Alchemist Competition

"Young master, she, she..."

The proprietress was clearly frightened by the scales on Qing Lin's hand.

"I told you to pick out clothes for her. Don't meddle in things you shouldn't be asking about, understand?"

Ning Su shot the proprietress a cold look.

She hurriedly shut her mouth in fright.

At that moment, she found Ning Su even more terrifying than the scales on Qing Lin's hand.

Meanwhile, Qing Lin stood in the fitting room with her arms wrapped around herself, seemingly a little downcast.

This was not the first time someone had seen the scales on her body and reacted with fear.

She had long since grown used to it.

But every time someone saw them, she still felt somewhat uncomfortable.

Ning Su walked inside and looked at the scales on Qing Lin's hand.

Then he held out his own palm, revealing a multicolored scale on the back of his hand and comparing it with Qing Lin's scales.

"Hmm... looks like my scales are a little prettier than yours after all."

Qing Lin could not help letting out a soft laugh.

Her smile was beautiful.

"Young master, thank you..."

Ning Su did not say anything to comfort her, yet Qing Lin felt more at ease than she ever had before.

She did not need comfort. What she needed was to be treated as an equal.

Ning Su had compared his own scales with hers.

Although he still said his own scales looked better, to Qing Lin, that comparison felt more like being treated as an equal.

She was very happy.

"All right, try on the clothes."

Ning Su gently rubbed her head, then walked out.

He said to the proprietress, "Pick out clothes for her. Don't concern yourself with anything else. You'll be paid well."

"Yes, yes..."

The proprietress had been badly frightened and only recovered after quite a while.

If she learned that Ning Su's true form was a Magical Beast, she might be scared witless on the spot.

Fortunately, the proprietress had seen her share of the world.

The scales on Qing Lin's body did not affect her professional ability.

Very quickly, with her professional eye, the proprietress put together several outfits in different styles for Qing Lin.

The first was a pure and elegant white slip dress, with a bow at the neckline. It was refined and beautiful.

The second was a yellow long dress, graceful and poised, making her look like a young lady from a noble household, slender and elegant.

The third was a simple light green dress with a perfectly fitted waist, showing off the young girl's slender waist and pert breasts.

Every time she changed into a new outfit, Qing Lin would come out and give a little turn in front of Ning Su to show it off, asking shyly, "Young master, what do you think?"

Each time, Ning Su's eyes lit up.

"Very beautiful!"

Qing Lin had always been beautiful and had a fine figure.

It was only because she had spent so long doing menial work that her beauty had been concealed.

Now that she had dressed up a little, even Ning Su was surprised.

"I'll take all these outfits. Proprietress, settle the bill."

"Right away!"

The proprietress beamed, all her earlier fear gone.

Fear?

What was there to fear when making money?

These three outfits were all among the finest in her shop, and their prices matched their quality.

Usually, hardly anyone could afford them, but now she had sold three at once. She could not have been happier!

"Three sets are too many. One is enough." Qing Lin felt a little embarrassed to have Ning Su buy so much for her.

"How could one set be enough to wear? We'll take them all."

Qing Lin could not argue with him and could only let Ning Su pay.

"Then I'll change back into my old clothes first."

She was still wearing the third light green dress.

"Why change back? Just keep wearing it."

"It looks so good like this. I like seeing you in it."

"Oh..."

Qing Lin's cheeks flushed. Standing before Ning Su, she lowered her head slightly, her hands twisting together uncertainly.

After buying the clothes, the two of them went to an inn to stay for the time being.

They would not be able to head to the Gama Holy Capital until tomorrow.

"Qing Lin, let's rest here for the night. We'll go to the Gama Holy Capital tomorrow."

"We're going to the Gama Holy Capital?"

The girl's eyes brightened.

"What, you don't want to go?"

"No. Actually, I used to think that if I ever got the chance, I wanted to visit the Gama Holy Capital at least once. It's the imperial capital of our Jia Ma Empire."

"I never thought I would really get the chance to go."

Her eyes were filled with longing.

Ning Su felt that Qing Lin had changed.

She was no longer so insecure. She had become more optimistic and positive.

That was a good thing.

"Then when we get to the Gama Holy Capital this time, I'll take you around properly." He smiled.

"Thank you, young master!"

"All right, go back and rest early."

"Mm-hmm. Good night, young master."

The girl left with light steps.

Gama Holy Capital.

The Alchemist Competition, held once every eight years in the Jia Ma Empire, was being prepared for with great intensity.

Countless alchemists came from all directions, all hoping to take part in this rare event.

Quite a few alchemists had even come specifically from other empires—the Alchemist Competition did not restrict alchemists from other empires from participating.

After all, it was a rare opportunity for friendly exchange.

Of course, not every empire was welcome.

For example, the alchemists of the Chuyun Empire.

Alchemy had no borders, but alchemists did.

The Jia Ma Empire and the Chuyun Empire were sworn enemies, and their Alchemist Guilds had plenty of grudges between them as well.

Although the Jia Ma Empire had not issued an order forbidding alchemists from the Chuyun Empire from participating this time,

if alchemists from the Chuyun Empire truly came to participate—whether they could return was another matter.

After all, natural disasters, Magical Beast attacks, and all sorts of situations could happen along the way.

Xiao Yan had come as well.

The Three-Year Pact was drawing near.

He had come to the Gama Holy Capital early to prepare, and happened to encounter the start of the Alchemist Competition.

"Little Yanzi, this Alchemist Competition is a rare opportunity. It's perfect for testing your alchemy skills," Yao Lao said.

"Teacher, you think too highly of me, don't you? There are so many alchemists in this competition. How could I possibly compete with them?" Xiao Yan smiled bitterly.

Yao Lao thought too highly of him.

"You should be comparing yourself with your former self, not with others. Besides, an Alchemist Competition like this is the best way to temper your character and alchemy skills."

"Back then, your teacher participated in quite a few Alchemist Competitions like this."

"Teacher, you participated in the Jia Ma Empire's Alchemist Competition too?" Xiao Yan asked in surprise.

"Fool! The Alchemist Competitions I participated in were far more prestigious than this. A tiny Alchemist Competition like the Jia Ma Empire's was not even worthy of my participation." Yao Lao's voice carried a hint of pride and arrogance.

"Keep bragging." Xiao Yan did not believe him.

"Enough nonsense. If I tell you to participate, then participate."

"The Three-Year Pact is almost here. If you can win the Alchemist Competition, then go to the Misty Cloud Sect for the Three-Year Pact, Nalan Yanran might regret her decision back then."

"Don't you want to make her regret it?"

Yao Lao's words struck straight at Xiao Yan's heart.

"You're right. Alchemist Competition, here I come!"