The bustling streets outside the Alchemist Association remained as lively as ever.
Vendors shouted from both sides of the road.
Horse carriages rolled past.
Martial artists carrying weapons moved through the crowd in groups while the scent of roasted meat and medicinal herbs drifted through the air.
Yet as Lin Feng walked out from the association building wearing his newly acquired second-tier alchemist badge, the gazes directed toward him had subtly changed.
Shock.
Respect.
Fear.
Such a young second-tier alchemist.
Even within imperial City, such a figure was almost unheard of.
But Lin Feng paid no attention to the stares.
His expression remained calm as he walked steadily toward another building not too far away.
The Martial Pavilion.
Unlike the solemn atmosphere of the Alchemist Association, the Martial Pavilion resembled a refined auction house.
The exterior was elegant yet restrained.
Rows of carved pillars supported the high ceiling while lanterns emitting soft golden light illuminated the entrance.
People entered and exited constantly.
Some came to buy weapons.
Some came for pills.
Others came seeking information or treasures.
The moment Lin Feng stepped inside, a faint fragrance greeted him.
The floor was spotless.
The attendants were orderly.
There was no chaos despite the large number of customers.
Soon, an attractive female attendant walked toward him with graceful steps.
She wore a light blue dress that outlined her figure modestly while maintaining professionalism.
A polite smile rested on her face.
"Young master, welcome to the Martial Pavilion," she said softly. "May I ask what you are here to purchase today?"
Lin Feng's eyes flickered slightly.
'As expected of the Martial Pavilion…'
'Nobody here is rude or arrogant.'
His impression of the place immediately improved.
He nodded faintly.
"I'm here to meet your pavilion master."
The attendant was slightly surprised but still maintained her smile.
"May I ask your name, young master?"
"Junior Lin Feng is here to pay his respects."
"Please wait a moment."
She bowed politely before walking upstairs.
A few moments later, she returned.
"The pavilion master invites young master Lin upstairs."
Lin Feng nodded and followed behind her.
Soon—
He arrived before a quiet room on the upper floor.
The attendant bowed and retreated.
Lin Feng pushed open the door and entered.
Inside—
The pavilion master lounged lazily upon a long couch.
Her loose crimson robes draped carelessly over her seductive figure, unable to conceal her graceful curves in the slightest.
One snow-white leg rested lightly atop the other.
Although a veil still covered the lower half of her face, it did nothing to diminish her charm.
Rather—
It made her seem even more mysterious.
Lin Feng lowered his head slightly.
"Junior Lin Feng greets Pavilion Master."
The woman laughed softly.
Her melodious voice carried a playful warmth.
"Little brother, why are you being so polite? Sit."
Lin Feng sat opposite her.
Then his expression became serious.
"Thank you for saving my life previously."
She waved her hand casually.
"It was only a small matter."
Lin Feng hesitated slightly, as though wanting to ask something.
Seeing this, she chuckled.
"You want to ask why I helped you?"
Lin Feng nodded.
"That was indeed my question."
Her beautiful eyes became slightly distant.
"I suppose…"
"I simply saw a bit of myself in you."
"No one could help me back then."
"But if I can help someone else now…"
"At least I'll feel a little better."
Lin Feng was slightly confused.
However, he did not ask further.
If she wished to speak, she naturally would.
If not—
There was no point prying.
He looked at her seriously.
"If elder sister ever needs help in the future, no matter what it is, I will do my best."
She laughed softly.
"You little guy…"
"Don't worry about it."
Although she spoke casually, her tone had visibly softened.
Then suddenly—
"Oh right."
"Congratulations on becoming a second-tier alchemist on your first attempt."
Lin Feng's eyes narrowed slightly.
He had only just finished the assessment.
Yet she already knew.
Seeing his expression, she chuckled.
"The Martial Pavilion has its own information channels."
Lin Feng shook his head lightly.
"It was merely a fluke."
She stared at him strangely.
"A fifteen-year-old second-tier alchemist…"
"There probably aren't many in the empire's history."
"If others heard you call that a fluke, they'd probably want to kill themselves."
Lin Feng chuckled helplessly.
Then she suddenly looked at him meaningfully.
"I also heard about your previous matters."
"The betrayal by Ye Meimei…"
"And your crippled condition."
Lin Feng's expression remained calm.
As though she was speaking about someone else entirely.
Seeing this, her eyes flickered slightly.
Lin Feng spoke calmly.
"A temporary rise or fall means nothing."
"So what if my cultivation was crippled?"
"As long as my heart remains unbroken…"
"I will still reach the peak eventually."
His voice was calm.
Yet it carried absolute confidence.
Her beautiful eyes narrowed slightly.
Although she did not show it outwardly—
Her heart was genuinely shocked.
Most people after suffering such betrayal and losing their cultivation would either collapse into despair or become consumed by hatred.
Yet Lin Feng remained calm.
Not pretending to be calm.
But truly calm.
That kind of mentality—
Was terrifying.
Soon, she continued:
"You should still be careful of Ouyang Jun."
Lin Feng raised an eyebrow slightly.
"With his talent, shouldn't the Imperial Capital's Alchemist Association president be willing to accept him as a disciple?"
"Why come all the way to Qinghe City?"
She smiled faintly.
"Because the association president here…"
"…is actually a higher-grade alchemist than the one in the Imperial Capital."
"And there are rumors he possesses a mysterious background."
Lin Feng's eyes flickered slightly.
After that, the two continued chatting casually.
The atmosphere gradually became more relaxed.
At some point—
She had even begun calling him little brother naturally.
Then suddenly, she smiled teasingly.
"Did little brother only come here today to greet this sister?"
Lin Feng froze.
Only now remembering his actual purpose.
He scratched his head awkwardly.
A faint blush even appeared on his face.
She burst into laughter.
"You really forgot?"
Lin Feng coughed lightly in embarrassment.
After teasing him for a bit, the atmosphere returned to normal.
Lin Feng then handed her a list.
"These are the materials I need."
She glanced through it briefly before raising her hand.
A deacon immediately appeared.
"Prepare everything on this list."
"Yes, Pavilion Master."
The deacon left swiftly.
A few moments later, he returned carrying several boxes filled with herbs and materials before respectfully bowing and retreating.
She handed the materials to Lin Feng.
Lin Feng immediately prepared to take out the reward money he had received from the Alchemist Association earlier.
However—
She stopped him.
"If little brother considers me a friend…"
"Then put it away."
Lin Feng hesitated.
But after she persuaded him repeatedly, he finally sighed softly and accepted.
Still—
He silently remembered this favor in his heart.
Seeing his demeanor, she nodded inwardly in appreciation.
Then she took out a silver card and handed it to him.
"This is a silver membership card."
"With it, you can receive a twenty percent discount at any Martial Pavilion branch."
Lin Feng's eyes lit up.
"Thank you very much."
She smiled faintly.
"Also…"
"Calling me pavilion master feels a bit distant."
"You can call me elder sister Fei."
Lin Feng nodded respectfully.
"Then many thanks, elder sister Fei."
Soon, he stood up.
"I still have matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave first."
She waved lazily.
"Go on."
Lin Feng cupped his fists politely before turning and leaving.
After he disappeared—
The room fell silent.
Then—
A shadow slowly emerged from the corner.
Ling'er appeared beside the pavilion master.
Her expression was filled with disbelief.
"Master…"
"Why are you going so far for him?"
"You've always been indifferent toward everyone else."
"But now you're even letting a boy from a small backwater kingdom call you elder sister…"
The pavilion master stared quietly toward the doorway Lin Feng had exited through.
After a moment, she smiled faintly.
"It's just a hunch."
"So I'm investing early while he still needs help."
Ling'er was stunned.
Her master—
Actually investing in someone?
That was almost unimaginable.
Meanwhile—
Lin Feng had already returned
home quickly.
Without wasting time, he brought out a large basin and poured water into it before adding the various herbs and materials one after another.
Soon—
The clear water gradually turned dark green.
A thick medicinal scent filled the room instantly.
Lin Feng took a deep breath.
Then slowly removed his clothes.
Splash.
He stepped directly into the basin.
The moment his body submerged—