President Wang

Imperial Capital, Alchemist Guild

The Alchemist Guild's building had a rather distinctive design. Its overall shape resembled a medicine cauldron, with windows around it like the fire mouths of a cauldron. Above the high roof, an enormous lid hung down, covering the rooms beneath it.

On the pale violet Sandalwood Plaque, five ancient characters, their strokes somewhat blurred, glimmered with a faint radiance.

[Alchemist Guild]

Xiao Ting brought two Xiao Clan disciples to the entrance of the Imperial Capital's Alchemist Guild.

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

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

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

An energetic old man walked over. A medicine cauldron was embroidered atop his head, and he wore an Alchemist Robe. The badge on his chest bore five mercury-like ripples as he greeted Xiao Ting politely.

"Hehe, Vice President Fa Ma, it has been a long time. Have you been well?" Xiao Ting did not dare be careless before this old man.

Fa Ma was no ordinary person. He was a Rank 5 Alchemist and a Dou Wang expert as well. His cultivation was on par with Xiao Ting's, so Xiao Ting could not afford to underestimate him.

"Good, good. Patriarch Xiao is still as vigorous as ever. May I ask what brings you to the Alchemist Guild? Do you need a pill refined?" Fa Ma asked with a smile.

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

"Oh, I see. Then you came at just the right time. President Wang happens to be free and is currently in 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 the guild president resided.

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

Xiao Ting did not put on airs. He cupped his hands toward Fa Ma and said, "Thank you for the trouble, Mister Fa Ma."

"A small matter, a small matter."

Fa Ma arrived at 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.

"Ha—ha—ha—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.

"You two wait outside. Give me the item," Xiao Ting said to the two Xiao Clan disciples behind him.

"Yes!"

Xiao Ting entered while carrying an exquisite wooden box. Once he was inside, Fa Ma closed the door.

"Let us go downstairs and wait," Fa Ma said to the two Xiao Clan disciples.

The three of them left.

The room's furnishings were quite unique. Unlike the luxury outside, the Alchemist Guild president's room was unexpectedly simple, carrying an ancient and elegant charm.

A Grey-robed Old Man sat cross-legged in the center of the room. Before him stood a rather large medicine cauldron, still tinged with a trace 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 could not bear the responsibility." Xiao Ting bowed to President Wang.

"Hehe, no. I had already finished refining the pill before you arrived. I was preparing to rest for a while before continuing. Your timing was perfect. Tell me, what is the matter?"

The Grey-robed Old Man spoke with a smile. He did not possess the usual arrogant air of an alchemist and instead seemed very approachable.

"President Wang, a small token of respect. Please accept it." Xiao Ting offered the wooden box forward.

President Wang glanced at it, circulated his Dou Qi, and drew the wooden box into his hand. He opened it and looked inside.

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

President Wang did not put away the wooden box. He was curious what Xiao Ting wanted by presenting 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 medicinal ingredients."

"Huh? Gathering Qi Powder? Just that?" President Wang was stunned. He had thought Xiao Ting would ask him to refine a Dou Spirit Pill, or perhaps a Lightning Attribute Pill suited to 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 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 and hurriedly asked Xiao Ting for the reason.

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 years old this year. I wish to ask you to personally refine a pill and lend him a helping hand.

While refining the Gathering Qi Powder, I would also like to ask President Wang to refine a Foundation Establishment Pill for my grandson, so that he may have a solid 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.

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

Hearing President Wang's meaning, Xiao Ting did not think he was refusing, so he chose to keep trying.

"For my grandson's future, these old bones of mine can still struggle on for a few more years. I can 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 never expected you to care so much about this grandson. Sigh, having children is wonderful. This old man has long been used to living alone, yet I am somewhat envious that you old fellow have such a good grandson.

Very well. Let this old man personally go take a look at your grandson. If he suits my fancy, the pill and such matters will be easy to discuss."

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

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

"President Wang, please." Xiao Ting spoke respectfully to President Wang.

That was how things were on the Dou Qi Continent. Alchemists held an extraordinary status, and most people 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 interesting, without much arrogance. His personality was forthright, and he was extremely well-liked throughout the Jia Ma Empire.

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

Xiao Ting replied, "Fire—Fire Attribute Dou Qi. To be honest, my grandson is extraordinarily gifted. At the Ninth Stage Dou Disciple, he already learned the Mysterious Rank Low-Level Dou Technique, Fiery Cloud Palm. It is truly terrifying."

President Wang stroked his beard. "Oh? He has such talent? Then how is your grandson's Soul Talent?"

Xiao Ting froze. "President Wang, you have stumped me. I am not an alchemist and do not know much about the path of the soul. But 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 pleasant surprise."