"My young friend, you truly are... straightforward."
Yao Chen stroked his illusory beard and burst into hearty laughter.
Rather than taking offense at Chu Zhou's pragmatism and desire for benefits, he found it reassuring.
As a veteran alchemist, he was thoroughly familiar with transactions and appreciated clearly stated prices.
As long as he could afford the price, Chu Zhou was willing to help him. A fair exchange benefited both parties, leaving neither indebted to the other.
No, as a high-ranking alchemist, he knew perfectly well that sometimes even giving someone the opportunity for a fair exchange meant they owed him a favor.
Without Chu Zhou, he would never have known that Han Shanshan's soul imprint was within the bone spirit cold flame. This had been one of his greatest obsessions.
Even if he had to die now, the thought of being together with Han Shanshan would help him find some peace.
Besides, paying a price for Chu Zhou's help in seeing Han Shanshan was only right.
"If you can help me see Han Shansshan's soul imprint, my young friend, I will owe you a favor," Yao Chen said firmly. "Even if you ask me to teach you everything I know about alchemy, that will be no problem."
"Good. With your word, Senior, I accept. I'll do my utmost to raise my soul realm as quickly as possible and help you," Chu Zhou readily agreed.
With Yao Chen's promise, once he became a Grade 8 alchemist, gathering ten Grade 8 Pill formulas would be a breeze.
He could even use Yao Chen and his connections to obtain several Grade 8 Pills to consume.
Then advancing to the peak of Grade 8 as an alchemist would truly be as easy as eating and drinking.
"Senior Venerable Yao, I'll take my leave now.