"Indeed, Minister, we can’t even refine the antidote. Even if we wanted to help, there’s nothing we could do."
The person who interrupted Gu Xiyue earlier was Ma Tao, and the one who echoed him was Jin Xiaolan. Both displayed their dissatisfaction openly on their faces due to Gu Xiyue’s late-night summons.
Gu Xiyue’s expression remained unchanged as she patiently explained, "It doesn’t matter if you can’t refine it. Someone will personally guide you to refine the antidote."
While waiting for them earlier, Gu Zhiqi had told her about personally guiding them in refining the medicine.
Ever since she found out that Gu Zhiqi was Nan Zhi, Gu Xiyue had a blind trust in her, never doubting her abilities.
So, knowing that Gu Zhiqi would personally guide several alchemists from the Medical Alliance in refining the medicine, Gu Xiyue was not only surprised but also very expectant.
She and Ling Yuxuan were Fourth-order Peak Alchemists.
The other alchemists, although also Fourth-order Alchemists, were still at the Primary or Middle Stage, while the antidote for the Lethal Powder evidently required at least a Fourth-order Late Stage level to refine.
It seemed Gu Zhiqi was confident about guiding them in refining the antidote.
If Gu Zhiqi were to successfully lead several alchemists in refining the antidote, perhaps some of them might gain insight and directly advance to Fourth-order Late Stage Alchemists.
Gu Xiyue didn’t want them to miss such an opportunity, which is why she called all six of them over.
However, it was clear that some were unwilling.
Gu Xiyue understood the dissatisfaction of the alchemists, given that it was already quite late.
If they really had to refine the elixir, it might take all night, so Gu Xiyue decided to patiently explain to them.
"The person beside me is..."
Just as Gu Xiyue was about to introduce Gu Zhiqi to everyone, she was interrupted by a snicker.
Ma Tao snickered and looked at Gu Zhiqi with disdain, "Minister Yue, this teacher you’re talking about, can’t be this little girl beside you, right?"
Upon Ma Tao’s words, Gu Xiyue’s brows furrowed slightly, a faint chill emanating around her, "Indeed, she is the one who will guide you in refining the antidote."
Compared to earlier, Gu Xiyue’s tone had become much colder.
She could understand and not mind if someone was dissatisfied with her.
But seeing Ma Tao look down on Gu Zhiqi made Gu Xiyue very uncomfortable.
After all, in Gu Xiyue’s eyes, Gu Zhiqi was not only her sister and Little Master but also Nan Zhi, the Divine Doctor she had admired for a long time.
Ma Tao displayed disdain openly and even called Gu Zhiqi a little girl, instantly making Gu Xiyue feel that her long-time idol was being offended, creating a natural displeasure within her and resulting in her cold tone.
Ma Tao saw the sudden change in Gu Xiyue’s aura and his heart skipped a beat. After taking a step back, he instantly felt a surge of anger.
He focused his gaze on Gu Zhiqi, scrutinizing her from head to toe, then spoke mockingly, "Ridiculous, a little girl, and she can refine the antidote?"
Gu Xiyue’s eyes grew colder as she looked at Ma Tao and replied indifferently, "Refining the antidote has never depended on age. Alchemist Ma is forty-nine this year, if I’m not mistaken, and still, you’re not capable of refining the antidote."
Hearing Gu Xiyue’s words, Ma Tao’s anger instantly flared up, "What do you mean, Yue Xi?"
Gu Xiyue’s words directly struck Ma Tao’s sore spot.
Besides Ling Yuxuan, he was the oldest among the Fourth-order Alchemists in the Medical Alliance.
However, his alchemy level remained at Fourth-order Middle Stage, and he had been stuck at this stage for seven or eight years now.