223: Chapter 223 Long Name Lingxi

Without waiting for Lu Jinghan to speak, Zhou Tianchen set down his teacup first, a glimmer of interest flashing in his eyes.

"Earth Rank Advanced Alchemist? That is somewhat interesting; it is worth going to listen."

Lu Jinghan nodded slightly, not objecting. Duan Xinghe continued to hold his longsword, merely giving a faint "Mm," which served as his stance.

Seeing that the three had no objections, Sun Mingcheng stood up immediately, tucked his folding fan into his sleeve, and smiled:

"Then let us set off immediately. Yuelan Dojo is in the south of the city, not far from here; it takes no more than a cup of tea's time to walk there. Great Master Changming's lectures are always packed to capacity; if we go too late, I fear there won't even be a place to stand."

As he spoke, he had already started walking, clearly holding this Great Master Changming in high regard.

However, when he turned, his gaze swept over Zhou Tianchen, and he pondered inwardly.

He knew Zhou Tianchen was an Alchemist; after all, the news of the Cloud Sea Grand Ceremony had mentioned that this person used Alchemical Fire as a weapon and possessed remarkable combat strength.

But in his mind, Zhou Tianchen was young, and his attainments in Alchemy were at most Profound Rank.

He did not know that the young man before him, who appeared as gentle as jade, was already an Earth Rank Advanced Alchemist capable of sitting and discussing the Dao with Heaven Rank Alchemists, and even the Master of Medicine King Valley, Danchenzi, praised him highly.

The four left Liuli Residence and headed south along the main street.

The streets in the south of Huaiyang City were slightly quieter than the city center. The shops on both sides changed from Magical Artifacts and Medicinal Pills to more teahouses, bookstores, and dojos. The Cultivators coming and going had a more refined air, with many holding Jade Slips or ancient books, whispering and discussing something as they walked.

Yuelan Dojo was located at the end of a quiet bluestone alley in the south of the city, occupying a vast area.

The gate of the dojo was carved from a single piece of green jade. The characters "Yuelan" were engraved on the lintel, the brushwork vigorous yet elegant. It was said to have been inscribed by Great Master Changming himself back in the day.

In front of the gate stood two stone-carved Pill Furnaces, their bodies engraved with dense alchemical patterns, with Spiritual Qi faintly flowing across them.

At this moment, the dojo gate was open, and Cultivators were arriving continuously from all directions.

Some wore Alchemist robes with various Pill Furnace patterns embroidered on their chests, clearly hailing from professional Alchemist backgrounds; others wore luxurious robes with extraordinary Auras, obviously Young Masters from noble families in Huaiyang City.

There were also many who looked like Loose Cultivators, with anxious expressions, holding jade boxes or brocade pouches, clearly seeking something from Great Master Changming.

Sun Mingcheng walked into the dojo while introducing it to the three in a low voice: "Great Master Changming has lived in Huaiyang City for over a decade. He has an eccentric temperament, does not join any faction, and does not take on Disciples."

"But every so often, he holds a sermon. Regardless of background or origin, as long as one is an Alchemist, they may enter to listen. If anyone wishes to ask him for Alchemy, as long as the spiritual materials offered are rare enough and the Pill Formula unique enough, he will mostly accept. If he is in a good mood, there have even been times when he charged nothing at all."

Speaking to this point, he lowered his voice and added: "However, his granddaughter, Changming Lingxi, is ten times more troublesome than her grandfather. If you happen to see her later, you must steer clear of her."

Zhou Tianchen asked curiously: "In what way is she troublesome?"

Sun Mingcheng gave a bitter smile. Just as he was about to speak, a crisp and aggressive voice came from behind. The sound was like a silver bell ringing, clear and pleasant, yet carrying an undeniable Aura.

"Sun Mingcheng! What are you doing sneaking around here? The seven-hundred-year-old Purple Leaf Lingzhi you brought last time—my grandfather had to use three furnaces just to barely refine one Medicinal Pill, and the quality was terrible! I haven't even settled that score with you yet!"

The four turned simultaneously to see a girl of about sixteen or seventeen standing on the stone steps outside the dojo gate, hands on her hips, her almond eyes wide as she glared at Sun Mingcheng.

Her figure had not fully matured, her height only reaching Zhou Tianchen's shoulder. She wore a light green dress with a plain white ribbon tied around her waist. Hanging from the end of the ribbon was a small jade Pill Furnace pendant, which swayed gently with her movements.

The girl's face was pretty and refined, with a lingering hint of childishness in her brows and eyes, but the sharpness in those almond eyes was like a newly sharpened short sword—pointed and keen.

Sun Mingcheng instinctively took half a step back, forcing a smile that was uglier than crying: "Miss Lingxi, that Purple Leaf Lingzhi was indeed seven hundred years old, and the quality was fine. How can you blame me for your grandfather's failure in Alchemy?"

"How can I not blame you?" The girl walked up to Sun Mingcheng in two or three steps, tilting her head to glare at him. Although she was a head shorter, her Aura felt as if she were looking down on him.

"If you had brought one over eight hundred years old, my grandfather would surely have succeeded in one go! Are seven hundred and eight hundred years the same? With one hundred years less, the medicinal power is a grade lower, and the heat of the Alchemical Fire needs to be readjusted. Do you even know that?"

Sun Mingcheng opened his mouth, finding that he was unable to refute her.

He, the dignified Second Young Master of the Sun Family, who could chat and laugh with Zheng Lingfeng without yielding an inch, was now retreating step by step before a sixteen- or seventeen-year-old girl. Even Lu Jinghan couldn't help but take another look.

To be able to make this meticulous Second Young Master of the Sun Family so frustrated, this girl truly had some ability.

Zhou Tianchen was, on the contrary, observing Changming Lingxi with great interest.

He had seen many young Alchemists in Medicine King Valley; the likes of Shen Cihui and Mu Qing were all outstanding among their peers. But a girl like this, so full of Spiritual Qi and exuding such cleverness, was rare.

The jade Pill Furnace pendant at her waist was covered in dense fire-control formation patterns. With his discerning eye, he knew at a glance that it was not an ornament, but a high-grade miniature Pill Furnace.

One who could carry such a Magical Artifact with them surely had profound attainments in Alchemy.

Sun Mingcheng, forced into retreat, hurriedly changed the subject in his desperation, turning to point at Zhou Tianchen and the other two: "Miss Lingxi, please calm down! These three are my friends and are also Alchemists. They came here today specifically to listen to Great Master Changming's lecture!"

Changming Lingxi finally shifted her gaze from Sun Mingcheng and landed on Lu Jinghan and the other two.

Her gaze paused for a moment on the Jinghan Sword at Lu Jinghan's waist, then on the longsword in Duan Xinghe's arms, and finally landed on Zhou Tianchen. She looked him up and down and frowned slightly: "You are an Alchemist too?"

"I know a thing or two." Zhou Tianchen bowed with a gentle smile.

Changming Lingxi circled him halfway, her gaze moving from his face to the palm-sized qiankun furnace at his waist, where it stopped.

She stared at the qiankun furnace for several breaths, the sharpness in those almond eyes gradually being replaced by curiosity.

She did not ask anything, just nodded thoughtfully, then turned and walked into the dojo. After a few steps, she turned back and waved at the four: "Come in. My grandfather will begin in half an hour. You are lucky; there are still a few front-row seats left today."