When Feng Yinwan returned to her residence, the old man was arguing with Jian Ye, while San Shi and San Mu stood by, looking as if they had been forcibly dragged there.
"Jian Ye, who has your Xuanmen sent this time? It can't just be you, can it?"
He had clearly heard from the young attendant that there was a woman accompanying them.
Since when did Xuanmen have female disciples? How had he not known?
Jian Ye furrowed his brows, his emotions unreadable on his face.
"President Luo, please return. Our young lady has not yet returned from her outing and is not here at the moment. You will naturally see her at the Alchemy Competition tomorrow."
"Young lady?!"
Upon hearing this, the old man's eyes widened.
"Your Holy Master is a bachelor, where did a young lady come from?"
This kid was definitely trying to trick him!
He pressed for answers a few more times, but Jian Ye remained silent, his lips pressed together.
The old man, unwilling to give up, tried to peer further inside. However, San Shi grabbed his sleeve before he could.
"Master."
"Don't pull me, I'm busy!"
He frowned and tried to pry San Shi's hand off, but San Shi, being disobedient, held on even tighter.
Just as he was about to lose his temper, he heard San Shi speak again.
"Master... why don't you look behind you?"
"What's so good about behind there? Could that person have run to the back..."
Before he finished speaking, a graceful figure appeared within his line of sight. The old man stopped abruptly, momentarily stunned.
"Well... she really is behind."
Previously, Feng Yinwan had worn a mask at the General Association, so the old man and the others hadn't recognized her at first glance.
However, a part of her alchemy technique had been taught by the old man. Once she displayed it at the competition tomorrow, it would be impossible to hide.
Therefore, after some thought, she decided to generously call out to him.
"Master."
"What... what?!"
This exclamation was earth-shattering. The old man was clearly caught off guard, and his mind became even more muddled.
He stared at her blankly for a while before suddenly speaking.
"You're San Qing?!"
As soon as he said this, not only he but also San Shi and San Mu were stunned.
Feng Yinwan nodded, her smile still serene, "It's me."
"San Qing!"
The old man seemed to finally realize what was happening and shouted excitedly, tears streaming down his face.
He moved to step forward, but Jian Ye preemptively blocked him.
"President Luo, please do not startle the young lady."
His boisterous demeanor was quite frightening.
Being blocked, the old man was already displeased. Now, hearing that he was being called frightening, his face immediately darkened.
"Nonsense! I am so amiable and kind, and you say I'm frightening! Move aside, don't stop me from reuniting with my beloved disciple!"
He had recognized San Qing first, so why were San Shi and San Mu able to speak to her before him!
Location was indeed important!
With that, he attempted to push Jian Ye aside. However, as soon as his hand was raised, it froze in mid-air.
"Wait... what did you just call San Qing?"
Seeing that he had finally come to his senses, Jian Ye straightened his expression and reminded him in a cool tone.
"President Luo, this is the chosen candidate representing our Xuanmen in the Alchemy Competition. She is the Holy Master's niece, Miss Wan'er."
The amount of information contained in these words was immense.
The old man was stunned for a full half-moment before he processed it.
"Luo Qingyi's... niece?"
Jian Ye nodded, "Miss Wan'er has been cultivating in Xuanmen for three years. Her participation in the Alchemy Competition this time is precisely preparation for taking over the position of Holy Master."
This statement undoubtedly struck another blow to the old man's heart.
Three years!
San Qing had been in Xuanmen for three years!
So, when his beloved disciple went missing, it was the people of Xuanmen who were responsible?!
As soon as he realized this, he wanted to rush forward and fight Jian Ye. However, after weighing his frail old body, he gritted his teeth and held back.
His face flushed, and after a long pause, he spoke again, his tone filled with sorrow.
"San Qing, you are foolish!"
What was so good about Xuanmen? Their General Association was far superior!
Feng Yinwan's eyelids twitched. Before she could utter the words "I have no choice," the old man's tone changed.
"But it's alright. Although you have gone to Xuanmen, your master knows that your heart definitely remains with our General Association."
"In that case, for the sake of our master-disciple relationship, I will make an exception this time. You will participate in this competition with the dual identity of a Xuanmen and General Association disciple. Is that not too difficult for you?"
Fearing that Feng Yinwan would refuse, he immediately added.
"As long as you are willing to acknowledge me as your master, I will give you ten percent of the profits from the medicinal pills sold at this secret auction. This can be considered your formal apprenticeship gift. What do you say?"
While the medicinal pills at this secret auction were not as high-quality as those from Xuanmen's secret auctions, anything appearing at such an event could easily sell for several thousand taels.
Ten percent was already a considerable amount.
Feng Yinwan found this offer hard to refuse.
But Jian Ye disagreed.
"No! Miss represents Xuanmen, how can she be linked to the General Association? President Luo, give up on this idea!"
"Hmph, you brat!"
Seeing that he couldn't persuade Jian Ye, the old man's face fell, and he no longer held back.
"San Shi, San Mu!"
"Master."
"Please escort young brother Jian Ye out for some tea."
"Yes!"
They had disliked this kid ever since they lost their junior sister!
With that, the two of them stepped forward, flanking Jian Ye and carrying him out.
"Hey, let go of me, what are you doing... Young lady!"
Feng Yinwan, blinded by the prospect of money, waved at him sheepishly.
"Go on, go on, have a good drink."
"Young lady...!"
Through Jian Ye's persistent efforts, Feng Yinwan eventually agreed.
She was a fool to not earn money when it was offered, especially since it meant no loss for her.
But Jian Ye didn't see it that way.
Although Xuanmen was under the Immortal Medicine and Medical Sect, it had always been an independent entity. Now, with the future Holy Master taken as a disciple by the President of the General Association, he didn't know how he would explain it to the Holy Master when he returned.
Therefore, when the old man grandly introduced Feng Yinwan's identity on stage, Jian Ye, sitting below, was on the verge of tears.
Adding to his misery, San Shi and San Qing sat on either side of him. After the "tea education" from yesterday, he was sandwiched between them and dared not speak.
Upstage, the old man finished his introduction quickly. The moment the fine incense in the furnace was lit, everyone began their work.
For this Alchemy Competition, the General Association provided over a thousand types of herbs and materials for the alchemists to choose from freely. After the time was up, the pills would be graded based on their rarity and completeness.
The reward for first place was Jade Ganoderma, one of the General Association's six secret herbs.
Feng Yinwan was not interested in Jade Ganoderma, but she was determined to win first place in this competition!
Her eyes flickered, and the medicine cauldron before her opened. With a raise of her hand, several medicinal ingredients were drawn into her palm.
As she waved her hand to put them in, her peripheral vision caught a figure on the opposite rooftop, and her movements immediately halted.