"Elder Qingmu, what an honor! Forgive me for not coming out to greet you sooner."

From high on the mountain steps, Qin Feng strode forward. Dressed all in black, he had refined features, a gentle curve to his lips, and long, elegant eyebrows. Yet, as his eyes shifted, they revealed an ineffable mix of dominance and roguish charm.

"Qin Feng, you are too courteous!" Elder Qingmu turned and quickly rose to his feet.

Had this been an ordinary disciple, Qing Mu would never have been so deferential, but the young man in black before him was different.

Elder Qingmu’s gaze fell upon the Alchemy Villa being constructed halfway up the mountain, and he smiled.

"It seems this Alchemy Villa will be officially completed soon. Although Heavenly Red Mountain is known as a Water Attribute Spirit Mountain Blessed Land, the prospectors from the Fengshui Hall have discovered abundant Earth Fire resources buried deep beneath it. It’s actually a dual-attribute Spirit Mountain Blessed Land of both water and fire, containing Spirit Fire within and nurturing Lingxiu without!"

"With this Spirit Mountain Blessed Land in your hands, Qin Feng, it seems its full potential will finally be realized!"

Hearing Elder Qingmu’s remark, Qin Feng’s brow twitched as a thought crossed his mind. ’What is this old man getting at? Is the Medicine King Hall planning to hand this Spirit Mountain Blessed Land over to me completely?’

Frowning slightly, Qin Feng looked at Elder Qingmu and said, "And what is your meaning, Elder?"

A curious smile appeared on Elder Qingmu’s face. He turned his head and said, "Qin Feng, my meaning—the meaning of our Medicine King Hall—is something I believe you already understand!"

"I don’t much care for playing guessing games, either."

"So I’ll be blunt. The Medicine King Hall wishes to appoint you as our Chief Alchemist. What do you say?"

Chief Alchemist?

Qin Feng’s body trembled slightly. He had his own speculations about how the Medicine King Hall might try to win him over, but he had still underestimated their sheer magnanimity.

To think they would directly appoint him as Chief Alchemist.

Shock flickered in Qin Feng’s eyes. He took a short, deep breath. As a disciple of the Medicine King Hall, Qin Feng knew exactly how much power the Chief Alchemist wielded.

The Chief Alchemist held a unique position within the Medicine King Hall. While it had no official grade, its actual status was second only to that of the Hall Master of the Medicine King Hall.

As Chief Alchemist, one had the authority to requisition any and all Spirit Medicines within the Medicine King Hall.

That privilege alone was enough to make any Alchemist covet the position.

Even Qin Feng couldn’t begin to guess just how many Spirit Medicines the Medicine King Hall possessed.

But the number was certainly beyond the imagination of any ordinary person.

The Medicine King Hall oversaw thousands of Spirit Mountain Blessed Lands throughout the Three Circles, each of which was required to deliver Spirit Medicines to the Hall every year.

One could only imagine the sheer size of the Medicine King Hall’s Spirit Medicine inventory.

It was known as the grand apothecary of All Stars Academy, after all.

For an Alchemist, the greatest happiness was, naturally, an inexhaustible supply of Spirit Medicines.

Other powers within All Stars Academy had also made tempting offers to recruit him, but when it came to magnanimity, they were all more than a step below the Medicine King Hall.

Seeing the emotion flickering in the black-clad young man’s eyes, Elder Qingmu was slightly surprised by his composure. After all, even he had been taken aback when he first learned of the Medicine King Hall’s decision.

Chief Alchemist of the Medicine King Hall... the title was too special, too coveted.

Ever since word had gotten out that the Medicine King Hall was looking to hire an Alchemist, many Sixth Grade Alchemists, and even Seventh-grade Refining Masters, had been in contact with them.

Qin Feng was tempted. He fought to suppress the emotion in his eyes.

He looked at Elder Qingmu and said slowly, "Elder, forgive my bluntness, but I am just a Fourth Grade Alchemist. How could I possibly be worthy of such a heavy responsibility?"

’The position of Chief Alchemist of the Medicine King Hall is too high-profile.’

"This is the Hall Master’s decision. With his insight, I’m sure he hasn’t misjudged you!"

Qing Mu’s eyes held a smile. In truth, Elder Qingmu himself didn’t understand what the Hall Master was thinking, or why he would want to appoint a Fourth Grade Alchemist.

A fifteen-year-old Fourth Grade Alchemist, while exceptionally talented and possessing limitless potential...

...was still just a Fourth Grade Alchemist. The gap between that and a true Seventh-grade Refining Master was immense.

Even if the young man before him had extraordinary potential, there were plenty of other ways to recruit him. Why use the position of Chief Alchemist to tie him down?

Too many people had their eyes on that position.

Qin Feng hesitated. He had realized this as well.

’Chief Alchemist of the Medicine King Hall... a position that prominent is bound to attract trouble.’

He believed that as soon as news of his appointment as Chief Alchemist of the Medicine King Hall spread, it would likely draw the hostility of many powerful Alchemists.

Elder Qingmu’s gaze fell upon Qin Feng as he said, "Of course, don’t feel any pressure, my young friend. Regardless of whether you agree or not, the Hall Master has ordered that Heavenly Red Peak can be completely signed over to you as your private domain!"

’What an incredible gesture!’

’To give away a High-level Spirit Mountain Blessed Land with a single stroke!’

Visibly moved, Qin Feng considered for a moment before looking at Elder Qingmu and saying, "I accept!"

Now that it had come to this, Qin Feng no longer felt any fear.

’What’s a little trouble?’

’It would be foolish to turn away such a prize when it was right there for the taking!’

"Excellent! Young friend Qin Feng, you truly are decisive!" With his goal accomplished and the mission from the Medicine King Hall fulfilled, it was as if a great mountain had been lifted from Elder Qingmu’s heart. He laughed heartily.

Qin Feng smiled as well. With a wave of his wide sleeve, a jar of Thousand-Year Jade Spirit Brew appeared in his hand. "Elder Qingmu, this is a doubly joyous occasion. Let us have a drink to celebrate!"

"Is this the Thousand-Year Jade Spirit Brew that the Contribution Hall just released?"

Elder Qingmu’s eyes lit up. The Thousand-Year Jade Spirit Brew was incredibly sought-after. The moment it appeared on the exchange list, it was snatched up by numerous Elders.

It was said that its appearance had even stirred a few of the Peak Masters from the Star Sect’s Twenty-eight Peaks.

"Good stuff!" With a sweep of his wide sleeve, Qing Mu broke the jar’s seal. His nose twitched, and his eyes began to shine.

...

An hour later, after seeing off Elder Qingmu, Qin Feng stood alone in the Guest Welcoming Pavilion. He looked at the messy stone table, littered with cups and plates, and shook his head.

Luan Xiaochuan, Zhao Yuan, and Xu Jie, who had been lingering around the Guest Welcoming Pavilion, approached. All three were suppressing their excitement as they spoke with reverence.

"Congratulations, Peak Master, on becoming the Chief Alchemist of the Medicine King Hall! Your status is immense, and your authority supreme!"

"Peak Master, for such a joyous occasion, should we hold a grand banquet?" Luan Xiaochuan stepped forward to inquire, his eyes fervent.

When the master prospers, so do the servants. They rise and fall as one.

With Qin Feng as the Chief Alchemist of the Medicine King Hall, their own statuses would naturally rise with his.

It was like the old saying, "Even a doorman at the Prime Minister’s gate outranks a seventh-grade official." As Qin Feng’s confidants, their own standing would naturally soar.

"Not for now. Besides, many people will not be convinced of my appointment as Chief Alchemist of the Medicine King Hall. To celebrate with great fanfare right now would be inappropriate."

Qin Feng waved his hand dismissively.

"For now, I want you to immediately build several more Traveling Palaces at the foot of Heavenly Red Mountain. Send some men down. It won’t be long before Elder Qingmu sends people to deliver Spirit Medicines. Furthermore, my current identity is the Chief Alchemist of the Medicine King Hall. From now on, Heavenly Red Peak will only grow more prosperous, and our affairs will multiply. The three of you alone won’t be able to manage everything. I plan to expand the number of Heavenly Red Mountain’s Outer Disciples again. You three should prepare yourselves. Cultivate diligently for a time, and do not let these new Outer Disciples surpass you!"

"Yes, Peak Master!" The three of them were startled, instantly feeling a sense of urgency.

Qin Feng turned and walked up the peak. Although he had become the Chief Alchemist of the Medicine King Hall, his main priority was still to condense a new Spirit Vein. After a period of harmonization, he had almost completely subdued the three types of Spirit Fire. ’Perhaps I can try to condense a fourth Spirit Fire...’

(Fourth update to follow.)