At the entrance of the Alchemist Guild in the Imperial Capital, the two guards blocking Liu Xi and his group were left dumbfounded as they listened to the three of them talk about alchemists, Jia Nan Academy, and a reputation that resounded throughout the Northwest Continent.
Listening to Hai Bodong and Lü Man's praise, Liu Xi looked at the two stunned guards before him and the many First- and Second-grade Alchemists slowly gathering around, pointing and whispering about him. I wonder if Teacher is inside right now. It'd be ridiculous if I kept getting stopped here!
Liu Xi immediately stepped forward and said to one of the guards, "Please go inside and inform Master Xuan Hao that his unfilial disciple, Liu Xi, has returned to visit his teacher!"
The moment he spoke, gasps rose all around them, and even the guards before him looked somewhat terrified.
Seeing this, Liu Xi found it rather strange. Even if the guards had disdainfully said, "Who do you think you are? Do you think you can just meet Master Xuan Hao?"—
Liu Xi would have considered that normal enough. But what was with those terrified expressions?
Liu Xi looked at the frightened guards and asked directly, "Tell me, which part of what I just said scared you so much?"
"So you are the legendary Lord Liu Xi! Just now, we failed to recognize a great person. We'll take you inside right away!" one of the guards said tremblingly.
Hai Bodong said with a smile, "It seems your reputation has already spread throughout the Jia Ma Empire, little friend!"
Lü Man added, "I was ignorant indeed. I never knew you held such prestige in the Jia Ma Empire, sir!"
Liu Xi wondered, *I only returned from Jia Nan Academy a few months ago. Although I