Chapter 55: The Alchemist Grand Convention

Chapter 55: The Alchemist Grand Gathering

"Oh, this is the beast flame of the Purple Crystal Winged Lion-King from the Magical Beast Mountain Range. At that time, it spat a mouthful of phlegm—ahem, spat a mouthful of fire at me, which almost roasted me to a crisp. Fortunately, at that critical moment, I plunged straight into the water, and combined with a few life-saving tricks, I managed to escape with my life. When I woke up, a bit of purple flame had mysteriously appeared inside my body," Xiao Se smiled, casually spewing his daily dose of nonsense.

"The Purple Crystal Winged Lion-King? No wonder. That is a Tier 6 magical beast, and its flame is something that can pose a threat even to Dou Huang powerhouses," Fyklan and Otto said upon hearing this, suddenly enlightened.

Seeming to realize that asking further wouldn't yield any real answers, Fyklan smiled, shook his head, and sighed: "Fine, fine. You little fellow's mouth is tightly sealed. After asking for so long, it was like saying nothing at all. Tell me, what brings you here?"

Hearing this, Xiao Se grinned, parting his thin lips slightly. Keeping his gaze fixed tightly on the two men, he smiled and said, "Two Grandmasters, I require three items. I wonder if you might be able to help me track them down. I am willing to trade of equal value."

"What items?"

"A Tier 3 magical beast's magic core, a Flame Receptor, and the Ice Spirit Cold Spring."

A Tier 3 magic core would have been fine, but upon hearing Xiao Se spit out the terms 'Flame Receptor' and 'Ice Spirit Cold Spring,' Otto and Fyklan, who had just been sipping their fragrant tea, spat the liquid straight out of their mouths. Fortunately, Xiao Se's perception was sharp, and he dodged out of the way beforehand; otherwise, he would have been drenched in tea right in the face.

"Cough, cough... Xiao Se, my apologies. I hope I didn't wet you," Otto said, pulling out a handkerchief to wipe the tea from his clothes, looking somewhat apologetic.

"It's no trouble at all," Xiao Se smiled and shook his head.

Fyklan likewise wiped the tea from his clothes, then looked at Xiao Se with a face full of astonishment. "Little fellow, a Tier 3 magic core is not difficult; the guild treasury has them ready-made. But the Flame Receptor and the Ice Spirit Cold Spring are extremely rare heavenly treasures. They cannot be measured simply by wealth, and even if someone possesses them, they won't easily part with them for trade."

"Please, just tell me who has them, and I am willing to visit them personally to negotiate a trade. If I fail, I shall have no regrets. These items are truly important to me," Xiao Se bowed slightly to the two men and pleaded.

Seeing Xiao Se so persistent, Fyklan frowned, exchanged a glance with Otto, and let out a light sigh. "Fine, fine. I don't have the Ice Spirit Cold Spring here, but I do possess a piece of the Flame Receptor. I can give it to you."

"Fyklan, you—" Hearing that Fyklan was about to hand over his prized possession, Otto wore an incredulous expression.

Fyklan waved his hand, stopping him with a gesture. "It's fine. Anyway, this thing has no other use with me. I am getting old, and rather than leaving it here to gather dust, it's better to give it to a young person who needs it."

Hearing that Fyklan possessed a Flame Receptor, Xiao Se quickly cupped his fists in gratitude. "Many thanks, Grandmaster Fyklan!"

"Hey, don't rush to thank me yet. I have a condition for giving you the Flame Receptor," Fyklan stood up, supported Xiao Se's hands, the corners of his mouth curving upward into a cunning smile.

Hearing this, Xiao Se frowned, silently sighing in his heart that pie indeed rarely fell from the sky for free. He then offered a dry laugh and said, "Grandmaster Fyklan, please speak."

"Tell me honestly, your ability shouldn't be limited to merely refining Tier 2 medicinal pills, am I right?" Fyklan, being an old and crafty fox, wore an even more cunning expression on his aged face as he asked with a smile.

"Uh—" Xiao Se nodded, knowing that if he didn't answer truthfully today, he wouldn't get the Flame Receptor. He then straightened his expression and said, "I can basically refine any medicinal pill up to Tier 3."

"As I thought," Fyklan sighed inwardly, then turned serious. "In about one year and two months, the imperial capital will host the once-every-four-years Alchemist Grand Gathering. At that time, not only will all the younger generation of alchemists from the Gama Empire gather, but surrounding countries will also participate. This is a rare and magnificent event, and I hope you will represent the Black Rock City Alchemist Guild in the competition."

"The Alchemist Grand Gathering?" Hearing this, Xiao Se was momentarily stunned. His thin lips parted as he clicked his tongue inwardly. "The Alchemist Grand Gathering held once every four years... right now, there are still two years and three months before Xiao Yan's annulment of engagement, and five years and three months until the Three-Year Agreement. One year and two months from now—isn't that precisely the previous Alchemist Grand Gathering that Xiao Yan participated in according to the original story?"

Seeing that Xiao Se was somewhat tempted, Otto, standing beside him, began to coax him step by step. "This is a rare and grand event in the alchemical world. At that time, not only can you win generous rewards, but you can also make a name for yourself. Even behemoths like the Gama Imperial Family and the Misty Cloud Sect will look upon you with favor and treat you as an honored guest."

"Very well, but at that time, I hope the two of you can help conceal my identity. Due to certain reasons, I prefer not to expose my identity to the public eye."

Joking aside, if Yun Yun also went to watch, recognized a familiar face, and pigeonholed him, this Mr. Xiao, as an outstanding junior, how was he supposed to flirt with her?

That door absolutely could not be opened.

And most importantly, whether it was the Gu Clan or the Hun Clan, both were secretly watching the Xiao Clan. Having finally slipped out, he had no desire to expose himself right under their noses.

As for the Hun Clan, Xiao Yan could just take the hits when the time came; this Mr. Xiao was much better suited for developing in the shadows.

"That's not a problem. As long as fairness is maintained during the competition, everything else is fine," Fyklan and Otto didn't think too deeply into it, considering that Xiao Se's master was already an immensely mysterious alchemist to begin with.

"I'll give you this Flame Receptor. The Tier 3 magic core will be sent to you tomorrow. As for the Ice Spirit Cold Spring, I'm afraid I can't help you there," Fyklan took out a jade box from his storage ring with a pained expression. He gripped it tightly in his hands for a moment before reluctantly handing it over.

"A great kindness requires no words of thanks. In the future, if Grandmaster Fyklan needs anything within my power, Xiao Se will not hesitate," Xiao Se took the jade box and opened it slightly. A gray stone the size of a thumb, radiating a faint gray light, came into view. This was a Flame Receptor, and moreover, a high-quality one. He cupped his fists in a salute and said gratefully.

Fyklan waved his hand, turned around, and walked with heavy steps toward the back room.

"Hehe, it seems the old fellow Fyklan is truly heartbroken this time. But a little fellow like you is destined not to be confined to a puddle; trading a Flame Receptor for a favor from you isn't much of a loss," Otto watched Fyklan walk into the back room, then chuckled at Xiao Se.

"Grandmaster Otto flatters me," Xiao Se put away the Flame Receptor and smiled bitterly.

"Sigh, I'm just speaking the truth. Although the Flame Receptor is precious, it has little use for two old fellows like us," Otto said with a hint of emotion.

Changing the topic, Otto frowned and asked, "Do you really need the Ice Spirit Cold Spring?"

"Mn. I need it very much," Xiao Se nodded heavily. He knew that Gu He's good-for-nothing younger brother, Gu Te, was about to make his appearance.

Sure enough, Otto's face twitched first, and then he smiled helplessly. "I do know someone who might have it, but I'm afraid you'll have to be prepared to get fleeced."

"I prepared myself for that a long time ago," with a faint smile, Xiao Se tucked the Flame Receptor into the storage ring on his left hand.

P.S.: Third chapter

(End of this chapter)