Chapter 24: I Have a Bold Idea

The Alchemy Pavilion, where Ren Baichuan and Lin Hao were staying.

"I was counting on making a name for myself at the Alchemy Exchange, but that idiot who came up with the topics—why on earth would they test us on theory and insight?"

Ren Baichuan paced back and forth in the room, his frustration growing by the second. In truth, this wasn't Lin Hao's fault. Ren understood Lin Hao's level better than anyone. Why would he care about basics or theory? Lin Hao was a true alchemical prodigy. Do you know what a prodigy is? It is an unparalleled talent that defies imagination. Talent is innate; he doesn't need to bother with those foundations. You only need to tell him how to refine a pill, hand him the formula, and he can produce the most perfect elixir for you.

"Listen, old man, can you stop pacing? You're making me dizzy," Lin Hao said, sitting in a chair with his legs crossed.

"Damn it, do you have no self-respect? You were kicked out of the qualifiers, and the whole Alchemy Pavilion knows about it. I've had several groups come by just to mock me already, and look at you, sitting there all nonchalant," Ren Baichuan muttered, speechless.

"I call this being steady."

"You brat, are you implying that I’m not steady because of my age?"

"I didn't say that."

"That’s exactly what you mean. That’s not being steady; that’s being shameless."

...

Knock, knock, knock!

A knock sounded at the door.

"Get lost..." Ren Baichuan snapped, his temper flared. He didn't even need to think; it was undoubtedly another person coming to gloat.

"Ling Zhen is here to pay a visit," a voice called from outside.

"Visit your... wait, Ling Zhen?" Ren Baichuan’s rude retort died in his throat. He felt the name was strangely familiar, and he instinctively exchanged a glance with Lin Hao.

Lin Hao smiled and nodded at Ren Baichuan.

"You expected this?" Ren realized.

"Everything is under control. Open the door," Lin Hao said, his legs crossed firmly.

"Ling Zhen is an elder of the Alchemy Pavilion and a member of the Ling Clan. You must not slip up," Ren warned seriously. In a place like the Imperial Capital, his biggest fear while escorting Lin Hao was running into the Ling Clan. Now that they were at their doorstep, Ren felt terrified.

Ren Baichuan straightened his robes, took a deep breath, and pulled open the door. Seeing Ling Zhen outside, he immediately put on a smiling face. "Brother Ling, what a surprise. I apologize for not greeting you sooner."

A flash of coldness crossed Ling Zhen’s eyes when he saw Ren Baichuan, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared, replaced by a smile. "Brother Ren, won’t you invite me in for a chat?"

The Ling Clan had a poor opinion of Ren Baichuan, having investigated his interference in the Taixuan Sect when he blocked the Li family from killing Lin Hao. However, since he was here for the alchemical prodigy, he couldn't afford to burn bridges with Ren yet.

"Brother Ling, please, come in."

Ren Baichuan gestured for him to enter. Ling Zhen stepped inside, waved his hand to close the door, and immediately spotted Lin Hao sitting with his legs crossed.

"What are you here for? We don't welcome you, so be on your way," Lin Hao said, glancing at Ling Zhen with annoyance.

"Tianbao, don't be rude to Elder Ling," Ren Baichuan scolded quickly. Not knowing the details of what happened in the qualification hall, he feared Lin Hao’s genuine disdain for the Ling Clan would cause trouble, and he broke into a cold sweat.

"It’s no matter, no matter at all." Unexpectedly, Ling Zhen didn't care; instead, he beamed. He was now even more convinced that Tianbao was the legendary, one-in-a-million alchemical genius. Geniuses were always arrogant, and since he had stripped the boy of his qualifications earlier that afternoon, it was only natural for the youth to be resentful.

"Little friend Tianbao, was this pill refined by your hand?" Ling Zhen went straight to the point, producing the elixir Lin Hao had left behind.

The moment he saw the pill, Ren Baichuan understood everything. He immediately gave Lin Hao a thumbs-up, silently praising his cleverness.

"Yeah," Lin Hao nodded. "Just whipped it up to pass the time."

Ling Zhen’s facial muscles twitched. *Good grief*, he thought, *this kid can really brag. A near nine-striped pill, and he calls it 'whipping it up'.*

Ren Baichuan remained calm, as he knew what Lin Hao said was the truth. While Ling Zhen questioned him, he observed Ren Baichuan’s reaction and felt even more certain. *Ren Baichuan clearly knows about this pill, and his reaction is calm. It seems the pill truly came from Tianbao's hand,* Ling Zhen surmised.

"Congratulations, Brother Ren, on acquiring such an alchemical prodigy. It is truly enviable," Ling Zhen said, cupping his hands toward Ren Baichuan.

"Indeed. I discovered Tianbao by chance recently. His unique talent for alchemy—whether it’s his control over flame or his perception of medicinal herbs—is the best I have ever seen in my life. That’s why I brought him to the Alchemy Pavilion; I didn't want such a talent to be buried." Ren Baichuan went along with the flow, though he was speaking the truth.

By now, Ling Zhen was completely convinced of Lin Hao’s identity as a prodigy.

"Little friend Tianbao, I apologize for what happened in the qualification hall earlier. You were right; an alchemist should not focus solely on theory and insight. Refining a real, perfect elixir is what matters most." Ling Zhen continued, "You have secured a spot in tomorrow’s Alchemy Competition. I look forward to your outstanding performance."

"Your judgment was a bit off, old man, but you did the right thing. I forgive you," Lin Hao said with satisfaction.

"I have one more reason for coming," Ling Zhen added.

"Speak." Lin Hao postured with great authority.

"On behalf of the Lingyun Pavilion and the Ling Clan, I sincerely invite you to join us," Ling Zhen stated.

"What?" Before Lin Hao could react, Ren Baichuan exclaimed. He instantly understood Ling Zhen’s true intent—he was here to poach Lin Hao. This could not happen; how could Lin Hao join the Ling Clan?

Ling Zhen was satisfied with Ren Baichuan’s reaction. After all, an invitation from the Ling Clan was a big deal; being excited was only normal.

"Join the Ling Clan?" Lin Hao narrowed his eyes, a flicker of intelligence sparkling within. A bold and wicked idea began to sprout and grow.

"My Ling Clan is the undisputed premier martial family of the Great Xia. We welcome talents from across the world and will provide you with the best cultivation resources, allowing you to truly flourish and make a name for yourself in the world of alchemy." Ling Zhen stood tall, his entire being radiating the inherent confidence and pride of the Ling Clan.

"Well said. The Ling Clan is indeed powerful, but where is the sincerity?" Lin Hao smiled.

Upon hearing this, Ling Zhen immediately took out a storage bag and placed it on the table beside Lin Hao. "Here are ten thousand low-grade origin stones as a token of our sincerity. Once you join us, the Ling Clan will open all available resources to you."

Lin Hao uncrossed his legs, his gaze falling on the storage bag. *Ten thousand low-grade origin stones... did I hear that right? Am I worth that much? The Ling family is damn rich; they just toss out ten thousand like it’s nothing.*

Ling Zhen watched Lin Hao’s reaction with satisfaction. To him, this was normal. A teenager from the Taixuan Sect, likely at the Qi Sea Realm, had probably never seen so much money. Not jumping up in excitement already showed great composure.

"Little friend, take your time to consider it," Ling Zhen said, cupping his hands to both Lin Hao and Ren Baichuan before turning to leave.

Walking through the Alchemy Pavilion, Ling Zhen felt a surge of secret delight. Securing such a prodigy for the Ling Clan would bring unimaginable benefits, and he, the talent scout who discovered the stallion, would be the hero of the clan. His status would undoubtedly skyrocket.

"Once they take the stones, there is no reason for them not to serve the Ling Clan," Ling Zhen chuckled, his future looking brighter than ever.

Inside the room, sensing that Ling Zhen had left, Ren Baichuan could no longer contain himself.

"Let's go! We need to leave this place of trouble immediately. We are not participating in the Alchemy Competition!" Ren Baichuan reached out to grab Lin Hao. It was too dangerous. Before they left, he had promised the Saintess and Mr. Ximen that he would protect Lin Hao at all costs, yet on their very first day in Danqing City, the Ling Clan had already come knocking.

"Why leave? I didn't plan on going anywhere," Lin Hao said, staring at the storage bag on the table. He picked it up, weighed it in his hand, and the intelligent light in his eyes flickered incessantly.

"Right now, I have a bold idea."

"No, you don't. You better not. You’re playing with fire," Ren Baichuan said, horrified. He already guessed what Lin Hao was thinking, and he had to stop him.