98: Chapter 98 Lin Xueying of Wanbaolou

"So… so magnificent… it's almost as if water could be squeezed out of it!"

He clicked his tongue in secret, quickly reigning in his wandering thoughts and daring not to look any further.

In the Immortal Realm, as a Cultivator's cultivation realm increased, their Physical Body would undergo tempering, and their appearance and figure would also tend towards perfection.

However, someone like the woman before him, who interpreted perfection to the extreme, was extremely rare.

"Young Miss!"

Upon seeing the woman in the blue dress, the maid hurriedly bowed and saluted, her attitude exceptionally respectful.

The woman in the blue dress nodded slightly, her lotus steps shifting lightly as she arrived in front of Baili Yunche.

Her gaze swept over Baili Yunche, a flash of curiosity and scrutiny flitting through her eyes.

"What happened?"

she asked once more, her voice clear, cold, and pleasant.

The maid hurriedly recounted the whole sequence of events from beginning to end.

After listening, the woman in the blue dress pondered for a moment, then turned to Baili Yunche and introduced herself, "Greetings, Young Master. I am Lin Xueying, the manager of the Lieyang City branch of Wanbao Pavilion."

Although her voice was cold and clear, it carried a gentle warmth that felt like a spring breeze, involuntarily stirring one's favorable impression.

"Regarding what happened just now, Wanbao Pavilion failed to host you properly and could not meet Young Master's needs. Xueying offers her apologies to you here."

Lin Xueying bowed slightly, her attitude sincere.

Baili Yunche waved his hand and gave a bitter smile, "It's fine. Since your esteemed pavilion does not have xuanbing grass, I will take my leave and look for another way."

Finishing his words, he turned around and prepared to leave.

However, Lin Xueying reached out and stopped him, "Wait!"

"I wonder what else Miss Lin has?"

Baili Yunche stopped in his tracks and asked with doubt.

A sharp glint flashed through Lin Xueying's beautiful eyes as she asked, "I wonder what Young Master needs xuanbing grass for? Why are you in such a rush?"

"Of course it's used for Alchemy!"

Baili Yunche muttered inwardly, Wasn't this obvious? Buying Spirit Medicine not to use for Alchemy, could it be used for stir-frying vegetables?

A flash of surprise crossed Lin Xueying's beautiful eyes.

That was because xuanbing grass was generally used in Grade 3 Medicinal Pills, while Grade 2 Medicinal Pills rarely used it.

The young man before her, who looked to be only around twenty, actually needed xuanbing grass for Alchemy? Could he be a Grade 3 Alchemist?

How could this be possible?

A Grade 3 Alchemist was already a top-tier existence in a border town like Lieyang City.

Throughout the entire Lieyang City, Grade 3 Alchemists could be counted on one's fingers, and every single one of them was an elderly man over fifty years old. How could there be someone so young?

"Could Young Master be an Alchemist?"

Lin Xueying couldn't help asking, her voice carrying a hint of probing.

Hearing this, Baili Yunche couldn't help rolling his eyes and retorted unhappily, "Nonsense! If I'm not an Alchemist, what would I buy xuanbing grass for? To steep tea and drink it?"

Although his tone was not very polite, Lin Xueying was not annoyed at all. Instead, she flashed a charming smile, like melting ice and snow with flowers blooming all at once.

"Do not blame me, Young Master; it was Xueying who was abrupt,"

she chuckled softly, "Since Young Master is an Alchemist, Xueying actually knows a way to obtain xuanbing grass."

"Oh?"

Baili Yunche's eyes lit up as he hurriedly asked, "What way?"

Lin Xueying slowly explained, "The Alchemist Guild of Lieyang City is currently holding a Youth Alchemist Convention. Any Alchemist whose age does not exceed thirty can participate."

"The purpose of this competition is to promote the Alchemy skills of the young Cultivators in Lieyang City and discover Alchemy Geniuses. The reward for winning first place in the competition is precisely xuanbing grass."

"xuanbing grass?"

Baili Yunche's heart stirred.

"That's right."

Lin Xueying nodded, "Aside from xuanbing grass, there are also massive Spirit Stone rewards. The first place winner of the grand tournament will even have the opportunity to receive guidance from a Grade 3 Alchemist."

She paused and said with a beaming smile, "Since Young Master says you are an Alchemist, why not go give it a try? The competition will be held tomorrow, and it's still not too late to go register now."

Hearing this, Baili Yunche was overjoyed in his heart!

His uncle's condition could still hold out for three days, and the competition was tomorrow—there was plenty of time!

If he could win first place in the competition, not only would he get xuanbing grass, but he would also obtain other rewards. It was truly killing two birds with one stone!

"Many thanks to Young Miss Lin for informing me of this news. I am endlessly grateful!"

Baili Yunche cupped his fists in salute, his eyes filled with gratitude.

"Young Master is too polite."

Lin Xueying smiled slightly, "However, Young Master has yet to tell me your name?"

"This one is Baili Yunche."

Baili Yunche answered truthfully.

"Baili Yunche?"

A peculiar look flashed through Lin Xueying's beautiful eyes as she murmured softly, "A Disciple of the Baili Family…"

She seemed to have thought of something, and a meaningful glint flashed through her gaze.

"I am truly sorry for making Baili Yunche Young Master unhappy today. I will give you a twenty percent discount on these Spirit Medicine."

Lin Xueying said with a beaming smile.

Baili Yunche was inwardly delighted. Only a fool wouldn't take advantage of a bargain.

"Then many thanks, Miss Lin."

Baili Yunche cupped his hands and smiled.

Baili Yunche paid the Spirit Stones, accepted the medicinal herbs, and cupped his fists once more, "Young Miss Lin, this one will take his leave and come pay a visit another day!"

Finishing his words, he turned around and strode away, his figure quickly disappearing at the end of the street.

Lin Xueying stood at the doorway, watching Baili Yunche leave as a pensive light flickered within her beautiful eyes.

"Baili Yunche… How interesting. Wasn't he that trash with a Grade 9 Spiritual Root from the Baili Family ten years ago… Could he actually be an Alchemist as well?"

"Interesting, how interesting!"

…

After leaving Wanbao Pavilion, Baili Yunche asked a few passersby about the location of the Alchemist Guild, then briskly walked in that direction.

The Alchemist Guild was one of the oldest and most revered organizations on the Ancient Desolate Continent.

Legend has it that the Alchemist Guild was founded by the Ancient Desolate Continent's first Grade 9 Alchemist—the Alchemy Saint Shennong.

It aimed to establish an Alchemist Alliance, safeguard the rights and interests of Alchemists, and promote the exchange and Legacy of Alchemy skills.

After countless years of development, the Alchemist Guild had already become a massive force on the Ancient Desolate Continent that could not be ignored.

Their influence spread across the entire continent, with branches established in every single city, managed by designated personnel.

The status of the Alchemist Guild was exceptionally revered. Even the imperial families of the major Empires and the Elders of the Sects had to show them courtesy and yield by three parts.

This was because Alchemists were one of the scarcest professions in the Immortal Realm, and high-rank Alchemists were even scarcer than phoenix feathers and unicorn horns, extremely precious.

A high-rank Alchemist could refine various Medicinal Pills that raised cultivation, healed injuries, and prolonged life. To any faction, they were indispensable strategic resources.

Organizations like the Alchemist Guild existed in several others within the Immortal Realm.

The Four Arts of Cultivation—Alchemy, Artifact Refining, Formations, and Talismans—each had a corresponding guild organization for every skill.

For example, the Artifact Refiner Guild, Formation Master Guild, Spirit Talisman Guild, and so on. Their nature and status were similar to the Alchemist Guild; they were authoritative institutions in their respective fields, did not participate in the turf wars of local factions, and maintained neutrality.

This neutrality was a default rule acknowledged by all major factions.

Because whether they were Alchemists, Artifact Refiners, Formation Masters, or Spirit Talisman Masters, they were all indispensable talents in the Immortal Realm.

If anyone dared to make a move against the people of these guilds, it would be equivalent to making an enemy of the entire Immortal Realm, and they would inevitably face a joint crusade from all factions.