President Wang

Imperial Capital, Alchemist Guild

The Alchemist Guild's building had a rather distinctive design. From the outside, it roughly resembled a Medicine Cauldron. Around the structure were windows shaped like the fire mouths of a cauldron, while atop the lofty roof, an enormous lid hung down, covering the rooms beneath it.

On a pale violet Sandalwood Plaque, five ancient characters, their strokes somewhat blurred with age, shimmered with a faint glow.

[Alchemist Guild]

Xiao Ting led two Xiao Clan Disciples to the entrance of the Imperial Capital's Alchemist Guild.

As the Patriarch of the Xiao Clan, one of the Imperial Capital's Four Great Clans, Xiao Ting was also a Dou Wang and one of the Jia Ma Empire's Top Ten Experts.

Naturally, the Alchemist Guild's Gatekeeper would not stop them. After all, who would dare offend a Dou Wang?

"Patriarch Xiao, what wind has blown you here?"

An energetic old man approached. A Medicine Cauldron rested atop his head, and he wore an Alchemist Robe. The Badge on his chest bore five Mercury-like Ripples as he politely greeted Xiao Ting.

"Hehe, Vice President Fa Ma, it has been a Long Time. Have you been well?" Xiao Ting did not dare take this old man lightly.

This Fa Ma was no ordinary man. He was a Rank 5 Alchemist and also a Dou Wang. His cultivation was on par with Xiao Ting's, so Xiao Ting could not afford to look down on someone like him.

"Good, good. Patriarch Xiao is still as vigorous as ever. May I ask what brings you to the Alchemist Guild? Are you here to refine pills?" Fa Ma asked with a smile.

"I came to see President Wang and ask him to refine a pill for me," Xiao Ting said.

"Oh, I see. Then you have come at just the right time. President Wang happens to be free and is inside the guild. Come with me."

Fa Ma led Xiao Ting to the Top Floor of the Alchemist Guild. This was the highest hall of the Jia Ma Empire's Alchemist Guild, where its president resided.

"Patriarch Xiao, please wait a moment. I shall knock," Fa Ma said with a smile.

Xiao Ting did not put on airs. He cupped his hands toward Fa Ma and said, "I'll have to trouble you, Mr. Fa Ma."

"It's nothing, nothing."

Fa Ma walked to the door and knocked twice.

"Who is it?"

An aged voice came from within.

"President Wang, it is Fa Ma. The Xiao Clan Patriarch has come to discuss something with you," Fa Ma called out.

"Eh-heh—eh—eh—why does Old Xiao have time to come see me? Let him in." The aged voice sounded again.

Fa Ma opened the door and gestured for Xiao Ting to enter.

"Wait outside. Give me the item," Xiao Ting said to the two Xiao Clan Disciples behind him.

"Yes!"

Xiao Ting entered carrying an exquisite Wooden Box. After he went inside, Fa Ma closed the door.

"Let us wait downstairs," Fa Ma said to the two Xiao Clan Disciples.

The three of them left.

The room's furnishings were quite unique. Unlike the lavish exterior, the Alchemist Guild president's room was unexpectedly simple, carrying an antique and elegant charm.

A Grey-robed Old Man sat cross-legged in the center of the room. Before him stood a fairly large Medicine Cauldron, still tinged with traces of red, indicating that it had just been used. A rich Medicinal Fragrance lingered in the air.

"President Wang, were you refining pills? Did I disturb you? If I interrupted your pill refinement, I truly could not bear the responsibility," Xiao Ting said, bowing to President Wang.

"Hehe, no. I had already finished refining the pill before you arrived. I was about to rest for a while before continuing. You came at just the right time. Tell me, what do you need?"

The Grey-robed Old Man smiled. He did not possess the arrogant Aura common among Alchemists. Instead, he was very easygoing.

"President Wang, this is but a small token of my respect. Please accept it." Xiao Ting held out the Wooden Box.

President Wang glanced at it, then used Dou Qi from his palm to draw the Wooden Box over. He opened it and took a look.

"Whoa! Qing Ti Grass! One of the main ingredients for refining the Rank 6 Top-grade Pill, Qing Hun Pill. And two Rank 5 Beast Cores as well. Not bad. Tell me, what pill do you wish to refine? A Dou Spirit Pill, perhaps?"

President Wang did not put away the Wooden Box. He was curious what Xiao Ting wanted by offering such valuable items.

Xiao Ting cupped his hands toward President Wang. "I ask President Wang to refine a Gathering Qi Powder. I have already prepared the ingredients."

"Huh? Gathering Qi Powder? Just that?" President Wang was stunned. He had assumed Xiao Ting would ask him to refine a Dou Spirit Pill, or perhaps a Lightning Attribute Pill suitable for his cultivation.

Yet no matter how hard President Wang thought, he had never expected Xiao Ting to ask him to refine a mere Gathering Qi Powder.

"Ahem. Old Xiao, tell me, why do you want to refine Gathering Qi Powder? Although Gathering Qi Powder is a Fourth Grade Pill, quite a few people in this Alchemist Guild can refine it."

President Wang felt that he had been somewhat impolite just now, so he hurriedly asked Xiao Ting why.

Xiao Ting bowed to President Wang. "To be honest, President Wang, my Grandson Xiao Li has already reached the Ninth Stage Dou Disciple. He is only nine this year. I wish to ask you to personally refine a pill to give him a helping hand.

While asking President Wang to refine the Gathering Qi Powder, I also hope you can refine a Foundation Establishment Pill for my Grandson, so that he may have a good foundation."

President Wang stroked his beard with his right hand. "Nine years old, Ninth Stage Dou Disciple? Interesting. Gathering Qi Powder is easy enough. With your wealth, Old Xiao, you could buy a hundred or so and eat them like meals.

As for the Foundation Establishment Pill, it is a Rank 5 Peak Pill. Calling it a Rank 6 pill would not be excessive. Its grade is comparable to a Dou Spirit Pill, but its ingredients are even rarer than those of a Dou Spirit Pill. Its value is so high that you may not be able to afford it."

Xiao Ting could tell from President Wang's words that he was not refusing, so he chose to continue pressing his case.

"For my Grandson's future, this old body of mine can still struggle on for a few more years. If I make a trip to the Black Horn Region and rob the robbers, I should be able to afford that pill."

President Wang stroked his beard and smiled. "I did not expect you to care so much about this Grandson of yours. Ah, having children is wonderful. This old man has grown accustomed to coming and going alone, and I am actually a little envious that you old fellow have such a good Grandson.

Very well. Let this old man personally take a look at your Grandson. If he suits my tastes, then pills and such will be easy to discuss."

"Thank you!" Xiao Ting bowed again in gratitude.

"Let us go." President Wang adjusted his clothes, then took out his Alchemist Robe from his Storage Ring and put it on.

"President Wang, this way," Xiao Ting said respectfully.

This was how it was on the Dou Qi Continent. Alchemists held an extraordinary status, and people generally had to curry favor with them. This had also bred a group of Alchemists with poor character.

But Master Wang was different. He was humorous and engaging, without airs, and had a bold and forthright personality. Throughout the Jia Ma Empire, he was extremely well liked.

"Patriarch Xiao, what is your Grandson's Dou Qi attribute?" President Wang asked.

"It is fire, Fire Attribute Dou Qi. To be honest, President Wang, my Grandson is exceptionally gifted. At merely the Ninth Stage Dou Disciple, he has already learned the Mysterious Rank Low-Level Dou Technique, Fiery Cloud Palm. It is truly terrifying," Xiao Ting said.

President Wang stroked his beard. "Oh? He has such talent? How is your Grandson's Soul Talent?"

Xiao Ting was taken aback. "President Wang, that truly stumps me. I am not an Alchemist and do not understand much about the soul. However, my Grandson's Soul Talent should be quite good. Unlike other children, he became sensible at a very young age."

President Wang chuckled. "I hope he can give this old man a surprise."