The Crazy Son-In-Law

At this time, the host’s voice rang out again.

“Thank you all for your enthusiastic participation. This auction is nearing its end. Next we have one more activity.”

“To promote the prosperity and development of alchemy, we at the Old School Society have specially invited Mr. Zhou here today. This respected elder is willing to give some pointers to the younger generation interested in alchemy. If anyone is confident about the pellets they have produced, you can bring them up for Mr. Zhou to evaluate and point out deficiencies, which can guide everyone onto the right path.”

Although the auction had ended, almost no one left the venue.

Because most people had gained nothing, they also wanted to see if there were any new alchemists with presentable pellets. That would give them another chance to obtain pellets.

The probability was low, but they still held onto a sliver of hope.

As soon as the host finished speaking, a man in his thirties briskly walked to the center of the venue. Led by two Old School Society members, he respectfully presented a white porcelain bottle to Zhou Tianheng.

“Please give me your pointers, Mr. Zhou.”

Zhou Tianheng uncorked the bottle and poured out a pellet of azure color. Glancing at the young man, a look of disdain rose on his face.

“What is this you’ve brought me?”

The young man immediately lowered his head awkwardly.

“It’s… it’s a health pellet I produced.”

“You call this a health pellet? This doesn’t even qualify as a pellet. You haven’t even entered the door as a beginner. What is there for me to evaluate with this trash?” Zhou Tianheng berated him ruthlessly.

He put the azure pellet back into the bottle and threw it back to the young man.

“Come back with a real pellet first.”

“Of course, thank you for your guidance, Mr. Zhou.” The young man said repeatedly.

Then a few more “alchemists” brought their pellets to Zhou Tianheng and the two senior alchemists beside him for critique. They were all lambasted mercilessly, deemed worthless.

After listening to their critiques, Xiao Shun gradually sensed something odd. They never pointed out exactly what was wrong with those alchemists’ pellets – issues with fire control? Ingredients? Or something else?

They just relentlessly picked faults and seized upon any flaw or weakness, directly drenching the alchemists’ pellets and their persons in criticism, declaring them to be worthless.

Zhou Tianheng’s trio represented authority. No one dared to question or refute what they said.

Xiao Shun felt they were deliberately belittling those alchemists’ pellets, or rather destroying their confidence and hope.

Upon careful thought, it wasn’t hard to understand. Currently, the Old School Society had an almost absolute monopoly over pellets. Just this auction alone earned them overflowing profits. Combined with pellets that they intentionally or unintentionally leaked out over time, the value was likely an astronomical figure. How could they easily let others encroach on this cake?

Without formulas, relying solely on personal exploration was extremely difficult indeed. But with enough people trying, some talented ones were bound to succeed eventually. This should be inevitable.Text © owned by NôvelDrama.Org.

Weren’t the old formulas also painstakingly explored and discovered by predecessors over long periods of time? As existing beneficiaries, when given the chance, they would naturally try their best to oppress and humiliate these freelance alchemists, perhaps crushing their confidence and prompting them to abandon alchemy.

That way, they – or rather a small group within the Old School Society – could forever grasp the dominant narrative and enormous benefits.

“The young people nowadays are truly too impatient and impetuous. Look at this restoration pellet of his. The ingredients are crude and shoddy. Letting others ingest this would be poison, downright harming lives for money.”

The senior alchemist beside Zhou Tianheng showed him a restoration pellet brought up by a young alchemist, and said sternly.

Zhou Tianheng nodded in agreement. Looking at the young alchemist before him, he asked, “How old are you?”

“I just passed thirty-five this year, Mr. Zhou,” the young alchemist replied respectfully.

“Thirty-five. It means you’ve been fumbling with alchemy for some years. Yet you still can’t even handle the ingredients properly. Clearly you’re not suited to be an alchemist. Put your energy into something else.” Zhou Tianheng said expressionlessly.

“Masters, could you please tell me what’s wrong with the ingredients in my restoration pellet?” the young alchemist pleaded urgently.

“The proportions and combinations are problematic. This is all we can say. The rest is up to your own comprehension. We don’t have the time or obligation to hand-hold you through alchemy. Understand?” The senior alchemist said rigidly.

“I understand. Thank you masters for your guidance.”

The young alchemist treated Zhou Tianheng’s trio as dirt beneath his feet, yet they were the results of painstaking self-exploration over years. Disheartened, he took back his restoration pellet and left the venue.

Up in the stands, Haitang and Yang Zino had not left. Seeing the auction about to officially end, their hanging hearts finally settled.

“Could it really be that he simply came to attend the auction? But he didn’t bid at all.” Yang Zino said, puzzled.

Haitang was also thinking about this, and did not respond immediately.

“Is it possible that after his last fight with Gu Baiyi, his meridians were damaged, so he wanted to bid on pulse pellets at the auction to repair them, but the bidding was too intense and he didn’t prepare enough funds?” Yang Zino guessed.

“He donated 2 billion. Would he lack that bit of money?” Haitang shook her head.

“You’re right.” Yang Zino pursed her lips.

“No news is good news. Perhaps we overthought it.” Haitang said lightly. “Let’s go. It’s ending soon. We should go prepare to wrap things up.”

With that, she turned to leave.

“Yes.” Yang Zino nodded slightly, and was about to follow her when she noticed Xiao Shun suddenly standing up and walking towards the aisle.

“Ms. Haitang!” She quickly called out, “He’s leaving his seat!”

Haitang stopped and returned to the stands, looking towards Xiao Shun.

The dozen or so Old School Society members around Xiao Shun immediately tensed up and looked over as one.

As Xiao Shun reached the aisle, a tall, burly man with bushy sideburns blocked his way. “Can I help you with something?”

“I want to go have Grandmaster Zhou help me evaluate the pellets I produced. Is that not allowed?” Xiao Shun smiled.

“Wait here a moment.” Sideburns looked him up and down.

Xiao Shun helplessly shrugged his shoulders and glanced back at Haitang in the stands.

Sideburns walked aside and immediately reported the situation to Yang Zino via earpiece.

“He wants Grandmaster Zhou to evaluate the pellets he produced.”

Yang Zino immediately relayed this to Haitang.

Haitang pondered for a moment. “Let him go. We’ve been on tenterhooks for half the day. I’m curious what tricks he’s up to.”