Akashic_Tales Originals
God-Tier Shop System: I Sell Everything But Mercy
[Author – SYTTROX]
[Editor – MiT7]
Chapter 11: Vermillion Sect Complications (1)
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Morning light spilled through the latticed windows of Lin Tian's private study, casting geometric patterns across ancient scrolls and modern ledgers that shared space on his polished desk. Three days had passed since the loyalty ritual, and the bond with Kiera had settled into a comfortable resonance, a golden thread in his awareness that remained regardless of physical distance.
He traced a finger along a map of the eastern provinces, marking potential expansion sites with small crimson dots. The system's regional dominance quest had accelerated his timeline, transforming vague ambitions into concrete targets.
"Fifteen cities in sixty days," he murmured, studying trade routes and political boundaries. "Ambitious but achievable."
The door opened without a knock, only one person would enter so casually. Kiera stepped inside, her transformation still striking despite days of adjustment. The ritual had altered her subtly but unmistakably. Auburn hair now carried copper highlights that caught the light like burnished metal. Her movements flowed with cultivator grace, and faint crimson energy occasionally shimmered beneath her skin when emotions ran high.
"The Vermillion Sect representatives are here," she announced, her expression tight. "Earlier than scheduled."
Lin Tian nodded, unsurprised. "They sensed the change in your energy signature."
"Elder Mei herself, plus two inner disciples." Kiera leaned against his desk, unconsciously mirroring his posture, a side effect of their bond. "They're waiting in the formal reception room, looking distinctly unhappy."
"As expected." Lin Tian rose, adjusting his formal robes, black with silver and crimson accents that acknowledged his bloodline while projecting merchant authority. "They believe bloodline knowledge belongs exclusively to established sects. Our ritual challenges that monopoly."
Kiera fell into step beside him as they descended to the reception room. Through their bond, he sensed her nervousness beneath a calm exterior, not fear of the sect, but concern about navigating the political implications of their bond.
"Remember," he said quietly, "transparency with limits. They'll detect the bond's existence but not its mechanics."
She nodded, squaring her shoulders as they reached the reception room doors. "Merchant face on."
Inside, Elder Mei stood examining a display of Lin Tian's premium products, her ageless features arranged in studied neutrality. Two disciples flanked her, Bai Yuelin with her distinctive crimson hair, and a stern-faced young man Lin Tian hadn't met before. All three turned as they entered, their gazes immediately fixing on Kiera with undisguised scrutiny.
"Merchant Lin," Elder Mei greeted, her voice carrying the distinctive resonance of a Soul Realm cultivator. "We find ourselves compelled to adjust our scheduled meeting. Certain... developments warranted immediate attention."
Lin Tian bowed with precise formality, respectful without subservience. "Elder Mei, your presence honors us. I trust you find our facilities adequate for this unexpected consultation?"
"Quite." Her gaze shifted to Kiera, eyes narrowing slightly. "Though I find myself more interested in your associate's recent transformation. Most remarkable."
The unspoken question hung in the air. Lin Tian gestured toward comfortable seating, taking control of the interaction through simple hospitality. "Please, be seated. Tea will be served momentarily."
Only after they had arranged themselves, Elder Mei and her disciples on one side, Lin Tian and Kiera on the other, did he address the obvious issue.
"You've noticed changes in Ms. Frost's energy signature," he acknowledged directly. "A result of a successful loyalty ritual completed three days ago."
Elder Mei's eyebrows rose fractionally, the only indication of surprise from the disciplined cultivator. "Loyalty ritual? An archaic practice, rarely documented and even more rarely achieved in modern times."
"Yet effective," Lin Tian replied simply.
Bai Yuelin leaned forward, her crimson eyes, so similar to Lin Tian's own, intense with curiosity. "A ritual bond that transfers bloodline characteristics? Without sect guidance or established protocols? The implications are... significant."
The male disciple's expression darkened. "Significant and concerning. Bloodline transfers without proper oversight risk contamination, instability, even corruption of established lineages."
"Disciple Feng," Elder Mei cautioned, though her expression suggested similar concerns.
Lin Tian maintained his composed demeanor. "Not a transfer but a sharing, an important distinction. Ms. Frost retains her original energy signature, now harmonized with aspects of my bloodline. The bond creates resonance, not replacement."
"Semantics," Disciple Feng dismissed. "The fundamental issue remains: unauthorized bloodline manipulation outside established sect protocols."
"I wasn't aware I needed authorization to establish bonds with my own associates," Lin Tian replied mildly, though his eyes hardened slightly. "The Abyssal Phoenix bloodline manifested naturally in me, not through sect bestowal. By what authority would its use be restricted?"
Elder Mei raised a hand, silencing her disciple before the exchange could escalate. "A philosophical question for another time. Our immediate concern is practical: the stability and implications of this bond."
She turned her penetrating gaze to Kiera. "You accepted this bond willingly? With full understanding of its permanent nature?"
"I did," Kiera confirmed, her voice steady. "After extensive consideration and with complete awareness of its significance."
"And the effects?" Bai Yuelin asked, professional curiosity evident in her tone. "What changes have you experienced?"
Kiera glanced at Lin Tian, receiving a subtle nod of permission. "Enhanced perception, primarily. I can see energy signatures and detect fluctuations in mana fields. My physical capabilities have improved, strength, speed, reflexes. And I've gained limited access to void energy, though I'm still learning to control it."
"Void energy manipulation without formal cultivation training," Disciple Feng muttered, shaking his head in disapproval. "Reckless."
"On the contrary," Lin Tian countered smoothly. "The bond itself provides the necessary framework for safe utilization. Ms. Frost's progress is carefully monitored and guided."
Elder Mei studied them both with calculating eyes. "This bond, it creates a permanent connection between you? Beyond physical proximity?"
"It does," Lin Tian confirmed, seeing no reason to deny what they would easily deduce. "A resonance that maintains awareness regardless of distance."
The elder nodded slowly, as if confirming a theory. "The Vermillion Sect has ancient records describing similar bonds, though primarily between bloodline carriers of compatible lineages. A merchant and a hunter forming such a connection is... unprecedented."
"I specialize in unprecedented developments," Lin Tian replied with a slight smile. "Innovation drives progress, in commerce and cultivation alike."
Elder Mei didn't return his smile. "Innovation without foundation often leads to collapse, Merchant Lin. The sect's protocols exist for reasons beyond mere tradition, they represent accumulated wisdom regarding safe bloodline development."
"Which I respect," Lin Tian assured her. "Our bond follows principles of energy harmony and mutual consent, fundamentals recognized by all reputable cultivation paths."
A tense silence followed as Elder Mei considered his response. Lin Tian felt the system analyzing the interaction, calculating probabilities and potential outcomes.
[Diplomatic Situation Analysis]
[Vermillion Sect Position: Concerned but Curious]
[Elder Mei's Primary Motivation: Information Gathering]
[Disciple Feng: Hostile (Traditionalist)]
[Bai Yuelin: Neutral (Scientific Interest)]
[Recommended Approach: Limited Knowledge Sharing + Demonstration of Control]
Following the system's guidance, Lin Tian decided to offer a controlled demonstration. "Perhaps seeing the bond's stability would address some concerns. With your permission, Elder Mei?"
At her cautious nod, Lin Tian extended his hand toward Kiera. She placed her palm against his, their energies visibly resonating at the contact point. Crimson light with black patterns flowed between them, creating a perfect circuit that neither leaked nor fluctuated.
"Remarkable stability," Bai Yuelin observed, leaning closer to study the energy flow. "The harmonization is nearly perfect."
"Nearly?" Lin Tian inquired, genuinely curious about her assessment.
"There's a secondary resonance pattern beneath the primary flow," she explained, her trained eye catching details others might miss. "A potential for further development, perhaps."
Elder Mei nodded in agreement. "The bond is indeed stable, more so than I anticipated. However, this demonstration raises as many questions as it answers." She fixed Lin Tian with a penetrating stare. "The ritual itself, its methodology and requirements, remains of significant interest to the Vermillion Sect."
"I understand your scholarly interest," Lin Tian replied diplomatically, "but the specific mechanics represent proprietary knowledge. Just as the Vermillion Sect protects its unique cultivation techniques, I must safeguard the ritual's details."
"Proprietary knowledge," Disciple Feng repeated with barely concealed disdain. "You speak of sacred bloodline practices as if they were merchant formulas."
"Different contexts, similar principles," Lin Tian countered smoothly. "Value protection transcends specific domains."
Elder Mei raised a hand, ending the philosophical debate before it could escalate further. "Your position is clear, Merchant Lin, if not entirely satisfactory. However, this development necessitates adjustments to our arrangement."
"What adjustments do you propose?" Lin Tian asked, maintaining a neutral tone despite his wariness.
"More frequent monitoring of your bloodline development, for one," she replied. "Weekly sessions rather than bi-weekly. And..." she paused, glancing at Bai Yuelin, "closer observation of your daily activities and business operations."
Lin Tian's eyes narrowed slightly. "You propose surveillance?"
"I propose appropriate oversight given unprecedented developments," Elder Mei corrected. "Disciple Bai will serve as liaison between your operation and the Vermillion Sect, maintaining regular presence in your establishment."
Bai Yuelin's expression remained professionally neutral, though Lin Tian detected a flicker of something, reluctance? interest?, in her crimson eyes. The system analyzed this new development immediately.
[Situation Update]
[Vermillion Sect Strategy: Infiltration Through Bai Yuelin]
[Stated Purpose: Monitoring]
[Likely Additional Objectives: Ritual Knowledge Acquisition, Bloodline Research]
[Bai Yuelin Assessment: Conflicted Loyalty, Personal Curiosity]
[Threat Level: Moderate]
[Opportunity Assessment: Potential Information Exchange, Sect Connection]
Lin Tian considered his options carefully. Outright refusal would escalate tensions unnecessarily, while complete acceptance would surrender too much autonomy. A middle path seemed optimal.
"I understand your concerns, Elder Mei," he said finally. "Disciple Bai's presence as liaison is acceptable, provided certain boundaries are respected. Business confidentiality must be maintained, and private cultivation sessions remain private."
Elder Mei inclined her head slightly. "Reasonable parameters. Disciple Bai will observe appropriate boundaries while fulfilling her duties."
"When would this arrangement begin?" Kiera asked, her tone professionally neutral despite the concern Lin Tian felt through their bond.
"Immediately," Elder Mei replied. "Disciple Bai has already been briefed on her responsibilities and will remain here when we depart."
Lin Tian exchanged a glance with Kiera, their bond allowing silent communication of shared concerns and contingency planning. Having a sect disciple embedded in their operation created complications but also opportunities, access to sect knowledge and potential insights into their true motives.
"Very well," Lin Tian agreed. "We'll arrange suitable accommodations for Disciple Bai."