Death... and me

Rean was taken aback.

"Wait! What?! Why?!"

Droman then explained.

"Can't you see? It's too strange! We're already standing out a lot since we created the Communication System. If we start to bring out even more of those Electrical Ideas, everyone will become suspicious. Chances are that the Imperial Family and the other powers will think that we found some kind of inheritance and will demand it from us."

"This..."

In fact, Droman really thought that Rean and Roan got some kind of heaven-defying inheritance. Otherwise, what could explain their accomplishments until now? At the moment, everyone could accept that Droman thought about the Communication System. But if the Circuitry Formations came out from Dalamu, that would be too hard to swallow.

Rean, of course, became dejected. There were many Destiny Points right in front of him, but he couldn't get them. How sad was that?

Seeing Rean's face made Droman laugh in response.

"Hahaha! Don't worry. There is a way to avoid inviting problems with the Imperial Family. To be honest, it was quite convenient that we're going to the capital. Instead of using the Imperial Family, let's use the Formations Guild Instead."

"The Formations Guild? But aren't they subordinates of the Imperial Family to start with?"

Droman shook his head.

"Of course not! The Formations Guild is an independent organization. In fact, all the side occupation guilds are the same. Why do you think we have a Formations Hall instead of a Formations Guild in our Sect? That's because the Guilds prefer to keep their distance from everyone. In that way, even if a country is conquered by someone else, the Guilds will not become affected."

"The Guilds are present in the entire world. Also, they have good relations with each other. So, in case one of them is threatened, the other guilds will ally together. Of course, only if the Guild being threatened is not in the wrong. For example, if a certain country of empire wishes to rob them of their secrets just because they can."

"When all the Guilds are put together, even an Empire like Sasamil will not buy a fight against them lightly. In exchange, the Guilds have an agreement with these powers. They will not get involved in the power struggles of any countries or empires."

Rean couldn't help but ask.

"The Guilds definitely have members that are part of the Imperial Families or the powers controlling each region. What happens in that case?"

Droman understood what Rean meant.

"The Guilds had thought about it a long time ago. They won't stop their members from helping one side during a war or whatever. However, these members must understand that they won't receive any help from the Guilds. They will join those struggles on their own. The Guilds also won't protect them in case the side these members fought for loses. So asking for asylum in the Guilds is meaningless."

Rean then asked something else.

"One of these guilds is the Formation Master Guild. However, can they really stop the Imperial Family from finding problems with us?"

Droman nodded.

"That's why I selected them. As always, I'll be the one to hold the name of the creations. Once you grow strong enough, I can simply announce that it was you all along."

"I would then offer these Circuitry Formations to the Formation Guild. Once that happens, even the Imperial Family won't be able to do anything. Besides, we did give the Imperial Family the Communication System they have today. It would look bad to them if they went as far as buying a fight with the Formation Guild because of some new invention we had."

Rean scratched the back of his head.

"It sounds so complicated... The world should give more space for inventors, you know?"

Droman sighed after hearing that.

"You have no idea how many times I had the same thought. Unfortunately, this is the cultivation world. Might is right! Simple as that. The Formations Guild have might, so they are right. That being said, we would instead have both the Imperial Family and the Formation Master Guild guarding our backs. Anything related to the Communication System and Circuitry Formations would be safe."

Rean nodded.

"Okay. Then we can do both things at the same time. We can look into the repository while you talk with the Guild."

It was then that Rean noticed one thing.

"Wait. Wouldn't it be bad if we simply gave it to them for free? I refuse to believe that having their protection is enough."

Droman nodded.

"Now that you said that, we could use it to make you a member of their Guild straight away. That way, you don't need to go through any exams."

Rean immediately shook his head.

"Denied! Don't spoil my fun, alright? I want to participate in that test against everyone else by hook or by crook. Also, we will not give them the Circuitry Formations for now. Or could it be that you don't want to work on these projects before anyone else?"

Droman's eyes lit up before laughing out loud.

"Hahaha! Indeed. I definitely prefer to be the first one to try these little projects. Very well, we will keep these Circuitry Formations between you and me for now. By the way, we will be leaving the Sect in two weeks. After that, we will be gone for at least two months."

Rean nodded.

"No problem. I'll get everything ready on my side."

Rean couldn't cultivate the Light and Dark Cultivation Techniques of the Soul Gem System if Roan was too far away. Naturally, he would need Roan to go as well. Rean and Droman then let the next few days pass, talking about the Circuitry Formations. As a higher level Formation Master, Droman contributed a lot to the parts where Rean got stuck.

Rean then called Roan through their Soul Connection straight away.

'So you would need to go to the capital?'

'Yeah. I'll take the Formation Guild Test to be accepted as their member after finishing my free month in their repository. Will you be able to come as well? After all, we still need to cultivate. I just don't know if Old Worm would accept that.'

Roan pondered a bit.

'This is convenient. We will be entering the Imperial Family's turf. I can use this chance to investigate the situation of the Imperial Succession. The more information I have, the bigger our chances will be once the Emperor makes his move.'

'As for Old Worm, I'll talk to him. In any case, I'm pretty much at my limit as an Earth High-Level Alchemist. I can't concoct anything above this level since I'm lacking the necessary cultivation.'

Rean nodded.

'Alright. Droman will bring us over in two weeks, so make sure you're ready.'

Rean then returned his attention to Droman. The guy was once again looking into the Circuitry Formations' documents. However, this time he began to use a Jade Slip. After all, reading all these papers was too annoying. At the same time, he and Rean discussed several points of the Circuitry Formation.

On Roan's side, he went straight to the Alchemist Repository, where Old Worm was once again watching the entrance. As always, Old Worm had several Alchemist books around while he read one without caring for the world.

Old Worm noticed Roan's presence, though. Right after, Roan heard a Spiritual Sense Message from him.

'It's been some time since you came to the repository. Is there anything you need from me?'

Roan nodded and then explained that he would go to the capital with Rean and Droman. After hearing everything, Old Worm closed his book and got up.

'I see. That's quite convenient. Considering your level, I think you should also compete for one of the ten slots of the Alchemist Guild in the capital. After all, you can't improve anymore with your actual cultivation. At most, you can learn how to concoct a few more different pills.'

Roan couldn't help but ask.

'The Alchemist Guild Test? Should I really waste time with it?'

Old Worm nodded.

'Their Alchemist Repository is much better than ours. I'm a member of their Guild, so I can guarantee that you won't regret it.'

This time, Roan was a little surprised. He didn't know that at all. Rean told him that joining one of the Guilds in the capital was very hard, even for those with high cultivation. It wasn't something exclusive for the Formation Master Guild. Sure enough, Old Worm was very good at keeping a low profile.

'Can't you simply bring me inside to check the books available? I would rather not waste my time in a meaningless competition.'

Well, Roan wasn't as excited to compete as Rean.

'It's against the rules.'

Old Worm's answer was as short as ever.

Roan pondered a bit and nodded in the end.

'Alright. Do I need any special invitation or something like that?'

Old Worm then left the counter and walked out with Roan.

'Usually, you would need some local guild's letter. Droman is definitely using it to have Rean compete for the slots in the Formations Guild. However, as a member of the Capital's Guild myself, I can bypass this rule.'

Roan was satisfied to hear that. At least he wouldn't need to do anything else. He could use his time on other tasks.

Old Worm then headed to his hut with Roan.

'Let's revise what you know for the next few days. Then we can leave together with Droman and Rean.'

Roan didn't mind and simply followed. And just like that, Rean and Roan spent their next two weeks in the Sect.

Note: Leave some power stones for the weekly deal. ;)