In a place filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers, Hu Qian was leisurely humming a tune on a rocking chair, utterly comfortable.
Recently, the old man had been in a great mood; his granddaughter, who had been a source of worry, had actually recovered, although the goal was indeed quite difficult. Based on his experience, he figured the matter was likely a failure, but young people have plenty of time, as long as they don't stray from the right direction.
If Lin Feng knew what Hu Qian was like, he would be furious. This guy had ruined him terribly for his granddaughter, even affecting his alchemy practice.
"Well, Xian'er will probably reach the Dou Ling level soon, then we can go directly to the inner courtyard."
After some reflection, Lin Feng remembered that he hadn't seen Little Fairy Doctor in a long time, so he headed straight for her department.
Meanwhile, Elder Huo, led by a tutor, hurriedly found Hu Qian, who was resting with his eyes closed.
"Old man Hu Qian, congratulations!"
A loud shout shattered the peaceful scene, leaving Hu Qian, who was leisurely reclining in his chair, completely bewildered.
"Congratulations? Congratulations on what? Disturbing me so early in the morning, what's wrong with you, old man Huo?"
Hu Qian, his mood disrupted, immediately stood up and bombarded Elder Huo with his three soul-searching questions. He even wondered if the old man had gone mad from practicing alchemy; this was a great loss to the academy.
"Old man Hu Qian, I'm about to advance to the sixth-grade alchemist. From now on, the academy will have its own sixth-grade alchemist, and we won't need to seek Han Feng anymore."
Elder Huo paused, seemingly having thought of something, his eyes filled with fervor.
"At that time, I might even be able to refine royal-grade pills, or even breakthrough pills. The academy's strength will surely increase greatly. Do
n't you think this is something to congratulate, old man?" "Perhaps I'll pave the way for your path to becoming a Dou Zong. Don't you think this is something to congratulate, old man?"
Elder Huo seemed to have even fooled himself as he spoke. The scene he described was so vivid that it seemed to be unfolding before his eyes. Even the usually quick-witted Vice Dean Hu Qian was stunned, not knowing what he was saying.
After a long while, Hu Qian finally reacted, forcefully shaking off Elder Huo's hand and frowning.
"What's gotten into you today, old man Huo? We've worked together for decades, do you think I don't know your level? You've been at the peak of the fifth rank for almost ten years now, without any extraordinary encounters. How can you break through in alchemy so easily?"
Then, looking at Elder Huo's somewhat dim eyes, Hu Qian wondered if he had gone too far. "Don't let this crush one of the few Rank 5 alchemists in the academy, even though he's already a bit eccentric. "
Just as he was about to offer some words of comfort, Elder Huo spoke first.
"Hahaha, you old fellow are right. I was already despairing of whether I could advance to Rank 6. Otherwise, I wouldn't be spending my days training juniors and tending to flowers and plants; that's not what an ambitious alchemist should do."
Elder Huo's eyes dimmed for only a moment, then burst forth with a bright light that made Hu Qian almost unable to look directly at him.
"Old Hu Qian, you have to help me this time! My advancement to Rank 6 depends on you!"
These words confused Hu Qian again. Could he actually be a hidden Rank 6 or even Rank 7 alchemist, hidden so much that even Hu Qian himself had forgotten? Otherwise, why would he need to help Elder Huo with his advancement?
At this moment, seeing that the time was right, Elder Huo softly uttered a name.
"Lin Feng!"
"Could it be?"
Seemingly realizing something unpleasant, Hu Qian's eyes narrowed slightly as he glanced inexplicably at the old man Huo, whose entire body radiated a fanatical aura.
"You bastard, you wouldn't be thinking of stealing someone else's inheritance, would you?"
"You old codger, what are you thinking?"
Unexpectedly, the old man Hu Qian spoke like this, and Elder Huo jumped up in anger, his blood rushing to his head, his face turning bright red.
"It's an exchange, an exchange, do you understand? Elder Lin Feng wants to find a Grade Earth cultivation technique, and he's willing to exchange it for the inheritance of a Grade Six alchemy technique."
Elder Huo immediately stated what Lin Feng had asked of him, lest the dark-hearted old man Hu Qian utter any more shocking words.
"An exchange? How could Elder Lin Feng think of that? Doesn't he know that after five years as an elder, there's an opportunity to choose a Rank 6 cultivation technique? This is a rule established by the Dean himself. Didn't you tell him?"
Hearing Hu Qian's reminder, Elder Huo seemed to remember something and immediately fell silent, as if he had indeed forgotten to mention it.
"Very well!"
Seeing Elder Huo's embarrassed expression, Hu Qian rubbed his forehead. No wonder the academy had a vague saying that he was an impatient old man.
"We'll go and tell Elder Lin Feng the truth. Although I also want to get this Rank 6 inheritance for you, I can't tarnish the academy's reputation for it."
Looking at Elder Huo, who looked somewhat regretful but also agreed, Hu Qian waved his hand and said magnanimously.
"As for this sixth-grade alchemy technique, I'll definitely exchange it for you. I don't believe there's nothing in this vast academy that Elder Lin Feng would covet?"
"Hahaha, you truly live up to your reputation as the vice-dean whom everyone admires. You're really domineering. Let's go, let's not keep Elder Lin Feng waiting." Elder
Huo stroked his beard excitedly, then, ignoring Hu Qian's speechless expression, he grabbed Hu Qian and headed towards Lin Feng's location.
"I knew I was right to call you an impatient old man!"
Meanwhile, Lin Feng was walking towards the class taught by Instructor Ruolin. Along the way, he frequently encountered other freshmen from the Jia Ma Empire.
They greeted him respectfully, holding Lin Feng in awe of his abilities. Coupled with the beatings they had endured over the past month, they had realized that this place was full of peers no less capable than themselves, and many were even powerful Great Dou Masters.
This inevitably increased their pressure, so how could they not be happy to see Lin Feng, a fellow countryman?
Lin Feng responded with a smile, suddenly realizing he was already a reliable and powerful figure in their eyes.
"Too bad, still a long way off!"
he thought to himself. After inquiring about whether they were adapting to the academy's studies and telling them to come to him if they encountered any difficulties, he left amidst their admiring and grateful gazes.
The other female students, whom he didn't recognize, were surprised that such a handsome young man had arrived at the academy; as members of the intelligence department, they hadn't known. They suddenly realized this was a chance to find a girlfriend. Before they could approach him, Lin Feng had already vanished.
After turning a few corners, Lin Feng arrived at a classroom with a pleasant fragrance and slowly walked to the window. He quietly observed, not disturbing anyone, because he had learned about it from a female student from Wutan City.
Yes, it was the shy girl by the podium who had been late and happened to be there. Judging from her incredibly long legs, Lin Feng vaguely guessed who she was.
Of course, that was none of his business. His gaze immediately shifted to a serene figure, surrounded by no male students.
An empty seat lay beside her. Looking at the female student on the platform, Lin Feng understood; no wonder she seemed so familiar.
Just as Lin Feng was quietly admiring the Little Fairy Doctor in the classroom, a voice rang in his ear via telepathy.
"Elder Lin Feng, please come and see me."
"Oh? It's that old codger Hu Qian's voice. Has the matter been resolved so quickly?"
Lin Feng had some suspicions. As for why he was called an "old codger," it was simply because that shameless old man had done something truly inhuman.
Leaving silently, Lin Feng didn't disturb the break. The Little Fairy Doctor, however, glanced out the window as if sensing something, and after finding nothing, returned to her studies.
After turning a few corners, Lin Feng arrived at a quiet garden, where he immediately saw the smiling Hu Qian and Elder Huo waiting.
Walking over, Lin Feng asked expectantly.
"Vice Dean, I wonder what your thoughts are on this deal? Has the academy agreed?"
(End of Chapter)