While the two alchemists’ heads bobbed in determination, Adam raised the furnace lid. A rush of hot hair ruffled his hair and permeated the room with a potent medicinal scent that unclogged their noses and lungs.
With a smirk, he fished ten pills glistening gold under their moist crust and turned to Zhong Fei.
"Proof of my success." He threw them at him and shrugged. "Bring me the materials for the three-star test."
However, where he expected to see a pair of trembling eyes, he only saw them sparkle as the man caught and inspected the pills. His brows rose when Zhong Fei’s smile broadened, then narrowed when the man stormed out of the room without a word.
Meanwhile, Xuefeng clenched her fists under her broad sleeves and walked to him.
"Little brother..." She started, her voice sharper than her brows. "It’s better if you meet the branch director. He’ll save time for everyone by assessing your skills." She inhaled sharply, a pang of envy flashing through her eyes. "Because I think you’re a better alchemist than me. That’s not all. We know the individual who taught you was a grandmaster. Only the director can match him and have enough knowledge to sharpen your skills in the Jin Long sect."
Adam rolled his eyes at her, controlling his nose not to scrunch.
"Here it is again." He clicked his tongue. "Listen, lady. I don’t want to become anyone’s disciple but the sect leader’s. If you understand, call back Zhong Fei or give me my alchemist robes because I won’t perform before your director."
Her eyes widened for a second. That reclusive man who seldom left the shade of his mountain to mingle with weaker cultivators? She massaged her temples as his proud figure flashed in her mind.
"What I think about your goal doesn’t matter." Her voice lingered, her suggestion caught in her throat before she exhaled her doubts. "But the sect leader is a Qi smith, not an alchemist, and trust me, our director is equal to him in his discipline. So, why don’t you take both as masters? One will teach you cultivation while the other to refine pills. It’s a golden opportunity you can’t miss and will ensure you won’t be left with nothing if the leader refuses you."
Yet, her long explanation only met a bitter smile and a head shake.
Then, Adam walked to the door and pointed at the reception desk.
"We’ll talk about it another time. For now, give me my materials and robes."
His eyes narrowed into slits on his way, the detail about the leader’s job not falling on deaf ears.
’I would have started with the smithing association had I known about it. I’ll earn a few points if we share the same passion, maybe enough to tilt the scale in my favor when he descends.’
His mind raced to weigh the risks and rewards before a steely glint flashed in his eyes.
Exposing both alchemy and smithing would attract too much attention to a new seven-year-old disciple. That’s why he had opted for alchemy. Not only because he started his journey by learning it but for its practical money-making potential. After all, pills were cheap one-time-use products while equipment would bring him more sect points in a single sale, but at irregular intervals.
A bitter taste filled his mouth as he reached the counter.
’Besides the elders, no one can afford my creations in the first place, not to mention they’d never want to change them.’ He shook his head. ’I’ll just register as a low-ranked Qi smith tomorrow and reveal my talent to the leader next year.’
Meanwhile, a regretful sigh escaped Xuefeng’s lips. But what could she do besides forcing the young genius into the meeting or complying with his will?
The answer was clear enough for her not to waste time on the question. Instead, she focused on Mei Mei and told her to register him as a two-star alchemist.
Ignoring her opened mouth and the hand covering it in shock, the wind whipped against her robes as she blurred to a side room and returned as fast as she had left.
However, Adam noticed the white robes she held and the two bronze stars shining on its chest area.
After he took it, he ran his palm on the soft fabric, a satisfied smile curling on his lips. Then, he pointed at a few low-tiered materials he had spotted earlier.
"Give me ten points’ worth of summer breeze grass, spring water orchid, and silver lotus."
Despite her furrowing brows, she complied, unlocked the cases, and handed him what he had asked.
Yet, she failed to control her burning lips when he stepped to the exit.
"Even if you use the silver lotus as the core material, it’ll overwhelm the other two’s properties." She shook her head, her tone softening. "I can help you pick better ones. But if you doubt, remember this: the prices reflect the materials’ rarity and potency."
After all, the lotus alone was worth eight points while the rest measly half a point each.
Of course, Adam knew about it, shrugged, and stepped through the door.
"Who says I need materials of the same tier to create something?" He patted his chest: the culmination of craftsmanship and heresy. "Even if hard to achieve, balance is the key to creation!"
His thought-provoking words lingered as his figure vanished into the inner sect’s streets.
Simultaneously, heavy stomps colliding against the stairs shattered the thoughtful silence settling.
A voice tinged with annoyance followed Zhong Fei’s emergence on the reception floor.
"You’re wasting my time with a disciple again, Zhong Fei. Look at the last one you recommended! He had an amazing affinity but never understood nature’s subtle balance. He failed as an innovator like the one before him."
An aged man grumbled behind him, his old, golden eyes as piercing as a hawk’s, scanning the place for the so-called prodigy.
Meanwhile, a tremor jolted Xuefeng’s shoulders, sending her mind wandering as Zhong Fei rushed to her.
"Balance... That’s what he said before leaving! He understands it at seven..." she muttered, her eyes unfocused, and respect she had never thought she would feel for a kid blossoming in her racing heart.
"Leaving?" Zhong Fei shuddered and glanced at the ominous frown creeping on the director’s brows. "Why didn’t you stop him?"
Her mind brought back by his anguished tone, her lips twisted as she lowered her head.
"He didn’t look interested in learning under a master, but said we’ll delve into the subject more next time."
"Oh?" The director caressed the long beard running over his intricate robes, down to the seven platinum stars shining on his chest like beacons showcasing his profound achievements in alchemy.
Despite his usually amiable features, his eyes narrowed into fiery slits.
"Such confidence for a boy." He waved his hand dismissively. "That solves the matter. I have better things to do than waste my time with your flight of fancy. Never bother me again with anyone under sixteen!"
With a final disapproving huff, he stomped on the stairs and returned to the association’s highest floor, his mind already erasing any notion of someone talented named Adam. A prodigy? He’d seen hundreds, and they’d all faded as quickly as they’d appeared. Talent needed discipline, and a child was hardly worth his time.