No More Pretending—I'm an Alchemy Genius, So I'm Coming Clean

As the most prestigious profession on the Dou Qi Continent,

Alchemists were born with a sense of superiority over others.

But honestly, neither Yun Yun nor Nalan Yanran liked the arrogance of Gu He and his disciple.

Yun Yun cast a glance at Gu He with her clear, cool eyes, then turned toward Ji Changqing, who stood in the corner, and revealed a gentle smile.

"Changqing has never refined medicine before. Is there really any difference between a Sixth-grade Alchemist and a Fourth-grade Alchemist?"

"Can't they both teach my Changqing alchemy?"

Yun Yun's words left Gu He speechless.

Nalan Yanran looked at Liu Ling with an unfriendly gaze.

Although Ji Changqing always taught her to keep a low profile and avoid causing trouble,

the way Liu Ling looked at Ji Changqing truly made it impossible for her to suppress her anger.

Who the hell do you think you are?!

What gives you the right to hold your head high while looking at my Senior Brother Changqing?!

"Liu Ling, did you sleep wrong? Can't you lower your head?"

"My Senior Brother Changqing is the Yunlan Saint Son. You're craning your neck to look at him—do you not take my Misty Cloud Sect seriously?"

With such a huge accusation pinned on him, how could Liu Ling possibly bear it?

Liu Ling's expression immediately changed.

Especially when Yun Yun's icy gaze swept over him, making him feel as though he had fallen into an ice cellar. He hurriedly explained himself.

"N-No, that's not it. Liu Ling wouldn't dare!"

Ji Changqing stood in the corner, feeling somewhat awkward.

His master and Junior Sister Yanran were far too protective.

Gu He and his disciple had not even done anything to him, yet they had already been thoroughly berated.

"Sigh..."

Ji Changqing sighed helplessly inwardly.

Though he had done nothing, he could foresee that those two lackeys would definitely put this on his tab.

Karma had fallen upon him for no reason.

While feeling helpless, Ji Changqing also quietly reflected on himself.

Perhaps he had been too low-key.

Or rather, he had disguised himself as too ordinary.

He had the Sect Leader's doting affection, the support of a beautiful junior sister, and the title of Yunlan Saint Son, yet his talent appeared mediocre.

As a result, many people found him displeasing and wanted to make trouble for him.

That went completely against the Dog Path he believed in.

"Perhaps true concealment lies among the masses. Maybe I should reveal just a little of my talent."

"My talent can't be too eye-catching. It only needs to make others hesitate before casually causing me trouble."

"Making alchemy my public identity is a good choice. It can conceal my Dou Qi cultivation while granting me a prestigious status that others will fear."

I had wanted to get along with you all as someone of ordinary talent, but all I got in return was trouble!

No more pretending. I'm an alchemy genius, and I'm coming clean!

The atmosphere in the courtyard was so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.

Gu He and Liu Ling had been left black-faced by Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran's retorts.

After the atmosphere eased for quite some time, Gu He finally let out a breath and slowly said,

"Sect Leader, there is no need to refuse on the Holy Son's behalf."

"Since it is the Holy Son who will be learning Alchemy Skill, the choice should remain with him."

"I believe the Holy Son will make the right choice."

After saying this, Gu He looked toward Ji Changqing.

Deep in his eyes was an extremely well-concealed trace of disdain.

Honestly, if teaching Ji Changqing had not allowed him more contact with Yun Yun, then even if someone came begging him in a grand sedan chair, Gu He would never accept such a mediocre person as his disciple.

When a disciple went out into the world, they represented their master's dignity!

Ji Changqing?

Wouldn't that be utterly humiliating for him?

Several years ago, during a disciple recruitment, Gu He had not only been thinking of Yun Yun. For the sake of his own reputation, he had also subtly tried to learn about Ji Changqing from other Misty Cloud Sect disciples and elders.

The result was...

He found out absolutely nothing.

Ji Changqing had far too little presence!

He remained hidden in the Bamboo House by the medicinal fields, never stepping through its doors.

At first, disciples had come to challenge Ji Changqing, the Yunlan Saint Son, but he directly admitted defeat and even extended a white flag from the Bamboo House.

Later, whenever someone went to challenge Ji Changqing, Nalan Yanran would fight in her senior brother's stead.

Gradually, no one came looking for Ji Changqing anymore.

At the time, Gu He had been furious.

The path of cultivation was a path of defying the heavens. How could one achieve anything without even the will to fight!

Even in alchemy, his flames would probably be less fierce than others'. It was truly disappointing!

But there was nothing he could do...

Yun Yun was too enticing. He could not forget her.

So he would just pinch his nose and accept Ji Changqing, this troublesome disciple.

Gu He did not believe Ji Changqing would reject him again this time.

Ji Changqing had been young and ignorant a few years ago. Did he still not know what a Sixth-grade Alchemist represented?!

In his view, Ji Changqing would definitely be overjoyed this time!

Gu He flicked his sleeve, placed his right hand behind his back, and assumed the posture of someone calmly waiting for Ji Changqing to acknowledge him as master.

"Changqing, make your choice. I respect your decision."

Yun Yun did not influence Ji Changqing's decision.

Though she did not wish to see Gu He, he was indeed the strongest alchemist in the Jia Ma Empire.

At worst, whenever Gu He taught Changqing alchemy, she could simply enter seclusion and avoid showing herself.

"Senior Brother Changqing, what do you think?"

Nalan Yanran blinked her large eyes as she looked at Ji Changqing.

Ji Changqing revealed a hesitant expression.

In truth, he had already made his calculations.

But he could not show it immediately, or it would be far too abnormal.

Just as Ji Changqing pretended to hesitate for over ten seconds and was about to speak, an aged female voice suddenly sounded from outside the courtyard.

"Sect Leader Yun Yun, this old woman Danxia has arrived."

"Elder Danxia, please come in."

After a series of slow footsteps, a white-haired old woman with an aged face entered, leaning on a sandalwood cane.

This old woman was named Danxia. She was a Fourth-grade Alchemist, the Dan Hall Elder of the Misty Cloud Sect, and the teacher Yun Yun had found for Ji Changqing.

"Elder Danxia, let me teach Holy Son Changqing."

Upon hearing Gu He's calm words, as though he were merely stating a fact, Danxia instead turned to look at Yun Yun.

"This..."

Yun Yun looked toward Ji Changqing.

Ji Changqing clasped his hands toward Gu He and said apologetically,

"Elder Gu He, Changqing's aptitude is dull. I fear I may anger you, so I should learn alchemy from Elder Danxia instead."

"Ji Changqing, you..."

Seeing Ji Changqing reject his most admired teacher once again,

Liu Ling was so enraged that the veins on his forehead throbbed.

"You... are certain you wish to refuse me?"

Gu He stared at Ji Changqing in disbelief, his brows twisted into a knot.

"Do you know what refusing me means?"

Ji Changqing: "..."

He suspected Gu He had refined medicine until his brain was damaged.

"So what if he refuses you?"

Yun Yun stepped in to protect her disciple again.

She respected every decision Ji Changqing made.

Besides, although Elder Danxia's Alchemy Skill was inferior to Gu He's,

she had abundant experience. In terms of teaching, she might be more suited to Ji Changqing.

"Elder Danxia, Changqing will be in your care from now on."

Yun Yun gently patted Ji Changqing on the head.

Ji Changqing clasped his hands toward the old woman.

"I'll trouble Elder Danxia."

Danxia smiled and waved her hand.

"Holy Son, Sect Leader, you are too courteous."

"Since the Holy Son is the Sect Leader's disciple, there is no need for him to acknowledge this old woman as his master. This old woman will do everything she can to teach the Holy Son."

As she spoke, Danxia took out a crystal ball the size of a head from her Storage Ring.

"To become an alchemist, one's attributes must meet strict requirements."

"One must possess a trace of wood attribute mixed within fire attribute. Holy Son, place your hand on this Attribute Detector first and let this old woman see what your aptitude is like."

Upon hearing this,

everyone present looked toward Ji Changqing with differing emotions.