"Ding! Consumed 10,000 energy points. Copy successful. Obtained [Spiritual-Grade Alchemy Talent]." "Ding! Consumed 10,000 energy points. Copy successful. Obtained [Azure Flame Fire Spirit Sword Art (Seventh-Grade Upper, Minor Mastery)]." "Ding! Consumed 10,000 energy points. Copy successful. Obtained [Wood Essence]." "..." In an instant, he had copied all the treasures from Master Ren Yuan.
Among them, the main items were talents and essences. As for martial arts, Lin Xuan only copied the highest-grade one, the Seventh-Grade Upper Azure Flame Fire Spirit Sword Art, and the Seventh-Grade Middle Flame Control Art, which was specifically for alchemy. He didn't copy the rest. The martial arts he already had were also Seventh-Grade, albeit lower-grade, but since he was only at the early Condensing Whirlpool Realm, they were sufficient for now. He wouldn't waste energy points unnecessarily; it was better to wait until he encountered other Seventh-Grade Upper martial arts to copy. After all, Seventh-Grade martial arts, including lower, middle, and upper grades, were all equivalent to Seventh-Grade treasures and consumed the same amount of energy points—ten thousand each. He naturally knew how to choose.
This time, another seven hundred thousand energy points were depleted. A hint of satisfaction flashed in Lin Xuan's eyes. This would significantly boost his potential, talent, and strength. This opportunity couldn't have come at a better time. He would use them later. With Master Ren Yuan, a Spiritual Origin Realm expert, nearby, it wouldn't be good if he noticed anything unusual. And all of this happened in an instant, so naturally, no one detected a thing.
"Not bad, not bad." Seeing Lin Xuan's calm and composed demeanor, Master Ren Yuan couldn't help but praise him again. In Windcloud City, other Condensing Whirlpool Realm martial artists, and even Opening Spirit Realm ones, all acted timid and submissive in his presence. Someone like Lin Xuan was rarely seen. Such a temperament only highlighted Lin Xuan's extraordinary nature.
"May I ask your name, young friend?" Master Ren Yuan inquired further. "This junior is Lin Xuan. I must thank Master Ren Yuan for stepping in this time." Lin Xuan replied with a smile. "This is the Alchemist Guild's fault. There's no need for you to blame yourself." Master Ren Yuan said with a light laugh.
After that, Lin Xuan chatted with Master Ren Yuan for a while. Their exchange felt like peers conversing. Upon learning that Lin Xuan was a disciple of Flowing Cloud Sect, Master Ren Yuan praised him again. The surrounding martial artists were stunned by the scene. The usually aloof Earth-Grade Alchemist Master Ren Yuan was actually so kind to a junior at the Condensing Whirlpool Realm. They couldn't help but wonder if they were hallucinating. After a long moment, they confirmed it was real. Their hearts shook violently. For Master Ren Yuan to treat him this way, this person's potential must be extraordinarily high, beyond imagination. The martial artists were deeply shaken, their gazes toward Lin Xuan filled with fear and envy. But they dared not provoke him anymore. Someone valued by Master Ren Yuan was beyond their reach.
After a few more exchanges, Master Ren Yuan suddenly asked: "Lin Xuan, what brings you to the Alchemist Guild today?" "This junior has a keen interest in the Dao of Alchemy and came to take the exam for an alchemist badge." Lin Xuan replied seriously. "Oh? You've dabbled in the Dao of Alchemy as well?" Master Ren Yuan looked surprised. Though he had guessed as much when he saw Lin Xuan at the guild's entrance, hearing him say it still astonished him. Lin Xuan's martial arts talent was exceptional; among the countless geniuses he had encountered, few could match him. In martial arts, his potential was limitless. But if he also had talent in alchemy, that would be downright monstrous. Then Master Ren Yuan calmed down. Judging by Lin Xuan's attitude, he was clearly more focused on martial arts, with alchemy being just an interest. That made sense.
Subsequently, Master Ren Yuan steered the conversation toward the Dao of Alchemy. Though Lin Xuan had only recently entered the alchemy path, he had a solid foundation. With his alchemy talent enhanced, he also had relevant insights. He answered easily and casually. Master Ren Yuan grew even more amazed. "Lin Xuan, it seems your alchemy talent is not bad either. If you can delve into alchemy, it will greatly benefit your martial arts." Master Ren Yuan said cheerfully, increasingly pleased with Lin Xuan. "Thank you for your guidance, Master Ren Yuan."
After chatting a bit more, Master Ren Yuan said: "I'm usually at the guild. If you want to discuss alchemy, you can come find me here. This is my token, and here's a copy of the alchemy basics I used back in the day. Take them both." With that, he took out a gray token engraved with a cauldron and a worn, tattered book, handing them to Lin Xuan. Lin Xuan was momentarily stunned, then quickly bowed in thanks: "Thank you for your guidance, senior. This junior will remember it." He accepted them. He hadn't expected Master Ren Yuan to give him such a generous gift. But since these were useful to him, he couldn't refuse. He would just have to remember this and repay the favor later. It seemed the Alchemist Guild was quite commendable.
After a few more words, Master Ren Yuan turned and walked into the Alchemist Guild. The crowd was shocked to see Master Ren Yuan hand his token to Lin Xuan, some unable to believe it. As an Earth-Grade Alchemist, even Spiritual Origin Realm experts had to treat Master Ren Yuan with respect and not underestimate him. Many Spiritual Origin Realm cultivators might not even receive Master Ren Yuan's token. Yet this Condensing Whirlpool Realm youth had been given one. Did this mean that, in Master Ren Yuan's eyes, this Condensing Whirlpool Realm youth outweighed some Spiritual Origin Realm experts? The crowd was deeply shaken, incredulous.
Lin Xuan paid them no mind. He put away the gray book and token and walked into the Alchemist Guild. As he stepped inside, a refreshing fragrance hit him. His spirits lifted, and he looked around. Before him was a vast hall, bustling with people, far more spacious than it appeared from the outside. "Is this spatial folding technology?" Lin Xuan glanced around, his heart jolting. The interior space was clearly several times larger than the exterior suggested. This was the spatial folding technology that countless nations in his previous life had spent decades pursuing, unable to even grasp its basics. Yet here it was in the Alchemist Guild. It seemed this martial world had many more advanced aspects than the technological world of his past. It also highlighted the profound depth of the Alchemist Guild. After all, even Flowing Cloud Sect lacked such technology. That said a lot. Lin Xuan grew more cautious, taking the Alchemist Guild even more seriously. Then he calmed down. He scanned the area; this was his first time at the Alchemist Guild. The outer area was a hall, likely the outer chamber. Shelves lined the walls, displaying various pills for sale. Further back were counters where guild staff recorded things. It was quite similar to some halls in Flowing Cloud Sect.