"Holy cow, Elder Zhou's grandson is going to publicly discuss the path of alchemy?"
"Ah? This blond guy is Elder Zhou's grandson?"
"No way, man. This person is Elder Zhou's grandson. He's only twenty-one years old and can already condense dan fire. He's a true alchemy apprentice."
"In five years at most, he'll definitely become a first-grade alchemist!"
As a group of cultivators heard that the blond guy was going to publicly explain the path of alchemy, they were all greatly surprised.
Alchemy was almost every cultivator's dream.
The path of alchemy was like a real printing press!
In a sense, perhaps the money-printing speed of a printing press couldn't match the earning speed of an alchemist!
If they could hear even a little bit of it, it would definitely be of great benefit to their future cultivation.
Even if they didn't understand anything, they would have more bragging rights when they met up with friends in the future, right?
"Kid, let me tell you, the path of alchemy is vast and profound."
"First, you must have a thorough understanding of the medicinal properties of all herbs. There are thousands of herbs in the entire cultivation world, and you must commit them to memory."
"You must also clearly understand what effects will occur when various herbs are mixed together."
"Just this step alone takes ordinary cultivators decades to achieve!"
At this point, the blond guy said with a proud expression.
Thousands of herbs, not only their medicinal effects but also the reactions produced when mixed, were more difficult than all the Olympiad math problems in the world!
Many people might never understand the mysteries within their lifetimes!
"After understanding the medicinal properties, one must reach the Qi Condensation stage to condense dan fire and begin refining pills."
"And I am currently at this stage!"
"In the entire southwestern cultivation world, there are no more than a handful of geniuses who can condense dan fire at my age!"
The blond guy was full of arrogance, his head tilted upwards at a forty-five-degree angle.
In his eyes, he was undoubtedly exuding an impressive aura at this moment.
He could even feel many female cultivators in the crowd casting admiring glances at him.
"Wow, so alchemy is this difficult!"
"Yeah, yeah, you have to memorize the properties of thousands of herbs and their combinations. I'd rather do a hundred Olympiad math problems!"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, you guys don't understand. Cultivators' memories are far superior to ordinary people's, so memorizing herb combinations isn't difficult. The hardest part of alchemy is condensing dan fire."
"So many geniuses, after memorizing the combinations of herbs, failed at condensing dan fire. I didn't expect Young Master Zhou to be able to condense dan fire at such a young age!"
The cultivators expressed their admiration, their eyes filled with envy as they looked at the blond guy.
Being able to condense dan fire meant that becoming an alchemist was only a matter of time.
Hearing the flattery from the surrounding cultivators, a faint smile appeared on the blond guy's face.
However, when he turned to look at Lin Chen and Long Yuling, his smug expression instantly turned gloomy.
Lin Chen in front of him looked indifferent, as if what he had said was nothing significant.
And Long Yuling beside him was even more outrageous.
What was with that look of disdain?
She actually looked down on him, a quasi-alchemist in his twenties?
"Master Zhou!"
However, just as the blond guy was about to pick another fight, the gates of the Sun family opened, and an old man ran out with a child of four or five years old in his arms, his face beaming with joy.
Everyone recognized him as Sun Zhi Qian, the current head of the Sun family!
And the child in his arms was his grandson, Sun Xiao Tian!
"Master Zhou, I, Sun Zhi Qian, on behalf of the Sun family, welcome your arrival!"
"Xiao Tian, quickly kneel and kowtow to Master Zhou!"
Sun Zhi Qian hurried over to Zhou Qian Yuan and put down Sun Xiao Tian, who was in his arms.
"No, no, it's not necessary to be so formal at this age!"
Seeing Sun Zhi Qian being so respectful, Zhou Qian Yuan smiled slightly and helped up Sun Xiao Tian, who was about to kneel.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, as expected of Master Zhou, your magnanimity is truly broad!"
"Yes, outsiders know how precious the Sun family head is of his grandson. Now he's actually letting him kneel to Master Zhou!"
"Even the other representatives of the five sects and four families probably don't have this honor, right?"
The surrounding cultivators also marveled, their eyes filled with envy.
In the entire cultivation world, only alchemists could receive such respect.
"Master Zhou, I've prepared a banquet inside. Please come in!"
Sun Zhi Qian said to Zhou Qian Yuan with a subservient demeanor.
"Eh? Miss Long? You're here too?"
However, as soon as Sun Zhi Qian turned around, he saw Long Yuling beside him.
As the head of the Sun family, he naturally knew Long Yuling's status.
If she were an ordinary noble family member, he wouldn't pay much attention, but this Long Yuling was different.
Her backing was the Long family of the capital!
"What? Family Head Sun, you know them?"
Seeing Sun Zhi Qian's current demeanor, Zhou Qian Yuan frowned immediately.
He knew his grandson well; wasn't his performance in front of everyone just to attract this woman's attention?
If this person truly knew Sun Zhi Qian, couldn't they ask Sun Zhi Qian to act as a matchmaker?
"Yes, Master Zhou, this Miss Long is the eldest daughter of the Long family of Zhejiang Province."
Sun Zhi Qian nodded and confirmed to Zhou Qian Yuan.
"Oh? The Long family? The branch of the artifact-refining family in the capital?"
Upon learning that she was from the Long family, Master Zhou was also surprised.
"That's right, it's that Long family!"
"And although Miss Long is from a branch of the Long family, her abilities are highly favored by the Long family in the capital!"
Sun Zhi Qian nodded again, his eyes filled with admiration.
Long Yuling had reached the Foundation Establishment stage at a young age.
Most importantly, her conduct and demeanor were simply exemplary in the cultivation world!
"So that's how it is!"
"In that case, let's all go in for the banquet!"
Upon learning of Long Yuling's identity, Zhou Qian Yuan nodded even more frequently.
If his grandson could marry this Long Yuling, it would mean gaining the support of the Long family, and it could be considered a decent match for him, a second-grade alchemist, couldn't it?
"Good, good, good, everyone, please come in!"
Sun Zhi Qian was also extremely happy to hear Zhou Qian Yuan showing him respect.
"Wait! You're also from the Long family?"
However, just as the group was about to enter the Sun family's gate, the blond guy suddenly stepped out and pointed at Lin Chen, questioning him.
"Young Master Zhou, this is an honored guest of our Long family, Lin Chen. He came with me this time."
Seeing the blond guy causing trouble for Lin Chen, Long Yuling's brow furrowed.
"Heh, didn't he also claim to be an alchemist just now?"
"Family Head Sun, you know my grandfather's rules, don't you?"
Upon learning that the other party was merely an honored guest, the blond guy snorted coldly, his expression full of disdain.