The Female CEO's Personal Bodyguard

Chapter 1500: Chapter 1500: You Know Alchemy, Don’t I?

”First, buying and selling items adheres to the principle of first come, first served. I have priority in purchasing.”

”Second, I was merely negotiating the price and never stated I wouldn’t take it. The item is in my hands, and I was the first to offer Immortal Spirit Stones for it. Naturally, the item belongs to me.”

Carson Flores turned around, his face calm as he stared at the pair. His tone was steady: ”Is there a problem?”

The man and woman sized up the composed Carson Flores, their gazes carrying hints of skepticism; after all, his demeanor was overly measured.

The man clasped his hands in greeting: ”I am Archie Cooke, and this is my junior sister Mia Malone, disciples of the Twin Dragon Sect. How should we address you?”

Carson Flores wasn’t wearing the White Crane Immortal Sect’s signature white robe. This wasn’t intentional—he opted for the more protective Ink Silkworm Robe instead.

Safety first when traveling.

Carson Flores returned the courtesy casually: ”White Crane Immortal Sect, Carson Flores.”

White Crane Immortal Sect?

Archie Cooke and Mia Malone exchanged a glance, their eyes betraying a trace of wariness.

The White Crane Immortal Sect was a major force on the Skyland Continent. Although its glory had faded compared to its former days, it was not a sect to be trifled with lightly.

The Twin Dragon Sect was powerful and could rival the White Crane Immortal Sect in strength. Known for their expertise in alchemy, the sect had an extensive network, and on the land of the Phoenix Dynasty, disciples of the Twin Dragon Sect were practically untouchable.

Archie Cooke mulled over it for two seconds before smiling and speaking: ”Daoist Flores, I am an alchemist and currently preparing to refine an elixir. I lack only pure yang wood. I have been searching high and low, and today I finally found this piece. Would you be willing to part with it? I am willing to pay double the price.”

Carson Flores smiled faintly: ”What a coincidence—I too am an alchemist, and I also need pure yang wood for my elixir. I’ve been wandering around this market for days, and today I finally came across it.”

Carson Flores hadn’t explicitly stated whether he was willing to sell, but Archie Cooke understood.

The man needed it too—he wouldn’t sell!

Archie Cooke’s expression darkened slightly, but determined to secure the pure yang wood, he pressed on: ”My master is Guillermo Wyatt, Sect Master of the Twin Dragon Sect. Traveling outside the sect, it is always wise to be considerate towards others—it amounts to being considerate of oneself. How about this: if Daoist Flores is willing to part with the pure yang wood, I can refine a batch of premium elixirs for you at no charge. It would be a friendly gesture—what do you think?”

Oh ho, he’s flaunting his background and planning to leverage his power?

Carson Flores had gone through considerable effort to obtain this piece of pure yang wood—he wouldn’t dream of giving it up.

You’re a Sect Master’s disciple, but I’m the Sect Master’s junior uncle!

Afraid of you?

You can refine elixirs—do you think I can’t?

Carson Flores smiled faintly: ”Thank you for your kind offer, Daoist Cooke. However, the elixir I need, I can refine myself. All that’s lacking is this material. Perhaps Daoist Cooke could continue searching—I’m sure there may still be other sellers.”

Archie Cooke’s face turned completely cold.

As the most gifted first-generation disciple of the Twin Dragon Sect, personally taken under the Sect Master’s tutelage as a True Disciple, his identity was exalted. Wherever he went, he was showered with respect.

Here, in the Phoenix Dynasty, aside from the Fatalist Sect, whom he did have some reservations about, he had never feared anyone.

Now, for the sake of this piece of pure yang wood, he had lowered himself, speaking gently, offering double the price, even promising free alchemy. Yet the other party was utterly unappreciative?

Did his reputation, his promise to refine elixirs for others, mean less than a measly one hundred thousand Spirit Stones—less than this piece of pure yang wood?

Not giving him face at all!

Did the man think being a disciple of the White Crane Immortal Sect made him untouchable?

At his side, Mia Malone sneered: ”Really takes advantage of the situation, doesn’t he? And you call yourself an alchemist—surely you mean someone who dabbles in low-grade elixirs. From what I know, your White Crane Immortal Sect doesn’t have a single notable figure in alchemy, does it?”

Carson Flores smiled without taking offense.

Mia Malone’s remarks were deliberately mocking, but they weren’t untrue. The White Crane Immortal Sect indeed had very few skilled alchemists, and none were particularly formidable.

”Perhaps in everyone’s eyes, our White Crane Immortal Sect isn’t proficient in alchemy. This time, I’ve come to participate in the alchemy contest—hoping to change the perception people have of the White Crane Immortal Sect.”

Mia Malone mocked further: ”You’re representing the White Crane Immortal Sect in the Pill King Tournament?”

Carson Flores nodded: ”Yes, I’ve already registered.”

”Haha, you...”

Mia Malone laughed wantonly and arrogantly: ”The Pill King Tournament is brimming with genius alchemists—given your White Crane Immortal Sect’s foundation, what kind of alchemists could they even train? Are you here to redeem your sect’s reputation or solidify its place as a joke in alchemy?”

Archie Cooke sneered coldly: ”The White Crane Immortal Sect is indeed competent in many aspects, but alchemy? Alchemy is not about fighting prowess—it’s a discipline requiring talent. A sect must have deep roots to cultivate excellent alchemists. Does your White Crane Immortal Sect even have any skilled alchemists? Do you even have a legacy of expertise in alchemy?”

In a bustling marketplace within the city, Archie Cooke naturally refrained from resorting to violence. He would be in the wrong if he did.

Were this an ordinary situation, he would have acted without hesitation. But in this market, filled with cultivators from various major sects across the Skyland Continent, any rashness on his part might tarnish the Twin Dragon Sect’s reputation.

Since the other party was here to compete in the alchemy contest—a field he excelled in—why not humiliate him in that arena?

Stealing my resource?

I’ll make sure you lose all dignity!