Withered Orchid Villa.
The air carried a faint tang of orchid flowers in the main hall as Kinson Wexford leaned forward, eyes sharp with business. "Seventy percent's mine," he declared, voice firm, no room for haggle. "I handle the raw materials, run the sales channels—your job's just alchemy out those elixir pills. Half my cut goes to Senior Sister Lith, so seven out of ten's my floor"
"Deal! No problem." Lordi Payne agreed swiftly.
After all, his primary purpose to connect to Kinson Wexford was never to earn spirit stones from him but to persuade this Senior Brother becoming his backer. $tones were nice, but Kinson Wexford's protection was the real prize.
Kinson Wexford's current selling price was already profitable. Even after accounting for raw material costs—and without factoring in the potential future price increase from selling to the grand elder—each Bone Tempering Pill netted Lordi Payne 21 D$t. A quick calculation showed that this was more than enough to cover his impending fine to the Holy Sect on time.
And right now, that was all that mattered.
Lordi Payne fancied himself an expert in staying low-profile.
Or at least, he used to be. At this point, the Dao of Keeping Low-Profile had probably scrubbed his name from its records.
Still, he clung to the hope of redemption—one last chance to crawl back into the shadows and reclaim his title as the low-profile Cultivator who stay unseen.
But fine, whatever. Steady steps outlast wild leaps. And in the end, wasn't that the true path to the Great Dao?
Kinson nodded, satisfied to Lordi's reply. He shifted gears. "Grand Elder Quill's itching for Bone Tempering Pills—how many you got ready?"
Heard this, Lordi Payne's cheek flushed, a sheepish edge creeping in as he slid a porcelain vial across the table. "Reply to Senior Brother... I just came back from the Gworm Abyss, so I wasn't at my best. Thus, well, hmm, I only crafted these."
Kinson Wexford frowned immediately. Only ten?
Does this mean that Junior Brother Payne has only crafted one single furnace attempt in such a long time?
Displeased, Kinson Wexford was not quite satisfied at Lordi Payne's working attitude. He snatched the vial, tipped out the pills into his palm to check the quality. When he was about to part his lips, giving Lordi Payne a scold lecture to incentive his work ethic diligence—then froze. His pupils shrank, breath catching, "What... what are these?!"
Legendary-level Bone Tempering Pills!?
Kinson Wexford doubted his eyes. Am I see some delusion?
He forced himself to calm down, lifted one of the elixir pills close to his eye, and closely examined it.
The elixir color was pure, so pure that it had deviated from the original grayish white of the average Bone Tempering Pills but presented a milky white glowing color.
It was crystal clear, and looked like Translucent fine glass.
It also had an indescribable lightness and purity.
Especially the azure streaks on the surface of the pill, which seemed like patterns of delicate ring, locking the elixir core effect tightly inside.
On the nose, Kinson Wexford astonishingly found no slight trace of herbs smell, let alone the fragrance scent of the elixir.
Holy Abyss! This was definitely a legendary-level Bone Tempering Pill!
Kinson Wexford's hands trembled slightly, but he was still not fully at ease. He drew out a bone dagger, then gently and carefully scraped the pill's surface and scrap a little powder off.
Almost instantly, an extremely overwhelming elixir fragrance flooded the room!
"Mother of Abyss! Junior Brother—you're a damn alchemist prodigy!" Kinson Wexford cast two hand seal spells without hesitation. Seeing that the fragnance of Bone Tempering Pill in his hand had not slightly changed, his originally calm face suddenly flushed in thrilled, and he looked up excitedly and said, "These are legendary-level Bone Tempering Pills!"
Payne blinked, stunned. "Legendary-level?"
Lordi Payne's heart stirred. Though he relied on the AllFullOS system to craft excellent quality elixir pills, his own knowledge of alchemy was limited. Hearing Kinson Wexford's exhilaration, he seized the moment, leaned forward, voice eager yet cautious:
"Senior Brother, how does this legendary-level Bone Tempering Pill compare to the premium-level ones I made before?"
"Premium-level? Against the Legendary-level pill?" Kinson scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain. "No contest, Junior Brother! Premium's a candle—these are a damn star!"
His voice crackled with excitement as he gestured at the vials. "Legendary Bone Tempering Pills aren't just a step up—they're a whole other realm. No fragrance, not a whiff. Why? Every ounce of their elixir boosting power's locked tight inside—no leaks, no waste. Pure, flawless potency."
Kinson Wexford's excitement was palpable. Though the legendary-level Bone Tempering Pill was only a single tier above premium, the difference was heaven and earth.
All elixir pills—whether Bone Tempering Pills or others—follow the same sacred principles of alchemy refinement. Their quality is measured not just by potency, but by the purity of their essence and the mastery of their creation.
- Impurities remain, their conflicting energies unresolved.
- The pill's fragrance is tainted, carrying strange, discordant notes.
- A mark of mediocre alchemy—either rushed, unbalanced, or carelessly refined.
- Herbs are skillfully handled, their essences properly fused.
- The alchemy process is precise, by-the-book, leaving no major flaws.
- The fragrance is clean, uniform—a sign of stable, reliable potency.
[Premium-Level Pills]
- Pre-alchemy preparation is meticulous, every herb perfected before refining.
- The refining process magnifies medicinal properties, drawing out their fullest potential.
- The fragrance is thick, rich, intoxicating—proof of an alchemist's exceptional skill.
But beyond premium lies the pinnacle, the legendary level elixir transcended them all.
[Legendary-Level Pills]
- No fragrance at all.
- Every drop of elixir boosting essence is locked inside, not a whisper escaping.
- The result of flawless execution—every step, every flame, every fusion perfected.
This is the law of alchemy—from the entry to the legendary.
"The highest art is artless," Kinson Wexford murmured, reverence creeping into his voice. "A legendary pill returns to simplicity—no scent, no waste, only perfection."
"A true legendary-level elixir pill bore no scent at all—its elixir medicine essence was perfectly sealed within, not a wisp escaping. This was the mark of flawless alchemy, where every herb and every raw-material's potency was refined to purity, every conflicting energy harmonized without residue."
"Every ounce of its elixir power was condensed, its surface unassuming yet radiating unmatched purity. A single misstep in temperature, timing, or herb fusion would demote it to premium-grade."
And there lies a legendary-level Bone Tempering Pill in my palm.
Nah. There're ten legendary-level Bone Tempering Pills here.
Kinson Wexford exhaled slowly, his gaze shifting to Lordi Payne with newfound respect.
"Even the Holy Sect's master alchemists could only guarantee premium-level with consistency. A legendary pill? Rare. Exquisite. A stroke of destiny."
"After all, the Legendary-level Pill means that there can be no slightest mistakes in the whole process of alchemy."
A heartbeat too long in the furnace. A flicker of flame half a degree too weak. A single herb ground a moment too soon.
The difference between legendary and mere premium isn't a gap—it's a razor's edge. The alchemist's hands must be steadfast as the mountains, their focus unbroken as the heavens.
Perfection tolerates no flaws.
A legendary pill is a singular moment of alchemy's absolute zenith—and the smallest stumble sends it tumbling from grace.
That is why they are rare.
That is why they are revered.
And that is why—when one appears—even masters hold their breath.
"How had Senior Sister foreseen this?" Kinson Wexford wondered. "How did her highness pluck, Lordi Payne, this unpolished gem from the mediocrity of Deerspring Town?"
Seeing Kinson Wexford pondering in silence, Lordi Payne waited for a while and couldn't help pressing the question, "Senior Brother, May I know how much are these legendary pills worth?"
Kinson's eyes gleamed. "Priceless."
"Legendary-level elixir pills are rare treasure things, only met by chance, not by search." Kinson Wexford said with a sigh, full of emotion, "Feed these to someone practicing Bone Tempering Art, and their shot at Perfect-Grade Iron, Refined, even Jade-tier bones skyrockets. For noble clans, these legendary pills meant perfect Constitution base for their heirs all reach to Perfect-Grade flawless. They would pay any price!"
"If I offered these to Grand Elder Quill for 500 spirit $tones apiece," Kinson mused, "he'd pay without blinking for his great-grandson. But that would be an insult to these beauties."
Kinson Wexford straightened, resolve hardening. "No forget it. I'm taking them out of the holy sect, hitting the world markets. These will go to top end auction—where true value is recognized. Only then will their legend be honored."
Kinson Wexford had barely finished speaking when a hesitant voice called from beyond the main hall's entrance.
"Bloodline Lord! Your Honor!" A junior disciple bowed deeply just beyond the threshold. "Senior Brother Wexford, please forgive the interruption, but... a senior sister from the Dreadbloom Bloodline requests an audience. She awaits you in the front guest hall."
Kinson Wexford's expression frosted over. "Noted." His voice was clipped. "Inform her I've just concluded my cultivation. I will receive her shortly."
As the disciple scurried away, Kinson Wexford turned to Lordi Payne—and his next words struck like winter wind:
"Return to the Outer Sect. Now. Do not come back for a month."
Lordi stiffened. "Wh... Senior Brother? What's wrong?"
"That Ice Pith Fire you absorbed? It was promised by the Lord of Dreadbloom Bloodline to her kin cousin—to refine the bones and cleanse the marrow. However, I registered and snatched this Inner Sect mission in the name of my Senior Sister. The Dreadbloom Bloodline should have just received the news and came to question us. In other words, the other party is not here for me now, but for you."
Lordi's stomach dropped. He was completely speechless.
The cultivation resources "gifted for FREE" by the AwfulOS System would cause endless cursed troubles—fine. But now why the fateful opportunities from his patron "for FREE" were dangerous as hell too?
"But Miu Tyanh still want me dead—"
"I will handle this mess, but if so, there will be a fierce battle next." Kinson Wexford cut in, "Your cultivation level is too low, and staying in the Inner Sect will distract me during the battle, so you'd better leave as soon as possible."
Then he added, "As for Miu Tyanh, since Lady Joanie has already taken action, this must be Senior Sister, her highness's intention. Regardless of whether Miu Tyanh is dead or alive, and regardless of what Lee Sagwon and Chou Ease's family members think, Senior Sister's involvement means that the matter ends here. Unless they wish to formally declare war on her highness."
A pause. Then, quieter: "Anyway, don't you worry, as long as you don't cause any more trouble in the future, no one in the Outer Sect will dare to touch you."
Why do I feel that this patron is so shaky?
The promise rang hollow, but Lordi Payne swallowed his protests. Kinson respected him as a ruthless Dao-seeker, who pursuing the great Dao without caring about life and death—not some flinching coward. If he expressed too much hesitation and worry of danger at this moment, it would cause the other party's dissatisfaction and suspicion, and that single misstep now would cost him his only patron.
Thus, Lordi Payne bowed to thank Kinson Wexford, took the alchemy Dao furnace and a amount of spirit stones to buy alchemy raw materials, and then quietly slipped out Withered Orchid Villa from the back door according to this Bloodline Lord's instruction.