Chief Leo and Chief Kent were merchants. As such, they wanted nothing more than to see their shelves become empty, their wares translated into spirit stones, just not like that.

Since the clients were making the purchases, the two Chiefs were powerless to oppose the ploy. It was a power move that put Grace clearly above them, and things only worsened.

Grace soon publicly announced the most popular alchemical products’ requirements, meaning the clients never purchased ingredients by mistake.

Every single power stone, be it loaned, spent on the two merchants, or directly to Grace, would ultimately end up in her hands one way or another.

So, Leo and Kent could only swallow the blood they wanted to puke, smiling while basically fueling Grace’s business, silently praying to the Heavens for retribution.

It would take one failure, just one, to tip the scales slightly, to fill the crowd with some reasonable hesitation. It would be even better if it happened with Philip’s request.

However, that rightful punishment never arrived. Liam finished the elixirs and successfully dealt with the special Qi-Igniting Pill. Then, some clients put together their ingredients to commission healing pills, and Liam completed those, too.

More of that followed, masterfully managed by Grace without ever needing Liam’s intervention again. He was a shrouded, silent money-making machine, nothing short of a magician capable of multiplying the value of anything he touched without fail.

Then, late in the afternoon, the final blow arrived.

Many among the crowd had already noticed it, and Liam did so before anyone else. Yet, the people in question waited for him to finish concocting.

Liam disregarded the event, already going inside the tent to seize ingredients Grace had rearranged, when she reached his side, gesturing toward the crowd.

Philip had returned after his swift departure once he received his commission. Lynn was also at his side, smiling from ear to ear, his previous paleness replaced by a healthy rosy complexion.

"Master William," Philip said, his voice loud, bowing where everyone could see him. "Your Pill worked. My Junior Brother’s spiritual root reawakened."

"Master William," Lynn joined his Senior Brother in his bow. "Senior, your Pill was so masterfully crafted, it resonated with my very foundation. It was as if it were made specifically for me."

That was one way of repaying kindness. Sect people were far from stupid or ignorant. At the very least, Philip had realized what Grace and Liam were doing and the difficulties they could encounter.

Launching new alchemists into the market was no easy feat. Everything was going smoothly at the tournament, but it might not last.

Also, problems were bound to arise afterward. Other merchants could spread rumors and more, going from the wildest stories to extremely tame ones that didn’t differ much from the truth.

While Liam’s concoctions had left every single client satisfied, most were mere lone cultivators. As for the Guild members, they were more important, but not by much, and they could cave to politics, changing their testimony.

What Grace and Liam, in particular, needed the most was someone untouchable to vouch for them. Philip and Lynn could fill that role since spreading false rumors would be akin to calling them liars, and no one would dare to do that to members of the Roaring Thunder Sect.

"Master William, I’ll be sure to testify for your expertise to all my Brothers and Sisters," Philip added. "Today, you made a friend for life."

"Two, Master William," Lynn joined his Senior Brother again.

Grace didn’t mind losing the spotlight. It never was hers anyway. Liam was the true star, the reason that whole strategy was possible.

Still, Liam simply cupped his fist, and Grace did, too. Philip and Lynn departed at that point, but the crowd remained, meaning the shop had to continue working.

The following earnings were inferior to the previous day, at least on Liam’s side, since his products now had to account for the ingredients the clients purchased.

Yet, Liam didn’t care. He actually felt better that way, splitting everything properly evenly with Grace. That was his idea of an alliance after all, of friendship.

Besides, Grace’s ingredients would have eventually ended anyway. Instead, like that, Liam could concoct for far longer, meaning that his total earnings would vastly overcome the initial estimates given enough time.

Still, night came, and with that an answer to Leo and Kent’s prayers.

It wasn’t subtle. It couldn’t. It was too fast for most to notice, but not for the rooting experts, and especially not for Liam.

A tall, elderly man appeared in front of the crowd without making a sound. He had a square jaw, a well-kept short grey beard, and short white hair. His face was grim and wrinkled, but his blue eyes were big and intense.

Also, the elderly man was a branching expert, one of the two in the valley, something that his presence warned everyone about.

"Senior!" Grace gasped, bowing deeply. "What can my humble shop do for you?"

The branching expert didn’t reply. He didn’t even look at Grace. He only stared at Liam in the silence he had created, watching his every move while he kept concocting.

The man’s pressure was undeniable, his attention slightly suffocating, and everything was directed at Liam. However, he remained unaffected, aware of the event but fully focused on his job.

But the concoction was almost over, and, in a few minutes, Liam was wrapping healing pills in specific containers, leaving them on the ground so that he could go back to the tent.

There might be a branching expert on the scene, but the audience was for Grace to manage. Liam only had to concoct nonstop, and that was what he planned on doing. Except that he was interrupted.

"Junior," The branching expert called, pressure falling on Liam, telling him he was the target. "I’m Elder Dominic of the Shrouded Desert Sect. As granted by my authority as Disciplinary Elder, I decided to recruit you."

That was what the whole tournament was about, the true goal of the cultivators who had stepped into the battle platforms, only to be awarded to someone who hadn’t fought.

Truth be told, Grace had predicted that possibility, too. It was obvious, really. Alchemists were that rare.

However, Grace hadn’t expected a branching expert to join the fray. That literally never happened. Even when someone truly worthy appeared, those powerful figures would send disciples to handle the recruitment.

Still, Liam had been too good, and that elderly expert was known for ignoring customary rules. Grace had already heard about Elder Dominic and his domineering persona, which his words confirmed. They weren’t an invitation. They were a one-sided decision. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Grace could have played the Guild card against disciples, postponing talks with the excuse of finishing her business agreement with Liam first.

Yet, nothing would work against a branching expert. Grace was powerless, only allowed to keep her head lowered and prepare for Liam’s obvious response. At least, what should have been his obvious response.

"Senior, I’m sorry," Liam said, bowing to the Elder. "I’m grateful for the offer, but I must reject it."

Liam had to admit that he felt quite proud of himself. He believed that was the politest he had ever managed to be, but his achievement had little effect on the Elder.

The air grew tense, almost liquid. A suffocating pressure descended on the area, conveying to the world how angry Elder Dominic was. Even his already grim face somehow darkened even further.

"Junior, did I hear it right?" Elder Dominic questioned, his voice like sharp blades. "You refuse to join the Shrouded Desert Sect despite me recruiting you in person?"

That aspect of politics was something Liam could understand. The Elder’s presence added a far higher value to the offer. It was a matter of reputation, something Liam’s rejection was insulting.

Still, Liam didn’t really have an option. He had a previous agreement with Grace, and he just couldn’t join a Sect.

But, while Liam considered which words to use next, someone far more savvy in those social interactions had already reached a conclusion. While the refusal pleased Grace, she knew it was her job to get him out of that situation.

"Esteemed Disciplinary Elder of the Shrouded Desert Sect," Grace exclaimed, straightening herself. "Allow me-!"

Grace never managed to employ her social expertise since the Elder snapped his dark sleeve at her, and something heavy hit her cheek.

Grace remained on her feet, but her figure shook. She half-bent, her face snapping to her left. The small crown keeping her hair tied also flew away, her long brown strands falling all over her head.

Something else fell, something Liam could smell. Drops of blood dripped from Grace’s lips, mixing with the ground.

"Don’t speak unless you are spoken to," Elder Dominic snorted.

"Senior, I apologize," Grace pleaded, keeping her head down, "But-!"

Grace couldn’t finish her plea again, but due to something else. Elder Dominic was already snapping his sleeve at her when a big hand wrapped itself around his wrist, interrupting the gesture.