Chapter 667: Bei’yuan Branch Pagoda Alchemy Competition (Two)

The white-haired and ruddy-faced elderly man, that is, the Deputy Pagoda Master, stroked his beard and smiled lightly.

“It’s just the first match, we wouldn’t be able to tell which session had stronger talents. But this time, the number of people who identified all the two hundred kinds of spiritual herbs in the first match was a few more than before. Maybe there’ll be unexpected surprises in this session.”

The elegant middle-aged man nodded, “If there’s a genius alchemist, we should act first, otherwise the branch pagoda in the Central State would snatch them up first again.”

Because the core headquarters of the Alchemy Pagoda was also in the Central State, so relying on this advantage, the Central State’s branch pagoda could recruit many young talented alchemists each time, and the people who fell into their four branch pagodas were not only few, but also much less talented.

“Central State is a concentration place of powerhouses in the Human Realm. Countless alchemists want to enter Central State to show their strengths. Let’s let nature take its course.” The Deputy Pagoda Master said with a sigh.

Be it resources or attractiveness, the advantages of the other states weren’t comparable to the Central State. ‘People struggled upwards just as water flowed downwards’. The younger generation of alchemists who achieved good results in each session of the alchemy competition rarely chose the branch pagodas of the four states.

“That’s true, but let’s give it a try anyway.” The elegant man smiled bitterly. Each time he went to the headquarters, he’d always feel uncomfortable seeing those decrepit old things of the Central State branch pagoda acting all smug.

There were a few people sitting behind them, and one of them was the white-haired elderly man who Lou Mu Yan had met in the palace—the First Elder who examined Emperor Bei’yuan.

“That girl is extraordinary as expected.” He looked at Lou Mu Yan who easily distinguished two hundred kinds of spiritual herbs and understanding flashed across his eyes.

Hearing his words, the elegant man asked in surprise: “Do you know that girl?”

“She’s the physician who successfully discovered the cause and expelled the poison for Emperor Bei’yuan. I suspect that she’s also an advanced-level alchemist.” The First Elder rather admired Lou Mu Yan, this junior with such ability.

“First Elder, this girl was the one that cured the illness that you couldn’t identify?” The elegant man and the others were very surprised.

One must know that the First Elder wasn’t only an advanced-level grade 7 alchemist, but also an intermediate-level grade 7 physician. The illness that even he couldn’t cure was actually cured by a little girl.

“What’s the origin of that girl?” The Deputy Pagoda Master asked with some interest.

“She’s the leader of the Mu Feng Mercenary Party that’s been hotly discussed in the imperial capital for the past few days. As for her background, there’s nothing to find, and she hasn’t joined any faction as of yet.”

The First Elder continued: “The little girl isn’t very old, but she has a very mature and calm way of handling things. If she has good talent for alchemy, she’ll be a good seedling.”

All knew that an alchemist not only needed good talent, but disposition was also very important. If an alchemist was impetuous or placed too much emphasis on the pursuit of fame and fortune, they wouldn’t walk far.

“Focus on her for the next two matches. If she has good talent, let’s first extend an olive branch.” The Deputy Pagoda Master said.

After the first match, Lou Mu Yan and the others didn’t stay long either and returned to the second mansion, waiting for the second match of the competition.

Xia Xuan Ye’s group of three came to visit that night, and Lou Mu Yan understood what it was about upon hearing they were visiting.

In the living room of the second mansion, she met the three who were waiting.

“Do inspectors need something to suddenly visit tonight?” Lou Mu Yan asked straightforwardly with a smile.

She could see that among the three, An Yu Qian was the most incomprehensible despite having an appearance that wasn’t striking. A person with such a calm and restrained feeling must be extraordinary.

Xia Xuan Ye looked rather straightforward and refreshing, but wasn’t shallow, while the gentle ‘smiling-tiger’-looking man should be the simplest of the three.

“We won’t go around in circles.” An Yu Qian’s voice was as gentle and modest as his name, “The three of us came to Bei’yuan Kingdom this time because of Young Miss Lou.”

Lou Mu Yan revealed a hint of surprise at just the right moment and said with a smile: “For me? What does Sir An mean?”

An Yu Qian’s intuition had always been very accurate regarding people. He could feel that Lou Mu Yan was an extremely intelligent and transparent woman, and he didn’t believe that she hadn’t figured out their motive at all.

But since she was cunningly pretending to be stupid, he naturally wouldn’t expose it.

“Young Miss Lou, what do you think of the Mercenary Union?” An Yu Qian asked without answering.

Lou Mu Yan said truthfully: “Very good. The Mercenary Union isn’t only strong, but also has a good atmosphere.”

“Then does Young Miss Lou want to join our Mercenary Union?” An Yu Qian continued to ask.

Lou Mu Yan chuckled, looked at him meaningfully, and asked: “Are you trying to invite me to join the Mercenary Union?”

“Indeed. We are here this time to invite Young Miss Lou to join the Mercenary Union.” An Yu Qian nodded.

“What are your conditions? Or what benefits can you give me?” Lou Mu Yan wasn’t going to be hypocritical by saying how much she admired the Mercenary Union. She was very straightforward.

Her straightforwardness also stunned the three people present, and she became more likeable to them.

Living in this world, many things were driven by benefits. Lou Mu Yan and the Mercenary Union hadn’t yet established a deep relationship. Her words were what she thought in her heart without any pretence.

After hearing too many words of flattery or praise to the Mercenary Union, they felt that people like Lou Mu Yan were the most realistic and loveable.

“You should know that our Mercenary Union is divided into the Outer Union, Inner Union, and Central Hall right.” An Yu Qian said.

“I do.” Lou Mu Yan nodded.

“Originally, those who truly become members of the Mercenary Union need to start from the Inner Union, and only after reaching a certain contribution value could they enter the Central Hall.”

An Yu Qian paused, then said: “However, in view of Young Miss Lou’s excellent talent in cultivation and arrays, as the person in charge of the investigation envoy, I can apply for you to directly join the Central Hall and become a core member of the Mercenary Union.”

“Is that it?” Lou Mu Yan raised an eyebrow and smiled faintly.

An Yu Qian’s expression remained unchanged, “After joining the Central Hall, Young Miss Lou can enjoy all the rights that a core member should have, including receiving cultivation resources suitable for your realm from the Mercenary Union each year.”

“Can you let me see what rights core members enjoy?” Lou Mu Yan was more interested in this.

An Yu Qian’s lips rose into a smile. This girl really wasn’t easy to fool and was extremely cunning.

He took out a green jade slip and handed it to Lou Mu Yan, “This contains the rights, resources, and obligations that members of the Central Hall can enjoy.”

‘There was no free lunch in this world’. No matter which organisation one joined to obtain cultivation resources and protection, one needed to pay a corresponding price and obligation.

Lou Mu Yan read through the jade slip and was quite satisfied with some on the list.

For example, after joining the Central Hall of the Mercenary Union, although they couldn’t serve as the leader of any mercenary party, but she had a higher right to freedom in life. If the Central Hall had no missions, she could temporarily join a certain mercenary party to complete tasks and the points added up all the same.

Another example was that the Mercenary Union didn’t restrict people in the Central Hall from serving as another force’s ‘Guest’ or a Nominal Elder. The only requirement was to be loyal and have a sense of belonging to the Mercenary Union.

“I want to think about it for a bit, how about I give you an answer after the competition held by the Alchemy Pagoda?” Lou Mu Yan said to the three with a half-smile.