The Rise of a Master: It Starts With Rejection

"Mr. Ghost, do you know about the Skeletal Demon?" Felix asked suddenly during the drive, remembering how he had asked Deborah before without learning much.

Shepherd laughed and said, "Why are you asking about that one?"

"A friend mentioned him once and said he was ruthless and terrifying. It just made me curious."

Shepherd glanced at Deborah with an odd expression. "Your mentor really does focus solely on alchemy, doesn't she? The Skeletal Demon has been Harmony Clinic's target for years. Obviously, you haven't heard much from Madam Goddard, have you?" he teased.

Deborah frowned. "Teaching him alchemy is enough. Should I keep up with every bit of gossip? Out with it, you old man! You're getting more insufferable with age."

Shepherd chuckled before continuing, "The Skeletal Demon is at the late stage of Transcendent Realm. His combat ability is mediocre at best-he'd lose to any serious fighter at his level. But his cultivation technique is strange.

"He's terrifyingly good at trapping enemies and excellent at disguise, too. It makes him a master of escape. That's how he gets away with his dirty work, making enemies everywhere, including Harmony Clinic.

"Dickson's been hunting him for years. He rushes out at the slightest hint of news but still hasn't managed to kill him after all this time."

Felix's heart leaped. He quickly asked, "Mr. Ghost, since you know so much about him, do you happen to know where he appears sometimes?"

Deborah cut in right then, "Felix, don't expect anything from this old fox. He puts profit above all. If I hadn't known him for years and if he didn't owe me favors, would you think it safe to ride in his car? He might sell us out any moment."

Shepherd wasn't embarrassed by this description. Instead, he let out an eerie giggle. "Deborah's right. Dickson has asked me many times, but nothing he offered caught my interest. So, I refused them all."

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Felix's excitement peaked. This meant Shepherd definitely knew where to find the Skeletal Demon. That would be invaluable information.

The Skeletal Demon possessed the final Dragonspine piece that was confirmed.

But finding him in the vast Martial City seemed impossible.

"Mr. Ghost, Mr. Marlow has shown me great kindness. He escorted me from Harmony Clinic's headquarters to North City. Though it was because of Madam Goddard, I could tell he's a good person who took excellent care of me."

Shepherd's expression remained unchanged. "And?"

"So, I want to help him. If you trust me, just provide the herbs needed for Soul Ascension Pills once I can cultivate advanced pills. I guarantee at least one successful pill.

"My former mentor taught me a secret technique to increase pill-forming rates. Since it can only be used once a year, I almost gave up on it as useless."

In the front seat, Deborah remained silent. She knew Felix had no such technique since pill cultivation couldn't be enhanced by secret methods. That was just talk to fool outsiders.

But one thing was certain. If anyone could improve the pill-forming rate for advanced pills, it might just be Felix.