Chapter 131: Chapter 131: Wanting to Cry But Having No Tears
"An appointment?" Ye Xuan was taken aback. He hadn’t expected that he would need an appointment to see Hua Luoxuan now that he was an elder.
’But it makes sense,’ he thought. ’A Fourth-Grade Celestial Level Alchemist, an elder of the Alchemist Association... it’s probably impossible for just anyone to see him on a whim.’
Ye Xuan didn’t ask the attendant to announce him. He didn’t have an appointment, so she wouldn’t do it anyway. She would just have him register his information, which would then be sent to Hua Luoxuan’s office for review that evening.
"Well, does your Alchemist Association have any Five-Elements Crystals for sale?"
Ye Xuan’s purpose in coming here was the Five-Elements Crystal. As long as he could buy one, it didn’t matter whether he saw Hua Luoxuan or not.
"Five-Elements Crystal?" The attendant picked up a registry from the counter. After flipping through it for a long time, her eyes widened in surprise. "Sir, the Five-Elements Crystal you’re asking for is a Tier Five treasure. It’s a scarce resource. We don’t have it listed here, so I don’t know if we have any. However, to purchase such a treasure, our Association’s rules state that you must be a Third Grade Alchemist or higher. Even Third Grade Alchemists must submit an application to the Association."
She looked at Ye Xuan, a little shocked. She hadn’t expected this young-looking boy to be asking for either Elder Hua or a Five-Elements Crystal. A Tier Five treasure was something even an Alchemy Master would rarely use, let alone a boy his age.
Ye Xuan was a little speechless. It looked like he’d have to find Hua Luoxuan after all.
"Xu Jia, what are you doing?"
A man in a black robe walked over, an arrogant look on his face. Seeing him, many of the attendants present adopted respectful expressions.
Xu Jia turned, and her expression also became reverent when she saw him. "Deacon Fei Xuan," she said respectfully, "this gentleman wishes to buy a Five-Elements Crystal."
"Five-Elements Crystal?" The black-robed man started, glancing quickly at Ye Xuan. When he saw his plain clothes, his brow furrowed slightly, and his expression turned arrogant once more.
"The Five-Elements Crystal is a Tier Five treasure worth at least a million Profound Coins. Furthermore, only a Third Grade Alchemist or higher can purchase it. You’d best look elsewhere."
With that, he stopped looking at Ye Xuan and said to Xu Jia, "Are the materials I asked you to gather last time ready yet?"
Xu Jia said respectfully, "Deacon Fei Xuan, most of the materials on the list you gave me have been gathered. We’re just missing one ingredient, the Xinyuan Grass. It hasn’t arrived yet."
Fei Xuan frowned. "Why are you dawdling? So slow. Forget it. Just bring the other materials to my refinement chamber for now. We’ll deal with the Xinyuan Grass when it arrives."
"Yes!" Without another word, Xu Jia started to leave with Fei Xuan.
"Hold on." Ye Xuan’s expression darkened. "My business here isn’t finished yet."
’My issue hasn’t been resolved, and the attendant helping me is being pulled away by someone else. What kind of service is this?’
Xu Jia paused and turned around, a hint of apology on her face. "Sir, you wish to purchase a Five-Elements Crystal. As a simple attendant, I really don’t have the authority to handle that."
Fei Xuan’s brow twitched, and he spoke in an impatient tone, "Kid, didn’t I already tell you? The Five-Elements Crystal is worth at least a million Profound Coins. Never mind whether you can afford it; according to the rules, only a Third Grade Alchemist or higher can purchase one. It’s not something you can buy just because you feel like it."
Fei Xuan was annoyed that this boy didn’t know his place.
Ye Xuan said coolly, "I’m not buying a Five-Elements Crystal anymore. I want to see Hua Luoxuan."
"Elder Hua?" Fei Xuan was stunned for a moment, then sneered. "Tch. Do you have an appointment? Elder Hua isn’t someone just anyone can see."
In his view, this plainly dressed boy must have heard about Hua Luoxuan somewhere recently and was now overestimating himself, thinking he could get an audience with the elder.
Xu Jia gave a wry smile and was about to explain, but then she saw Ye Xuan reveal something. The words on the tip of her tongue were instantly swallowed back down, and her eyes went wide.
"I may not have an appointment, but as a Second Grade Alchemist of the Alchemist Association, I should at least have the right to have you announce my presence to Hua Luoxuan!"
What Ye Xuan held in his hand was precisely his Second Grade Alchemist badge.
Ye Xuan had never paid much mind to the Alchemist badge that proved his identity, but he hadn’t expected it to actually come in handy at a critical moment.
Xu Jia couldn’t help but glance at Fei Xuan.
Fei Xuan’s disdainful gaze immediately turned serious. As a deacon of the Royal City’s Alchemist Association and a Second Grade Alchemist himself, he could naturally tell that the badge Ye Xuan presented was identical to his own—a genuine Second Grade badge.
While a Second Grade Alchemist didn’t have the right to see an elder directly, there was no problem in asking for one’s presence to be announced.
"Announce him," Fei Xuan said coolly to Xu Jia, his eyes scrutinizing Ye Xuan, a faint, cold smirk on his lips.
’A boy this young couldn’t possibly be a Second Grade Alchemist,’ he thought. ’But the badge isn’t a fake. He must have gotten it from some Second Grade Alchemist he’s very close to.’
’If Elder Hua decides to see this boy, then I’ll pretend this never happened. But if Elder Hua refuses to see him...’ Fei Xuan had already decided he would teach the boy a harsh lesson.
And not just the boy—the Second Grade Alchemist behind him would also have to face his wrath.
On the Celestial Profound Continent, an Alchemist’s badge was a sacred object. Each person had only their own, and it was absolutely not something that could be casually lent to others to show off and act tough.
Just as he was thinking this, a hearty voice suddenly rang out from upstairs.
"Hahaha, Young Master Xuan, you’re finally here! My mistake, this was my mistake."
A broad smile plastered on his face, Hua Luoxuan came rushing down the stairs, leaving Xu Jia, who had gone to announce the visitor, somewhere in his dust.
The moment he got downstairs, Hua Luoxuan pulled Ye Xuan into a bear hug.
"Damned old man, let go!" Veins throbbed on Ye Xuan’s forehead. Being hugged by a man in his seventies or eighties in public... the feeling was beyond disgusting.
But Hua Luoxuan had broken through to become a Tier Four Celestial Martial Artist. Trapped in his embrace, Ye Xuan really couldn’t do anything about it without getting rough.
"Hahaha, I just got too excited! Young Master Xuan, come, whatever it is, let’s talk in my office first."
Hua Luoxuan, still acting like a mischievous old man, clapped Ye Xuan on the shoulder and put an arm around him, trying to lead him upstairs.
"Damned old man, let go!" Ye Xuan stood his ground, glaring at the arm Hua Luoxuan had draped over his shoulders and cursing.
"Haha, Young Master Xuan, I was just too excited, way too excited!" Hua Luoxuan chuckled merrily.
Fei Xuan, who was standing to the side, and Xu Jia, who was coming down the stairs, saw this scene and were both utterly dumbfounded.
Especially Fei Xuan. A cold sweat broke out on his back, instantly drenching his undergarments.
’My heavens, is this the same imposing Elder Hua who dared to curse out a deacon of the Law Enforcement Hall and reprimand Prince He?’
’Why is he acting like a child in front of this boy?’
At that moment, a chill ran down Fei Xuan’s spine. He felt like he could just die.
Trembling, he cautiously approached Ye Xuan and the others. "Elder Hua..." he said respectfully.
"What is it?" Hua Luoxuan, who had just been laughing with Ye Xuan, frowned and turned to glance at Fei Xuan, his gaze indifferent.
Fei Xuan’s heart skipped a beat. He forced a smile that looked uglier than a grimace. "Nothing, nothing. I was just wondering if there was anything I could help you with, Elder Hua. Also, I was blind before and offended your friend, Elder Hua. I’m truly..."
"What?" Hua Luoxuan’s eyes widened as he shot a look at Ye Xuan, frowning. "Young Master Xuan, did this kid offend you just now?"
"It was nothing. Let’s go. To your office. I have something to discuss with you," Ye Xuan said nonchalantly. He hadn’t paid the minor squabble any mind.
But it wasn’t the same for Hua Luoxuan. He shot Fei Xuan a vicious glare. "You just wait. I’ll deal with you later. Young Master Xuan, let’s go. To my office first."
The two walked off side-by-side and soon disappeared from everyone’s sight.
"Deacon Fei Xuan, your materials..." Xu Jia approached and said in a small voice.
"What materials?! Forget the materials! Xu Jia, you’ve been the death of me!" Fei Xuan looked like he wanted to cry but had no tears left. He was filled with gloom and anxiety. He was in no mood to refine anything now. He could only pray that Elder Hua would be merciful and that his punishment would be light.
Many people present who witnessed this scene looked at Deacon Fei Xuan with pity. ’A boy who could make even Elder Hua so enthusiastic... could he be an ordinary person?’
’That Fei Xuan has always been arrogant in the Alchemist Association, looking down his nose at everyone. Looks like he finally messed with the wrong person.’
"You want a Five-Elements Crystal?"
Inside the office, after hearing Ye Xuan’s reason for coming, Hua Luoxuan didn’t hesitate for a second. He immediately ordered someone to search the Alchemist Association’s warehouse.
His breakthrough to become a Fourth Grade Alchemist was all thanks to Ye Xuan. Now, whatever Ye Xuan wanted, Hua Luoxuan wouldn’t even question it.
Soon, the deacon who had been sent to search returned. "Elder Hua, I’ve already asked the manager in charge of materials. There are currently no Five-Elements Crystals left in the Association’s warehouse. The last one was used by Chairman He a month ago."
Hua Luoxuan frowned. "Then when will you have more?"
The deacon replied, "I asked that as well. The materials manager said that the Five-Elements Crystal is a High Tier treasure and a scarce resource. Under normal circumstances, it takes several months to find one."
A helpless look appeared on Hua Luoxuan’s face. "Young Master Xuan, you heard him. How about this, I’ll accompany you to the Royal City’s auction houses to ask around."
An hour later, Ye Xuan and Hua Luoxuan walked out of the largest auction house in the Royal City.
"I can’t believe even the auction house doesn’t have a Five-Elements Crystal." Hua Luoxuan’s brow furrowed. "How about this: I’ll try to find a way to look in the royal palace later. I might be able to find one there. If that doesn’t work, we’ll just have to wait for either the auction house or our Alchemist Association to get one. According to the auction house, they should be able to find one within a month at most."
