Chapter 3989: Starting from an Apprentice

With an idea in mind, Song An smiled broadly: "Young Master, according to the Alchemist Guild's regulations, you currently do not meet the conditions to be assessed for an Alchemist badge."

"Why?"

Ye Bufan was a little surprised.

"Because according to the regulations, to obtain an Alchemist badge, even for Rank One, you must have the status of an apprentice, so you must first qualify as an apprentice."

After Song An finished speaking, as if afraid the other party wouldn't believe him, he raised a hand and pointed to the wall beside them.

Indeed, there was a notice on it, clearly stating that the qualification for becoming an Alchemist was first to be an Alchemy apprentice.

At this moment, Shen Qiyun, who was beside him, said: "Senior Brother, with your Alchemy skills, why bother with an apprentice qualification? Just have them give you a badge directly."

Ye Bufan, however, shook his head slightly; he was a reasonable person.

The only reason he had acted earlier was because Fan Dongping and Kong Xifeng had provoked him first.

Now, he was here to obtain an Alchemist badge, not to steal it, so everything still needed to be done according to the rules.

Since it was clearly stipulated that he had to first qualify as an apprentice, then he would do so.

It was just a bit more troublesome, but it wouldn't affect the outcome.

"Excuse me, where do I take the apprentice examination?"

Seeing that the other party had no intention of forcing him, Song An secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

"At the Apprentice Society, fifty miles outside the city."

Song An enthusiastically pulled out a map, "I have a map here, Young Master can follow this to find your way.

If you pass today, you can come back tomorrow to take the Alchemist badge examination."

He just wanted to send this troublesome person away for now; he believed that after offending Fan Dongping and Kong Xifeng, this Young man would definitely not live to see tomorrow.

As long as he got through this immediate difficulty, he wouldn't have to fear the subsequent troubles.

Ye Bufan frowned; things were a bit more troublesome than expected.

"Is that Apprentice Society not inside the city?"

Song An quickly explained: "Young Master, you may not know, but the Apprentice Society is of too low a Rank, and the people inside are not considered Alchemists at all, so it's not located within the city.

However, it's not too far, just fifty miles away, and I believe with your ability, you will easily pass the assessment.

At that time, I will serve you again to help you obtain your Alchemist badge."

He was afraid that the Young man in front of him would change his mind and was trying his best to persuade him.

"Alright."

Since their rules were laid out, Ye Bufan didn't want to make things difficult for the other party.

He led his group and left the Alchemist Guild, exited Lingxiao Immortal City, and headed in the direction of the Apprentice Society.

Calling the Alchemist Guild 'Pill City' was no exaggeration; the entire Guild's area was vast, like a small castle.

The front area was primarily for administrative use, with the Law Enforcement Hall, Assessment Hall, and similar departments located there.

The back area was the residence of the Guild's high-ranking officials and its core.

At this moment, inside a secret room, two Old men were seated, deep in conversation.

The one on the left wore a black robe, with white hair and beard, and a face that exuded authority.

He was Grand Elder Luo Rong, whose status in the Alchemist Guild was second only to the Guild Master.

Across from him sat a thin Old man, who looked ordinary, but whose eyes occasionally flickered with cunning and slyness.

He was Fourth Elder Mo Chongba, the Grand Elder's loyal subordinate and also his strategist.

Luo Rong's expression was grim: "Now that the Guild Master is completely ill and unconscious, this is a rare opportunity that we must seize to ensure the next Guild Master successor is in our hands."

Mo Chongba frowned: "Grand Elder, this matter is somewhat troublesome.

According to the Alchemist Guild's rules, if the Guild Master cannot preside, then we, the seven Elders, vote to decide the successor for the next Guild Master.

But the current situation is very tricky; among the seven Elders, Fifth Elder stands with us two.

However, the other Second Elder, Sixth Elder, and Seventh Elder support Hua Qiqi.

This creates a three-on-three stalemate, with no clear winner, and the crucial vote rests in the hands of the Third Elder."

Luo Rong said: "Didn't I ask you to talk to him yesterday? What was the result?"

"Not good."

Mo Chongba said resentfully: "That Old thing is too cunning; he doesn't take a stance at all, only saying that he always stands with the Alchemist Guild, and he will vote for whoever benefits the Guild most as Guild Master."

A cold glint flashed in Luo Rong's eyes: "This Old thing wants to benefit from both sides, wanting advantages from everyone, yet unwilling to declare his position."

Mo Chongba said: "Anyone can see that; I suppose the Second Elder and the others can also see it clearly.

But there's nothing we can do now; the Third Elder is indeed a valuable commodity.

Whoever he casts his vote for will win.

To put it another way, that Old thing can now decide who will be the next leader of the Alchemist Guild."

Luo Rong frowned: "We cannot let this Old thing decide everything for us; we must find a way."

Mo Chongba said: "Grand Elder is right; I think we should walk on two legs and not put all our eggs in the Third Elder's basket."

Luo Rong nodded: "You have the most ideas; tell me, what good ideas do you have?"

Mo Chongba lowered his voice: "The method is simple.

On one hand, we continue to win over the Third Elder to ensure everything is foolproof.

On the other hand, we figure out a way to deal with Hua Qiqi, wouldn't that solve it?

Although the Second Elder and the others are opposing us, without Hua Qiqi, who else can they support? They will eventually have to follow our wishes."

"That's a good idea, but Lingxiao Sect also thought so before, unfortunately, they were ineffective in their actions, and the people they sent out actually disappeared, allowing Hua Qiqi to return to the Alchemist Guild swaggering.

Now, trying to act within Lingxiao Immortal City will be difficult; once the news gets out, the consequences will be unimaginable.

At that time, the remaining great Schools will all pay attention to the Alchemist Guild, and the Second Elder and the others will take the opportunity to counterattack, and the situation will no longer be something you and I can control."

Mo Chongba said: "Grand Elder, I do have a way to lure Hua Qiqi out of Lingxiao Immortal City, and then let the people of Lingxiao Sect make their move.

Lingxiao Sect is, after all, one of the Five Great Sects, with countless experts.

The previous failure must have been an accident; there won't be a second mistake.

Even if they fail again, what then? There isn't much connection between them and us.

What do you think of this?"

"This is indeed a good method…"

Luo Rong nodded with satisfaction.

As the two were speaking, a knock suddenly came from the door.

"Come in!"

Luo Rong waved his hand, removing the Restriction on the room and opening the door.

Fan Dongping stumbled in from outside, looking disheveled.

Seeing him in this state, Mo Chongba asked: "What happened to you? Who hurt you like this?"

Luo Rong was also very surprised; Fan Dongping was his man, which was public knowledge throughout the Alchemist Guild.

Furthermore, he was the Deputy Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall, a strong Immortal Emperor middle stage.

He was usually arrogant and domineering, always bullying others, so how was he beaten to this state today?

"Two Elders, you must uphold justice for me…"

Although Fan Dongping's courage was not great, he was excellent at playing the victim.

He cried bitterly, adding embellishments, and recounted the incident.

Finally, he said: "Kong Xifeng is the Third Elder's Grandson, and you two Elders asked me to win him over and not provoke him, which is why I let him cause trouble in front of the Alchemist Guild's gate.

But today, a Young man suddenly barged in, beat Kong Xifeng, and also beat me to this state.

He completely disregarded the Alchemist Guild and didn't even put you two Elders in his eyes."