A Clear Path All the Way! Nothing Could Stand in the Way!

The old man said, "Good. Wait here for a while first."

Li Bufan cupped his fists. "Yes." He stepped aside and sat in a chair within the hall, his expression calm. Yet inwardly, he remained vigilant—although this old man gave nothing away, there was likely no one on Flame Peak who did not know his name.

The old man said nothing further. He merely stood before the alchemy furnace with his hands behind his back, eyes closed as he nourished his spirit, as though Li Bufan were nothing but a wisp of air.

Time passed bit by bit. The hall was silent, save for the faint crackling of flames within the alchemy furnace.

Li Bufan sat there with steady breathing and an unchanged expression. He was neither hurried nor impatient. Since they had told him to wait, then he would wait.

After roughly the time it took for an incense stick to burn, footsteps sounded outside the hall. An elderly man pushed the door open and entered. He was somewhat plump and dressed in a crimson robe.

The moment he entered, he said, "Elder Wang, you've worked hard. It's time to change shifts."

The old man from before opened his eyes and smiled faintly. "It is simply my duty. There is no need to call it hard work." The two exchanged a few simple pleasantries, then Elder Wang turned and left. As he passed Li Bufan, he did not spare him even a glance.

The newly arrived old man walked to the alchemy furnace. His gaze swept across the hall before landing on Li Bufan, and his brows lifted slightly. "This is... here for what?" He looked toward the disciple beside him.

That disciple hurriedly bowed. "Elder Zhou, this is a Blade Peak disciple who has come to Flame Peak