Rise of The Banished Azure Sky Prince

Of Uproar and Windfalls. (2)

Old Man Yuan's widened eyes looked at Zhu Yuan as if he was looking at a total stranger. His eyes fluctuated as he looked down on to the shop's counter at the Pellet Association's set of exquisite purple robes , honored badges and glowing golden placards.

"Whooo. . . . I . . . . You . . . . This . . . Whooo " He wiped the cold sweat from his wizened face with trembling hands. He remained silent for a long long while as Zhu Yuan just stared at him  watching his reaction.

"How did this happen!!??"

"You were really able to . . .  !??"

"But you just barely started on the path of pellet refining . .!???"

"This. . . This . . . It's all too ...."

Zhu Yuan coughed repeatedly and cleared his throat.

"Up in the Azure Mountain, as I was foraging for herbs I somehow entered the f*******n zones. There I stumbled upon a rare treasure. I think it was left behind by a very powerful senior from a long forgotten era."

"This treasure accidentally entered my spirit and somehow I think I inherited the memories of this senior. Now I am able to refine all kinds of pellets even extremely high level ones. Not only that I am able to identify all kinds of medicinal plants and herbs with total accuracy."

"I only found out about this ability to refine by accident during the examination. I only wanted to rely on the ability to identify the various herbs to pass the basic pellet refining test but things got wildly out of my expectations."

Old Man Yuan let out a long suppressed breath as he processed Zhu Yuan's words.

Zhu Yuan had decided to hide the identity of the Divine Azure Vine for various reasons. First he wished to protect his beloved grandfather, his only kin in this world. Deep inside his heart he knew that anyone who was privy to the existence of this divine entity inexplicably opened himself to the worst kind of risk.

Secondly he himself had no idea as to the true nature of this Divine Azure Vine which held an immense unexplainable power within it. He had felt it that brief instance he was deep in the underground cave. This thing no doubt held a world shocking secret that could throw the entire continent into a frenzy.

He had made up his mind to slowly and discreetly search for information on it in the future. He would start at the pellet association's official library which boasted of a vast collection of knowledge. Maybe then he would know just what he had accidentally inherited.

"Such a thing actually exists...??"

"This . . . It's all so . . . "

"How are you feeling? Are you experiencing any side effects? Such a powerful thing can not come cheaply. It may corrode your spirit and devour you from within.?!" Old Man Yuan at once leaped up and began inspecting Zhu Yuan from head to toe with a deeply concerned look.

"I feel fine. I have been examining my spirit every morning I wake up. The treasure went docile and I can hardly feel its existence except for the high load of vital medicinal information. If there are any repercussions they are yet to materialize."

Old Man Yuan relaxed upon seeing that Zhu Yuan seemed alright.

"You must not relax at all. This kind of thing must carry a heavy repercussion. This is the natural way. Energy all around exists in a dual form, just like a ticking pendulum every swing fluctuates from action to inaction. Always."

Zhu Yuan sighed. " Yes, at this point I think it's because I am too weak. Moving forward I can only obtain substantial strength and hope that I will be able to persevere the drawbacks that will surely surface in the future."

Old Man Yuan nodded when he saw that Zhu Yuan was aptly aware of this and had made plans for the abnormal situation he had found himself entwined in.

"Sigh . . . This must be fate Yuan'er...  I can only pray that when that day comes, you will be sufficiently prepared."

"Ahem... Well that's a situation for much much later. For now we have a present headache." Zhu Yuan smiled bitterly as he explained how he had to make up an imaginary reclusive master to the echelons of the Pellet Association to hide his secret. And this top hidden reclusive master who had 'taught' him everything he knew was naturally Old Man Yuan.

"Such insolence..!! You actually dared to ... !!"

"You pesky brat..!!"

"Why do you always complicate matters in everything that you do!!??"

"Do you want to kill this old man!!??"

"And do you take the top alchemists in all the land to be reckless fools and headless chickens.!!??"

Zhu Yuan kept his head low in shame as Old Man Yuan's stream of angry outbursts and flying saliva berated him at a steady pace.

After a good thirty minutes of total hair dryer treatment from Old Man Yuan's lively mouth, the old man sighed and finally regained his calm, running his hand over his long ruffled white beard as he collected his thoughts.

"Sigh... Why do I have such an ungrateful rascal for a grandson.! This really complicates things. But at this point we really need to keep this secret of yours completely under wraps. Hmm.."

"This meeting, is it to meet the heads of the Pellet Association.? What should be their agenda?"

Zhu Yuan raised his head in surprise, he came face to face with a cool and collected Old Man Yuan who exhibited the calmness of a deep deep well.

"Err.. It should be to pass on some of the benefits earned from the initial sale of the Dragon's Essence Pellet as well as deepen ties with you, the mysterious reclusive expert."

"Hmm... Yes, that should be the case. This wonder pellet has opened  up the Pellet Association to the entire continent and its wealth. Solidifying a relationship should be in their best interests."

"As well as probing for more potential hot potatoes. Keke... This chairman sure is a crafty snake. Such an appetite. You really intend to build an empire on my Zhu Yuan's shoulders.. Keke... Well in this case it is only fair that this old man happily accompanies you and milks you for all your worth." A devious glint shone in his turbid intelligent eyes as Old Man Yuan devised various nefarious plots that only he was privy to.

Zhu Yuan's eyes grew wide at the sudden change in Old Man Yuan's attitude.

"Sigh... I really liked the simple life we had here you brat . .!"

"Well let's put on a spectacular show. Listen up you rascal, write down a few middle level and top level pellet refining methods from that infinite medicinal library that's in your head."

"I need a few bargaining chips. You have always been big headed at least this way it's finally of some use."

Zhu Yuan could only bitterly laugh at the deep scorn. Only Old Man Yuan could reduce such an amazing, legendary, once in a century capability to a rough uncanny insult with such artful skill.

"During the meeting you are to adopt a extremely timid attitude when addressing me. You are not allowed to talk back no matter how overboard I go.!"

"And from this moment on you are only allowed to call me master.. Are you even listening!?"

It was indeed Zhu Yuan's turn to look at his grandfather as if he was looking at a total stranger. The way he took the news that he had been at pains to tell him and the manner in which he took over matters showed the highest levels of mental fortitude as well as unimaginable levels of cunning and craftiness.

Suddenly a pang of pity towards the unknowing chairman Zeng Xiao fleeted past his heart although he couldn't fathom why.

"Hey you pesky brat, are you even listening!? This delicate matter needs to be handled with tact. Don't you dare start zoning out after creating such a headache.!"

"Err.. Yes , Yes ... I'm with you Grandpa. I shall begin jotting down those things that you have requested."

"Hmmph.. It's like talking to a dead twig. I explicitly told you to call me master from now on!"

(-_-) *well you brought this on yourself*

"Err . . Yes , of course master . . "

Zhu Yuan was stunned speechless. Wasn't this turn around a little too sudden.??

"Err.. Grandpa Yuan ..  I mean master ... Who were you really before we came to this town.?" He had never seen this side of Old Man Yuan before in his life.

"Keke... A man who was not to be trifled with.. sigh . . . but that is a past long buried. Let's not talk about such things."

Old Man Yuan picked up one of the exquisite purple robes together with one of the coveted alchemist badges and sauntered off to his private study.

"I have a few items long locked away that I need. Get ready as I prepare. We set off in an hour. Finish up those items as well."

"Yes gra... master.." Zhu Yuan could only swallow his astonishment and scurry forth into a flurry of writing. As he did this, he heard the soft laugh of his Old Man Yuan. A laughter that was filled with cunning and devoid of uncertainty.

And despite how bewildered he felt, that short soft laugh greatly set his heart and mind at ease at once.

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