Chapter 117: Chapter 117: Why Should I Prove Myself to You?

When they heard from Master Qin that Jiang Chen hadn’t been the one to refine the Foundation Strengthening Pill, many of them began to look down on him.

An Alchemist was valued for their Alchemy Skill. Jiang Chen’s master might be powerful, but that didn’t mean Jiang Chen himself was.

As a result, some couldn’t even be bothered to look at him.

Even Xiao Gu was already secretly plotting how to deal with Jiang Chen, though he was wary of his master.

Just then, someone spoke up, their voice laced with displeasure.

"President, if that’s the case, this Jiang Chen has no ability to speak of. What right does he have to be a Senior Steward of our Alchemy Master Guild?"

"That’s right! I, Yang Kun, feel this is improper. President, shouldn’t you explain this to everyone?"

"I object to Jiang Chen becoming a Senior Steward. If he wants to join the Alchemy Master Guild, fine, but let him start as an intern."

Xiao Gu also chimed in eagerly, "Exactly! He’s so young and has never been tested. I’m afraid his foundation is weak. If he takes too big a step, he might just fall flat on his face."

Seeing everyone rise up in opposition, Jiang Chen remained seated, perfectly still.

He’d seen plenty of scenes like this before.

So, he quietly watched events unfold as if he were a mere spectator.

A trace of embarrassment appeared on Master Qin’s face.

He didn’t say anything to Jiang Chen, though. In truth, he didn’t have high hopes for the young man himself; he had only brought Jiang Chen here in an attempt to rope in his master.

He quickly placated the crowd. "Stop arguing! Let me finish speaking first."

Though displeased, the crowd quieted down.

Only then did Master Qin announce, "Making Jiang Chen a Senior Steward was my decision."

"He is only temporarily filling his master’s position. When his master arrives, the position will naturally be returned to him."

"Yes, that’s right. He’s just a substitute. Surely everyone can understand that?"

Everyone fell silent.

In their eyes, the Jiang Chen of this moment was completely devoid of ability.

Even as a mere substitute for his master, they still felt it was inappropriate.

Someone stood up again and said, "If this Senior Steward position is for his master, then given his master’s abilities, I have no objections."

"But to have the apprentice fill in for him goes against the regulations of our Alchemy Master Guild."

"I believe his master’s Senior Steward position can be left vacant for now. We can deal with it when his master arrives."

"As for Jiang Chen, I object to him being the substitute."

Many people immediately voiced their agreement with the speaker.

Xiao Gu shot Jiang Chen a contemptuous look.

Even though Jiang Chen had utterly crushed him before, he was still not resigned to it.

’Jiang Chen only beat me because of that terrifying Magical Treasure in his hands. Especially since my status as a Second-Grade Alchemist puts me far above him.’

He shouted, "President, I believe Jiang Chen should first become an Alchemist before we discuss anything else."

"If he can’t become an Alchemist, he can serve as a guard for our Alchemy Master Guild. Giving him the rank of Advanced Guard would be us showing his master some respect."

"Wouldn’t you all agree?"

In the Alchemy Master Guild, no matter how powerful a guard was, they were just hired muscle, a mere pawn.

They had no status whatsoever.

Only Alchemists were considered the upper echelon of the Alchemy Master Guild.

By saying this, Xiao Gu was clearly trying to relegate Jiang Chen to the position of a statusless guard, nothing more than cannon fodder.

His intentions were truly vicious.

If Jiang Chen became a guard, Xiao Gu could order him around as he pleased.

Many others began to voice their approval.

Master Qin, however, was in a difficult position.

His biggest worry was Jiang Chen’s master. It would be terrible if he became dissatisfied.

He waved his hand. "Regardless, Jiang Chen’s master is a senior expert. It would be inappropriate for Jiang Chen to be a guard."

"Besides, no matter how you look at it, this is a good thing for our Hanwu City’s Alchemy Master Guild."

"Even if his master just holds the title in name only, it’s still beneficial for us."

"The position is vacant anyway. There’s no harm in letting Jiang Chen fill in for his master."

"This matter is settled."

Fearing more trouble, Master Qin decided to make the final call himself.

The crowd instantly erupted in an uproar.

President Qin did indeed have the authority to make the final decision.

But the crowd was still unconvinced.

"I still object! He’s just a wet-behind-the-ears kid who isn’t even an Alchemist."

"That’s right! Not being an Alchemist is a fundamental violation of our Alchemy Master Guild’s rules. President, we absolutely cannot agree to this."

Someone else spoke up again, fuming with opposition.

Master Qin also turned to look at Jiang Chen. It seemed he had overlooked a crucial fact.

He had never actually asked whether Jiang Chen was an Alchemist.

At this moment, he couldn’t help but want to ask.

WHOOSH!

After a long silence, Jiang Chen shot up from his chair.

His sudden movement startled everyone.

Looking around at the crowd, Jiang Chen knew that if he didn’t show them what he was made of, they would just keep objecting.

He declared loudly, "Who says I’m not an Alchemist?"

"Who told you that?"

What kind of person was he? A scene like this couldn’t possibly intimidate him.

Never mind that they were all Stewards or even Elders of the Alchemy Master Guild; in Jiang Chen’s eyes, they were nothing.

However, he didn’t want to break the rules of the Alchemy Master Guild.

Since they were making his status as an Alchemist an issue—well, as it happened, Jiang Chen really was an Alchemist.

What?

Hearing Jiang Chen’s words, everyone stared at him in shock.

They looked at him with disbelief.

"You’re an Alchemist?"

Even Master Qin was surprised.

It seemed he had truly overlooked Jiang Chen’s own capabilities.

’Now that I think about it,’ he thought, ’with such a powerful Alchemist for a master, how could Jiang Chen not be one?’

Of course, the reason everyone had dismissed Jiang Chen was that he was known only as the Jiang Family’s good-for-nothing, profligate young master. If you told someone a person like that was an Alchemist, nobody would believe you.

Facing their curious stares, Jiang Chen clasped his hands behind his back and said coolly, "My master is an Alchemist. As his apprentice, how could I possibly bring shame to his name?"

"Not only am I an Alchemist, but I am a Second-Grade Alchemist."

BOOM!

In that instant, a wave of shock rippled through the hall.

No one could believe it, as if they had all misheard.

"You’re really an Alchemist?"

"And a Second-Grade Alchemist at that?"

"That’s impossible!"

Someone looked Jiang Chen up and down, taking in his well-known identity and young age.

"At your age, how could you possibly be a Second-Grade Alchemist?"

Someone shook their head in disbelief. They would have doubted him even if he claimed to be a First-Grade Alchemist, let alone a Second-Grade one.

It was simply preposterous.

"It is what it is. I never lie."

Jiang Chen replied calmly, an air of complete confidence about him.

’If Jiang Chen is already a Second-Grade Alchemist,’ Master Qin thought, ’then his master must be even more terrifying.’

Only Xiao Gu’s face was ashen.

He had also assumed Jiang Chen was just an ordinary Martial Cultivator, but now this guy was claiming to be a Second-Grade Alchemist.

He leaped out and challenged loudly, "You say you’re a Second-Grade Alchemist, so you are one? How ridiculous!"

"If that’s the case, then prove it to everyone. Otherwise, you’re just spouting nonsense."

He couldn’t accept the fact that Jiang Chen was an Alchemist.

Jiang Chen swept a disdainful gaze over Xiao Gu and then the rest of the crowd.

He said coldly, "Why should I have to prove anything to you? What gives you the right to demand proof from me?"