Chapter 213: Chapter 212: Adorned with the Silver Crown

"Jiang Chen, one vote."

As the guard finished speaking, Jiang Chen had gained another vote.

Over thirty percent of the votes had been counted, and all of them were for Jiang Chen.

Shen Mi and Qiu Baxiong’s faces were now ashen.

Based on how things were going, it meant that not a single person—not even one—had voted for either of them. Every single vote had gone to Jiang Chen.

They had spent an entire night trying to persuade the Stewards and Elders to win their votes.

But now, it seemed their efforts had come to nothing.

The Elders and Stewards had still chosen the powerful, younger-generation Jiang Chen.

They were furious. Absolutely furious.

But there was nothing they could do but wait for the result, hoping against hope for a miracle.

"Jiang Chen, one vote..."

What followed was Jiang Chen, Jiang Chen—his name was read out again and again.

At this point, neither Shen Mi nor Qiu Baxiong could remain seated.

The situation was too bizarre.

WHOOSH!

Shen Mi suddenly leaped to his feet.

His eyes fixed fiercely on the guard as he snapped, "Wait! Stop reading."

Hm?

Everyone present turned to look at Shen Mi.

Although Shen Mi was old and had seniority, that was merely a matter of experience. It didn’t mean everyone respected him.

As expected, Shen Mi pointed at the crowd and asked coldly, "What benefits did Steward Jiang give you all?"

"Did you all vote for him?"

The voting wasn’t over yet, but the result seemed to be a foregone conclusion.

Jiang Chen was bound to be the final victor.

There was no longer any doubt.

No one spoke. Clearly, no one wanted to say anything more.

After all, every single one of them had voted for Jiang Chen.

In any case, it was time for a new face to lead the Alchemist Guild. Compared to Shen Mi and Qiu Baxiong, everyone had higher hopes for Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen was young, and his Alchemy Skill was extraordinary.

Furthermore, he had a terrifyingly powerful master.

No matter how you looked at it, Jiang Chen had the greater advantage. His becoming the President of the Alchemist Guild would bring more benefits to the guild.

However, one person stood up and declared loudly, "Steward Jiang didn’t give us any benefits, but we were still happy to vote for him."

Everyone else quickly voiced their agreement.

Jiang Chen was also surprised. He could say with certainty that he hadn’t engaged in any backroom deals.

Yet, all these people had voted for him. It was unexpected.

With everyone’s support, Jiang Chen spoke up as well.

He had to.

He looked at Shen Mi and Qiu Baxiong.

Calmly, he said, "Don’t be so impatient. Don’t be so impatient."

"The voting isn’t over yet. you still have a chance."

"One must remain calm."

He said this so nonchalantly because more than half the votes had already gone to him. Even if someone were to vote for Shen Mi and Qiu Baxiong now, it wouldn’t be enough for them to surpass him. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

It was easy for him to be so calm when he held all the cards.

Jiang Chen certainly had no trouble keeping his composure.

If the votes had been against him, he wouldn’t be so composed either.

Shen Mi and Qiu Baxiong trembled with rage at Jiang Chen’s words.

They glared viciously at Jiang Chen.

How could they possibly accept this?

But this brat was too detestable, acting so calm just because he had the advantage.

If they had the advantage, they would be just as calm.

But now? How could they possibly be calm?

However, the outcome was already set in stone.

It couldn’t be changed.

"Continue. Continue."

Jiang Chen said to the guard reading the names.

The guard began to read again.

"Jiang Chen, one vote."

That’s right. It was always Jiang Chen.

The groundwork Shen Mi and Qiu Baxiong had laid was clearly ignored by everyone.

Although they had ostensibly agreed to support them, in the end, they had still voted for Jiang Chen.

The guard’s voice was like a tormenting chant; every time he spoke, Shen Mi and Qiu Baxiong felt a wave of agony, their minds ringing.

Rage. Resentment.

"Jiang Chen, one vote..."

Finally, it was almost over.

But from beginning to end, not a single vote had gone to Shen Mi or Qiu Baxiong.

This situation made the two of them deeply question whether the goodwill they had accumulated over so many years in the Alchemist Guild had all just turned to dust.

It wasn’t that they were incompetent, but rather that Jiang Chen was a dark horse who had come out of nowhere. He was simply too powerful for the two of them to handle.

"Jiang Chen, one vote..."

At last, the guard read the final vote.

It was still Jiang Chen.

This time, Jiang Chen hadn’t just crushed Shen Mi and Qiu Baxiong in Alchemy Skill—he had also won the vote unanimously.

Immediately, the guard announced, "In this vote, Jiang Chen has won the election with a unanimous victory."

"From this day forward, Jiang Chen will be the new President of our Alchemist Guild’s Hanwu City branch."

"Everyone, congratulate Jiang Chen."

CLAP, CLAP, CLAP...

Thunderous applause erupted.

"PFFT..."

Shen Mi and Qiu Baxiong felt a tightness in their chests and spat out a mouthful of blood.

They felt like dying. Just like that, Jiang Chen had actually become the President.

"Now, I ask the representatives of the Elder Council and the Deacon Council to step forward and bestow the President’s Badge and the Silver Crown upon our new President, Jiang Chen."

The guard continued his announcement.

The members of the Elder Council and Deacon Council all stood up.

The Deacon Council chose one representative, and the Elder Council chose another.

The two of them appeared at the front of the crowd.

The representative from the Deacon Council held the President’s Badge.

The President’s Badge was a symbol of the President of the Alchemist Guild’s identity.

Meanwhile, the representative from the Elder Council held the Silver Crown.

The Silver Crown was a symbol of the President of the Alchemist Guild’s status.

Only with both the badge and the Silver Crown was one a complete President of the Alchemist Guild.

"Jiang Chen, please step forward to receive the honor."

This was the standard procedure for the Alchemist Guild.

Jiang Chen rose, his demeanor exceptionally calm and unhurried. He was all too familiar with this routine. ’It feels just like when I first founded the Alchemist Guild,’ he thought.

He was overcome with nostalgia.

Under the hateful gazes of Shen Mi and Qiu Baxiong, he walked up to the representatives of the Deacon Council and the Elder Council.

The two representatives gave Jiang Chen a faint smile.

"Congratulations, Jiang Chen."

Jiang Chen nodded and smiled silently.

"Thank you."

Then, he bowed slightly, and the Deacon Council’s representative pinned the badge to the left side of his chest.

And the Elder Council’s representative placed the Silver Crown upon Jiang Chen’s head.

At this moment, clad in his white robes and wearing the Silver Crown, Jiang Chen looked utterly resplendent.

From now on, wherever he went, he would carry the identity of the President of the Alchemist Guild.

The ceremony was a bit tedious, but the change in status that came with this recognition was astounding.

Because from this day on, anyone from the Alchemist Guild who saw Jiang Chen would have to bow their head and offer a respectful greeting.

And Jiang Chen would now hold the power of life and death within the Alchemist Guild.

Throughout all of Hanwu City, he would be an even more formidable figure.

Afterward, Jiang Chen took his oath.

He officially became the President of the Alchemist Guild.

What came next was simple.

As President, he was a representative, a symbol.

He wouldn’t have to handle any menial tasks.

"Thank you all for this honor. I, Jiang Chen, am willing to fight for the glory of the Alchemist Guild."

"I will forever defend the dignity of the Alchemist Guild."

The applause was endless.

Shen Mi and Qiu Baxiong’s faces were dark as storm clouds.

After Jiang Chen became President, they hurriedly departed.

Jiang Chen mingled with everyone for a while before officially entering the President’s Hall.

From now on, the place where Master Qin once resided would become Jiang Chen’s domain.