Alchemist Guild

Several days later.

Outside Black Rock City.

"Clop, clop, clop..."

With a crisp clatter of hooves, a carriage slowly appeared at the end of the main road.

It was a rather old-fashioned yellow carriage, its compartment built from some unknown yellow hardwood.

The two Horned Horses pulling it had black horns and bodies knotted with muscle.

Horned Horses were hybrids bred from first-rank magical beasts and ordinary horses.

Their stamina and speed far surpassed those of ordinary horses, while their temperaments were gentler than those of magical beasts. As a result, many factions specially trained Horned Horses to transport supplies or pull passenger carriages.

This two-horse carriage belonged to the Mittel Auction House. Ya Fei had specially sent it to transport Nalan Sheng and his companion.

Before long, the carriage reached Black Rock City and stopped outside its gates.

Dressed in a fitted black outfit, Nalan Sheng stepped unhurriedly out of the carriage with Xiao Yi Xian, who wore a long white dress.

Gazing at the immense, hundred-meter-high walls built entirely from massive black rocks, Xiao Yi Xian could not help marveling. "It certainly lives up to its reputation as one of the empire's foremost cities. Wutan City really can't compare."

"Of course."

Nalan Sheng smiled and nodded. "They say two Dou Wang experts once joined forces to bombard these walls, yet still couldn't break through. You can imagine how formidable this city's defenses are."

With that, Nalan Sheng took Xiao Yi Xian's delicate hand and walked toward the nearby queue waiting to enter the city.

A large city like Black Rock City saw far more traffic than Wutan City. Visitors also had to pay an entrance fee, so naturally, a long dragon of a queue stretched outside the gates.

Nalan Sheng and Xiao Yi Xian patiently waited in line for over ten minutes, then each paid one gold coin before entering Black Rock City without trouble.

As soon as they emerged from the somewhat dark passage through the city walls, their view suddenly opened up. A boiling clamor of voices flooded their ears from every direction, making them instinctively frown.

"Xian'er, let's rest here in Black Rock City first. We'll set off for the Imperial City tomorrow!"

"All right."

This was Xiao Yi Xian's first visit to Black Rock City, and she had already wanted to look around, so she naturally had no objection to Nalan Sheng's suggestion.

With Nalan Sheng leading the way, they first went to the largest inn in the city and booked two luxurious rooms, then began wandering around town.

It had to be said that Black Rock City truly lived up to its status as a major city. The goods sold in its shops were plainly several notches above those available in Wutan City.

For instance, the medicine shops in Wutan City generally sold only first- and second-grade pills. Third-grade pills were practically nowhere to be seen.

The medicine shops in Black Rock City, however, offered quite a few third-grade pills, and occasionally even fourth-grade medicines such as Qi Gathering Powder.

Thus, Nalan Sheng and Xiao Yi Xian reaped a rich harvest, purchasing quite a few useful things.

After spending several hours exploring the city, they finally stopped before a building with an unusual design.

It was an enormous building shaped like a medicinal cauldron. On the red sandalwood plaque above its entrance, five bold characters danced like dragons and soaring phoenixes-Alchemist Guild!

"Please stop, both of you!"

Just as Nalan Sheng and Xiao Yi Xian reached the entrance to the Alchemist Guild, two burly, fully armed guards blocked their way and said in deep, muffled voices, "Only alchemists may enter the Alchemist Guild. Unless you have a letter of introduction from an alchemist, please leave at once."

"My name is Nalan Sheng. I have come on Clan Leader Nalan's orders to pay my respects to President Frank. Sorry for the trouble, but could you announce our arrival?"

Nalan Sheng showed no sign of anger. Instead, he calmly cupped his hands in greeting as he spoke.

"Ah, Young Master Nalan! Please wait a moment, both of you. I'll have someone inform the president right away."

Upon learning that Nalan Sheng had come to see President Frank, the two burly guards immediately broke into welcoming smiles. They promptly summoned a maid and sent her to find him.

Nalan Sheng and Xiao Yi Xian did not have to wait long before the maid hurried back. She bowed to them. "The president invites you both to join him in the VIP Room. Please follow me."

"Xian'er, let's go!"

At her words, Nalan Sheng called to Xiao Yi Xian and led her into the Alchemist Guild.

The Alchemist Guild's main hall was spacious, but there were few staff members-only a dozen or so in total.

Aside from the staff, several people wearing alchemist robes stood in the hall.

Judging by the badges on their chests, they were all first-rank alchemists and Second-Rank Alchemists.

Looking at the Alchemist Badges they wore, Xiao Yi Xian could not conceal the envy on her face.

In truth, Xiao Yi Xian's greatest dream had always been to become an alchemist.

Unfortunately, the requirements for becoming an alchemist were far too stringent, so she could only settle for the next best thing and become a physician who treated illnesses and saved lives.

The alchemists in the hall naturally noticed Nalan Sheng and Xiao Yi Xian as well. But seeing that neither of them even had an Alchemist Badge, they lost interest and looked away.

Nalan Sheng ignored their reactions and followed the maid guiding them to the VIP Room on the guild's second floor.

Two figures were seated inside the VIP Room.

One was a thin, white-haired elderly man dressed in black alchemist robes. Four carefully drawn silver ripples adorned the Alchemist Badge on his chest, marking him as a Fourth-Grade Alchemist.

The other was also a white-haired elderly man, though he was somewhat plump. Judging by the Alchemist Badge on his chest, he too was a Fourth-Grade Alchemist.

These two white-haired elders were none other than President Frank and Vice President Otto of Black Rock City.

"Knock, knock!"

A knock suddenly sounded, followed by three figures entering through the doorway.

Once Frank saw Nalan Sheng's face clearly, he discreetly stroked his beard and nodded to Otto, who sat opposite him.

Although Frank had never met Nalan Sheng before, he had seen Nalan Yanran at a gathering during a visit to the Imperial City half a year earlier.

Nalan Sheng and Nalan Yanran were fraternal twins, and their faces bore a seventy- to eighty-percent resemblance, so Frank immediately confirmed his identity.

"This junior, Nalan Sheng, pays his respects to both seniors."

Na-

-lan Sheng promptly cupped his hands and bowed to Frank and Otto upon seeing them.

"No need to stand on ceremony, young friend. Please, sit."

Once Nalan Sheng and Xiao Yi Xian had taken their seats, Frank got straight to the point. "What brings you here today, young friend?"