Chapter 300: Sang Lao's Letter

President Shiti, who had been on the verge of furious collapse, suddenly paused, as if his rage had been forcefully suppressed.

“Elder Sang?”

Shiti frowned, voicing his confusion.

Xu Xiaoshou’s heart sank as he watched him frown.

No way.

His biggest reliance was Elder Sang’s letter!

What if that letter couldn’t deter the President? What if there wasn’t some romantic entanglement between them before?

Could it be that the old scoundrel was actually tricking him, giving him this letter to genuinely sell him out?

Impossible. He might sell himself, but how could that old scoundrel bear to sell such a cute junior sister?

Xu Xiaoshou hesitated for a moment, then confirmed, “Yes, it’s Elder Sang.”

“Are you from the Heavenly Sang Spiritual Palace, young man?” Shiti asked, then looked at the young girl, “And you too?”

Mu Zixi nodded.

“So Elder Sang found his successor?”

Xu Xiaoshou felt relieved upon hearing this. Anyone who knew Elder Sang had no successor surely shared an extraordinary relationship with him.

Either a great friend or a great enemy!

Given the old man’s character, the latter seemed unlikely.

Xu Xiaoshou nodded, “Indeed, my junior sister is that old man’s successor.”

“Your junior sister…”

Shiti’s gaze went past him, finally landing on the young girl who had been hidden behind the youth, her presence quite subtle.

Pulsating vitality, rich wood-attribute energy, and a cultivation at the peak of the Yuan Court Realm at such a young age…

Shiti’s eyes narrowed. What a perfect alchemist prodigy!

How had he only just noticed her!

Her presence wasn’t subtle at all; in a different time and place, she would undoubtedly stand out like a crane among chickens!

His gaze swept over Xu Xiaoshou again, realizing it wasn't the girl's low presence, but rather Xu Xiaoshou being… too attention-grabbing!

“A protective measure?”

Shiti immediately understood.

Such a precious apprentice must be guarded against being stolen, even when merely taking an alchemist badge assessment.

With someone as eye-catching as Xu Xiaoshou blocking the front, people's attention would undoubtedly be diverted, creating an excellent, invisible layer of protection.

At least even he, Shiti, the dignified President of the Alchemist Association, hadn't noticed the young girl's talent immediately, which proved its success.

Truly worthy of that old fox…

“Has he returned to the Spiritual Palace?” Shiti asked.

Xu Xiaoshou was about to answer but then saw the President was looking at Mu Zixi, so he immediately closed his mouth.

Come on, Junior Sister!

Mu Zixi composed herself, nodding firmly, “Yes!”

“What’s your name?”

“Mu Zixi!”

“A good name indeed. Have you ever considered changing masters?”

“I have… huh?”

The young girl quickly stopped herself, her heart sinking as she looked at the smiling President Shiti.

This…

She looked at Xu Xiaoshou, momentarily unsure how to answer this loaded question.

The crowd stirred, everyone buzzing with discussion; even Fu Xing was slightly surprised.

“Who is this young girl? President Shiti actually offered to take her as an apprentice! It seems he doesn’t have any direct disciples, does he?”

“Yes, many have been guided by him, myself included, but at most, we’re just nominal disciples. I usually don’t dare to claim that title.”

“You? If you dare claim it, will others believe it?”

“...Don’t interrupt. This is getting complicated. It looks like President Shiti is trying to poach someone else’s apprentice?”

“So, after all this time watching the show, this girl is the main character?”

Xu Xiaoshou also hadn’t expected Shiti to pull such a move.

He was even more surprised that Mu Zixi would react so naively to the question.

“What a great opportunity! Quickly become his apprentice!”

“This is a perfect chance to escape that old scoundrel's clutches!”

Xu Xiaoshou signaled with his eyes.

If she changed masters and was no longer under those dark circles, how happy would that be!

Such a kind-hearted grand alchemist, with status, strength, and reputation…

A god-given opportunity!

The young girl watched Xu Xiaoshou's winks and gestures, then suddenly realized something.

He wants to send me away?

“No!”

“Elder Sang is my best master. It’s impossible for me to become your apprentice, I’m sorry.”

Mu Zixi bowed deeply to Shiti in gratitude.

“Sigh!”

Xu Xiaoshou hung his head dejectedly, “Silly girl…”

The onlookers also exploded into a frenzy.

“Rejected?”

“My heavens, she actually dared to reject, would reject the President! This is the first time I've seen such an extraordinary woman!”

“I heard Deputy Commander Fu has wanted to become the President’s apprentice for a long time but couldn't, right?”

“Indeed. But, did you hear the name they mentioned earlier… Elder Sang?”

“What, is there something wrong with that name?”

“Isn’t that… the former Dean of the Heavenly Sang Spiritual Palace? And I heard he’s also our Alchemist Association’s honorary Vice President, who’s never actually appeared?”

Not only were some of the young people stunned, but Xu Xiaoshou was too.

Honorary Vice President?

That straw-hat old man had extended his influence even here?

This…

Xu Xiaoshou felt a headache coming on. Did this mean no matter where he went, he couldn't escape Elder Sang’s control?

However, he then remembered that the old man usually wandered everywhere and had only recently returned to the Spiritual Palace, so it made sense.

Perhaps the Spiritual Palace was just a temporary stop for the straw-hat old man!

The kind of place one stays for a while and then leaves.

“Hmph!”

Shiti was angry. Was he less appealing than that old fellow?

“In that case, you may leave. The Pill Tower does not welcome you.”

Xu Xiaoshou immediately became displeased. The Spiritual Palace couldn't assess for this alchemist badge; otherwise, he wouldn't have come out.

Could it be that President Shiti had some minor grudge against Elder Sang?

He seemed like a good person, yet he suddenly became so petty just because his offer of apprenticeship was rejected. It was unnecessary!

Besides, the girl already had a master. Forcibly taking an apprentice wasn't a good deed, was it?

Without thinking further, Xu Xiaoshou handed over the envelope, saying, “President, please take a look at this first.”

“What is it?”

“Elder Sang’s letter.”

A letter…

Shiti took the envelope with a hint of bewilderment. When had Elder Sang become so particular?

So he changed after leaving the Holy Palace, huh?

Couldn't he just have his apprentice deliver the message orally? Or at least use a thousand-mile sound transmission, or even a jade slip?

A letter…

Shiti opened it. Inside were only two lines of scrawled, large characters:

“Tolerance is a virtue.”

“Generosity is a sign of cultivation.”

Shiti: ???

What in the world was this nonsense!

If he hadn’t recognized the extremely authentic Cinderlight power embedded within, he truly wouldn’t have believed that old scoundrel would write this to him.

Tolerance, generosity?

Were you teaching me these things?

“Heh!” Shiti let out a cold laugh, about to wave them away again, when his eyes suddenly focused, noticing the shattered hole in the Pill Tower.

What did that mean?

That old scoundrel, had he guessed everything?