They were all shocked and felt anxious upon hearing this report from the guard. Even the Elders from the Golden Lion Family were confused by what was happening. Everyone was full of questions, while the leaders of the Azure Wood Family felt nervous about the visit of an Elder from the Alchemist Association. They were already hiding a big secret from the Sacred Dragon Institute, and this was the reason they hadn't left their territory.
"Alchemist Association?! What reason could an Elder from one of the Seven Great Factions have to come here?" Neleos exclaimed, his eyes wide. Sweat formed on his forehead as he turned to the Elders of the Azure Wood Family. "Elders of the Azure Wood Family, we must hurry and greet our special guest."
"Family Head Neleos, since our clans are now allies, allow us to join you in welcoming your distinguished visitor," Caesar declared with a forced smile.
An Elder from the Alchemist Association was visiting, so they had to hurry and show their utmost respect. Throughout the Sacred Dragon Kingdom, it was widely known that the Alchemist Association was the most influential and respected faction of all. Even the Royal Clan dared not offend them because nearly every type of pill came from that faction. The Royal Clan always welcomed the Alchemist Association with open arms, and naturally, clans like theirs were expected to do the same.
Meanwhile, aside from Creed, everyone suspected that this Elder's visit had something to do with the origin of the pills Finn had distributed to the Azure Wood Family. They all knew the pills came from him, but they had no idea how he had acquired so many.
'Could it be… that the Elder from the Alchemist Association is Finn's teacher?' they each wondered.
But they quickly dismissed this idea. Finn had casually handed out nine Excellent Armaments and one Epic Armament. A single Epic Armament was not something easily obtained—even an Elder from such a respected faction might not possess one. This meant the young man was likely wealthier than an Elder of the Alchemist Association itself.
After hurrying for a few moments, they reached the Clan Hall, where their visitor awaited. They quickly came to their senses when they saw the stunning woman sitting comfortably on a wooden chair.
"Manager Alicia?" Caesar blurted out in surprise.
Everyone turned toward Caesar, startled by his sudden exclamation. They hadn't expected he would know their distinguished guest. But then they remembered that Caesar came from an Aristocrat Clan—he had much more experience and had met influential figures before.
Naturally, Caesar recognized this woman. He had seen her at the Heavenly Auction House with Augustus during the auction. That was the first time he'd seen Alicia, but she had left an impression on him because she was unlike any previous managers of the Heavenly Auction House. Even now, though he had already reached the 1st Level Profound Rank, he still couldn't sense her true cultivation level or rank.
"Oh? Elder Caesar? So it's true—the Golden Lion Family has formed an alliance with the Azure Wood Family." Alicia's sweet smile faded a little as she noticed something. "1st Level Profound Rank? You've already become Profound Rank, Elder Caesar? Last time I saw you, you were still at the 9th Level Scarlet Gold Rank."
The higher-ups of the Azure Wood Family and the Elders of the Golden Lion Family immediately bowed in salute. In unison, they greeted her respectfully.
"Good day, Elder from the Alchemist Association."
"Hm. I am Core Elder Alicia Herschel from the Alchemist Association, and I am here because I am searching for a member of the Azure Wood Family named Finn Doria," Alicia stated bluntly.
They were all stunned by the reason for Alicia's visit. A wave of nervousness and fear spread among them.
'Finn? But why?' they wondered.
Finn was currently the most important member of the Azure Wood Family. Without him, their clan would never have reached its present strength. So the fact that Alicia was looking for him filled them with dread.
When Alicia saw the Elders' worried expressions, she smiled gently and spoke in a calm voice.
"You don't need to worry so much. I am only here to speak with the young man. I spoke with him some time ago, and now I need to meet with him again."
When Neleos and the others heard her explanation, it was as if a huge weight had been lifted off their chests. If Finn had truly offended her, there would be nothing anyone in the clan could do to save him—because of two things: first, Alicia could conceal her true level and rank completely, proving she was vastly stronger than any of them. Second, she was from the Alchemist Association. Who would dare to oppose the most powerful faction in the kingdom?
Neleos forced a smile and looked at Creed, who also smiled politely at Alicia before quietly excusing himself.
"Elder Caesar, you are already a Profound Rank cultivator. Why haven't you reported to the Royal Clan to be granted your new title? You're qualified to register as a Noble Clan now, and your privileges would increase once your status is elevated in the Sacred Dragon Kingdom," Alicia advised, smiling.
Indeed, now that the Golden Lion Family had a Profound Rank member, they could formally register as a Noble Clan. Of course, they would still be the weakest of the Noble Clans if the Royal Clan recognized them.
Caesar forced a smile and respectfully replied,
"Elder Alicia, I just reached the Profound Rank today, so we haven't reported to the Royal Clan yet."
In truth, this wasn't the real reason they hadn't reported. Augustus had told Caesar he should first consult Finn about the matter. Even though Finn was much younger than them, they all felt he was a mysterious Adventurer who was impossible to read.
"I see… Hm. May I wait in a private room while Finn Doria is summoned?" Alicia asked the group.
They all nodded respectfully. Neleos personally offered to guide Alicia to an elegant chamber. He also instructed the attendants to prepare tea for their distinguished guest.
--
After Creed left the Clan Hall, he immediately hurried to Finn's small hut. He moved quickly, knowing an important visitor was waiting for his son. He couldn't afford any delays, certain Alicia's visit must be urgent.
When he arrived at the hut, he was about to knock when the door suddenly swung open on its own. Creed was greeted by the sight of a young man in the Azure Wood Family's ordinary blue uniform, wearing a serious expression as if deep in thought. This was none other than Finn himself.
Finn had just emerged from his Myriad World Mirror. Over the past month and a half, his true strength had once again advanced. But since he was still wearing his Concealing Ring, no Adventurer could sense or see his actual level. Only if the ring was removed would powerful Adventurers perceive his true level and rank. For now, he continued pretending to be a 9th Level Gold Rank Adventurer.
"My son, we have a special visitor! She says she is an Elder from the Alchemist Association!" Creed announced, not bothering to beat around the bush—his son needed to hear this immediately.
"So that's why… Did she say why she came? What business does this Elder have with our clan?" Finn asked, frowning.
The reason he'd left his hut was that he had sensed an incredibly powerful Adventurer enter their territory—someone at the 7th Level Profound Rank. Alarmed, he rushed out, thinking the clan was under threat. He hadn't expected the visitor to be an Elder from the most powerful faction in the kingdom.
"She said she is Core Elder Alicia Herschel and that she's here because she wants to speak with you," Creed answered, still puzzled. He couldn't imagine why Alicia would want to meet Finn. He was eager to find out but left it to his son to explain when he was ready.
"Elder Alicia?" Finn paused briefly, then seemed to recall something.
He knew only one Adventurer from the Alchemist Association—the manager of the Heavenly Auction House, Alicia. He remembered that they had made an agreement over the Body Strengthening Potion formula. According to Alicia, he was entitled to forty percent of the potion's profits, which he could collect from the Heavenly Auction House each month. But after everything that had happened to him, he no longer needed the money from a Rank 1 potion, so he'd simply forgotten about it.
And now, he hadn't expected Alicia herself to visit their clan. He couldn't be sure if this was her real purpose. It seemed too trivial to travel all the way to Aurora just for that.
Calmly, Finn looked at his father and spoke respectfully.
"Father, would you mind coming with me to see Elder Alicia?"
--
Inside a refined chamber, a stunning woman sat quietly on the floor, idly playing with her orange flame. She only stopped when she heard a knock at the door.
"You may come in," she called softly.
The door opened, and a young man looked in, smiling politely.
"Good day, Elder Alicia. You wished to speak with me," he greeted respectfully, still standing at the doorway.
Alicia frowned slightly as she studied him closely.
"Won't you come in first? I have something important to discuss with you," she said.
Finn stepped inside and sat down in front of her. A small table between them held two cups of steaming tea. For a moment, neither spoke. Then Alicia finally began.
"I can't believe you managed to hide your true level and rank from me, Finn Doria," Alicia remarked with genuine astonishment.
Finn only smiled faintly, not addressing her comment directly.
"Elder Alicia, is your visit here because of our previous agreement?" he asked politely but directly.
"You're right—but honestly, that's not the only reason I came," she replied with a warm smile. She didn't dwell on his evasiveness. It was clear to her that he had secrets he didn't wish to share.
Finn was a bit puzzled but quickly composed himself. He looked steadily at her and asked,
"If so, may I know what that other reason is, Elder Alicia?"
"First, let me tell you about your Body Strengthening Potion," Alicia began, smiling brightly before continuing. "Within just one week, many clans bought large quantities. Because the ingredients were so inexpensive, the Auction House made enormous profits. In less than two months, your potion has already earned over ten million gold coins. Since you have a forty percent share of the profits, you now have over four million gold coins."
She retrieved a ring from the pocket of her elegant blue robe and handed it to him.
"All your earnings are inside this," Alicia explained, smiling.
Finn forced a polite smile as he accepted the ring. Even though four million gold coins meant little to him, he had to accept it so Alicia wouldn't start wondering.
"Thank you very much, Elder Alicia. May I ask that in the future, you send my share directly to my clan, the Azure Wood Family?" he requested gently.
Since he was soon to become a core member of the Cloud Soaring Sect, he knew it was unlikely he'd be able to return frequently. He felt more at ease knowing his clan would receive the wealth every month.
"That's perfectly fine. Next time, I'll send it with a trusted messenger. I'll also be returning to the Alchemist Association after finishing my business here," Alicia replied with a sweet smile. She looked at him as though trying to see straight through him.
"Finn Doria, may I see your alchemy flame? I didn't ask before because I thought you were just a newbie. But now, I'm very interested."
Finn was taken aback by this final request. He forced a smile and focused on channeling his alchemy flame into his palm. He extended his arm and revealed the blue-green flame dancing there.
Alicia's eyes widened in shock. She leapt from her seat and grabbed his arm, staring at him in disbelief as she cried out:
"The legendary Blue-Green Alchemy Flame!"