Chapter 335: A Profitable Alliance

Chapter 335: Chapter 335: A Profitable Alliance

Chapter 335: A Profitable Alliance

The fact that Grandmaster Korryn chose Arien over Lucius was a blatant political earthquake.

It was a shift so profound that it did not escape the notice of a single person in the grand hall.

Emperor Haldrion’s unfathomable eyes flickered as he watched the exchange.

The Imperial Patriarchs—Xarion, Aelthas, and Skyran—exchanged deeply meaningful glances, their minds rapidly assessing the newly tilted balance of the throne.

To the peak powers of the Solathane Dynasty, Grandmaster Korryn wasn’t just a pill refiner anymore.

He was amongst the most influential people of the dynasty, already rivalling the Imperial families.

Whichever Prince secured his backing would possess an insurmountable advantage in the contest for succession.

And Korryn had just publicly, ruthlessly slapped the Crown Prince’s face to elevate the Second Prince.

Shortly after the banquet concluded, Rhain and Arien departed from the Imperial Palace, escorted by Commander Zorak.

They headed directly to Arien’s luxurious private estate.

The moment the massive golden doors of the inner sanctum clicked shut, completely isolating them from any prying eyes, the composed demeanor Arien had maintained at the banquet shattered.

"Hahaha! HAHAHAHA!"

Arien threw his head back and burst into an ecstatic, uncontrollable fit of laughter.

"Grandmaster Korryn, your actions tonight were nothing short of brilliant!" Arien praised fervently, bowing with genuine respect. "To publicly slap Lucius’s face in front of the Emperor and the Imperial Patriarchs... I have waited years to see that arrogant bastard so thoroughly humiliated! He looked as if he had just swallowed a mouthful of poisonous flies!"

Arien’s face flushed with excitement as he gestured grandly. "You truly possess the eyes to identify evil and vicious men, Grandmaster! Lucius is a venomous snake, and today, you just destroyed his authority before the entire dynasty!"

Standing near the corner of the room, Commander Zorak crossed his muscular arms over his broad chest.

He looked at the dignified, middle-aged figure of Korryn with profound reverence.

Inwardly, Zorak was thoroughly amazed. ’That kid, Rhain Voss, was absolutely right! Grandmaster Korryn truly despises the Crown Prince and heavily favors His Highness!’

Rhain placed his hands casually behind his back, maintaining his persona perfectly and ensuring that none of them see even a shadow of Rhain Voss within him.

"Let us not waste time celebrating just yet, Second Prince," Rhain spoke, his authoritative voice instantly silencing Arien’s laughter. "If we are to form a true partnership, we must discuss the terms of our alliance."

Arien immediately straightened his posture, his expression turning incredibly solemn.

"You are right, Grandmaster," Arien agreed, stepping forward. "I will not speak in riddles. I desperately want the Celestial Elixir Pavilion’s exclusive political backing. With your flawless pills and your unparalleled prestige, we can equalize the fight for the throne. But to do that, I need your guarantee that you will not supply Lucius or his loyalists."

Rhain’s looked at Arien with a piercing gaze.

"And what exactly is the Celestial Elixir Pavilion gaining from this transaction?" Rhain asked coldly. "There is no free meal in this world, Your Highness."

Arien didn’t flinch. He was entirely prepared for this.

"Whatever the Pavilion requires to expand in the Imperial Capital, I will provide," Arien declared confidently.

"Good," Rhain nodded. "Then I have two unyielding conditions."

Rhain raised a single finger.

"First. The Celestial Elixir Pavilion will be opening its primary branch in the estate granted by His Majesty. I demand that you deploy your own elite guards to protect my Pavilion. They will ensure that no royal spies, or Lucius’s men, take a single step near my business."

Arien’s eyes lit up. This was an easy concession.

"Done. I will personally dispatch a squad of Domain Master shadow guards to secure your land."

Rhain raised a second finger.

"Second. I require a steady, and massive supply of premium Mystic-Grade raw materials," Rhain stated, "If the Pavilion is to expand and dominate the capital’s market, our logistics cannot be bottlenecked. I plan to establish a branch within every single city of the Inner Province."

Arien sucked in a sharp breath.

Grandmaster Korryn’s ambitions were truly boundless.

"I can guarantee it," Arien gritted his teeth, nodding firmly. "You will have an uninterrupted supply chain."

"Excellent," Rhain replied, a faint, satisfied smirk brushing past his lips,

"In exchange," Rhain declared, " As you requested, the Celestial Elixir Pavilion will grant you priority access to my flawless Epic and Mystic-Grade pills. You may use them however you see fit—to bribe, sway, and pull the Imperial Families to your side."

"We have a deal, Grandmaster!" Arien grinned triumphantly, formally bowing to seal the pact.

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For the next day, Rhain remained in the Imperial Capital.

But he could not afford to stay any longer.

The one-month deadline of the Royal Decree demanding Rhain Voss’s head was now close to its expiration.

If he didn’t return to Valdris City in time and unite the three pillars of the city, then the Imperial families will march on the Valdris Royal Academy.

It was time to leave.

The next morning, Rhain formally requested a brief audience with Emperor Haldrion.

Inside the grand throne room, Haldrion looked at the esteemed Grandmaster.

"Grandmaster Korryn," Haldrion spoke warmly. "You have only just arrived. Must you depart the capital so soon? The estate I granted you is barely settled."

Rhain offered a respectful bow.

"I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness," Rhain replied. "However, during my fierce duel with Alchemy Emperor Marcellis, and my direct confrontation with the Emperor’s Pill Tribulation... I experienced a sudden, profound alchemical enlightenment."

"An enlightenment?" Haldrion murmured.

"Indeed," Rhain continued, his voice perfectly replicating the obsessive devotion of an alchemy fanatic. "I stand on the precipice of a new breakthrough in my refinement path. I must return to my main headquarters immediately and enter deep seclusion before this fleeting inspiration vanishes."

The excuse was perfect.

No Emperor, no matter how arrogant, would dare to forcefully detain an alchemist who had just birthed a Pill-Veined Emperor-Grade pill and was now claiming to be on the verge of another massive breakthrough.

Interrupting such a sacred enlightenment would be an unforgivable offense!

"I see!" Emperor Haldrion’s majestic face broke into a highly respectful smile. "Then the Royal Court shall not delay your supreme pursuit for a single second! We look forward to witnessing the new miracles you will bring to our dynasty, Grandmaster."

With a grand, majestic farewell from the supreme ruler of the dynasty himself, Rhain was personally escorted to the borders of the Imperial Capital by the highest royal officials.

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Rhain stepped onto the deck of the Pavilion’s luxurious white-gold skiff.

Waiting respectfully for him were Vulcan, the mercenary brothers—Luka, Dex, Ives, Ezra—and his subdued Domain Master slaves, including Skullcrusher, Deathblade, and Peregrine.

The moment Rhain’s boots touched the polished wood, his dignified, middle-aged facade remained perfectly intact, but his dark grey eyes flashed with a chilling urgency.

"Let’s go," Rhain commanded, his voice cutting through the wind.

BOOM—!!!

The high-tier wind arrays ignited with a blinding blue light.

The white-gold skiff blasted off, tearing through the clouds like a descending comet.

As Solathane City rapidly shrank into the distance, Rhain’s gaze was fixed on the eastern horizon.

It was time to put the final nail on the coffin.