Henry bowed and took the new manuals from Ken. He did not know it, but Ken integrated inside concepts he had read in the inheritance he purchased for over a million BP in the Residence of a Buddha and a Demon in the secret realm.
Nevertheless, he was still grateful to Ken for going out of his way to improve the inheritance and upgrading so many techniques to the Heaven grade. His choice to join Ken's side was reinforced again, just like when Ken gave him pills that upgraded his foundation and even improved his affinity to his specialized Qi types.
"Do you plan to tell Miles you will be leaving the sect, or will you simply leave when the time comes?" Ken asked the silent monk.
Henry did not reply. Maybe because he had no answer yet himself, and perhaps because he did not want to.
"All right, go then. You have around 3 months to raise your strength before the real mess begins. Your Demonic Qi has a technique called Mind Corruption which allows you to make others turn grateful and loyal to you if their minds are weaker than yours. Try to get control of some kids from elite clans."
Ken instructed the monk. The technique was based on the inheritance Ken had purchased and probably almost the same as the technique that corrupted his mind during the trial.
"Furthermore, now that I'm back, the Han Clan will probably look for trouble with me. Help me shift their focus away from me and take it on yourself, kill some of their descendants by challenging them specifically while you climb the ranks."
Ken gave him one more bothersome task, making Henry's gratefulness drop by half.
"Don't worry, you can live in my house. With the support of the Sue clan, you will be safe as long as you don't go to questionable places or venture outside without a disguise. You can use a wig and some makeup and they will be safe even outside. It will also help to divert some of the focus of the whole sect from me after I got the first rank in the age group of 18 to 24 when I'm only 9."
Ken had his birthday this past month, finally turning nine. His outward appearance remained relatively unchanged recently and he looked like a teenager in his early teens.
Ken updated him about the looming threat from the Four Seasons Sect and how they are going to find out about his presence in the Phoenix Feather Sect in the upcoming months. He also told him it'd be the best time to switch sides and try to join the Peaceful Demon Sect.
The two separated and Ken walked with his new bodyguards to the Alchemy Division. It was time to make some real contributions to the sect and gain the elders' support.
'Step one in acquiring allies is complete, and that's getting to the top rank in the Hall of Glory. Next, I need to submit a good Alchemy theory to prove my worth as an alchemist and go on a mission that will increase my popularity. Luckily, the Serene Lotus Sect took care of the last one.'
He showed his fourth-rank alchemist token in the reception, surprising the girl with his mastery despite being so young.
"Young Master, how may I help you?"
"I want to submit new research I've conducted; it could inspire many alchemists in our sect to improve their crafts and create new concoction methods. Furthermore, I'd like to submit two recipes I've created using this theory."
Ken planned to give the complete theory of Elemental Borrowing. Until now, the alchemists of the Phoenix Feather Sect could not instill elements they did not have into their pills, which limited their production range greatly.
Ken read a theory in the library 2 years ago that claimed it was achievable by borrowing Qi from items with that type of Qi, hence the name of the theory. He had perfected it along with another theory that speculated the possibility of instilling into pills not only Elemental Qi but also Weapon Qi and other types of Qi.
Since Ken knew these techniques already existed in the Infinite Wisdom Sect, he had no qualms about sharing them with his sect for extra benefits and connections. He didn't wish to give both theories at once as it'd reduce his merits compared to sharing one now and another later.
To show his theory was feasible, he added two techniques to draw Water Qi and Fire Qi from different gems that contained them and add them to the mix when concocting a pill. The other alchemists will be able to develop similar techniques by researching and practicing those.
"New theory? That's impressive, Young Master! Would you like to submit the papers now and you will be contacted at a later date, after the elders finish reviewing your materials?"
"What's the process?"
"Your theory will be copied and distributed to five elders. If three of them approve of your theory and find value in it, your theory will be read by 5 senior elders. If they deem your theory to be of amazing value, they might even pass it over to the grand elders, but the grand elders are extremely busy and it's unknown when they'd read it. The senior elders will be the ones to assess the CP you deserve for your theory."
The receptionist explained everything. Ken was pleased by the procedure; by sending the materials to five different elders, none of them could pretend the theory to be theirs and steal the credit. He also knew that Elder Michael had suppressed news about him, but he didn't want the news about his new theory to be suppressed.
"Is the procedure the same if I have a master?" Ken suddenly thought of a possible problem.
"No, it will be sent first to your master."
"Please remove Elder Michael from being my master then. I don't want the papers to go through him first."
"Young Master, are you sure? It might come out as rude, and if he participated in your research, you will be punished for cutting him off," the young girl warned him.
"I am sure."
Ken was never taught anything by Michael, so he did not mind removing his position as his official master.
"All right, then the procedure will follow the standard instructions."
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