Chapter Seventy-Two: The Alchemist Guild

After spending a casual night at an inn, Lu Zhe and the old physician set out for the capital of the Omega Empire the next morning—Imperial City!

They traveled by air without rest, and finally, by noon, arrived at their destination. The moment they stepped into Imperial City, Lu Zhe was awestruck by the bustling scene before him. The splendor and liveliness here were leagues beyond Qingxi Town, where he had previously lived. As he walked, Lu Zhe counted the businesses and stalls along just a single street—no fewer than two hundred and thirty-five, offering an endless array of goods, dazzling and delightful to behold.

The old physician strode ahead, paying no heed to the sights around him. Though Lu Zhe was constantly glancing in all directions, he never lost track of his mentor. The old man paused only to stop a few passersby, asking them several questions, before heading straight toward a towering building.

Lu Zhe, munching on a skewer of lamb he’d bought from a street vendor, followed closely behind.

After a few turns and crossing several streets, they arrived at the foot of that massive structure. From a distance, the building already seemed imposing, but standing beneath it now, Lu Zhe felt its grandeur and magnificence even more keenly.

The edifice soared dozens of meters into the sky, resembling a cathedral in its architecture. Unlike a church, however, above the one-meter-wide entrance hung a vast emblem—a massive cauldron, beneath which five bold golden characters were inscribed: Alchemist Guild. Two imposing guards, each wielding gleaming silver spears, flanked the entrance.

This was the Alchemist Guild—an institution revered and coveted by countless people!

Lu Zhe, still chewing his lamb, tilted his head to gaze in awe at the guild’s majestic building, just as he was about to speak, he realized the old physician had vanished.

Startled, he glanced around and quickly spotted his mentor slipping into a nearby alleyway. Although surprised, Lu Zhe hurried after him.

Once inside the alley, Lu Zhe saw the old physician donning a black robe, stowing away his usual white garment into his storage ring.

“Master, why are you changing clothes?” Lu Zhe asked, puzzled.

“You’ll understand soon enough,” the old physician replied as he adjusted his attire.

With that, he tapped his ring, and in a flash of light, a strange object appeared in his hand. He gave it a shake, unfolded it, and pulled it over his head, then turned to face Lu Zhe.

As the old man’s face turned, Lu Zhe’s eyes widened in shock. His mentor’s once handsome features had become utterly ordinary—plain enough to attract no attention whatsoever among the crowds.

“Master, what are you doing?” Lu Zhe asked in bewilderment.

“Nothing much, just avoiding unnecessary trouble,” the old physician said casually, patting Lu Zhe on the shoulder before heading toward the Alchemist Guild.

Lu Zhe quickly followed, keeping close behind.

The old physician strode directly to the guild’s entrance. One of the guards gave him a once-over, then raised a hand to block his way. “This is the Alchemist Guild. May I ask who you two are?”

The old physician remained silent, standing calmly. The guard scrutinized him, his eyes lingering on the alchemist’s robes. Then he suddenly froze, his gaze landing on the old man’s chest, where a gleaming five-cauldron gold badge was pinned.

“A level-five Gold Cauldron Alchemist?!” the guard blurted out in astonishment.

The old physician snorted coldly. “Are you going to move aside or not?”

The guard hesitated. “Why haven’t I seen you before, sir?”

The old physician glared, his tone icy, “I was an alchemist before your father was even born.”

The guard quickly apologized. “Forgive me, it’s just that lately, some have been posing as alchemists for free food and drink. Might I—?”

With an impatient flick of his wrist, the old physician conjured a small flame in his palm. “True fire manifestation—a technique only a four-cauldron alchemist can perform. Any more questions?”

The guard, startled by the fire, immediately beamed with respect and ushered them inside. “Of course, sir. And this is?”

“My apprentice. I’ve brought him to take the examination today. Understood?” the old man said.

The guard shot a quick glance at Lu Zhe and nodded quickly, “Understood, understood.”

The old physician smiled at Lu Zhe and walked inside.

Lu Zhe found the whole situation amusing and shook his head as he prepared to follow. At that moment, the clatter of hooves sounded behind him. He turned to see an ornate, luxurious carriage drawn by six horses—a conveyance only the wealthy or powerful could afford.

As Lu Zhe glanced at the carriage, he noticed a strange insignia on its side: a tiger, seemingly engulfed in flames, roaring skyward.

He was about to look away when someone nearby whispered, “Isn’t that a royal carriage?”

Lu Zhe froze. Royalty? The Omega Empire’s royal family? What are they doing here?

His curiosity was piqued as the carriage’s curtain was suddenly swept aside and a man quickly alighted, placing a small stool by the carriage door.

Then, with great care, a young woman descended. She looked to be about Lu Zhe’s age, her jet-black hair cascading to her waist, clad in a pale lavender gown of the finest silk. She was strikingly beautiful—delicate nose, luminous eyes, elegant brows, and skin as fair as snow, exuding a fragile, enchanting charm.

“What a beautiful lady,” Lu Zhe murmured, captivated.

“Isn’t that Her Highness, Princess Yaomeng, the third princess?” came a whisper from the crowd, revealing the young woman’s identity.

“A princess—no wonder she’s so stunning,” Lu Zhe thought admiringly.

As he mused, Princess Yaomeng passed by, brushing shoulders with him as she walked toward the guild entrance.

“Your Highness, what brings you here today?” the guards greeted her respectfully.

The tall man beside the princess spoke before she could reply. “Her Highness is here to take the alchemist examination.”

Hearing this, the guards immediately stepped aside, dropping to one knee in salute.

Lu Zhe shrugged and hurried into the Alchemist Guild’s main hall.

As he passed the princess, she glanced at him, frowning slightly and murmuring to herself, “Why does he look so familiar?”

Inside the guild hall, a fragrant scent of herbs greeted Lu Zhe. He took a deep breath and surveyed his surroundings.

The hall was immense—two stories high, lavishly decorated, and bustling with people. Groups of alchemists in their distinctive robes moved about, some alone, some in pairs or larger groups.

Lost in the newness of it all, Lu Zhe was approached by a woman who asked gently, “Sir, may I help you?”

Scratching his head, Lu Zhe replied, “I’d like to take the alchemist exam.”

She was momentarily surprised, but recovering, she gave a courteous nod. “This way, please.” She turned and led the way.

As they walked, she asked, “May I ask your age, sir?”

“Seventeen, I think,” Lu Zhe replied after some thought.

She looked at him in astonishment, then said respectfully, “You’re quite accomplished for someone so young.”

Lu Zhe flushed, embarrassed, and followed her to a counter.

She produced a pen and paper, handing them to him. “Please write your name and age here.”

Lu Zhe wrote: Lu Zhe, seventeen, applying for level two. He returned pen and paper to the woman, recalling his mentor’s instructions—only apply for the second level, never more.

The woman smiled as she took the paper, but then her eyes widened in surprise. She looked up at Lu Zhe, stunned. “Sir, is this correct?”

“Yes,” Lu Zhe replied.

“So you’re not a one-cauldron alchemist?” she asked incredulously.

“No,” said Lu Zhe.

“You want to take the two-cauldron alchemist exam directly?” she asked, mouth agape.

“Is that not allowed?” Lu Zhe countered.

“No, it’s allowed, of course!” she said quickly. If he passed, he’d be the first in the Omega Empire’s history—a seventeen-year-old two-cauldron alchemist!

She was about to say more when someone tapped Lu Zhe on the shoulder. Turning, he saw the old physician.

“What took you so long?” his mentor grumbled.

“I got delayed,” Lu Zhe replied sheepishly.

The woman, about to speak, was stunned yet again when she noticed the five-cauldron gold badge on the old physician’s chest. In the Imperial City’s guild, the highest-ranked five-cauldron gold alchemist was the vice president—no one else held such a rank. To see one here today was truly extraordinary.

Collecting herself, she smiled and addressed the old physician respectfully. “And you are?”

“I’m his master,” the old physician interrupted.

“Oh, please follow me,” she said, gesturing for them to proceed.

The old physician and Lu Zhe exchanged a faint smile and followed her inside.