Chapter 20

Upon arriving at the Alchemist Guild, Longchen headed straight for Yun Qi’s alchemy room. However, he was stopped just as he entered the inner courtyard.

The Alchemist Guild is divided into the inner and outer courtyards. The outer courtyard is open to the public, including the qualification exams for alchemists, which are held there.

The inner courtyard, on the other hand, is where the internal activities of the Alchemist Guild take place. The last time Longchen entered the inner courtyard for testing, he was led in by Master Yun Qi, so there was no obstruction.

"Inner courtyard of the guild, no entry for non-members."

The guard at the gate was a young man who looked about the same age as Longchen, dressed in the attire of an alchemy apprentice. He looked at Longchen with a haughty expression.

Longchen smiled slightly, showed his badge, and entered the inner courtyard amidst the apprentice’s shocked expression.

Seeing the apprentice’s haughty expression turn to shock, Longchen couldn’t help but feel a bit smug.

It seemed he had been suppressed for too long, and now that he had finally made some progress, he was starting to indulge in some personal desires. However, he secretly reminded himself that he had no time to be smug over such trivial matters.

Just as he entered the inner courtyard, Longchen couldn’t help but slap his forehead, having been so preoccupied with his smugness that he forgot to ask Master Yun Qi if he was even in the inner courtyard. If he wasn’t, wouldn’t this trip be in vain?

As he was regretting this, a young woman walked by. Without thinking, Longchen stopped her and asked, "Miss, where can I find Master Yun Qi?"

The young woman, who had been walking with her head down, looked up with a displeased expression upon being stopped. Seeing a thin young man looking at her, she said coldly, "What do you want with Master Yun Qi?"

Longchen was slightly taken aback. The young woman was very beautiful, though she couldn’t compare to Chu Yao or Meng Qi, she was still a rare beauty.

However, her gaze was rather unpleasant, as if she didn’t trust anyone, and her eyes revealed a hint of unhidden pride.

"I just want to know where Master Yun Qi is. Could you please tell me?" Longchen, though displeased, asked politely.

"Who are you? Why do you want to see Master Yun Qi?" The woman looked at Longchen with caution.

Being asked irrelevant questions twice, Longchen shook his head and ignored her, walking straight ahead to see if he could find someone else to ask.

"Hey, I’m asking you a question. How can you be so rude?" The woman, seeing that Longchen didn’t answer her twice, scolded him angrily.

Longchen had just taken a few steps when he turned back and said, "Are you here to see a doctor?"

"What?" The woman was taken aback.

"If you have a mental illness, don’t run around recklessly."

Longchen snorted and was about to leave when a powerful wind suddenly struck his back, accompanied by an angry shout.

"Boy, you’re asking for death!"

Longchen was inwardly startled. The woman, though slender, had a powerful strike that made it hard for him to breathe. He hadn’t expected her to be a peak Qi Gathering realm expert.

Moreover, her palm was imbued with an extremely powerful force. With his current state, where his spiritual energy was hidden in the Fengfu Star, he looked like a weak scholar.

A strike like that would severely injure a typical Qi Gathering realm expert, and if it hit a normal person, it could be fatal. She had attacked so fiercely without any provocation.

"Get lost."

Longchen, already irritated, couldn’t suppress his anger any longer and kicked out.

Bang!

The woman’s palm hadn’t even touched Longchen when she was kicked in the abdomen and sent flying.

Crash!

The woman flew over two zhang and crashed into a rack of drying herbs, knocking it over and burying herself in the falling herbs.

Boom!

The herbs scattered, and the woman, with disheveled hair and covered in fine powder, looked extremely disheveled as she emerged from the pile.

"You’re dead!"

The woman’s eyes were full of rage. She roared, her aura bursting, and a golden ripple appeared in her palm as she lunged at Longchen.

Seeing the woman, who looked like a madwoman, Longchen inwardly cursed his bad luck. He hadn’t consulted his fortune before leaving today, and now he had encountered a lunatic.

This strike clearly used a combat technique, and its power was clearly aimed to kill. Longchen’s face turned cold.

He had the soul of a Pill Emperor and some basic combat experience, though "basic" was relative to a Pill Emperor.

Now, the opponents Longchen faced were mere small fry. These basic skills were like divine techniques to him, and dealing with them was a piece of cake.

Longchen’s kick earlier hadn’t infused any spiritual energy, so the woman wasn’t injured. However, instead of being grateful, she wanted to kill him.

Longchen’s eyes turned cold, and a killing intent slowly gathered. Though he wouldn’t kill her, if she dared to attack, he wouldn’t mind giving her a lifetime of unforgettable memories.

"Stop!"

Suddenly, a cold voice rang out, and the woman, who had gone mad, froze.

"Master."

The woman quickly bowed respectfully.

The person who arrived was none other than Master Yun Qi. Longchen was also surprised. Could this madwoman be his disciple?

Master Yun Qi shook his head and said, "I said I would never take a disciple in my life. Lurking here won’t do you any good."

"Master, I’m a weak woman who has traveled thousands of miles to learn alchemy from you. I’ve been here for three months. Isn’t my sincerity enough?" The woman said with a hint of委屈 (grievance).

"Go back where you came from," Master Yun Qi said indifferently.

"No, I won’t leave. I’ll stay here every day until you take me as a disciple," the woman said stubbornly.

"As you wish, but remember, no use of force in the guild. If it happens again, I’ll expel you," Master Yun Qi said coldly.

Then he turned to Longchen and said, "Follow me."

Longchen was momentarily stunned. This madwoman wanted to learn alchemy from Yun Qi, but Yun Qi was completely unmoved.

Seeing the woman’s hateful gaze, Longchen suddenly understood. She must have mistaken him for another disciple of Yun Qi, which was why she had questioned him so much.

He glanced at the woman and shook his head. Who would take such a disciple? He slowly followed Master Yun Qi into a room in the inner courtyard.

Inside the room, Longchen hurriedly bowed and said, "I’m sorry, I was rash today."

Master Yun Qi smiled slightly and said, "It’s fine. I saw everything. However, I’m very surprised that you can kick a peak Qi Gathering realm expert without using any spiritual energy. And I can tell you didn’t use even half your strength. Otherwise, that girl would have been severely injured. You’re hiding a lot, young man."

Longchen was startled. It seemed he had underestimated Master Yun Qi. He was indeed cunning and shrewd, and Longchen didn’t know how to respond.

"Child, everyone has their secrets, and that’s fine. But you can’t be distracted. Otherwise, you’ll waste your talent, which would be a pity," Master Yun Qi said meaningfully.

Longchen was moved. Master Yun Qi was hinting that he should focus on alchemy.

"Thank you, Master. I understand."

No matter what, Master Yun Qi had good intentions. Whether he listened or not, he appreciated the kindness.

"Yesterday, I heard that the royal family inquired about you. I told them you were an alchemist in the guild and that you were my student. Then they didn’t respond," Master Yun Qi said.

Longchen was taken aback. Master Yun Qi, who had always refused to take him as a disciple, had actually acknowledged him. He was moved and said, "Thank you, Master."

"Hehe, it’s nothing. I’m just using my reputation while it still has some value. Besides, a disciple and a student are different," Master Yun Qi said with a light smile.

Though it was a small favor for Master Yun Qi, it was a huge help for Longchen.

With Master Yun Qi as his backing, he had a strong foundation, and his confidence grew.

"Child, I understand your situation. The guild has its rules and cannot get involved in secular disputes. I can only help you so much," Master Yun Qi sighed.

"Master, you’ve done so much for me. I’m already very grateful. Secular matters are for me to handle," Longchen said with a smile.

With Master Yun Qi’s backing, his actions would be much easier, and the safety of the Zhenyuan Marquis Manor would be greatly improved.

Though the Alchemist Guild wouldn’t get involved in secular disputes, as long as Longchen didn’t truly participate, he would still be protected by the guild.

When Longchen had the strength to stand on his own, he could unravel the mysteries himself.

Though he already had some clues, he didn’t dare to act yet. Maintaining the status quo was the best choice.

"What brings you here this time?" Master Yun Qi asked.

Longchen then remembered his purpose: "I’m here to request some herbs from the guild on credit, to be repaid after I refine the pills."

It’s common for alchemists to borrow herbs from the guild and repay them with pills later. This is a good arrangement for both the alchemists and the guild.

As a guild member, Longchen enjoyed discounted herbs and had the obligation to sell his refined pills to the guild first, as agreed upon when he received his badge.

"You can refine pills now?" Master Yun Qi asked, surprised.

"I also hope for some guidance from Master," Longchen smiled, his confidence evident.