Rebirth : The Alchemist's Path

Chapter 105: The Price of Power

Time passed bit by bit. After about half an hour, the ninety-three people successfully broke through to the Mage Emperor level. Powerful auras emerged one after another within Holy City, and each time someone broke through, the townspeople would cheer and applaud.

"Thank you for your help, Boss. If you ever need anything, we will do our utmost to assist you," the ninety-three individuals said gratefully, looking up at Sylvus above the small shop.

Previously, they may have stayed for various reasons, not necessarily out of faith in Sylvus. Only a few had genuinely believed in him. But now, things were different. They had come to truly recognize Sylvus's power. Before such an existence, they were insignificant.

Some even looked at Meylan with envy—being the shop assistant in the boss's shop was a fortune earned over eight lifetimes.

"It was just a transaction. You can all leave now," Sylvus said, waving his hand.

It was a transaction, and he didn't need anyone's gratitude, nor did he want it.

The group nodded, and before leaving, they still bowed respectfully to Sylvus, expressing their admiration.

"You can leave too," Sylvus said, looking at Boone after everyone else had left.

"Boss, if I may ask, how much would it cost for you to deal with the twelve kings of the undead?" Boone bowed as he spoke.

He had been wrestling with himself over this question, as Sylvus had made it very clear before that he would not help. But this time, he was framing it as a transaction, not as a request for help.

"Oh? Are you trying to negotiate a bigger deal with me?" Sylvus smiled.

Boone seemed to have caught on. Sylvus wouldn't help for free, but he hadn't said that someone couldn't pay for the demise of the undead kings. Since Sylvus would have to deal with the undead kings to complete his system task anyway, he figured he might as well make some money out of it. Even though his power was immense, Sylvus was, after all, a legitimate businessman.

He might take advantage of others, but he wouldn't outright rob them—that was the work of thieves, and Sylvus had more integrity than that.

"Boss, does that mean you are willing?" Boone's eyes widened in surprise as he asked.

"Of course, I'm just a businessman," Sylvus replied with a smile.

Hearing this, Boone was initially stunned, then filled with joy. Previously, he, Ronald, and Elena had discussed trying to pay Sylvus in magic crystals to get him involved. However, Boone hadn't taken it seriously at the time. Sylvus was a supreme expert—if he didn't want to get involved, no amount of money could change his mind.

Many powerful beings on Aisral Continent had strange principles like this.

Who would have thought that money really could convince Sylvus to help? If Boone had known this earlier, he wouldn't have been so deferential.

"Boss, what price do you think is appropriate?" Boone quickly asked.

"One hundred trillion magic crystals per life—how about that?" Sylvus thought for a moment and said.

Hearing this price, Meylan, who was standing nearby, took a deep breath. The boss wasn't holding back at all. Twelve kings meant twelve lives, equivalent to 1.2 quadrillion magic crystals. Even the Polk Empire couldn't afford such a sum.

"Boss, we... we really can't afford that much. We'd have to scour the entire Aisral Continent for magic crystals, and even then, it might not be enough," Boone said bitterly, his earlier smile disappearing.

One point two quadrillion magic crystals—that was more than the Polk Empire had earned in three thousand years of existence. Even if they joined forces with the elves and the dwarves, they still couldn't come up with that much.

Sylvus smiled without saying anything. He knew very well that they couldn't afford that many magic crystals. However, since this was a negotiation, starting with a high price was just normal practice.

"Boss, isn't there any other way?" Boone asked unwillingly. Now that Sylvus had shown some hope of agreeing, Boone didn't want to give up so easily.

"There is another way. The price I mentioned was for me going to the undead realm and killing them. Since you can't afford that, let's change the approach—bring them here to me, and I'll charge ten trillion magic crystals per life," Sylvus said.

Ten trillion magic crystals per life. This price made Boone breathe a little easier. Twelve kings would cost 120 trillion magic crystals in total—ten times less than before. They might be able to figure out a way to come up with that.

However, luring all twelve kings to Holy City would be a bit of a problem. After all, the undead weren't exactly reasonable.

"This is the lowest price. If you can't do it, I won't interfere," Sylvus said, waving his hand, and Boone found himself outside the alleyway.

"Although it's difficult, it's better than having no hope at all. It seems I'll need to discuss this with Elena and the others first," Boone thought to himself as he quickly left.

Upon returning to the shop, Sylvus continued cultivating, and Meylan followed suit. He still hoped that the boss would help him become a Ruler-level expert someday.

Boone, meanwhile, traveled overnight to the Abyssal Lands to discuss a strategy with Elena and the others.

"Emperor Boone, why have you come here? Today we sensed powerful energy fluctuations coming from the Polk Empire. What exactly happened?" Ronald asked in surprise as he looked at Boone.

Boone did not hide anything and quickly recounted the events of the day. This caused the dozens of experts present to exclaim in shock. A Hundred-Person Tribulation, caught effortlessly by one person—was he even human?

"Boss Sylvus truly is a strange figure. It's a pity he refuses to help us drive away the undead," someone couldn't help but sigh.

Everyone nodded in agreement. If a powerful expert like Sylvus would help, the undead wouldn't be much of a problem.

"Everyone, I've come here precisely because of this matter. Boss Sylvus has agreed to help us eliminate the twelve kings of the undead," Boone said with a smile.

"What? Is that true, Your Majesty? Is he really willing to help?"

"Even if it's just eliminating the twelve kings, it would still solve our greatest threat. With the strength of Aisral Continent, driving away the remaining undead wouldn't be difficult."

Hearing Boone's words, everyone's eyes lit up, and the heavy weight in their hearts lifted slightly.

"Emperor Boone, there must be some conditions for him to agree, right?" Elena asked.

Although she hadn't known Sylvus for long, she understood his nature. Back when they were with the elves, they had paid five hundred billion magic crystals just to get him to help.

"There are indeed conditions, and that's why I came to discuss with you all," Boone said with a bitter smile, before explaining everything Sylvus had said. chapter-source-MvLeMpYr