Chapter 106: The Prestige of an Alchemist (Sixth Update – Please Subscribe)

“Young master, could you hurry up?” Azure Scale pulled Xiao Xie by the hand, urging him toward the city gate.

Xiao Xie walked at his own unhurried pace, smiling as he replied, “Don’t worry. If we rush over too early and the people from Canaan Academy haven’t arrived yet, we’ll just be waiting for nothing.”

“Is that so? Wait, if we go too late, there won’t be any spots left! Hurry up, young master!” Azure Scale shook her head after a moment’s thought, insisting urgently.

Little Doctor Immortal watched the way Azure Scale tugged Xiao Xie into a jog, letting out a soft laugh and speeding up to join them.

Although the recruitment team was stationed in Wutan City this time, the region they were responsible for included several cities nearby. Thus, when Xiao Xie and his companions arrived at the designated plaza, the sheer magnitude of the seething crowd that stretched as far as the eye could see left them momentarily stunned.

The enormous square was filled with a cacophony of commotion. Countless youths pressed desperately toward the center, and if not for the city lord’s armed forces maintaining order at the edges, this excited throng would likely have surged in uncontrollably by now.

“It’s all your fault, young master, for dawdling—so many people!” Azure Scale puffed out her cheeks in complaint.

“Don’t worry,” Xiao Xie chuckled, ruffling Azure Scale’s hair.

Azure Scale’s eyes narrowed into delighted crescents and her cheeks flushed as Xiao Xie patted her head.

Little Doctor Immortal watched this with a smile in her eyes. Every time Xiao Xie showed such affection, Azure Scale could never muster the slightest anger toward him.

“Cousin Xiao Xie!” At that moment, a familiar voice called out from behind. Xiao Xie turned around to see Xiao Yan and the others. According to the original story, Xiao Yan should have been training in the Magic Beast Mountain Range, but now that Yao Lao was gone, joining Canaan Academy was his best choice for advancement.

“Cousin Xun’er, it seems you’re late as well!” Xiao Xie grinned, amused by the image of Xiao Xun’er squeezing through the crowds.

“So many people!” Xiao Mei frowned at the congested mass near the entrance.

“It’s fine, I’m here,” Xiao Yu, standing beside her, replied with a smile.

“Do you have a way, Cousin Xiao Yu?” Xiao Mei asked at her words.

“The one in charge of recruitment in Wutan City this time is my mentor. As her favorite pupil, I naturally have my ways.” Xiao Yu lifted her delicate nose with a mischievous smile, waving her hand, “Follow me.”

“I almost forgot, Xiao Yu is a student at Canaan Academy and only returned for the holidays. Let’s go with her,” Xiao Xie said to Little Doctor Immortal and the others.

Little Doctor Immortal nodded, following Xiao Xie as they caught up.

“Hmph!” Xiao Ning snorted at Xiao Yan before following after.

Xiao Xun’er flashed Xiao Yan a sweet smile. “Brother Xiao Yan, let’s go together!”

“Alright,” Xiao Yan nodded, following along. Watching Xiao Ning’s smug demeanor, he felt speechless. Xiao Yu was Xiao Ning’s real sister, and since Xiao Yan and Xiao Ning had clashed before, Xiao Ning never missed a chance to show off after Xiao Yu returned—acting every bit the child.

The group followed Xiao Yu as she led them halfway around the massive plaza, finally stopping on its western side. Here, at the rear, fully armed troops formed two or three layers of defense, their weapons gleaming menacingly under the sunlight.

Sweeping her gaze over the strict defenses, Xiao Yu gave her companions a few instructions, then stepped forward alone. She produced a jade-green token from her robe and quietly conferred with an officer. After a brief exchange, she waved the others over.

The middle-aged officer’s stern gaze scrutinized each of them, but upon noticing the fifth-grade alchemist badge on Xiao Xie’s chest, his demeanor changed instantly. “Greetings, Lord Xiao Xie!” he said respectfully. In Wutan City, there was no other young fifth-grade alchemist with such renown.

Xiao Xie nodded coolly. “May we enter now?”

“Of course! Please, Lord Xiao Xie!” The officer waved his hand and barked, “Let them through!”

Witnessing the officer’s deference, Xiao Yan and the others gained a new appreciation for the prestige alchemists held. Xiao Yu had needed to negotiate to get through, but Xiao Xie’s mere presence earned immediate respect—that was the difference.

At the officer’s command, the ironclad wall of soldiers clanged in unison, parting to reveal a narrow path just wide enough to pass.

Xiao Xie, Little Doctor Immortal, and the others walked through the ranks with calm composure. Xiao Yu then led Xiao Yan and the rest through as well, but their experience was quite different. These soldiers were all battle-hardened veterans with blood on their hands. Xiao Xie’s group was unfazed, but for those who had yet to kill, the pressure was immense.

Though the distance was only a dozen meters, their palms were slick with cold sweat by the time they emerged.

Xiao Mei and Xiao Ning’s legs nearly gave out; if not for Xiao Yu’s support, they might not have been able to stand. Watching Xiao Xie and his companions ahead, Xiao Yu hurried them on.

At the center of the square stood an open, green canopy. From here, Xiao Xie and his group could see the surging masses outside. Now and then, excited young men and women who had passed the tests emerged from the passageways, faces alight with joy as they headed inward.

“Yu’er!” Just as they approached the canopy, a cheerful woman’s voice called out. A flash of red darted over and wrapped Xiao Yu in a hug, hand mischievously sliding around her slim waist. “Let me see if you’ve gained any weight!” she teased.

“You rascal, get off!” Xiao Yu laughed, pushing the girl away. Turning to her companions, she introduced, “This is my best friend from Canaan Academy, Xue Ni. She’s a four-star Dou Fighter!”

At these words, everyone turned to the young woman in red. Her face was lively and bright, her brown hair tied into a casual ponytail, her figure full and curvaceous, with a slender waist and shapely hips—her allure was hard to ignore. Though her looks were slightly less refined than Xiao Yu’s, her fiery, voluptuous figure attracted plenty of hungry glances from the newly arrived young men.

Xiao Yu affectionately clung to Xue Ni, and from her expression, it was clear their bond was close.

“These are all my kin. This is Xun’er—beautiful, isn’t she? But don’t get any ideas; she won’t be interested. This is Xiao Mei—also quite lovely. This is my little brother, Xiao Ning. And this…” She paused as her gaze fell on Xiao Xie. “This is Xiao Xie, a fifth-grade alchemist—impressive, right?”

Xue Ni’s eyes lit up in surprise at the introduction, and even more so at the sight of the badge on Xiao Xie’s chest. She stepped up, beaming, “Hello, Brother Xiao Xie. I’m Xue Ni, Xiao Yu’s good friend—unmarried.”

Xiao Yu rolled her eyes at the last two words.

“Hello.” Xiao Xie returned her smile, finding her forthright nature refreshing—it reminded him of Zhao Erxi, who always hovered around Bei Weiwei.

After greeting Xiao Xie, Xue Ni nodded in satisfaction, then swept her gaze over Xun’er and Xiao Mei, her eyes sparkling. “Wow, your clan certainly has its share of beauties. Once you enter Canaan Academy, you’ll have all the boys swooning!”

“Enough joking—I still need to take them for the test,” Xiao Yu chided, half laughing, half exasperated by Xue Ni’s irrepressible personality.

“Hehe, alright, follow me—I’ll take you there.” Xue Ni’s demeanor shifted in an instant, but just as she was about to turn away, she paused and glanced back with a smile, “Oh, I almost forgot—among the recruitment team this time, that guy Rob is here too. I heard on the way he’s just advanced to four-star Dou Fighter.”