If Wei Tu's strength and cultivation were both only at the mid-stage Golden Core level, Fu Dalü could have easily used soft threats to pressure him into agreeing to become the Fu Clan's resident alchemist.
But now—
The strength Wei Tu just showed, even if it wasn't quite as strong as his, meant it was completely unrealistic to expect a quick victory in one or two moves. He had no hope of subduing Wei Tu easily.
If their fight dragged on, things would only get messier. If it got out of hand, the Fu Clan would be in real trouble. After that, not only would no outside cultivator dare stay in Peach Immortal City or do business in shops under the Fu Clan's name, but even the local cultivators might keep their distance, put off by the Fu Clan's bullying reputation.
Simply put, the Fu Clan could bully and oppress people in the shadows as much as they liked, but if it happened in the open, where everyone could see, it wouldn't end well.
"Master Fang, you misunderstood. The Fu Clan sincerely wants to invite you to join us. Here's the contract I brought with me. Please take a look," Fu Dalü said, forcing a smile. The Buddhist light around him faded as he took out a spirit contract from his robes and used spiritual power to hand it to Wei Tu.
Luckily, the Fu Clan had experience with this sort of thing, so they'd drawn up two different contracts beforehand—otherwise, he'd have been stuck with no way out. This contract offered the standard rate for a third-rank alchemist, actually twenty percent higher than the usual price. It was a backup plan just for situations like this.
The reason the Fu Clan could run wild for so long in Peach Immortal City wasn't just because the siblings propped up the family name, but also because the Fu Clan knew how to "bully the weak and fear the strong."
Seeing Fu Dalü give in, Wei Tu's expression softened a little. He took the contract, glanced at it casually, and gave Fu Dalü an out.
"I'll think about it. I'll let you know in a few days," he said calmly.
At this moment, he really understood the old saying: 'A kind man is bullied, a tame horse is ridden.' When the Fu Clan saw he wasn't to be trifled with, they immediately changed tactics and tried to make peace, without a trace of psychological burden.
'That's just how bandits are. If they see the risk is too high, they'll usually back off instead of pushing forward,' Wei Tu thought to himself. Compared to ordinary cultivators, bandits with a reputation were much more cautious.
"Good, as long as you've said that, Master Fang, I can rest easy," Fu Dalü said with a sigh of relief.
If Wei Tu insisted on making trouble, the siblings would have a hard time in Peach Immortal City—there's no way they could really start an all-out fight.
"This was my mistake, being too hasty. Here's a piece of Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Jade, excavated from the northern mountains of Xiao Kingdom. It calms the mind and nourishes the spirit. Today, I offer it to you as an apology, Master Fang," Fu Dalü said, a glint flashing in his eyes. He patted his storage pouch, took out a brocade box, and sent it to Wei Tu with a flick of spiritual power.
A young Golden Core under three hundred years old, already with skills comparable to the late Golden Core stage… In the future, even if Wei Tu never reached the Nascent Soul realm, as long as he made it to late Golden Core, he'd be a serious headache for the Fu Clan.
The siblings might not exactly be afraid of Wei Tu, but even if they weren't scared, it was still better to resolve things peacefully if possible.
Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Jade?
Wei Tu was a little surprised, really impressed by how quickly Fu Dalü could switch tactics. Just a moment ago, Fu Dalü had been subtly threatening him, trying to make him a workhorse to refine pills for the clan. Now he was not only apologizing, but also giving gifts as compensation?
"Well… thank you, Young Master Fu."
Wei Tu thought for a moment, then waved his sleeve and accepted the Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Jade in front of him.
This Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Jade was a rare treasure, worth over ten thousand spirit stones—no reason not to take it.
"Today, it seems we've become friends after a bit of a fight. If Master Fang doesn't mind, I'd like to host a spirit feast at my home. It's both to welcome you and to apologize," Fu Dalü said, slapping his chest and looking bold and generous.
"That won't be necessary," Wei Tu replied, waving his hand to decline.
The Fu Clan's estate was their stronghold. If there were any clever formations set up inside, and he accidentally walked into a trap, he might never make it out. He'd take the sugar-coated gift, but not the cannonball.
"The Ascension Pavilion nearby is pretty good," Fu Dalü insisted, really making an effort to invite him.
At this point, he genuinely wanted to make friends with Wei Tu. He didn't see their earlier clash as a mortal grudge—giving a gift to apologize was enough to smooth things over.
Being able to connect with an alchemist of the same cultivation level would be useful for building his own network in the future. There are levels among third-rank alchemists too, and in Fu Dalü's eyes, Wei Tu was definitely in the top tier.
"Senior Fang, the spirit feasts at the Ascension Pavilion are the best in Liao Prefecture. Every year, plenty of guests come from all over just to eat there," Sun Chixin added, stepping up to help persuade Wei Tu.
As he spoke, Sun Chixin also sent Wei Tu a secret message, letting him know that the Ascension Pavilion was safe—there were no traps or binding formations.
"Thank you, Young Master Fu, for your generosity," Wei Tu said after thinking it over, finally agreeing.
Favoring the strong and slighting the weak is just how the world works. Now that Fu Dalü was extending an olive branch, if Wei Tu kept refusing, he'd look petty and unforgiving. If that happened, even after leaving Peach Immortal City, he'd never really have peace—the Fu siblings might even ambush him outside the city to get rid of the threat.
That was easy enough to predict. Such are the pros and cons of being an alchemist. The value you bring makes many strangers willing to befriend you. Fu Dalü's attitude change was proof of that.
On the flip side, if someone becomes your enemy, those same benefits turn into reasons to kill you—a whole pile of death warrants.
…
Not long after—
In a private room on the third floor of the Ascension Pavilion.
Fu Dalü was generous, ordering a lavish spirit feast worth over a thousand spirit stones to apologize to Wei Tu. He also invited Sun Chixin to join them. In Fu Dalü's view, Sun Chixin's well-timed persuasion was a big reason why Wei Tu had changed his mind—and also showed his loyalty to the Fu Clan.
"Friends are made by fighting first and drinking later. Master Fang, if you ever run into trouble in Liao Prefecture, just mention my name—Fu Dalü," he said cheerfully.
The Six Desires Sect wasn't just a bandit gang, it was also a web of connections for him and his sister.
"Alright, if I ever run into trouble, I'll be sure to use Young Master Fu's name," Wei Tu replied with a slight smile.
He was headed to Shengya Mountain next. He didn't expect any trouble, but having an extra connection could only help. He still remembered—the leader of the Six Desires Sect was that Ji Zhang, a disciple of the Heavenly Will Sect's sect master. Fu Dalü's name might not mean much everywhere, but Ji Zhang's was enough to let him do whatever he wanted in Xiao Kingdom.
"Come on, let's drink! Drink!" Fu Dalü called out, not really caring about Wei Tu's words. In his mind, if Wei Tu ever did get himself into real trouble, the first to pay the price would always be Wei Tu himself.