"Indeed, there is a mistake!" Master Mo had regained his composure, his aged eyes coldly scrutinizing Edward Li, "Your error lies in the fact that as an apprentice alchemist, you lack the fundamental qualities of one. You should know that the Elixir Path is about learning through practice, yet you've never conducted experiments yourself. How can you be so sure that the other party was merely putting on an act?"
"This…" Edward Li was caught off guard by Master Mo's scathing rebuke and was momentarily at a loss for words.
Immediately, apprentices around them began to chime in with various opinions: "It can't be a deception; we all saw it with our own eyes."
"Yes, the old senior's injuries really did heal quickly; it couldn't have been faked…"
In fact, Master Mo was so anxious to come out because the prescription that used Yang Origin Stones and hemostatic herbs to treat the poison of the Cold-Hearted Python was something his own teacher had devoted half a lifetime to researching without ever mastering it!
Despite his advanced age, Master Mo too had once been young and had a mentor. He vividly remembered that the essence of the prescription lay in the ratio between the Yang Origin Stones and the hemostatic herbs; even a slight deviation would result in failure, yet his teacher had never managed to find the correct ratio.
On his deathbed, his teacher had expressly entrusted him with the task of continuing the research and finding the correct proportions for the prescription.
Master Mo had always treated his teacher's dying wish as a sacred edict, but alas, now in his seventies, he had still not fulfilled his teacher's last hope.
Therefore, upon hearing that someone had cured the Cold-Hearted Python's bite with Yang Origin Stones and hemostatic herbs in the front hall, Master Mo rushed there as quickly as possible, only to miss the person responsible.
With this thought, Master Mo's face could not hide his extreme disappointment. He then asked the others present, "Did that young man mention his name or where he came from?"
At this, an apprentice recalled something and quickly said, "Yes, I heard him say his name was Terra Su."
"Terra Su?" Master Mo murmured the name to himself and then immediately summoned an underling, instructing, "Search for this young man named Terra Su within the entire Clear River City, and do it quickly!"
Of course, Master Mo didn't believe that a mere youth could accomplish what his esteemed teacher could not. He suspected that behind the young man there must be a true expert, and it was this expert that Master Mo sought.
After giving his orders, Master Mo was about to return to the back hall when he caught a glimpse of Edward Li looking uneasy out of the corner of his eye. Master Mo's gaze turned icy as he stared calmly at Edward Li and said coldly, "As a mid-level apprentice alchemist, you have slandered another alchemist without any evidence. In my view, the title of mid-level apprentice alchemist does not suit you. You should return to your position as an alchemy apprentice and refine your skills further."
"What?" Edward Li was thunderstruck, never expecting that Master Mo would strip him of his title over such a trivial matter!
It was known that alchemist titles were certified by the Alchemy Guild, and as the president of the Alchemy Guild, Master Mo had the authority to revoke such titles.
However, Master Mo rarely exercised this power. Edward Li was devastated; without his title, how could he continue to wield influence at Five Treasures Hall?
If Five Treasures Hall learned of this, they would undoubtedly dismiss him without hesitation!
Not to mention, Edward Li had often been overbearing by virtue of his title, offending many. Now, reduced to an alchemy apprentice, he feared that all those he had wronged in the past would eagerly come to settle scores.
In the blink of an eye, Edward Li had lost everything, all because he had spoken ill of that young man behind his back.
***
Meanwhile, Terra Su had just left Five Treasures Hall when he unexpectedly found that the old man and the young girl had not gone far and were standing by a carriage, watching him from a distance.
Soon after, a graceful maid appeared before Terra Su, bowing her head respectfully and said, "Young Master, to express gratitude for saving her life, my mistress invites you to a banquet at Drunk Immortal Residence this noon. We hope you will honor us with your presence."
Terra Su frowned, about to politely decline, when the maid added, "Young Master, my mistress heard that you were looking for the Ice and Snow Cold Cicada at Five Treasures Hall. It's very rare in the market, but my mistress happens to know where to obtain one…"
Terra Su's eyes flickered, and he finally nodded, "Alright then."
The hundred-year-old Supreme Yang Herb was for treating his aunt's illness, but the Ice and Snow Cold Cicada was an indispensable ingredient for Terra Su's future cultivation.
Since she had information about the Ice and Snow Cold Cicada, Terra Su saw no reason to decline the invitation.
Hearing Terra Su's acceptance, the maid smiled and said, "Then, in half an hour, my mistress will await you in the Heavenly Room at Drunk Immortal Residence."
***
Drunk Immortal Residence was the most luxurious restaurant in Clear River City, always bustling with guests, and reservations were hard to come by.
Naturally, the prices were steep, affordable only to the noble and wealthy. The Heavenly Room was particularly lavish, and dining there was a symbol of absolute status in Clear River City.
When Terra Su arrived at Drunk Immortal Residence ahead of the appointed time, intending to head straight to the third-floor Heavenly Room, he was just reaching the first floor when the door to one of the ordinary rooms opened. Emma Jiang stood at the doorway, her face sour, "Terra Su? What are you doing here?"
"Weren't you supposed to go back on your own? You actually followed me here secretly; have you no shame?" Emma's anger surged as she had come to Drunk Immortal Residence to attend a welcome banquet for Young Master Miles Ye, and to her dismay, Terra Su had secretly followed her!
If Terra Su really wanted to come, why didn't he just tell her directly? Why pretend to be uninterested and then secretly trail her?
She was thoroughly disgusted by such behavior!
Just as Emma was about to say more with a furious expression, Olivia Wang emerged from the room, surprised to see Terra Su and couldn't help but laugh with ill intent, "Oh, look who it is, Emma's cousin. Emma, why didn't you tell us you were bringing your cousin to the banquet? Come, bring him in and let everyone meet him!"
Emma's face turned even more unsightly, her lips almost bleeding from the pressure. That Terra Su was truly shameless, following her all the way to Drunk Immortal Residence, and now, by chance, running into Olivia Wang!
Proofreader & Editor:Peter Pan
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