Chapter 71: Master of Potions? (Ninth Update)

Xin Lang couldn’t fathom what was on Ouyang Tianfeng’s mind, but he wasn’t afraid. Although Ouyang Tianfeng had been a martial artist for over a decade, he had never broken through to the Grandmaster realm. As long as he remained merely at the Dark Energy stage, Xin Lang was fully confident he could defeat him. At worst, Xin Lang could just level up a few more times!

Dean Li Xuanming from the Martial Arts Academy took the initiative to sit by Qian Baidu’s side, persistently persuading him to enroll in their academy. Meanwhile, Wang Junwei from the War Academy was doing his best to win over Fatty Gu, but Fatty Gu’s attention was entirely on Ouyang Yanran, paying no heed whatsoever to the eager Wang Junwei.

Meng Linglong kept a careful eye on Lord Ouyang Tianfeng, but found nothing unusual. In fact, Ouyang Tianfeng was remarkably cordial with Xin Lang—constantly urging him to eat more, raising his cup to drink with him, exceedingly warm in every gesture.

Xin Lang couldn’t help but mutter inwardly, “Is something wrong with Ouyang Tianfeng’s brain? I crippled his nephew, so is his head damaged as well? Why is he being so attentive to me? Damn, does he have a thing for men? He only seems to have one wife, and just a single daughter...”

Everyone at the table harbored their own thoughts.

After the meal, Ouyang Tianfeng finally found an opportunity to pull Xin Lang aside into a side hall.

“Lord Ouyang, what is it you want?” Xin Lang asked, a little apprehensive.

He was never afraid of a fight, but if it was anything else—particularly the kind he dreaded—Xin Lang would have to think twice!

“Don’t worry, nephew. I have no ill intentions toward you!” Ouyang Tianfeng reassured him, seeing Xin Lang’s wary expression.

“I crippled your nephew—don’t you want revenge?” Xin Lang asked, puzzled.

Ouyang Tianfeng replied, “In tournament duels, injuries are inevitable. Besides, my nephew has been spoiled since childhood and grown a bit arrogant. This serves as a good lesson for him.”

“Uh…” Xin Lang was thoroughly confused. By all accounts, Ouyang Tianfeng didn’t seem the type to let things go so easily.

After considering for a moment, Xin Lang smiled and said, “Lord Ouyang, please speak plainly.”

Ouyang Tianfeng hadn’t expected Xin Lang to be so astute, seeing straight through his pretense. “Very well, then I’ll be direct! I invited you here today mainly to ask for your help in healing my nephew’s injuries.”

At that, Xin Lang’s heart skipped a beat.

“Could it be that Ouyang Tianfeng has discovered my secret, and knows that I’m the mysterious master alchemist?”

But Ouyang Tianfeng, oblivious to the subtle change in Xin Lang’s expression, continued, “After this competition, my nephew would have been eligible to enroll at either the Martial Arts Academy or the War Academy. However, the doctor said it would take at least half a year for his injuries to fully heal, and there may even be lasting side effects, with possible regression in his cultivation! Unless, of course, we can find a high-level master alchemist to formulate a ‘Treasure-grade’ potion—only then could his injuries recover quickly, and he’d have a hope of entering one of the two top academies in Xiadu.”

He went on, “I’ve investigated the ‘Seven-Turn Restorative Pill’ and know it originated from you. Therefore, you must have an extraordinary relationship with the seventh-level master alchemist who created it. I hope you could introduce me. As long as he can heal my nephew, the Ouyang family is willing to pay any price!”

“Oh… is that so…” Xin Lang’s mind raced, suddenly seizing upon a lucrative opportunity.

Seeing Xin Lang’s hesitation, Ouyang Tianfeng quickly added, “If you could make the introduction, our Ouyang family would be endlessly grateful. I, Ouyang Tianfeng, would owe you a great favor!”

Feigning difficulty, Xin Lang replied, “My master is wholly devoted to the study of alchemy and is preparing to break through to the Saint Alchemist rank, so he doesn’t receive visitors. Lord Ouyang, your request puts me in a very difficult position!”

“What?” Ouyang Tianfeng exclaimed, startled. “That… that master alchemist is your teacher?”

“Indeed, my master! I met him while gathering herbs in the mountains during my time at the Alchemy Academy. He saw that I had some talent in alchemy and took me in as his last disciple.”

“His last disciple…” Cold sweat broke out across Ouyang Tianfeng’s brow. “The last disciple of a master alchemist on the verge of becoming a Saint Alchemist—what does that even mean?”

Ouyang Tianfeng had originally planned to forge ties with this mysterious master alchemist and then dispose of Xin Lang to avenge Ouyang Feiyun, but after hearing this, he immediately abandoned, even erased, such thoughts.

A Saint Alchemist’s status on the Nine Continents was nearly on par with an emperor—though not wielding actual power, their influence was beyond imagination. If a Saint Alchemist spoke, even a Martial Saint would show respect, not to mention Grandmaster-level martial artists! For minor figures like Ouyang Tianfeng, reverence was the only option. Although Xin Lang’s “master” was not yet a Saint Alchemist, he was already attempting the breakthrough, so even his last disciple was not someone Ouyang Tianfeng could afford to offend.

Humbly, Ouyang Tianfeng pleaded, “Nephew, I beg you to put in a good word for me with your master—please, save my nephew!”

“Well…” Xin Lang pretended to hesitate for a long while before finally saying, “My master is in the final stages of his breakthrough and needs a great many rare and treasure-grade herbs. If Lord Ouyang could help procure some of these, it would make it much easier for me to speak to my master on your behalf.”

“Rare and treasure-grade herbs?” Ouyang Tianfeng’s face changed instantly at these words.

Such herbs were far from cheap. To buy any decent amount would cost tens of thousands of gold coins. Moreover, Ouyang Tianfeng knew that Xin Lang had previously placed an order for two hundred thousand gold coins’ worth of goods at the Nine Herbs Hall. Even for a wealthy family like the Ouyangs, such an expenditure would sting.

If this expense truly secured their connection to Xin Lang’s master, it might be worth it, but from the look of things, even after spending all that money, there was no guarantee the master would heal Ouyang Feiyun.

Ouyang Tianfeng asked, “What exactly does your esteemed master require? I’ll see if I can procure them here in Sun City.”

Xin Lang, easily reading Ouyang Tianfeng’s thoughts from his expression, replied, “Nothing too specific—just any rare or treasure-grade herbs will suffice.”

“Very well,” Ouyang Tianfeng said helplessly. “I’ll do my best to collect as many rare and treasure-grade herbs as possible for your master. I only hope you’ll put in a good word for me.”

“Heh, that’s a promise!” Xin Lang inwardly chuckled wickedly.

“Oh, and nephew!” Ouyang Tianfeng added, “Should you have any financial difficulties attending the Martial Arts Academy, the Ouyang family would be happy to sponsor you free of charge!”

Ouyang Tianfeng would never miss any opportunity to win Xin Lang’s favor.

“Thank you for your kind offer, Lord Ouyang, but my master will make all arrangements for me,” Xin Lang replied.

“Ah… yes, of course!” Ouyang Tianfeng nearly wanted to slap himself. How could the last disciple of a master alchemist possibly lack the funds to attend school?

Meanwhile, in the main hall of the city lord’s residence, Li Xuanming of the Martial Arts Academy spent a long time trying to persuade Qian Baidu, but Qian Baidu was adamant—he would not leave Sun City unless Xin Lang agreed to go with him.

Frustrated, Li Xuanming stepped outside for some air, only to inadvertently overhear the conversation between Xin Lang and Ouyang Tianfeng.