Time passed but the success rate of concocting the Cleansing Elixir was so low. Don't even mention meridian expanding elixir. He couldn't succeed even after thousands of times.
He used tricks to concoct medicine without suitable soul level. Soul cultivation split into many stages and these stages split into many levels. The first stage was the embryo stage that had 9 levels in total.
Alchemists had their own ranks too. Everyone before soul embryo level 6 was alchemy apprentice. Most of the apprentices were processing herbs and assisting the alchemist in his work. Neo problem was that there were no alchemists on Earth. He found some inheritance and self-taught himself how to do concoct medicine, and he had the luck that he got the cauldron with runes. Otherwise, he would probably give up being alchemist due being inpatient in soul cultivation. During his entire previous lifetime, he reached 7th level of soul embryo. He used evil techniques to devour souls but it wasn't enough. Progress was too slow anyway.
In this lifetime he needs to get into 6th level. He had many recipes but it was meant for alchemy practitioners and higher stages.
(I need to succeed only once but I will burn a lot of money trying to do this. Hmm, I should go and devour some human scum to increase my soul level. It will increase my chances.)
His deep thoughts were interrupted by knocking.
Knock. Knock.
It was one of Reis servants he came to show us new base propositions.
(Finally!)
There were 3 options. The first was a simple villa on outskirts. It didn't fit the requirements of Neo. It was too small and despite the location, it was nearby the gate. Many people will be around, so he didn't want to risk.
The second option was an old mansion near city walls. It was rumored to be haunted that aroused the interest of Neo.
(Haunted mansion? Cliche!)
The last option was an abandoned church. It was immediately rejected. I don't want to deal with religious organizations. Religious people are crazy and it's better don't touch their buildings for now.
"Let's check out the haunted mansion! Boohoo!" He tried to imitate the ghost sound to scare Aron.
"Really funny.HAhaha. Let's go!" They prepared themselves in a few minutes, and they left with servants of Reis.
An hour later.
They reached their destination. It was a big mansion. It wasn't in the best state but some renovation would restore it to the previous glory. There were gardens around it full of bushes and other plants. They entered the courtyard and went into the direction of the grand door. Even if none took care of this,it looked grand. The designer of this made a really great job.
They opened the door. It made typical screech.
Interior of the mansion was full of spider webs and dust.
"Where are rumored ghosts?" Neo asked with disbelief. He wanted to see something exciting.
They walked in. There were no ghosts, but they heard some noises from the second floor.
"Let's go check this!" Neo was motivated and shouted.
They carefully climbed the stairs that needed some repairs. It was still usable but there were some holes in them.
They saw three people inside of the room arguing about something. Neo signaled one of Reis's servants to call for reinforcements. He probably could take care of these men, but he didn't want risk as he didn't start to practice yet.
A moment later armed guards came, and they decided to approach the unwanted residents of the building. It didn't take long before they entered the room where these people were.
Neo saw their faces and he recognized one of them. It was one of the associates of John. This person name was Harry. He was responsible for many deaths of young women in this city.
"Hohoho. This building belongs to ..." Before he could finish the sentence, Neo said.
"Go knock them out. I will take of them later." The guards were ordered to listen to Neo. So they unsheathed their swords and attacked. It didn't take long a couple of seconds and a group of human trashes was laying on the floor begging for mercy.
"Tie them. I will show the fate worse than death. After you do it, you can go."
He approached Harry and started devouring his soul. He started to scream but it wasn't a long process. A moment later he was lying motionless with empty eyes. A stream of pleasant soul energy entered Neo's soul.
[Do you wish to absorb these memories?]
(Filter them and store them for later. Do it automatically from now on.)
[Roger that!]
The remaining thugs pissed their pants from fear. They didn't want to experience that but it was too late. Neo devoured every one of them.
(No mercy for such people. They don't deserve a second chance. It will be a never-ending cycle. I could just kill them but it would be too good fate to them. Considering that they have done to other people. It's like killing 2 or more birds with one stone.)
(Let me absorb useful memories.)
There weren't many useful memories. Most of them were evidence of their crimes. These thugs were members of one of the villages on the north from here. It was destroyed by orc attack a few years ago. Most of them were farmers, and they couldn't find their role in the city's society. Joining the gang was easy and people could do whatever they wanted. After becoming bandits they committed many crimes and evil to the people. Part of their wrongdoings is society fault but most of it is their own choice. None forced them to rape, murder and rob people. It was their choice and they deserved their fate.
Neo didn't regret his actions. He would do it again if he had a choice.
(I don't want to be a hero. Heroes are weak and vulnerable. I want to change the world not kill one villain and save the princess. There is no happy ending for the ordinary people. It's all bullshit stories written for propaganda.)
In his previous life, he read such stories where heroes go and save the beauty in distress but the real world works differently. If you kill the leader of the gang, it's an only temporary solution, and he will be replaced by another one. You need to change an entire society. That's problematic but Neo will have to find the solution in the future to create a better world.
"Ok. We need to ask the Reis to renovate this building. There is so much to do. Let's go back for now."