After a few minutes, Seraphine finally finished her long apology which at some point had turned into a tirade of how obtuse Tristan could be. Liam could clearly see that there was a special relationship between the two of them. Perhaps even a one-sided affection. In the end, he decided to act as if he did not hear anything he wasn't meant to hear.
Seraphine eventually calmed down, her apologies tapering off as she noticed Liam's composed demeanor. "Grandmaster Dante," she began cautiously, "I cannot express how much we appreciate your understanding. Tristan's actions were completely out of line."
Liam offered a reassuring smile. "It's alright. I understand that his intentions were earnest, even if his approach was... unconventional."
She sighed in relief. "You're very gracious. Tristan is a brilliant swordsman but tends to be impulsive. In the meantime, is there anything we can do to make amends for his behavior?"
Finally, the moment he was waiting for was here.
"To start with we can immediately upgrade your status in the Eternal Sword Palace. Someone of your abilities should not be treated so callously. This oversight is our fault. I will rectify this matter this instant and change your registration."
A medallion immediately appeared on her palm and the next second she focused on the space in front of her, tapping away at the system screen which was invisible to Liam. Typically when the system screen was summoned, at least a faint glow would be visible but Seraphine's actions were completely invisible. She continued tapping away for a while and then paused.
"Ummm… Grandmaster Dante… if possible could you please show me your alchemist ranking. It would be easier to get permissions for a higher status with your ranking record."
Liam did not mind it. With a nod, he selected the title for display when suddenly another voice chimed in.
"These days just anyone can become an alchemy grandmaster. They are a dime a dozen. Everyone knows the system title is trash. What is your true ranking?"
"Grandmaster Engo!" Seraphine greeted the man who just walked in. Her face became awkward because she hadn't expected him to turn up. Even Liam frowned. What was this guy doing here? Had he kept tabs on him? How else could he know about this meeting?
Liam did not like it. A cold glint flashed across his eyes. This deal was very important to him for some random guy to appear out of the blue and mess things up.
Seraphine interjected, hoping to defuse the situation. "Grandmaster Engo, Grandmaster Dante has successfully crafted a perfected Devil's Ice Pill. Elder Tristan himself has already benefited from its effects."
Engo's eyes flickered with surprise, but his skepticism remained. "Is that so? The Devil's Ice Pill is notoriously difficult to refine, even for seasoned alchemists. And yet, a newcomer succeeds where others have failed?"
Liam replied calmly, "With dedication and the right insights, impossible feats can be achieved."
Engo smirked slightly. "Confidence is admirable, but alchemy requires more than just words. Who even knows how effective this so-called version of Devil's Ice Pill is? A good pill can be the cause of someone's ascension while a bad pill can be the cause of their entire clan's doom."
"Alchemy pills need to be taken with caution. The dao of alchemy needs to be treated with respect!" The man's words rang loud like thunderclaps and his aura billowed out
The man's words rang out like thunderclaps, and his aura billowed out, filling the room with a palpable pressure. Lesser beings might have faltered under such intensity, but Liam remained steadfast, his gaze unwavering.
Engo's eyes flicked to Seraphine briefly before returning to Liam. "If he is truly a grandmaster, he should have no issue demonstrating his prowess. Alchemy is not a field where titles are given lightly—or at least, it shouldn't be."
Seraphine immediately panicked. This could not happen. Right in front of her, the situation was taking a turn for the worse. Grandmaster Engo was a respected alchemist and his fame was widespread even in the Eternal Sword Palace.
At the same time, this new person also could not be taken lightly. She had personally seen the pill. Grandmaster Dante had the potential to become someone incredibly famous in the span of a decade. If Grandmaster Dante took Grandmaster Engo's words to heart and decided to leave, the Eternal Sword Palace might lose an invaluable asset. How could she let someone slip right through her hands?
Seraphine realized she needed to defuse the situation quickly before it escalated. "I…" she started but Grandmaster Engo raised his arm to stop her. "Don't worry, lady Seraphine. I will not cause you any disrespect or inconvenience. This test is, but a simple one."
Noticing her hesitation, Grandmaster Engo chuckled lightly. "Trust me, lady Seraphine. We have known each other for years, haven't we?"
Seraphine forced a tight smile, still uneasy about the unfolding situation. "Of course, Grandmaster Engo. I just hope this can be resolved amicably and only with Grandmaster Dante's consent."
Engo gave her a smile and a nod and then shifted his attention to Liam. "Surely, Grandmaster Dante wouldn't refuse a simple request ?"
Liam met Engo's gaze calmly. "I have no objection to demonstrating my abilities if it helps alleviate any concerns."
Engo's lips curled into a slight smile. "Excellent. Then perhaps you wouldn't mind testing your alchemy talent on a thousand year green pearl vine."
"That…" Seraphine gasped.
Liam, on the other hand, had no idea what was happening. What the heck was a thousand year green pearl now?
The next second, a small green colored pearl appeared on Master Engo's hand. The pearl was round and lustrous, but almost immediately, it began to transform. Delicate tendrils sprouted from its surface, unfurling gracefully to form a small vine that shimmered with an inner glow. "This is the thousand-year Green Pearl Vine," Engo announced, his eyes fixed on Liam. "A rare and precious ingredient known for its potent life essence. However, it's incredibly difficult to handle. One misstep and its vitality dissipates entirely."