BTTH: Death Letter From The Future

By this point in the conversation, Chen Guan had clearly understood what the elder meant.

He couldn't help but envy those with lesser talents who didn't have to go through such inner turmoil. Unlike them, he felt incredibly conflicted.

"I understand what you mean, senior. Indeed, I possess a hint of wood attribute, which qualifies me to become an alchemist."

Chen Guan had learned this while underwater, from Teacher Shu Tianhe. Before that, he had never tested for it.

Seeing the growing intensity in Fa Ma's eyes, Chen Guan felt the pressure mounting. Before Fa Ma could utter the words he was about to say, Chen Guan quickly explained.

"Senior, please understand. Although I'm curious about alchemy and will certainly study it, due to certain special reasons, I can't dedicate the majority of my energy to alchemy. I doubt I'll even have one day a month to spare for learning it. So, as much as I appreciate your offer..."

These words were a bit exaggerated, but they conveyed Chen Guan's intentions clearly.

Cultivation would always be his top priority.

Besides, he would never abandon the puppet techniques taught by Teacher Shu Tianhe.

Alchemy was undoubtedly practical, and he would make time to study it. However, with his strong spiritual power, mastering alchemy was easier for him than mastering puppet techniques. Thus, in the future, he was sure to spend far more time on puppet techniques than alchemy. To outsiders, this would probably seem like he was neglecting his true path.

Of course, Fa Ma was unaware of these thoughts. Hearing Chen Guan's lack of emphasis on his alchemical talent, Fa Ma was so angry he felt like his liver might explode.

Such powerful spiritual perception, and yet he wasn't going to dedicate himself to alchemy? What a waste of talent!

Taking a deep breath, Fa Ma lowered his expectations to the minimum.

"Just spend ten days a month learning alchemy. I will take you as my apprentice, and I guarantee that by the time you're twenty, you will at least reach the rank of a Tier 4 Alchemist."

"Think carefully about it. Being an alchemist opens so many doors. Just look at Gu He as an example. I'm also the president of the guild. If you agree, the guild's medicinal ingredients are yours to practice with, and I'm also a Dou Emperor. As my disciple, you could walk freely in the Jia Ma Empire without worry."

Fa Ma didn't want to lose this promising student and had begun offering perks, something he had never done before.

Chen Guan silently thought to himself, "I can already walk freely."

"Thank you so much for valuing me, senior, but I truly don't have enough time. Having one free day in a month is already extremely rare for me, so I must decline your generous offer."

"Are you haggling in a marketplace? One day? Why not just learn it in your dreams?" Fa Ma yanked at his beard, utterly infuriated.

Given his status, he had already lowered himself so much, and yet he was still being refused.

If word got out, no one in the Jia Ma Empire would believe it.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. He lost all semblance of a dignified Dou Huang and began to resemble a frustrated parent scolding a stubborn child.

"What a waste! If you were my descendant, I would've beaten you today!"

He ranted for quite a while, venting his frustration like pouring beans out of a jar.

In truth, his anger stemmed more from regret than fury—regret at seeing such talent go to waste. It was like a passionate collector discovering a prized artifact they had long coveted, only to find it being used as a tablecloth.

It was already impressive that he didn't resort to physical punishment.

Chen Guan stood to the side, awkwardly listening without daring to interrupt. This was why he had explained everything upfront.

He understood the benefits of apprenticing under Fa Ma, and it was very tempting. But what would happen afterward? Rather than making Fa Ma angry every day and causing mutual frustration, it was better to be honest from the start.

After ranting until his throat was dry, Fa Ma finally calmed down when Chen Guan thoughtfully handed him a cup of tea.

After draining the cup, Fa Ma regained his usual air of composure and wisdom.

"Let's get down to business. You didn't just come to visit me at the Alchemist Guild today, right? You probably also came to pick up Yue'er as a side note."

Fa Ma didn't waste time. He wanted to get the boy out of his sight as soon as possible before he got angry again.

Chen Guan awkwardly nodded and took out an item from his storage ring.

"By chance, I once obtained half a jar of Ice Spirit Cold Spring, but due to improper storage by the previous owner, it became contaminated. I would like to ask for your help in purifying it, or at least removing its corrosive properties."

"Ice Spirit Cold Spring? It is indeed, but this storage method was too careless. I'll handle this for you, but be prepared. Once it's purified, the remaining amount will be greatly reduced, probably enough to fill only two or three bottles."

Glancing at the jar before him, Fa Ma shook his head in regret.

If it had been any other day, seeing such a treasure contaminated would have made him curse loudly about the waste of resources.

But today, after the ordeal with Chen Guan, the Ice Spirit Cold Spring didn't seem as important anymore.

"I understand. Also, I will follow the alchemist's code. As payment, I offer this Spirit-Bearing Dust. I hope it can help you reach Tier 6 soon."

Fa Ma remained stoic, uninterested in the so-called reward. He just wanted the boy to leave.

However, upon hearing Chen Guan explain the benefits of the Spirit-Bearing Dust, Fa Ma's expression changed.

He was already at the peak of Tier 5, just a step away from Tier 6. With this dust, he was certain he could break through, achieving his long-held dream!

This reward was far too generous.

Purifying one jar of Ice Spirit Cold Spring, or even ten jars, couldn't compare to the value of the Spirit-Bearing Dust.

Fa Ma was deeply tempted. No alchemist below Tier 8 could remain calm in the face of such an offering!

Still, even in his excitement, Fa Ma kept his composure. Taking a deep breath, he asked, "Is this your gift, or the royal family's?"

If it was the latter, he would have to decline.

Thankfully, the boy who had angered him so much finally gave the answer he wanted to hear.

"It's from me, unrelated to the royal family."

Hearing this, Fa Ma sighed in relief.

He knew Chen Guan had connections to the royal family, though he wasn't sure how deep those ties ran. But from his close relationships with the two princesses, it was clear they were good friends.

Still, good friends were just that—friends. In the future, he could favor the royal family a bit in return for this favor, without violating his principles.

However, he still underestimated the complexity of the situation.

After giving the boy a deep look, Fa Ma decided to follow his heart.

"I'll accept the Spirit-Bearing Dust. Come by tomorrow afternoon to collect your purified Ice Spirit Cold Spring." He would remember this favor in his heart, no need to say it aloud.

(End of chapter)