Good Business

Edrick sat in front of the sect master of Labyrinth Palace around a coffee table. The two were enjoying a cup of tea.

“It has come to my attention that you intend on making Haoyu your sixth wife, Young Master Zixuan… How did it go? Did she accept your offer? I myself have no objection to this. I would only like to keep her at the sect to continue instructing her in the ways of Labyrinth Palace”

“Haoyu was very enthusiastic about the prospect and agreed rather swiftly… As for your demand, I don’t see any problem with it. I wouldn’t be Edrick Lucien Anoteros if I stifled the talent of my lovely wives... In any case, I also came by to thank you for the Lodestone, as well as the opportunity you gave me”

“Oh, that is nothing much, Young Master. I merely thought that it would be a good opportunity… Gaining access to this secret realm in the first place wasn’t an easy feat for either the clan or us, you see…”

“Don’t sell yourself so short, Sect Master Hulber. I have gained tremendously thanks to this initiative from Labyrinth Palace. As such, I would like to inform you that I will make sure your sect members are given the right to enter it to learn about local architecture, and perhaps even hone their skills by performing renovations”

“It would be an honour, Young Master”

“Also, I think we should further our partnership beyond just this one cooperation between us. I am an Elt, you are a vassal sect of my clan. It is only natural that we should keep close contact and maintain a healthy friendship, don’t you think?”

“A friendship, you say?”

“Indeed. I know that your position is below the clan and all that, but just because I have authority over you, it doesn’t mean that we can’t exchange like friends or business partners. I believe that working this way is better for both us–Better in the long run, I would say”

The sect leader cleared his throat… Hulber was a rather distinct individual. He was clearly a very old man from the way he stood and talked, but he actually felt more like a fossil. His hair was long and grey like stone. Exactly like stone, in fact–Which was easy to tell since he wore a stone mask on his face bearing a saddened expression.

His face was completely covered up, and in general, he was… Dusty. Literally dusty like an old block of stone. It seemed as though he had gone so deeply into architecture cultivation that he had become akin to the structures he built–Like an ancient monolith of weathered rock.

Edrick could even swear that the elder’s articulations creaked like stone as well…

“Is that so…? If I may enquire, Young Master, what kind of deal would be on the table? I am afraid that we can not provide much more than our building skills”

“Well, do not fret over this. I have… Plenty of architectural plans mapped out inside my mind, and I am certain that many more will come in due time. Beyond this, I would like you to produce more Lodestones for me. I have read about them with my third wife, and have found out that those handy items could become even more useful depending on how they were refined, or the specific materials used”

“I believe you have the capabilities to create them, Sect Master Hulber… Do you?”

“I do. I have rarely done so, to be frank, but the methods are all intact inside of my head”

“Perfect. You’ve probably already guessed it, but I intend to place Lodestone inside more realms. The realms that are limited in access, in particular, I intend to gain full ownership of them and their resources… The deal would be simple: You furnish me with the regular services as well as Lodestones, and in exchange, I give you funds and access to these realms”

“Of course, the deal could extend to special places that are not situated in other realms. My intention is to have one of those big Lodestones installed in my residence, and hook all of those other, smaller Lodestones onto it, allowing me to travel around in the blink of an eye”

“I am sure that I am not the first to have thought of this, though”

The sect master rubbed the back of his neck.

“You aren’t the first, Young Master, but most people can’t handle too much usage of Lodestones. It drags your body, soul, and the like through spatial disturbances… Have you not felt sick or disoriented when using the Lodestone?”

“Not in the least, everything is smooth and without bumps”

“Interesting… Then, it does sound like a good idea… I will seek out the necessary materials. Should I refine all sorts of Lodestones, or focus on certain kinds, Young Master?”

“You can make all varieties of them. They will surely come in handy, but focus on the typical kind, and on that one large one for now”

Anoteros drank from his cup of tea.

“Naturally, I also intend to give you a hand in recruiting new disciples. I find it quite perplexing that such a useful branch of cultivation has so few cultivators. I feel that many young cultivators don’t know about it, or don’t understand just how alluring a career in this domain can really be… As for what I would want from this… Just that some of the new recruits will be given the opportunity to join my residence”

“Simply an opportunity?”

“Indeed, people don’t like to be coerced… In any case, it should be easy for them to understand that it would be a rather alluring position, would it not?”

“That is true”

Hulber stayed silent for a few moments.

“...I feel the need to thank you for the partnership, Young Master. It has been a very long time since we have been able to form a meaningful bond with a specific individual of the Elt clan. It is rather significant for us”

“There is really no need to thank me–I simply think it is the logical thing to do… In any case, if you feel like spending some time man-to-man with me, Hulber, you can just ask–If you get what I mean... Also, may I see your collection of cultivation techniques? I was wondering if there were some focused on the other aspect of structures that did not involve building something, but instead, claiming ownership or controlling an already existing one”

“...I will remember the offer, Young Master. As for our library of techniques, there are indeed some that fit the description you gave. Follow me”

The scion had completed his first official deal with a vassal sect.