Destined One

Pang Xuan did not answer. His plump face forced a smile as he said, "Why is the gentleman angry? If the terms are unsatisfactory, we can discuss further."

"Angry? I am not angry, nor will I be," Qin Ran replied indifferently. "I am perfectly calm. I am analyzing the situation for you. If you continue to evade the issue and treat me like a fool, consider the consequences. Please engage your brain before speaking to me, or I will remove it for you."

Pang Xuan was still smiling, but his expression was no longer the polite, professional facade from before. Though his round, cherubic face remained unchanged, an air of authority now emanated from him.

His plump face now carried a dignified sternness, and his narrow eyes scrutinized Qin Ran with piercing intensity. "Does the gentleman truly wish to join our organization?"

Only now did the real negotiation begin.

"I personally walked into the stronghold of the 'Yuan' organization and made my request directly to its leader. Is your comprehension lacking, or do I seem like I’m joking?" Qin Ran countered.

"Hah… my apologies for the misunderstanding," Pang Xuan chuckled, explaining, "It’s just that this is the first time I’ve encountered an alchemist who actively seeks to join the 'Yuan' organization. I’m still adjusting to the idea, hence the repeated confirmations."

"No matter…" Qin Ran feigned understanding. "Given your limited experience, such astonishment is natural. With more exposure, you’ll grow accustomed."

Pang Xuan toyed with a teacup on the table, pondering for a moment before verifying again, "You obtained the Divine Essence Condensation and inherited the alchemy legacy of the Divine Essence Old Demon?"

"My alchemy skills are exceptional."

"How exceptional?"

"Second only to immortal-grade elixirs."

"Then I fail to understand," Pang Xuan mused, his brow furrowing as he studied Qin Ran. "Why insist on joining the 'Yuan' organization? With the Divine Essence Condensation and the Divine Essence Old Demon’s legacy, you could thrive anywhere—even in the Seven Islands."

Qin Ran replied, "The Divine Essence Condensation was snatched right under the 'Yuan' organization’s nose. If I fled far away to the Seven Islands, do you think they would generously let me go? Would they simply forget?"

Pang Xuan shook his head with a smile, affirming, "No."

The answer was obvious. Qin Ran had already landed on one of the 'Yuan' organization’s priority lists. The fact that they tracked him down the moment he appeared on Demon Island after drifting at sea for half a year spoke volumes about their level of interest in him.

"Then it’s settled," Qin Ran spread his hands. "Since there’s no escaping the 'Yuan' organization, why not embrace it directly?"

"Besides…" He grinned at Pang Xuan. "I’m no saint myself. A powerful demonic faction like the 'Yuan' organization suits my tastes perfectly. I know full well that I’ll rise swiftly within its ranks."

"Good!" Pang Xuan burst into laughter, slapping the table as if thoroughly convinced. "The moment I heard the name Li Feiyu, I knew you were a ruthless devil—the kind who’d do anything except good deeds."

"Brother Pang understands me well!" Qin Ran laughed heartily, as if he had found a kindred spirit. He reached across the table to shake Pang Xuan’s hand.

Pang Xuan deftly avoided the gesture, retrieving a sheet of paper from the storage pouch at his waist and slapping it onto the table. "Here, young friend. This is a blood contract. Sign it, and you’ll officially be one of us."

A blood contract…

Qin Ran picked it up and examined it closely. It was nothing more than a standard 'Yuan' organization agreement designed to exploit ordinary alchemists—demanding absolute loyalty and full compliance with their demands.

After reading, he remained silent, his expression unreadable, merely smiling at Pang Xuan.

"Not acceptable?"

After much back-and-forth, Pang Xuan had still presented the most basic blood contract without any modifications.

Unfazed by Qin Ran’s stare, he calmly retrieved the document and replaced it with another, smiling. "My apologies, I grabbed the wrong one earlier."

Qin Ran reviewed the new version. The terms were looser, but it still amounted to servitude. Again, he said nothing, his smile unwavering.

"Apologies again… wrong one." Pang Xuan swapped it for yet another.

This continued until Pang Xuan had cycled through eight blood contracts, each met with Qin Ran’s silent scrutiny. When the ninth was presented, Qin Ran’s reaction was immediate. He shot to his feet, seized Pang Xuan by the front of his robes, and lifted the thousand-pound man clear off the ground.

In that instant, multiple formidable auras erupted from the unassuming Yuanlai Teahouse at the street’s end, all locking onto Qin Ran, poised to strike.

Qin Ran sensed them but ignored the threat, glaring up at Pang Xuan as he hissed, "I have one condition: I will never betray the organization. But any clause that reduces me to a dog is beneath me. If you lack the authority to negotiate, bring someone who doesn’t."

His grip tightened. "Do you understand?"

Dangling in midair, Pang Xuan met his gaze and nodded.

With a thunderous crash, Qin Ran hurled Pang Xuan to the floor. The entire teahouse trembled as if struck by an earthquake.

Amid the shaking, Qin Ran remained acutely aware of the dozens of auras—ranging from weak to formidable—still trained on him. The strongest belonged to a fourth-rank Soul Refiner (Nascent Soul stage), while the weakest were third-rank Qi Practitioners.

This humble teahouse was a den of hidden power, its strength surpassing even that of Demon Island itself.

Qin Ran acted oblivious, his gaze coolly fixed on Pang Xuan, who struggled to rise from the floor.

Pang Xuan showed no trace of humiliation. Straightening his robes, he even smiled and nodded at Qin Ran.

Then, from his belt, he produced a final blood contract and handed it over, his tone now formal. "Today, I, Pang Xuan, hereby appoint you, Li Feiyu, as a specially contracted alchemist of the 'Yuan' organization."

Qin Ran took it. Only one clause remained, written in stark, bloody script: "Betrayal of the 'Yuan' organization is punishable by death."

This was the optimal outcome he had fought for through intimidation and negotiation.

Without hesitation, he pricked his fingertip and signed the contract in blood—Li Feiyu.

As the characters formed, the blood ignited into a radiant seven-colored flame. The fire consumed the contract, reducing it to ashes that hovered midair.

"Seven-colored flames…" Pang Xuan murmured, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "So it truly is the Divine Essence Condensation."

After the blood contract was completely burned, a crimson mark flew out from the multicolored flames and drilled into Qin Ran’s glabella, imprinting itself on the brow of his primordial spirit.

“Hmm?” Qin Ran frowned inwardly. “Is the name Li Feiyu no longer usable?”

“The contract is sealed!” Pang Xuan walked toward Qin Ran, offering a salute with a hearty laugh. “Mr. Li, welcome to the ‘Yuan’ organization! Fate brings us together across a thousand miles—it is all the work of destiny. Mr. Li, we are truly fated!”

Qin Ran also laughed heartily, returning the salute. “It is ‘Yuan’ that has chosen for us to meet. Shopkeeper Pang, we are indeed fated.” He then added apologetically, “Shopkeeper, earlier I was overcome with emotion and acted rudely toward you. I hope you will be magnanimous and forgive my impropriety.”

“No matter, no matter! I quite admire straightforward fellows like you, Mr. Li!” Pang Xuan chuckled. “From now on, we are all bound by fate, one family, working together for the organization’s growth!”

“We are all fated!” Qin Ran echoed with a smile.

With the transaction completed, Qin Ran sold the Divine Essence Condensation for a handsome price, while Pang Xuan ultimately secured the treasure for the organization. Both parties were pleased—a win-win outcome.

In their shared delight, they exchanged a few more pleasantries.

After a while, Pang Xuan summoned an attendant and instructed, “Take Mr. Li to the base. Introduce him to the Chief, arrange his accommodations and tasks, and explain the key points he must observe…”

“Understood!” The attendant acknowledged and led Qin Ran downstairs. “Mr. Li, please follow me.”

Not long after Qin Ran’s departure, a woman clad in black robes, her face veiled by a sheer black gauze and her figure enchantingly graceful, entered the elegant chamber. Her every movement carried an uncanny allure, one that could ensnare the senses. Even Pang Xuan dared not look at her for too long.

Her eyes, deep and brimming with emotion, gazed tenderly at Pang Xuan as she asked, “You tolerate him like this… is it for that matter?”

The tenderness in her eyes was innate, not meant for him alone—Pang Xuan knew this well. Seated in his chair, he sipped his tea, avoiding those mesmerizing eyes, his demeanor calm and reserved.

He nodded. “The Divine Essence Condensation has already been refined into his body. Even if we killed him now, we couldn’t extract it immediately. Better to let him try his luck—after all, he’s inherited the Divine Essence Old Demon’s pill techniques.”

“He’s too arrogant.” The black-robed woman sat where Qin Ran had been moments ago, gazing out the window at his retreating figure as he followed the attendant toward the city outskirts. “I fear you won’t be able to control him.”

“Why bother controlling him?” Pang Xuan shook his head. “The organization has its own rules. As long as he’s useful, as long as he remains loyal, what does it matter if the shopkeeper or the leader lets him act? If he proves useless, we can always kill him.”

“Heh. Fair enough.” The black-robed woman laughed softly.

Though her face remained hidden, her tender eyes curved into crescents—now like an innocent maiden’s, now like a seductive enchantress’s. Any man who met that gaze would feel his heart stir, convinced she adored him.

At that very moment, Qin Ran suddenly turned back, locking eyes with her. Stunned for a brief instant, he then smiled and nodded at her before turning away again.

“Not bad…” the black-robed woman murmured under her breath.