"So you're saying this is my fault?"
Lin Xuan let out a cold laugh, then turned to Xiao Lü: "Just apologize, and this matter is over."
Xiao Lü was furious at his words, but recalling the power of his earlier palm strike, she shuddered and her anger subsided somewhat. Still, she couldn't bring herself to apologize and lose face in front of everyone. Her gaze shifted to Mo Ruyan.
Seeing this, Mo Ruyan was about to say something more when an aged voice rang out from inside the door.
"What's all this racket at the guild entrance? What a disgrace!"
An old man in a black alchemist robe, with graying hair, stepped out. He swept his gaze across the crowd and barked coldly. On his chest was an engraved cauldron with a five-pointed star, both in silver—clearly marking him as an Earth-grade lower-tier alchemist. In the martial world, alchemists generally held far higher status than ordinary warriors, and Earth-grade alchemists were not to be underestimated even by Spirit Origin realm experts.
"Master Ren Yuan!"
"Greetings, Master Ren Yuan!"
The crowd quickly bowed in respect.
"What happened here?" Master Ren Yuan asked coldly, scanning the crowd.
Xiao Lü quickly explained, "Master Ren Yuan, it's like this. This man blocked Miss Mo's path. I just said a few words to him, and he injured many guests of our Alchemist Guild and even tried to teach me a lesson. If you hadn't arrived in time, I would have been hit too."
With Master Ren Yuan's appearance, Xiao Lü seemed to find her backbone, no longer afraid, and began spouting nonsense.
"Is that so?" Master Ren Yuan remained calm, unmoved.
Lin Xuan, hearing the murmurs around him, learned that Master Ren Yuan was an Earth-grade alchemist. But so what? He still wasn't afraid.
"Twisting black and white, you're quite skilled at it. I won't waste words. If you believe her, I can't explain myself either. Then I'll just leave, alright?" Lin Xuan sneered, saying no more. If this was how it was, he had no interest in the Alchemist Guild. He'd just copy Master Ren Yuan's treasures later. His alchemy talent was top-notch even in the entire Red Sun Domain. He didn't need an alchemist rank certificate; he could buy materials and refine pills himself to earn enough cultivation resources.
Master Ren Yuan glanced at Lin Xuan and Xiao Lü, said nothing, and reached out. From a corner above the door, a fist-sized, grayish crystal fell into his hand.
A recording crystal.
Lin Xuan's expression tightened. He had heard of recording crystals—they could record images for a period of time, like a video recorder from his past life. Of course, the clarity couldn't compare, but in this ancient-like martial world, it was impressive. Though it had no other uses, it was still valuable. A piece this large would be unaffordable for many Spirit Origin realm experts, yet it was casually placed on the door. The Alchemist Guild was indeed filthy rich.
Lin Xuan sighed inwardly. With this recording crystal, things could be clarified.
Master Ren Yuan infused a thread of spiritual energy into the crystal. Instantly, it emitted a beam of light, projecting a translucent image like a projector. It replayed everything that had happened at several times speed. Though fast, the martial artists present could still see clearly.
Seeing the image, Xiao Lü turned pale, trembling, cold sweat dripping. She stammered, "Master Ren Yuan, it's my fault. I shouldn't have looked down on others!"
"Apologize now! If there's a next time, you're fired!" Master Ren Yuan barked.
Xiao Lü glanced at Mo Ruyan, who shook her head, indicating she could do nothing. Master Ren Yuan was an Earth-grade alchemist like her grandfather; her status meant nothing. Plus, they weren't in the right, so she couldn't say more. The others, seeing Master Ren Yuan take charge, shrank back in fear.
Reluctantly, Xiao Lü walked up to Lin Xuan and said quietly, "Guest, I'm sorry. It was my fault."
Lin Xuan replied coldly, "We've never met, and there was no grudge between us. If you'd apologized earlier, none of this would have happened." He then ignored her.
Xiao Lü returned to Mo Ruyan's side. Mo Ruyan snorted and led her into the Alchemist Guild.
"Young friend, your martial talent is quite remarkable!" Master Ren Yuan didn't leave immediately. He placed the recording crystal back and smiled at Lin Xuan.
As a Spirit Origin realm expert and alchemist, his insight far surpassed the Condensation Realm warriors present. He could tell at a glance that Lin Xuan was only at the third layer of the Condensation Realm, but his foundation was unmatched in Wind Cloud City, even among Spirit Origin realm experts. Combined with the recording crystal's footage—one palm strike killing several late-stage Condensation Realm warriors—his combat power exceeded most peak Condensation Realm warriors and could rival ordinary early-stage Spirit Opening Realm experts. This was extraordinary. Even as an Earth-grade alchemist who had seen countless geniuses, Lin Xuan was among the top tier, worthy of special treatment.
"Thank you for the praise, Master Ren Yuan," Lin Xuan replied with a smile. It seemed that aside from a few blemishes, the Alchemist Guild wasn't bad.
His gaze swept over Master Ren Yuan.
*Whoosh!*
"Name: Ren Yuan." "Cultivation: Spirit Origin Realm, first layer." "Talents: Spirit-grade cultivation talent, Spirit-grade alchemy talent, Supreme-grade strength talent, High-grade speed talent, Supreme-grade sword talent, High-grade wind attribute talent, High-grade sharp metal attribute talent, Supreme-grade crimson fire attribute talent, High-grade thick earth attribute talent, Supreme-grade green wood attribute talent." "Martial Arts: Azure Fire Spirit Sword Art (Seventh-rank upper, Minor Completion), Flame Manipulation Art (Seventh-rank mid, Minor Completion), Blazing Fire Cloud Palm (Seventh-rank mid, Minor Completion), Wind Feather Phantom Step (Seventh-rank mid, Minor Completion)..." "Intent: Two and a half percent Sword Intent, forty percent Fire Intent, forty percent Wood Intent, twenty percent Wind Intent, twenty percent Metal Intent." "Carried Treasures: None."
Staring at the attribute panel floating before him, Lin Xuan was stunned. This was the highest-grade and most abundant treasure panel he had ever seen. No wonder Earth-grade alchemists were so wealthy. This panel would likely rival even the top brass of the Cloud Sect. Then, joy surged through him. He had over two million energy points saved up, plenty to copy a massive wave.