Chapter 896 - 136: Lin Chen: I Was Still Too Shallow_2
Chapter 896: Chapter 136: Lin Chen: I Was Still Too Shallow_2
"Today’s events are not to be disclosed to anyone outside."
Just as many clan members were thinking of recounting the scenes they witnessed today to those close to them, a voice full of authority came through.
The figure of the Third Elder, Li He, appeared in front of the building. Li He glanced at Yuan Shengyao, who looked somewhat disheartened. Yuan Shengyao’s alchemy skills weren’t low, but it was just a matter of encountering someone stronger like Xiao Yan.
"Escort the guests to rest."
Li He instructed Li Kai. Before the grand competition concluded, the events here must not leak to prevent any targeting of Xiao Yan.
...
...
"Fourth Elder!"
On the other side, Li Qin, who was leading Lin Chen to the guest courtyard, looked at the elder ahead and suddenly stopped, quickly bowing with respect.
The Fourth Elder was the family’s only master-level alchemist, a status second only to the Great Elder among the elders. However, Li Qin knew in her heart that this Fourth Elder was here for Xiao Yan.
"Honored guest, while you’ve been a guest at our Li Family, we haven’t taken good care of you these past days. On behalf of the Li Family, I apologize."
"No need for such courtesy, the Li Family has treated Xiao with much care and never neglected me."
Lin Chen returned the courtesy. It’s not inappropriate to address a master alchemist of the Innate Fifth Realm as a senior.
"I’ve prepared some fine tea in the courtyard, if you’re free, perhaps you’d like to join me."
"Sure."
...
In Li Hong’s courtyard, the fragrance of herbs wafted through the air.
The entire garden was planted with numerous precious herbs, and in the pavilion by the lake, Li Qin was in charge of serving tea.
"To be honest, when Qin’Er first reported the condition of entering the top ten of the grand competition, I didn’t take it to heart. It was my oversight. I apologize with tea instead of wine."
"No need for such, Xiao is a nobody; anyone wouldn’t believe it. If the Li Family believed it so easily, I would have to reconsider our cooperation."
Hearing Lin Chen’s words, Li Hong was momentarily stunned but then burst into laughter: "Your words make sense."
A nobody merely won first in the semifinals and claimed they could enter the grand competition’s top ten. If the Li Family so readily believed and agreed, the only possibility would be that the Li Family never intended to fulfill the agreement in the first place, which is why they agreed so quickly.
"On behalf of the Li Family, I solemnly promise that should you enter the top ten, you may choose two out of three top-tier Divine Soul Techniques."
"Thank you."
Lin Chen nodded. Having an extra top-tier technique to choose from is beneficial to him.
"There’s something I’ve been curious about, but if you find it inconvenient to answer, it’s okay."
Li Hong looked at Lin Chen with a smile. Upon receiving Lin Chen’s consent, he asked: "I wish to know how long you’ve been practicing alchemy."
Normally, once an alchemist reaches a certain level, they undergo a rating assessment. This not only proves their level of alchemy but also entitles them to support from the Alchemy Guild.
Pill formulas, materials, alchemy notes...
There are additional rewards for advancing within a certain period.
...
Unless they are from an alchemy family that dismisses the Guild’s minor rewards, but clearly, based on what the Li Family understood, Xiao Yan was not from an alchemy family.
Xiao Yan’s behavior didn’t align with the style of alchemy families, and neither the Thousand Mechanism Domain nor the Flame Dynasty had an alchemy family with the Xiao surname.
Upon hearing Li Hong’s question, Lin Chen smiled and after a while replied, "To be honest, Xiao only began learning alchemy after refining the Innate Fire."
Lin Chen’s answer caused Li Qin’s hand to pause while serving tea. Elder Li Hong’s old eyes gleamed with insight. It was as he suspected, with Xiao Yan’s alchemy level, he couldn’t remain obscure unless he hadn’t been practicing long.
"Xiao refined the Innate Fire three years ago."
Not waiting for Li Hong to ask more questions, Lin Chen added another sentence.
Three years?
This time, Li Qin’s hand trembled slightly. Having reached such a level within three years?
"Ah, Junior Brother Xiao, you started alchemy late."
Li Hong suddenly sighed, his tone filled with regret, and his address shifted from "honored guest" to "Junior Brother."
"I’ve seen alchemists who possessed the Innate Fire after practicing alchemy for decades, and their alchemy prowess was just so-so. But for you, Junior Brother Xiao, to achieve this in just three years, it must be due to more than the Innate Fire. If I’m not mistaken, your talent in alchemy is exceptionally high; if you had started earlier, you might already be at the master level by now."
This was the first time Li Hong placed Lin Chen on the same level as himself. In his view, Xiao Yan had a level comparable to a four-star alchemist in just three years and might reach the master level in less than ten years.
As for Martial Path Realm, alchemists with master-level potential would have various forces willing to offer resources to help Xiao Yan break through to the Innate Fourth Realm.
The benefits brought by a master-level alchemist far exceed the costs incurred.
After finishing a pot of tea, Li Hong bid farewell and left, with Li Qin personally escorting him back to the guest courtyard before returning to Li Hong’s courtyard.
"Fourth Elder."
"Qin’Er, when there are no outsiders, you can just call me Fourth Uncle."
Li Hong looked at Li Qin with a smile: "This time, the Xiao Yan you found is excellent, you’ll be credited for this in the clan. Do you know anything about Xiao Yan’s background?"
"Qin’Er does not know, nor did I inquire in detail."