Arrival at Canaan Academy

"Break through to Dou Zong? Old Jia, are you really that confident about reaching that realm? Not to put too fine a point on it, I even feel that kid Su Luo might break through to Dou Zong before an old fellow like you."

"Him? Heh, Old Fama, that young man's talent is indeed impressive, but considering his age, he's only a Dou Master. Who knows how many years it'll take before he reaches Dou Emperor, let alone Dou Zong? Old Fama, I know you think highly of that kid, but you're being a little blindly confident."

"Is that so? Then we'll wait and see. Don't let that little Su Luo really surpass you when the time comes."

Master Fama smiled and said no more. Jia Xing Tian likewise lost interest in continuing the conversation. After asking Master Fama whether he could obtain some Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid, only to be told that it was beyond his abilities, the two sides ultimately parted on bad terms.

Elsewhere, within the Gamma Empire, a Fourth-tier Magical Beast soared through the skies. Everywhere it passed, not only was it met with no obstruction, but each place became a supply station for the beast—even the border fortresses were no exception.

The Misty Cloud Sect's infiltration of the empire had not happened overnight. It was only after Yun Shan broke through to Dou Zong that some members of the Misty Cloud Sect began making moves.

At this time, when Yun Yun had only recently ascended to the position of Misty Cloud Sect Leader, the Misty Cloud Sect had already become a colossal presence within the Jia Ma Empire.

Therefore, when this Magical Beast carrying the Misty Cloud Sect Leader and two of the Jia Ma Empire's Ten Great Experts arrived, every region of the empire granted them completely unhindered passage.

It was precisely because Yun Yun's identity resolved every issue that Su Luo could ignore the journey entirely and remain on the Flying Magical Beast, continuing to refine medicine in peace.

"Sure enough, it's better to show off your talent a little."

Feeling the convenience they had enjoyed along the way, Su Luo sincerely sighed.

In the original story, Xiao Yan had constantly concealed his abilities. The benefit was that it certainly felt satisfying when he showed off and slapped faces, but the downside was that when someone wearing the robes of a Second-grade Alchemist entered the circles of a group of Third-grade Alchemists, he naturally drew disdain from most of them.

Su Luo had not deliberately hidden himself like Xiao Yan had. The benefit was that hardly anyone looked down on him now. In fact, along the way, there had been so many people fawning over him and offering resources that they came in an endless stream.

Several factions had already delivered to Su Luo the Fourth-tier Magic Cores that Xiao Yan had searched all over for. Aside from that, Su Luo had two pieces of Blood Lotus Essence, along with some Ice Spirit Cold Spring. These had all been sent over by factions practically begging to give them to him. Su Luo had barely needed to put any effort into it—he only had to casually mention them, and medicinal ingredients of limited rarity were taken care of.

This was the treatment of an alchemist—or rather, the true treatment reserved for a talented alchemist.

He cultivated and refined medicine. Whenever he lacked medicinal ingredients, others would solve the problem for him. Yun Yun made things convenient for him in every way, while Yan Shi and Feng Li had even brought out large amounts of their clans' medicinal ingredients and wealth to resolve Su Luo's problems with materials.

"Damn... Sect Leader Yun, do alchemists all work this hard when refining medicine? That kid Su Luo hardly seems to have stopped at all. Can his body even take it?"

Feeling that Su Luo had not stopped refining medicine since boarding the Flying Magical Beast for Canaan Academy, Yan Shi could not help clicking his tongue. He had thought alchemists were all pampered people, but who would have expected Su Luo to refine medicine in such a state? It looked even more exhausting than cultivation.

Yun Yun shook her head. "Ordinary alchemists wouldn't do this. Only Gu He occasionally does something like this. As for whether his body can handle it, Yan Shi, carefully sense the Heaven and Earth Energy around us."

"Heaven and Earth Energy?" Yan Shi sensed his surroundings, and his eyes instantly widened. "This... manipulating Heaven and Earth Energy? A Dou King? No, an Earth-tier cultivation method!"

"Hehe, shocked, aren't you? The first time this old man drove the carriage, I was shocked too," Feng Li said with a smile as he stroked his beard.

"You two already knew?"

"Hehe, Wind Attribute Dou Qi is the most sensitive to the energy flowing between Heaven and Earth. Though I probably didn't notice it as early as Sect Leader Yun did."

Yan Shi burst into laughter. "Good kid. Not only is he a genius alchemist, he even has an Earth-tier cultivation method. Looks like if he can grow up, this old man will have made a killing."

None of the three had any intention of killing him for his cultivation method. This was the Gamma Empire, not the Black Corner Region. There were rules here, to a certain extent. Besides, setting aside Su Luo's possible teacher, even Master Fama alone would be difficult to answer to if they truly killed someone for treasure.

Furthermore, Yun Yun, the strongest among the three, did not possess Fire Attribute Dou Qi. As long as she disagreed, no one could carry out the plan to kill Su Luo for his cultivation method. Since they could not do it, the three naturally would not dwell on such thoughts. Thus, although Su Luo had exposed the power of his cultivation method, he remained safe.

Hearing the laughter outside and sensing the states of the three, Su Luo gradually relaxed.

At the Flying Magical Beast's speed, the journey to Canaan Academy would take months. With the journey measured in months, it was nearly impossible for an Earth-tier cultivation method to go unnoticed.

That was precisely why Su Luo had given them the Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid so early.

Nothing could prove Su Luo's backing better than something the Gamma Empire did not possess. His teacher behind him, Master Fama's influence, and the potential benefits of befriending Su Luo—two blades and a piece of candy. In Su Luo's view, only that barely counted as not testing human nature.

After all, an Earth-tier cultivation method was far too tempting. Su Luo did not dare test even the slightest bit of human nature while he possessed so little strength.

Only by making them certain that becoming his enemy and killing him for treasure would bring enormous risks, while befriending him would bring enormous benefits, could Su Luo trust that they would not harm him.

Never entrust your life to someone else's humanity. Never test human nature. Only then could one live a little longer in this world.

Two and a half months later.

Relying on the status of a Mid Third-grade Alchemist that he had piled up over the past two and a half months with an enormous amount of medicinal ingredients, Su Luo easily passed Canaan Academy's assessment and became an official student of Canaan Academy.

"Master Fama's request has been fulfilled. Since that is the case, we shall take our leave first."

After Su Luo officially joined Canaan Academy, Yun Yun intended to lead the others back. However, just as they were about to leave, Su Luo raised a hand to stop the three of them.

"You three, thank you for escorting me all this way. Master Fama must have paid no small price for this matter. Master Fama has already shown me great kindness by finding the three of you. I truly feel bad about making Master Fama pay as well. How about this? Please accept this. If Master Fama asks the three of you for help again in the future, please do not refuse."

Upon hearing Su Luo's words, Yun Yun had wanted to decline. In her eyes, Su Luo was ultimately only a junior, and she did not think he could offer anything worthwhile. But at that moment, Yan Shi blurted out a curse.

"Holy shit! An Earth-tier cultivation method!"