C13 !

"Alright, everyone, please settle down."

In the midst of the commotion, the patriarch cleared his throat gently, bringing everyone back to the present. "The Alchemy Branch will be arriving shortly. What kind of impression are we making with all this noise?"

With those words, the hall fell into a hushed silence.

The crowd swiftly regained their composure.

"The Alchemy Branch?"

Ling Chen, taken aback, looked up at Ling Shan and asked, "Father, is today's esteemed guest from the Alchemy Branch?"

"Yes," Ling Shan confirmed with a nod. "A senior alchemist from the Alchemy Branch is coming... Apparently, he's here to take Ling Hui on as his apprentice."

A senior alchemist?

Taking Ling Hui as an apprentice?

Upon hearing this, Ling Chen's heart leapt.

He glanced at Ling Hui and saw that his face was beaming with a broad smile, radiating joy and satisfaction.

"The alchemist from the Alchemy Branch wants to take Ling Hui as an apprentice? Does this kid even have the aptitude for alchemy? I've never noticed it," Ling Chen mused, furrowing his brow as he scrutinized him. Despite looking him over from every angle, he couldn't see what made him stand out.

Just then, an elder seated to the right chuckled and remarked, "Fifth Elder, the master from the Alchemy Branch choosing Ling Hui as his apprentice is a cause for celebration! Once Ling Hui joins the Alchemy Branch, the Ling family will surely bask in his reflected glory!"

"Indeed, Fifth Elder. When you rise to prominence, please remember us," the elders teased with a laugh.

"I've always said Ling Hui has a remarkable presence destined for wealth and honor. It seems my predictions were spot-on!" The Chief Elder, usually reserved, joined in the rare bout of compliments.

For them, an alchemist was a figure of lofty status!

Now, with a potential alchemist emerging from within their ranks, they were eager to ingratiate themselves.

Ling Hui, basking in the elders' adulation, hummed through his nose and replied coolly, "Rest assured, uncles. I, Ling Hui, am born of the Ling family, and in death, I shall be its spirit. Should I, Ling Hui, rise to greatness one day, I will undoubtedly honor the nurturing kindness you've all shown me."

"Excellent!" As soon as he spoke, the elders around him burst into laughter: "Well said, indeed! That's exactly the kind of spirit we expect from someone in our Ling family!"

"I knew I wasn't mistaken. With Ling Hui among us, the Ling family is sure to enjoy at least another fifty years of prosperity!"

Basking in the elders' compliments, Ling Hui's demeanor grew even more smug. His gaze drifted towards Ling Chen, flaunting his perceived superiority.

Witnessing such arrogance...

Ling Chen couldn't help but shake his head.

The guy hadn't even become an alchemist yet, and he was already so full of himself. If he actually did become an alchemist, would Ling Xiao end up bowing down to polish his shoes?

"Enough, everyone. If you keep this up, Ling Hui's head will be in the clouds!" The Fifth Elder chuckled heartily, his eyes twinkling with delight.

"Fifth Elder, good news should be shared!" an elder chimed in with a beaming smile. "With the promising Ling Hui on our side, the Ling family will surely count on him in the future!"

"Indeed!" The Fifth Elder replied coolly. "Ling Hui is not like certain members of our family who do nothing but eat and drink at home without contributing a thing!"

At these words, the crowd exchanged glances, their eyes reflecting a mix of amusement and surprise.

Ling Chen let out a scoff.

The old man hadn't named names, but his insinuations were a clear jab at him and his father.

Ling Shan's eyes filled with frustration.

He knew the Fifth Elder's remarks were directed at him, yet he was powerless to counter them. At this point, he truly felt worthless.

Maybe it was the anger, but Ling Shan's body began to quiver slightly.

Just then, a hand reached out, gently patting the back of Ling Shan's hand. "Dad, patience is key to our grand strategy. They're just petty people; there's no need to get upset."

Ling Shan paused, looking up to see Ling Chen's reassuring smile.

A sudden, inexplicable warmth filled his heart.

Was his son comforting him?

A wry smile crossed Ling Shan's face, and the anger inside him subsided significantly.

I had certainly been a bit impulsive just now. If it hadn't been for Ling Chen's remark, I might have charged at the Fifth Elder in a fit of rage. In my current state, that would have only ended in further embarrassment.

"This kid, when did he get so level-headed?" Ling Shan turned around, eyeing his son with curiosity.

Yet there he sat, calmly, with a smile that never wavered despite the surrounding sneers.

...

While the Fifth Elder was busy boasting...

A servant stumbled in, breathless with urgency.

"Patriarch! The Alchemy Branch's master has arrived!"

"He's right at the doorstep!"

Upon hearing this, the old man's eyes sparkled with excitement, and he rose swiftly from his seat.

"Excellent! The master has finally come! Everyone, come with me to the Ling Residence entrance to greet the master!" he declared, striding out the door first.

The crowd quickly fell in step behind him.

Ling Chen followed as well, though his heart was heavy with discontent.

In his past life, wasn't it always others who greeted him with reverence? Now, here he was, an Almighty in his own right, going out to welcome a mere alchemist?

Life certainly had a way of turning the tables.

The group, led by the old man, made their way to the Ling Residence entrance.

A carriage was parked there, and from it descended an elderly man with white hair, dressed in alchemist's robes.

"It's him!" Ling Chen realized in astonishment.

This was none other than Master Lee—Lee Qingqiu, the very alchemist he had encountered at the Alchemy Branch!

So, he was the one interested in taking Ling Hui as a disciple?

Ling Chen was taken aback.

"You must be Master Lee!" The old man stepped forward, greeting him with a respectful bow. "I am Ling Xiao, Patriarch of the Ling Family. It is an honor to meet you, Master Lee!"

Lee Qingqiu paused, then responded with a warm smile, "Ah, so you are Ling Xiao. Forgive my earlier oversight."

He promptly assisted Ling Xiao to his feet.

There was no hint of condescension from him; rather, Master Lee's tone carried a note of respect.

This left the onlookers both flattered and surprised.

"Does Ling Hui hold such esteem that even Master Lee shows him such deference?"

"Indeed, Master Lee is a four-leaf alchemist and a senior consultant for the Alchemy Branch. Given his status, he could easily disregard our family head, yet he shows no contempt toward us whatsoever..."

"It looks like Ling Hui is truly on the fast track to success this time!"

The group murmured among themselves, with some already plotting to forge a strong relationship with Ling Hui once the current affair concluded.

The Fifth Elder approached with Ling Hui in tow, his face brimming with obsequiousness. "Master Lee, I am the Fifth Elder of the Ling family, and this is my son, Ling Hui."

"Oh, so you're Ling Hui?" Lee Qingqiu gave him a cursory glance.

"That's me!" Ling Hui responded with palpable excitement, bowing with his fists clasped before Lee Qingqiu. "Disciple Ling Hui, at your service, Master!"

Ling Hui's voice boomed, tinged with a note of boastfulness, as if he feared going unnoticed.

Lee Qingqiu's brow furrowed slightly, a touch of displeasure crossing his face. He hadn't yet taken him on as a disciple, so why the premature title of Master?

Nevertheless, he was there on important business, and it was best to avoid offending the Ling family if possible.

With this in mind, Lee Qingqiu gave Ling Hui an encouraging pat on the shoulder and smiled. "Well done, you certainly have the air of a gallant young hero!"

At Lee Qingqiu's commendation, Ling Hui's excitement intensified, and the Fifth Elder's grin widened. Witnessing this, the other elders couldn't help but emerge, all smiles, to gather around Lee Qingqiu.

"Seeing is believing! I've long admired Master Lee's renowned name but never had the opportunity to meet you. Truly, Master, you possess a commanding presence and youthful vigor!"

"Master Lee, I am the Second Elder of the Ling family. We once crossed paths at the Phoenix Pavilion Restaurant. Might you still recall that encounter?"

"Master Lee, I have a son who aspires to be an alchemist... Hehe, when might you have time to visit my home?"

The crowd buzzed with conversation, each person vying for Lee Qingqiu's attention, even mentioning minor incidents like an accidental shoulder bump during their walk as a topic of conversation.

Ling Chen couldn't help but chuckle wryly upon hearing the commotion.

Alchemists... They were always in high demand, regardless of the era!

So much so that even the patriarch of the Ling family found himself speechless and edged out by the crowd at that moment.

Lee Qingqiu, however, seemed indifferent to the others, his expression nonchalant as he casually engaged in conversation.

His eyes swept through the crowd, clearly searching for someone.

Suddenly, Lee Qingqiu's face lit up with joy, and he made his way quickly through the throng of people.

"Where has Master Lee gone off to?"

The crowd was bewildered.

Then they watched as Lee Qingqiu approached a young man, his face showing great respect. Amidst the astonished stares of the onlookers, he bowed deeply with his fists clasped.

"Lee Qingqiu pays his respects to Master Ling!"

Whoosh!

At those words, the crowd erupted into a frenzy.

The Fifth Elder and Ling Hui's eyes bulged in disbelief.

The Chief Elder stumbled, nearly falling over.

Even Ling Shan stood with his mouth agape, stunned by the unfolding scene.

Countless eyes turned their way, accompanied by a chorus of sharp intakes of breath.

And then, after the commotion...

There was a silence as profound as death.

In an instant, the entrance to the Ling Residence was as quiet as a tomb.