen in centuries. However, I have recently discovered that she has sustained an injury to her core, which pains her whenever she uses true mana."

Now it was Rythian's turn to smile. "Ah, a fresh fruit, ripe for the picking."

"I am glad that you are pleased, honored Saint. You hold the aspectual advantage, and even without it, I am sure that her injury would hinder her enough to guarantee you victory."

He put his fingers together, looking directly into her eyes. "Indeed. Now, I am not so foolish as to think that information comes without a cost. Given that you are in fact correct, we will convene tomorrow to discuss your reward."

The woman's grin widened even further. "Of course, honored Saint."

***

ONE DAY LATER

Rythian ran a hand through his short brown locks, heating his hand so as to seal them in their current position — the professional look of a stunning businessman and patriarch.

"You may enter."

A crowd of people gathered into the office, some disciples of the sect and others simply employed by him. Together, they presented a web of information that covered more than 75% of Asura.

"As always, if I find that a single peep of this conversation has been leaked, you are forever banned from all services provided by the Sect of Volcanic Fury and associates. Understood?"

The group nodded.

"Now then, I have been informed that an unaffiliated Saint has recently stepped onto this world. If any of you have witnessed any suspicious Saint-level activity within the past month, I require all the details you can recall."

A young woman stepped forwards, nervously tapping her foot.

"Ah, well, honored Saint, I believe that I have witnessed something. Yesterday, a silver-haired woman walked into the Lion's Tail and ordered two Third Circle healing treasures. When I was coming back with the requested items, she unleashed her aura and paid with a spirit jade before rushing off."

Rythian nodded, motioning for her to continue.

"Well, honored Saint, her aura was more oppressive than anything I've ever felt in my life. Even the Synchronization-stage guards were unable to remove themselves from the floor minutes after she'd left. "

He gave her a charming smile, leaving the girl blushing.

"Excellent. Expect compensation to arrive at your doorstep by sunset tomorrow."

The clerk reddened further, but she gave an anxious squeak. "Um, honored Saint, if you don't mind me asking… are you planning on hurting her?"

He laughed, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Of course not! The Merchant's Guild is simply looking to branch out, and I was hoping to employ her."

She gave a relieved smile, bowing. "Ah, my deepest apologies, honored Saint."

He waved away her concerns, taking her hand in his.

"No worries, no worries at all. Now, I simply need you for a minute more." He turned to the rest of the group. "You all may leave. I wish you a wonderful evening!"

The girl's face had now flushed to the color of a tomato. "Ah, um, honored Saint, what else do you require of me?"

He pulled out a jade slip, looking deeply into her eyes. "Remind me again, who manages the Lion's Tail?"

She pulled back, confused. "Uh, Ardin Lathifus, honored Saint. Why?"

In an instant, her head exploded in a shower of molten rock. Her soul let out a scream, desperately floated away, but there was no escaping from a Saint. He clenched his fist, completely crushing the girl's spirit under his aura.

He channeled a bit of mana into the jade slip, embedding a note within it.

Reminder: Send Ardin Lathifus a replacement worker

Hong Ma descended from the shadows of his office's ceiling, cackling. "You certainly have the disposition to accomplish your task, Saint!"

He flicked a bit of burnt hair from his suit sleeve, huffing. "She was a potential leak. Anyways, your information has proved correct. State your preferred reward."

She looked him in the eyes, smirking. "The return of my clansmen, a third of the spoils, and Sainthood."

Rythian scoffed, flaring his aura. "You have already divulged the information, woman. This is a token of my generosity, not an opportunity for you to bargain."

She winced at the pressure on her already-damaged spirit, but held steady in her gaze. "Indeed, honored Saint. However, I could still notify the other Saints on this world. The only reason I went to you is that you are widely presumed to be the most powerful Saint that is compatible with my aspect. And, if you grant me Sainthood, I vow to serve under you for a thousand years."

He gave a long sigh, internally grinning at the woman's business sense. "I supposed that I could afford to part with a third of the spoils and your clansmen. The sect already has enough talented younglings."

"Ah, but this particular girl has latent talent the likes of which you have never seen!"

"Well, then you certainly aren't getting the spoils…"

***

"To reiterate," he announced, pulling out an empty jade slip, "In return for your vow not to divulge any of the information until I have successfully retrieved the spoils, I vow to give you three spirit jades, one youth rejuvenation elixir suitable for your current condition, and either your clansmen or Sainthood. If it is Sainthood, you vow to serve under the Volcanic Fury Sect for six hundred years, or until I am satisfied with your service — whichever comes first."

He channeled a bit of mana into the jade slip, detailing the conditions of their agreement.

She grabbed the veridian stone, fusing her mana with his own. "I suppose that that will do."

He gave a wide smile, clasping her wrist. "Then, my good woman, I believe that we have a deal!"