Jin City
Brushing past the busy stalls, people, teahouses, voices and many more, Zhou Huang alongside Fatty Lai arrived before the entrance of a rusty and torn down inn. Despite the inn being shabby, they still head in only to find an old man around the age of 50 sitting on a rocking chair. Hearing the doors open, the elder seemed somewhat surprised as he lightly opened his eyes to glance towards the doors.
Fatty Lai and Zhou Huang walked up towards the counter before the old man.
"Elder, my name is Zhou Huang and this is my friend Lai Ming. We would like to rent out a room here. May I ask how much it would cost?" Zhou Huang is someone who's been aware of how the world works; how dark the world truly is. Perhaps one thing that Zhou Huang won't be able to have is the playfulness and purity of being a youth. Zhou Huang is a child who has matured since young, especially after losing both of his parents and having to survive on his own. His favorite principle is, "for those, who treat you with respect, repay them back with more sincerity. If people disrespects you, repay the favor 10,000 times."
A surprised light appeared in the Elder's eyes as he rarely had seen people who didn't act arrogant, let alone a kid who seems so mature. However, the light quicked faded by.
"Haha, it's rare to see kids travelling on their own. You can call me Elder Tianyun or Elder Tian." The elder, Tianyun spoke as if he was reminiscing about his past.
"As for the cost, seeing that you're just kids there's no need to be stingy. Just 1 silver card will do."
Zhou Huang's and Fatty Lai's eyes lit up with glee. After they left the Zhou Clan, they didn't have much money on them; just 50 silver cards. If they didn't have enough they would have to sell their monster cores before coming back. Although 50 silver cards can last a commoner's family for a year or two, for cultivators however, it could be considered a drop of water in the ocean. In this world, money are categorized into 4 categories. Copper Cards, Silver Cards, Gold Cards and Purple Cards. 100 Copper Cards are worth 1 Silver Card, 1000 Silver Cards are worth 1 Gold Card and 10,000 Gold Cards are worth 1 purple card. Even disciples of the top sect will get a few hundred gold cards a month. Money can be earned by numerous ways such as hunting profound beasts for their cores, hide, or horns. Other ways include professions such as Mercenaries, accomplishing tasks for those who are hiring and Alchemists.
"Thank you Elder Tian!" Both of them hastily replied.
Elder Tian nodded and threw them a pair of keys, soon closing his eyes as if he wasn't apart of this world. Zhou Huang took a bow towards Elder Tian and went to their room alongside with Fatty Lai.
Elder Tian let out a smirk, opened his eyes a bit and murmured, "What an interesting pair." He closed his eyes once more. Zhou Huang and Fatty Lai however, didn't hear or see him open his eyes.
"Brother Huang, ever since leaving the Zhou Clan did I truly understand how poor we are. We now only have 49 silver cards, which only amounts to one Dim Red Core."
Zhou Huang let out a sigh, "There's nothing we can do, the trials are tomorrow and we don't have time to make money."
"If only we were Alchemists. They are truly at the pinnacle of wealth, I'm so envious! Hey Brother Huang, do you think you can become an alchemist?"
"Save it, to become an alchemist you need to have a peaceful mind as well as control and affinity of fire. Any mistakes and you can probably expect an explosion. That's not it either, to achieve a higher tier of an alchemist is harder than cultivating. We don't even have any formulas or a teacher to guide us, let alone money to buy materials."
Alchemists are people who concocts pills and elixirs for Cultivators to help boost their cultivation at a faster rate. However Alchemists are extremely rare since they require natural talent, insane control, and a teacher to guide you. Their population is approximately 1 in 10,000 people. Alchemists also have their system of ranks. They go from 1-9 stars, with an extremely low rate of breaking through to the next star tier. Some Alchemists may not even have a chance to break through due to limited opportunities. Those at the 1-3 star tier of Alchemy can be considered normal Alchemists. Those who are at the 4th to 6th star tier can be considered proficient or a master. Placed on the 7th to 8th, alchemists can be considered a grandmaster. As for the peak, tier 9, they can be counted on 1 hand who normally doesn't participate in mortal affairs. They can be considered saints. Saints are no longer moved by money, but instead by legendary formulas and treasures. Most alchemy grandmasters and above are eccentric, as it will also depend on their mood to decide whether they will concoct something for you or not.
"Oh? So you want to become an alchemist?" Before the voice had even finished, Elder Tianyun could be seen coming in.
"Elder Tian, you can ask anyone in the world, who would decline being an alchemist?" Fatty Lai whined.
"Haha." Elder Tian chuckled and faced Zhou Huang. "Would you like me to be your master and teach you then? I can be considered an alchemist."
Zhou Huang and Fatty Lai looked at Elder Tian in shock. Fatty Lai quickly nudged Zhou Huang and said, "Hurry and accept! This is a once in a lifetime offer."
Zhou Huang however, declined. "Elder Tian, it's not that I don't want to except I'm going to apply at Starlight Academy. I won't be able to stay here."
Elder Tian however did not look depressed at all and instead laughed out loud. "Hahaha, good! Good! Starlight Academy huh? I can be considered an elder at the academy. Although I don't teach in classes I help them behind the scenes. How about this? If you get into Starlight Academy, then I will teach you alchemy. My intuition tells me that you're a talent suited for the road of Alchemy. Well boy, what's your decision?"
Zhou Huang and Fatty Lai was in even more shock! This elder could be considered an instructor and he's here running a torn down inn! They truly are eccentric and low-key Zhou Huang thought.
Zhou Huang quickly kneeled and gave 3 kowtows. "Disciple Zhou Huang greets Master!"
Elder Tian quickly nodded and helped Zhou Huang up. "Hahaha, good! I believe in my instincts, you'll help me teach that old guy's disciple a lesson. You must not let me down! I await for you in Starlight Academy. Hahahaha." Elder Tian walked out of their room.
Fatty Lai instantly smacked Zhou Huang on the back, "Hahaha! Brother Zhou, you are soon going to be an alchemist. This means you're gonna be rich! You must remember me as your brother."
Zhou Huang's smiled. This is what it means to be a true friend, in normal situations many people would be jealous and sad. However Fatty Lai was so happy as if he was the one going to be alchemist. You can see the sincerity in him.
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