Ye Min wasn't sure if the token was genuine, which was why she had rushed to find Tang Siyuan.
Tang Siyuan himself couldn't confirm its authenticity either. Nevertheless, he quickly produced his own identity token. This token could transmit messages and directly reach the Grand Master's token.
"I'll ask!" he said urgently.
The matter was of utmost importance, and Tang Siyuan had to get clarity. If he made a mistake, his position as chairman could be jeopardized. However, if the token was real, it would be an incredible opportunity for him. It would mean the Grand Master had entrusted the token to someone he highly valued. If Tang Siyuan could curry favor with this person, a few kind words to the Grand Master could lead to a significant promotion. He might even become the chairman of a major city in the Imperial State.
He fiddled with the token and began transmitting a message.
Meanwhile, in a certain location at the center of the continent, Ximen Chenfei had returned home and had a pleasant conversation with his mother. He was in high spirits and prepared to start alchemy. Only by creating the Longevity Pill could he grant his mother an additional twenty years of life. He was confident he could produce a successful pill with one set of spirit herbs.
Just then, he noticed his identity token vibrate. It was a message from a minor chairman. Usually, he would let such messages accumulate and check them when he had time, as he received several each day. However, being in a good mood, he decided to listen to it immediately.
After hearing the message, he was stunned. The token? In the Northern Region? Wasn't the Elder in the Southern Region not long ago?
Ximen Chenfei's first instinct was that the token must be fake. He was about to reply and instruct the local chairman to deal with the person. But then he reconsidered. For such a powerful figure as the Elder, reaching the Northern Region would be effortless. He could probably cross the distance in a single step.
Deciding to err on the side of caution, he transmitted a series of questions: "How old does this person appear? What does he look like? What's his demeanor like...?"
Back in the Northern Region, Tang Siyuan received the Grand Master's reply almost instantly. His heart raced as he listened to the message.
These questions indicated that the Grand Master had indeed given the token to someone. Tang Siyuan turned to Ye Min, asking her to answer the questions.
Ye Min nodded and responded carefully: "He appears to be around 25 or 26, handsome, with an elegant and otherworldly aura, and seems very approachable..."
At the center of the continent, Ximen Chenfei listened to the reply and was momentarily stunned.
Twenty-five or twenty-six. Handsome. Elegant and approachable.
This description matched the Elder perfectly!
So it was true! The Elder had indeed gone to the Northern Region, but for what purpose?
Without pondering further, Ximen Chenfei quickly sent a message back, his tone extremely serious:
"You must show this person the utmost respect and address him as 'Elder'! If you offend him in any way, prepare to be expelled from the Alchemists' Guild and live in destitution for the rest of your lives! However, if you manage to please him, I will grant you great opportunities in the future!"
He truly feared these people might inadvertently offend the powerful figure, potentially implicating him as well and tarnishing his own reputation with the Elder.
After sending the message, Ximen Chenfei anxiously awaited a reply, worried that they might have already offended the esteemed individual.
In the Northern Region, Tang Siyuan and Ye Min received the Grand Master's message and listened intently. Upon hearing its contents, they froze in place, their eyes wide with shock.
Tang Siyuan quickly regained his composure and stared intently at Ye Min. "You didn't offend him, did you?!"
Ye Min shook her head vigorously, her expression conveying that she absolutely had not.
Tang Siyuan finally let out a sigh of relief, his racing heart beginning to calm. He knew Ye Min's easygoing personality and believed she wouldn't have caused offense.
With a serious expression, Tang Siyuan sent a message back to Ximen Chenfei. Upon receiving their confirmation, Ximen Chenfei also breathed a sigh of relief and gave a few more instructions.
As he put away his identity token, Tang Siyuan's hand trembled slightly. He then turned to Ye Min and said urgently, "Where is he? Quick, lead the way!"
Ye Min nodded rapidly and began running, even faster than when she had arrived. Tang Siyuan followed closely behind.
This created an odd sight. Passersby watched as Tang Siyuan and Ye Min transformed into two blurs, rushing past at breakneck speed...
The Alchemists' Guild members who saw them were left dumbfounded.
Tan Zhongye, who had been in a foul mood and was about to go for a walk, also witnessed Tang Siyuan and Ye Min's frantic dash. After a moment of confusion, he assumed something significant must have happened and hurried after them.
Meanwhile, Liu Shuai and Chen Ping'an were together, chatting to pass the time.
Liu Shuai, hearing Chen Ping'an claim ignorance about the cultivation world and pretend to be a novice, was at a loss for words. He kept thinking to himself, "Great master, keep pretending. I wonder how long you can keep this act up!"
Being clever, Liu Shuai realized Chen Ping'an must have a reason for feigning ignorance. Exposing him would be unwise and might be seen as having ulterior motives. So he simply watched Chen Ping'an's performance silently.
Liu Shuai then steered the conversation towards the token. "Brother Long, that token isn't really yours, is it? Who gave it to you?" he asked curiously. He had noticed Ye Min's reaction earlier and suspected the token was no ordinary item.
Chen Ping'an smiled and replied, "I saved someone's life, and they gave it to me as a gift."
Liu Shuai nodded but still hadn't received a satisfactory answer. Who exactly had Chen Ping'an saved?
Just then, sounds came from outside the door. Two sets of hurried footsteps approached.
Chen Ping'an and Liu Shuai looked towards the entrance. However, although the footsteps stopped outside, no one entered immediately.
After a moment, Tang Siyuan and Ye Min, having composed themselves and caught their breath, walked through the door.
Upon entering, Tang Siyuan's gaze swept across the room, lingering briefly on Liu Shuai and Chen Ping'an. He immediately ruled out Liu Shuai, whom he had met before. Therefore, the token bearer must be the person beside him!
However, why did he only have the cultivation level of Foundation Establishment first layer? No matter. The Grand Master's words couldn't be wrong!
Tang Siyuan and Ye Min approached.
Chen Ping'an, noticing Tang Siyuan's aura of authority, was about to offer a respectful greeting.
Liu Shuai, upon seeing Tang Siyuan, immediately called out respectfully, "Greetings, Chairman."
Hearing Liu Shuai's address, Chen Ping'an prepared to follow suit.
However, after giving Liu Shuai a casual nod, Tang Siyuan suddenly turned to Chen Ping'an and bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle.
"Greetings, Elder!" he said reverently.
Ye Min also bowed, showing extreme respect.
Chen Ping'an raised an eyebrow upon hearing the word "Elder."
As for Tan Zhongye, who had secretly followed them, he had just reached the doorway when he witnessed this scene.
In that instant, he was stunned, as if struck by lightning.