"Grand Elder…"
"Grand Elder!"
The entire Alchemist Association erupted after Fa Ma's announcement. For a moment, silence reigned — and then a thunderous wave of cheers filled the great hall.
Every alchemist present had personally witnessed Liu Xi's mastery throughout the day and night of pill refinement. His profound control, his flawless techniques — they had conquered every single one of them. Even though he had just joined the Association, not a soul objected to him being named Grand Elder. He had earned it.
Liu Xi, however, could only give a helpless smile.
"President Fa Ma," he said, "I appreciate your good intentions. But I still wish to travel and temper myself. Even if you appoint me as Grand Elder, I can't stay here long."
Fa Ma shook his head, his tone firm. "No, Nephew Liu — this position is yours by right. You don't have to stay. Just know this: the Alchemist Association's resources and connections are yours to use as you wish."
He paused, then bowed deeply before Liu Xi, performing the formal salute of a disciple.
"You could've chosen to refine your pill in private," Fa Ma said sincerely. "But instead, you opened the process to all of us — allowing every alchemist here to learn and benefit. That is a great act of generosity. We all owe you a debt of gratitude."
Liu Xi was momentarily startled, then hurried to help the elder up — but Fa Ma stubbornly refused to rise until Liu Xi finally relented.
"…Fine," Liu Xi said with a resigned chuckle. "I'll accept the title of Grand Elder. But please, President, get up before people start thinking I'm bullying you."
Fa Ma laughed heartily as he stood. "Good! With a 6th Tier Alchemist like you serving as Grand Elder, I'd say it's the Association that profits most!"
Liu Xi gave him a long, knowing look. "President… I suspect you're not far from your own breakthrough to the 6th Tier, are you?"
Fa Ma smiled but didn't answer directly. Still, that confident gleam in his eyes spoke louder than words.
Just then, a familiar voice rang from the entrance.
"Haha! I saw the heavenly phenomenon fade and guessed your pill must be complete, little friend. I didn't expect to find you promoted to Grand Elder the moment I walked in! Congratulations!"
Hai Bodong strode in, laughing freely. Behind him followed Lu Man, Jia Xingtian, and three Dou Wang experts — all with awe and disbelief written across their faces.
After all, in the Jia Ma Empire, the Alchemist Association was a towering giant. Its members were revered across the land — no one dared to slight an alchemist, much less the Grand Elder of the entire Association.
Lu Man quickly stepped forward and said sweetly, "Master, these people tried to barge in earlier. I stopped them for you."
Jia Xingtian and the others immediately froze, their expressions stiff.
'What nonsense!' they all screamed inwardly. 'We didn't! Don't slander us, woman!'
Liu Xi shot them a calm glance. He could tell Lu Man was just exaggerating to earn favor. Still, he smiled faintly. "Thank you, Miss Lu Man. But I'm sure these seniors meant no harm."
"Hehe~," Lu Man giggled, pleased with herself.
The others exhaled in relief — but when they looked back at Liu Xi, their eyes flickered with disbelief. To think that the man who stood as an equal to Hai Bodong and Lu Man… was a youth who looked barely twenty!
Jia Xingtian finally broke the silence. "President Fa Ma," he said politely, "would you do us the honor of an introduction?"
"Of course," Fa Ma replied with a chuckle. He returned the Dou Ling Pill to Liu Xi, then gestured proudly. "Allow me to introduce Elder Xuan Hao's disciple — Liu Xi. He studied at Jia Nan Academy for several years and has now returned, having attained the rank of 6th Tier Alchemist. The heavenly phenomenon you all saw earlier — that was caused by his refinement!"
The hall fell utterly silent.
"What? So young… and already a 6th Tier Alchemist?" Jia Xingtian's heart shook. Even the three Dou Wangs behind him were stunned into speechlessness. Then, one by one, they stepped forward respectfully.
"Jia Xingtian of the Jia Ma Imperial Family greets Young Master Liu. Your talent is truly awe-inspiring!"
"Miteer Tangshan of the Miteer Clan greets Master Liu. Since Elder Hai is our Grand Elder as well, it seems we'll be seeing each other often, haha!"
'Shameless old fox, flattering already!' the two other Dou Wangs cursed silently.
"Nalan Jie of the Nalan Clan greets Master Liu. To achieve such mastery at your age — truly enviable!"
"Mu Chen of the Mu Clan greets Master Liu… Master Liu, you're… very handsome."
Everyone turned to stare at Mu Chen, who immediately flushed bright red. The seasoned, iron-willed general suddenly wished the floor would swallow him whole.
Liu Xi coughed lightly to ease the awkward air. "Ahem… what Patriarch Mu means is that I'm, ah… graceful and refined, yes?"
Mu Chen nodded frantically. "Exactly! That's what I meant!"
The room erupted in laughter, the tension melting away.
Once the introductions were over, Fa Ma looked at the gathered nobles and spoke solemnly. "Nephew Liu is not only gifted but also selfless. That's why I've already declared him our Association's Grand Elder. Soon, we'll hold a grand ceremony in his honor — I hope all of you will attend."
Jia Xingtian let out a silent sigh. 'The Alchemist Association was already an unshakable pillar of the Empire. Now, with another 6th Tier Alchemist joining their ranks… who can say how powerful they'll become?'
But he quickly masked his thoughts and smiled. "Of course, of course! The royal family will gladly attend. And since Young Master Liu has come to the Sacred City, how can we not show proper hospitality? Tomorrow, the Imperial Palace will host a welcoming banquet in your honor. Will you do us the pleasure of attending?"
Liu Xi thought for a moment, then smiled. "If that's the case, I shall gratefully accept your invitation."
As the head of the Empire's strongest power outside Yunlan Sect, Jia Xingtian's offer was no small gesture. Refusing it would be both disrespectful and politically unwise.
And so, as the refinement of the Dou Ling Pill concluded, news of what had transpired within the Alchemist Association began to spread like wildfire.
By nightfall, from noble estates to common taverns, every conversation in the Sacred City revolved around one name — Liu Xi.
The genius who returned from Jia Nan Academy.
The youngest 6th Tier Alchemist in Jia Ma history.
The Grand Elder of the Alchemist Association.
His name blazed across the entire Empire like wildfire.
Liu Xi — famous in a single day, his legend spreading to every corner of the Jia Ma Empire.
(End of Chapter)
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