Chapter 28: My Grandson's Talent in Alchemy Surpasses All in the Yunlan Sect!

Zhao Haisheng was left speechless, unable to find words to express his feelings. He couldn't even describe what he felt at that moment.

He knew that, in this lifetime, he would likely never reach the rank of a fourth-tier alchemist. Even so, within Cloudmist Sect, he could still secure a position as an elder. But the man before him—if Yao Chen truly was an alchemist—would he be content to serve as someone else's attendant, ranked even lower than ordinary people?

"Forget it, I can't be bothered to argue with you any further. If you really are an alchemist, you should visit the Alchemist Guild in the imperial capital of the Jia Ma Empire when you have time and see if you can pass their certification," Zhao Haisheng said. "I can guarantee that if you truly are a third-grade alchemist, you would at least be a consecrated elder in Cloudmist Sect!"

Yao Chen shook his head. "I only wish to stay by my young master's side. All those empty titles have little meaning to me."

Zhao Haisheng looked at him with surprise, not expecting such clarity from Yao Chen. Out in the world, even a first-grade alchemist would be treated as an honored guest by any family, never dared to be slighted. In fact, there were often stories of low-tier alchemists behaving arrogantly and tyrannically in some families.

"Actually, I too would like to attempt refining a second-grade pill," Lin An said, shaking his head, "but I've never read any notes or manuals about it."

"Is that so? Then come with me to the Medicine Pavilion. You can browse through any alchemist's notes kept there. Soon I'll go seek out the Sect Leader. Your alchemist talent must not go to waste. I will ask her to allow you to focus less on martial cultivation. If you work hard, perhaps you could even earn the favor of Pill King Gu He—being accepted as his disciple is not out of the question," Zhao Haisheng said, making the decision himself as he left.

Clearly, he wanted to report to Yun Yun as soon as possible, unwilling to let Lin An's gift for alchemy be wasted.

In the main hall of Cloudmist Sect, the Seventh Elder stood with Qian Qixian, making a request of Yun Yun.

"My grandson, Qian Qixian, has been reading alchemist manuals since he was young and has some knowledge of pharmacology. He has spent the past two years learning alchemy from a second-grade alchemist and can now refine first-grade pills!"

"With Qian Qixian's talent, I doubt anyone in Cloudmist Sect can compare. I hope the Sect Leader will nurture him well, perhaps even recommend him to Pill King Gu He!"

"Our Qian family has always been loyal to Cloudmist Sect. With Qixian's talent, he will become a pillar of the sect in the future."

Qian Qixian's face brimmed with pride. His martial talent was notable, but it was his gift for alchemy that made his grandfather most proud. Only a few days ago, after much effort, Qian Qixian had finally succeeded in refining his first first-grade pill.

After several days of practice, his pill formation rate now held steady at about twenty percent. While there were many disciples in Cloudmist Sect, only Qian Qixian possessed true alchemist potential.

"I beg the Sect Leader to recommend me!" Qian Qixian said, kneeling on the floor.

Yun Yun was pleased by what she heard. If it was true, Qian Qixian was indeed a talent worth cultivating. Over the years, many disciples had been sent to the Medicine Pavilion as alchemist apprentices, but few had succeeded in becoming true alchemists. For Qian Qixian to become a full-fledged alchemist at his age was proof of his gift.

"I will consider recommending you to Gu He," Yun Yun said. "I'll tell Elder Zhao at the Medicine Pavilion to give you access to all of the alchemist notes there for now. You may also look up any first-grade pill recipes you wish, and apply directly for the medicinal herbs you need for pill refining."

Clearly, Yun Yun valued Qian Qixian highly. Hearing of these increasing privileges, Qian Qixian couldn't help but feel smug.

"Lin An, let's see how you measure up to me now," he thought. If Lin An appeared before him at that moment, Qian Qixian would have mocked him without hesitation, forcing him to recognize the gap between them.

"Greetings, Sect Leader," Zhao Haisheng announced, entering the hall—a rare occurrence.

Even Yun Yun looked at him with some surprise. "It's been a long time, Elder Zhao. What brings you here today?"

She knew Zhao Haisheng's reputation—he was not one to appear in the main hall unless the matter was truly important.

"Sect Leader, I have come today to speak on behalf of Lin An," Zhao Haisheng said.

"Lin An? Did he offend you in some way?" Yun Yun asked, puzzled.

By all rights, Lin An and Zhao Haisheng should have had little to do with each other. Why would they have any connection? Even Qian Qixian was intrigued upon hearing Lin An's name, wondering if Lin An had somehow angered Elder Zhao. If so, that would certainly be interesting.

"In fact, I am here to request that the Sect Leader dissolve the master-disciple relationship between you and Lin An," Zhao Haisheng declared.

The Seventh Elder and Qian Qixian exchanged glances. For Lin An to be separated from the Sect Leader as her disciple—this was serious indeed.

But Zhao Haisheng's next words nearly made the Seventh Elder and Qian Qixian cough up blood.

"Lin An possesses extraordinary talent in alchemy. Relying solely on reading a few alchemist manuals, he was able to refine nearly all of Cloudmist Sect's first-grade pills on his very first attempt, and all at top quality. With such astonishing talent, I believe he shouldn't waste his gifts on martial cultivation alone—his true calling is as an alchemist. If he could be recommended to Master Gu He, perhaps Cloudmist Sect would one day see the rise of an alchemy grandmaster greater even than Gu He himself!"

Zhao Haisheng's words left Yun Yun flustered. If she didn't know his character, she would have thought he was joking. But he was anything but frivolous.

"Is what Elder Zhao says true?" Yun Yun asked, her tone clearly skeptical.

She had never heard of anyone who could refine pills just by reading alchemist notes.

"It is true. At first, I did not believe it either, so I watched Lin An refine pills with my own eyes. I was astounded. If he is nurtured, he might rival Pill King Gu He in the future. If Gu He knew of Lin An's talent, he would no doubt accept him as a disciple. That is why I boldly request the Sect Leader to dissolve your master-disciple bond with Lin An," Zhao Haisheng said earnestly.