The Art of Chaotic Divinity

Chapter 217: Alchemist Guild!

As Ling Feng toiled away in the training ground, Yan Cangtian, a mentor and friend, embarked on his own endeavors.

Nowadays, Yan Cangtian, no longer afflicted by madness, was quite cunning. He was aware that if the director and the others caught wind of his return to lucidity, he'd likely be burdened with all sorts of tasks, so he chose to feign madness and stupidity instead.

After all, after being insane for over a decade, nobody would doubt the old man.

One day, Yan Cangtian, clutching the Azure Cloud Striped Pill formula that Ling Feng had entrusted to him, marched straight to the headquarters of the Alchemist Guild. He intended to seek out those old folks and see if they had any Scarlet Blood Dragon Eagle's eyeballs or similar materials for sale.

With his status and connections, he shouldn't face too many obstacles in acquiring these materials.

Within the Tianbai Empire, where experts abounded, it wouldn't be surprising if someone had once hunted down a demon king-level Scarlet Blood Dragon Eagle.

"Excuse me, sir. May I ask who you are? This is the Alchemist Guild, and unauthorized individuals are not permitted entry."

A guard stationed at the guild's entrance frowned upon seeing Yan Cangtian's ragged appearance and stepped forward to block his path.

"Get out of my way!"

Yan Cangtian waved his hand, sending the guard flying. If it weren't for the guard's faithful service, that strike would have been fatal.

"H-How dare you!"

Several guards drew their swords with a metallic ring and surrounded Yan Cangtian with hostile intent.

Causing a disturbance at the Alchemist Guild's headquarters was a serious offense, and this old man seemed to have no regard for his life!

"Stop!"

A white-haired elder emerged from the hall. He wore a loose robe, his features gaunt, and emanated a faint medicinal fragrance. His sharp eyes resembled those of a hawk.

The guards hastily made way and respectfully bowed to the elder. "Master Shangguan!"

Shangguan Chu nodded, gesturing for the guards to leave. He then strode towards Yan Cangtian with a faint smile, remarking, "So, it's Master Yan paying us a visit. The Alchemist Guild truly shines with your presence!"

Before his bout of madness, Yan Cangtian was indeed one of the foremost grandmasters of alchemy, as well as an honorary vice-president of the Alchemist Guild.

His status at that time was almost on par with Grandmaster Yun Danqing[1]

Unfortunately, after more than a decade of silence, with new talents surpassing the old, although legends about Yan Cangtian still circulated within the Alchemist Guild, his presence had faded away.

"Shangguan Chu? Heh, you've managed to make quite a name for yourself, old man!"

"In the presence of Master Yan, I'm nothing."

Shangguan Chu appeared extremely humble. When Yan Cangtian was at the height of his success, Shangguan Chu was merely a fourth-grade alchemist.

Yan Cangtian chuckled and casually hooked his arm around Shangguan Chu's shoulder, saying, "How's Hong Haotian doing these days? I haven't seen him in over a decade. I need to catch up with him!"

"Apologies, Master Yan. President Hong has been away in Nanjiang for the past six months, searching for rare medicinal herbs," Shangguan Chu explained regretfully.

"That old man, always leaving at the wrong time! Well, who's managing the affairs of the guild now? I need to see them!" Yan Cangtian frowned.

"The vice-presidents are also busy with their own matters, so I'm currently overseeing everything," Shangguan Chu replied calmly.

"Haha, I always saw potential in you, kid!" Yan Cangtian raised an eyebrow, patting Shangguan Chu's shoulder warmly. "Old buddy, I might have a little favor to ask of you."

"Erm..." Shangguan Chu wiped his forehead, having heard rumors about Yan Cangtian's eccentric behavior. Despite his occasional lapses in martial prowess, demonstrated by the recent incident with the guard, Yan Cangtian seemed as formidable as ever, if not more so.

With a faint smile, Shangguan Chu said, "Since it's Master Yan's request, I'm obligated to assist. Please follow me. Let's go upstairs, have some tea, and discuss matters."

"Haha, let's go then. Upstairs it is!"

Yan Cangtian chuckled heartily, slinging his arm around Shangguan Chu's shoulder, while displaying none of the demeanor one would expect from a grandmaster.

Shangguan Chu discreetly wiped a bead of sweat, realizing that the rumors of Yan Cangtian's descent into madness were likely true.

Before long, the two arrived at Shangguan Chu's private room.

Shangguan Chu invited Yan Cangtian to take a seat and personally poured him some tea before getting to the point.

"I won't beat around the bush, old buddy," Yan Cangtian said seriously, "I recently acquired an ancient pill formula. I came here to inquire whether the Alchemist Guild has the materials I need in its inventory."

Instantly, Shangguan Chu's eyes lit up.

For an alchemist, there was nothing more exhilarating than rare medicinal herbs and ancient pill formulas.

Gulp. Shangguan Chu asked excitedly, "Master Yan, may I know which ancient pill formula you've acquired?"

"The Azure Cloud Striped Pill," Yan Cangtian replied casually.

Tsss! Shangguan Chu gasped audibly.

The Azure Cloud Striped Pill was not something the average person knew about, but someone of Shangguan Chu's caliber certainly wouldn't be ignorant of it.

It was a legitimate sixth-tier medicinal pill, and an ancient pill formula at that. Even the president of the Alchemist Guild wouldn't dare claim to be able to refine it.

Moreover, various versions of the formula had been passed down, but they were all incomplete. Even President Hong Haotian had failed in his attempts to complete it.

"You mean... that Azure Cloud Striped Pill!?"

At that moment, a white-haired elder burst into the room, his eyes wide with disbelief as he stared at Yan Cangtian.

"Vice-President Yun!" Shangguan Chu hurriedly stood up, bowing respectfully to the newcomer.

The white-haired elder was none other than Vice-President Yun Danqing, the esteemed honorary vice-president of the Alchemist Guild.

He had come all the way from the Cangqiong Sect, hoping to discuss matters with the Guild, only to unexpectedly encounter Yan Cangtian.

Yan Cangtian looked up and exclaimed, "Old Man Yun!"

There were plenty of prominent figures in the alchemy world, but only a handful were truly at the top.

In fact, Yan Cangtian and Yun Danqing had known each other for over twenty years.

Yun Danqing looked at Yan Cangtian with excitement and blurted out, "Old Man Yan, spare me the pleasantries. Did you really obtain the complete pill formula for the Azure Cloud Striped Pill?"

"No shit! Why would I be searching for materials if I didn't have the complete formula?" Yan Cangtian replied disdainfully.

"So, y-you actually completed the pill formula for the Azure Cloud Striped Pill?" Yun Danqing clenched his fists. "I haven't seen you in twenty years, and your alchemy skills have far surpassed us old folks!"

Yan Cangtian's face reddened, and he quickly shook his head. "I wish I had completed it, but unfortunately, it wasn't me."

Yun Danqing seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, patting his chest before asking, "If it wasn't you, then who?"

"You probably wouldn't know even if I told you. It was a teenage kid who gave me the formula." Yan Cangtian shrugged nonchalantly.

Yun Danqing's expression changed slightly as he suddenly remembered something. He blurted out, "Was that kid named... Ling Feng?"

1. Author's note: Recall: Yun Danqing, an alchemical prodigy, had been quietly cultivating in the Cangqiong Sect and was also a mentor figure to Yuan Qiansheng. See Chapter 98 ☜