The Xuanhuang Fortress, as one of the most important strongholds of the Flame Alliance besides the Jia Ma Empire, naturally had a considerable number of people from the Dan Tang. With the outbreak of a great war, about eighty percent of the Dan Tang’s members were now located within the branches inside the fortress. When Gu He conveyed Xiao Yan’s words to the Dan Tang, it unsurprisingly caused a significant commotion. The Dan Tang had been too smooth-sailing for years, and because of the critical role alchemists played, they became extremely arrogant. Usually, even someone like Cai Lin would not speak so harshly to them. Although Xiao Yan was the leader of the Flame Alliance, his long absence meant that many of the newer alchemists who joined the Flame Alliance knew him only through others’ accounts. Therefore, their respect for him did not match that of the other factions within the Flame Alliance.
The branch of the Dan Tang, located in the northwest of the Xuanhuang Fortress, occupied a vast area, an unprecedented treatment considered the most privileged among all factions of the Flame Alliance.
At this moment, a quarrel broke out in a hall within the branch.
“Hmph, the leader is indeed very imposing. He has just returned and wants to interfere with our Dan Tang affairs. These years, without us, would the Flame Alliance have become what it is today?” An elderly man in gray robes, clearly disgruntled, coldly huffed. On his chest, he wore the emblem of an alchemist, with seven golden ripples on the medicine cauldron—indicating that he was a seventh-grade alchemist.
“Master Liu Chang is right,” some alchemists immediately agreed, revealing his significant influence within the Dan Tang.
Seated at the head of the hall, Gu He frowned slightly but remained silent. Despite his innate talent in alchemy, he was not proficient in management. Beside him sat an elderly man with white hair, the former president of the Alchemist Association, Fa Ma. However, Fa Ma did not join the argument, closing his eyes as if he heard nothing.
“Head Gu, you should also tell the leader about this. The Dan Tang is different from other places. These years, even the vice-leader has never interfered with our affairs. In return, we have made the Dan Tang the backbone of the Flame Alliance. We are indeed grateful for the leader’s efforts in salvaging the situation, but if he really wants to interfere with our internal matters, it might cause unrest.”
Another elderly man, with long hair over his shoulders and a slightly pale face, sitting next to the chair, slowly interjected.
Hearing this, Gu He furrowed his brows and glanced at Fa Ma, but the latter ignored him, keeping his eyes closed. Gu He could only say, “The leader is also an alchemist, and his alchemy skills far surpass ours. He is not an outsider in this matter.”
“Head Gu, you shouldn’t put it that way. The leader has been away for years, and the Dan Tang is no longer what it used to be. Does the leader really know more about our affairs than we do?” the elder named Liu Chang said indifferently. Smiling, he added, “Moreover, refining an eighth-grade elixir is not something anyone can do. Everyone here knows best how difficult it is. The leader is indeed powerful, but it doesn’t necessarily mean he can refine an eighth-grade elixir. We are all high-ranking seventh-grade alchemists, and we know the difficulty of advancing to an eighth-grade alchemist. The leader is still young; the chances of him achieving this are slim…”
“Whether the leader can refine an eighth-grade elixir is not up to us. Just be there on time tomorrow. I hope you do not make mistakes. As long as you have nothing to hide, the leader will not do anything. Now, you may all leave,” Gu He said, annoyed.
Seeing Gu He’s demeanor, Liu Chang and the other elder frowned but said nothing, knowing Gu He’s higher status within the Dan Tang. They bowed and left with their followers.
With their departure, the hall emptied. Gu He dismissed the others and turned to Fa Ma, sighing, “Old Brother Fa, what do you think about this?”
“You should be aware of the current climate in the Dan Tang. Your lack of management skills has allowed Liu Chang and the others to gain power,” Fa Ma opened his eyes, sipping tea, and said, “I suggest you stay out of it. You know the leader well. When necessary, he won’t hesitate. The Dan Tang is important, but it doesn’t hold much pressure for the leader. It’s possible for him to dissolve it. Moreover, with the leader’s current strength and vision, he might not even consider the Dan Tang seriously.”
Gu He felt a slight chill. He knew Fa Ma was astute. Since Liu Chang and the others grew in power, Fa Ma had shown signs of retirement. But no one in the Dan Tang dared to underestimate his influence; most of the members were still from the Alchemist Association, who held Fa Ma in high regard.
“This time, the Dan Tang is destined for a major shake-up. The leader won’t let this continue. Fortunately, you didn’t involve yourself in this. Otherwise, you might have faced severe consequences.” Fa Ma continued, “Now, just wait. Tomorrow, some of them will be in trouble…”
Gu He could only nod, sighing.
The next day, as the first light of dawn shone upon the Xuanhuang Fortress, the Dan Tang became lively. Many alchemists who received the order rose early and hurried to the alchemy square. Leaders like Gu He and Fa Ma were already there, waiting.
Gu He frowned, not seeing Liu Chang and Wu Zhen among the crowd of about several hundred alchemists.
“These two truly don’t know when to stop…” Gu He’s face turned cold. These old fellows were accustomed to wielding power, relying on their status as seventh-grade alchemists.
Just then, Gu He’s heart stirred. Looking up, he saw several figures descending from the sky, landing in the square. Leading them was none other than Xiao Yan.
“Leader!”
Seeing Xiao Yan, Gu He and the others respectfully greeted him, followed by the other alchemists.
Xiao Yan’s gaze swept over the crowd, nodding slightly. Compared to before, the Dan Tang had grown significantly, which explained the new problems.
In a flash, Xiao Yan appeared on a tall alchemy platform, saying, “Today, I will refine an eighth-grade elixir. Observe closely; it will benefit you greatly in the future.”
Many hearts trembled. Despite hearing rumors, the impact of Xiao Yan’s announcement was still significant. Such an elixir was rare, even in the entire northwest continent.
As Xiao Yan sat cross-legged on the platform, he summoned a medicine cauldron, and potent medicinal herbs swirled around him.
A laugh echoed, and two elderly figures, leading about a dozen others, approached. The leader, a gray-clad elder, bowed to Xiao Yan and smiled.
Xiao Yan’s gaze scanned the group. After a moment, he smiled and said, “Since you’re here, sit down.”
Hearing Xiao Yan’s calm voice, Liu Chang and Wu Zhen felt a slight unease. This young leader was not as easy to deal with as they had imagined.
Exchanging glances, they felt a sense of trepidation but suppressed it. They were both high-ranking seventh-grade alchemists, and losing them would be a significant blow to the Flame Alliance.
Xiao Yan spared them a glance and focused on the alchemy. A purple-brown flame roared into the cauldron, and the hundreds of herbal medicines rushed into it, being swiftly refined.
As the process unfolded, a mighty soul force spread from Xiao Yan, making the alchemists present feel intense awe.
Liu Chang and Wu Zhen trembled, their shock evident. This soul force could only belong to an eighth-grade alchemist, meaning Xiao Yan had truly reached that level!
“What a terrifying soul force…” Gu He exclaimed, exhaling deeply.
Fa Ma smiled, glancing at the stunned Liu Chang and Wu Zhen, a cold smile on his old face. The arrogance of these two in the Dan Tang was about to end.
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