Chapter 279: Chapter 279: Alchemy Master Guild

Shen Haoran wasn’t surprised by Luo Zhengtian’s actions. Luo Xiaowen had told him that holding this purple-gold Identity Token made one an Honored Guest Elder of the Luo Family. Since Luo Zhengtian was a disciple of the Luo Family, it was only natural for him to bow to an Honored Guest Elder like himself.

However, Shen Haoran wasn’t the type to abuse borrowed power. He stepped forward, helped Luo Zhengtian to his feet, and said, "Manager Luo, there’s no need for such formalities. I’ve come today to ask for a favor."

Upon hearing this, Luo Zhengtian said respectfully, "Elder, please just say the word. If it’s within my power, I will not hesitate!"

Shen Haoran smiled in satisfaction at Luo Zhengtian’s attitude. He then took a Pill Recipe from his Storage Ring—it was for the Profound Yellow Pill.

The Profound Yellow Pill was a Sixth Grade Elixir, and refining it was no easy task. Not only was the Profound Yellow Fruit hard to find, but the other Spirit Medicines were also rare varieties. If Shen Haoran wanted to find them quickly, the only place he could think of was the Celestial Martial Auction House.

Luo Zhengtian took the Pill Recipe from Shen Haoran and read it carefully. After a moment, he frowned. "Elder, are you planning to perform Alchemy? The Spirit Medicines on here are all rare materials. The Celestial Martial Auction House has a few of them in our warehouse, but... we can’t help you with the Profound Yellow Fruit. I’ve never even seen a Spirit Medicine of that Level!"

"Oh? You have all the other ingredients, aside from the Profound Yellow Fruit?" Shen Haoran asked, his face lighting up with joy.

After glancing at the Pill Recipe again, Luo Zhengtian nodded. "We have most of them. A few others aren’t here in Luotian City, but we can have them transferred from other cities within a few days."

"It will take a few days?" Shen Haoran murmured, looking down in thought.

"Alright then. I’ll return in a few days to pick up the Spirit Medicine. Thank you for your trouble, Manager Luo," Shen Haoran said, cupping his fist.

"It’s no trouble at all. It’s my duty," Luo Zhengtian replied with a soft chuckle. Shen Haoran returned the knowing smile. Accompanied by Luo Zhengtian, he then walked out of the Celestial Martial Auction House. The sight made onlookers’ eyes pop, and they wondered, ’Who is that kid? How did he get Manager Luo to personally escort him out?’

"His background must be extraordinary. Maybe he’s a direct descendant of the Luo Family!" the crowd murmured among themselves.

Shen Haoran paid no mind to the crowd’s discussion. After bidding farewell to Luo Zhengtian, he walked straight toward the Alchemy Master Guild in Luotian City. Shen Haoran had his own plans. Since it would take Luo Zhengtian a few days to gather the ingredients, he could use this time to go to the Alchemy Master Guild and acquire the title of Alchemist.

Although Shen Haoran didn’t care for such superficial titles, the status of an Alchemist could save him a lot of trouble. It was a useful asset, and there was no reason not to claim it.

After winding through several streets, Shen Haoran arrived before a tower-shaped building. This was the Luotian City branch of the Alchemy Master Guild. In truth, the guild was easy to spot. Every Alchemy Master Guild on the continent was housed in a similar tower, their unique architectural signature.

Gazing at the towering Alchemy Master Guild before him, Shen Haoran couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe. The Alchemy Master Guild was arguably the wealthiest faction on the entire continent. No, to be more precise, it wasn’t a faction but an alliance—one formed by Alchemists.

While Alchemists possessed superb Alchemy techniques, most of them were weak in combat and no match for Martial Artists who trained in Martial Cultivation. However, Alchemists were also a hot commodity across the continent, highly sought after by all. Sometimes, if a clan or faction failed to recruit an Alchemist, they would simply kill them to prevent their rivals from succeeding. This eventually sparked widespread outrage among Alchemists, leading to the formation of the Alchemy Master Guild.

With the establishment of the Alchemy Master Guild, all Alchemists came under its protection. At first, some families paid the guild no mind and brazenly killed a Fifth Grade Alchemist. In response, the Alchemy Master Guild took action, directly deploying several Spirit Emperor Powerhouses. Overnight, they completely annihilated the offending family. It was only then that people truly witnessed how terrifying the Alchemy Master Guild could be.

True, the Alchemy Master Guild was filled with Alchemists of low combat strength. But one should never forget that the most terrifying thing about an Alchemist isn’t their personal power, but their influence!

On this continent, there are three things a Martial Artist can never refuse: power, women, and Elixirs! And Elixirs are an Alchemist’s most potent tool. A single Fifth Grade Alchemist could easily have dozens of Spirit Kings willing to die for him, let alone a High Level Alchemist. Mobilizing dozens of Spirit Emperor Powerhouses was a trivial matter for the Alchemy Master Guild.

After that, everyone understood how fearsome the Alchemy Master Guild truly was. No one dared to provoke them, not even the reclusive Major Sects and great families. It was a clear testament to the guild’s standing on the continent.

At this thought, Shen Haoran chuckled and walked toward the Alchemy Master Guild.

"Halt! Who are you? Only Alchemists may enter the Alchemy Master Guild!" Just as Shen Haoran was about to step inside, he was blocked by the guards at the entrance.

Shen Haoran’s brow furrowed at their words. ’If non-Alchemists can’t enter, then how are Martial Artists supposed to post commissions or purchase Elixirs? The Alchemy Master Guild has no such rule!’

"Excuse me," Shen Haoran said, his expression turning sour. "Since when does the Alchemy Master Guild have such a rule?"

"We decide the rules of the Alchemy Master Guild! Look at you in your shabby clothes. You think you can afford to post a commission? Or buy any of the Elixirs in here? Get lost! Don’t dirty the entrance to our Alchemy Master Guild!" the guard sneered, looking at Shen Haoran with utter disdain.

At these words, Shen Haoran’s face turned grim. He glanced down at his clothes. Shui Ruolan had personally mended them for him before his journey. They did look a bit worn, but that gave these two guards no right to talk trash about them.

"Hmph," Shen Haoran snorted. "I always thought the members of the Alchemy Master Guild were humble and noble. But now I see you’re nothing but a bunch of vulgar snobs who judge people by their appearance!"

"You little brat, who are you calling a dog!" the guard bellowed, pointing a finger right at Shen Haoran’s nose.

Shen Haoran snorted, then took a sharp step forward. A powerful aura erupted from him, instantly bearing down on the guard. The terrifying pressure forced the man to his knees. This guard had only just reached the Spirit General Tier; he was utterly incomparable to Shen Haoran, who was at the Spirit Marquis Tier. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

The guard stared at Shen Haoran in terror, his robes instantly soaked in a cold sweat. He had never imagined that this young man, who looked so frail, possessed such immense power.

"I am entering the Alchemy Master Guild," Shen Haoran said coldly, looking down at the guard. "Do you have anything more to say?"

"Who’s being so bold? Daring to cause trouble in front of the Alchemy Master Guild? Do you have a death wish?" Just as the guard was about to reply, a sweet, alluring voice came from behind Shen Haoran. The guard’s face lit up when he saw who it was. "Miss Qin, you’ve finally arrived!"