Chapter 47: Master Mo After the Breakthrough

Master Qi spoke in a deep voice, "Everyone, quiet!" This was the critical moment of Master Mo’s breakthrough; he could not allow anyone to disturb him.

As soon as Master Qi finished speaking, the entire field fell into silence. Now, all eyes were on Master Mo as he attempted his breakthrough.

Master Mo was already a third-rank alchemist. If he succeeded, he would ascend to the rank of fourth-rank alchemist. Though the difference between a third and a fourth rank seemed but a single step, the chasm between them was immense.

Once one stepped into the realm of a fourth-rank alchemist, he would become a mid-tier practitioner; both status and standing would be utterly transformed.

In the Three Thousand Worlds, the myriad paths of the Great Dao are but manifestations of the world’s spiritual energy, simplified from complexity.

Just earlier, it was precisely a single remark from Li Jiansan that had granted Master Mo an epiphany, allowing him to enter a state of sudden enlightenment.

Thereafter, he even sensed a resonance with his very soul. It was in this resonance that his soul force gradually grew stronger.

Whether in alchemical technique or in his knowledge of medicinal materials, Master Mo had already reached the realm of a fourth-rank alchemist. It was only his soul force that kept him lingering at the third rank.

Now, he was but a step away from the threshold of the fourth rank. Perhaps, with the aid of this newfound resonance, he might break through into the realm of a mid-tier alchemist.

Suddenly, a dense cloud of spiritual energy from heaven and earth gathered around Master Mo. In that instant, his brow furrowed deeply as he frenziedly absorbed the energy, striving to shatter his bottleneck in one stroke.

A deep buzzing resounded—a thunderous sound. At last, Master Mo’s soul force broke through, surging into the sixth stage!

Opening his eyes slowly, Master Mo’s entire being underwent a qualitative transformation; his gaze became piercing and spirited.

"Old fellow, congratulations! You’ve finally broken through," Master Qi stepped forward to offer his congratulations. Master Jin hurriedly asked, "Old man, how did you seize the opportunity for breakthrough?"

"Today, I must thank one person for my progress," Master Mo replied.

At his words, everyone was left bewildered.

"Who could it be, who managed to guide a third-rank alchemist to breakthrough?"

"Such a person must be at least a fourth-rank alchemist, surely?"

"Could it be such a personage has come among us?"

After speaking, Master Mo leapt up in haste, "Where is Li Jiansan? Where is that young fellow?"

Master Jin was startled. "Are you saying it was he who enabled your breakthrough?"

As soon as Master Jin spoke, the once noisy crowd fell so silent one could hear a pin drop.

Every gaze turned to Li Jiansan, faces filled with utter disbelief.

"How is that possible? Even if he is prodigiously gifted, how could he instruct a third-rank alchemist?"

"This is a third-rank alchemist, not some common cabbage from the street. How could a random child offer guidance?"

"It’s simply beyond belief..."

At that moment, Master Mo could no longer sit still.

With a boom, he surged toward Li Jiansan.

This boy possessed such insight into alchemy that, compared to disciples from the central guild, he was in no way inferior.

Such a promising talent must not be missed!

Seeing Li Jiansan remain unmoved, Master Mo grinned broadly and said, "You may not know me yet, but let me tell you: I am a third-rank alchemist of the Alchemists’ Guild, with a wealth of..."

"As long as you become my apprentice, I promise you will have every opportunity to display your talents. Come, pay your respects as my disciple, and you will not regret it."

At this, Master Qi hastily interjected, "Ahem, don’t listen to that old coot. My alchemical skill is the finest among us. If you join me, I guarantee to train you into a third-rank alchemist within three years!"

Hearing Master Qi, Master Mo cursed on the spot, "Bah, old ghost, with your paltry skills, you dare call yourself the strongest among us? Have you no shame?"

"Now that I have broken through, if anyone is strongest, it’s me!"

Master Jin, standing aside, was also incensed. "I set my sights on this disciple first! You both can step aside."

The three great masters, for the sake of one disciple, abandoned all propriety and began hurling insults at each other.

Witnessing this spectacle, everyone was left speechless, gazing at Li Jiansan with envy and resentment.

These were the three titans of the Alchemists’ Guild, each renowned as a third-rank alchemist.

To become their disciple would mean meteoric rise, a straight path to fortune.

Before the crowd could recover from their shock, Master Jin sidled up to Li Jiansan and whispered,

"Young lad, I truly wish to take you as my disciple. If you agree, not only will I guide you in alchemical arts, but I will also instruct you in martial cultivation. What’s more, all my resources will be at your disposal."

Cultivation resources—such a temptation was immense for any martial artist.

Hearing this, Master Qi grew anxious, "Ha! Old man, didn’t you just now question my disciple, say he couldn’t refine medicine, and even wanted to teach him a lesson?"

"And now you’ve the gall to try and snatch him?"

At the reminder, Master Jin’s face turned an ugly shade, "I was blinded by lard before, wasn’t I? This disciple is mine, I won’t back down!"

Hearing Master Jin’s words, the audience was utterly astounded.

For Li Jiansan, Master Jin didn’t care about face at all, lowering himself so shamelessly.

Weren’t alchemists supposed to be proud and dignified?

Now look...

Moments later, Master Mo squeezed in beside Li Jiansan.

"Come, come, take this Golden Dragon Cauldron. I used it as a second-rank alchemist; now, it’s yours."

No sooner had he finished, he shoved the small cauldron into Li Jiansan’s hands, as if afraid he might refuse.

Seeing this, everyone was dumbfounded.

This was a cauldron for a second-rank alchemist—and he was simply giving it away? When had alchemists’ cauldrons become so worthless?

Seeing this, Master Qi panicked and shoved Master Mo aside. "Out of the way, all of you!"

Then, beaming, he looked at Jiang Hao.

"Here, here, young man. They offer empty promises; I’ll give you something real—a third-rank Spirit Gathering Pill. Not only will it boost your cultivation, but it will also strengthen your soul force. I’ve never been willing to use it myself—here, it’s yours now."

Seeing the pill in Master Qi’s hand, Li Jiansan’s eyes lit up. A ready-made third-rank Spirit Gathering Pill—saved him the trouble of concocting one himself.

"Consider this my gift to you for becoming my disciple."

Watching Master Qi’s actions, the crowd began to feel lightheaded.

In the past, it was always disciples who shamelessly bestowed gifts upon their masters.

When had the roles reversed, with masters presenting gifts to their disciples?

"A disciple’s gift? Old fool, isn’t this a bit much? Has the boy even agreed to be your disciple, and you’re already giving gifts? He’s my disciple!"

Master Jin began clamoring.

Master Mo immediately flared up, "You’re one to talk! A genius like this should certainly become my disciple. Can I let him fall into your hands?"

"What did you say, old man?"

"If he’s in my hands, he’ll shine brightest of all!"

"Besides, I discovered this genius first. The rest of you, step aside."

Then, Master Jin grinned at Li Jiansan.

"Young man, are you interested in becoming the president of the Alchemists’ Guild? If you become my disciple, I’ll nominate you as the next president and personally groom you to lead the guild. Think it over."

At this, Master Mo was instantly displeased. "Hmph, I can also nominate him for president!"

Master Qi shouted, "Enough from both of you! I’ll make him the strongest president ever!"

Nomination rights? Grooming him for president?

Hearing their words, the audience was so vexed they nearly spat blood.

Were they openly declaring Li Jiansan the next president? How absurd!

To go so far for one disciple—had they all gone mad?

In their hearts, as long as they could secure Li Jiansan, all else was meaningless.

To possess such insight at his age—a talent like this was rare not just in the Alchemists’ Guild, but throughout the entire Jiang Kingdom.

Even the notoriously difficult Golden Dragon Fire Control Technique had been mastered by him with ease.

His comprehension had truly reached a fearsome level!

Meeting such a prodigy was a rare opportunity for them.

No price was too high—they must accept Li Jiansan as their disciple.

If they could train him, their own positions within the guild would be further cemented.

Now, only one thought filled their minds: they must not let Li Jiansan slip away.

They must, at all costs, have him as their disciple!

The three old masters all crowded around Li Jiansan. "So, young man, how about it? Will you take me as your master?"

Every eye was fixed on Li Jiansan, each person eager to see—just which master would he choose?