Because the Vermilion Kingdom was Divine Bird City’s neighbor and also the residence of the continent’s southern region’s ruling clan, Feng Luotian visited the kingdom many times in the past. And one of the kingdom’s prominent points was its chief alchemist: Azure Flame of Vermilion Kingdom.

The Azure Flame of Vermilion Kingdom, Lian Fu, was a renowned peak Demirium alchemist for her signature pill: Blue Wing. The medicine could help any cultivator cultivate peak Talon Realm to achieve One Wing with 100% certainty.

Since the king hired Lian Fu as his chief alchemist with innumerable resources and treasures, not only did the ruling clan become the most powerful clan in the southern region, but they were also the wealthiest clan as well.

When Feng Luotian met the Azure Flame of Vermilion Kingdom for the first time in his past life, considering the timeline, it should be many decades later. Her hair was already grey, and her look was that of an older woman. The cultivators could use Theríon to rejuvenate their bodies and skin to look like they were still in their teens forever. On the other hand, Lian Fu was not like other women who minded about their appearance, so she let it be and aged like any other mortals. That was why he did not recognize her at present.

Feng Luotian inwardly exclaimed: “Never did I expect the Azure Flame of Vermilion Kingdom to be here in Divine Bird City! What is she doing here anyway? Don’t tell me she was born here, but because no one recognized her talent in the past, she went somewhere else to make a name for herself?! Let’s confirm the fact before thinking of the plan to make her stay here instead of going to the Vermilion Kingdom.”

Lian Fu already noticed a handsome young man looking at her the moment Feng Luotian reached that alley. She slightly bowed to greet him and said: “Hello, young man. Do you perhaps have business with me because you have been staring at me for quite a while now?”

Feng Luotian promptly cupped his hands: “Greetings, senior. My name is Feng Luotian. I came here following the pill aroma lingering around this place, trying to search for the source. When I found that it is senior, I was wondering if you are an alchemist. I might have offended senior by the stare just now. Please forgive me.”

Lian Fu gave a bright smile: “Oh my, what a sharp sense of smell you have there, young man! And yes, I am an alchemist. Do you have a business with one?”

Feng Luotian shook his head: “No. I am puzzled by your identity, senior. I know that you are already a Titanium alchemist, and since you are here at the Peacock Library to rent some books, you are also a disciple of the Peacock School. Normally, if you are older than 25 years old, you will be considered to be graduated from the school no matter how much you learn or how high your cultivation becomes. And if you want to continue providing your service for the school, you will be assigned to a most proficient position. If you want to leave and start a new job in the city, that is fine too, but you will have to return your student badge right after, one way or another. Still renting some books here equals being younger than 25 years old. Why does no one mention or even know anything about this talented alchemist being a disciple of the Peacock School? Not to mention that no alchemist master inside the school can train someone to your caliber.”

Lian Fu exclaimed in surprise: “What a deduction! You are right, again. Although I am still a disciple here, I will be graduating next year, though. However, I won’t be finding jobs here in the city. I want to travel around the continent and further improve my alchemy skill. As for how I train to this caliber, I am sorry that I cannot tell you about it.”

Lian Fu’s honest replies astonished Feng Luotian quite a bit. He did not anticipate her to answer most of the questions in his mind in one go. Judging from her cultivation, she was one of the Ten Feathers, so this was an excellent chance to kill multiple birds with one stone.

Quickly forming a plan inside his head, Feng Luotian spoke with a deliberate pause: “Senior ….”

“Lian Fu. My name is Lian Fu.”

Feng Luotian continued: “Senior Lian, would you be interested in becoming a Demirium alchemist?”

“!!” The casual smile on Lian Fu’s face froze instantly when the last word was uttered: “W-What did you just say?!”

Feng Luotian repeated: “I said, would you be interested in becoming a Demirium alchemist? I have a way to let you achieve what you want.”

Lian Fu became dazed for a moment, and after pondering the possibility of this junior being able to provide her a way to become a Demirium alchemist, she immediately shook her head: “Don’t jest, Junior Brother Feng! There is no way you can do something like that. How can you possibly ….”

Feng Luotian abruptly interjected: “What if I have a Demirium material for concocting pills?”

Lian Fu received another stun: “WHAT?!” She accidentally exclaimed in a loud voice, attracting many dissatisfying gazes from the people within the Peacock Library.

She consequently covered her mouth and dragged Feng Luotian out of the library, and then she asked: “Where did you get something like that? If you have it, then show it to me.”

Feng Luotian playfully smiled: “Why do I have to show it to you? What do I get in return?”

“You!!” The calm lady from before started to get annoyed at this shameless junior. He was the one who gave the suggestion, yet now he refused to comply and tried to demand something from her. His action was a scam no matter how you looked at it; however, the offer was simply too tempted to reject or deny even if it was a scam.

Lian Fu’s attitude switched from a caring elder sister to a businesswoman: “What do you want from me then?”

Feng Luotian raised three fingers and said: “I have three conditions. If you accept them, I will give you the Demirium material.”

Lian Fu puffed her cheeks, thinking: “Hmph! I don’t even know whether you have the Demirium material, and you want me to satisfy your three conditions?!”

Feng Luotian knew what she was thinking, so he said: “Whether or not you accept my conditions, I’ll show you the material once I finished stating my terms.”

“…” That gave the corner of her lips a twitch. Lian Fu stayed silent and listened to what Feng Luotian had to say.

“First, because providing the resource that gave enough proficiency for you to break through to the next level is like a heaven-sent opportunity for you, I want every by-product that you will create with this material.”

Previously, Feng Luotian planned to concoct the pills using the queen’s heart because he thought there was no capable alchemist around. However, since he found one, Feng Luotian would not need to wait until he reached the Talon Realm before obtaining pills to advance his cultivation.

“Second, I know that you are one of the Ten Feathers, so I wished to borrow your Feather Badge to enter the library’s second floor for one hour at most.”

Even though Feng Luotian intended to use contribution points to pay for the privilege, he was unsure whether the head librarian would allow such circumvention. Luckily, he met one of the Ten Feathers by chance, so to be sure, Feng Luotian had to request the Feather Badge from Lian Fu.

“Third, this is the most important condition. You are to stay at the Peacock School as the Alchemy Center’s head after you graduate when you are 25. That’s all!”

Lian Fu nodded at the first two conditions because they were wholly logical and doable. Still, when she heard the third condition, she instantly frowned and complained: “Didn’t I tell you that after I graduate, I want to travel around the continent and further improve my alchemy skill? Who would want to be? Wait! What do you want me to do again?”

Feng Luotian flatly replied: “To work as the Alchemy Center’s head.”

Lian Fu’s eyes were widely opened in shock: “What are you saying? How can I become the Alchemy Center’s head? Mei Clan’s Second Elder is currently the Alchemy Center’s head.”

Feng Luotian scoffed at that comment: “He won’t be soon enough!”

Like the first condition, before this, Feng Luotian planned to defeat Second Elder and make himself the head of the Alchemy Center.

Nonetheless, with that plan, he was still worried that he had to leave the city soon. If there was no one capable enough to manage the Alchemy Center, someone might try to take advantage of his absence and resume control over the Alchemy Center like before. Feng Luotian would not want that to happen no matter what, as he wanted to prepare the best environment for the Mei Clan to grow after he left the city.

Now that he found someone who would soon become a peak Demirium alchemist, he would not let that chance go away.

Their conversations were neither loud nor quiet. If the passerby tried to eavesdrop, they would undoubtedly hear about which they were talking. Fortunately, there was no one around.

Despite that, Lian Fu still became agitated when Feng Luotian said something like that. It was a severe offense when one tried to overthrow an elder out of their position: “W-W-What are you saying, Junior Brother Feng? What if someone heard us?”

Feng Luotian sighed at her young and innocent posture. He had never seen the Azure Flame of the Vermilion Kingdom acting this timidly. He completely ignored her worries and said: “How about it? Do you accept the three conditions?”

Lian Fu looked around, confirming that no one could hear them: “I agreed to the first two, but I have to say ‘no’ to the third condition. I have decided to travel around the world because the alchemy knowledge in this city is too scarce.”

Feng Luotian commented: “I also consent that the alchemy knowledge in this city is too scarce. But what if I can give you the pinnacle knowledge about alchemy? Will you stay?”

Lian Fu asked doubtfully: “The pinnacle knowledge about alchemy? This is getting more and more ridiculous, don’t you think, Junior Brother Feng?”

Feng Luotian sighed out loud: “Okay, let’s go with the two conditions first. As for the third condition, once I kicked Second Elder out of his seat, I will come and ask you again.” With that, he retrieved the spider queen’s heart from the spatial ring and held it in front of him for Lian Fu to see.

Upon laying her eyes on the item, her eyes widened while her jaw dropped. The aura emitting from the spider queen’s heart was far from what she expected.