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“Uncle! What are you doing here?” Yushi Moli was surprised to see Ouyang Du at Clearsnow Estate when he returned to the property.
“What, not happy to see me?” A fond look appeared in Ouyang Du’s eyes when he saw the boy.
“No no, not at all.” Yushi Moli hastily shook his head. “It’s cold out, uncle, come inside!”
“Okay, I’ll stop teasing you. I won’t be going in,” Ouyang du chuckled. “I came to tell you that Grandmaster Yuqing Yang is visiting.”
“Huh?” Yushi Moli blinked.
“Your uncle commands just enough face to gain an audience with the grandmaster for you. But it’s up to you to take advantage of the opportunity,” Ouyang Du said solemnly.
“I have a chance to meet the grandmaster?” Yushi Moli lit up.
“Yes!” Ouyang Du smiled. “Give it a try. Even if you don’t have the potential to be an alchemist, leaving a good impression might help you get an Origin Elevation Pill.”
“Okay!” Yushi Moli agreed decisively.
“Alright, we’re heading back to Aurora City! Do you know how to ride a horse, kid?” Ouyang Du roared with laughter.
“Of course I do!”



Two fine white horses darted out of Clearsnow Estate and galloped for Aurora City fifteen kilometers away. Their hooves sped over the land and sturdy city walls came into view fifteen minutes later.
It was Yushi Moli’s first visit since leaving a month ago, but it felt like he’d been gone an entire lifetime.
Compared to the hustle and bustle of a city, he far preferred the serene tranquility of Clearsnow Estate. It seemed to suit his mentality more.
“Grandmaster Yuqing Yang is staying at the Nineheavens Inn. We’re going that way!”
“Okay!”
Ouyang Du took Yushi Moli to the largest inn after they entered the city. There were plenty of people crowded around it. News of a celestial rank alchemist’s arrival had spread like wildfire and many wished to catch a glimpse of Yuqing Yang. They either wanted to beg a pill off him or ask to become his disciple.
But Yuqing Yang was so illustrious that he wasn’t easily accessible in the prefecture’s capital, much less a mere Aurora City. These people were just here to try their luck.
“So many people!” A taken-aback Yushi Moli clucked his tongue when they arrived at the inn.
Nineheavens Inn was the largest inn in Aurora City and the most expensive. It would never entertain so many guests during regular times.
“Ignore them, we’re going upstairs.” Ouyang Du headed upstairs with his nephew.
“Halt!” someone called out to them. “Who are you, don’t you know that Grandmaster Yuqing Yang is staying on the second floor? You will disturb the notable grandmaster if you go upstairs. Can you afford the consequences of doing so??” A middle-aged man wearing green robes made them stop.
“We’re going to see the grandmaster,” Yushi Moli responded.
“Hahaha! What a joke!” snorted the man. “Who is the grandmaster, huh? He’s not for two buffoons to see whenever they wish!”
Since the man wasn’t from Aurora City, he naturally didn’t recognize Yushi Moli or Ouyang Du.
“That’s right, the two of you can stay down here with us and wait for Yuqing Yang to summon you! But I don’t think the likes of you will ever see him,” someone else sniffed.
Find the original at bit.ly/3iBfjkV.
Ouyang Du looked less than thirty years old and Yushi Moli was only thirteen. Dressed as commonplace as they were, no one thought much of the two.
“It’s not up to you if the grandmaster sees us or not,” Ouyang Du dismissed and moved to go upstairs with his nephew.
“What’s with the ruckus here? I already told all of you that my master will not be receiving visitors today. Please make your way elsewhere, everyone,” hectored a tall and slender young man at the top of the stairs.
“Sir, it’s not us who are raising a fuss, but these two muddleheaded fools. They’re trying to force their way to the second floor, but we stopped them,” the man in green robes hastily explained.
“Oh?” The young man looked at Ouyang Du.
“Please notify the grandmaster that Ouyang Du of Aurora City and Yushi Moli, son of the city lord, is here to pay our respects,” Ouyang Du responded amiably.
“You’re Ouyang Du?” the young man blinked.
“I am,” he nodded.
“My master has said that Sir Ouyang Du can proceed straight in if he visits.” A slight smile floated onto the young man’s face.
“My thanks!” Ouyang Du raised cupped fists at the young man and walked upstairs with Yushi Moli, stunning those on the first floor.
The middle-aged man’s cheeks burned with mortification. So these were guests that the grandmaster had identified by name! He’d thought himself clever when he stopped them!
“So it’s them!” A short and stout man looked on with understanding.
“Who are they?” someone else asked curiously.
“The city lord’s brother-in-law and his trash of a son who can’t disciple,” the stout man sneered. “The city lord’s brother-in-law is from the Ouyang family in the capital. They are one of the greatest families in the empire, but something happened four years ago and Ouyang Du had to seek shelter in Aurora City.
“It would seem that he has some connections and perhaps left a previous impression on the grandmaster. That’s why they were able to arrange a meeting. Being granted an audience with the grandmaster is all a disgraced Ouyang down on his luck can manage.
“As for Yushi Moli
 he’s just trash that can’t cultivate. The city lord threw him out of the city a month ago, so I think that needs no clarification,” the stout man chortled.
“So it’s them!” jeered the man in green robes. “I bet Ouyang Du is trying to beg for an Origin Elevation Pill for Yushi Moli. Trash is still trash, even with the pill.”
“But the pill is worth one million gold coins. The Ouyangs might have been able to afford it in the past, but the current Ouyang Du absolutely doesn’t have that much money to his name!” A general air of schadenfreude permeated the atmosphere.
“What a pity that they’re the ones who can meet the grandmaster. If it was me, I might soar to the heavens with this single step.”



Yuqing Yang had reserved the entire second floor at ten times the usual rate. All he wanted was peace and quiet.
Yushi Moli was surprised when he finally saw the elder. Yuqing Yang’s aura projected comfort and set people at ease.
“You are Yushi Moli?” Yuqing Yang wore loose white robes and his hair and beard were white. However, his face was flushed with good health. As a result, he didn’t seem that old.
“Yushi Moli greets the grandmaster!” Yushi Moli promptly swept a circumspect bow.
“No need to stand on ceremony as you are Ouyang’s nephew.” Yuqing Yang smiled involuntarily as he studied Yushi Moli’s features.
“We meet again, grandmaster,” Ouyang Du grinned.
“You’re still the same after so many years, kid!” Yuqing Yang chuckled.
“Indeed I am. I have a request to make today, sir,” Ouyang Du cut straight to the chase. “Will you take a look at this child’s potential? If he passes muster, will you take him for a disciple?”
HIs words made a frown cross the forehead of the slender young man next to Yuqing Yang.
“Place your hand on the crystal ball.” Yuqing Yang nodded and manifested a crystal ball the size of a head with the flip of his hand. “Let’s see if you possess the potential to become an alchemist.”