Chapter 115: Grandmaster’s "Forgiveness"

For the next three days, Rhain had locked himself inside his bedchamber and not emerged.

Inside, Rhain sat cross-legged before an Epic Grade cauldron he had purchased from the Alchemy Guild, specifically designed to withstand high-tier refinements

He was meticulously refining the massive stockpile of Epic-Grade herbs Aldric had procured.

To avoid drawing down devastating Pill Tribulations directly onto the Silvercrest estate, he intentionally suppressed the condensation process just a second before the Pill Veins could form.

By the end of the third day, Rhain had successfully refined four complete batches of flawless Epic-Grade Elixirs.

Twenty-eight perfect pills.

Rhain picked up the first pill and placed it on his tongue.

The moment it dissolved, a wave of warm, golden spritual power surged.

His spiritual sea, which had previously been like a tranquil lake, began to ripple, and expand.

By the time he finished digesting the last batch, his soul power had alleviated to a whole new realm.

It had transcended the boundaries of his physical cultivation.

The crushing mental pressure he now possessed was vast and unfathomable—easily rivaling the immense pressure of a Core Formation Realm expert.

"With this level of Soul Power, refining Mystic-Grade pills in the future won’t be impossible!"

Rhain felt an unprecedented level of clarity in his mind.

But he wasn’t finished.

With his soul strong enough for his current requirements, Rhain shifted his attention to his physical cultivation.

He retrieved several perfectly round Epic-Grade Essence Condensation Pills that he had refined to increase his cultivation.

He tossed them into his mouth like common candy.

Abyssal Sovereign Physique activated autonomously, devouring the raging flood of pure Epic-Grade essence that could easily burst an Essence Condensation Realm’s body and compressing it into his meridians.

Crack!

Essence Condensation Realm, Level 7!

Essence Condensation Realm, Level 8!

Crack!

Peak of the 9th level of the Essence Condensation Realm!

He had effortlessly crossed multiple minor realms in a matter of days.

With his current cultivation, combined with his Abyssal Sovereign Physique and Heaven-Grade flames, even if a mid-stage Spirit Manifestation Realm expert stood before him, he could slaughter them with a single slap.

Over the course of these three days, Rhain didn’t just hoard the resources for himself.

He had refined special Epic Grade Pills tailored to Seris’s innate icy essence.

Under his guidance and the staggering wealth of Epic Grade resources, Seris’s cultivation had soared at an unbelievable pace.

She had stepped into the seventh level of the Essence Condensation Realm.

_______

Three days later.

Rhain stepped out of the Silvercrest estate, seamlessly utilizing the Faceless Emperor Mask to shift into the appearance of the middle-aged Grandmaster Alchemist.

A short while later, Rhain casually strolled into the towering pagoda of the Mirravele Alchemy Guild.

"Master!" Aldric greeted as Rhain entered the private hall.

"Have you gathered the final batch of materials?" Rhain nodded.

"I have, Master. Every single Epic-Grade herb you requested has been secured," Aldric replied, stepping forward to respectfully hand over a glowing spatial ring. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Rhain took the ring, his Spiritual Sense sweeping through it briefly.

Everything was just as he had instructed.

"Master... there is another matter I must report," Aldric said cautiously.

"Speak," Rhain commanded indifferently. "What is troubling you?"

"Master... it is the Ashvele Clan," Aldric reported nervously. "Ever since you ordered their expulsion from the guild, their clan has been thrown into chaos. Their pill supply chain is completely crippled, and the Solari Clan has been exploiting their weakness relentlessly."

Aldric paused, gauging Rhain’s reaction before continuing.

"Over the past few days, Kynlee Ashvele—the acting Patriarch and a Level 4 Core Formation expert—has come to the guild no less than seven times."

Rhain raised an eyebrow when he heard Knylee’s name. "Oh?"

"Yes, Master," Aldric nodded heavily. "He has been shamelessly begging for an audience with you, desperately seeking forgiveness for Belen’s blasphemous actions."

Hearing this, a smirk brushed past Rhain’s lips.

"Is he down there right now?" Rhain asked.

"Yes, Master," Aldric replied. "He has been waiting since sunrise."

"Bring him in."

Aldric blinked, utterly bewildered by the command.

He had fully expected his Master to order Kynlee’s immediate expulsion.

But he didn’t dare question it.

"This disciple obeys!"

Aldric bowed deeply and hurried out of the hall.

A few minutes later, a middle aged man with a sharp, aristocratic features stepped into the room.

His ink-black hair was perfectly tied, but his face was looked exhausted from the burden of a clan on the brink of ruin.

The moment Kynlee’s eyes landed on the middle-aged man sitting leisurely in the main seat, his legs gave way.

Thud.

Without a single ounce of hesitation, Knylee dropped to his knees, pressing his forehead heavily against the cold floor.

He was kneeling before the person he swore to kill upon finding.

"Junior Kynlee Ashvele... greets the esteemed Grandmaster!"

Rhain simply sat there, without speaking anything for a few seconds.

Kynlee’s forehead remained glued to the floor all this time.

"I hear you have been loitering in my disciple’s guild like a stray dog," Rhain finally spoke, his disguised voice dripping with condescension. "Speak. Why are you wasting my time?"

Kynlee flinched, but he gritted his teeth and raised his upper body, though he remained firmly on his knees.

"Esteemed Grandmaster! I came to personally beg for your boundless mercy!" Kynlee pleaded pitifully. "That fool, Belen, was blind to Mount Tai! His ignorance and blasphemy do not represent the Ashvele Clan! We have already crippled his cultivation and thrown him into the dungeons to await your judgment!"

Kynlee hastily pulled out a glowing spatial ring from his robes, holding them up with trembling hands.

"Senior, I know mere words cannot extinguish your rightful fury. Please, accept this humble tribute as a token of our deepest, most sincere apologies."

Rhain extended a finger, and the platinum ring floated smoothly into his grasp.

His Spiritual Sense casually swept through the interior.

Inside sat a staggering mountain of five million Aetherium Crystals, accompanied by several dozen priceless Epic Grade, and Rare grade herbs.

Rhain’s cold demeanor slowly melted away, showing an exceptionally benevolent smile.

"Patriarch Kynlee, please, stand up," Rhain said, his voice completely devoid of its previous hostility, sounding like a magnanimous sage.

Kynlee shakily rose to his feet.

"I am a man who values sincerity above all else," Rhain continued, swirling his tea gently. "Belen’s ignorance did anger me, but I am not so petty as to blame an entire centuries-old clan for the barks of a single, foolish dog. Seeing your sincerity... it has truly moved my heart."

"G-Grandmaster... you mean...?"

"I forgive the Ashvele Clan completely," Rhain declared, his tone practically radiating divine mercy.

Knylee collapsed onto his knees again with sheer wave of relief.

They were saved! Ashvele Clan was saved!

But Rhain continued to speak.

"In fact," Rhain added, leaning forward with a magnanimous smile, "your tribute has proven your clan’s worth to me. Once I am done with my current buisness, I assure you that I will help you alleviate your clan to a higher realm."

"Thank you! THANK YOU GRANDMASTER!" Kynlee shrieked, kowtowing three more times in rapid succession, "Ashvele Clan will forever be loyal to you! We await your divine grace!"

"Go now. Rest your mind," Rhain dismissed him with a wave. "And prepare your clan for the great changes to come."

"Yes! Yes, Grandmaster!"

Kynlee practically floated out of the private hall, his face flushed with a manic, euphoric joy.