Chapter 28: The Identity of the Chief

The Alchemy Pavilion, Inner Chamber!

The grand hall was magnificent, with even the floors paved in premium stone. Two dragon-carved pillars stood within, and at the very front hung a diagram of Yin-Yang profound principles. The entire hall gave Lin Hao the impression of only two words: wealthy!

"Damn, just prying up a single floor tile from here would be enough to feed the Lin family for a year," Lin Hao muttered to himself, secretly cursing the extravagance of the capitalists.

"Master Tianbao, Brother Ren, please take your seats." Master Jingyang gestured with a welcoming smile.

"Master, please, you first," Ren Baichuan said, overwhelmed by the favor. At this moment, he felt as if he were dreaming; it all felt too surreal. This was the Inner Chamber of the Alchemy Pavilion, the place where the elders gathered. The renowned Master Jingyang was calling him 'brother' and inviting him to take a seat of honor. He had never even dared to dream of such a thing. This was the highest sanctuary of alchemy in the entire Great Xia Empire. Few people could ever enter the Alchemy Pavilion, let alone someone like him, the chief of a sect ranked one-hundred-and-eighth.

"Master, any success I have today is entirely due to your cultivation. If you hadn't discovered my talent, I would never have achieved what I have. Master, please, after you," Lin Hao said, standing beside Ren Baichuan and gently tugging his sleeve. He bowed slightly, his words filled with respect for his mentor.

Ren Baichuan was at a loss, his eyes brimming with tears that eventually rolled down his cheeks. For him, being able to experience this moment—even if it lasted only an instant—made his entire life worth it. He had spent his whole life studying the way of alchemy, never married, had no children, and had never experienced the warmth of a father-son bond. But at this moment, a warm current flowed through his entire body, stirring indescribable emotions in the old man as he looked at Lin Hao with eyes full of tenderness.

Nearby, Master Jingyang and the other elders of the Alchemy Pavilion could not help but nod in approval.

"To not forget one's roots when finding success, and to remain humble when gaining status—such a young man is truly rare," Master Jingyang praised sincerely.

For Lin Hao, however, he had little personal interest in alchemy. His ambitions lay elsewhere, and he carried a deep-seated hatred. With enemies lurking in the shadows, his future path was destined to be turbulent and bloody. While making a name for himself in the capital during this trip to Danqing City was beneficial, his primary goal was to fulfill Ren Baichuan’s lifelong dream.

The elders soon took their seats in order of seniority. Master Jingyang spoke first: "As everyone knows, the pinnacle of alchemy is the Nine-Pattern Pill. Since the Pavilion Master, the Pill King, no one in the Alchemy Pavilion, or indeed the entire Great Xia—or even the entire Cangyuan Realm—has been able to refine a Nine-Pattern Pill again. Today, the birth of a Innate Alchemy Saint Body has brought a miracle to the world of alchemy. It is truly an honor for our profession."

"The Pavilion Master is in seclusion and could not attend today, so I shall represent the Alchemy Pavilion in extending an invitation to Master Tianbao," Master Jingyang said, getting straight to the point. "After much deliberation, the Alchemy Pavilion wishes to invite Master Tianbao to serve as our Chief. I wonder if Master Tianbao would grant the Pavilion this opportunity?"

"What? Chief?" Ren Baichuan gasped in shock.

"Master, what is a Chief?" Lin Hao asked in a low voice.

"As far as I know, the Alchemy Pavilion has never established the position of Chief Alchemist. Other than the Pavilion Master, the Pill King, all other Tianyuan-realm alchemists are either elders or senior elders. The position of Chief is even higher than that of the elders, second only to the Pavilion Master," Ren Baichuan whispered, his voice trembling. In truth, from the moment he stepped into this inner hall, Ren Baichuan had not stopped trembling.

Lin Hao realized the gravity of the situation and was equally astonished. He had not expected the Alchemy Pavilion to value a Nine-Pattern alchemist to such an extent.

"I am still young, and my cultivation is too low. I fear I am not qualified for such an important position," Lin Hao replied immediately. This was not false modesty, but his honest feeling.

"Master Tianbao, you are mistaken. In the arts, the one who achieves the most is the leader. You are young, yet capable of refining a Nine-Pattern Pill; your future potential is limitless. The position of Chief has remained vacant precisely to wait for the appearance of the next Nine-Pattern alchemist," one of the elders noted.

"If I become the Chief, must I stay in the Alchemy Pavilion?" Lin Hao asked.

"Not at all. Master Tianbao only needs to hold the title of Chief. The Alchemy Pavilion will not restrict your freedom, nor will it limit your interactions with other factions. You are only expected to step forward when the Pavilion is in need—that is all," Master Jingyang explained. "Furthermore, the position of Chief will bring you great benefits. With this status, all major powers in Great Xia will treat you with respect, and the resources within the Pavilion will be open to you."

In truth, many of the elders present were affiliated with various powerful factions. They possessed their own value, and external forces often sought to recruit them; the Alchemy Pavilion did not forbid this.

"Accept it quickly! This is a tremendous opportunity. With the identity of Alchemy Pavilion Chief, if your enemies ever try to move against you, the Pavilion will stand for you. In all of Great Xia, no power dares to antagonize the Alchemy Pavilion—not even the Imperial Family," Ren Baichuan whispered through a telepathic message.

"Furthermore, we also invite Brother Ren to serve as a guest elder of the Alchemy Pavilion—at the highest rank," Master Jingyang added.

Ren Baichuan was restless. He truly felt as if he were dreaming; he had never imagined that he, an alchemist from the Taixuan Sect, would one day become a high-ranking guest elder of the Alchemy Pavilion.

"Very well, I accept," Lin Hao said, his answer crisp and clear.

Master Jingyang took out a handcrafted solid wood box, opened it with care, and retrieved a jade medallion made of emerald green stone, inscribed with the characters for "Chief." He handed it to Lin Hao. "This is the medallion symbolizing your status as Chief. You may carry it with you at all times; it will ensure your safety wherever you go."

Lin Hao’s eyes brightened. The value of this status medallion was immense; it meant that from this day forward, the Alchemy Pavilion would be his protective umbrella. He took the medallion, sighing inwardly. With the status of Chief and the backing of the Alchemy Pavilion, he finally had some leverage in his future struggle against the Ling clan.

"Immediately announce the appointment of Master Tianbao as Chief in the name of the Alchemy Pavilion," Master Jingyang said, rising to his feet with a solemn expression.

That day, Master Tianbao became famous throughout the capital. Once the announcement of his position as Chief was made, the major powers could no longer sit still and began rushing toward Danqing City.

As Lin Hao and Ren Baichuan emerged from the inner chamber, they were immediately blocked by the anxiously waiting Ling Zhen.

"Congratulations to Master Tianbao on becoming the Chief of the Alchemy Pavilion, and congratulations to Brother Ren on becoming a high-ranking guest elder. The Lingyun Pavilion has prepared a banquet, and we sincerely invite you both to grace us with your presence," Ling Zhen said, bowing.

"The Xuan clan sincerely invites the Chief to speak with us, to show our hospitality as local hosts."

"The Jiang clan certainly cannot fall behind in offering our congratulations to the Chief."

Representatives from the Xuan and Jiang clans were also waiting there, extending their own invitations. Master Jingyang watched this scene with a smile, unbothered. This was normal; he had experienced the same thing when he first made a name for himself. As for which faction Lin Hao chose to befriend, that was entirely up to him.

"My apologies, but I already promised the Lingyun Pavilion during the preliminary rounds yesterday. So, Elder Ling, please lead the way," Lin Hao said, cupping his hands to the representatives of the Xuan and Jiang clans before stepping directly to Ling Zhen's side.

"Haha, everyone, you are too late," Ling Zhen laughed triumphantly, then gestured for Lin Hao to proceed. "Please, Chief."