Chapter 50
The Fans' Demands
"Brother Yang, what should we do?"
A teenage boy in white robes frowned as he watched Bai Fanxian from a distance, worry clear on his ordinary features.
He went by "Novice Alchemist" on the cultivators' community forum and was one of the first people Bai Fanxian had replied to in a thread.
After Alchemy Empress taught him techniques that proved completely correct through his own testing, he'd immediately become a core leader of her fan group.
Brother Yang—the hot-blooded young man he was talking to—used the handle "Alchemy Is Life" and was also a core leader. They'd never met in person before, but their shared passion for alchemy and devotion to Alchemy Empress had forged a quick bond.
"This Grandmaster Bai seems pretty knowledgeable about alchemy too..." Brother Yang murmured. Though he stood with only two junior brothers right now, back in the Empress fan thread, people were already mobilizing.
Rumors had been spreading quietly among fans: a Grandmaster was using their worshipped Alchemy Empress's reputation for personal gain. Some were getting fired up over it, while others preferred to wait and watch.
"Grandmaster Bai just showed up out of nowhere. Good chance she's trying to boost her own fame."
Brother Yang stared as Bai Fanxian entered another exhibition booth.
"But she seems similar to Empress though."
The words slipped out before Novice Alchemist could stop them. Brother Yang whipped around to glare.
"No way she's our Empress! She doesn't have any of that savage edge!"
Brother Yang pulled out his phone and scrolled to screenshots of Alchemy Empress's messages he'd saved.
"Look! Empress's sharp tongue and fierce attitude comes through every word. That Grandmaster Bai can't possibly be her!"
Novice Alchemist read through the messages, his face flushing. His pulse quickened strangely as he imagined those words directed at him.
"I really want Empress to call me an idiot in person just once..." he said dreamily.
"Ah... isn't that why we're here today?" Brother Yang's expression softened. The two young men shared a knowing look...
.
.
.
As Bai Fanxian emerged from yet another booth with Xie Suyao trailing behind, she spotted figures in robes emblazoned with golden cauldron symbols waiting ahead.
"Grandmaster Bai? Welcome to the Alchemists' Association." The speaker was a petite middle-aged woman with a gentle, motherly face.
She was actually quite old, but good cultivation practice and self-care had preserved her youthful appearance far beyond normal limits.
Not that she could compare to Bai Fanxian and Xie Suyao. Those two existed in a category of their own.
"...Who are you?"
Bai Fanxian nodded, curiosity in her tone. The woman radiated the aura of alchemy—the distinctive scent that came only from years of daily immersion in the craft.
Since awakening in this era, this was the strongest such aura Bai Fanxian had encountered, even surpassing Tang Clan head Tang Tianjie.
"I'm Fang Niang, an elder and vice president of the Alchemists' Association." The middle-aged woman—Elder Fang—was the same person who'd met with Master Sun earlier and been suspected of being Alchemy Empress herself.
She'd rushed out personally upon hearing rumors about Bai Fanxian. Forget the unconfirmed Tier 4 status. Just being a Grandmaster warranted a personal greeting from an elder.
Besides, this year's seminar had attracted multiple Grandmasters.
"Grandmaster Xie, welcome." Elder Fang turned to smile at the young woman using Bai Fanxian as a shield against approaching strangers.
"Yes..."
Xie Suyao managed a single-word response with a nod. Around others, she became the unapproachable Red Widow Queen.
"Do you have business with the association?" Elder Fang asked with interest. Grandmasters rarely visited in person. Apart from Association President Lu Qing, very few Grandmasters ever set foot here.
"Just came to look around..."
Bai Fanxian paused, remembering her other reason for coming.
"Can I read your association's books?"
"Books?... If they're ordinary reference materials, no problem." Elder Fang looked surprised. She hadn't expected someone of this caliber to visit for something so simple.
"There's a complication though..." The middle-aged woman frowned. "Since it's seminar season, the library's being used for events. If it's urgent, I can have someone pull what you need and bring it."
Bai Fanxian considered. She wasn't in a rush, and hadn't decided on specific titles anyway.
"That's fine... I'll browse later."
"Understood."
Elder Fang nodded in relief. First issue handled. Now for her real reason for coming.
"If I may ask, Grandmaster Bai... are you a Tier 4 alchemist?"
Fang Niang watched intently for Bai Fanxian's reaction. This was what the association desperately needed to know.
Currently, only Grandmaster Lu Qing held Tier 4 status.
The problem was simple: no Grandmaster cared about alchemy, and no Tier 3 alchemist could reach Grandmaster level!
This roadblock prevented certain knowledge and research from advancing. If Bai Fanxian truly qualified as Tier 4, she'd become the association's most valuable asset.
Bai Fanxian blinked at the unexpected question. Seeing the hopeful stares, she answered truthfully.
"No... I'm not a Tier 4 alchemist."
Elder Fang visibly deflated like a popped balloon. So she was Tier 3 at most.
But the assistant behind her nudged Elder Fang lightly.
"Elder, even if she's not Tier 4... she's still a Grandmaster."
Fang Niang's eyes lit up. Right! The barrier keeping Tier 3 alchemists from Tier 4 was cultivation level. But this young woman had already reached Grandmaster. Maybe she wanted to study association materials to push toward Tier 4!
"Grandmaster Bai! If you have time today, would you be willing to stay as our guest?"
Elder Fang's voice carried barely-contained excitement.
Bai Fanxian glanced at Xie Suyao. Everything depended on Elder Sister. Wherever Elder Sister went, she'd follow.
Huang Zihuan had been trailing them at a respectful distance, ready to accompany them anywhere. But she noticed the two children and Tang Tianjie were nowhere in sight.
Her Heaven Sense rippled outward. She sensed all three nearby. Tang Tianjie was buying the children enormous ice cream cones, holding both their hands while laughing.
Let them be.
Bai Fanxian shook her head and nodded at Elder Fang. She followed the elder with Xie Suyao and Huang Zihuan close behind.
They entered the building within five minutes. Partly because Fang Niang's position as vice president cleared their path—though people couldn't help wondering who warranted such VIP treatment.
The other reason was periodic waves of pressure from the red-clad young woman. Anyone who stared too long felt an unsettling chill that made their skin crawl.
Elder Fang led Bai Fanxian to a luxurious reception room equipped for honored guests.
She turned to bow to both Grandmasters.
"Please wait here while I contact the other elders." As Fang Niang spoke, two staff members rushed in with refreshments, but Uncle Huang stopped them.
"I'll handle this." The elderly butler bowed politely and set up from his large bag.
Fang Niang hurried out. Bai Fanxian settled onto the comfortable sofa, sipping the quality tea Huang Zihuan served while Xie Suyao glanced around with mild interest.
"Shall I help you pass the time, my lady?" Huang Zihuan brought over the white laptop Bai Fanxian used daily.
She accepted readily. Recently she'd been spending free time reading things online or checking threads in the cultivators' community.
But the moment she opened the forum, notification sounds erupted. This only happened when people tagged her name in threads.
Over four-fifths of the notifications came from one thread: "Empress Fans Gathering Place."
Comment 1256 (Alchemy Empress)
On my way
Comment 1256-58 (Alchemy From Furnace)
Someone's impersonating Empress. Unacceptable!
Comment 1256-90 (Wandering Pill)
Yeah, when's Empress showing up?
Comment 1256-95 (Fan of Alchemy Empress)
Empress, please appear!
Comment 1256-123 (One Hot One Cold)
Come kick that impostor's ass!
Bai Fanxian raised an eyebrow. Her fingers moved lightly across the keyboard.
Comment 1890 (Alchemy Empress)
I'm here. What's going on?
The fans went wild when their idol responded. Many rushed to reply, but one comment rose to the top.
Comment 1256-31 (Alchemy Is Life)
Empress, someone's been copying your methods and signature style to boost their own fame while you weren't around. We can't accept this. Brothers are gathering at the association courtyard to demand an apology. Even if they're powerful, they won't dare do anything too crazy here. If you're here, could you show yourself and give us courage?
Bai Fanxian read with a weary expression. She was too comfortable to go back outside.
Comment 1895 (Alchemy Empress)
Are you all idiots?
Her dismissive comment received massive likes within seconds. People even started replying with the same message in long chains.
"Thank you!"
Similar phrases kept appearing under her comment. Bai Fanxian made an indescribable face as the replies multiplied.
...Were these people actually sane?