"I want an alchemy room!"
Sun Huai blinked rapidly, stunned by what he heard.
His eyes darted to Zhao Dazhu as if hoping for some clarification, but of course, Zhao Dazhu had no clue as to why they were here.
He then looked back to Li Fengyuan.
"Young Master Li, you mean to refine a pill yourself?"
He could hardly believe it.
The infamous Li Fengyuan—wastrel of the Li Clan, known more for his arrogance than diligence—talking about stepping into alchemy?
But other than that, why would he want a room for alchemy?
"That's right!"
Li Fengyuan answered.
Sun Huai was full of doubt but thought that the Young Master must be here to fulfill his curiosity or perhaps play around.
Well, doing such a favor was easy.
"Of course! If it is Young Master Li's wish, then a room can certainly be arranged. There are many cauldrons and chambers available for apprentices to practice their craft. This humble one will see that you are assigned one immediately—"
"Not an apprentice room," Li Fengyuan interrupted.
"I want an alchemy room suitable for Grade-3 alchemists or above."
The words fell like a stone into water.
Silence!
Nearby apprentices stopped what they were doing, gaping openly. A few dropped their herbs.
The teacher's face stiffened, caught between disbelief and forced politeness.
"Y-Young Master Li… Grade-3 chambers are reserved for… ah, for those who have already proven themselves capable of refining at such a level. Surely you wouldn't…"
His words trailed, uncertainty knotting in his throat.
The disciples scoffed at Li Fengyuan for demanding a Grade-3 Alchemist Room when he wasn't even an alchemist.
Even if he were given a Grade-10 Alchemist Room, what could he possibly achieve?
It wasn't as though entering a higher-grade room would automatically turn him into an alchemist.
Li Fengyuan's gaze sharpened just enough to cut away the man's hesitation.
"Just tell me whether there is one or not," Li Fengyuan asked.
The teacher's mouth opened, then closed again.
He swallowed, forcing his expression into a broad, respectful smile, though a faint twitch tugged at his lips.
Grade-3 Alchemist Rooms weren't easy to get, especially here at the academy, as only the Head of Pill Alchemists was at that rank.
Therefore, only his private alchemy room was for Alchemist Grade-3.
But the Head of Alchemists wasn't here at the moment. Instead, Sun Huai was in charge of everything.
He thought that letting Li Fengyuan into the Grade-3 Room wouldn't cause any problem.
(Anyways, what's the worst that can happen? And if I can gain Young Master Li's favor, my life would become much more comfortable. Hehe…)
"Of course! If Young Master Li insists, then who am I to stop? This humble one will make the arrangements instantly."
He bowed deeply again, but the whispers around them grew louder.
Li Fengyuan, the infamous wastrel, not only walking into the Alchemist Grounds—but demanding a Grade-3 chamber?
And Elder Sun agreed as well.
It was unthinkable.
Those who had studied alchemy their entire lives were banned from the Grade-3 Alchemist Room, yet a wastrel was allowed?
What kind of rule was that?
"Please, this way, Young Master Li!"
Sun Huai's voice carried across the courtyard, only making the whispers sharper.
The crowd of apprentices, disciples, and even a few instructors exchanged incredulous looks.
"Unbelievable…"
"Grade-3 Alchemist Room, just like that?"
"We've been training for years and still aren't allowed near it!"
Their voices lowered to heated murmurs, but the venom in their tone was clear.
Two particularly bold disciples exchanged a glance, their jaws tight.
"We should report this to the Head Alchemist when he returns," one muttered.
"Definitely! Elder Sun is overstepping his authority—letting a wastrel mess around in a Grade-3 Room? If anything happens, the whole Alchemist Division will be blamed!"
The thought spread like wildfire, and soon many eyes followed the group with a mixture of resentment and anticipation of disaster.
***
As they walked, Sun Huai bent slightly forward, his tone flatteringly but careful.
"Hehe… May I ask, Young Master Li, what sort of refinement you intend to attempt? Perhaps this humble one could lend a hand, or at least offer some guidance?"
Li Fengyuan's steps never faltered. His gaze stayed fixed ahead, his voice calm and indifferent.
"No need. I'll just be trying something on my own."
Sun Huai's smile stiffened, but he quickly nodded, hands clasped respectfully.
" Of course, Of course. As you wish, Young Master!"
They soon arrived before a tall, stone-walled chamber. Unlike the smaller, plainer apprentice rooms, this one exuded quiet prestige.
The heavy doors were inscribed with protective formations, faint golden lines pulsing softly as they shimmered with defensive light.
Within, the chamber was spacious, far more refined than any apprentice furnace hall.
At its center stood a pristine cauldron of dark-blue steel, its surface etched with flowing patterns of ancient script—designed to channel and stabilize flames.
Several formation arrays circled the floor, layered and intricate, their runes softly glowing, ensuring balance in temperature and Qi flow during refinement.
To the sides were long stone shelves stacked neatly with scrolls and bound records—notes about alchemy trials, research on herbs, failed formulae, and even rare pill recipes guarded by layers of restrictions.
The very air felt different here—calm, orderly, and prestigious.
Even Zhao Dazhu, usually oblivious, blinked and muttered, "This place feels… important."
(Somewhere we shouldn't be.)
He thought.
Sun Huai turned to Li Fengyuan once more, bowing deeply.
"Young Master Li, this chamber is yours to use. If you require anything, just say the word."
Li Fengyuan gave a small nod, then added, "Inform Jia Hao, my friend who should be arriving that I am here."
"Of course!"
Sun Huai clasped his hands eagerly, as though receiving a royal decree.
He bowed again, his thin mustache twitching, before hurrying off.
Zhao Dazhu looked around and then looked at Li Fengyuan.
"Do you really want to refine pills yourself?"
He asked in doubt.
Li Fengyuan gave him a smile and said,
"Just watch!"
(In my previous life, I was considered one of the best Alchemists in the world.)
To question whether he could refine a few pills whose grades were only 3—that was undermining his ability greatly.
He started the fire and began adding a few herbs.
There were already some herbs here that he could make use of, and he didn't think anyone would mind, as they weren't expensive ones.