Chapter 37

"Could this kid be a Third-grade Alchemist?!" Master Otto seemed to have suddenly thought of something, but then quickly shook his head, forcing those unrealistic thoughts from his mind. "Impossible, impossible. He's so young—how could that be possible?!"

He wanted to drive the thought from his mind, but once it had appeared, he found it increasingly impossible to forget. And as Xiao Heng continued refining, that thought became more and more certain.

"What's impossible?" the old man asked when he heard Otto muttering.

Otto shook his head. "Nothing."

Though puzzled, the old man did not ask further. He could only continue watching quietly.

Under Xiao Heng's control, all the medicinal liquids slowly began to merge, finally forming a pill.

The flames went out, and a strand of Dou Qi drew the pill into his hand. Otto and the old man entered the room and said, "Congratulations, young friend. You have passed the assessment."

Xiao Heng stored the Medicine Cauldron back in his Storage Ring and displayed the pill before the two of them. Smiling, he said, "Aren't you going to inspect it? What if I failed?"

Otto chuckled. "Young friend, don't joke around. If this counted as a failure, then all the pills I've refined over the years were for nothing."

The old man beside him also smiled bitterly, thinking, You say your efforts were for nothing? Mine were the ones truly wasted! After so many years of hard work, I've been caught up to by a teenager—and he may surpass me before long. Judging by Xiao Heng's refinement, his foundation was exceptionally solid. It probably would not be long before he could refine Third-grade Pills.

But he could not say that aloud—it would be too humiliating. He could only say, "Let's go outside first."

Otto nodded as well. This was indeed not the right place to talk.

The three returned to the hall. The old man waved over a Middle-aged Man, then whispered a few words into his ear.

The Middle-aged Man stared at Xiao Heng in shock, then looked toward the old man. The old man nodded and waved to indicate that he could leave. Then he returned to Xiao Heng and Otto.

"Master Otto, young friend Xiao Heng, this way, please." The old man led Xiao Heng and Otto into a rather spacious room...

Inside the room, a Girl was pouring tea for Xiao Heng.

"Thank you," Xiao Heng said with a smile to the Girl before him.

The Girl lifted the teapot, somewhat curious about who this young man was. He was actually drinking tea with Master Otto and Master Suo Ke, and this room was not one that just anyone could use.

"Put the water down. We'll do it ourselves."

Hearing Suo Ke's instruction, the Girl respectfully bowed and left the room. Before leaving, she reluctantly stole two more glances at Xiao Heng.

Seeing this, Otto laughed heartily. "Young friend Xiao Heng truly is outstanding at such a young age. Look at that little girl—she could barely take her eyes off you."

"Just luck," Xiao Heng replied with a smile.

"I believe you aren't even twenty yet, young friend. Becoming a Second-grade Alchemist before the age of twenty isn't something that can be achieved through luck alone." Otto looked at Xiao Heng with delight. He had already come to terms with being unable to accept Xiao Heng as his disciple. Now, all he needed to do was draw Xiao Heng closer. A genius like this had to be won over—or at the very least, he had to leave him with a good impression.

Just as Xiao Heng was about to answer, a sudden knock came from outside.

"Come in," Suo Ke said.

A servant entered carrying a jade tray. Resting on it was a set of exquisite black robes.

Suo Ke stood, took the jade tray, and waved for the servant to leave.

"These are the special robes of a Second-grade Alchemist. Before this kind of robe is made, its materials are soaked in the medicinal pool cultivated by the guild. When the medicinal liquid within comes into contact with the air, it emits a strange fragrance. This scent keeps its wearer clear-headed at all times. Moreover, under its stimulation, the skin becomes somewhat more sensitive, making it easier for an alchemist to control the heat while refining pills. Now, it belongs to you, young friend."

As he introduced it, Suo Ke handed the jade tray to Xiao Heng.

"Thank you, Master."

Xiao Heng accepted the tray, picked up the black robe, and put it on directly. He usually wore a set of black combat clothes anyway, so adding a robe was quite convenient.

Otto nodded. The black robe was indeed nice, but Xiao Heng was even more impressive. To attain such achievements at this age already surpassed what Otto himself had accomplished back then. Frank really was taking his time. If he did not come soon, Otto would not even know what else to say to Xiao Heng.

"Please sit, young friend."

Xiao Heng sat down contentedly. He was quite satisfied with the robe. He said again, "Thank you both, Seniors."

Otto smiled. "This is what you deserve, young friend. By the way, I wonder which senior could have taught such a genius as you."

Xiao Heng raised his teacup and took a sip. These old foxes always tried to pry for information whenever they found an opportunity. But no matter how much they guessed, they would never imagine that Xiao Heng had no teacher at all. Keeping his expression calm, he said, "My master prefers seclusion and dislikes showing himself in public, so there is no need to mention him. But I am curious—why did you say I was under twenty, Master? My records clearly state that I'm twenty-five."

Of course, Xiao Heng knew that he did not look anything like twenty-five. But if the topic of his teacher continued, he truly would not be able to keep making things up, so he could only change the subject.

Seeing this, Otto knew he would not get any information out of him. Still, he did not mind and followed Xiao Heng's lead. "There are quite a few methods to alter one's age, but they all leave traces after being used. Yet there is not the slightest trace on your face, young friend, so naturally there is no issue. And if you have not concealed anything, judging by your features, you could not possibly be over twenty."

At such close range, if Xiao Heng had used some method on his face and Otto still could not detect it, that would only mean this young man's methods were exceptionally brilliant. And if Xiao Heng possessed such brilliant methods, Otto would not mind currying a little favor with him.

With a chuckle, Xiao Heng said, "Master Otto truly has sharp eyes!" That was as good as admitting that he was under twenty.

At that moment, the door was suddenly pushed open, and an old man wearing an alchemist's robe strode inside.

The moment he entered, his eyes fixed directly on Xiao Heng. Somewhat excited, he said, "So this is the Second-grade Alchemist under twenty? Very impressive indeed."

"You flatter me," Xiao Heng said modestly. Seeing Frank, Suo Ke, who had been seated nearby, also rose and bowed to him. "President!" Clearly, Frank held greater authority over him than Otto did.

Frank glanced at him and smiled. "Suo Ke, there's no need for such formality. You've worked hard today." Discovering an alchemist with extraordinary talent was indeed no small achievement.

"Then please continue your conversation. I'll head out first—I still have matters to attend to outside." As a Second-grade Alchemist, there was actually nothing outside that needed him. But there was no point in him staying here, nor was it his place to speak. Rather than remain awkwardly, it was better to make room for them.

Frank did not stop him and merely nodded. Since he still did not know the situation, he could only look toward Otto. Frank had been refining pills when someone came to summon him, saying that Otto had discovered a Second-grade Alchemist under twenty. At first, he thought he had misheard and confirmed it again. Thinking that Otto would not joke about such a matter, he hurried over.

In truth, he still found it somewhat hard to believe. But with the person sitting right in front of him, he had no choice but to believe it.

"By the way, since you've registered with the guild, young friend, there are still some procedures that need to be completed. There seems to be some question regarding the mentor section."

Xiao Heng shrugged helplessly. "I already explained the details of the mentor section to Master Otto. You can ask him."

Frank nodded. He had thought Xiao Heng had told Otto everything, so he did not ask further. Instead, he continued, "Then there's no problem. Registering with the guild comes with many benefits. For example, you can purchase medicinal ingredients from the guild at considerable discounts, and if you encounter any problems, you may also seek the guild's assistance."

Xiao Heng nodded. This was exactly what he wanted. Finding medicinal ingredients on his own was simply too difficult; joining the Alchemist Guild would make things much more convenient.

"I do need some medicinal ingredients."

Frank nodded inwardly. Wasn't this much better? What he feared most was that the Kid wouldn't need anything at all. As long as he had needs, it would naturally be easier to build a relationship with him. Brimming with confidence, he said, "Tell me what medicinal ingredients you need. I can't promise anything too precious, but the Alchemist Guild is not short on ordinary ingredients."

Xiao Heng nodded. He trusted the Alchemist Guild's strength, so he did not stand on ceremony. Taking out a list and a pile of Storage Rings, he said, "These are roughly the medicinal ingredients I need. There are Gold Coins in the Storage Rings, as well as some unregistered cards. It should be enough. As for these Storage Rings, I wonder if the Guild is willing to take them?"

Seeing so many Storage Rings, Otto and Frank narrowed their eyes. It seemed this little fellow was no harmless lamb either! Perhaps he had obtained some of these Storage Rings through good fortune, but they did not believe they had all come from luck. Frank chuckled without exposing anything and called out. The young attendant from earlier entered once more.

Frank said with a smile, "Handle all of Young Friend Xiao Heng's items, and bring everything on the list as quickly as possible."

The attendant gathered the items, then looked over the list. After pausing for a moment, he said somewhat uneasily, "President, you should take a look at this list yourself."

Frank's gaze sharpened. Anyone who could stand outside this room naturally possessed some knowledge of the Guild. For him to say that, the medicinal ingredients on the list were clearly far from ordinary. Frank took the list and gave it a glance. He had not expected it, but the sight gave him a shock—there were quite a few high-grade medicinal ingredients listed! After pondering for a moment, he said, "Do your utmost to prepare them."

Xiao Heng was rather thick-skinned, though mainly because he had not given it much thought. The medicinal ingredients on that list were all things he needed. However, many of them were materials required for refining fourth-tier and even fifth-tier medicinal pills. Naturally, this Alchemist Guild branch could not possibly gather all of them. Still, it did not matter. It would be good if they could find them; if not, that was fine too.

With a chuckle, he said, "Quite a few of the medicinal ingredients are needed by my master. Just do your best to prepare them."

The attendant glanced at Frank. Frank casually waved his hand, signaling that he could leave. The attendant understood his president's meaning, bowed, and withdrew.