"All right, now that we are all on the same side, let's explain how this is going to work."
Ken announced in front of the 4 people in the room. Yuri and Odette already gave him their answers, and the two met with Darma who apologize superficially for killing their friends.
"I've given Maria an important mission. Yuri and Odette, you will join her and aid her to complete it, she will give you all the details after you go. Darma will work to produce 200 pills every day, making it 18,000 per three months."
Darma grumbled in response. The amount was much higher than he initially thought, and he'd probably need at least 14 hours a day to fill the quota. He only agreed because Ken promised to give him concocting methods that would help to shorten the time and increase results.
"Some of the pills will be for you while some of them will be for sale. How to use the pills I've assigned for you is up to you, but I recommend using them in the order listed here."
Ken threw three pages to the team that entailed the pills they were eligible to receive every three months as well as the order and intervals to consume them for maximum effects.
"Any questions?"
"No, Young Master."
"Good. I will come here every few months to check on you guys and see your progress or if you need any help."
'You just want to take the money,' Darma thought bitterly.
Ken did not need to contaminate the pills with Bloodlust Qi anymore, so he could let Darma do the work for him. With the new arrangement, Maria's team would take the pills from Darma every 3 months and sell them on the black market. After selling the pills, they'd continue their search for Ken's parents and Aaron.
Every time they take a new batch of pills, they will deposit 90% of the gains in Darma's hands who would take another 10% cut for himself and give the rest to Ken whenever the latter came.
This way, Ken could continue his extravagant way of life without working too much for it himself.
'Indeed, one should think like an entrepreneur, not like an employee,' Ken thought to himself as he made a random beast submit and carry him to the sect. The trip back took him 30 hours, and he eventually made it back.
After a short deliberation, he chose to head out to the Hall of Glory and issue new challenges. He soon found the same disciple at the counter and approached him.
"Hello, Young Master," the disciple bowed, but Ken could see the hesitation in his greeting.
"How much of the Qi Stones did you use?"
"600," the clerk bit his lips. He was afraid Ken will tell him to use the remaining four hundred to issue new challenges, but he already used some for his cultivation. He didn't expect Ken not to appear in the duel.
"Don't worry, you can keep the remaining 400. Since I promised you them as a tip, I won't renege on my word. Here are 200 Qi Stones, set a duel for me."I think you should take a look at
"Thank you, Young Master!" The clerk said excitedly.
However, just as Ken placed the sum on the counter, a strong pulling force came from the side and pulled them from the clerk's grip.
"Oh ho, is the Forbidden Fruit back? There's no need to challenge others, I challenge you."
Ken turned to his right, wondering who he had provoked. Standing there was a familiar figure.
"The man who let me enter the top 500 list for the first time will do it again for my second time. What's your current rank, Paul?"
Paul, the man whom Ken defeated to enter the top 500 and earn a spot in the sects' war, had challenged Ken this time. Ken didn't have to think much to conclude the man wanted revenge; back at the time, Ken pretended to have a shaky foundation and made it appear as if he won by luck and surprise effect.
"I'm ranked 389 now, I've gotten stronger since we last met. I'm at the intermediate Core Formation stage, do you dare accept my challenge?" Paul challenged him publicly, making it hard for Ken to back off. Losing to Ken had always been a sore spot for him, and it was his chance to regain his self-respect.
"Sure, why not?" Ken shrugged.
"Since I challenge you, the date is up to you. When should we fight?" Paul asked and threw him the Qi Stones back. Since Paul was ranked higher, it didn't cost him anything to pose a challenge, and Ken did not have to accept.
"What about right now and get it over with?"
"Let's go then. Hey clerk, I was here to issue a challenge against Noir, do it for me please," Paul threw 200 power stones at the clerk and left the building after Ken toward the arena.
A small crowd, mainly consisting of disciples in their age group or around it, followed them. The crowd only turned bigger as curious disciples tagged along. Some wanted to see Ken's famous beauty while others wanted to see how an 8-year-old would fair in the rematch.
"Hey! Let Ken Sue go to the stage, delay the other battles!"
A few loud girls shouted, demanding to let their idol go on stage early. There was a queue to use the arena as there were always ongoing challenges, but somehow Ken rarely had to wait for them.
"Huh? I'm Gerald Han, do you think a kid of the Sue clan can take my turn?"
The next fighter shouted at the girls, shutting them up with his family name. They could not antagonize members of elite families blindly.
"Child of the Han clan, give these two old men some face and let Ken Sue fight next. We are interested in watching his fight and taking him for a quick chat afterward."
An old voice came out of the third floor, the floor reserved for the elders of the sect.