Heading to the Guild

"That's impossible!" Kelei roared, staring in disbelief at the flame in Xiao Yu's palm as he kept reassuring himself that it was fake.

Xiao Yu said calmly, "It is indeed impossible. I'm not a Fourth-grade Alchemist either!"

The moment those words came out, Kelei burst into laughter. "That's what I thought! This is definitely just some trick of his. Trying to fool me? You're still too green for that!"

The surrounding soldiers were uncertain as well. Other than the flame in Xiao Yu's hand, there was nothing to prove that he was an alchemist. But aside from alchemists, were there any other professions that needed to use flames? Everyone was greatly puzzled.

"However," Xiao Yu said with a light chuckle, changing his tone, "I really don't think much of a Second-grade Alchemist!"

"Bullshit! You don't think much of a Second-grade Alchemist? Then show us what you can do as an alchemist! Otherwise, don't think our Alchemist Guild is so easy to bully!" Kelei said with a cold sneer.

Xiao Yu naturally understood that Kelei was trying to provoke him into saying something insulting about the Alchemist Guild, but how could he possibly give Kelei what he wanted?

"Of course I respect other Second-grade Alchemists. But a Second-grade Alchemist like you, one with no sense of public morality, is someone I truly look down on. As it happens, I'm about to go to the Alchemist Guild to take the Second-grade Alchemist assessment. If you don't believe me, come along," Xiao Yu said indifferently.

To his surprise, Kelei immediately mocked him. "Fine! If you want to go to the Alchemist Guild to take the Second-grade Alchemist assessment, go ahead. I'd like to see whether you're really as impressive as you boast, daring to look down on Second-grade Alchemists!"

Xiao Yu reminded him, "No, I don't look down on Second-grade Alchemists. I only look down on you! After all, I'll soon become a Second-grade Alchemist myself. How could I look down on myself?"

"You!" Xiao Yu's words made Kelei's face flush red, but knowing he could not beat him, he could only fling his sleeve angrily.

Hearing Xiao Yu's words, a nearby soldier hurried forward. "My lord, would you like me to lead you to the Alchemist Guild?"

Xiao Yu glanced at the soldier. Though the soldier was unsure of Xiao Yu's exact status, he was undoubtedly an alchemist, and the flattering look on the soldier's face made Xiao Yu sigh inwardly. The identity of an alchemist really does command respect. This feeling is truly intoxicating!

"Alright, then I'll trouble you," Xiao Yu said with a slight nod.

The soldier waved his hands in flattered panic. "Not at all, not at all!" Though he had long grown accustomed to the arrogant nature of alchemists, Xiao Yu's gentleness still warmed his heart.

Seeing this, Kelei snorted coldly. "Kid, you might pass the First-grade Alchemist test, but Second-grade Alchemist is a height you'll never reach!"

Xiao Yu shrugged and replied casually, "Is that so? Then let's wait and see."

The group said no more and headed toward the Alchemist Guild in Desert City.

Just as Xiao Yu and the others were making their way toward the Alchemist Guild, the guild received three visitors.

An old man stood at the entrance of the Desert City Alchemist Guild with two young women. On his chest was a badge, its ancient Medicine Cauldron carefully engraved with four silver ripples, declaring that the old man was a distinguished Fourth-grade Alchemist!

"Teacher, why exactly did Master Bulin call you here?" the petite young woman beside the old man asked.

The old man shook his head slightly. "I don't know. That old fellow is being all mysterious. If Frank hadn't had business to attend to in the capital, Bulin would have wanted all of us to come together!"

This old man was Master Otto of the Black Rock City Alchemist Guild. The Frank he mentioned was the president of the Black Rock City Alchemist Guild, while Bulin was the president of the Desert City Alchemist Guild. All three were Fourth-grade Alchemists and close friends!

As they spoke, an aged laugh came from beyond the doors. "Otto, old man, how have you been? I've finally been waiting for you!" The newcomer was none other than Master Bulin!

Otto said irritably, "I just want to know what was so urgent that you had to call me all the way here."

A faint smile appeared on Bulin's aged face. "Naturally, I need your help with something. Why else would I have called you here?" As he spoke, he glanced at the two young women beside Otto and said with a cheerful smile, "This is the disciple you took in, right? Lin Fei, was it?"

Lin Fei smiled as well and replied sweetly, "Yes, Grandpa Bulin!"

"Ah, good, good, good child. And this young lady is?" Bulin looked at the silver-robed woman beside Lin Fei, as clear and cool as a spring on a snowy mountain, and asked in confusion.

Otto said, "She is Frank's disciple, Xue Mei!"

Only then did Bulin realize. "So it's you! That old fellow Frank mentions you to me all the time!"

Xue Mei smiled faintly and bowed to Bulin. "Master Bulin!"

"Good, you're all good children. Come in quickly!" Bulin invited them warmly.

The group entered the Alchemist Guild. Bulin led them straight to a guest room on the second floor, and after arranging seats for them, he looked at Otto with a solemn expression. "I invited you here this time because the Tagor Desert has been rather unsettled lately!"

Hearing Bulin's words, Otto frowned slightly. "The desert is unsettled? Could it be...?"

Bulin nodded slightly, his expression grave. "Just as you thought. It is the disturbance caused by the Snake People Clan!"

Bulin continued, "The news from the Snake People Clan is that something has gone wrong with the Snake People Queen's inheritance, though we still do not know the specifics. We only know that snake people have been appearing in the desert more and more frequently. There have also been rumors of the Green Lotus Core Flame, which has drawn the attention of many people!"

Otto said in surprise, "The Green Lotus Core Flame? It seems Frank returned to the capital because of this matter as well. Pill King Gu He also wants to find a Heavenly Flame!"

A trace of delight appeared on Bulin's face. "Really? That's wonderful! I heard that people from the Chuyun Empire also intend to seize the Green Lotus Core Flame, and they have invited quite a few powerful experts to support them. Since Pill King Gu He is coming, the experts he brings will naturally be able to overpower them!"

Otto nodded slightly. "Indeed. Given Gu He's personal standing alone, the Misty Cloud Sect will certainly lend its strength. I heard that Yun Yun, the sect leader of the Misty Cloud Sect, is on excellent terms with Gu He. Sect Leader Yun will surely come as well!"

Bulin gave a soft hum. "With a Dou Emperor like Sect Leader Yun supporting us, I can finally rest easy. Even if we cannot obtain the Green Lotus Core Flame, the Chuyun Empire absolutely must not get it!"

"However, the Snake People Clan is also troublesome. I heard that their inheritor, the Snake People Queen, is likewise a Dou Emperor. Even if Pill King Gu He and the others come here, a fierce battle will be unavoidable," Otto said in a low voice with a frown.

Bulin shook his head without speaking, and the room suddenly fell silent.

At that moment, there was a knock at the door. After the door was pushed open, an attendant entered and said to Bulin, "President, a young man has arrived at the guild to take the Second-grade Alchemist assessment. Mister Kelei is also present and wishes to ask the president to serve as a witness!"

Bulin raised an eyebrow slightly. "A witness? Interesting!"

Master Otto smiled as well. "Why don't we go down and take a look together?"

"Just what I had in mind!" Bulin said with a chuckle.

Everyone rose and headed downstairs.