After the slave owners went bankrupt, they all wanted to keep me as a mistress.

None of those dukes and marquises are as wealthy and powerful as this young master.

Mu Qiu smiled.

He could tell that this legendary alchemist genuinely wanted to follow him.

No, it's the money bag that they genuinely want to follow.

Unfortunately, legendary alchemists cannot become slaves.

Secondly, even a fool could figure it out: a legendary alchemist must be a treasure trove. If he were to follow him, wouldn't he go bankrupt?

No, we must refuse!

Mu Qiu shook his head without hesitation and said, "Master Richie, I understand what you mean, but... please go back."

Just as Aldridge was about to try again, he heard Mu Qiu speak up once more:

"There is no room for consideration in this matter."

"If you were willing to sell us some alchemical dolls, we could sit down and have a proper discussion, but what you're talking about is... for me, for my family..."

Mu Qiu only said half of what he said before shaking his head.

Is this... a sign that he looks down on this legendary alchemist?

Aldridge's heart sank deeper and deeper.

He still underestimated this young master of the saintly family.

A legendary alchemist sought his services... and was so easily rejected.

It is clear.

He could tell that the other party wasn't trying to lower his pay, but rather that they simply had no interest in him at all.

This made Aldridge's heart skip a beat.

Are these the descendants of the saint?

I'm afraid even the most legendary alchemists would treat this young master with utmost respect.

Aldridge sighed inwardly, a hint of sadness flashing in his eyes.

But remembering what the other person had said about alchemical dolls, he paused slightly as he was about to turn and leave, and said in a low voice, "Sir, the legendary alchemical dolls I crafted are only of medium quality... I'm afraid..."

"Medium is fine too."

Mu Qiu asked, "How many are legendary-level, and how many are mithril-level?"

Aldridge thought for a moment, then said in a deep voice, “Sir, these alchemical puppets are ultimately lifeless objects that need to be manipulated by humans. It is best not to control more than two alchemical puppets at the same time, and you also need to learn the technique of puppet control first.”

"Unless you are extremely skilled at using alchemical puppets and your chosen profession is Puppet Master, or you simply want them to perform the same commands, such as serving as spies and meat shields in dungeons..."

Does it require human intervention?

Mu Qiu thought about it and realized that he didn't need to. Vera and Fiona would both become legendary professionals in the future, so they didn't need to specifically learn this skill.

However, Adele and Luna could learn puppetry techniques, and the Gold-level catgirl maid group could each lead two Mithril-level puppets.

Mu Qiu then asked, "Are there any requirements regarding the user's strength?"

"This... only requires mental strength. Generally speaking, a Black Iron rank professional can control a Silver rank third-tier alchemical puppet at most, and a Gold rank professional can control a Mithril rank sixth-tier alchemical puppet at most. Moreover, if the alchemical puppet is more than two major ranks higher, only one can be controlled. Otherwise, the controller often needs to concentrate on manipulating two alchemical puppets and has no time to take care of himself."

Aldridge continued, "As for legendary alchemical puppets, at least a mithril-level professional can control them, because the power and speed of legendary alchemical puppets far exceed those of mithril-level alchemical puppets. For an orbium-level professional, controlling an alchemical puppet of this level is almost impossible."

"Of course, if you are a puppeteer, then you should be able to control alchemical puppets far exceeding your own level..."

After listening to Aldridge's explanation, Mu Qiu quickly began to think.

Puppet Master?

Of course, he didn't have any with him.

However, Adele and Luna, who were in the manor, had both reached the early stage of Orichalcum.

The catgirl maid group's strength was all at the Gold rank, just enough to control mithril-level alchemical puppets.

If each of them were equipped with an alchemical doll, it would not only greatly enhance the manor's defenses, but more importantly, it would be a sustainable expenditure!

Buying the doll costs money, maintenance costs money, and the power source for its operation also costs money!

Buying alchemical dolls is a sure way to lose money!

"It doesn't matter."

Mu Qiu waved his hand, striking a bold pose: "Master Richie, just tell me directly, how much stock do you have on hand right now? I want both the Mithril and Legendary grades."

Seeing Mu Qiu's straightforwardness, Aldridge perked up and quickly made some careful calculations.

Although he served Duke Blaine, the two were actually in a cooperative relationship. He accepted the Duke Blaine's offerings in private, but did not outwardly serve any power. This was a requirement put forward by Duke Blaine.

Aldridge was well aware that Duke Blaine was trying to appear as if he wasn't involved in any power struggles, which allowed him to make some deals with other nobles in private and naturally accumulate some personal wealth on the side.

However, Duke Blaine recently took away a batch of alchemical dolls, and the temple also needs a batch of alchemical dolls, so he doesn't have many high-level alchemical dolls on hand...

"Your Excellency."

Aldridge stroked his white beard and replied, "I currently have fifteen mithril-grade alchemical dolls on hand, all of which are recent creations. They are stable in performance and of superior quality, mainly in the melee guard and ranged shooter types."

"Legendary..."

He paused, then said with a hint of shame, "There are only three. Two of them are heavy armor warrior type, with extremely strong defense, capable of withstanding the full force of an ordinary legendary professional's attack head-on. One is assassin type, skilled in attack."

"However... these three legendary puppets are only of medium quality, with slightly flawed core runes, and cannot operate under high load for long periods of time. I hope you are aware of this."

"Fifteen high-quality mithril dolls, and three medium-quality legendary dolls..."

Mu Qiu stroked his chin, a dissatisfied expression on his face: "The quantity is a bit small, and the quality is just average."

Aldridge's heart tightened, fearing that this young master wouldn't be interested. The young master's offer was definitely much higher than that of the Temple and Duke Blaine, which made him intend to reserve the best batch for the other party.

As for the low-quality legendary dolls and the medium-quality mithril dolls, let's leave them to the temple and Duke Blaine; it'll be a good opportunity to clear out their inventory all at once...

He quickly added, "Sir, the creation of alchemical dolls is extremely time-consuming and requires rare materials, especially legendary ones, each of which is priceless!"

"Although these three puppets have some flaws, they can definitely unleash the combat power of a legendary-level puppet!"

"Furthermore... I also possess three alchemical puppets that are half-step into the legendary level, but their quality is only average... and they are all heavily armored defensive types..."

"Half-step legend?"

Mu Qiu raised an eyebrow slightly.

Why are all of this old man's alchemical puppets heavily armored and defensive?

"That is, an alchemical doll that is somewhere between mithril and legendary."

Aldridge chuckled and explained, "While Orichalcum-level professionals can manipulate two Mithril-level puppets, they cannot manipulate Legendary-level alchemical puppets. Therefore, I created a semi-Legendary alchemical puppet that is perfect for Orichalcum-level professionals!"

"Aren't there any spellcasting alchemical puppets?"

Aldridge spoke somewhat awkwardly, "Well... alchemical puppets can only cast fixed elemental spells. The higher the level of the alchemical puppet, the greater the difference in combat power compared to a true spellcaster..."

Even the legendary alchemical puppets he created, which were capable of casting spells, couldn't defeat a Bronze-rank mage.

Aldridge felt this was somewhat too embarrassing, so he simply stopped making spellcaster-type alchemical dolls to avoid buyers questioning his alchemical skills.

"Um……"

Mu Qiu pondered for a moment, then reluctantly nodded: "Although there are no spellcasting alchemical puppets, I will take them all because of your sincerity, Master. Name your price."

Aldridge took a deep breath and quoted what he considered a fair price: "Sir, according to market prices, a top-quality mithril alchemical doll is worth approximately 300,000 to 600,000 gold coins."

"I consider my skills to be quite excellent. Let's say it costs 400,000 gold coins per body. Fifteen bodies would be 6 million gold coins."

"A semi-legendary, medium-quality alchemical puppet costs 800,000 gold coins for one and 2.4 million gold coins for three."

"A legendary alchemical doll, even if of medium quality, is worth at least 1.5 million gold coins. Three of them would be worth 4.5 million gold coins, for a total of 13.9 million gold coins."

"I am willing to transfer them all to you for thirteen million gold coins. What do you think?"

"Of course, if you are willing to bid with starstones, a mid-grade starstone can be valued at 200,000 gold coins, and a high-grade starstone can be valued at 1 million gold coins."

Thirteen million gold coins!

Fiona, who was standing to the side, clicked her tongue in amazement and couldn't help but look at Mu Qiu.

Given the master's habits, if it's 13.9 million gold coins, the master would probably round it down to 14 million gold coins, right?

Aldridge thought so too.

Alchemy dolls need maintenance and energy recharging.

Furthermore, since legendary and higher-level alchemical dolls do not have a legendary rank, their combat power is even greater than that of a true legendary professional. Therefore, legendary alchemical dolls are not as valuable as legendary equipment and potions.

However, alchemical dolls below the legendary level are priced similarly to equipment of the same level, or even more expensive.

However, Mu Qiu's reaction was completely unexpected by Aldridge.

Mu Qiu frowned, his tone clearly showing displeasure: "Thirteen million gold coins? Master Richie, are you kidding me?"

Aldridge's heart skipped a beat, thinking the other party thought it was too expensive. Just as he was about to speak, Mu Qiu continued:

"I bought these alchemical dolls to protect my manor."

"Improperly made dolls bring tears to the eyes of loved ones!"

"When it comes to safety, how can you be greedy for cheap prices? Your price is an insult to me and to your own skills!"

"what?"

Aldridge was completely dumbfounded.

Are there still people who think the price is too low?

Mu Qiu waved his hand and said in an unquestionable tone, "I will buy 600,000 gold coins each for Mithril-grade puppets! I will buy 1.2 million gold coins each for half-step Legendary puppets, and 2 million gold coins each for Legendary puppets!"

"Hmm... that's a total of 18.6 million gold coins! I'll keep the odd amount and round it up to 20 million gold coins!"

"Twenty million gold coins?"

Aldridge nearly bit his tongue, his eyes wide as bells.

Is this how you round up your numbers?!

His initial price of 13 million was already somewhat inflated, because he knew his mithril-grade alchemical doll was only worth 300,000 on the market, and he had artificially inflated the price by 1.5 million gold coins...

In reality, this batch of alchemical dolls is worth just over ten million gold coins in total.

Those three alchemical puppets, which were half-step legendary level, were made with rather rare alchemical materials, some of which he himself did not even recognize.

But it was ultimately just a half-step legendary alchemical doll. Other nobles were unwilling to buy it at a high price, and Aldridge didn't want to sell it cheaply, so it remained in his hands. He originally wanted to take this opportunity to sell it all at once, hoping to get a total of 12 or 13 million!

As it turned out, the other party actually bought it for 20 million gold coins?

"Your Excellency! This...this is absolutely unacceptable! This price is far too high! I am unworthy of it!"

Aldridge quickly waved his hand. Although he had come to ask for money, he was afraid that taking the money would be too hot to handle, and that the other party might renege on the deal or their family might pursue the matter...

"What? Does the master think my life, or the lives of my men, are not worth this price?"

Mu Qiu's face darkened, and his tone became serious.

"No, no, I had no such intention!"

Aldridge broke out in a cold sweat.

This hat is too big; he dares not wear it.

"Then it's settled!"

Mu Qiu made the final decision, slamming his hand on the table and declaring, "Twenty million gold coins to purchase your fifteen mithril-grade, three half-step legendary-grade dolls, and three legendary-grade alchemical dolls. I'll pay for this with high-grade starlight stones, a total of twenty high-grade starlight stones."

As he spoke, he took out twenty high-grade starstones from his storage ring and handed them over.

"In addition, I hope the master can include a few basic instruction manuals so that my slaves can get started as soon as possible."

Aldridge was completely stunned by this huge windfall. As he took the high-grade starstone, he nodded dazedly, "No problem! Absolutely no problem! The instruction manual... I have it right here!"

"very good."

Mu Qiu nodded in satisfaction, then, as if remembering something, casually asked, "By the way, these puppets... do they require any special energy to operate? Like magic crystals or something?"

Aldridge quickly replied, "Your Excellency, no additional energy is required. Their cores are inscribed with energy-gathering arrays that can automatically absorb elemental particles from the air to maintain basic operation and slowly self-repair."

"Only after intense battles do we need to use some magic crystals or infuse magic for rapid recharging; routine patrols and guard duty consume almost no energy!"