Within the medicinal field of the Alchemy Department of the Outer Court of Canaan Academy, the scenery was picturesque, with fragrant spiritual herbs and
flowers emanating a hazy glow. However, Elder Hu, standing there, was somewhat embarrassed. He saw Elder Huo glance slightly at Elder Huo, who seemed quite familiar with him, but then made no move, continuing to tend to the spiritual herb.
"Elder Lin Feng, this old man Huo is always like this, aloof and unfriendly, stubborn and arrogant,"
Elder Hu said, his beard bristling with anger. After taking a few deep breaths, he turned to Lin Feng and explained.
"Let me teach this arrogant old man a lesson,"
Lin Feng said, just as Elder Hu rolled up his sleeves, ready to fight Elder Huo. He then slowly stepped forward.
"The spiritual herb in Elder Huo's hand has a stem that is green, emanating a misty purple aura, and the number of leaves surrounding it gradually increases with age."
Looking closely at the herb beneath Elder Huo, Lin Feng explained its origin.
"It already has seven leaves, and if I'm not mistaken, it's seventy years old. It seems to be the Misty Purple Aura Grass, the main ingredient for refining the fourth-grade pill, the Misty Aura Pill."
As Lin Feng spoke, Elder Huo's attention was indeed drawn, and he slowly raised his head to look at the young man who had appeared out of nowhere.
Judging from the subtle medicinal fragrance emanating from him, he was a junior in the alchemy department. These days, it was rare to see a junior daring to speak so confidently in front of Huo Lie.
"It's a pity, being young, he lacks experience and can't truly recognize the essence of this spiritual herb. However, understanding this much shows he's done his homework, and he could be nurtured in the future,"
Elder Huo thought to himself, looking at Lin Feng with newfound respect. However, just as he was about to explain things to Lin Feng, Lin Feng spoke again.
"However, this is just the opinion of an average person,"
Lin Feng's tone shifted, and his next words truly impressed Elder Huo, placing him on the same level as himself.
"If you observe its roots closely, you'll find it's entirely crimson, like a burning flame. It's the Fiery Mist Grass, one of the main ingredients for refining the Grade 5 Seven Star Fire Pill."
"Who exactly are you, sir, to know about the Fiery Mist Grass used to refine Grade 5 pills? This kind of spiritual herb is extremely rare; even many newly promoted Grade 5 alchemists may not have heard of it."
Elder Huo stared intently at Lin Feng standing before him, only to suddenly realize that he couldn't sense the depth of Lin Feng's aura.
"Hahaha, old man Huo, serves you right for being so arrogant! Now you don't recognize a master in front of you, do you?"
At this moment, Elder Hu stepped forward, harshly mocking the stern Elder Huo. However, to his surprise, Elder Huo remained indifferent, making Elder Hu's stubble stand on end in anger.
"My name is Lin Feng. I was appreciated by Vice Dean Meng Huqian and appointed as an elder of the academy. I was fortunate enough to learn alchemy and will be working under Elder Huo from now on."
Lin Feng cupped his hands slightly to Elder Huo, not revealing his alchemy level at the same time. He knew that Elder Huo would be surprised when he started practicing alchemy in a few days. However, Elder Hu, who was more impatient, directly stated Lin Feng's alchemy rank, as if this would give him an advantage over Elder Huo.
"Old man Huo, you can't just assign Elder Lin Feng a position arbitrarily. You know, he's a super genius who reached the fifth rank in alchemy at the age of eighteen. Maybe Elder Lin Feng's level is even higher than yours, you stinking old man."
"What! Old man Hu, are you serious?"
Elder Huo, shocked by Elder Hu's words, finally paid attention to Elder Hu, who was like a fly buzzing around in his eyes. Just as Elder Hu stroked his beard, tilting his head slightly upward, preparing to admire his old rival bowing his head to ask him for guidance,
he saw Elder Huo instantly ignoring him and turning to question the main character, Lin Feng, completely disregarding Elder Hu. This infuriated Elder Hu, causing his beard to stand on end once again.
"Young friend Lin Feng, is what this old man Hu said true? A fifth-grade alchemist of such a young age, if it's true, as long as you don't betray the academy in the future, I'm willing to fully support you in becoming a sixth-grade alchemist."
Elder Huo stared intently at Lin Feng, as if he were looking at a seventh-grade pill. This wasn't an exaggeration; after all, he knew his own situation best. He had been at the peak of the fifth grade for many years, yet still showed no sign of breaking through to the sixth grade.
In fact, his repeated attempts had caused the academy significant losses, as the medicinal materials needed to refine a sixth-grade pill were extremely precious.
Now, a top-tier genius like Lin Feng appeared before him, how could he not be excited and overjoyed?
"Hahaha, Elder Huo, there's no need to be in such a hurry. As the saying goes, time will tell. Let Elder Huo observe him personally before making a decision; it's not too late."
Lin Feng could understand Elder Huo's feelings; it was so similar to Fa Ma's back then. Because he had no hope of advancing himself, he placed all his hopes on Elder Huo.
"However, with that item now, the Pharaoh should already be working on advancing to the sixth rank!"
He recalled how, when he left the capital of Gama, he had passed on part of his Soul Refining Technique to Elder Huo as a way of repaying his kindness.
Looking at Elder Huo, Lin Feng didn't promise any absolute loyalty. Partly, his personality dictated that he wouldn't easily make a vow.
Partly, Elder Huo was only saying this out of excitement; once he calmed down, he certainly wouldn't so easily entrust the entire academy's alchemy resources to him.
After all, it was only their first meeting, and there were plenty of ingrates in this world.
"Hahaha, young friend Lin Feng is right. I was being presumptuous. Come, come, while there's still time, why don't we go and exchange some alchemy techniques? It'll be a good opportunity for the alchemy department elders to witness your strength and decide on your position."
Hearing Lin Feng's words, Elder Huo calmed down, first stroking his beard, then seemingly remembering something. He hurriedly grabbed Lin Feng's hand, intending to drag him to the exchange area.
As for Elder Hu standing to the side, Elder Huo thought that he couldn't see such a large figure, couldn't refine medicine, and was just making a racket like a fly; whoever wanted to pay attention could ignore him.
After the two had walked away, Elder Hu finally realized what had happened, muttering to himself in a daze, "An old man like me, just ignored like that?"
"Wait, Elder Lin Feng didn't even greet me."
As if remembering something, Elder Hu clapped his hands, his beard bristling with anger, as if it hadn't shrunk all day.
"I absolutely can't let Elder Lin Feng stay with this old man Huo any longer. He's already being affected by him in just a short while. I have an obligation to help this good young man escape this old man Huo's persecution." With
this thought in mind, Elder Hu felt a sacred sense of mission welling up in his heart, and immediately straightened his back. However, seeing that Lin Feng and the other man had already walked further and further away, he hurriedly took off running after them, calling out repeatedly,
"Old man Huo, you rascal, wait for me!"
When Elder Hu caught up with them and arrived at the exchange area, just as he was about to loudly reprimand Old Man Huo for not waiting for him, he suddenly realized that the area, which he remembered as a place where alchemists would frequently exchange ideas, was eerily quiet.
Before he could ask, an alchemist who recognized him gently tugged at his sleeve and pointed in a direction.
Looking in that direction, Elder Hu saw that the huge exchange area had been surrounded by people, forming a large circle with an empty center. In the center of the circle, he saw Lin Feng standing in front of a large cauldron, meditating with his eyes closed.
"What's this?"