Chapter 168: The Champion

Returning to the Alchemist Guild, Xiao Yan had come here twice before with dignity; this time, he came stealthily.

After passing through the outer transaction zone of the Alchemist Guild, Xiao Yan entered the main hall and happened to spot one of the convention judges—Master Otto from Black Rock City.

"Who are you?" Master Otto asked, puzzled as a black-robed figure approached.

Xiao Yan slightly lifted his hood, revealing a glimpse of his face, and whispered, "Master Otto, it's me."

"You're Xiao…" Master Otto began, but Xiao Yan quickly stopped him—he was still in a very awkward phase.

"Oh oh oh, I understand, I understand. You've come to the Alchemist Guild to collect your Champion prize, right?" Master Otto nodded knowingly, suppressing a smile as he whispered.

Xiao Yan nodded urgently. "Could you please take me to Master Fa Ma, the Guild Master?"

Master Otto nodded, but instead of taking Xiao Yan directly to the Guild Master's chamber, he arranged an empty room for him to wait while he went to summon the Guild Master.

Xiao Yan's prize wasn't stored in the Guild Master's chamber; receiving such a prominent figure required Master Fa Ma to prepare properly.

Xiao Yan removed his hood, sat back on the sofa, and waited for Master Fa Ma's arrival.

About thirty minutes later, three knocks came at the door, and three figures entered—Guild Master Fa Ma, Jia Ma Empire's Imperial Guardian Jia Xingtian, and Xiao Yan's old friend Hai Bodong.

"You finally decided to show up," Hai Bodong raised an eyebrow and grinned.

"I couldn't not show up—I still have a prize to collect," Xiao Yan shrugged, smiling wryly. Shame was nothing compared to poverty.

"Hahaha, that's all minor now. Though you're late, I still must say—congratulations, kid. You've become the youngest Champion in the history of the Jia Ma Empire." Looking at Xiao Yan seated on the sofa, both Fa Ma and Jia Xingtian smiled and bowed to him in unison.

Without doubt, in the eyes of these old monsters, Xiao Yan was now their equal.

"I don't want to talk about anything related to the Alchemist Convention," Xiao Yan said with a wry smile.

"Heh, fine then. I won't waste words. This is what you deserve." Fa Ma smiled lightly, then swept his hand over his storage ring. A purple-silver scroll appeared in his palm. He gently stroked its surface, reluctant, before handing it to Xiao Yan.

This was a Sixth-Rank Pill Formula—even the Jia Ma Empire's Alchemist Guild couldn't produce one. All Sixth-Rank Formulas were acquired through transactions with the Alchemist Guild in Zhong Zhou.

For example, Gu He had paid a huge price to purchase the Seven-Grade Pill—Transformation Pill—from the Alchemist Guild in Zhong Zhou when he traded with Medusa Queen.

Xiao Yan took the Fusion Spirit Pill Formula and said, "All my hard work has paid off. A Sixth-Rank Formula is worth no less than an Earth-Rank Low-Level Dou Technique."

Fa Ma then pulled out a silver-white robe and a Soul Token from his storage ring. "I know you haven't taken the Alchemist Rank examination, but your performance in the Convention surpassed the Fifth-Rank Alchemist test. So this Fifth-Rank Alchemist robe is yours. It's extremely precious, woven from rare medicinal herbs—wearing it will invigorate your spirit and sharpen your focus during Spirit Refining."

"And this Honor Elder Token is also part of your Champion reward. Don't underestimate this token—wherever you go, even in Zhong Zhou, it grants you the same privileges as an Elder of the Jia Ma Empire's Alchemist Guild."

"Though our Jia Ma Empire's Alchemist Guild isn't some great organization, it's certified by Dan Tower and can grant you certain conveniences abroad."

Xiao Yan didn't know that Gu He's ability to trade for a Seven-Grade Pill as a Sixth-Rank Alchemist was thanks entirely to this Honor Elder Token.

With this status, trading Medicinal Materials, Elixirs, and Pill Formulas became a matter of guaranteed credibility—a symbol of authority backed by the reputation of a nation's Alchemist Guild.

Xiao Yan received the robe and token with solemn care, nodding seriously. "Thank you, Master Fa Ma. Wherever I go, I will remember I hold this token."

Hearing this, Fa Ma nodded in satisfaction.

Xiao Yan was no ungrateful man. The Alchemist Convention had expended immense manpower and resources—not merely to observe which young talent had potential, but also to nurture them.

These three items before him were all extremely valuable—each a favor. Xiao Yan understood perfectly.

"Cough cough, Fa Ma, now that you're done, it's my turn," Jia Xingtian cleared his throat.

"Is that even worth mentioning?" Hai Bodong rolled his eyes at Jia Xingtian.

"Why isn't this worth mentioning? It's no small thing." Jia Xingtian flicked his storage ring, and a basket of assorted items suddenly appeared on the table—various Medicinal Materials, Scrolls, even Elixirs.

"What's this?" Xiao Yan asked, puzzled.

Hai Bodong said, "Yan Li's belongings. That old monster said you were the one who captured him, so everything belongs to you."

In truth, everyone present knew Yan Li's belongings should have been seized by the Imperial Treasury. Yan Li was a Fourth-Rank Peak Alchemist—his possessions were coveted by countless others.

Yet Jia Xingtian had given them all to Xiao Yan—his intent to curry favor was obvious.

Xiao Yan understood Jia Xingtian's hidden motive: he feared Xiao Yan might threaten the Imperial Family's position and was trying to win him over in advance.

"Then I won't be polite," Xiao Yan said, accepting without refusal—refusing would make the other suspect ulterior motives.

But Xiao Yan didn't take everything—only three key Fifth-Rank Medicinal Materials, one Fifth-Rank Pill Formula, and the Purple Heart Obstacle-Breaking Pill. He left the rest.

"By the way, Master Fa Ma, could you check if the Guild has these Medicinal Materials? I need to refine a Five-Grade Pill urgently." Xiao Yan waved his hand and wrote down the three remaining rare ingredients for the Spirit Replenishing Purple Pill on paper.

The hardest part of the Spirit Replenishing Purple Pill was gathering its Medicinal Materials.

Seeing Xiao Yan still focused on his own matters, Hai Bodong gave a look of quiet satisfaction—he hadn't misjudged the boy.

Fa Ma picked up the paper and glanced at it. "Purple Spirit Flower Nectar, Tianma Three-Leaf Grass, Black Dew Flower—these are all precious Fifth-Rank Medicinal Materials. They must be sourced from higher-tier Guilds, and the price won't be cheap. Moreover, materials of this level can't be bought with Gold Coins—you'll need Alchemist Points. Don't tell me you don't have any."

Xiao Yan smiled faintly. "No problem. As long as you or the other Vice Guild Masters have them."

Fa Ma gave him a flat look, annoyed. "You're pushing it. Even if I had them, I wouldn't just give them to you for free."

Xiao Yan gave a knowing smile. "Don't worry, Master. Tomorrow, you'll be chasing after me to give them to me."

"Huh?" Even Fa Ma, Hai Bodong, and Jia Xingtian were baffled.

Chasing after him to give away precious Medicinal Materials? Was Fa Ma insane?

Yet, not long after Xiao Yan left the Guild, an urgent announcement from the Mitel Pai Mai Chang spread through the entire Jia Ma Sheng Cheng—this explosive news even overshadowed the ongoing Alchemist Convention discussions.

"Kuang! The Heavenly-Class Auction Hall at Mitel Pai Mai Chang has opened!"

(End of Chapter)