Chapter 557: Chapter 557: Seeking a Grade Four Alchemy Master!

Huo Yuner thought Lin Xuan was being too arrogant and wanted to offer a word of caution, but just then, the sound of footsteps echoed from outside the grand hall. Someone was arriving; it had to be Fairy Wan Er.

Instead of saying anything more, Huo Yuner stood up. Lin Xuan and Chen Changsheng also heard the footsteps and rose to their feet as well. However, the footsteps halted just outside the grand hall. The visitor did not enter. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

A woman’s voice rang out from outside, "Elder Li, haven’t you found a suitable fourth-grade Alchemy Master yet? There are only five days left! If we can’t find one, how are we supposed to compete with the Jiuyou Alchemist Alliance? We might as well just admit defeat."

Hearing this, Lin Xuan and Huo Yuner, who were inside the grand hall, were stunned. They walked toward the entrance to look outside. Not far from the entrance stood two figures: a young, beautiful woman and an old man.

The woman was young, perhaps twenty-five or twenty-six, and wore a long purple dress. She was standing sideways, and while they couldn’t see her face directly, her profile was already strikingly beautiful. Though young, the woman had a powerful presence. The white-haired old man opposite her, however, had his head bowed, his face slick with cold sweat.

This old man was Elder Li. He said, "Lesser Alliance Leader, I’ve already approached several fourth-grade Alchemy Masters, but they all refused to help us."

"This must be a conspiracy by the Jiuyou Alchemist Alliance," he added. "It has to be them. They’re secretly intercepting these fourth-grade Alchemy Masters."

"I don’t want to hear excuses," the purple-clad woman, Wan Er, said coolly. "All I know is that if we can’t find a fourth-grade Alchemy Master, we are headed for a complete defeat. We’ll be utterly suppressed by the Jiuyou Alchemist Alliance and eventually swallowed whole by them."

"But..." Elder Li tried to speak again.

Wan Er cut him off. "No more buts. I will give you one more day. If you still can’t find a suitable fourth-grade Alchemy Master by then, don’t blame me for being ruthless."

Elder Li sighed. How could one day possibly be enough? Forget one day; even with a month, he wouldn’t be able to find a suitable Alchemy Master.

Lin Xuan heard the entire conversation, and his eyes lit up. The Tianyang Alchemist Alliance is looking for a fourth-grade Alchemy Master. And I am a fourth-grade Alchemy Master. If I help the Tianyang Alchemist Alliance, I might be able to get the other piece of Fire Dragon Jade they possess.

At this thought, Lin Xuan strode over. "Looking for a fourth-grade Alchemy Master? That’s easy. I can help you."

Chen Changsheng, who had been enjoying the show from the sidelines, was startled when Lin Xuan suddenly strode forward. He quickly hurried after him.

Huo Yuner followed as well. Is Lin Xuan going to start bragging again? How could he possibly know a fourth-grade Alchemy Master? The Ye Family has a third-grade Alchemy Master at best; they have no connections to anyone of the fourth grade. I admit the Ye Family has a powerful foundation, possessing the Ancient Tower and the Divine Sword—two Divine Artifacts. But beyond that, there was nothing particularly special about him. The Ye Family’s Alchemy Dao is mediocre at best. Where could Lin Xuan have possibly met a fourth-grade Alchemy Master? He must be spouting nonsense again. Sigh. I already warned him to keep a low profile in the Alchemy Alliance. These Alchemy Masters have terrible tempers. If Lin Xuan angers them, he’ll probably be thrown out instantly. The people of the Alchemy Alliance don’t care what kind of genius you are. Even if you’re a Young Emperor, they’ll still toss you out.

Huo Yuner sighed. In her opinion, Lin Xuan would be thrown out any second now.

"Who are you? And why are you eavesdropping on my conversation?" Wan Er turned around, her brow furrowing slightly.

Chen Changsheng hurried over to explain, "Fairy Wan Er, please calm your anger. This is my friend, Lin Xuan. He’s a recently famous genius, a Young Emperor."

Lin Xuan! Wan Er’s eyes widened in realization. Although she didn’t pay much attention to the affairs of the outside world, Lin Xuan’s name was too famous for her not to have heard it. She just never expected he would show up here.

She nodded. "So, you are Young Master Lin. What did you mean by what you said just now? Do you know a fourth-grade Alchemy Master? Could you introduce one to us? If you can, our Tianyang Alchemist Alliance will be sure to reward you generously."

"Of course I do," Lin Xuan said with a smile. "And I can guarantee he will cooperate with you."

Really? Wan Er was overjoyed. "That’s wonderful! Please, Young Master, invite him here at once. On second thought, I’ll go with you to meet this fourth-grade Alchemy Master myself."

She had to make a personal visit. This time, she absolutely had to win over that fourth-grade Alchemy Master and get him to cooperate with the Tianyang Alchemist Alliance.

But Lin Xuan didn’t move a step. He simply smiled and said, "There’s no need for such trouble. The fourth-grade Alchemy Master is already here."

"Here?" Wan Er was taken aback and looked around. There are only the three of them here. I know Chen Changsheng and Huo Yuner; they’re top-tier prodigies. Besides them, where is this other Alchemy Master?

She wasn’t the only one who was puzzled. Chen Changsheng and Huo Yuner were just as confused, scanning their surroundings but failing to spot any other Alchemy Master.

"Where is the Alchemy Master?" Wan Er asked.

Lin Xuan smiled. "Far in the distance, yet right before your eyes. I am the fourth-grade Alchemy Master."

At his words, the area fell silent. Everyone was stunned.

Elder Li’s eyes widened, shocked that someone would dare make such an outrageous claim in front of the Lesser Alliance Leader. Does this kid have a death wish?

Huo Yuner couldn’t help but roll her eyes. I already warned him not to brag in front of Alchemy Masters, but this brat didn’t listen to a single word. Sigh... I suppose he’s about to be thrown out now, isn’t he? She shook her head and sighed.

Even Chen Changsheng was shocked. Damn, Lin Xuan is too much! To dare brag like this in front of the Alchemy Alliance... Truly arrogant, truly domineering. He’s worthy of being my friend.

Fairy Wan Er’s expression, however, turned grim. What is this kid talking about? He’s a fourth-grade Alchemy Master? What kind of joke is this?! I’ve never seen such a young fourth-grade Alchemy Master. Is this brat toying with me? How outrageous!

Wan Er’s face turned icy as she stared at Chen Changsheng. "For your sake, I will spare this boy once. Now get him out of here. I’m in no mood for games."

Fairy Wan Er was desperate. Finding a fourth-grade Alchemy Master was crucial for the future of her Alchemy Alliance—it was a matter of survival. She was taking this matter with the utmost seriousness. If anyone else had dared to pull such a prank, I would have killed them on the spot. It’s only for Chen Changsheng’s sake that I’m sparing Lin Xuan’s life this time.

With that, she turned to leave.

Lin Xuan, however, just snorted coldly. "Some Alchemy Alliance. A bunch of blind fools who can’t even recognize a fourth-grade Alchemy Master when he’s standing right in front of them. In my opinion, your Tianyang Alchemist Alliance has no reason to exist anymore."

His words left everyone utterly shocked.

Huo Yuner was dumbfounded, unable to believe her ears. Damn it, what is he saying?! He’s actually calling the people of the Tianyang Alchemist Alliance blind! So arrogant! So unbelievably audacious! Is he trying to get himself killed? If a fourth-grade Alchemy Master said something like that, it would be one thing; they’d have the right. But on what grounds can Lin Xuan say it? He’s not an Alchemy Master! What gives him the right to make such arrogant claims? It’s over. This kid is absolutely doomed. This time, it won’t be as simple as getting thrown out. He provoked the Tianyang Alchemist Alliance... they’ll probably toss him into an Alchemy Furnace and burn him to ashes.