After a round of furious cursing, Adam Bennett slumped back down in dejection. At this point, no amount of swearing would help. In the cultivation of Dou Qi, the basics were especially important. Back then, he started training at the age of four and spent a full six years just to reach the ninth stage of Dou Qi. Even though his talent had now recovered, to reach the seventh stage of Dou Qi within a year was basically impossible...

Letting out a frustrated sigh, Adam Bennett glanced at the mysterious-looking transparent old man, a thought flashing through his mind. He curled his lips and said, "You have a way, don't you?"

"Maybe," the old man replied with a vague, strange laugh.

"If you help me reach the seventh stage of Dou Qi within a year, then the matter of you absorbing my Dou Qi for three years will be written off. How about it?" Adam Bennett asked tentatively.

"Heh heh, what a calculating little brat."

"If you can't help me, why should I keep a burden like you around? I think you’d better go find some other unlucky soul to latch onto..." Adam Bennett sneered. After chatting for a while, he had realized that this transparent old man probably couldn't just absorb anyone's Dou Qi at will.

"You really don't act like a fifteen-year-old boy. It seems you've grown a lot in these three years. Is this what they call reaping what I sowed?" Staring at the sly Adam Bennett, the old man was momentarily stunned, then shook his head with a wry smile.

Adam Bennett spread his hands and said indifferently, "If you want me to keep supporting you, you’ll have to show some sincerity, right?"

"What a sharp-tongued little brat. Fine, fine, who told this old man to still need your help, kid." Shaking his head helplessly, the old man floated down to the ground, his gaze sweeping over Adam Bennett several times. A sly, triumphant smile flashed across his face before quickly disappearing. After hesitating for a moment, he finally spoke, as if extremely reluctant: "Do you want to become an alchemist?"

Main Text Chapter 9 Alchemist Sage!

"An alchemist?"

Hearing this, Adam Bennett was stunned, then frowned deeply. "On the Dou Qi Continent, everyone wants to become an alchemist, but is it something just anyone can do? Those harsh requirements..." He suddenly paused, then jerked his head up, mouth agape: "I've met them?"

The old man greatly enjoyed Adam Bennett's expression, a mix of shock, hope, and wild joy. Stroking his beard and thinking for a moment, he looked Adam Bennett up and down, then sighed as if troubled: "Although you barely qualify, who told me to owe you a favor? Sigh, fine, I’ll just consider it repaying a debt..."

Glancing sideways at the old man’s reluctant face, Adam Bennett couldn’t help but feel that the old guy’s claim of "barely qualifying" was a bit fake. But he was too happy to care, though he still had some doubts: "Even if I meet the requirements, alchemists are usually taught personally by a master. You... are you also an alchemist?"

Seeing the suspicion on Adam Bennett's young face, the old man chuckled, puffed out his chest a little, and his voice carried a hint of pride: "That's right, I am an alchemist!"

In a blink, Adam Bennett's eyes lit up as he looked at the old man. An alchemist—now that was a rare being...

"Sir, may I ask, what grade of alchemist were you?" Adam Bennett licked his lips, his childish voice now more respectful.

On the Dou Qi Continent, alchemists were rare, but because of their noble status, there was a clear ranking system, from first to ninth grade. Earlier, the owner of the Qi Gathering Powder in Nalan Yanran’s hand in the main hall, Dan King Gu He, was a sixth-grade alchemist, considered the number one in the alchemy world of the Jia Ma Empire.

"What grade? Heh heh, I don't remember... Hey, kid, are you going to learn or not?" Shaking his head, the old man suddenly asked impatiently.

"Yes, yes!"

Adam Bennett no longer hesitated, nodding his little head eagerly. Alchemists were so precious that even a huge force like the Yunlan Sect would treat them as honored guests.

"Heh heh, willing? If you’re willing, then formally become my apprentice." The old man sat cross-legged on a bluestone, grinning slyly.

"I still have to formally become your apprentice?"

"Of course! You want me to teach you everything without becoming my apprentice? Dream on!" The old man rolled his eyes. Clearly, this somewhat old-fashioned man cared a lot about the master-disciple relationship.

With no choice, Adam Bennett pursed his lips. In order to become a respected alchemist, he could only respectfully perform the formal apprentice ceremony to the old man.

Watching Adam Bennett complete the ceremony with proper etiquette, the old man finally nodded in satisfaction, his voice now a bit warmer: "My name is Alchemist Sage. As for my background, I won’t tell you for now, lest you get distracted. All you need to know is that so-called Dan Kings like that Gu He fellow are... well, they're nothing but crap."

The corner of Adam Bennett's mouth twitched as he looked at the old man’s casual manner. The words he was about to say were swallowed back: "Just what is this old man’s background? The famous Dan King Gu He of the Jia Ma Empire is 'crap'...? If word of this got out, the whole empire would probably laugh at me for being crazy!"

Taking a deep breath to suppress his shock, Adam Bennett's eyes darted as he put on a fawning smile and said, "So, teacher, how do you plan to help me reach the seventh stage of Dou Qi within a year?"