Chapter 345

Chapter 345

Bai Xifeng sat leisurely in his room, sipping tea with a hint of indescribable excitement and satisfaction playing across his features.

Bai Xifeng managed the household's affairs, including the jurisdiction over alchemists. With several alchemists departing previously, the pressure he faced was immense.

Now, with the family's alchemists advancing in rank and those who had left seeking to return, Bai Xifeng felt a surge of pride and vindication.

"Muchen, you truly are incredible! Thanks to you, our family now boasts twelve Level-7 alchemists," Bai Xifeng said with a smile.

Before the incident of poaching by Danta, the family had merely seven Level-7 alchemists.

Muchen chuckled, "The departure of those alchemists from Bai's family was partly my responsibility. Doing something for the family is only right."

Bai Xifeng waved it off with a laugh, "Those ungrateful alchemists left for greener pastures. How could their departure be related to you?"

The most infuriating was Jiao Meng. The Bai family treated him well, yet he departed and even incited others to follow. After leaving, Jiao Meng badmouthed the Bai family, angering the elder who once saved him, to the point of almost spitting blood.

Now, those alchemists who followed Jiao Meng must regret it and blame him.

Tapping lightly on the table, Muchen said, "I plan to train a Level-8 alchemist for both the Bai and Ling families."

Bai Xifeng spit out his tea in shock, "Muchen, you... There's no need to force it."

A Level-8 alchemist! Even Danta has only a few of them, yet Muchen talked of training one each for the Bai and Ling families.

Muchen glanced at Bai Xifeng, "It's not a stretch. Level-8 alchemists aren't as rare as they seem."

Danta's alchemy lineage is largely monopolized. If they opened up their teachings, there would be many more Level-8 alchemists in the central region.

Bai Xifeng forced a dry smile, "Do your best, but don't push yourself."

Muchen nodded, "I understand. I heard that many alchemists who left before are requesting to come back."

Bai Xifeng gave a cold, sarcastic smile, "Indeed! Does our Bai family seem like a place they can leave and return to at their whim?"

He believed the Bai family treated them well. Sure, Danta offered better terms, but the promises made during their poaching were mostly unfulfilled.

With so many alchemists in Danta, competition is fierce. Many who left the Bai family, reportedly, aren't doing well.

Dan Ding Pavilion.

"Grandfather, the Bai family's alchemists are advancing rapidly. There are now twelve Level-7 alchemists, and the number is growing," Jingming said with a furrowed brow.

Jing Lifeng squinted, "Muchen is truly formidable!"

Right after Danta imposed a blockade against the Bai family, Muchen produced several Level-7 alchemists. People sacrifice for wealth, and the alchemists left in Bai and Ling families wouldn't leave now, even if they were driven away.

Jingming nodded in agreement, "Indeed!"

Those who previously left the Bai and Ling families now deeply regret it, but it's too late.

Alchemists who left and later wished to return were universally rejected by both families.

With Muchen around, Danta's strategy of refusing to sell elixirs to the Bai and Ling families became ineffective.

Rumor has it that upon Muchen's return, both the Ling and Bai families received numerous Level-8 elixirs, greatly boosting their overall strength.

Now, other alchemists envy the luck of those in the Bai and Ling families. Many wish to join them.

...

Dan Valley.

Dan Chen fanned himself, remarking, "Muchen is truly outstanding."

Dan Miao nodded, "Naturally."

With the rise of so many Level-7 alchemists in the Bai and Ling families, Danta's blockade became a joke.

"I heard many alchemists outside want to join the Bai and Ling families?" Dan Chen inquired.

Dan Miao nodded, "Indeed! Muchen is so capable. The Level-7 alchemists in the Bai and Ling families have all advanced to the latter stages. Apart from Muchen, who else can train so many in such a short time?"

What's in a reputation? As long as the Bai family offers substantial benefits, a tarnished reputation doesn't matter.

"The Bai and Ling families aren't recruiting alchemists. Those who left previously deeply regret their decision," Dan Chen remarked with a shake of his head.

Dan Miao gave a wry smile. To poach talent, Danta promised the Bai and Ling family's alchemists extremely high compensation, higher than what their original alchemists received.

But with so many alchemists in Danta, those from the Bai and Ling families didn't necessarily have superior alchemy skills. Betraying their families, why should they receive such a high salary? The original Danta alchemists must be quite resentful.

Dan Miao swirled the wine glass in her hand and remarked, “Danta, I fear you won't be able to hold back Mu Chen.”

Although Chou Zhengrong might use his status as Danta to suppress Mu Chen temporarily, it's a long shot for it to last. Only with sufficient power can one truly intimidate.

Mu Chen's alchemy surpasses Chou Zhengrong by a significant margin; perhaps Mu Chen doesn't even regard him at all.

…………

The sub-halls of Danta.

After the Bai family's alchemists departed, most were assigned to Danta's several sub-halls.

“Have you heard? The Bai family now has an alchemist in the late stages of Level Seven.”

"I've heard that not only the Bai family but also the Ling family have had two alchemists at the mid-seventh level advance to the late-seventh level."

“How did they progress so swiftly, especially with so many advancing in their alchemy at the same time?”

“With Mu Chen teaching at the Alchemy Hall, answering all queries diligently, and high-level alchemists generously offering guidance, how could their progress be slow?”

“The alchemists from the Bai and Ling families are indeed fortunate.”

“True, but sadly, neither the Bai nor Ling family is currently recruiting alchemists, otherwise…”

“It's strange. The difference in soul power between mid-Level Seven and high-Level Seven alchemists is vast. How did they manage such a rapid enhancement...”

“Mu Chen crafted dozens of Soul Boosting Pills. The alchemists from the Bai and Ling families can buy them at a low price from him. With such a pill, increasing soul power is no issue.”

“The Soul Boosting Pill, a high-level Grade Seven elixir, is rumored to have a very low success rate in its production!”

“However difficult the Soul Boosting Pill might be to produce, for someone like Mu Chen, it's inconsequential.”

“Mu Chen is too kind to those alchemists. Isn't he afraid they'll betray him?”

“Do you think he's naive? With so many potential traitors, he's bound to have precautions. After giving a day of lectures to the alchemists of both families, he explicitly stated they must sign a lifelong contract with the Bai or Ling family to attend the remaining five days. Those unwilling to sign won't be allowed further lectures.”

The so-called lifelong contract ensures a lifetime of service to the signing family. Given the esteemed status of alchemists, it's uncommon for them to commit to such agreements, and families rarely demand it as it can be perceived as disrespectful.

“Although the lifelong contract might seem excessive, for the guidance of a Level Eight alchemist, it's worthwhile,” remarked a mid-Level Seven alchemist.

“Only the alchemists from the Bai and Ling families enjoy such benefits. Rumor has it, in just three days, ten Level Six alchemists from both families advanced to Level Seven. Mu Chen's impact is truly astonishing.”

“I wondered why the Bai and Ling families showed no concern when their alchemists left. It seems they were counting on Mu Chen hoping to weed out those with ill intentions,” an envious alchemist commented.

“Indeed. I heard from Bai family insiders that Mu Chen felt overwhelmed with the number of students. He advised the Bai and Ling families to let go of certain alchemists. With an exceptional Level Eight alchemist like Mu Chen, those who left are insignificant.”

…………

Jiao Meng, listening to the lively discussions among the alchemists in Danta, felt deeply embarrassed and wished for an escape.

Hu Qiong, standing beside Jiao Meng, had a face that fluctuated between shades of green and white.

“Master, let's leave. Don't listen to their nonsense,” Hu Qiong whispered cautiously.

Jiao Meng glanced at Hu Qiong and turned to leave.

Jiao Meng was fully aware of Hu Qiong's failed attempt to reconnect with the Bai family.

Initially, when Hu Qiong discreetly left, Jiao Meng, fully aware of his intentions, didn't stop him. He saw it as a way to test the waters. However, the Bai family decisively turned Hu Qiong away.

Seeing Jiao Meng, Hu Qiong felt a sense of suffocation.

His association with Jiao Meng was initially to gain insights into alchemy. Yet, Jiao Meng, considering his knowledge precious, often had Hu Qiong run errands but never shared any alchemical secrets.

Alchemists from the Bai family, previously considered inferior to him, had now progressed.

Even Zuo Yue had advanced to a Level Seven alchemist. Zuo Yue, of humble origins and without a strong backing, was viewed as rigid and was looked down upon by Hu Qiong. However, it was rumored that he had caught the attention of the young master, leading to a rapid rise in his alchemical skills and cultivation.

Zuo Yue had now become a junior Level Seven alchemist and was rumored to have further potential.

Hu Qiong thought to himself, “If Zuo Yue, originally a mid-Level Six alchemist, could become a Level Seven alchemist in such a short time, had I stayed with the Bai family, wouldn't I at least be a Level Seven alchemist by now?”

As far as he knew, except for a few in the Bai family who were resistant to change, all the senior Level Six alchemists had become Level Seven alchemists.

Hindsight is 20/20. Had he not followed Jiao Meng, things might have been very different now.

Observing Hu Qiong's frustrated expression, Jiao Meng felt a pang of sadness. He knew that not only did Hu Qiong harbor resentment towards him, but so did all those who had left with him back then. Deep down, Jiao Meng harbored regrets.

At first, when he heard about Mu Chen's lectures at the Alchemy Hall, Jiao Meng hoped the Bai family might ask him to return. Although he couldn't compare to Mu Chen, he was far superior to the alchemists the Bai family had retained. However, as the Bai family alchemists began advancing in succession and the family remained silent about those who had left, Jiao Meng's hopes were shattered.