The next day, Li Fengyuan, Zhao Dazhu, and Jia Hao were in their seats.
The class was already filled with students, the low hum of chatter echoing between the stone walls.
It was time for class, but no teacher was in sight.
Minutes passed. Murmurs began to rise among the students.
Elder Ming was known for being punctual—but today, he didn't come on time.
Zhao Dazhu leaned over, whispering, "Wow! Elder Ming is never late. Did he oversleep?"
"Unlikely!"
Jia Hao replied.
Just as the restless whispers started to grow louder, the heavy doors at the back of the hall creaked open.
All eyes turned.
Elder Ming finally appeared, but not alone.
Walking beside him was another teacher, whom some recognized and some didn't. Li Fengyuan was in the latter category.
But he did recognize another teacher along with them—Sun Huai, the one who had helped him gain access to the Alchemy Room yesterday.
Elder Ming cleared his throat, his tone more formal than usual.
His usually calm expression was far more solemn as he stepped onto the platform.
His gaze swept across the disciples before settling briefly on Li Fengyuan.
"This is Head Alchemist Wu Tianlan," Elder Ming announced, his voice carrying clearly through the hall.
"He and Teacher Sun have some business with one of our students."
Whispers immediately erupted like sparks in dry grass. Business? With the Head Alchemist?
Elder Ming raised a hand for silence before speaking again.
"Li Fengyuan. Please come forward. Head Alchemist Wu and Teacher Sun wish to speak with you."
The room fell utterly still.
Dozens of gazes snapped toward Li Fengyuan.
Shock, disbelief, curiosity—every expression imaginable flickered across the disciples' faces.
Li Fengyuan tapped his finger against the table, expression calm. Taking his time, he rose slowly from his seat.
But the silence didn't last long.
The class broke into hushed speculation, their voices buzzing like restless bees.
"Head Alchemist Wu wants to see him? Did he cause trouble again?"
"Maybe he offended someone important. Only someone with a death wish would make the Head Alchemist move personally."
"No, no, haven't you heard? Yesterday, Li Fengyuan went to the Alchemy Grounds. He demanded the use of the Head Alchemist's alchemy room!"
"What?! Really? Then this must be it! He finally crossed the line!"
"Idiot, doesn't he know who Wu Tianlan is? He'll be lucky if he gets away with just suspension!"
The rumors spread so fast it was as if the entire class had rehearsed them beforehand.
In the front row, Xiao Mei's delicate brows furrowed. She leaned closer to Shen Yuyan, her voice low but sharp with curiosity.
"Just what is Li Fengyuan thinking this time? Yuyan, do you think he would be in deep trouble?"
"I don't think so. He seemed to have changed recently and has also stopped pestering me."
"Mmm…"
Indeed, Xiao Mei had to admit that Li Fengyuan had changed quite a bit and looked more pleasing to the eye than before.
But as the saying goes, a tiger can't change its stripes.
Well, she didn't think much of it. As long as Li Fengyuan didn't bother her or her friends, she didn't really care.
On the other side of the hall, Zhao Dazhu and Jia Hao were also dumbfounded.
"Do you think he's angry because Fengyuan used his alchemy room?"
Zhao Dazhu asked nervously.
"Fengyuan didn't really make a mess, and we even had Elder Sun's permission. It shouldn't be a problem," Jia Hao replied.
"Then why are they here?" Zhao Dazhu asked, confused.
"Mmm… Perhaps because of Li Fengyuan's talent?"
Jia Hao speculated. After all, the pills they had taken yesterday were far from ordinary.
To be able to refine such pills at Li Fengyuan's age, he could very well be called a genius.
So, Jia Hao assumed that perhaps the Head Alchemist was impressed by his talent.
Of course, there was also a chance that he was angry at Li Fengyuan for using his alchemy room.
Meanwhile, Li Fengyuan casually and calmly walked toward the front, every step drawing the class's attention tighter around him.
To the watching students, it looked as though the young master was being summoned for judgment.
Li Fengyuan reached the front of the hall, his steps unhurried. He stopped just short of Wu Tianlan, lifting his chin ever so slightly.
"What's the matter?"
He asked, his tone bordering on casual insolence.
Gasps rippled through the class.
He dared speak to the Head Alchemist like that?!
Many disciples braced themselves for Wu Tianlan's fury, expecting the Head Alchemist to lash out.
But instead—
Wu Tianlan did not scowl. He did not bark. He actually laughed.
The sternness in his eyes softened as he clasped his hands politely toward Li Fengyuan.
"Haha… Young Master Li, forgive me for disturbing you in the middle of your studies," he said with measured courtesy.
"This matter is of importance, and I would be most grateful if you could accompany me to discuss it privately."
The hall fell into stunned silence.
What… What did he just say? Forgive me?
Students gawked, jaws slack. The mighty Head Alchemist of Heavenly Path Academy—was apologizing? To Li Fengyuan of all people?
Wasn't he here to punish him?
Wu Tianlan even inclined his head slightly, as though asking for a favor rather than demanding obedience.
It was as if the world had flipped upside down.
Li Fengyuan studied him for a moment.
(He must want to talk about the pill I had refined yesterday.)
"Very well!"
Wu Tianlan bowed once more, the deference unmistakable.
"Please!"
The two teachers—Wu Tianlan and Sun Huai—turned and began walking toward the exit. Li Fengyuan followed with his usual nonchalant gait.
Behind them, the classroom exploded into whispers.
"What the hell just happened?!"
"The Head Alchemist apologized to Li Fengyuan!"
"This makes no sense. Aren't they supposed to be here to punish him?"
Xiao Mei blinked several times, utterly taken aback. She nudged Shen Yuyan with wide eyes.
"Yuyan, did you see that? Looks like the Head Alchemist was here to ask for a favor rather than punish Li Fengyuan."
Shen Yuyan didn't answer right away. Her clear eyes lingered on Li Fengyuan's back as he walked out of the hall.
She also couldn't believe what she saw.
The whispers only grew louder, spreading like wildfire.
Elder Ming's brow furrowed. He raised his hand sharply, and his voice boomed through the hall.
"Quiet down!"
The force of his tone rolled across the classroom like a crashing wave, immediately silencing the students.
Dozens of pairs of eyes reluctantly turned toward the platform.
Elder Ming's gaze swept across them, steady and firm.
"Enough idle gossip. Whatever business the Head Alchemist has with Li Fengyuan does not concern the rest of you. Do not waste your time chasing rumors."
The disciples stiffened under his words, some shrinking in their seats.
Elder Ming adjusted his sleeves and sat, his voice returning to its usual measured calm.
"Class will begin!"