Chapter 642: Alchemy Association

The Alchemy Association occupied an entire district in the capital, its sprawling complex surrounded by towering walls of white stone and adorned with intricate carvings of flames, cauldrons, and mythical beasts.

Unlike the residences of the noble clans, which often relied on extravagant displays of wealth to establish their prestige, the association’s buildings were designed with a particular purpose in mind.

Tall chimneys rose from the rooftops, releasing thin streams of coloured smoke, while protective formations shimmered faintly across the courtyards. Even from a distance, Damian could sense the fluctuations of magical energy coming from within.

The palanquin descended toward the main entrance, drawing the attention of several guards stationed beside the gates. The moment they recognised the insignia of the Prince of Lust, their expressions changed. One hurried forward to clear the entrance, while another ran inside to inform the association’s leadership.

Laura slid the window open and looked outside with unconcealed satisfaction.

"We’re here."

Damian glanced at the enormous building beyond the gates. "I can see that."

"Try to look a little more impressed. This place is one of the most important institutions in the Underworld."

The palanquin settled gently onto the stone pavement. An attendant opened the door, and Damian stepped outside, his white robes flowing around his legs.

Laura followed him, adjusting her dress before moving to his side.

The association’s entrance doors opened before they could reach the steps. A group of formally dressed individuals emerged, led by a tall demon with long silver hair and seven magnificent tails fanning out behind him. His ears were pointed, his eyes a striking shade of amber, and his robes were the deep crimson traditionally associated with senior alchemists. Fine golden patterns decorated the sleeves, while a small jade furnace hung from his waist.

The man approached with measured steps and bowed.

"Your Highness, it is an honour to welcome you to the Alchemy Association. My name is Kitsune Shūren, and I currently serve as its president."

Damian studied him briefly.

A seven-tailed demon from the Kitsune Clan was shocking because Damian only achieved the level of eight tails recently.

Seven tails were no small achievement.

Yet what interested Damian more was the way Shūren carried himself. The man bowed with proper respect but showed no trace of malixe especially after ants he did to their clan.

"President Shūren," Damian replied. "I’ve heard that the association moved here from Velmora. I came to see what you’ve built in the capital."

The president’s expression remained polite.

"Then we shall do our best to ensure your visit is worthwhile."

His gaze shifted briefly toward Laura before returning to Damian.

"And we are particularly grateful that Lady Laura was able to arrange this meeting."

Damian noticed the emphasis. Laura, however, appeared entirely pleased with herself.

"President Shūren has always been very accommodating," she said.

"Indeed," Shūren replied, though the faintest twitch of one of his tails suggested that he was choosing his words carefully. "Lady Laura has been most helpful to the association."

Damian said nothing.

He had already begun to suspect that the pill was not merely a gift from a benevolent young woman. The president’s words only strengthened that suspicion.

"Shall we begin the tour?" Shūren asked.

Damian nodded.

The president led them through the entrance and into a vast reception hall. The floor was polished black marble, and the walls were lined with shelves displaying various alchemical products. Glass cases held pills of different colours and sizes, each accompanied by a small inscription detailing its properties. Some emitted faint fragrances, while others pulsed with energy that could be felt even through the protective glass.

Several visitors examined the displays, accompanied by attendants who explained the functions of the medicines. Wealthy merchants, nobles, and travelling cultivators moved through the hall, their clothing and demeanour revealing the breadth of the association’s clientele.

Damian’s gaze passed over the displays.

"How much revenue does this place generate?"

Shūren seemed pleased by the question.

"The association operates across several territories, Your Highness. Our products serve warriors, cultivators, healers, and even military organisations. We supply medicines for treating injuries, replenishing energy, strengthening the body, and assisting cultivation. Our revenue comes not only from direct sales but also from contracts with noble houses and regional governments. It’s a little over two hundred million tales a year"

"An impressive business." Damian admitted.

This was not on par with Gildreach Vault but it was still enormous. To think such a profitable business was forced out of Velmora due to corruption.

"Yet you left Velmora." Damian asked.

The president’s smile became slightly more restrained. "Yes. We did."

Damian continued walking without pressing the matter. For now, he wanted to see what the association actually did before listening to the grievances of its leadership.

Shūren appeared to understand this. He led them through a set of reinforced doors into the first production hall.

The change was immediate.

Heat rolled through the chamber, carrying the scents of herbs, mineral powders, and burning incense. Dozens of alchemists worked at individual stations, each surrounded by carefully arranged ingredients and specialised equipment. Some stood before bronze cauldrons engraved with formation arrays, while others used smaller jade furnaces to refine individual components.

The room was divided into several sections according to the complexity of the pills being produced. Apprentices handled basic medicines under the supervision of experienced practitioners, while senior alchemists worked in secluded chambers where the temperature and flow of magical energy could be controlled with greater precision.

A young alchemist held his palm above a furnace, directing a thin stream of flame into its opening. Inside, several medicinal ingredients floated in a golden liquid, slowly dissolving as he adjusted the temperature. Beside him, another practitioner ground a cluster of blue crystals into powder, carefully separating the useful material from the impurities.

Damian stopped beside the nearest station.

"What determines the quality of a pill?"

Shūren’s eyes brightened. He clearly preferred discussing his profession to explaining the association’s political difficulties.

"Several factors, Your Highness. The quality of the ingredients, the precision of the refining process, the alchemist’s control over their energy, and the flame used during refinement. Even a small mistake can ruin an entire batch."

He gestured toward the young alchemist.

"Observe."

The practitioner raised both hands, and the flame beneath his furnace changed from orange to a pale blue. The liquid inside began to rotate, drawing the dissolved ingredients into a tight spiral. Gradually, impurities rose to the surface and evaporated.

A moment later, three small pills formed at the centre of the liquid.

The alchemist immediately reduced the flame, guiding the pills into a jade tray before allowing them to cool.

"Those are basic energy-replenishing pills," Shūren explained. "They are relatively easy to produce and are used extensively by soldiers and adventurers. Their effects are modest, but the demand is enormous."

Damian picked up the tray after receiving a nod from the alchemist. He examined one of the pills before returning it.

"And the more advanced varieties?"

"Require greater precision, rarer ingredients, and more specialised flames. Some formulas cannot be reproduced without a particular flame, no matter how skilled the alchemist might be."

Damian’s expression sharpened.

"Like the Soul Fortification Pill."

Shūren’s movements slowed for the briefest moment.

Laura glanced between them.

The president turned toward Damian, his polite expression unchanged.

"So Lady Laura has already given you the pill."

"She has."

"And you’ve taken it?"

Damian’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Why do you sound as though you were waiting for me to say that?"

Shūren did not answer immediately.

Instead, he motioned for them to continue deeper into the hall. They passed several rows of furnaces before reaching a quieter section, where senior alchemists worked behind transparent barriers reinforced with magical inscriptions. The energy in this area was noticeably denser, and the air carried a more complex mixture of fragrances.

One of the practitioners was refining a dark red pill whose surface occasionally flickered with tiny sparks. Another worked with a cluster of pale roots suspended above a silver cauldron, using a narrow stream of white fire to draw out their medicinal essence.

Damian watched for several moments then he turned toward the president.

"Let’s stop pretending this is an ordinary tour. Why did you give Laura the Soul Fortification Pill?"

Shūren’s seven tails became still and Laura looked away.

The president released a quiet breath before turning to face Damian fully.

"Because we hoped she could persuade you to visit us."