Th-This!?

As time passed, more and more guests arrived, leaving Lin Feng slightly surprised.

I never expected so many factions in the Jia Ma Empire to possess Dou Lings, Lin Feng thought gravely. Sure enough, I cannot underestimate the heroes of the world. The Original Work only described a small portion of them!

Take the Nalan Family, for instance. Who could have imagined that such a High-Mysterious Rank Dou Technique had been passed down within their family? Though it came with immense restrictions, who could say that was all they possessed?

In truth, he had overthought it. Mysterious Tier high-grade was almost already the limit of the Jia Ma Empire.

If not for inviting the alchemist behind Lin Feng to treat the Burning Poison, the Nalan Family might well have kept it hidden away for another century.

Of course, that was assuming the Nalan Family still existed a century later.

"Liu Ling, direct disciple of Master Gu He and a Second-grade Alchemist, presents a handwritten copy of Master Gu He's insights into Fourth Grade alchemy."

The ceremonial announcement suddenly rang out, interrupting Lin Feng's thoughts.

"Oh? Gu He's disciple, insights into Fourth Grade alchemy. That is rather interesting."

Looking up, he saw a figure clad in an alchemist's robe.

"Greetings, Mr. Lin Feng. My master entered Secluded Cultivation after gaining a small insight, so I have come in his stead to offer congratulations to Mr. Lin Feng." There was a trace of pride in Liu Ling's tone, but he was sensible enough not to show Lin Feng any disrespect.

"My master said that Mr. Lin Feng is the alchemist most likely to surpass him. Even he was astonished by your talent in alchemy."

"Haha, then I must thank Old senior Gu He for his high regard." Lin Feng slightly cupped his hands toward the Misty Cloud Sect. "However, surpassing Master Gu He will still be extremely difficult."

Boom...

The instant his words fell, the crowd erupted once more, breaking into fervent discussion.

"Master Gu He has actually advanced further? Heavens, could he be about to break through to become a Sixth-grade Intermediate Alchemist!?"

An elderly alchemist was utterly shaken. For an ordinary person of mediocre talent like him, reaching Fourth-grade Alchemist was already the effort of a lifetime, let alone Gu He seeking to advance even further within Sixth Grade.

"You are clearly focused on the wrong thing," a burly man retorted. "Did you not hear Master Lin Feng say that he intended to surpass Master Gu He?"

"What? Master Lin Feng is actually confident he can surpass Master Gu He!" The elderly alchemist was shocked once more, his mind reeling.

"What extraordinary talent. Perhaps twenty years from now, the Empire will have two Pill Kings standing side by side. That would be a fine tale indeed."

"Yes, yes..."

Damn it. Liu Ling listened as everyone agreed that Lin Feng could stand shoulder to shoulder with Gu He. That alone was bad enough, but not a single person in the entire venue paid attention to him, the direct disciple of a Pill King.

"Mr. Lin Feng, since that is the case, I shall head inside first." Already angry, Liu Ling had no desire to linger while looking at Lin Feng's face, which was far younger than his own. After greeting Lin Feng, he walked inside.

"Hehehe, Brother Lin Feng, that Pill King's disciple seems rather frustrated." Qing Lin watched Liu Ling enter the inner hall and giggled.

"Yes. Although he does not dare offend Brother Lin Feng, the moment he opens his mouth, he brings up his teacher. It is not difficult to see that he is an untested flower." Xiao Yi Xian nodded from the side.

The three of them had each endured inhuman suffering, relied on themselves to grow stronger, or possessed a physique as calamitous as a disaster.

Thus, their temperaments were far beyond those of ordinary people.

"Mm, Liu Ling does have some redeeming qualities." Lin Feng watched Liu Ling's departing back and continued,

"Still, anyone who encounters someone of the same generation far stronger than themselves would naturally lose their balance."

Ignoring Liu Ling, Lin Feng received the guests who arrived in groups of two and three, and the atmosphere soon became harmonious.

Huff...

After stretching, Lin Feng turned to Qing Lin and Xiao Yi Xian. "It seems no one else is coming. Let us go inside as well."

Just as the three of them were about to return to the Inner Academy hall, another ceremonial announcement pulled them back.

"Grand Elder Mo Cheng of Yan City's Mo Family has arrived, presenting medicinal ingredients for refining a Fourth-grade pill and one Fourth-order Demonic Core as gifts."

"Oh! Yan City's Mo Family, Mo Cheng?" Upon hearing the name Mo Cheng, Lin Feng glanced at Qing Lin beside him, an indescribable expression flashing through his eyes.

"Hahaha, I am Mo Cheng, guest elder of the Misty Cloud Sect and Grand Elder of Yan City's Mo Family. I have come to congratulate Master Lin Feng on advancing to Fourth-grade Alchemist and attaining the position of elder of the Alchemist Guild." The newcomer had white hair and wore red robes. His complexion was rosy, and he appeared exceptionally vigorous.

However, with his powerful Soul Force, Lin Feng could sense something discordant about him. Yes, it was as though his entire body had been pieced together.

Recalling the Original Work's description, Lin Feng discreetly glanced at Mo Cheng's arm. I wonder whether he has already replaced it with that Fifth-order Demonic Beast's arm.

The thought flashed through his mind, but his expression did not change in the slightest. "Hahaha, I have truly troubled you, Old senior. You came all the way from Yan City in person. This junior is ashamed."

"Ah, that is not so. Being able to witness a rising genius of the Empire should be this old man's honor." Seeing Lin Feng give him such respect, Mo Cheng did not dare act arrogantly.

"Old senior Mo Cheng is too courteous. Since that is the case, please come inside with me." Lin Feng shifted slightly aside, gesturing for Mo Cheng to enter.

"Mr. Lin Feng, please." Mo Cheng was old and shrewd. He did not dare walk ahead of this genius. Who knew whether Lin Feng might resent him for it? He had no intention of offending an alchemist with such a promising future over something as trivial as who went first.

"Haha, Old senior truly is humble. Very well, then let us enter together." Seeing that the half-man, half-beast who had been so deranged in the Original Work was like this, Lin Feng shook his head and laughed.

However, to everyone's surprise, Mo Cheng's body suddenly trembled, as though he had suffered some severe blow. His lips quivered.

"Grand Elder, Grand Elder, what happened to you?" Among the Mo Family entourage, a black-clothed man who appeared to be Mo Cheng's confidant hurried forward upon seeing his sudden state.

When Mo Cheng gave no response, the man quickly turned to Lin Feng and cupped his hands. "Master Lin Feng, could I ask you to take a look at what has happened to the Grand Elder?"

"Hahaha, this is? This fluctuation, this innate aura, this slender waist, and that irresistible seductive power... Heaven truly favors me!" Within Mo Cheng's inner world, the ground was littered with severed limbs of Demonic Beasts, and blood flowed like rivers. There can be no mistake. This is absolutely the eye technique I have dreamed of—the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils.

"Old senior Mo Cheng?" After lightly probing him, Lin Feng used a trace of Soul Force and slammed it toward Mo Cheng's head.

"Cough, cough. Mr. Lin Feng, what happened?" Struck by the Soul Force, Mo Cheng finally awoke from his fantasy. He surveyed his surroundings, and his face quickly returned to calm.

"Old senior seemed to have suffered a fit of delirium just now, so I used a little Soul Force." Lin Feng's tone was subtle. "Are you all right, Old senior?"

"I am fine, I am fine. I must thank Mr. Lin Feng." Mo Cheng, who had long been plotting in his heart, replied as he looked at Lin Feng before him.

This is somewhat troublesome. However, as long as I obtain the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils and hide deep within the mountains, then years from now, even the Misty Cloud Sect will kneel beneath my feet, let alone a mere Fourth-grade Alchemist like you.

"Since that is the case, then let us go inside together! Please."

"Please..."