After Elder Wang and Peng Meirong finished their conversation with Li Feng, Elder Wang informed him,
"Since you've passed, you can go collect your official badge at the counter.
Peng Meirong, standing beside Elder Wang, added with a smile,
"If Young Master Li has any trouble or doubts, you may come to me or my master."
Li Feng cupped his hands politely.
"Then Elder Wang, Miss Peng, thank you very much. Don't worry, I'll be sure to seek you both if I encounter any trouble."
Goldie silently followed behind him once more.
As Li Feng's figure walked further away, Elder Wang turned to Peng Meirong and asked,
"So, what do you think about this fellow?"
Peng Meirong answered truthfully, her tone calm.
"He appears to be rather lustful." She had long noticed his perverted gaze lingering on her body from time to time, even though he tried to hide it. "But… he is one with real talent."
Elder Wang laughed heartily.
"Haha! Then this guy is the real deal. To reach such attainment while still keeping his focus on mortal indulgence, that takes a special kind of mind."
Peng Meirong didn't reply. She only lowered her gaze slightly, her thoughts hidden behind a calm smile. For a brief moment, a glint of cunning light flickered in her eyes.
___
Stepping out of the testing hall, he was immediately swarmed. A crowd of curious spectator who had just left gathered around him, faces eager and voices overlapping.
"Brother, what's your name?"
"Senior! Which family are you from?"
"Would you care for a short chat?"
Goldie try to pushed against the mass, but heads and hands still slipped through the gaps. Some of the young women among the crowd even leaned closer than necessary, their robes subtly loosened to reveal deeper cleavage, a silent invitation tossed his way.
Li Feng only gave them his practiced polite smile, ready to slip away, when an attractive, mature figure with expensive ornaments suddenly pressed through the crowd. Her poise was refined, the air of a noble lady from a wealthy family unmistakable. Without hesitation, she slipped a small folded letter into his hand, her eyes meeting his for a moment.
"Read it later," she murmured, before slipping away.
Li Feng's hand instinctively kept the letter. The surrounding spectator immediately cursed under their breaths, angry at her cunningness in snatching a move ahead of them.
Just as he prepared to leave, the receptionist from before appeared. She stepped between him and the restless crowd, waving her hands.
"Alright, enough! Please don't block the way."
The crowd started to disperse, not wanting to anger the receptionist or the guild.
She then turned and smiled at Li Feng. "Congratulations, sir, on passing the assessment. Please follow me to receive your official badge." Her professional smile never faltered as she guided him forward.
Yet, as they walked together, her body brushed closer and closer to his arm, and her voice lowered.
"Sir… after this is done, are you interested in… hanging out?"
Li Feng felt her soft body deliberately pressing against him. He gave a quiet chuckle, and his hand casually slid behind her, giving her peach-shaped rear a few bold squeezes.
The receptionist shivered, heat shooting up her spine. She thought he was silently agreeing, her heart quickening at the warm palm kneading her. But just as quickly as it came, the warmth vanished.
Li Feng sighed inwardly.
After tasting Wei Meilin's body, how could he feel satisfied with something like this? At best, she was only slightly above average. Worse, a woman like this always came with intentions. He didn't mind a free meal but this one clearly came with far too many strings attached.
He smiled politely and withdrew his hand.
"Apologies. I have some other matter to attend to later."
The receptionist froze for a moment, then forced her professional smile back into place. Inside, she was cursing him viciously. This shameless bastard! Actually dared to grope me so casually, then reject me as if nothing happened…! But as a professional, and seeing he is a person with potential to become a Master Alchemist, she didn't dare show it on her face. And she also don't want to offend him either.
Arriving at the counter, she gestured for him to wait while she fetched his badge.
Left alone, Li Feng finally unfolded the small letter in his hand. The writing inside was neat and elegant.
'Please meet me at the Crimson Willow Inn. I only request your assistance in refining a pill, and I will gladly pay whatever price you deem appropriate.'
Li Feng tapped the paper thoughtfully, recalling the noble lady who looked to be in her thirties, most likely the wife of some rich merchant or nobleman. He hadn't sensed any cultivation from her, but her mature beauty and graceful body weren't bad. Her figure was still well-kept, and her face carried a refined, mature charm.
Li Feng's lips curled into a perverted smirk. "Not bad."
His body, which had been cultivating on its own all this time, started to pulse with restless desire once again. The memory of that mature lady's curves rose in his mind, her plump hips and soft chest far too enticing to ignore. Wei Meilin was probably still busy preparing her things for the auction and nowhere to be seen… maybe he should go and check this noble lady out. He needed a place to let out this pent-up desire, and a little fun to pass the time wouldn't hurt.
Just as he was making his decision, the receptionist returned with the badge. She explained its functions and grade with her usual smile.
"This is your guild badge, Sir" she said, her voice still smooth and professional. "It records your name, your alchemy rank and official rank within the guild. You'll need it to access the alchemy halls, rent cauldrons, or request specialized ingredients. It also tracks your contribution points, which may be exchanged for rare herbs, manuals, or even high-grade cauldrons."
She tapped the badge lightly, and glowing runes shimmered across its surface before fading. "Your current grade is Iron, the entry level. With successful pill submissions and service to the guild, you may advance to Bronze, Silver, and beyond. Higher grades allow you access to rarer herbs, guild vault discounts, private refinement chambers, and more."
Li Feng turned the badge over in his palm. It carried a faint herbal scent and a steady spiritual pulse, like a quiet heartbeat.
"Not bad," he murmured, tucking it away into his sleeve.
Just as he ready to leave, when a small soft voice suddenly called from behind him.
"Um… Senior…!"
Li Feng turned his head, scanning the area, but saw nothing at first. Then, a hesitant voice came again, this time from below.
He glanced down and saw a short timid young girl barely reaching his shoulder, dressed in a neat Alchemist Guild apprentice uniform. She looked to be no older than sixteen. Her shoulder-length hair framed a delicate face, and her large eyes were wide with nervousness, a faint dark circle beneath her eye, one hinting at sleepless nights.
"Did… did you call me?" Li Feng asked, his tone still calm.
The girl fidgeted with the hem of her robe, her small hands twisting the fabric as she finally managed to speak. "Y-Yes… Senior… I… I saw your assessment just now… and the way you refined the pill… it was a-amazing!"
"Oh, thank you for the praise," Li Feng replied, already half suspecting the timid apprentice's intentions, though he didn't voice it out.
As the conversation began to grow awkward, the girl's eyes darted nervously around, unsure how to bring up her request. Her small frame trembled slightly, and it looked like tears were about to form. Li Feng couldn't bear the sight any longer and sighed.
"Can I help you with something, young miss?" he asked, his voice softening just enough.
"O-Oh, Senior… umm… actually, I was hoping… Senior could give me some g-guidance…" she stammered, her nerves nearly betraying her. This might be her last chance with her situation.
Li Feng inwardly groaned. Troublesome… he had no desire to spend his precious time babysitting a random apprentice. And he already had plans to have some fun with a mature noble lady.
Seeing his slight frown, she hurriedly added, "S-Senior! I will pay! This is all of my savings…" She handed him a small cloth pouch.
Li Feng took it and peered inside. Five spirit stones.
"…" He stayed silent for a moment, raising another eyebrow.
Just as he was about to reject her, a thought suddenly crossed his mind. He turn to looked at the short, timid young woman again, eyes carefully inspecting her as a calculating smirk tugged at his lips.