Chapter 134: The unexpected gain from the dwarf man’s
solicitation
Seeing the formation of high-ranking figures surrounding him, Arius was momentarily taken
aback.
But in just a split second, he understood everything.
He had used ten full sets of treasured ingredients to refine ten batches of pills—without a single
failure. Such a feat was bound to attract the attention of the Aragon Country Pill Alliance’s upper
echelon.
Accepting the identity token from Danny Coleman, Arius did not forget to clasp his hands and
respectfully bow to the seventh-rank alchemists around him.
As soon as he finished his salute, the dwarf-like man stepped forward, his expression neither
pleased nor displeased as he spoke in a calm tone.
“Daoist friend, would you be willing to join the Pill Alliance?”
“If you enter the Pill Alliance and become a resident alchemist, you will have the opportunity to
reach the sixth rank… perhaps even further in your path of alchemy.”
As his words fell, the surrounding seventh-rank alchemists looked at Arius with even greater
envy.
For Victor, the dwarf-like alchemist, to say such words was practically a guarantee of success.
As long as Arius agreed, his future would be far smoother than theirs.
Arius could tell that this man’s status was extraordinary.
After all, for someone to have the confidence to promise a path to the sixth rank, there were
likely very few in all of Mist Province with such qualifications.
If Arius had not possessed the Appraising Immortal Mirror and not cultivated the Crimson Flame
Dao Canon, he would have accepted without hesitation.
But outright rejecting Victor might incur his displeasure.
From the aura he exuded, Arius could tell that this man’s strength rivaled the Ancestor-level
figures of the Albigensians Sect.
Clearly, he was a Level 3 Realm expert.
Even without considering his status, just his sheer power alone was not something Arius could
afford to provoke.
Just as Arius found himself caught between a rock and a hard place, carefully considering how
to decline without offending him, Victor suddenly spoke again.
“You don’t have to decide immediately.”
“I will give you time to consider. After all, joining the Pill Alliance does mean giving up some
freedom.”
“And as you are now, you are not yet qualified to be my follower—nor even my ally.”
“I am always straightforward. My words may be harsh, but they are the truth.”
“Take this token for now.”
“With this token in your possession, no faction in Mist Province will dare act recklessly against
you.”
“Be it in three years or a hundred… Give me your answer then.”
His voice was steady, devoid of any emotion, but Arius could hear the sincerity in his words.
Despite his overwhelming power and prestigious status, he spoke to Arius without the slightest
arrogance—only an unshakable calm and openness.
This man… is rather interesting.
More importantly, his words provided Arius with a graceful way to decline.
Victor’s reasons for granting him this token and giving him time to consider were more than just
what he had stated.
His instincts played a role as well.
Something told him that Arius was worth recruiting.
If not for this strong gut feeling, no matter how impressive Arius’s alchemy talent was, Victor
would not have cared in the slightest.
As a Confucian Sword Cultivator, Victor’s pride far exceeded that of ordinary geniuses.
Everything he did was based first on having a clear conscience, before considering any material
gain.
In this world of deception, schemes, and the survival of the fittest, figures like Victor were
exceedingly rare.
“I sincerely thank Senior.”
Arius clasped his hands and spoke with genuine gratitude.
With Victor’s token in hand, even if all of Aragon Country—or even all of Mist Province—were
thrown into chaos, the De Molinos family could remain untouched.
After all, within Mist Province, neither the righteous nor demonic factions would dare provoke
the Pill Alliance.
With this token, not even a Level 5 cultivator would dare move against the De Molinos family.
Among Level 5 experts, those in the Early Stage were no more than ants before the Pill
Alliance.
After all, within Mist Province alone, the Pill Alliance had at least seven or eight Level 5 Realm
cultivators stationed—possibly even more.
As for the true depths of the Pill Alliance’s power, it was likely that even cultivators beyond Level
5 were among their ranks.
Arius could not even begin to fathom the full extent of their influence.
During his time in the Albigensians Sect, he had once read a fragmented ancient text that
described the hidden strength of the Pill Alliance.
According to the records, the Pill Alliance’s influence spanned across every province of the
continent.
And as for the location of the Pill Alliance’s true headquarters—only its core members knew.
With the token granted by Victor, the dwarf-like alchemist, Arius lingered in the ancient tower for
another half a day. Only then, surrounded by a group of admiring alchemists, did he finally
leave.
By now, his name had been firmly engraved in the minds of the Aragon Country Pill Alliance’s
seventh-rank alchemists.
Especially Danny Coleman.
Since he had failed to establish a relationship with Victor, he now considered a different
approach—building a connection with Arius.
In his eyes, Arius was already destined to become Victor’s follower.
If not now, then in a few years.
Becoming Victor’s follower meant earning the qualification to enter the Pill Alliance’s main
headquarters.
The main headquarters—that was where true Grandmasters of Alchemy and top-tier
powerhouses gathered.
For any alchemist, stepping into the Pill Alliance’s core territory meant tremendous growth, both
in alchemy and personal cultivation.
Leaving the Pill Alliance’s Aragon Country branch, Arius wandered through Wallsey City.
He had no plans to return to his family immediately. There was no urgency.
Instead, he took his time strolling through the city, memorizing its layout and architectural
structures.
He was already considering ways to remodel Purple River City, the De Molinos family’s domain.
Now that he held the title of an alchemist and possessed Victor’s token, Arius could finally make
full use of the Appraising Immortal Mirror to amass an enormous fortune in spirit stones.
According to his plans, the De Molinos family would halt external expansion for now and focus
entirely on managing its current territory.
With Victor’s token in hand, he could slowly transform his family’s domain into a safe haven.
Of course, this haven was not meant for ordinary mortals.
It was meant for the wealth and assets of powerful factions.
As long as major factions transferred their wealth into De Molinos family territory, the profits
would be astronomical.
Especially now, with the righteous and demonic factions on the brink of war.
In chaotic times, those who could stay above the turmoil would reap endless benefits.
As Arius walked, he once again found himself outside the tavern selling Drunken Immortal Brew.
At this moment, a long line of cultivators stood outside, waiting to purchase the famed spirit
wine.
Spirit wine… was an excellent business opportunity.
Taking out some spirit stones, Arius purchased several more jars of Drunken Immortal Brew.
But this time, he wasn’t buying them for personal enjoyment.
Instead, he planned to bring them back to his family for research—to see if they could develop
their own version.
The De Molinos family’s expansion was bound to accelerate at an unprecedented pace.
Once it reached a certain level, industries like spirit wine and spirit tea would need to be firmly
controlled.
Ideally, they needed to establish their own brand—a unique line of spirit wine and tea exclusive
to the De Molinos family.
In the future, the De Molinos family would no longer deal in mere mortal wealth.
Instead, they would fully transition into the cultivation economy, securing a dominant position in
the market.