Chapter 215: Three Virgins
Seeing Ye Yang clueless, the Chief Alchemist spoke, "There are two major forces in the world of Alchemy. One is us, the Alchemy Tower, established by cultivators who sought a place for those who couldn't afford to join the Alchemy Association or had failed to do so. The other major force is the Alchemy Association itself, the true powerhouse of the Alchemy world."
"Although we are considered inferior to them, the Alchemy Tower was founded by the first disciple of the Alchemy Immortal. This disciple was banished from the Alchemy Association after being found guilty of an unspecified crime. To this day, the Alchemy Tower believes this accusation was false."
"In reality, we are not inherently inferior to them. However, the Alchemy Association enjoys the support of the government, elite families, and numerous sects, both large and small. This has earned them a worldwide reputation, while our influence is primarily confined to the southern part of this world."
Chief Alchemist elaborated on the entire situation. Ye Yang understood that this could pose a significant problem if the Li family sought assistance from the Alchemy Association.
The air in the Li family hall hung heavy with the weight of grief and simmering rage.
Family Head, his face contorted in a mask of fury, had just recounted the events, his voice trembling with barely suppressed anger.
The murder of his only son, the last memory of his late wife, had ignited a fire within him.
"Those cowards! They dare to protect a murderer!" First Elder Li roared, his voice echoing through the hall. "Our family has suffered a great loss today! This cannot stand!"
The other elders, though shaken by the news and the Family Head's outburst, remained composed. They knew the gravity of the situation.
The Alchemy Tower, though seemingly neutral, was a force to be reckoned with. They had a long history, a legacy built on defiance and a hidden force with significant influence in the south.
"We cannot afford to underestimate them," cautioned Elder Mei, a woman with a sharp mind and a calm demeanour. "Direct confrontation would be unwise. They are unpredictable and have a history of unconventional tactics."
Elder Lin, a man known for his ruthlessness, scoffed. "Unpredictable? They are nothing but a bunch of arrogant fools hiding behind their 'righteous' facade."
"A single well-placed assassin, someone skilled in the art of silent killing, could eliminate this Ye Yang. The Death Valley has some of the most lethal assassins in the world. We simply need to hire one."
Elder Mei immediately objected. "Dealing with people from Death Valley is always risky. They are mercenaries, bound by no honour or loyalty. Once the job is done, they could easily turn on us. We should avoid such entanglements."
The Family Head, a man of few words and a calculating mind, remained silent throughout the discussion. His eyes, however, held a glint of cold determination. He had already made his decision.
Elder Mei, sensing the prevailing mood, decided to try a different approach. "Perhaps we should seek the aid of the Alchemy Association," she suggested, her voice calm and measured.
"They have long held a grudge against the Alchemy Tower. This incident could be the perfect opportunity to strike a blow against their rivals."
The suggestion struck a chord with several elders. The Alchemy Association, with its vast resources and powerful connections, could easily crush the Alchemy Tower.
"The Association would be more than happy to assist us," Elder Lin agreed, a predatory smile gracing his lips. "This would not only avenge our Young Master but also weaken a significant threat to our own influence."
The Family Head, finally breaking his silence, nodded in agreement. "Elder Mei's suggestion is sound. We will contact the Alchemy Association and explore this avenue."
Later that day,
The air in the dimly lit room crackled with tension. Li Yuan, the head of the Li family, sat opposite a figure shrouded in shadows.
Only the glint of cold, calculating eyes pierced the darkness. This was an assassin, a creature of the night, hired to eliminate a single individual: Ye Yang.
"The target," Li Yuan began, his voice low and menacing, "is a cultivator within the Alchemy Tower. A young man, likely in his early Spirit Awakening stage. Arrogant, reckless, and enemy of our family."
The assassin remained silent; his gaze unwavering. Li Yuan, unnerved by the chilling silence, continued, "The reward will be…substantial."
"Substantial?" the assassin scoffed, his voice a low growl. "Killing someone within the Alchemy Tower is no easy feat. Their defences are formidable. And this 'young man'… he might be more dangerous than you realize."
Li Yuan bristled. "He's just a boy, a fledgling cultivator. We have information on his strength."
"Information can be deceiving," the assassin countered. "The Alchemy Tower has its secrets. This 'boy' could be a prodigy, a hidden talent. Underestimating him could be fatal."
"The risk is acceptable," Li Yuan insisted. "The reward will be commensurate with the danger."
The assassin leaned forward; his eyes gleaming in the darkness. "Acceptable? Acceptable to whom? To you? Or to me? This mission carries significant risk. I demand compensation befitting the danger."
Li Yuan hesitated. "What… what are your demands?"
The assassin's voice grew colder. "One hundred thousand peak-grade spirit stones. And… three virgins. From your family."
Li Yuan's eyes widened in disbelief. "Three… virgins? This is absurd!"
"Is it?" the assassin countered, his voice dripping with icy disdain.
"You want me to risk my life, to infiltrate one of the most heavily guarded strongholds in the region, all for a few measly spirit stones? This is a significant undertaking, Li Yuan. It requires significant compensation."
Li Yuan felt a surge of anger, but he quickly suppressed it. He knew he had no leverage. The assassin was the only one who could deliver the justice he craved.
"One hundred thousand spirit stones is acceptable," Li Yuan conceded, his voice tight. "But the… the other demand…"
"Is non-negotiable," the assassin insisted. "Consider it a… token of appreciation for my services."
Li Yuan felt a wave of nausea wash over him. The thought of sacrificing his own kin filled him with disgust, but he knew he had no choice.
"Very well," he growled through clenched teeth. "The spirit stones and… the virgins. You will have them."
The assassin finally smiled, a chilling, predatory smile. "Excellent. The hunt begins."
Li Yuan watched as the assassin melted back into the shadows, leaving him alone with his shame and his thirst for vengeance.
He had made a terrible bargain, but he had no regrets. Ye Yang would pay for his crimes, and the death of his son would be avenged.
News of the Li family's plight quickly reached the ears of the Alchemy Association.
Grand Elder Duan, a man with eyes that held the wisdom of centuries, listened to the Li family representative with a grim expression.
The murder of the Li family's Young Master was a grave offense, but it also presented a unique opportunity.
"The Alchemy Tower has overstepped its bounds," Grand Elder Duan declared, his voice booming through the hall.
"This act of defiance cannot be tolerated. We will assist the Li family in bringing the murderer to justice."
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The decision was met with unanimous approval. The Alchemy Association, long chafing under the perceived arrogance of the Alchemy Tower, eagerly seized this opportunity to assert their dominance.
Meanwhile, within the confines of the Alchemy Tower, Ye Yang remained oblivious to the gathering storm.
He was training diligently, honing his skills, unaware that he had become a pawn in a deadly game played by powerful forces.
The news was suppressed by Elder Xuan for some reason. He then contacted representatives from elite families and top-tier sects, convening a meeting to discuss the matter. He himself attended as a representative of the Alchemy Association.
Elder Xuan, his face a mask of calculated coldness, addressed the gathered elders from the elite families and top-tier sects.
"This incident," he began, his voice low and deliberate, "presents us with an opportunity. The Alchemy Tower, long a thorn in our side, has overstepped its bounds. Their defiance must be punished."
A murmur of agreement rippled through the assembled elders. The Alchemy Tower, with its independent spirit and growing influence, had long been a source of unease for the established powers.
"We can use this situation to our advantage," Elder Xuan continued, his eyes gleaming with a predatory light.
"By discreetly supporting the Li family, we can weaken the Alchemy Tower, chip away at their influence in the south. This will not only serve as a warning to others but also consolidate our own power."
The elders, sensing an opportunity to assert their dominance, readily agreed. A plan was hatched, a web of intrigue spun, with the Alchemy Tower as the unsuspecting prey.
Meanwhile, deep within the heart of Death Valley, a chilling laughter echoed through the air.
The Master Assassin, his body slick with sweat, revelled in the ecstasy of the moment.
Three beautiful women, their eyes glazed with a mixture of fear and pleasure, writhed beneath him. He was fuc*ing the one beast girl and two human females, such willing vessels for his desires.
"Such… exquisite… offerings," he growled, his voice rough with pleasure. "The Li family knows how to please." He chuckled darkly. "This will be a most… entertaining hunt."
Death Valley Master spoke, "Killer Dragon, you go and kill that brat. But before that, go and bring those virgins. After that, you can have these two." He spanked the naked buttocks of two human females while humping the beast woman.