If Heaven hadn't given birth to me, I would be arrogant.

Zong Ze understood this principle, and so did Yao Bing and the others. Seeing that Zong Ze had taken off his mask, they also took off their masks!

When Zong Ze took off his mask, Lu Zhongen and Wang Xinling were both shocked. They had guessed from his figure that Zong Ze was not very old, but they still did not expect that the person who had pointed out the reason for their failure in alchemy was so young!

"Medicine Soldier of the Medicine Sect greets Master Lu!"

As the eldest among them, Yao Bing was the first to bow to Lu Zhongen. Lu Zhongen was an elder and the strongest alchemist in Chaotic City—no, he was now the only alchemy master on the Chaotic Continent. Not to mention Yao Bing, even the sect leader would have to bow to Lu Zhongen.

"Ok!"

Lu Zhongen nodded; now all his attention was on Zong Ze!

"Zong Ze of the Xuanzong Gang of Xicheng greets Elder Master Lu!"

Zong Ze was genuinely unsure how to address the other party. Should he call him an alchemist? Since the other party was able to refine a mutated Life-Sustaining Pill, he would likely become a master soon. Calling him an alchemist now would be an insult to him.

However, it would be inappropriate to directly call him a master. The alchemy industry is a rigorous one, and Lu Zhongen has not yet become a true master, so Zong Ze cannot call him a master!

Those laymen don't understand alchemy, so it doesn't matter what they call it, as long as they can stay true to themselves.

"Xuanzong Gang? Xuanzong Gang?"

Lu Zhongen muttered the name of the Xuanzong Gang. He felt that he seemed to have heard the name of this gang somewhere before, but because he had just been provoked by Zong Ze, he couldn't remember it at first!

Suddenly, Lu Zhongen laughed, a very happy laugh!

"Haha, I was wondering why Han Ju kept urging me to come over, saying there was something good, something incredibly good. Now it seems that the good thing he was talking about is probably my young friend, right?"

Yes, Lu Zhongen finally remembered. He had heard this name in Han Ju's message!

The messenger told Lu Zhongen that if Han Ju was not in Danlu after arriving in Xicheng, then he would be at the Xuanzong Gang headquarters located in Xuanbao in Xicheng!

Although Han Ju did not specify what good thing it was, the messenger was not the same as him personally. Zong Ze becoming a master alchemist and even having the potential to become a grandmaster alchemist was an earth-shattering event, whether in Chaotic City, Chaotic Continent, or even the Sacred Language Outer Continent!

Han Ju certainly couldn't let a messenger know about this!

However, Lu Zhongen's thousand-year lifespan was not for nothing. If he didn't know what Han Ju meant before, now that he has seen Zong Ze with his own eyes, how could he not understand what good thing Han Ju was talking about?

To be honest, Han Ju was really a good friend. He knew very well that Lu Zhongen had a talent for alchemy, and he also knew that as long as someone could help him out, Lu Zhongen really had the potential to become an alchemy master!

After all, even for an alchemist like himself who wasn't particularly talented, after watching Zong Ze refine pills for a month, Han Ju could clearly feel that his alchemy skills, which hadn't improved for many years, seemed to have progressed again.

"you?"

Zong Ze was taken aback: "Does the old gentleman know Grandpa Han?"

"know?"

Lu Zhongen laughed heartily, "It's more than just knowing each other, we're practically inseparable! You know, Han Ju is the real hero who made my alchemy skills what they are today. It's no exaggeration to say that Han Ju was my mentor!"

This is one of the virtues of an alchemist, and also a kind of spirit. Even though he is about to become a master alchemist, no matter what, it was Han Ju who taught him the basics of alchemy back then.

This identity, this kindness—even if one becomes a grandmaster alchemist, one will remember that Han Ju was one's mentor!

"Old Master Han?"

Wang Xinling frowned when she heard Zong Ze address Han Ju.

Wang Xinling naturally recognized Han Ju. Having followed Lu Zhongen for six years, Wang Xinling had met Han Ju several times with Lu Zhongen. Han Ju also liked Wang Xinling very much, and every time they met, he would secretly ask her if Lu Zhongen had offered to take on any disciples.

Moreover, Han Ju is a renowned alchemist in the entire Chaotic City, so Wang Xinling has great respect for him!

Upon hearing the teacher mention Han Ju, Wang Xinling immediately realized that this young man was Han Ju's grandfather's disciple. She also understood why this young man, despite his young age, possessed such expertise in alchemy.

But now, when she heard Zong Ze address her mentor as "Old Master," especially with the surname added before "Old Master," Wang Xinling's dissatisfaction with Zong Ze intensified.

In Wang Xinling's view, a mentor is a mentor. She wanted to become Lu Zhongen's apprentice, but Lu Zhongen never asked.

But what about you? You're already Grandpa Han's disciple, how can you be so disrespectful to your teacher?

Yes, the name "Old Master Han" sounds very familiar, but is it appropriate for you, as a disciple, to address him like that?

Zong Ze had no idea what Wang Xinling was thinking. Now Zong Ze understood, because Han Ju had mentioned more than once that he would introduce him to a true master of alchemy. It seemed that this master was Lu Zhongen.

"Hehe, the old man also told me about you!"

Zong Ze smiled and said, "Although the old Zongzi has never mentioned your name before, it seems that he must be referring to you!"

"It's me! It's me!"

Lu Zhongen said, "Han Ju had already sent me a message asking me to come to your place, but because the refining failed this time and this pill was accidentally produced, I was planning to wait until the auction was over before going!"

Originally, I was planning to discuss with Han Ju why this happened, but now it seems I can find out the answer in advance. Young friend Zong, do you have time to explain it to me now?

At this point, Lu Zhongen blushed slightly. He knew that his question was a bit inappropriate, after all, he had only just met her and she had some conflict with Wang Xinling!

"Row!"

Zong Ze answered Lu Zhongen straightforwardly. Firstly, it was in Zong Ze's nature; secondly, Lu Zhongen was already just one step away from success, and it wouldn't make much difference if he helped him take that final step.

Thirdly and most importantly, if Lu Zhongen becomes a master and he still has a close relationship with him, it will be a great thing for the Xuanzong Gang!

He himself was a master alchemist, but he needed to keep his status a secret, because who knew what the consequences would be if he were exposed.

But Lu Zhongen is different. He has been in the Chaotic City for a thousand years and is already an old tree with deep roots. Making good relations with such a person is extremely beneficial to the Xuanzong Gang!