Seeing Qin Chu's confidence, Shangshuyu said nothing more, as she was also worried that her words and actions would dampen Qin Chu's Aura.
While accompanying Shangshuyu shopping, Shangshuyu bought Qin Chu some robes, and even intimate underwear. Afterwards, the two parted ways at the entrance of the Alchemist Guild.
Returning to the Alchemist Guild, Qin Chu saw Chu Shan, and the two chatted for a while.
Chu Shan told Qin Chu about the difference between joining the Alchemist Guild and not joining it, which essentially came down to differences in treatment and responsibilities.
Alchemists who formally join the Alchemist Guild can use the Guild to gather Materials, and exchange items among internal members without paying any price. They can also receive some Medicinal Pills for Cultivation from the Alchemist Guild. Furthermore, the Alchemist Guild provides protection, meaning other factions cannot easily suppress them. These are benefits that Alchemists merely affiliated with the Alchemist Guild do not receive.
Alchemists who have not joined the Alchemist Guild, but have only received certification, do not have any special treatment. They can still use the Alchemist Guild to gather Materials, but must pay a price. As for the benefit of receiving free Medicinal Pills and the protection of the Alchemist Guild, these do not exist. Of course, their responsibilities also differ; Alchemists belonging to the Alchemist Guild must do their utmost when the Alchemist Guild needs them, while Alchemists who have not joined the Guild only fulfill their obligations.
"Actually, it's quite similar to the way Sects operate," Qin Chu said after listening to Chu Shan's explanation.
Chu Shan shook his head, "There are still differences. The Alchemist Guild has no mandatory requirements. It doesn't restrict or bind its Alchemists, offering much more freedom. However, when it's time to contribute, one cannot refuse without reason. The development of a large team requires countless individuals to contribute."
"Thank you, Elder Chu, for clarifying," Qin Chu said, cupping his hands to Chu Shan. He knew that Elder Lin, Yuan Qi, and Chu Shan all hoped he would join the Alchemist Guild, but he didn't want any restrictions placed upon him right now.
Chu Shan smiled, realizing he had spoken in vain. Qin Chu was impervious, showing no intention of taking the hint and joining the Alchemist Guild.
"Elder Chu, I'm very sorry, but there are some matters I don't want to decide in haste!" Looking at Chu Shan, Qin Chu still spoke a sentence on the main topic.
"I understand, and you don't need to feel any pressure. No one will be dissatisfied with you because of this. Elder Lin won't, and President Yuan Qi won't either. Everyone has perspective," Chu Shan said to Qin Chu.
After chatting for a while, Chu Shan left, and Qin Chu returned to his residence in the pavilion.
Brewing a pot of tea, Qin Chu fell into thought. If he were to join the Alchemist Guild, it could be said to be harmful to others, because he was destined to fight to the death with the White Tiger Sacred Clan and the Blazing Thunder Sacred Clan. How would the Alchemist Guild handle this? Avenge family grievances—this is a matter of righteousness, and the Alchemist Guild cannot oppose it. In this situation, the Alchemist Guild would either have to confront the White Tiger Sacred Clan and the Blazing Thunder Sacred Clan, or expel him from the Alchemist Guild, or issue a public statement that it would not participate in the conflict between Qin Chu and the White Tiger Sacred Clan and the Blazing Thunder Sacred Clan. Whichever of these two situations occurred, it would be quite a loss of face.
Thinking of this, Qin Chu smiled. He really couldn't join. Once he was expelled, it would be a loss of face for him, and some people in the Alchemist Guild would even think he was using the Alchemist Guild.
Having understood the situation, Qin Chu felt much more at ease. Not joining the Alchemist Guild was better for everyone.
After drinking a pot of tea, Qin Chu sat in meditation and began his Origin Qi Cultivation.
Returning to her inn, Shangshuyu also fell into deep thought. She couldn't quite understand, couldn't figure out what trump card Qin Chu might have. If Qin Chu had any ties to the Alchemist Guild or Demon Castle, then Granny Yu would definitely have found out. Since nothing was found, then there likely weren't any. In Sky Sword City, only these two factions could contend with the White Tiger Sacred Clan and the Blazing Thunder Sacred Clan. As for the Sacred Martial Sect and Blade God Valley, their strength was good, but there was still some gap compared to the White Tiger Sacred Clan and the Blazing Thunder Sacred Clan.
"Little Princess, you were very happy when you were shopping, so why are you looking so worried now?" Granny Yu spoke. She had followed Shangshuyu and Qin Chu from a distance while they shopped, primarily to ensure Shangshuyu's safety.
"Granny, I'm still a bit worried about Qin Chu. He's young and prone to looking at everything in a positive light. He simply doesn't know the power and ruthlessness of the White Tiger Sacred Clan and the Blazing Thunder Sacred Clan," Shangshuyu said.
"You don't need to worry. If a major crisis truly arises, I will definitely step in and take him and you away!" Granny Yu said. Seeing Shangshuyu so happy with Qin Chu today, she had understood some things.
Hearing Granny Yu's words, Shangshuyu was very happy, and her heart felt at ease, because Granny Yu was one of the top experts of the Azure Dragon Sacred Clan.
Qin Lingxi told Qin Longxuan and Qin Longfeng about the agreement between Qin Chu and Su Mu.
"Since this agreement is reasonable, then we approve of it. This adds a layer of safety for Qin Chu." Qin Longxuan also approved of the agreement between Qin Chu and Su Mu. Furthermore, Su Mu, the Heavenly Sword, had a good reputation in the Jianghu. Aside from being somewhat overbearing, he had no bad deeds. As for being overbearing, which Cultivator with strength isn't overbearing? Everyone wants to be overbearing; the difference is whether they can actually be so.
"Princess, besides a portion of our forces in the inn, the rest have already infiltrated the area outside the city, ready for battle at any moment," Qin Longfeng said.
"We'll continue to wait. When they bare their fangs to bite others, we'll take care of them, so they die as everyone wishes," Qin Lingxi said.
"Shang Shaoyun, Lei Tianfeng, both of them participated in the battle back then. We can use their heads as a banner, and their blood to witness the return of our Vermilion Bird Sacred Clan!" A murderous intent appeared on Qin Longxuan's face. The White Tiger Sacred Clan and the Blazing Thunder Sacred Clan's methods were brutal back then, not even sparing the women and children of the Vermilion Bird Sacred Clan. Now that the opportunity for revenge had come, he naturally wouldn't be soft-hearted.
Qin Lingxi nodded, "It's a pity that we still haven't found any information about those traitors. Those damned people, they colluded with the enemy back then, and after the decline of the Vermilion Bird Sacred Clan, the White Tiger Sacred Clan and the Blazing Thunder Sacred Clan also kicked them aside."
The defeat of the Vermilion Bird Sacred Clan back then was mainly due to internal traitors colluding with external enemies. After the Vermilion Bird Sacred Clan declined, they also lost their value. The White Tiger Sacred Clan and the Blazing Thunder Sacred Clan did not allow them to raise the banner of the Vermilion Bird Sacred Clan.
"Kill every one we see, not a single traitor will be left!" Qin Longxuan said coldly.
Inside the Alchemist Guild, Qin Chu was Cultivating his Origin Qi while eating a top-grade Spirit Origin Pill. Suddenly, the whistle in his sleeve vibrated—it was the Demon Castle's contact whistle, an active summons from the Demon Castle.