Page: Returning the Favor

After taking the oath, a certain light entered each of them. For the viewers, it was as if nothing happened but for the oath takers, both saw a purple spark entering their head.

[System alert: You have been marked by the heavens. When oath is broken, there is no escape from the judgement lightning.]

The crowd started to disperse after the show. Long Bai and the concerned party, except the old mister entered the pill making room at the second floor. Old mister was instructed to remain downstairs and wait for the results. Some other people who took interest even started making bet.

"Someone's having a match. Its Alchemist Mo vs a kid. The kid's making a Poison fly antidote! Anyone who wants to bet? The odds are on alchemist Mo so we have 2:5 ratio. Anyone for the kid?"

Outside the tower, people congregated and made a funfair. Bets are made and most went to the grade 2 alchemist. If Long Bai learned this, he might have asked his senior sister to make a bet for him.

Inside the test room, Long Bai quietly arranged the materials and checked the condition of the instruments. While waiting, the three were sitting together while having a tea and Long Bai saw the confidence being brewed on the grade 2 alchemist's face. It must be the confidence of an experienced grade 2 alchemist. After few sips, Elder Wei spoke.

"Say, alchemist Mo, if you are to make the pill right now, how likely are you to succeed? You are a proud member of the tower. You must at least know your capabilities, don't you?"

His eyes were not looking at him but he can feel a little bit of intimidation. The presence of a much stronger individual creates a coercive environment and this is what is happening to alchemist Mo. He wouldn't dare to be arrogant so he spoke of a small certain of chance that he might succeed.

Everything are in place so there was nothing to do but start the procedures. Before Long Bai entered the room together with the three, he asked Zhang Li some questions pertaining to the concoction of the antidote. It was not about how to make it but he asked how long it would take for an average alchemist to make the pill. They were just questions for him as a reference.

Bai's thoughts were running wild.

'I must take this slowly. Supposedly, this would just take 10 minutes if I rely on the system but it would be too much if I'll do that as a beginner. Senior Li said it would take atleast 15 minutes so let me extend to almost twenty minutes.'

The three watched how Bai was doing it. Looking at the faces of the two alchemists, Zhang Li was about to laugh since she felt she had such expression when she first saw how Bai was efficient in controlling the flames. Alchemist Mo, astonished and amazed, let out a soft grunt as he watched the scene. He looked at Zhang Li and asked if this was really a person who just started learning alchemy.

Zhang Li just replied with a smile then reverted her watchful eye back at Long Bai. It was the same procedures she taught but she felt like they were more systematic and fine tuned. The basic movements were basic but there were no extra movements that was distracting. Elder Wei on the other hand was deeply scrutinizing Long Bai's every movement.

"Little Li, you said you just taught him for a day and yet he is this good? Even for me, I can't spot any wrong moves here. This student, even though I like him, he must present the final product or his efforts are futile."

Ten minutes have past, 15 minutes... 16...17.. 18... Long Bai was already tired slowing down the process so he must finish it now. With the final compressions, the pill started to form. As far as he knows, this pill would have a silvery texture since what he utilized was the efficiency of creating a middle grade pill which was 81%. Although the efficiency of the low grade pill was high, a low grade pill's effectiveness was not as potent as the mid grade. Since the old man gave him a nice opportunity, it is also appropriate to give back what is due.

Long Bai out out the flames and waited for the furnace to cool down. Inside the furnace, seven silvery pills were there. Long Bai took them all while he hid four of them inside his cosmic pouch in secret. He then presented the four pills that's left to the three.

"Elders, senior, please check the pill if there's a problem." Long Bai handed a pill each to the three and waited for a response. Curious, he watched them making wide eyes and gasps which made him smile. He was thinking 'did I overdo it?'.

The elder was first to recover from the amused state and gave a clear declaration. "This is indeed the Poison fly antidote. In addition, it it a middle grade pill. Alchemist Mo, do you have anything to say?"

Alchemist Mo was trembling while clutching the pill on his hand. His knees gave up and gave a follow-up greetings to Long Bai.

"This is indeed the Poison fly antidote. I have lost the bet. I will hold my end of the bargain as discussed."

"Alchemist Mo, don't be disheartened but instead be glad. From now on, I will be taking Long Bai as my third disciple. Working for him is not a bad choice. Don't you agree? How does that sound, Little Bai?"

Chance! This was a chance for Long Bai to establish a network and business at the same time. Why would he disagree?

"Disciple Bai greets master!" Long Bai gave the ceremonial greeting then was asked to stand up by the elder. Things went well and everyone who left the room started to aspire new goals and dreams.

Outside, the peoole was still busy chatting when they heard the door open. There, they saw four individuals coming out of the room. Many people started making speculations from the expressions they see from their faces. Many thought that it was to quick for such a young kid to finish it and so the rattles were mostly claiming the bet to be in favor of the grade 2 alchemist. However, others did not speak any conclusions as things might be the opposite of most expectations.

The people watched the four approached the old mister. The old man who pleaded for the pills was anxious on his feet so he ran towards the four while crying. He must have a lot of thoughts running through his mind that moment. Long Bai whom the old man approached ask something that the crowd did not expected.

"Mister, how many antidote pills do you require?"

Upon hearing the question, everyone was in riddled.

#2

"It can"t be, right? Does this mean I lost the bet?"

Everyone was loud thinking that the case was in that direction however there were still others who have not yet surrendered.

#3

"I don't think that's the case. Maybe he was asking to compensate the loss. Yeah, that's it. There's no way he would have succeeded. Maybe the elder helped him not to be poisoned during his failure."

The majority who made a bet of Long Bai failing created a fuss of pushing their beliefs. This commotion was heard by the old man and panicked.

"Young master, it can't be true, is it? I need the cure for my family. This can't be."

"Mister, the young master asked you the number of pills you needed. You're just hearing people's fuss but not his question?" Alchemist Mo interrupted.

Anyone who heard alchemist Mo speaking had their heart began racing. There was a high tension around.

"I'm sorry young master. I ..I need two of them. One for my wife and another for my daughter."

Most of the audience was expecting an apology but the ones who made the bet in favor of Long Bai started to become agitated and exited. They saw alchemist Mo handed two pills to the old man.

"Here are two pills. These pills are the antidote for the Poison fly. You should thank the young master for being successful in making it."

The declaration from alchemist Mo was like a bomb that was dropped in the middle of nowhere. First, there was silence and after a few seconds, everyone felt ots effects. The people erupted while the winners of the bet screamed with delight. A few was celebrating but the one who felt somewhat a miracle was the old man. Different noise was present in the area, outside and from the inside of the tower.

"Thank you young master. I will be forever grateful to you. Once my family recovers, we will offer our outmost sincere thanks to you." The old man vowed to his lowest form. Long Bai who was not yet used to such gesture pulled the man up to stand.

"Old mister, no one owes someone a favor. Both have benefited from the circumstances. Right now, you need to immediately go back so your family may return healthy."

Long Bai see to it that the old man exited the place safely before returning to the tower with everyone. Now that he got his badge, its time for business.