……
Kifo suddenly walked into Zilan’s room, “There’s someone who wants to see you.” He said. His expression as he spoke told Zilan more than his actual words. The surprise and confusion on his face could not be masked or rather he didn’t care to conceal it causing Zilan to wonder who it was that had come.
“Who is it?” Zilan asked. Fujo was also curious, this was after all the Purple Heart Two Flames camp thus he could not help but wonder who it was that could come here and solicit such a reaction from Kifo.
“The First Elder.” Kifo replied. Just like Zilan he too had sharp senses which is why he picked up on the powerful presence outside the house. As he went to take a look, he saw the First Elder being escorted by Amani and it appeared like they were coming towards him. Sure enough, they were. The First Elder wanted to meet with Zilan, surprising Kifo.
“Did he say what he wanted?” Zilan asked. He could feel the powerful presence emanating from downstairs which made him somewhat uncomfortable. ‘This isn’t the aura of someone in the soul-compression stage. He must be at the Core Compression stage.’ To reach such a level of cultivation in this world, the First Elder was without a doubt outstanding. To put it into perspective, other than Mungu, the strongest person in this world whether it be human or Beast could only be at the peak of the Core Compression stage. Although there was a huge, huge gap between being at the early point of the stage and peak of the Core Compression stage, the First Elder still had to be respected after all, he was an Alchemist on top of his cultivation and Alchemists had their own way of fighting.
For a soul-compression stage practitioner standing next to someone in the Core Compression stage was almost like standing next to another being. Soul-compression was the doorway to getting closer to the Universe, Core Compression on the other hand was like walking through the door and seeing what was on the other side.
“Send him in.” Kifo along with Fujo excused themselves. A minute later, the First Elder came into the room. A calm confidence surrounded him as he approached.
“Greetings, Senior.” Zilan cupped his hands and slightly bowed or more accurately nodded. The First Elder smiled at him and waved his hand in dismissal, “No need to be so courteous, we are fellow disciples now. You can just refer to me by name.” Zilan was somewhat unprepared for the First Elder’s attitude however, he quickly adjusted. “That is not right. You are the Senior and I the Junior, this is the custom.”
The First Elder smiled, “As you wish.”
“Apologies for my straightforwardness but why have you come?” Zilan asked. From the way he carried himself and his aura, Zilan could immediately tell that the ‘Master’ the First Elder referred to was not the man of the Roho he had met but rather the disguised ‘fake’ Chairman who looked like a lion. ‘It looks like no one really knows who the real Chairman is.’
“Master sent me. I don’t know if you are aware but the Alchemy Association is actually made up of smaller Associations that work together to make us what we are. For example, the normal Elders have camps under them which can be looked at as smaller Associations which they control. The True Elders like myself, the Second Elder and others who are both Alchemists and qualified Fire Guardians also have Associations under us that are comprised of the normal Elders and their camps. The Chairman, our Master, also has an Association under him and it is comprised of all of the True Elders. You are the newest member of that Association.” The First Elder carefully explained.
“Of course, there are exceptions to the rule. Take Wazimu for instance, he does not have a single Elder under him. This is the only camp he claims, in the future Amani will also be the first Elder under him.” It was evident he valued Amani’s talents.
“So, by controlling the True Elders, the Chairman controls the Association.” Zilan said.
“We are his disciples after all.” The First Elder said. “That reminds me, Master asked me to bring you this. He also asked me to transfer some Mystic grains and Merit points to you for your outstanding performance during the Scripture Display and for your exemplary tutelage of those young Alchemists.” Having said that, he took out his badge and transferred the grains and points to Zilan’s badge.
A hundred thousand mystic grains for coming first in the display. Another hundred thousand for guiding excellent disciples and two Merit points. Seeing the wealth he had just attained, Zilan was very satisfied. He then shifted his attention to a small vial of purple liquid that the First Elder had passed to him and examined it.
“Master said it should help you heal.” The First Elder remarked. “I’ll be taking my leave then.”
Zilan watched him leave but even after confirming his departure he did not immediately consume the purple liquid nor did he test out its effectiveness. He instead sat back and digested the First Elder’s words. Only now did he realise he had forgotten to ask about the benefits being a member of the Chairman’s Association brought him. ‘Oh well, there’s always next time.’
At that moment he suddenly felt something from his voidless sack. Taking it out, he realised what it was. It was a communication device, one that Mnyama had given him so that they could reach one another in case of anything. Zilan had almost forgotten about it.
He then sent some of his energy into the device and he was instantly connected.
“Senior Zilan, how are you?” Mnyama’s voice projected right into his ears.
“Fine. Has something come up?” Zilan got straight to the point.
“We’ve located an Inheritance site. We require your assistance.” Said Mnyama. Zilan was just about to decline however, he remembered the promise as well as the contract he signed thus he stopped himself.
“I can’t right now, I_..”
Before he could finish, Mnyama interrupted. “We’re still in negotiations that should take about a month. The Shadow faction requests for Senior’s presence at that time. This is the most that I can do.”
From this Zilan gathered that the Shadow faction must be in a tight spot therefore he couldn’t push them too far. “Very well then.”
“Many thanks to Senior.” Mnyama inwardly sighed in relief. He had been in a constant state of exhaustion for the past few days due to pressure from the superiors to get things right.
