Chapter Thirty-Three: Poaching Right Before My Eyes

Gu He’s prestige within the Jia Ma Empire needed no further elaboration.

Before Lin An even arrived, both Nalan Su and Nalan Jie were already receiving Gu He as their guest.

When Nalan Yanran saw Lin An approach, she hurried over to greet him.

“So you’re Lin An? I’ve heard you’re already an alchemist?”

The moment Lin An stepped into the lounge, he immediately became the center of attention.

Nalan Su’s gaze was filled with admiration, Nalan Jie’s with awe. As for Gu He, he was carefully sizing Lin An up.

If Lin An’s talent was truly as extraordinary as Yun Yun claimed, perhaps Gu He might even consider taking him as a disciple.

“That’s right, I am already an alchemist,” Lin An replied with neither arrogance nor servility.

Such an attitude caused Gu He’s brow to furrow ever so slightly; for reasons he could not explain, Lin An’s presence unsettled him.

Even Nalan Su sensed something different about Lin An.

“It’s a pity,” Gu He said, “I’ve heard your talent for alchemy is remarkable, but you’ve only been exposed to it for a short while. Even with a natural gift, your achievements will likely be limited in the future.”

In essence, Gu He was making clear that taking Lin An as his disciple was out of the question.

“My young master is hardly someone ordinary geniuses can compare with,” Yao Chen interjected, his tone faintly disdainful.

“And who might you be?” Gu He’s discomfort deepened.

No matter when or where, few dared speak to him in such a manner.

“I’m merely the young master’s servant; as for my name, with your standing, you’re not qualified to know it,” Yao Chen replied coldly.

Indeed, as Yao Chen claimed, at his peak, Gu He would have barely merited a glance.

Even now, thanks to the Bone Spirit Cold Flame seed Lin An had left within him, concocting a sixth-tier pill was a trivial matter. As for seventh-tier, if someone could help him withstand the tribulation, success was not impossible.

“Well, today has certainly broadened my horizons. Since when have mere servants been allowed to speak to me this way?”

“Lin An, if you lack the ability to discipline your own servant, I’ll have to do it for you!”

Alchemists were, by nature, proud and arrogant. Countless warriors had trembled with fear before him, terrified of offending him in the slightest.

Let alone in the Jia Ma Empire, where Gu He’s reputation was such that anyone bold enough to insult him didn’t need him to act—the experts who followed him would ensure that offender’s death.

Now was no exception.

The Dou Huang expert accompanying Gu He regarded Yao Chen as though he were already a dead man.

“Master Gu He, please forgive the youngster’s loose tongue. I beg you not to stoop to his level,” Nalan Jie quickly interjected, sensing the tension mounting. Uncertain of Yao Chen’s true strength, he dared not gamble with Lin An’s life and tried to mediate.

Gu He snorted coldly, unwilling to contend with a mere junior.

“If this happens again, even if you are Yun Yun’s chosen successor, I will not hesitate to kill you myself. Let this be a lesson: the dignity of an alchemist brooks no provocation!”

At Gu He’s word, the Dou Huang expert behind him ceased his menacing gaze at Lin An’s group.

From the moment Lin An had entered, however, his attention had been fixed on that expert.

This man was indeed an authentic Dou Huang master. What surprised Lin An was that Gu He was accompanied by such a figure.

What caught Lin An’s eye was the aura of decay clinging to the expert—like a dying candle in the wind, as though he could perish at any moment.

“Are you hoping Gu He will concoct a longevity pill to extend your life?”

“Unfortunately... in your current state, even if you get lucky and such a pill is produced, you’ll only buy yourself a few more years. As for breaking through to a higher realm, you have virtually no hope left,” Lin An said bluntly, addressing Gu He directly and tearing away any pretense.

Nalan Su watched Gu He nervously.

If they angered such a figure, even the Nalan Clan, at the height of their power, would vanish at a word from Gu He.

He couldn’t help but reproach his future son-in-law in his heart.

Did he truly not understand Gu He’s influence, or did he simply not care?

Even as the clan head, Nalan Su wouldn’t dare address Gu He by name, yet this junior did so without hesitation. Most crucially, Gu He was an elder of the Cloud Mist Sect—wasn’t this courting disaster?

“What do you mean by that?”

At last, the silent old man at Gu He’s side spoke.

“My meaning is clear. Not only can I help you extend your life, I can even restore your body to its peak, perhaps even help you break through to the Dou Zong realm. It’s not beyond the realm of possibility.”

Lin An made his offer in front of Gu He, knowing that if it were true, the temptation would be irresistible.

After all, this old man had stayed by Gu He’s side for only the slimmest of hopes.

Deep down, he knew that even if a longevity pill could be concocted, advancing further was all but impossible.

“Is that true?” the old man asked, his voice betraying a flicker of hope.

“If you don’t believe me, ask Gu He. He treated Elder Nalan himself; you’re well aware of his condition—there’s no need for me to elaborate,” Lin An replied with a smile.

“To be honest, I’m quite intrigued by Elder Nalan’s transformation. It’s as if he’s grown young again. I’ve never heard of a pill with such effects.”

Though reluctant to admit it, Gu He’s desire to meet Lin An was fueled by Nalan Jie’s miraculous recovery—not only had the poison been purged, but his vitality had returned. Though he still appeared elderly, his body functioned like that of a man in his twenties or thirties, nothing like before.

“What do you want from me?” the old man asked, clearly tempted.

“Swear your allegiance to me for three years,” Lin An replied.

“If you can truly do as you claim, what’s ten years to me?” the old man said.

“Very well, wait for me here at the Nalan residence tonight,” Lin An said, then turned his gaze back to Gu He.

At first, Gu He’s anger was evident, but now... Lin An found it hard to read his true intentions.

“Aren’t you curious why I dare challenge you so openly?”

Gu He said nothing, but his expression showed his interest.

“It’s simple: with my talent for alchemy, you are in no position to be my master.”