The Strongest Talent Tree

The two old men were indeed from the Alchemist Association, and they held important positions in the Five States City branch.

The hook-nosed old man in the lead was named Zhao Tian Gang. He was the president of the Five States City branch, an Eighth-level Peak Alchemist with considerable prestige in the city.

The old man behind him was Lang Ping, an Elder of the Five States City branch. He was a Ninth-level Alchemist who had been famous for a long time and had many disciples.

To be honest, given their status, the two of them rarely handled the Association’s trivial matters, let alone visit such a small shop.

But the appearance of the Life Spirit Pill and Snow Frost Ointment changed everything. These two seemingly simple medicines had stumped the entire Alchemist Association. They had gathered more than ten Ninth-level Alchemists, yet they still couldn’t unravel the secrets of the Life Spirit Pill and Snow Frost Ointment.

This was a huge deal for the Alchemist Association.

It was a joke. The Alchemist Association, which gathered all the most talented alchemists in the world, couldn’t even figure out two types of pills. If word of this got out, wouldn’t it be a huge slap in the face to the entire Alchemist Association?

Therefore, Zhao Tian Gang and Lang Ping had come to visit personally. For one, they wanted to figure out the formulas for the two pills, and for another, they wanted to see who had concocted such potent medicine.

"We’re from the Alchemist Association," Zhao Tian Gang said, sizing Feng Hao up.

Feng Hao’s expression showed he had expected this. He frowned and asked, "Are you here because of the Life Spirit Pill and Snow Frost Ointment?"

"That’s right." Zhao Tian Gang chuckled and nodded, staring at Feng Hao. "I was wondering if you could introduce us to the master who concocted these two pills?"

"I’m afraid that won’t be possible. My master doesn’t like to meet outsiders," Feng Hao lied smoothly.

Zhao Tian Gang’s face darkened. The man behind him, Lang Ping, snorted coldly and said, "Ignorant junior, do you have any idea who you’re talking to?"

Feng Hao immediately got annoyed. His eyes filled with disdain as he said, "Heh, I really don’t."

"Ridiculous. As an Alchemist, you don’t even recognize us," Lang Ping said contemptuously.

"Aren’t you just from the Alchemist Association? What’s with the act? Don’t think everyone treats your crappy association like it’s a big deal." Feng Hao had no intention of being polite to people overflowing with such a sense of superiority.

Neither Zhao Tian Gang nor Lang Ping had expected Feng Hao to respond like this. Their old faces instantly stiffened, which was quite a funny sight.

"Brat, do you really think you can challenge our Alchemist Association just because you have two lousy medicines?" Zhao Tian Gang’s face was grim. "Believe it or not, with a single word from me, this little shop of yours will be shut down."

"Who do you think you’re scaring!" Feng Hao sneered. "Now get the hell out of here. Don’t get in the way of my business."

"Brat, you’d better think this through," Zhao Tian Gang threatened coldly.

Feng Hao rolled his eyes and was about to let loose a few curses when a cold snort came from the doorway. Then, to his surprise, Sun Yaowen walked in.

"I’d like to see what you from the Alchemist Association can do to this shop." Sun Yaowen was full of imposing momentum, a complete reversal of his usual image as a comical old man.

"Sun Yaowen?" Seeing him, the eyes of Zhao Tian Gang and Lang Ping filled with shock and suspicion.

"You know who I am, so get the hell out!" Sun Yaowen said in a deep voice.

Zhao Tian Gang’s expression wavered, as if he was struggling with a decision. Lang Ping, however, could no longer hold back. "You’re just a heretic who betrayed the orthodox path. Do you really think you’re still the vice president you once were?"

"If you know what’s good for you, get out. Otherwise, don’t blame me for getting physical," Sun Yaowen snorted.

"You..." Lang Ping trembled with anger, but he was also afraid of Sun Yaowen’s power.

Zhao Tian Gang gritted his teeth and said, "Hmph, we’re leaving!"

After speaking, the two of them left the general store, appearing to swagger but in reality leaving in disgrace.

Feng Hao looked at Sun Yaowen with a strange expression and asked in confusion, "Old Sun, what are you doing here?"

"Hmph, if I hadn’t come, would you have obediently come with me?" Sun Yaowen shot him an annoyed glare, then curled his lip and snorted. "Get ready. You’re coming with me to the academy."

"Uh, is there new progress in the demonic creature research?" Feng Hao asked, surprised.

"No." Sun Yaowen hesitated slightly. "I heard you defeated that girl, Bai Yin. The old men from the inner cabinet want me to bring you over."

Feng Hao was taken aback and frowned. "What do they want with me?"

"What do you think? They see you have potential, so they want to coax you back to the academy," Sun Yaowen said mockingly, curling his lip.

"Then forget it. I’m not interested in going back to the academy," Feng Hao casually refused.

But Sun Yaowen had a strange expression on his face. "I know you have a problem with the academy, but you should at least go take a look before making a final decision."

"Hey, Old Sun, don’t tell me you took a bribe from them, did you?" Feng Hao asked suspiciously.

"You know me best, kid." Sun Yaowen laughed slyly. "How could they possibly get me to do anything without a sufficient reward?"

"Shameless, as expected. But I like it." Feng Hao grinned, his eyes lighting up. "Quick, tell me what the reward is! Is there a share for me?"

"It was always meant for you," Sun Yaowen said with a smile. "It’s the corpse of an extra-territorial demonic creature."

Feng Hao was suddenly speechless and said with waning interest, "And here I thought it was some kind of treasure."

"Enough nonsense. Hurry up and come with me to the academy. As for whether you stay, that’s your decision. My job is just to get you there," Sun Yaowen said irritably.

Feng Hao chuckled. "Alright then. For the sake of that demonic creature’s corpse, I’ll reluctantly make the trip."

"Now that’s more like it." Sun Yaowen nodded in satisfaction, grinning from ear to ear.

"But you’ll have to wait a bit. Someone has to watch the shop, right?"

Sun Yaowen nodded readily and began to wander around the shop. He picked up the Life Spirit Pill and Snow Frost Ointment to examine them, a strange look on his face. "The Alchemist Association came for these two medicines?"

"That’s right." Feng Hao nodded with a light chuckle.

Sun Yaowen’s eyes filled with contempt. "They can’t even figure out two simple medicines like these? The Alchemist Association these days is really something else."

’Feng Hao didn’t doubt that Sun Yaowen could figure out the Life Spirit Pill and Snow Frost Ointment. In his view, Sun Yaowen definitely had the ability; after all, they weren’t complicated medicines. The fact that the Alchemist Association couldn’t, however, was a bit surprising.’

"By the way, Old Sun, you used to be the vice president of the Alchemist Association?" Feng Hao asked curiously.

"That’s all in the past. Best not to bring it up." Sun Yaowen’s gaze was complicated. He changed the subject, asking, "Anyway, when is your shop assistant getting here? If it’s going to be a while, you might as well just close for the morning."

"She should be here soon," Feng Hao said, clicking his tongue.

The words had barely left his mouth when a small, exquisite red flying car landed outside. Following that, Yao Ying, dressed in a revealing outfit, stepped out. Her already enchanting figure was made even more captivating against the backdrop of the red car. With a flick of her wrist, she stored the flying car in her Spatial Ring and sauntered toward the general store.

"Huh? Isn’t that the girl Yao Ying from the Arts Department? What’s she doing here?" Sun Yaowen said with a strange expression.

Feng Hao put on a smug look and said, "Hehe, she’s my employee."

Sun Yaowen looked at Feng Hao in disbelief. "Isn’t that girl usually incredibly arrogant? How could she possibly agree to be a clerk in your shop?"

"Can’t be helped. It’s called personal charisma," Feng Hao said, continuing his smug act.

"..." Sun Yaowen was speechless. Dark lines appeared on his old face.