"Pill Master Lin."
Xu Chang’an smiled and greeted him.
This Horned Horse Demon was a Tier Two Alchemist at the Flame Leaf Elixir Workshop.
He had met Xu Chang’an before.
"Gray Rat Alchemist, are you here to officially report for duty today?"
the Horned Horse Demon asked with an enthusiastic smile.
His attitude was a world of difference from how he had acted in front of the Tiger Demon.
There was, of course, a reason for his warmth toward Xu Chang’an.
For one, they were new colleagues at the Elixir Workshop, and it was only natural to build a good relationship since they would be interacting frequently.
On the other hand, and more importantly, Xu Chang’an’s talent in alchemy was outstanding, and he was held in high regard by Pill Master Ye.
"Not yet! I’m just here to take a look and arrange for some adjustments to the Alchemy Room."
"I see. Gray Rat Alchemist, once you’ve officially reported, we must have a proper meal together. You have to give me the honor!"
"Of course, of course."
Xu Chang’an replied with a smile.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Xu Chang’an went downstairs and left.
"Pill Master Lin, who was that just now?"
The black-and-white striped Tiger Demon had been listening from the side the whole time without interrupting.
As a Tier Two Alchemist, Pill Master Lin held a distinguished status within the Flame Leaf Elixir Workshop. ’Why was he so enthusiastic toward that Gray Rat Demon?’
"The Gray Rat Alchemist, who just joined our Flame Leaf Elixir Workshop!"
Pill Master Lin glanced at the Tiger Demon, his expression turning neutral again as he spoke coolly.
The Tiger Demon wanted to ask more, but Pill Master Lin seemed to have lost interest and didn’t wish to elaborate.
’Gray Rat Alchemist?’
The Tiger Demon watched Xu Chang’an’s departing figure, pondering inwardly.
’For Pill Master Lin to treat him as an equal, this Gray Rat Alchemist must be a Tier Two Alchemist at the very least.’
’Given Pill Master Lin’s enthusiasm during their conversation, the Gray Rat Alchemist might even be a Second Order Middle Grade Alchemist.’
’A Second Order Middle Grade Alchemist... a being capable of refining the Foundation Establishment Pill.’
’Their status is even more revered than that of a Veteran Great Demon!’
’Even here in Peacock Demon City, they are considered a respectable figure!’
...
Xu Chang’an listed all the necessary improvements to the steward of the Flame Leaf Elixir Workshop.
The steward was extremely cooperative, patting his chest and promising to resolve all the issues within a few days.
After leaving the Flame Leaf Elixir Workshop, Xu Chang’an didn’t head straight back to the Outer City but continued deeper inside.
As a respected Tier Two Alchemist, the Flame Leaf Elixir Workshop had naturally arranged a dedicated residence for him.
It was located in the Inner City of Peacock Demon City, in a residential area called the Seven-Colored Workshop.
Since he was already here, he decided to check out the Seven-Colored Workshop.
Land in Peacock Demon City was expensive, especially in the Inner City, where every inch was worth its weight in gold.
Even an inconspicuous little house could represent an astronomical amount of Demon Stones.
The Seven-Colored Workshop was considered an upper-middle-class area among the many residential districts in the Inner City.
Most of the residents were demons who had achieved a very high level of skill in their respective professions.
The rest were demons with powerful backgrounds.
Even ordinary Foundation Establishment Great Demons wouldn’t necessarily be able to live there.
After looking around, Xu Chang’an was extremely satisfied with the residence in the Seven-Colored Workshop.
It was a detached house with a courtyard, elegant surroundings, and excellent privacy.
The Spiritual Qi was dense, making it suitable for cultivation.
Most importantly, he didn’t have to pay any Demon Stones for it; it was a benefit provided entirely by the Flame Leaf Elixir Workshop.
’Not bad, not bad! It seems the status of a Tier Two Alchemist in this Peacock Demon City is much higher than I imagined!’
After leaving the Seven-Colored Workshop, Xu Chang’an headed straight for the Outer City to visit the brokerage.
He needed to negotiate with the brokerage to terminate the contract for his storefront on Pear Blossom Lane early.
The contract he had previously signed with the brokerage was for a five-year lease at two hundred Demon Stones per year. In addition, he had paid a two-hundred-Demon-Stone security deposit.
He had now been renting the place on Pear Blossom Lane for a total of three and a half years.
Terminating the contract early was a partial breach, which meant he would have to pay a penalty in Demon Stones.
However, he had spent a lot of time and Demon Stones on the decorations for the shop on Pear Blossom Lane.
If he offered that as compensation, he should be able to negotiate his way out of paying the penalty.
He should be able to get back his two-hundred-Demon-Stone deposit and one hundred Demon Stones in rent, for a total of three hundred Demon Stones.
When he arrived at the brokerage, a Little Demon receptionist came up to greet him.
"How may I help you, esteemed guest?"
Xu Chang’an stated his purpose, and the Little Demon receptionist led him to a private room.
The Antelope Spirit who had handled his case before happened to be in the shop.
So, he was the one to assist Xu Chang’an this time as well.
Xu Chang’an explained his request and expectations to the Antelope Spirit.
"Esteemed guest, there’s no major issue with terminating the contract early.
However, according to the contract, early termination requires a corresponding compensation in Demon Stones.
Those Demon Stones would be deducted from your security deposit, so getting a full refund would indeed be rather difficult."
The Antelope Spirit’s face showed a hint of difficulty.
"I spent a considerable amount of Demon Stones on the storefront decorations and the courtyard landscaping. That can be considered compensation for the breach of contract."
Xu Chang’an said calmly.
"Most importantly, I’ve left some of the arrays in the Alchemy Room on the second floor."
"Arrays!?
How many? And what grade?"
The Antelope Spirit’s eyes lit up.
The storefront decorations and courtyard landscaping were indeed nice, and at best, they might allow for a slightly higher rent next time. But it was hard to generate direct profit from them. If there were arrays set up, however, that was a different story.
"Two! Tier One Middle Grade!"
Xu Chang’an explained.
He really hadn’t scrimped on Demon Stones when setting up the arrays in the Alchemy Room. Even after dismantling and recovering several arrays, he had still left two behind.
"In that case, it can be done."
The Antelope Spirit looked overjoyed.
The value of two Tier One Middle Grade arrays was far more than the penalty fee in Demon Stones required for breaking the contract.