Elder Guang's private room was on the second floor, reserved for alchemists affiliated with the Tianlang Alchemist Center. These personal spaces were used for refining elixirs and occasionally for consultations.
As Qin Chen entered, a sharp, mixed aroma hit him—a strange blend of herbs, minerals, and faint bitterness. It was his first time in such a place, but with the knowledge of the second Qin Chen, the scent felt oddly familiar, like something he had experienced countless times before. He adjusted to it almost immediately.
"First, let's introduce ourselves," Guang Huojun said, his voice calm but commanding. "I'm Guang Huojun, a Level 3 Alchemist and the 15th Elder among the outer disciples of the Mount Hua Sect."
"My name is Qin Chen, an outer disciple of the Mount Hua Sect, originally from the Qin family of Luoshan City," Qin Chen replied, his tone steady.
Hearing this, Guang Huojun raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "With your level of knowledge, you're only an outer disciple? How is that possible?" he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.
"Well, I prefer to keep a low profile, Elder Guang," Qin Chen answered with a faint smile.
Guang Huojun stroked his beard, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. "A low profile, huh? That's not what it looked like when I saw you earlier," he remarked.
"Sometimes, when resources are scarce, you have to take... unconventional approaches," Qin Chen said, raising both hands lightly, a broader smile playing on his lips.
"Then you're not so different from me," Guang Huojun laughed, his tone lightening. "Anyway, regarding what you mentioned earlier—how do you plan to diagnose me?" he asked, steering the conversation forward.
Qin Chen offered a faint smile, his eyes gleaming with certainty. "First, let me confirm a few things, Elder Guang. The symptoms you're facing likely include unbearable itching in your hands, particularly during cultivation. Your fingers may have started losing sensation, and I'm guessing you've already tried some simple remedies, but none have worked, right?"
Guang Huojun paused, his expression turning serious. "That's correct. I've tried several healing concoctions, but they've been ineffective. How do you know this?"
Qin Chen's smile deepened, his tone calm yet sharp. "The effects of prolonged exposure to hellmist stone are notoriously insidious. Its poison merges with the bloodstream and gradually corrodes the body's meridians. Left untreated, it will do more than damage your hands—it will disrupt your aura's flow and, in the worst-case scenario, completely destroy your meridians."
Guang Huojun's eyes narrowed as he nodded slowly. "Go on."
"To cure this, the first step is to halt the poison's spread," Qin Chen explained. "This requires a concoction made with moonleaf, crimson hydrangea, and a touch of glacial lotus extract. That combination will neutralize the toxins in your body."
"Once the poison is neutralized, the next step is repairing the damaged tissues. For that, you'll need a specialized healing pill, which I can prepare. Its key ingredients are dragonvine essence and starfall ginseng—rare, yes, but they will speed up tissue regeneration and remove any lingering poison."
Guang Huojun stroked his beard, his gaze shifting from curiosity to admiration. "Dragonvine essence and starfall ginseng? Those are exceptionally rare, but this combination… I've never heard of anyone using it for healing."
"That's because most alchemists stick to traditional methods," Qin Chen replied confidently, his eyes steady. "Using common ingredients only masks the symptoms temporarily. Poison that seeps into the meridians requires something much stronger to be eradicated entirely."
A thin smile spread across Guang Huojun's face, his gaze now brimming with respect. "Boy, you're full of surprises. If your method works, I'll owe you more than a favor."
Qin Chen's eyes gleamed with a mix of confidence and ambition. "In that case, how about granting me access to the Alchemy Hall and permission to take a few items?" he suggested, his tone light yet purposeful.
"Hmmm, that's a tall request," Guang Huojun said, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "But if you can truly cure me, it's not out of the question. I do have some privileges, after all. As for the ingredients, I'll handle that. Just don't let me down."
"Rest assured, Elder Guang," Qin Chen replied, his tone firm and his gaze unwavering. "I never disappoint."
---
About an hour later, after a long discussion with Guang Huojun, Qin Chen left the room with a satisfied expression. Not only had he established a connection with a renowned elder and alchemist, but he also secured all the ingredients he needed without spending a single coin.
The only catch was that the ingredients would be available the next day, so he had to return to collect them. Additionally, he had promised to help Guang Huojun with the healing concoction.
As part of their discussion, Qin Chen also received 10 body-tempering pills, which he desperately needed to begin practicing the Dragon King's Ascension cultivation technique.
Upon reaching the first floor, the atmosphere had become even livelier than before. Cultivators were bustling about, making the Tianlang Alchemist Center feel vibrant. As the largest alchemy hub, it was always a magnet for Mount Hua Sect disciples eager to delve deeper into the art of alchemy.
As Qin Chen approached the exit, a soft, familiar voice stopped him in his tracks.
"Hey, sir," the voice called from behind.
Qin Chen turned and saw Yue Lan approaching him.
"Oh, hey. We meet again," Qin Chen said with a friendly smile.
"Yes, but unfortunately, I don't have much time to chat today. It turns out I'm busy finishing a lot of things. Maybe another time, sir?" Yue Lan asked, looking at him meaningfully.
"Qin Chen," he introduced himself, realizing Yue Lan didn't know his name.
Yue Lan nodded, her smile growing sweeter. "Nice to meet you, Qin Chen. By the way, I'm also a Mount Hua Sect disciple. Maybe we'll see each other often in the future." She waved briefly before turning away gracefully, disappearing into the crowd.
Qin Chen stood still, watching Yue Lan's elegant figure vanish. He grinned, feeling a slight sense of pride.
"As expected of a protagonist," he muttered to himself, full of confidence.
Then, he turned and walked out of the building.
---
Qin Chen was welcomed by the bustling streets of Tianlang City. The lively chatter of residents and merchants filled the air, blending with the occasional clink of coin and the aroma of street food, creating a vibrant atmosphere that stirred his spirits.
"What a glorious day. Now, I need to focus on increasing my strength," he said, a grin spreading across his face.
With renewed energy, he started heading east, eager to dive into his training. The mere thought of unlocking magical powers and tapping into supernatural abilities made him impatient.
As he walked down the main road, a voice rang out from afar, breaking through the noise of the city.
"Qin Chen! Is that you?"
Qin Chen turned and saw a young man his age running toward him. It was Li Jin, one of his roommates at the Mount Hua Sect.
"Li Jin!" Qin Chen smiled warmly, nodding in greeting.
Li Jin stopped, catching his breath, his face a mix of shock and relief. "I can't believe it! You've been missing for three days, and earlier, Ling Yelan came to me, saying you... were dead! What happened?"
Qin Chen raised an eyebrow, surprised to realize three days had passed since the incident.
"Well, a lot happened, but it's hard to explain. The important thing is, I'm alive," he replied with a faint smile, feeling the weight of those days lift.
Li Jin exhaled deeply, a worried frown crossing his face. "This has to be about Lin Feng, right? I can guess. Someone like him won't stop until he gets what he wants."
His face hardened as he continued, "I may not compare to him, Qin Chen, but as your friend, I'll always have your back."
Qin Chen gave a small smile, appreciating the sincerity in Li Jin's words. "Thanks, Li Jin. As for Lin Feng, I already have a plan. His death is only a matter of time," he said, his voice steady and cold with certainty.
Li Jin chuckled nervously, unsure whether to take him seriously. The difference in strength between Qin Chen and Lin Feng felt like a gap between heaven and earth, so he shrugged it off with a laugh. "Well, suit yourself. I'm just relieved you're still here," he said finally.
Qin Chen nodded lightly, feeling the weight of the conversation ease. "I'm heading back to the sect. I need to meet with Yelan," he added with a small sigh.
"Yeah, go to her. She's been worried sick. I've got some things to take care of here, so I can't come with you," Li Jin replied with a smile.
After a brief exchange, the two parted ways. Qin Chen continued down the northern path, the hills faintly outlined in the distance, their silhouette framed by the clear sky. His thoughts drifted to Ling Yelan—her graceful features, the gentle way she spoke, the shared moments that lingered in his mind.
He smiled faintly to himself, thinking about how the first Qin Chen had captured the heart of someone like her.
"As expected of a protagonist," he murmured under his breath, feeling a sense of pride.