Heading to the Guild

"That's impossible!" Ke Lei roared, staring in disbelief at the flame in Xiao Yu's palm, constantly reassuring himself that it was fake.

Xiao Yu merely said, "It is indeed impossible. I'm not a Tier-Four Alchemist either!"

The moment those words came out, Ke Lei 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, he had nothing to prove that he was an alchemist. But aside from alchemists, what other profession needed to use flames? Everyone was deeply puzzled.

"However, I really don't think much of Tier-Two Alchemists!" Xiao Yu said with a light laugh, abruptly changing his tone.

"Bullshit! You don't think much of Tier-Two Alchemists? Then show us what you can do as an alchemist! Otherwise, don't think the Alchemist Guild is so easy to bully!" Ke Lei said with a cold sneer.

Xiao Yu naturally understood that Ke Lei was trying to provoke him into saying something insulting about the Alchemist Guild, but how could he possibly play along?

"Of course I respect other Tier-Two Alchemists. But a Tier-Two Alchemist like you, with no sense of public decency, is someone I truly look down on. As it happens, I'm planning to head to the Alchemist Guild to take the Tier-Two Alchemist assessment. If you don't believe me, then come along!" Xiao Yu said calmly.

To his surprise, Ke Lei immediately mocked him, "Fine! If you want to go to the Alchemist Guild and take the Tier-Two Alchemist assessment, then go ahead. I'd like to see whether you're really as impressive as you boast, looking down on Tier-Two Alchemists!"

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

"You!" Xiao Yu had angered Ke Lei until his face turned red, but since he could not beat him, he could only viciously flick his sleeve.

Hearing Xiao Yu's words, one of the soldiers hurriedly stepped forward. "My lord, do you need me to lead you to the Alchemist Guild?"

Xiao Yu glanced at the soldier. Though the man was not certain of Xiao Yu's identity, he had no doubt that he was an alchemist, and his face was full of fawning smiles. Xiao Yu could not help sighing inwardly, The identity of an alchemist really commands respect. This feeling truly is intoxicating!

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

The soldier waved his hands in flustered delight. "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.

Watching this, Ke Lei snorted coldly. "Kid, you may have passed as a Tier-One Alchemist, but Tier-Two Alchemist is a height you'll never reach!"

Xiao Yu shrugged and replied casually, "Is that so? Then we'll wait and see!"

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

Just as Xiao Yu and the others were making their way to the Alchemist Guild, three guests arrived there as well.

An old man stood at the entrance of the Mo City Alchemist Guild with two young women. On his chest was a badge, its ancient medicinal cauldron carefully etched with four silver ripples, marking the old man as a distinguished Tier-Four 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 gone back to the capital for some business, he would have wanted all of us to come together!"

This old man was Master Otto of the Blackrock City Alchemist Guild. The Frank he spoke of was the president of the Blackrock City Alchemist Guild, while Bulin was the president of the Mo City Alchemist Guild. All three were Tier-Four Alchemists and close friends!

As they spoke, an aged laugh rang out from within the entrance. "Old Otto, it's been a long time! 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 smile appeared on Bulin's aged face. "Naturally, I need your help with something. Why else would I call you here?" As he spoke, he glanced at the two young women beside Otto and said with a chuckle, "This is the disciple you took in, right? Lin Fei, was it?"

Lin Fei smiled sweetly. "Yes, Grandpa Bulin!"

"Ah, good, good, good child. And this young lady is?" Bulin looked at the silver-robed woman standing beside Lin Fei, as clear and cool as a spring amid snowy mountains, 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 often mentions you to me!"

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

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

The group entered the Alchemist Guild. Bulin led them directly to a guest room on the second floor. After arranging for them to sit, Bulin looked at Otto with a somewhat grave expression and said, "I invited you here this time because 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 solemn. "Just as you thought—it's 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 Queen's inheritance. We still don't know the specifics, but we do 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, drawing 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 joy appeared on Bulin's face. "Really? That's wonderful! I heard that people from the Chu Yun 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. With Gu He alone, the Misty Cloud Sect will definitely lend its support. I hear that Yun Yun, the sect leader of the Misty Cloud Sect, is on very good personal terms with Gu He. Sect Leader Yun will certainly come as well!"

Bulin gave a 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 Chu Yun Empire absolutely cannot be allowed to get it!"

"However, the Snake People Clan is also a problem. I heard that their heir, the Snake People Queen, is also a Dou Emperor. Even if Pill King Gu He and the others come here, a fierce battle will still 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, a knock sounded at the door. After the door was pushed open, an attendant entered and said to Bulin, "President, a young man has come to the guild to take the Tier-Two Alchemist assessment. Mr. Ke Lei is also there and wishes to ask the president to bear witness!"

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

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

"Just what I was thinking!" Bulin said with a chuckle.

The group rose and headed downstairs.