"How could this be?"

As he watched Jiang Chen walk through the entrance of the Alchemy Master Guild’s great hall, Bai Shu remained seated on the ground in a daze, feeling as if this were all a nightmare.

The very Jiang Chen he had looked down upon had suddenly transformed, becoming a Senior Steward of the Alchemy Master Guild.

A Senior Steward—a big shot he would have to bow and scrape before with the utmost respect.

In the Alchemy Master Guild, status was determined by one’s rank.

Jiang Chen had gone from zero to the very top in an instant.

Such a rapid ascent sent Bai Shu into a panic.

’How did he do it?’

’How could he be a Senior Steward?’

The thought that the person he was supposed to welcome was none other than Jiang Chen made him want to cry.

To think that Jiang Chen was the very VIP he had hoped to curry favor with. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

It was all too much; he felt himself breaking down.

"Master Bai Shu, you shouldn’t just sit on the ground."

The guards were still shaken, thankful that Jiang Chen hadn’t held a grudge. They would have been dead otherwise. And this was all Bai Shu’s fault—if not for him, they never would have been put in the terrifying position of turning away a Senior Steward at the gates.

Bai Shu slowly collected himself. Jiang Chen was already inside, which meant he had failed his task of receiving him.

A surge of anger propelled him, and he scrambled into the Alchemy Master Guild.

’No, I still have my master! My master is an Elder.’

’What’s a mere Senior Steward? He’ll still have to be respectful before my master, Xiao Gu.’

He had found his solution: his master.

"Did you receive the person you were sent to greet?"

Xiao Gu frowned as he watched his disciple, Bai Shu, rush in.

Bai Shu explained, "Master, I met the Senior Steward... but... but..."

"Stop stuttering and just spit it out!"

Xiao Gu was so angry he wanted to slap his disciple for stammering.

Finally, Bai Shu mustered his courage. "I got into an argument with the Senior Steward... and he beat me up."

What?

Xiao Gu nearly fainted.

He stared at his disciple in disbelief.

He demanded, "Are you certain?"

He was about to lose his mind. He had specifically told Bai Shu not to start a conflict with the man before he left.

Now it was clear his words had been completely wasted.

A conflict had happened anyway.

He, the master, had been brutally beaten by Jiang Chen. And now his disciple, judging by that bruised and swollen face, hadn’t fared any better.

The master and disciple duo had both been thrashed by Jiang Chen.

The more he thought about it, the more absurd it seemed.

Bai Shu nodded. "Master, I never imagined it would be *him*."

"I know Jiang Chen, but he’s completely unqualified to be a Senior Steward! And what’s more, we already had a feud."

He felt deeply wronged.

Xiao Gu nearly coughed up blood. He had no idea his disciple also had a feud with Jiang Chen.

He slapped his forehead and huffed, "Forget it. What’s done is done."

"I’ll go see what’s happening."

He was annoyed that his disciple had clashed with Jiang Chen, but then again, Jiang Chen was an incredibly arrogant and domineering person, not someone easy to deal with.

Without thinking further, he headed straight for the President’s Hall.

When Xiao Gu arrived at the President’s Hall, many Stewards, Elders, and other members of the Alchemy Master Guild had already gathered.

All eyes were fixed curiously on the newcomer, Jiang Chen.

Xiao Gu didn’t dare to speak, quietly finding a seat to one side.

Meanwhile, Master Qin, seated at the head, said to the standing Jiang Chen, "Jiang Chen, don’t just stand there. You’re one of us now. Make yourself comfortable."

Jiang Chen nodded and took a seat in an inconspicuous corner.

But as he was new—and it had been a long time since a new member of Steward rank or higher had been appointed—he inevitably became the center of attention.

He was the focal point of the entire room.

Master Qin surveyed the room and announced in a clear voice, "Alright, everyone. I have an announcement to make today."

"This young man, Jiang Chen, is now officially a Senior Steward of our Alchemy Master Guild."

What?

The crowd erupted in astonished murmurs upon hearing this.

’A Senior Steward? What has this kid possibly done to deserve becoming a Senior Steward?’

’That’s right. The position of Senior Steward in our Alchemy Master Guild isn’t something just anyone can hold.’

For many, their first reaction was that this was utterly absurd.

After all, Jiang Chen looked so young.

Every other Steward present was at least in their forties or fifties.

How old could Jiang Chen be? Furthermore, when they sensed his Cultivation was merely at the Warrior Fourth Heaven realm, their contempt grew.

Only a silent few held their tongues.

In truth, not even Master Qin thought highly of Jiang Chen himself; he was merely optimistic about the mysterious master behind him.

Facing the crowd’s doubts, Master Qin suddenly said, "Everyone, please be patient and let me explain."

Master Qin’s words still carried great weight.

The hall fell silent.

It was obvious, however, that most of them were poised for a fight, ready to object the moment Master Qin finished speaking.

At that moment, Master Qin announced to the assembly, "Here are the facts. A few days ago, at the Treasure Elephant Pavilion auction, ten Purple Gold Quality Foundation Strengthening Pills appeared."

At this, the crowd gasped.

While others might have only a vague understanding of Elixirs, these were Alchemists. They knew precisely what such a thing signified.

The appearance of Purple Gold Quality Foundation Strengthening Pills had indeed sent a shockwave through the entire Alchemy Master Guild.

After all, no one in the Hanwu City Alchemy Master Guild could refine an Elixir of such high quality.

No, a Purple Gold Quality Pill was the stuff of legends for every Alchemist here—something they might never achieve in their entire lives.

One by one, they turned to stare at Jiang Chen in shock.

It seemed all clues pointed to him.

’Could Jiang Chen have been the one who refined the Foundation Strengthening Pills?’

But none of them believed it.

Amidst the crowd, Xiao Gu’s expression flickered as he watched Jiang Chen. He was the one who had most grievously offended Jiang Chen. Not only that, but his disciple also had a feud with him and had just clashed with him again. His thoughts were no longer on how to get revenge, but on the terrifying possibility of what Jiang Chen might do to him and his disciple.

Everyone waited for Master Qin to continue.

Master Qin’s voice boomed, "The one who refined the Purple Gold Quality Foundation Strengthening Pills was not Jiang Chen himself, but his master!"

What?

The crowd was stunned. A moment ago, they had all assumed it was Jiang Chen. Now, they heard it was his master.

With that, everyone snapped out of their shock.

A collective sigh of relief went through the room.

If Jiang Chen himself had refined the Foundation Strengthening Pills, it would have been terrifying.

The fact that it wasn’t him felt far more reasonable.

At the same time, they couldn’t help but look at Jiang Chen with a trace of disdain.

They were all Second-Grade Alchemists, and some among them were on the verge of being able to refine Gold Quality Pills.

Even Xiao Gu was stunned for a long moment.

Then, realization dawned on him.

In that instant, a flicker of hidden rage sparked within Xiao Gu.

’You damn brat! So it was just your master. I really thought it was you. You gave me quite a scare.’

’Since that’s the case, how can I, Xiao Gu, possibly let you off the hook?’