The Imperial Capital, Alchemist Guild.
The Alchemist Guild building had a rather unique design; its overall shape broadly resembled a Medicine Cauldron.
Around the building, windows were set up like the fire vents of a Medicine Cauldron, and a massive cauldron lid sloped down from the high roof, covering the rooms below.
Above the light purple sandalwood plaque, five ancient characters, slightly blurred, shimmered with a faint glow.
[Alchemist Guild]
Xiao Ting arrived at the entrance of the Imperial Capital's Alchemist Guild with two Xiao Family Disciples.
As the Xiao Family Head, Xiao Ting was one of the four great Families in the Imperial Capital, and also a Dou King powerhouse, one of the top ten powerhouses in the Jia Ma Empire.
The Alchemist Guild's guards naturally wouldn't stop them, for who would dare offend a Dou King?
"Clan Leader Xiao, what brings you here?"
A spirited old man walked over.
He wore an Alchemist robe with a Medicine Cauldron on his head and an emblem with five mercury-like ripples on his chest.
He greeted Xiao Ting very politely.
"Haha, Vice President Fa Ma, long time no see, how have you been recently?" Xiao Ting dared not be careless in front of this old man.
This Fa Ma was no ordinary person; he was a Fifth Rank Alchemist and also a Dou King powerhouse.
His cultivation was on par with Xiao Ting's, an existence Xiao Ting could not afford to slight.
"Good, good, Clan Leader Xiao is still as vigorous as ever.
What brings you to the Alchemist Guild?
Are you here to perform Alchemy?" Fa Ma said with a chuckle.
Xiao Ting: "I'm here to see President Wang, to request that President Wang refine a Elixir."
"Oh ~ so that's it.
Then you've come at the right time.
President Wang happens to be free right now and is in the Guild.
Follow me."
Fa Ma led Xiao Ting to the top floor of the Alchemist Guild, the highest hall of the Jia Ma Empire's Alchemist Guild, where the President of the Jia Ma Empire's Alchemist Guild resided.
"Clan Leader Xiao, please wait a moment while I knock on the door," Fa Ma said with a smile.
Xiao Ting did not act presumptuously and cupped his hands to Fa Ma, saying, "Thank you for your trouble, Mr. Fa Ma."
"It's nothing, nothing."
Fa Ma went to the door and knocked.
"Who is it?"
An aged voice came from within the door.
"President Wang, it's Fa Ma.
The Xiao Family Head has come to see you about something," Fa Ma said loudly.
"Oh, haha — oh — oh — why is Old Xiao here to see me?
Let him in." The aged voice came again.
Fa Ma opened the door and gestured for Xiao Ting to enter.
"Wait outside, and give me the items," Xiao Ting said to the two Xiao Family Disciples behind him.
"Yes!"
Xiao Ting walked in, holding an exquisite wooden box.
After Xiao Ting entered, Fa Ma closed the door.
"Let's go down and wait," Fa Ma said to the two Xiao Family Disciples.
The three then left.
The interior decoration of the room was very unique.
Unlike the luxury outside, the Alchemist Guild President's room was unexpectedly simple, appearing to have a quaint and ancient charm.
A grey-robed old man sat cross-legged in the center of the room.
In front of him was a rather large Medicine Cauldron, which still had some red marks on it, indicating it had just been used.
A rich Elixir fragrance still permeated the air.
"Is President Wang performing Alchemy?
Did I disturb you?
If I disturbed your Alchemy, I wouldn't be able to bear the responsibility," Xiao Ting said, bowing to President Wang.
"Haha, no, I had already finished refining the Elixir before you arrived and was about to rest for a while before continuing.
You've come at just the right time.
Tell me, what is it?"
The grey-robed old man said with a chuckle.
He didn't have the arrogant Aura typical of ordinary Alchemists; instead, he was very amiable.
"President Wang, a small gift.
Please accept it with a smile," Xiao Ting said, pushing the wooden box forward.
President Wang glanced at it, activated his Dou Zhi Qi with his palm, and drew the wooden box over, opening it to look inside.
"Hoh!
Clear Body Grass!
One of the main Materials for refining the Sixth Rank top-tier Elixir, Clear Soul Pill, and two Fifth-tier Beast Cores.
Hmm, not bad.
Tell me, what Elixir do you want to refine?
A Dou Ling Pill or something else?"
President Wang did not put away the wooden box, as he was curious why Xiao Ting had brought out these good things.
Xiao Ting cupped his hands to President Wang: "Please, President Wang, refine a Qi Gathering Powder for me.
I have already prepared the medicinal Materials."
"Huh?
Qi Gathering Powder?
That's all?" President Wang was also stunned.
He had originally thought Xiao Ting would ask him to refine a Dou Ling Pill, or perhaps a Thunder-attribute Elixir suitable for his cultivation.
But President Wang racked his brains and couldn't have imagined that he would be asked to refine a mere Qi Gathering Powder.
"Ah, cough, cough.
Old Xiao, tell me, why do you want to refine Qi Gathering Powder?
Although Qi Gathering Powder is a Fourth Rank Elixir, there are quite a few Alchemists in this Alchemist Guild who can refine it."
President Wang felt he had been a bit rude just now and quickly asked Xiao Ting why.
Xiao Ting bowed to President Wang: "To be frank, President Wang, my grandson Xiao Li is now at the Ninth Stage Dou Zhi Qi.
He is only nine years old this year.
I wish to ask you to personally refine a Elixir to help him.
I want to ask President Wang to refine Qi Gathering Powder and, at the same time, refine a Spirit Origin Foundation Establishment Pill for my grandson, to give him a good Foundation Establishment."
President Wang stroked his right hand over his beard: "Nine years old, Ninth Stage Dou Zhi Qi?
Interesting.
Qi Gathering Powder is easy to say; with your wealth, Old Xiao, you could buy a hundred of them and eat them like meals.
This Spirit Origin Foundation Establishment Pill is a Fifth Rank Peak Elixir; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it a Sixth Rank.
Its Rank is similar to the Dou Ling Pill, but its medicinal Materials are even rarer than the Dou Ling Pill.
Its value is so high that you might not be able to afford it, you know."
Listening to President Wang's tone, it didn't sound like a refusal, so Xiao Ting chose to continue to strive.
"For my grandson's future, this old bones of mine can still manage to stir up some years.
If I make a trip to the Black-Corner Region for some 'black-on-black' dealings, I presume I can afford this Elixir."
President Wang stroked his beard with a smile: "I didn't expect you to care so much about this grandson.
Sigh ~ it's really good to have children.
I'm used to being alone, and I'm actually a little envious of you, old fellow, for having such a good grandson.
Alright then, let this old man personally go and see your grandson.
If he suits my taste, the Elixir and such are easy to discuss."
"Thank you!" Xiao Ting bowed again in gratitude.
"Let's go." President Wang tidied his clothes, then took out his Alchemist robe from his storage ring and put it on.
"President Wang, please!" Xiao Ting said respectfully to President Wang.
On the Fighting Qi Continent, Alchemists held a transcendent status; almost everyone had to curry favor with Alchemists, which also fostered a group of Alchemists with poor conduct.
But this Great Master Wang was different.
He was humorous and witty, without airs, and had a forthright personality, enjoying excellent popularity throughout the Jia Ma Empire.
President Wang: "Clan Leader Xiao, what is your grandson's Dou Zhi Qi attribute?"
Xiao Ting: "It's Fire, Fire-attribute Dou Zhi Qi.
To tell you the truth, my grandson is extraordinarily gifted.
At the Realm of Ninth Stage Dou Zhi Qi, he learned the Profound Rank Low-tier Dou Technique, Fire Cloud Palm.
It's truly terrifying."
President Wang stroked his beard: "Oh? Such talent?
How is your grandson's Soul talent?"
Xiao Ting was stunned: "President Wang, that's a difficult question for me.
I am not an Alchemist, and I don't understand much about the Dao of Soul.
But my grandson's Soul talent should be very good.
He is different from other children; he became sensible very early."
President Wang chuckled: "I hope he can give this old man a surprise."