by Zhuang Bifan
"So, you agreed to it?"
"Nope, I told him that I need to consider…"
"What's there to consider…"
"To whet his appetite first, after all we are not in a hurry…"
"…" Andoine immediately rolled his eyes. Initially, he was worried that this kid was losing out. He did not imagine that he would be so immoral. It was something beneficial to everyone and he was still whetting the other's appetite. Andoine thought about the anxious expression Hoffman had had while looking for him, and did not know how anxious Hoffman would be right now…
"Is that Book of Ten Thousand Incantations really so powerful?"
"Trust me, it's absolutely powerful!" Andoine said resolutely.
"Alright then, I'll think of a way to get this thing." Honestly, Lin Li was very interested in this Book of Ten Thousand Incantations. It was not only because Andoine said it was very powerful. The main point was that this thing was a relic of Osric. Maybe this Book of Ten Thousand Incantations contained a secret related to the Eternal Furnace.
"Felic, why are you sitting here. You are the main character today. Aren't you going to drink with everyone?" Balbo walked over with full of smiles as the duo chatted.
"Good evening, President Balbo." Once he saw that it was Balbo, Lin Li hurriedly stood up and greeted him.
"Take a seat, youngsters should not be so reserved." The smile on Balbo's face was unusually warm. "Andoine, I am really jealous of you this time. Look at your disciple, and then look at my disciple. It's like heaven and earth. How are you so lucky?"
Andoine was not courteous at all while talking about this issue. He replied proudly, "That's because your judgment is not as good as mine."
"That's, that's…" Balbo laughed, embarrassed.
As legendary-mage for tens of years, Andoine had never thought that he would be able to put on airs just like today. In his exhilaration, he did not continue putting Balbo in a tough spot. "As old friends for tens of years, don't say that I did not give you respect. I'll go walk around; if you have anything to say, then say it quickly."
After seeing Andoine leave, Balbo chatted with Lin Li again before he brought forth the excuse that he'd thought of long ago. "Felic, I heard from Burnside that you seem to require some Leaf of the Origin Tree?"
"Yes, indeed I do require some Leaf of the Origin Tree. I'm not sure if you, President Balbo, would be willing to sell me some." This time, Lin Li did not hide anything. After all, the issue about the Leaf of the Origin Tree had to be brought up to Balbo.
"What's there to sell. You have helped the Pharmacists Guild with two big favors today. I was thinking of how should I thank you. How much can a little bit of Leaf of the Origin Tree amount to. Just tell me how much you need and I will ask Burnside to bring it to you in a bit."
"Thank you in advance then, President Balbo."
"It's nothing much." Balbo finished speaking with a vehement expression before he carefully brought up the proper business at hand. "Oh, yes, Felic, what do you think of the Pharmacists Guild?"
"It's pretty good."
Once he heard "it's pretty good", Balbo immediately became overjoyed and was waiting in excitement for more while inching his ear forward. Who knew that he waited for nothing. After a minute or so, the President finally reacted. "That's all?"
"Yes." Lin Li nodded. His expression showed that it was as it ought to be.
"…" Balbo did not know whether to laugh or cry. He had asked so many questions because he was waiting for this kid to praise the Pharmacists Guild a little, and then he would go with the flow and offer an invitation to the kid. Who knew that he waited for so long and only got a "it's not bad" in return. No matter how articulate Balbo was, this invitation could only be stuck in his throat.
Balbo thought about it for a while before deciding not to beat around the bush. The President coughed, clearing his throat, and then his expression became serious. "Felic, I'm not sure if you have any interest in joining the Pharmacists Guild?"
"This…" Lin Li was really troubled. In the afternoon, Old Grimm had asked him to be a guest speaker and got rejected. He did not think that this President would not give up and came over personally. Lin Li thought about it, and decided to clarify his words. "President Balbo, you should know that I am a member of the Jarrosus Guild of Magic. I'm afraid it might not be suitable to switch over to the Pharmacists Guild?"
"Felic…" This young man's rejection was already within Balbo's calculations. After thinking about it for a while, he brought forth the excuse he had prepared before. "Actually, there are some things that I thought of telling you in the morning. It's such a waste for a talented pharmacist like yourself to stay at a place like Jarrosus…"
After reaching this point, Balbo felt that his words were somewhat inappropriate, and he hastily made corrections. "Of course, I was not saying anything about the Jarrosus Guild of Magic. I'm only trying to tell you that a stage like Jarrosus is too small, there is no room for a genius like you. Do you know that I, Balbo, have lived for more than a hundred years and I have not seen a genius like you before? Do you know what it means to be a twenty year old pharmaceutics master? This means that if you are willing to work hard coupled with a suitable environment, you would be become a true pharmaceutics guru within ten years!"
"What about it?" Lin Li pouted his lips. He was too embarrassed to tell Balbo that there was no need for ten years—he was already a pharmaceutics guru. The only thing that could move him might only be the unparalleled Divine Smith, but how could the visionary Divine Smith realm be reached purely by hard work and environment?
"Ok, then…" After meeting such an unambitious fella, Balbo could let out a sigh. "Even if you do not want to attain a higher pharmaceutical standard, you still require the necessary herbs, right? What the guild has is not just herbs, we also have immense wealth. As long as it's herbs you want, we will have the way to obtain it for you. Would the Jarrosus Guild of Magic be able to provide these for you? Stop lying to yourself, Felic. You and I are very clear on what sort of place Jarrosus is."
"This…"
"Also!" Without waiting for Lin Li to speak, Balbo already spoke unceasingly. "There is something you must know. Ever since the Dark Ages ended, the Pharmacists Guild is the closest ally of the Supreme Council. If you want to obtain a more powerful magical strength and learn even more profound magical knowledge, then joining the Pharmacists Guild is the best choice. What can you get from the Jarrosus Guild of Magic? An annual young mage's trial or a chance to learn once every three years? As long as you are willing to join the Pharmacists Guild, I can even personally request for you all sorts of lost incantations. Even Andoine can't access to some of them!"
"President Balbo…"
"Let me finish…" Once Balbo reached this point, he was already rather worked up. "Felic, I am not afraid to be honest with you. I made a big decision this time. As long as you join the Pharmacists Guild, I am willing to give up everything. You can ask Burnside, I have even prepared a copy of the Book of Ten Thousand Spells for you. As long as you are willing to join, this treasure that has been passed down from the Dark Ages would belong to you!"
Chapter 236 - Twilight Forest
"Book of Ten Thousand Spells?" Once Lin Li heard this name, his heart was moved. He immediately remembered what Andoine had told him previously. Back when Osric mounted an expedition into the Abyss, he took two books from the Greater Demon Palace. Wasn't the Book of Ten Thousand Spells one of them?
Wasn't this too coincidental?
Hoffman who had the Book of Ten Thousand Incantations had just left, and then Balbo, who had the Book of Ten Thousand Spells, came right up. Furthermore, the old man and the fatty both wanted to gift these treasures to him. Thus, Lin Li could not help but feel suspicious. Could it be that these two had actually talked about it before?
"How's it?" Seeing that Lin Li was silent, Balbo immediately felt elated. At such times, not receiving a direct rejection meant that there was still hope. It meant that
this genius pharmacist was finally moved by the Book of Ten Thousand Spells.
Frankly speaking, this time, Balbo was correct.
Upon hearing the Book of Ten Thousand Spells, Lin Li immediately hesitated. This was a relic of the Highlord Osric. Even a legendary powerhouse like Andoine, much less Lin Li, would display a face of admiration when these two books were mentioned. He had once said that even he himself would feel fearful if somebody could have these two books simultaneously,
Who would not be moved by a power that even a legendary-mage would be fearful of?
However…
Temptations were just temptations. Joining the Pharmacists Guild was another matter itself.
"President Balbo, thank you for giving me so much credit…" Lin Li's complexion was very sincere when he said that. "Honestly, the terms that you've given me are very favorable. If I said that I'm not moved, I would be lying. Regretfully, I have always been lazy. I would not change anything that I have grown accustomed to. You're right. Jarrosus is rather remote, and the Emerald Tower pales in comparison to the Pharmacists Guild, but I am already used to all of these. I am used to Gerian's fiery temper, the deserted Emerald Tower, as well as the inferior mages. I am very comfortable there. I do not wish to adapt to a new environment, and neither do I want to chase after the peak of Pharmaceutics. I hope that President Balbo can understand."
Even though the reasons were rather far-fetched, when Lin Li said it, it was usually sincere. Even Balbo, who was rejected, did not get angry after hearing it. He only stared blankly at Lin Li for a while before he helplessly let out a sigh. "Seems like my luck is way worse than Andoine's…"
After seeing off Balbo, Lin Li decided to change a spot to sit, yet he realized that somebody had targeted him again.
This time, it was Prince Lionheart Johnathan.
It was the same as before, flattery and chatting while showing friendliness diligently towards Lin Li. That expression and mannerism only lacked patting his c.h.e.s.t while he made a promise for his brother to offer Lin Li a title similar to chief pharmacist in the palace.
After His Highness left, the Archbishop came over.
After that was the Necromancer…
And then the assassin…
During this evening, all of the big shots amongst the pharmacists were like musical chairs, revolving around Lin Li continuously. They took turns, causing the quiet corner to be bustling.
Lin Li was so busy that he was sweating profusely. He managed to shake off these big shots with much difficulty. He thought that maybe he could finally rest for a bit, yet he did not imagine that he had not even warmed up his b.u.t.t before those pharmacists that did not have the same backing as those before had already started being impatient from waiting. At this point, when those big shots left, they immediately came over like a swarm. They cozied up simultaneously and brazenly showed friendly smiles, making Lin Li feel like he had been surrounded by a swarm of flies. No matter how he covered his ears, there would always be a constant buzzing sound.
Just when Lin Li was about to be driven mad, Andoine returned. The old man had his hands behind his back and took his time to walk over from afar. Occasionally, some acquainted pharmacists would walk up and greet him with a zealous look. However, they only got back a slight nod or a c.o.c.ky "yes" most of the time. It could be said that none of them was able to make him stop and engage in small talk.
There was no choice. Andoine could not help but be c.o.c.ky.
This old man's disciple was the person most sought after. Just with a bottle of Void Power Potion, this young man's name would be written in the history of pharmaceutical development. Who would not want to have a good relationship with such a genius of a pharmacist? The Pharmacists Guild, Brilliance Shrine, Darkness Shrine, Glittergold Trade Union, and Felan royal family were powerful enough, right? Even these big shots automatically tried to be friendly with him. What more all of the small fries?
"Felic, come over for a while. I have something to discuss with you," Andoine shouted from a far; he was exuberant.
"Oh, ok, ok…" Lin Li nodded, and hastily escaped from the entrapment of pharmacists.
This time, no matter how unwilling the group of pharmacists were, they could only stand there and watch on.
There was no other way. The master and disciple had business to discuss. Could they thicken their skin and walk up?
"How was it, Master Felic. How do you feel tonight?"
"Nothing much." Lin LI turned around with lingering fear and looked. He saw that the group of pharmacists were like a pack of famished wolves staring at him. He immediately felt goosebumps on his neck. Lin Li stood there and gritted his teeth while saying, "Only an asshole is a master!"
"…" Andoine almost lost his breath.
"Oh, sorry sorry, Mentor. This is not meant for you…" Lin Li suddenly remembered that within this banquet hall, he was not the only master. It was especially so for the one beside him who had been a master for tens of years.
"How's it, Master Felic. Are you annoyed?" Andoine placed heavy emphasis on the word "master" as though it was revenge.
"Yes."
"Actually, this is nothing much. In the year when I just had broken through to the Legendary Realm, I was almost the same as you. It was as though countless people were trying to be friendly overnight. This world, Anril, is just that practical. Once someone becomes famous, this would be the outcome."
"How did you deal with it?"
"It's simple. They want to rope you in? Then just let them do that. If they want to be friendly, just let them be friendly. Anyway, as long as you don't declare where you stand and provoke anyone, naturally nobody would trouble you. Whatever benefits and advantages there are, just take as much as you can, but there is something you must remember. Before you make your final decision, you must absolutely maintain a neutral position. You must not sway towards anyone. This point is rather important. As long as you have not made your decision, they still stand a chance!"
"Are they that stupid?"
"Just watch. They might be stupider than you think…" Andoine glanced at the big shots within the banquet hall and let out a sneer. "Tonight's banquet is merely the beginning. Wait till you are back at the Guild of Magic. Only then will you really feel how passionate these people are…"
"…"
"Oh, yes, what did Balbo speak to you about just now?"
"What else…" Lin Li pouted his lips and repeated what Balbo had said.
"Book of Ten Thousand Spells?" After listening midway, Andoine suddenly frowned. "I did not think that the Book of Ten Thousand Spells would actually be in the hands of Balbo. It's a pity that you are too stubborn. If you are willing to join the Pharmacists Guild, coupled with the Book of Ten Thousand Incantations, I would feel at ease letting you go to the Breezy Plains even if you did not break through to the Legendary Realm…"
"It's not like you don't know that I've always been very s.e.n.s.i.t.i.v.e. There are some things that I just can't do."
"Forget it. Let's leave the matter about the Book of Ten Thousand Spells aside, we'll think of something later."
Andoine was right. Lin Li was the main character in tonight's banquet. Hundreds of pharmacist, regardless of whether they were acquaintances or not, would surround Lin Li simultaneously. There were all sorts of wooing, friendliness, and methods—so much that even an old fox like Andoine could not handle them all.
…
The banquet only ended up until the wee hours of the night. Both master and disciple dragged their exhausted bodies back, but they did not return to the accommodation that the Pharmacists Guild had prepared for them. Instead, they stealthily left the Pharmacists Guild and went straight to the Twilight Forest.
In the middle of the forest stood a tall and rugged tower.
All of the adventurers in the Felan Kingdom knew that the most dangerous thing in the Twilight Forest was not magical beasts, but a tower in the middle of the forest. It was because the owner of the tower was the l
egendary-mage Andoine.
"Ok, kid, don't sleep first." Once they entered the gates of the tower, Andoine started interrogating Lin Li. "While the night is still young, tell me what happened in the past month. You seem to be rather unusual. I haven't seen you for a month, and you actually dared to break through to the Archmage realm?"
"How is this not normal…" Lin Li pouted his lips and did not stand on ceremony. He just found a chair himself and sat down.
"Don't think I am joking with you. Magic is a very dangerous thing. An abnormal increase could make you regret forever!"
"is it true?" Lin Li looked at Andoine's expression, and it did not seem like he was joking. Instantly, he could not help but be scared. He repeated everything that happened during this period of time with a perturbed mood, from the trials mission at the Shadowglen to the Eternal Furnace at the Fire Plume Ridge. Of course, the main point was his breakthrough inside the Eternal Furnace.
"No wonder…" When Andoine heard this, he was suddenly enlightened. His gaze towards Lin Li had traces of fear. "It really is a miracle that you could survive up till now!"
"What's wrong?" After hearing Andoine's serious tone, Lin Li could not help but feel frightful.
"What's wrong? Let me tell you, you are in big trouble…" Andoine was gloating over Lin LI's predicament. "Tonight, I was hesitating whether to keep you here for a few days. Great, I don't have to hesitate anymore. Without eight or ten days, you don't even have to think about returning to Alanna!"
"…"
Chapter 237 - Dragon Roosting Plateau
Andoine did not mention as to what trouble it was. He just looked at Lin Li sympathetically for a while before shaking his head and returning to his bedroom. It caused Lin Li's feelings to be in a mess for the whole night. Lin Li went through his memories about the Eternal Furnace, starting from meeting Connoris till fusing with the Spiritual Brand. Lin Li's memories were abnormally detailed, not daring to leave a single detail out as he was afraid that this little details might harm him.
