Chapter 711: Alchemist Level

After winding through a few alleys, Ye Wushuang arrived at a secluded courtyard. This was the home of Gao Yang and his father, a modest property passed down from their ancestors.

"It’s a bit humble, I’m truly sorry, Young Master."

Gao Fu felt extremely apologetic. In his eyes, someone of Ye Wushuang’s noble status could afford a luxurious inn with a single Elixir. It was a tremendous honor to host Ye Wushuang, and he dared not show the slightest neglect.

"It may be secluded, but it’s quiet. It’s quite nice." Ye Wushuang glanced around. The courtyard was tidy and rather peaceful.

"I’m glad you like it, Young Master!" Gao Fu was overjoyed to see that Ye Wushuang wasn’t displeased. He said to Gao Yang, "Gao Yang, go tidy up the room. Make sure it’s spotless."

Gao Yang hurried into the room to clean up.

And so, Ye Wushuang settled in. He was greatly looking forward to exploring this world of Exotic Fire.

Taking advantage of the downtime, Ye Wushuang began practicing Alchemy again to hone his skills.

The elixirs he refined were all Treasure Pills. He was also growing confident in his ability to refine Holy Pills.

After he finished his Alchemy, he put away the Dragon Blood Divine Cauldron, which was spouting Golden Flame.

’I need to buy a Pill Furnace. The Dragon Blood Divine Cauldron is excellent for refining, but it’s not wise to use it out in the open. Besides, the Dragon Blood Divine Cauldron is my foundational Dao. I can’t let anything happen to it.’

Crafting a Pill Furnace would have been easy for Ye Wushuang, but he was missing a few materials and had to abandon the idea.

He remained in his room for the entire night, only emerging the next day.

He happened to see Gao Yang practicing his punches in the courtyard. A single Elixir had cured his illness. His pale complexion was gone, replaced by a healthy, ruddy glow.

However, his punches were weak and his form was a mess.

"Young Master!"

Gao Yang stopped when he saw Ye Wushuang.

Ye Wushuang walked over. "You enjoy practicing your fists?"

At his words, Gao Yang nodded. "I’ve liked it since I was a kid, but I never had a chance because of my illness. Now that I’m better, I wanted to give it a try. I don’t have any real techniques, though, so I’m just messing around."

"It’s good to have a passion. I have a set of fist techniques here, give them a try." Ye Wushuang handed the Eight Kills of Battle to Gao Yang. It was the very first fist-based Combat Skill he had ever practiced.

Gao Yang took it and was immediately captivated. He cradled the manual for the Eight Kills of Battle as if it were a priceless treasure, thanking Ye Wushuang profusely.

"You can start your Cultivation. I’m heading out for a bit."

Ye Wushuang smiled faintly.

Gao Yang said quickly, "Whatever you need, Young Master, just send me to do it."

Ye Wushuang waved it off. "It’s nothing important. I’m just going to buy a Pill Furnace for my Alchemy."

"Young Master, if you want to buy a Pill Furnace, I know a place! It’s called the Trading House. They have the best Pill Furnaces, and they’re the most reputable."

"The Trading House?"

Ye Wushuang’s eyes narrowed. He wasn’t missing many more ingredients for the Nine Spirit Heavenly Essence Pill. Perhaps he could find the rest there.

"Take me there," Ye Wushuang said. Gao Yang nodded and led him out of the courtyard, heading toward the Trading House.

Along the way, he explained the local lore and major affairs of Wutang City to Ye Wushuang, including the distribution of power among its factions.

In Wutang City, aside from the great Wu Family, there were three other major powers: the Trading House, the Wutang Alchemist Guild, and the Celestial Auction House.

The Wu Family, which also held the position of City Lord, was slightly more powerful than the other three. Of course, the most crucial factor was that the Wu Family had several Ninth-Level Alchemists among its ranks.

Ye Wushuang was also curious about the Alchemist Levels. After inquiring, he learned that one could only be officially called a Pill Master after refining Treasure Pills and receiving an Alchemist Badge from the Alchemist Guild.

Pill Masters were divided into nine levels. For example, someone who could refine a First-Grade Treasure Pill was a First-Level Alchemist, while someone who could refine a Nine-Grade Treasure Pill was a Ninth-Level Alchemist. Above the Ninth Level was the rank of Pill King.

’So that’s how the ranks are divided. I wonder what my level would be?’

Ye Wushuang mused to himself. He could refine Nine-Grade Treasure Pills with ease and was confident he could refine Holy Pills as well—all he lacked were the ingredients and an opportunity to try. By that measure, his current level should be equivalent to a Pill King.

"Young Master, this is the Wu Family’s estate!"

While Ye Wushuang was lost in thought, Gao Yang stopped and pointed to a large gate beside them.

Ye Wushuang looked over and saw two guards standing solemnly, their brows raised in a look of condescending arrogance.

On the gate above were the two large words "Wu Mansion".

"Young Master, the Wu Family Patriarch, Wu Rongyuan, is a Ninth-Level Alchemist and a Pseudo-Saint Level expert. Aside from him, the two young ladies of the Wu Family are also quite famous. The elder young lady, Wu Lanlan, is a renowned genius who reached the level of a Seventh-Level Alchemist in her twenties. As for the second young lady, Wu Qianqian..."

At this point, Gao Yang paused for a moment before continuing, "The second young lady was also an alchemy genius, but she contracted a strange illness ten years ago. Ever since then, she hasn’t been able to practice Alchemy, and her health has been deteriorating."

"Oh?" Ye Wushuang asked, intrigued. "What kind of strange illness?"

"I heard it’s an extreme cold affliction. It flares up periodically, freezing her entire body. The Wu Family even brought in a Pill King, but he couldn’t cure her either."

Gao Yang explained, sighing with a hint of pity as if he knew more.

"That’s right!" Suddenly, Gao Yang thought of something and turned to Ye Wushuang. "Young Master, you can refine Nine-Grade Treasure Pills! Maybe you could treat her! I heard the Wu Family is offering a huge reward for curing the second young lady—they might even give out a Holy Medicine!"

Hearing this, a glint flashed in Ye Wushuang’s eyes. After a moment’s thought, he strode forward.

"Halt!" one of the guards barked as Ye Wushuang approached the Wu Family’s main gate.

Gao Yang quickly stepped forward. "Sirs, my Young Master is here to diagnose the second young lady’s illness. Could you please announce our arrival?"

"Diagnose her illness? Do you have an Alchemist Badge?" a guard asked, sweeping his gaze over Ye Wushuang.

"No."

Ye Wushuang uttered the single word.

"No Alchemist Badge, and you claim you’re here to diagnose an illness? Are you messing with us?" The two guards’ faces darkened as they barked, "Get lost!"

"You..."

Gao Yang was furious at their rudeness.

"What’s all this shouting so early in the morning?"

As the guards were shouting, a woman in a green dress emerged from the gate with a grim expression.

"Eldest Young Lady!"

Upon seeing her, the two guards’ expressions changed instantly, and they bowed respectfully.

Wu Lanlan glanced at Ye Wushuang, then turned to the guards. "What’s going on?"

"Reporting to the Eldest Young Lady, this brat came to the Wu Mansion to cause trouble and even insulted our family. We were preparing to drive him away to defend the Wu Family’s honor, but he threatened to strike us."

The two guards glanced at Ye Wushuang and spoke with righteous indignation, putting on a show of complete loyalty.

"He threatened to strike you?"

Wu Lanlan’s lovely eyes darkened.

"It’s a misunderstanding, Eldest Young Lady! My Young Master is here to diagnose the second young lady. He’s a Pill Master, he just doesn’t have an Alchemist Badge," Gao Yang hurriedly explained.

"You have a way to treat my sister’s illness?" Wu Lanlan sized up Ye Wushuang, her tone skeptical. ’He can practice Alchemy without an Alchemist Badge?’

"I’m confident," Ye Wushuang replied calmly.

"Then follow me. If you have a method, you’ll be rewarded," Wu Lanlan said, her tone arrogant and discourteous. ’He’s just an ordinary Pill Master. How capable could he possibly be?’

"I’m no longer interested."

However, Ye Wushuang simply shook his head and turned to leave, infuriating Wu Lanlan.

"You insolent brat!" With ferocious expressions, the two guards charged at Ye Wushuang. Wu Lanlan didn’t stop them. ’It’s time someone taught him a lesson.’

SLAP! SLAP!

The sound of two sharp slaps echoed. The two charging guards were sent flying, crashing into the main gate with a pair of loud THUDS. They lay on the ground, clutching their bloodied faces and wailing in agony.

"Arrogant fools."

With a soft snort, Ye Wushuang turned and walked away.

"Stop!"

Wu Lanlan was furious. How dare he brazenly strike the Wu Family guards right in front of her? It was as if she didn’t exist! She took a step forward, intending to block Ye Wushuang’s path.

"Scram!"

Ye Wushuang turned and roared, the force of his voice alone knocking Wu Lanlan back a dozen steps. His cold gaze pierced her heart like two sharp swords, causing her to tremble and freeze in place.

"Ignorant!"

Ye Wushuang tossed the word over his shoulder and left with the stunned Gao Yang. ’With that kind of arrogant attitude, I wouldn’t help them even if they knelt and begged, let alone for some paltry reward.’

"He... he actually yelled at me!"

Wu Lanlan stared after the departing Ye Wushuang, her expression growing uglier by the second. In all of Wutang City, not even her own father had ever yelled at her, yet she had just been shouted at by a strange man.

’I’m furious! How dare a fraud like him yell at me? How dare he call me ignorant? Does he really think he’s so great? He better hope I never see him again.’

After a long moment, Wu Lanlan finally snapped out of it, her anger completely uncontrollable.