Xiao Yan once again arrived at the Alchemist Association, but unlike his previous two visits when he had arrived openly and properly, this time he came in a stealthy manner.
After passing through the outermost trading area of the Alchemist Association, he arrived at the main hall. There, he happened to see Grandmaster Ao Tuo from Black Rock City, one of the judges from the Grand Meeting.
"Who are you?" Grandmaster Ao Tuo noticed a figure in a black robe approaching and asked suspiciously.
Xiao Yan slightly lifted the brim of his hat to reveal a bit of his face and whispered, "Grandmaster Ao Tuo, it's me."
"You're Xiao..." Before Grandmaster Ao Tuo could finish speaking, Xiao Yan hurriedly stopped him. After all, he was still in a rather awkward situation at this moment.
"Oh, oh, I understand. You've come to the Alchemist Association to claim your championship rewards, haven't you?" Grandmaster Ao Tuo held back a laugh and spoke softly.
Xiao Yan quickly nodded and said, "May I trouble Grandmaster Ao Tuo to take me to see Chairman Fa Ma?"
Grandmaster Ao Tuo nodded. However, instead of directly leading Xiao Yan to the chairman's room, he arranged for an empty room for him to wait in while he went to summon the chairman.
Xiao Yan's rewards weren't kept in the chairman's room, and receiving an important figure like him required Chairman Fa Ma to make proper preparations.
Removing his hood, Xiao Yan reclined on the sofa, waiting for Chairman Fa Ma's arrival.
About thirty minutes later, a few knocks sounded on the door. Three figures pushed it open and entered. They were Fa Ma, the Chairman of the Alchemist Association; Jia Xing Tian, the guardian of the Jia Ma Empire's imperial family; and Xiao Yan's old friend, Hai Bodong.
"You little brat finally decided to show up," Hai Bodong raised an eyebrow and said with a playful smile.
"I had no choice but to appear. After all, there are still rewards to claim." Xiao Yan shrugged and shook his head with a wry smile. Losing face wasn't as bad as being poor.
"Hahaha, those are all trivial matters. Although it's belated, I still have to say
congratulations, little fellow! You've become the youngest champion in the history of the Jia Ma Empire's Grand Meeting," Fa Ma and Jia Xing Tian both smiled and cupped their hands toward Xiao Yan sitting on the sofa.
There was no doubt that in the eyes of these old monsters, Xiao Yan was now on equal footing with them.
"I'd prefer not to discuss anything related to the Alchemist Grand Meeting right now," Xiao Yan smiled bitterly.
"Hehe, very well. I won't waste words either. This is what you deserve," Fa Ma chuckled and, without further ado, brushed his hand over his storage ring. A purple-silver scroll appeared in his palm. He gently stroked the scroll, reluctant to part with it, before handing it to Xiao Yan. This was a tier 6 pill recipe! Even the Jia Ma Empire's Alchemist Association didn't have the ability to produce such a thing. Almost all tier 6 pill recipes were obtained through various means by trading with the Alchemist Associations in the Central Plains.
For example, the tier 7 Body Transformation Pill that Gu He had intended to trade with Queen Medusa back then was also purchased at a hefty price from an Alchemist Association in the Central Plains.
Xiao Yan took the Spirit Fusion Pill recipe and said, "Hard work does pay off. The value of a tier 6 pill recipe is no less than that of a Low Di Class Dou Technique."
Fa Ma then took out a silver-white long robe and a token from his storage ring and said, "I know you haven't taken the alchemist rank examinations, but your performance in the Grand Meeting has already surpassed the association's test for 5th-tier alchemists. Therefore, this 5th-tier alchemist robe is yours. It's extremely precious, woven from rare medicinal plants. Wearing it can keep your mind refreshed and help you concentrate more when refining pills." "And this Honorary Elder Token is also one of the championship rewards. Don't underestimate this token. If you go to any place with an Alchemist Association, even in the Central Plains, this token remains effective. You'll receive the treatment of an elder from the Jia Ma Empire's Alchemist Association."
"Although our Jia Ma Empire's Alchemist Association isn't a particularly prominent association, it's recognized by the Pill Tower, which can provide you with some conveniences when you're outside."
Xiao Yan didn't know that Gu He's ability to trade for a tier 7 medicinal pill as a 6th-tier alchemist was largely thanks to this Honorary Elder Token.
With this identity, trading for medicinal ingredients, pills, and pill recipes came with a guarantee of credibility. It represented the backing of a nation's Alchemist Association and was a symbol of authority.
Xiao Yan carefully accepted the robe and token and solemnly nodded. "Thank you, Chairman Fa Ma. No matter where I go, I will always remember that I possess this token."
Fa Ma nodded in satisfaction upon hearing Xiao Yan's words.
Xiao Yan was not an ungrateful person. The Alchemist Grand Meeting took a great deal of manpower and resources to hold, not just to see which young person had more potential, but also as a means of nurturing talent.
The three items before him were all extremely valuable and represented a kind of favor. He naturally understood this.
"Ahem, Fa Ma, since you're done, it's my turn now," Jia Xing Tian lightly coughed and said. "You call that a matter?" Hai Bodong shot Jia Xing Tian a sidelong glance.
"How is my matter not a matter? It's quite a significant matter." Jia Xing Tian lightly flicked his storage ring, and suddenly a pile of miscellaneous items appeared on the table, including various medicinal ingredients, scrolls, and even pills.
"What is this?" Xiao Yan asked in confusion.
Hai Bodong explained, "These are Yan Li's belongings. That old monster said you played the biggest role in capturing him, so all his things belong to you."
In fact, everyone present knew that, according to protocol, Yan Li's belongings should have been confiscated into the imperial treasury. Yan Li was a peak 4th-tier alchemist, and who knows how many people coveted his possessions.
But Jia Xing Tian actually gave them all to him, which clearly showed his intention to curry
Xiao Yan also understood Jia Xing Tian's little scheme. He was worried that Xiao Yan might threaten the imperial family's position, so he was trying to win him over in advance.
"In that case, this junior won't stand on ceremony." Xiao Yan did not refuse, because rejecting the other party's goodwill could easily make them think he had ulterior motives. However, he didn't take everything either. He only selected a few main ingredients for tier 5 medicinal pills, a tier 5 pill recipe, and that Purple Heart Barrier Breaking Pill. He left the other miscellaneous items untouched.
"By the way, Chairman Fa Ma, can you help me check if the association has these medicinal ingredients? I urgently need to refine a tier 5 pill." Xiao Yan wrote down the remaining three precious medicinal ingredients for the Spiritual Recovery Purple Pill on a piece of paper. Collecting the medicinal ingredients was the most challenging part of refining the Spiritual Recovery Purple Pill.
Hai Bodong revealed a hint of gratification in his eyes when he saw that Xiao Yan was attentive to his own matters and had not forgotten. Fortunately, he hadn't misjudged this
Fa Ma picked up the white paper and said after glancing at it, "Purple Spirit Flower Nectar, Gastrodia Trifoliata, Black Dew Flower-these are all quite precious tier 5 medicinal ingredients that need to be sourced from higher-level associations. But the price, I'm afraid it won't be cheap. Moreover, medicinal ingredients of this level cannot be exchanged with gold coins. They likely require pill points from the Alchemist Association for the exchange, which
you don't have, right?"
Xiao Yan smiled slightly and said, "No worries, Chairman. As long as you or the other Deputy Chairman have them, that's fine."
Fa Ma gave Xiao Yan a blank look and said in an unhappy tone, "You're going too far. Even if this old man has them, I wouldn't just give them to you for free ."
Xiao Yan revealed a meaningful smile and said with a laugh, "Don't worry, Chairman. Tomorrow, you'll be chasing after me to give them to me."
"Huh?" Not to mention Fa Ma, even Hai Bodong and Jia Xing Tian were left in a fog after
Chase after you to give you precious medicinal ingredients? Has Fa Ma lost his mind?
However, not long after Xiao Yan left the association, an urgent announcement released by the Miteer Auction House quickly spread throughout the entire Jia Ma Sacred City. This explosive news even overshadowed the hotly debated topic of the Alchemist Grand Meeting. "Holy shit! The Tian Class Auction Hall of the Miteer Auction House is opening!"