"Answer. Do you promise to follow me until your death?" Zhao Fan asked calmly.
Yun Tian didn't reply immediately. He nominated for a couple of moments while ruffling his white hair.
"Haha" Yin Tian let out a low, self-deprecating laugh.
"You see, in childhood my father passed away and a heavy debt has been on my shoulders ever since. I have begged on the streets and done miscellaneous tasks my whole life, only recently was I accepted as an Alchemist after finally scrounging up the funds. I have seen many types of people in this world, your type I know too well."
"Oh yeah? What type of person am I?"
"You hold your nose up high as if others are beneath you. You are the type of person to ignore everyone not on your level, as if they are scum beneath your feet. Look, even now you are wearing a slight frown as if you think that my judgment is incorrect and baseless."
"So you think I'm some young master with a conceited world view, another Zheng Luo?"
"No, that's the interesting part. You clearly are not ignorant or conceited, nor are you impolite. You do what's necessary to achieve your goals but your eyes stay cold and ruthless, as if you subconsciously feel that everything is in your control. A youth should not have this disposition, and I haven't seen anyone like you."
"What's so funny about that?"
"It's just that you give me all this crap about the importance of the choice but you already forced me into this decision. I, Yun Tian, am an ambitious person, how can I let just anyone be my master? Originally, I was going to deny, but you seem really interesting so I will accept!"
"Do you trust your judgment in people that much?"
"Of course. I have only one condition, you surely wouldn't let your followers suffer right? I have a few debts so I don't want to drag you down if you can't pay me properly" Yun Tian's eyes shone.
"Don't worry about that, as long as you follow me, that won't be a problem"
Yun Tian gritted his teeth and after a moment, he stepped forward and bowed to Zhao Fan.
"Then from today onwards, I shall follow you until my grave!"
"Very well, keep in mind that I treat promises like gold. If you betray me, you better hope you are stronger or else your fate will be worse than death." Zhao Fan turned around and took out all of the materials in his bag. In front of him were the potion ingredients, formation plates, bag of spirit stones and a bag filled with miscellaneous parts.
"You can't let him see your ability, if he does he can just turn us in and we will not even have a chance to escape!" Zhao Fan, who was watching Hei Long's actions, secretly reminded him.
The latter didn't reply and placed and left the warehouse for a few moments. When he came in he was carrying a heavy steel cauldron with a small formation below it.
"Here, this should be able to handle a qi gathering pill. Make a basic low-tier mortal Qi Gathering pill to the best of your ability."
"This is a tool for students to learn alchemy, you send in your qi and a normal flame appears. Obviously, real alchemists use their own refined flame to be more precise." Yun Tian was confused.
"I know, but I have a reason for using this. Just make a pill using this and during the process, tell me outloud the exact steps you are following and if you make any mistakes, tell me." Zhao Fan took out some paper and ink.
"Sure"
Yun Tian felt it was a bit weird, but he didn't know what to expect from his mysterious boss. He moved in front of the cauldron and inserted bits of qi into the formation to get used to the intensity of the flame.
"Alright I'm starting now! First, put in five spirit stones and wait until the spiritual energy slowly diffuses into the pot. I am now putting in a stalk of Nightworm Grass and am waiting until the blue essence is completely brought out. Now, I am adding two… " Yun Tian detailed the process precisely.
Zhao Fan's pen was floating and scribbling on the paper quickly, completely unbeknownst to Yun Tian. The former wasn't even watching the process, but instead had his eyes closed. His forehead was covered in beads of sweat and his breathing turned more and more shallow as time passed.
Slam
"Now that the lid is down, slightly hold down the lid and wait for roughly ten seconds. Once the tremors subside, wait a few seconds and you can lift the lid." Yun Tian leisurely completed the pill making.
He then lifted the lid and a batch of eight pills was made. Their shape wasn't perfectly round, it was more akin to small rough pebbles which had a slight glow to them.
"Ninety-five percent quality Qi Gathering pills, not bad." Yun Tian wore a satisfied smile. He didn't want to embarrass himself and mess up on such easy pills.
"Okay, thank you. Clean everything and come back here tomorrow at midday." Zhao Fan opened his eyes with great effort.
Yun Tian looked at his face and found it was completely drenched, which made him even more confused. Zhao Fan didn't offer any explanation and packed up his things before leaving.
"What about my pay-" Yun Tian's voice died down as he saw Zhao Fan far away, immersed in the notes he took.
"Am I really going to become a slave either way? Why is fate so cruel?" Yun Tian felt his heart grow bitter.
"I wonder what that crazy guy is planning to do" He sighed and started cleaning.
On the other hand, Zhao Fan questioned Hei Long when they came back to their house.
"When did you have the time to buy the cauldron and even learn about formations?"
"There's lots of time while you're sleeping." Hei Long laid down on the bed powerlessly.
"And you didn't tell me? I thought we were supposed to be partners, how can I trust you if you don't even tell me what you are doing?"
"Our agreement was to not fight, also I'm doing this for our mutual benefit. If I had to tell you everything, wouldn't that mean we don't have trust in one another?" Hei Long replied in his mind.
"Hmph, maybe Yun Tian was right, you are so cold to everyone, maybe you should take a hint from what he said."
"So what if he was right, it's not a negative trait. If I was nice and told you everything I'm doing, it would actually stunt your growth. Also, haven't you noticed your cultivation mysteriously improves each time you go to sleep? Shouldn't you be thanking me instead of complaining?" He smiled.
Zhao Fan quickly inspected his dantian and realized what Hei Long said was true. He hadn't much time to cultivate in between hunts and business but for some reason, he was actually growing close to the peak of tier 4 Qi Gathering! This left him speechless and he couldn't really retort.
"Was meeting Yun Tian today by entering a random pill duel a coincidence?" Zhao Fan realized that it was highly unlikely.
"What do you think? This guy's financial situation is so terrible, only a blessing from the lord himself can possibly save him. He was just spouting bullsh*t talking about following me because of my 'personality,' he is a dead man walking, grasping at any straws of opportunity." Hei Long's eyes turned cold.
"So what are you planning to do now?" Zhao Fan couldn't help but be curious.
"Sleep!" Hei Long could barely manage a reply.
"And after that?"
"I will revolutionize the agrarian society!" Hei Long's tone grew powerful, but after he finished the sentence he couldn't hold on anymore and drifted off to sleep.