Chapter 342: 342. Chapter 342: Have We Met Before?

342. Chapter 342: Have We Met Before?

Hearing that, the few people present all nodded in unison.

This should be the answer closest to the truth.

After all, the Inner City District can also be reached from here.

Everyone works for the Gu Family, and with Gu Zhangkong acting as the front, it's reasonable that someone agreed to come and share some experience.

"This rare chance must be seized! I'll definitely grab it!" a man who looked to be in his early thirties clenched his fists.

He is only a Level Four Alchemist.

Logically, he shouldn't qualify to participate, since the others are either Level Five or Level Six.

But Yang Chun deliberately gave him this opportunity.

The others said nothing, but thought the same inside.

It looks like they have a full day—more than enough.

But there are five of them here, so the share per person isn't much.

At that moment, a series of footsteps came from afar, sounding as if they were heading straight for here.

The few people instantly turned around, excited.

Seeing that the newcomer was Yang Chun, disappointment flashed on each face.

"Oh, it's Yang Zhuguan?" a young man spoke first, feeling grateful toward Yang Chun.

The others, seeing this, also nodded toward him.

"Why are you all here so early?"

Yang Chun greeted each of them in turn, asking in surprise.

They exchanged glances, thinking that arriving early didn't really show sincerity.

Could it be that they wait for others to arrive first, then crawl in late? "Yang Zhuguan, that person—did you bring them from the Inner City District?" someone couldn't help asking.

"Hehe, that's not the case."

Yang Chun smiled.

"That one is our Black Market Alchemist."

Upon hearing this, the few showed surprise on their faces.

"Was he dug up from elsewhere?"

"No."

Yang Chun was at a loss, half laughing, half crying.

After the previous incident, he dared not reveal much more.

Although the Dawn Society has already received a warning from its superiors and has been lying low, seeming unlikely to cause trouble, what if? "In any case, he'll come over soon. I'm not well‑versed in Alchemy, so just ask him directly if you have any questions. Also, if possible, try to get on his good side; that way, privately, you can continue to seek his guidance."

Hearing this, their pupils dilated.

Just as their thoughts ran wild, another set of footsteps sounded.

A middle‑aged man appeared, walking slowly toward them.

"?"

Sun Bo, among the crowd, frowned.

For some reason, he sensed a vaguely familiar aura from the approaching middle‑aged man.

But he couldn't recall the man's face.

"Master, are you here?"

Yang Chun smiled warmly at Jiang Cheng.

"Hmm."

Jiang Cheng crossed his arms behind his back and gave a cool, aloof nod.

His expressionless gaze swept over the few before him.

He saw a familiar face.

Sun Bo.

He was the Sun Lao who had assessed his Alchemy Technique proficiency.

Only the times have changed.

Now the old Sun has become his "student."

"These are the ones?"

"Yes, Master."

Yang Chun smiled, opened the door and gestured an invitation. Jiang Cheng entered first.

The others followed suit.

But Sun Bo's brow furrowed tighter.

He increasingly felt that Jiang Cheng seemed very familiar; they must have met somewhere before!

Suddenly, he recalled where that familiarity originated.

That was a month ago, when a newcomer named Zhang Cheng had reached Proficient level in Alchemy Technique; he was the one responsible for the Assessment, and at the time he thought the other's fundamentals were indeed solid.

Yang Chun also invited him to help train the newcomer, but he naturally declined.

But now? "No, no, no, I must have mistaken—mistook the person,"

Sun Bo kept telling himself.

Yet the more he denied it, the more he felt the aura of the person before him resembled that of Zhang Cheng, the only difference being that this person's Spiritual Power was considerably stronger.

"Next, I will first refine a batch of pills to demonstrate my strength; you watch quietly, and after I finish, you may ask questions. Once this segment ends, each of you will refine a batch, and I will give guidance beside you. Understood?"

Jiang Cheng spoke.

"Understood."

"Understood."

The others hurriedly responded.

Even with Yang Chun's endorsement, they still doubted the true ability of the person before them.

That's only natural.

So after Jiang Cheng refined a batch of elixirs, all doubts vanished, replaced by looks of reverence.

The strongest among them, using the same ingredients, can at most refine a batch that yields two High‑grade Elixirs, with a factor of luck.

In most cases it's one High‑grade and nine medium‑grade per batch; profit per batch is about one hundred thousand, refining four batches daily brings the Black Market roughly ten million profit per month.

"Alright, if you have any questions, you may ask now."

With Jiang Cheng's permission, several people began posing their questions; sometimes one person would ask several in a row, displeasing those behind them.

Jiang Cheng, reluctantly, could only let a few ask in order, each person allowed only one question per turn, and at most three questions total for time's sake.

Soon, it was Sun Bo's turn.

He opened his mouth, looking very hesitant, and finally couldn't help but ask, "M‑Master, have we met somewhere?"

"???"

Upon hearing that, the room fell silent at once.

The gazes of several nearby alchemists all focused on him.

Filled with doubt and astonishment.

Only Yang Chun's smile froze on his face.

He seemed to have forgotten something else.

That is, this elder Sun, having met Jiang Cheng, as a Spiritual Thought Master could recognize him by feel even if he changed his attire.

"Is that so?"

Jiang Cheng said something noncommittally, his gaze shifting to the next person.

"What is your question?"

"Master, my question is…" the other had been waiting for a long time and hurriedly spoke.

The other three looked at Sun Bo with sympathy.

This guy wasted such a precious chance to ask a question.

If you don't want it, just tell them; even buying it with money they'd be willing.

Yet behind Sun Bo's seemingly dazed exterior, his heart raced; he was almost certain that the master before him was the Zhang Cheng he had met before!

His feeling couldn't be wrong, otherwise he wouldn't have instantly felt a sense of déjà vu.

Combined with the few words Yang Chun had said earlier…

His heart instantly filled with boundless regret.

If only he had agreed to Yang Chun back then, how wonderful that would have been.

If he had built good relations, in everyone's eyes this precious opportunity could have been taken two, three, or even more times.

But now, saying anything is too late.

No, perhaps there will still be a chance later. (End of chapter)