Chapter 113: Chapter 113: Bai Shu Gains Power

"You’re going to the Alchemy Master Guild to be a Senior Steward?"

The Jiang Family was completely dumbfounded.

They had thought that by provoking the Alchemy Master Guild, Jiang Chen had brought a crisis of annihilation upon their family.

But now, of all things, Jiang Chen had suddenly become a Senior Steward of the Alchemy Master Guild.

A Senior Steward—that was a position with real power.

The shocked members of the Jiang Family felt it was all too much to take in.

However, for the Jiang Family, this was tremendous news.

"Congratulations, Young Master Jiang Chen."

"Yes, another talent has emerged from our Jiang Family. This is truly worthy of celebration."

Many of the clansmen who had previously criticized Jiang Chen immediately plastered on fawning smiles.

They showered Jiang Chen with the most extravagant praise, trying to curry favor.

It was an endless stream of flattery.

Only Jiang Han let out a wry smile.

He pulled Jiang Chen out of the family’s main hall.

When they were alone, Jiang Han looked at his son, who had suddenly become a Senior Steward of the Alchemy Master Guild.

Unlike the other clansmen, his tone was incredibly grave.

"Son, although this seems like a good thing, I think you should still be cautious."

"The Alchemy Master Guild isn’t like our Jiang Family. It’s a complicated place with many people and even more opinions. Protecting yourself is the most important thing."

In truth, he should have been congratulating his son and offering words of blessing, but after thinking it over, he felt giving him a warning was for the best.

Jiang Chen nodded. "Dad, I understand."

Of course, he knew all of this.

’A thousand years have passed; I just want to see what the Alchemy Master Guild is like now.’

’It’s the place I founded.’

There was a unique sentiment attached to it.

Jiang Chen paid no mind to the fawning of his clansmen; he cared far more about his parents’ advice.

The family spent a few more days together.

Three days later, it was time for Jiang Chen to take up his post at the Alchemy Master Guild.

At this critical juncture, Jiang Chen prepared a good number of protective treasures for himself.

In the blink of an eye, three days had passed.

Dressed smartly, Jiang Chen headed straight for the Alchemy Master Guild, alone.

The Alchemy Master Guild was located in the northern part of Hanwu City, in a slightly more remote area.

But the Guild’s main hall was second to none in Hanwu City for its towering and magnificent presence, an eye-catching landmark.

Many people came to visit, drawn by its fame.

When Jiang Chen arrived outside the Alchemy Master Guild, he saw a massive crowd.

’Chairman Qin said someone would naturally be here to receive me when I arrived...’

Jiang Chen didn’t know who would be coming for him.

Bai Shu, as the son of the Bai Family’s Patriarch, was a source of immense pride for everyone in the Bai Family, having now successfully joined the Alchemy Master Guild.

Moreover, he had even become the apprentice of Xiao Gu, an Elder of the Alchemy Master Guild.

One could say he was riding the winds of success, his future limitless.

But just this morning, his master, Xiao Gu, had summoned him.

"Master, you were looking for me?"

He was very respectful toward his master, Xiao Gu, and had no idea why he had been called.

Xiao Gu said in a low voice, "I need you to go outside immediately and receive a new Senior Steward."

"Remember, do not offend him under any circumstances. Once you’ve received him, bring him to the council hall."

Xiao Gu vividly remembered his own disastrous confrontation with that person. He certainly didn’t want his apprentice to repeat his mistake.

Bai Shu immediately grew ecstatic. This was a chance to prove his worth.

Without a second thought, he nodded repeatedly.

"Yes, Master. I’ll go right away."

Xiao Gu added, "The person will be holding an appointment letter for a Senior Steward of our Alchemy Master Guild. Go on."

Bai Shu hurried off.

Xiao Gu, however, was left with a grim expression.

Although he was furious with Jiang Chen, and the desire to kill him was ever-present, now that Jiang Chen had been invited by Chairman Qin to be a Senior Steward—a position just one rank below his own as an Elder—he didn’t dare retaliate for the time being, considering that Jiang Chen might be the very alchemist who had refined the Purple Gold Quality Foundation Strengthening Pill.

Furthermore, he hadn’t been present for the meeting between Chairman Qin and Jiang Chen in the Jiang Family’s reception hall, so he didn’t know what Jiang Chen had said to Master Qin.

If he had known, Xiao Gu would likely already be plotting how to deal with Jiang Chen.

Now, Master Qin had even asked him to arrange for Jiang Chen’s reception.

Even though he was displeased, Xiao Gu had readily agreed.

It seemed Master Qin’s intention was for him to resolve the misunderstanding with Jiang Chen.

So now, he was sending his apprentice, Bai Shu, to receive Jiang Chen.

This was giving Jiang Chen more than enough face.

Meanwhile, Bai Shu was overjoyed.

He appeared outside the Alchemy Master Guild’s main hall, looking immensely pleased with himself.

"Wow, look! Isn’t that Bai Shu?"

"Heavens, it is him! Bai Shu, the son of the Bai Family’s Patriarch! I heard that not only is he a Cultivation genius, but he also managed to join the Alchemy Master Guild. He’s incredible."

"That’s right. I heard he has become the apprentice of Elder Xiao Gu from the Alchemy Master Guild. You could say he’s already reached the peak of his life."

"I’m so envious."

Seeing Bai Shu appear, many people immediately began to stir, looking at him with envy and jealousy.

Listening to their fawning words, Bai Shu’s lips curled into a smug smile.

However, he hadn’t forgotten his task.

He now looked around, confused.

’A Senior Steward... who could it be?’

’Being able to receive a Senior Steward is another huge opportunity. If I can win his favor, my position in the Alchemy Master Guild will be even more secure.’

The Alchemy Master Guild was, after all, a place where connections mattered.

Therefore, Bai Shu was full of anticipation for receiving this new Senior Steward.

But to his frustration, he searched for a long time without spotting anyone holding an appointment letter.

Just as he was getting annoyed, his eyes widened as he spotted a familiar figure.

’Huh? That piece of trash Jiang Chen?’

He suddenly noticed Jiang Chen walking toward the Alchemy Master Guild’s main hall.

This made Bai Shu sneer.

’Just a buffoon. How dare he come to our Alchemy Master Guild.’

An idea immediately came to Bai Shu.

Seeing Jiang Chen about to reach the entrance to the main hall, he flashed forward and directly blocked his path.

"Hm?"

Jiang Chen paused, taken aback by the person who had suddenly blocked his way.

Then he recognized him.

"Bai Shu?"

Of course, he was quite familiar with Bai Shu.

At the Treasure Elephant Pavilion auction, Bai Shu had competed with him and ended up being thoroughly humiliated.

He said coldly, "Bai Shu, a stray dog like you still dares to appear before me."

But Bai Shu, full of arrogance, smugly touched the First-Grade Alchemist badge on his chest.

He said dismissively, "So what if you beat me once at an auction?"

"Hmph. I don’t give it a second thought."

"Jiang Chen, you piece of trash, you want to enter our Alchemy Master Guild?"

He sneered repeatedly, utterly despising Jiang Chen.

After all, by entering the Alchemy Master Guild, his future was now limitless.

And no matter how capable Jiang Chen was, he was ultimately just an ordinary member of the Jiang Family.

The difference in their statuses would only grow larger and larger.

Of course, in the Alchemy Master Guild, he would have more opportunities for his Cultivation to skyrocket. He might even secure a position as a Steward—no, an Elder—in the Guild.

Thus, he was even more contemptuous of Jiang Chen.

Hearing Bai Shu’s words, Jiang Chen said indifferently, "That’s right. I am entering the Alchemy Master Guild."