The Alchemist Association

At the intersection of several streets, a massive building stands atop the building, perpetually shrouded in a faint, fragrant smoke.

Above the towering gate, the five ancient characters of "Alchemist Guild" in a flamboyant style shimmered with a pale silver light, drawing awe-inspiring glances from passersby.

As the Alchemist Headquarters in the Jia Ma Empire, even the emperor of the imperial Imperial Family must show utmost respect when he comes here.

After all, the energy generated by the inhabitants of this building is enough to shake the entire empire; they are the most prestigious profession on the Dou Qi Continent.

Outside the massive gates of the Alchemist Guild, Alchemist, rarely seen on ordinary days, hurried to and fro, Alchemist robes of various colors proudly proclaiming their ranks.

Standing outside the gate, Xiao Ming looked up at the imposing Alchemist Headquarters and couldn't help but shake his head in admiration.

Such imposing presence certainly befits his position as the head of the Alchemist in the Jia Ma Empire.

"Is that old man you were looking for living here?" Standing beside Xiao Ming, Zi Yan looked up at the Alchemist Association, which was bustling with people more than usual, and asked.

"Yes, Master Fa Ma, as the president of the Alchemist Association, is naturally here." Xiao Ming nodded and took out the Alchemist Badge from his Na Ring.

As Grade Six Alchemist certified by the Jia Nan Academy, Xiao Ming naturally also had Alchemist robes and badges.

However, Alchemist robes are too conspicuous, so Xiao Ming usually doesn't wear them. Now that he's entering the Alchemist Headquarters to find Master Fa Ma, he naturally needs to reveal his identity.

Because of the immense influence of the Pill Tower, the styles of Alchemist robes across the entire Dou Qi Continent may differ slightly, but they are all largely the same, and their badges all look identical: a medicine cauldron with silver ripples.

The badges of Alchemist of different ranks will have several wavy lines.

For example, Xiao Ming is Grade Six Alchemist. On the badge he just took out, there are six mercury-like ripples on the surface of the ancient medicine cauldron, which twist and turn as if they were alive.

These Alchemist Badge are very difficult to counterfeit, and those who are capable of doing so would not attempt to do so.

After all, this kind of thing is not honorable, and it is very easy to be exposed. If it is discovered, it will offend all the Alchemist. No one will do such a thankless thing.

After Alchemist Badge to his chest, Xiao Ming led Zi Yan toward the Alchemist Headquarters in front of them.

No one paid any attention to Xiao Ming and Zi Yan's actions, since the Alchemist Headquarters was bustling with people every day, whether they were Alchemist or not.

The gatekeeper at the Alchemist Headquarters was already used to it, but out of old professional habits, he still glanced at Xiao Ming's chest.

This sight startled him greatly; his eyes widened, and he exclaimed in surprise.

"One, two... five, six! Six ripples! Grade Six Alchemist?!"

After shouting, the gatekeeper quickly stepped in front of Xiao Ming, stopping both of them.

The gatekeeper's shouts attracted the attention of others.

Following the guard's voice, they also saw the badge on Xiao Ming's chest.

Immediately, a series of exclamations rang out.

Wow! It really does have six ripples!

Grade Six Alchemist Master?

"Such a young Grade Six Alchemist? This badge can't be fake, can it? I wouldn't believe Grade One Alchemist this young!" someone questioned.

"But that badge doesn't look fake!" said Alchemist in the crowd who wore a badge with a wavy pattern.

As Alchemist, distinguishing the authenticity of a badge is a piece of cake. Although his level is low, he can naturally tell whether the badge is real or fake.

Among the onlookers were more than one Alchemist, and upon hearing this, they all nodded in agreement; the Alchemist Badge certainly didn't seem fake.

The gatekeeper who was stopping Xiao Ming, seeing the reactions of the Alchemist, suddenly felt something was wrong.

He stopped Xiao Ming because he thought the badge was probably fake. After all, Xiao Ming looked too young, just a teenager. How could he be Grade Six Alchemist? Wearing a fake badge was a provocation to all Alchemist. If he just let the boy go in, not only would the boy be taught a lesson, but he would also be punished.

But now someone is saying that the Alchemist Badge is real, what should we do!

Fortunately, Xiao Ming didn't make things difficult for him. He raised his right hand, and a tangible flame was condensed in his hand.

"Can I go in now?"

"Ah, yes! Yes!" Looking at the blazing flame, the gatekeeper came to his senses and hurriedly nodded and bowed, a fawning smile on his face.

After extinguishing the flames, Xiao Ming led Zi Yan inside.

Just as Xiao Ming led Zi Yan through the gates of the Alchemist Association, the crowd of onlookers suddenly erupted in commotion.

"Am I seeing things? Summoning physical flames—that's a skill only Alchemist of Grade Four or higher can possess!"

Fourth Grade Alchemist!

"So he really is Grade Six Alchemist?!"

"Ah, I remember now! I heard Elder Mu of the Mu Family say that a master Alchemist in the Imperial Palace caused a strange phenomenon in the heavens and earth while refining medicine. He might be Master Xiao Ming, who caused the strange phenomenon in the Imperial Palace the day before yesterday!" An old man with three lines on his chest slapped his forehead and said as if he had just realized something.

"Isn't this Mr. Li? I heard you were a guest at the Mu Family. You're well-informed, could you elaborate?"

"Hehehe, easy to say, this Master Xiao Ming..."

Xiao Ming neither knew nor cared about what people were saying outside.

As soon as he stepped into the Alchemist's gate, he was greeted by a rich aroma of medicinal pills, which made him involuntarily take a deep breath.

Feeling refreshed and relaxed, I looked around.

The area within the Alchemist Guild is extremely vast, roughly divided into three regions: Southeast.

In the main hall to the east, there were many square platforms made of granite, and behind those platforms sat some Alchemist dressed in long robes.

On the platform were various kinds of medicinal herbs, as well as Jade Bottle, scrolls, and other items. Judging from the appearance, it seemed to be an area for trading and acquiring treasures.

In the south hall, numerous cauldrons were burning fiercely, and some Alchemist were behind them, solemnly controlling the heat.

They were surrounded by low-level Alchemist, who pointed at each other and whispered their experiences in alchemy.

The west hall is undoubtedly much quieter than the other two halls.

There were even guards standing in the passageway, as if only certain Alchemist who had reached a certain level were qualified to enter. Some lower-level Alchemist would occasionally pass by and cast awe-inspiring and envious glances inside.

Gu Huan

Slowly walking into the hall, Xiao Ming looked around, pondered for a moment, and instead of rushing to find Master Fa Ma, he led Zi Yan towards the trading area.

His purpose in coming to the Alchemist Association was not just to exchange alchemy experiences with Fa Ma; he was more interested in finding something.

As he traveled through the eastern region, Xiao Ming walked slowly between the various platforms, his gaze filled with curiosity as he examined the many rare medicinal herbs and other items that even he did not possess.

Although this place is called the Taobao Trading Zone, the sellers here don't shout their wares like the vendors in those Marketplace.

They sat leisurely in the soft chairs, occasionally glancing at those standing outside the stage.

If they think the other party might have some skill, some Alchemist selling their products will stand up and talk to them.

However, most of them remained lazily huddled in their chairs, rarely paying attention to the onlookers. Their leisurely and lazy demeanor was hardly that of merchants selling goods.

Of course, they weren't. What they needed wasn't the gold coins and valuables that merchants coveted, but rather, barter.

If you want to get the medicinal herbs or elixirs you need from them, you must offer them rare and precious treasures that will catch their eye.

Xiao Ming's badge attracted a lot of attention, but those people only looked surprised and puzzled, and no one dared to come up and disturb him.

Only a few people, upon seeing Xiao Ming, revealed expressions of understanding and awe. Clearly, they were well-informed individuals who, like the elderly man surnamed Li outside, had heard of Xiao Ming 'Xiao Ming name and now guessed his identity.

Ignoring the various gazes around them, Xiao Ming led Zi Yan on a stroll, and finally found their target in a secluded corner.

In this secluded corner stood a somewhat dilapidated stone platform, and behind it stood a gaunt man with a rather lewd face.

Since the medicinal herbs on the table weren't particularly rare, few people came to look at them, so he had a slightly bitter expression on his face.

Upon seeing Xiao Ming slowly approaching, he was first taken aback. After glancing at the Grade Six Alchemist badge on Xiao Ming's chest, his eyes revealed a mixture of shock, doubt, and awe.

He only came to his senses when Xiao Ming walked up to him.

Although he had many questions in his mind, he quickly stood up, looked at Xiao Ming obsequiously, and said...

"Master, what would you like to order?"

Glancing at the man in front of him, Xiao Ming smiled and said, "You're still an Alchemist Apprentice, aren't you?"

Having his background exposed at a glance, the man nodded awkwardly, looking at Xiao Ming's youthful face with some envy, and said with a wry smile:

"Yes, my Yao Tian isn't good, and I don't have a teacher. After so many years of cultivation, I'm still stuck at the level of Alchemist Apprentice. I can only set up a stall here to collect cultivation resources. Unlike you, Master, who has already reached the Sixth Rank at your age... um..."

Seeing the man's words abruptly stop, Xiao Ming smiled and didn't care. It was indeed unreal for many people to think that he was such a young Sixth Rank.

It's normal to feel confused or experience other emotions.

His gaze swept across the stone platform, and the medicinal herbs in the Jade Bottle, which looked somewhat withered, naturally did not meet Xiao Ming's standards, so he automatically skipped them.

His gaze slowly moved over the various items on the stone platform, finally settling on a rather inconspicuous black, broken piece of jade in the corner.

This is Xiao Ming's goal this time.

Holding it casually in my hand, the jade piece wasn't smooth; instead, it was covered in tiny particles, suggesting that the material wasn't very good.

Furthermore, there were faint cracks on the jade piece, and sand was even stuck in the gaps.

After examining the jade piece, Xiao Ming didn't choose anything else. He looked up at the man who was staring intently at him and slowly smiled:

"I'll take this. Do you want to trade for something, or sell it? Name your price."

"Master, I'd like to exchange it for a Grade Three Medicinal Pill." Upon hearing this, the man's spirits lifted, and he said. Xiao Ming's purpose was clear: if he were a genuine grade Grade Six Alchemist Alchemist, this jade piece would definitely be a valuable item, he just didn't recognize it.

So he quoted this price. Of course, he knew that this price was very generous to him, but for Grade Six Alchemist, it was just a drop in the ocean.

Xiao Ming had no objection to the price. He put the items in his hand into his Na Ring, then casually took out a bottle of pills and tossed it to the man, saying:

"This is Grade Three Spirit Increasing Pill, which can increase Dou Shi's Dou Qi Cultivation. It's a prescription I made myself in my spare time. Take a look at this pill."

The man hurriedly took the bottle, opened the lid, and began to examine it. Although he was only Alchemist Apprentice, he could still distinguish between genuine and fake pills. After a moment, the joy on the man's face was hard to hide.

This really is Grade Three Medicinal Pill!

Pills that can increase Dou Qi Cultivation are much more expensive than other pills of the same level!

He'd really struck gold by exchanging a broken jade piece he didn't even know what it was for this pill! And Xiao Ming he'd formulated the Pill Formula himself, which meant his Alchemy Technique were extremely high—he was definitely a genuine Alchemy Master. Thinking this, the middle-aged man quickly bowed respectfully to Xiao Ming's back.

After leaving the Taobao trading area with Zi Yan, Xiao Ming encountered Master Fa Ma in the lobby.

Inside the hall, several Fourth Grade Alchemists were whispering to Fa Ma, seemingly asking him for advice.

Although many Alchemist around did not gather around, they still secretly kept an eye on Fa Ma and his Fa Ma.

Fa Ma, who was speaking, noticed Xiao Ming's gaze. After exchanging a few words with the Fourth Grade Alchemist beside him, he walked towards Xiao Ming amidst the curious gazes of others.

He chuckled as he walked, "Hehe, I just heard my servants report that they had encountered a young Grade Six Alchemist, so I rushed out. It seems I wasn't wrong; that person really is Master Xiao Ming. Why didn't the Alchemist send someone to inform me directly when Master Xiao Ming arrived?"

"I'm somewhat interested in trading on Taobao, so I spent some time browsing around. I'm thinking of visiting Master Fa Ma later," Xiao Ming explained with a smile.

Many people witnessed the conversation between Master Fa Ma and Xiao Ming.

Many Alchemist who were focused on their own work hadn't noticed Xiao Ming's badge earlier, but now that they had a glimpse of it, they were completely dumbfounded.

Are you kidding me?! Such a young Grade Six Alchemist?!

With Fa Ma present, no one questioned the authenticity of Xiao Ming's level. However, Xiao Ming's performance was so impactful that some people began to doubt their own existence.

Of course, these are the thoughts of people who are not well-informed.

Those who were well-informed, having already heard the news, behaved quite normally.

After exchanging a few brief words, Fa Ma invited Xiao Ming to his office.