"Do you need something?" Su Xiaobai asked coldly.
Since the incident with Madman Drake, Su Xiaobai had grown increasingly intolerant of certain families—especially those who relied on their power to bully others.
For example, the young man standing before him now.
That smirk and punchable demeanor made Su Xiaobai's gaze turn colder.
"Master Bai, I am Lin Chen from the Lin family. If there's anything I've done to offend you, please forgive me!"
Lin Chen clasped his hands, bowing slightly, his tone respectful.
Such is the status of an alchemist. Even a scion of the Lin family, one of the Four Great Families, had to show due deference to an alchemist.
"I'm leaving now. You're in my way."
Su Xiaobai said indifferently.
"Master Bai, I know you're busy, but I won't take up much of your time!"
Lin Chen replied with a smile. "I heard that you're a Grade Five Alchemist. On behalf of the Lin family, I would like to invite you to refine a Grade Five pill for us. All the materials have been prepared, and you'll receive a generous reward. What do you say?"
"I don't have the time."
Su Xiaobai flatly refused.
His alchemist identity was entirely a pretense. If he went to a powerful family's estate, it would be like walking into a trap!
Besides, Lin Chen's attitude rubbed him the wrong way.
A smiling face on the surface but undoubtedly scheming underneath!
"Master Bai, would you reconsider?"
"My grandfather specifically instructed me to extend this invitation to you."
"Oh, and by the way, my grandfather is Lin Futian."
The name resounded through Base No. 18!
A martial Commander-level powerhouse and one of the ruling figures of Base No. 18. His command included numerous Martial General-level subordinates!
As someone born in Base No. 18, how could Su Xiaobai not know of Lin Futian's name?
However, Su Xiaobai was also well aware that someone like Lin Futian wouldn't waste his time with trivial matters. Clearly, Lin Chen was using his grandfather's name to intimidate him!
"Oh? Is that so? Then send my regards to your grandfather. I have things to do, so I'll be on my way."
Leaving behind an indifferent remark, Su Xiaobai turned and walked away.
This time, Lin Chen didn't stop him.
But as he turned to look at Su Xiaobai's departing figure, his gaze darkened ominously.
Once the elevator doors closed—
"You two, follow him,"
Lin Chen ordered. "Gather all the information you can about him and report back to me."
The two Advanced Martial Masters nodded in response.
"Refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit*… Does this so-called alchemist really think he's untouchable?"
[*A Chinese idiom meaning "refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit." It implies that someone declines goodwill only to end up forced into a worse situation.]
Lin Chen muttered venomously.
"If he were a Grade Six or higher alchemist, I might have let this slide. But a mere Grade Five alchemist dares to act high and mighty with me?"
Lin Chen's gaze turned ruthless.
As the heir to the Lin family, one of Base No. 18's Four Great Families, he wielded absolute authority and could act with impunity.
Even Martial General-level officials would bow their heads respectfully when they saw him.
While he wasn't opposed to being polite occasionally, a Grade Five alchemist didn't qualify for such treatment!
Through his spatial awareness, Su Xiaobai had clearly overheard Lin Chen's words.
"What a headache… but also an opportunity."
"Advanced Martial Masters, huh? Perfect for testing my strength."
When the elevator dinged, Su Xiaobai exited directly onto the first floor.
The two Advanced Martial Masters suppressed their auras and followed him from a distance.
From another hidden corner, Zhang Hengde, who had been secretly protecting Su Xiaobai, noticed the two figures trailing him. His expression darkened instantly.
"Those two… they're elite members of the Lin family!"
Zhang Hengde recognized them at a glance.
He had encountered the Lin family before. For the insignificant Zhang family, the Lin family was like a towering giant. They could crush them effortlessly, leaving Zhang Hengde with an indelible impression.
These two, in particular, were known to be the personal bodyguards of the Lin family's young master. Could it be that the Lin family heir had set his sights on Su Xiaobai?
Zhang Hengde's face turned grim.
If they were from the Yuan family, I could intervene without hesitation. The Yuan family is our mortal enemy.
But the Lin family? How can I afford to offend them?
More importantly, I am only an Intermediate Martial Master. Against two Advanced Martial Masters, I'd stand no chance!
And he wasn't sure whether he should report this to Zhang Henglong.
"Let's follow for now."
As he deliberated, Su Xiaobai rounded a corner and disappeared from sight. Zhang Hengde immediately trailed behind.
Su Xiaobai avoided public transport, weaving through the streets on foot.
He took a circuitous route, heading toward the outskirts of Base No. 18.
The two Advanced Martial Masters maintained their distance, silently following.
Further back, Zhang Hengde kept his own distance, doing his best to suppress his aura to avoid detection by the Advanced Martial Masters.
"He's heading in the opposite direction of his home… Looks like he's noticed them!"
Zhang Hengde breathed a sigh of relief.
As long as Su Xiaobai was aware, he could find a safe place to throw them off.
However, it soon became apparent that something was amiss.
"Why is he heading to such a remote area?"
"What is he planning?"
To Zhang Hengde's surprise, Su Xiaobai didn't choose a hiding spot but instead continued deeper into an uninhabited part of the base.
This area was desolate, far from the bustling city. If the Advanced Martial Masters had ill intentions, there'd be no one to stop them!
"We can't keep going … If we do, I won't even be able to help if something happens!"
Zhang Hengde was growing anxious.
The area was becoming increasingly open, leaving him with fewer places to hide. If he went any further, he risked being discovered by the two Advanced Martial Masters!
At last, Su Xiaobai stopped in front of an abandoned, half-constructed building.
The two Advanced Martial Masters concealed themselves, their eyes locked onto Su Xiaobai through narrow gaps in the structure.
To them, this behavior wasn't suspicious at all. It made perfect sense for a secretive alchemist with no known background to reside in such a desolate place.
Su Xiaobai's figure vanished into thin air!
The two Advanced Martial Masters were stunned. Updates are released by noᴠelfire.net
Just as they were about to emerge and investigate, a flash of movement appeared in their field of vision!
The figure was incredibly fast—
So fast that they couldn't react in time!