Although the sun has not yet set on the horizon, the clouds high up started to gather hiding those golden rays which somehow began to give off the feeling of gloominess in the area. In a hidden room, a flickering candle can be seen in the middle where it is the only thing that illuminates the s.p.a.ce. In that place, a couple of people are gathered and some are hiding in the shadows while listening to the discussion that's happening between three people in the middle of the room. There are three young men sitting around a round table and two of them are familiar to s.h.i.+n Jiao. One is Xing Meng, the other is Xian Jian Feng, and the last is a half-masked youth wearing a dark green robe with a tinge of red in his collar and his head is covered in a black hood. The three seemed to have a tacit understanding and is working together to hatch a plan. After some small talks, they finally arrived at the main issue.

"So, how do you two propose we can get the recipe from senior Qin Lou? As it seems that the elders have decided to protect her all of a sudden." Xian Jian Feng asked.

"This is truly a headache, I didn't expect for that b.i.t.c.h to be able to make that kind of pill with an absurd effect. It even overshadowed my 'mind…' I mean 'heavenly touch pill'… anyway, I actually already have a plan. But this would require the help of some people as I don't know how strong really is senior Qin Lou, but I think two or three primary gold core experts can take care of her. Plus I have an ace in my sleeves so we already have a back-up plan." Xing Meng explained.

"Alright, I would volunteer to fight against her if necessary." The masked youth said as he signaled then two people from the shadows moved forward.

When Xing Meng and Xian Jian Feng saw these two, their eyes are filled with awe and disbelief. The two people in front of them are both famous for being a great fighter and at the same time they are known for their ruthlessness.

Then the three started laughing evilly, as they picture the scene where these two people defeat Qin Lou and their group would get the secret recipe for the rapid Haemostatic pill and would either earn many spiritual stones or gain fame and benefit.

Meanwhile, Qin Lou was pacing back and forth inside a large room. Hu Ao told her the situation and how important she would be in the future of the empire. Unknown to all, although Floating Lotus Alchemy School seems to be an independent school outside, the truth is that it is being backed by the imperial family. The current crown prince is the real powerhouse behind this school. So in every generation of the school, the current crown prince would always be its backing.

"I… never thought things would turn out this way. I hope he's doing fine out there. I should have talked to him before this and learn more about him. Now, I didn't have time to talk to him anymore. Please… I don't want him to leave yet…" Qin Lou said to herself as she felt anxious.

She knows that their meeting was something that fate has arranged and that if she didn't grab this opportunity she would probably lose a friend. Seeing his sincere and calming smile, she couldn't help have her heart skip a beat remembering his face. But she forcefully calmed herself down and shook her head. Then she softly patted her cheeks which is turning red under the white mask. But no matter how hard she tries to not think about s.h.i.+n Jiao, she would always remember the good things he taught and the good stuff he gave her. As she was in a stupor a frantic footstep suddenly appears outside her room.

Knock! Knock!

"Senior sister Lou! Are you in here?" a familiar female voice coming from outside the room broke her musing.

"Ah! Who… who's there?" Qin Lou asked as she felt a little annoyed.

"I'm sorry to interrupt you, senior sister… but can I come in first." The voice asked.

But not waiting for Qin Lou to answer the door was opened and a small figure quickly rushed inside and closed the door behind her. Her face had a trace of panic and anxiety in them as she put her ears on the door and tried to listen to the sound outside.

Qin Lou knew the girl, it is Susu Ling and her clothes seem a little disheveled with some tear all over them. It looks like she just had a fight with someone and was escaping with her life after being defeated.

"Junior sister Ling, what's happening?" Qin Lou became collected and immediately asked.

Susu Ling just looks at her and signaled for her to be quiet, and then she resumes and put her concentration in listening outside the door. After a while, feeling that everything is fine Susu Ling heave a sigh of relief and patted her chest.

"Oh, senior sister I almost forgot. There is some trouble; your mortal servant was taken by someone. I saw them grabbed him while he is walking in the market. At that time he was walking leisurely and then turned and enter an alleyway. I saw that this alley is dark and empty but I didn't know why he enters that alleyway, then after that 5 men suddenly nabbed him… I tried to stop them but before I could follow, I was blocked and have to fight just to escape." Susu Ling explained.

"What! This can't be happening! s.h.i.+n Jiao... this... It's all my fault, I must go... I... I need to save him. If only I didn't enter the alchemy contest then he wouldn't be in danger." Qin Lou's heartfelt frantic and guilty.

"Senior sister Lou, I don't believe that it's your fault so please calm down. And I don't want you to put yourself in danger, you can't go... I think I know what they are up to, but we can't face them by ourselves so we must ask the elders for help with this, okay? This is very dangerous for just the two of us." Susu Ling warned and suggested.

But in the eyes of Qin Lou, a resolute gleam can be seen. She had decided to save s.h.i.+n Jiao no matter what the cost is. The truth is, although she knows how the pill was created still there is a process that seems to be hidden and this process in her own opinion is the most crucial part in making the rapid Haemostatic Pill. So she decided to face her enemies if worst comes to worst she would just give them the recipe as long as s.h.i.+n Jiao can be saved.

"You don't have to worry about that junior sister. But I thank you for informing me of the situation. I promise to pay you back later if I have a chance." Qin Lou sincerely said as she gave Susu Ling a salute.

"No need, no need. But I must advise against this senior sister. I would tell the elders so that they can act and help you." Susu Ling insisted.

"We can't be sure if some of the elders are with that group. If you inform them there would be a risk on my friend's life being in danger so I can't take that chance."

"But… but…" Susu Ling wanted to say something but wasn't able to as she realized the situation.

Then as if deciding on something in her mind she clenched her fist and look at Qin Lou. "I... I won't let you face them alone... so... so... I will go and follow you. At most I can do is to help you fight off some of them." She said.

Qin Lou just nods her head, inside the mask a hint of grat.i.tude can be seen in her eyes.

The two girls immediately rushed out of the room after preparing what they needed for the fight. Surprising, Susu Ling actually has a spatial pouch which contains some weapons and talismans. The two quickly ran outside of the building where all the alchemy school elders are staying. Unknown to both of them, in another room there sat three old men leisurely drinking some tea.

"Master, what should we do? It's dangerous for her to be out there. I just can't understand why she would risk her life for a mere mortal boy." Hu Ao who is sitting opposite his master Lu Hao Duang asked.

"I think that mortal servant of her is not normal. There's something about him that makes me feel uneasy." The old man with a long beard said while he slowly stroke his beard.

This old man was the one who acted as the moderator of the alchemy contest and the one who would always check everything before the contest begins. His ident.i.ty is very special as in truth he is under the crown prince's command to officiate the alchemy contest. Though he is a formation expert he is also knowledgeable in alchemy but not as good as Hu Ao or Lu Hao Duang. This old man is commonly called as Master Ju by his close friends and outside he is known for his name as one of the ranking generals in the empire, the Huntsman General of the southern kingdom.

"I agree with Master Ju, the thing that confuses me the most is the way that mortal was able to set up a formation array under our noses. Truly baffling…" Lu Hao Duang said with a glint of curiosity in his eyes.

"Haha, I agree with Old Lu. I even scanned it twice but is unable to see the formation… Do you think it's an array disk?" Master Ju's eyes lit up as if discovering something.

"Are you sure Master Ju? But you're a formation master, how come you can't see it?" Hu Ao suddenly asked in amazement.

"I'm not sure. But when I checked the masked that little girl Qin Lou wears, I discovered a miniature rune and a concealment array. Her old master is a level below me in terms of formation arrays so I'm sure that thing didn't come from that old man." Master Ju said.

"Then we should help rescue that young mortal. Although he is just a mortal with his proficiency when it comes to formation arrays, he would be a great addition in our school." Hu Ao suggested with a smile on his face.

As an elder of the Floating Lotus Alchemy School, Hu Ao is one of those people who truly value talents. No matter if one is a mortal or a cultivator as long as one possesses the talent, he would help them grow and nurture. That's the reason why the alchemy school became famous for being a school that didn't just focus on their student's talents but also those from outside. Even the alchemy contest that they just held didn't require one to be a member of a school to join in.

"I agree with Hu Ao, but we must watch on the sideline and let the young ones sort things out. We'll just have to interfere if ever the lives of those three would be in danger." Master Ju said.

"How about the disciple of that haughty old master Kong?" Hu Ao suddenly asked.

"Ha! That boy thinks he is truly a genius. Tsk, tsk… Master Kong is truly blind. But I guess he is as always blinded by his own greed, sooner or later it would be his own doing." Lu Hao Duang exclaimed as he slowly took a sip of the hot tea.

…

Qin Lou and Susu Ling were running frantically at the spot where Susu Ling had a fight. After some time they arrived on the spot and saw that no one is there, so they tried to find some traces as to where those people went. Not long after that, Qin Lou discovered some clue and they followed it.

Inside an old house, s.h.i.+n Jiao is sitting on a chair with his hands and feet tied tightly, his head is still covered with an old sack which smelled like rotten things have been in there for a long time. This would make him throw up if he is a normal person, but since he is acting like a weak prey he acted the part perfectly. Like a coward, he trembled and constantly gags as he couldn't hold the smell anymore.

"What should we do with this mortal?" one of the men asked.

"I think we don't need him anymore, we should just waste him and be done with it. No matter what I don't think that the girl would suffer to give us what we need just to save a life of a mere mortal." another one said as he licks his tongue and a murderous look in his eyes appear while looking at s.h.i.+n Jiao.

"Shut up! Do you want us to get into trouble? The young master clearly instructed us to keep him in here and wait for instructions." one of them who seem to be big and burly and acted like their leader reprimanded the others.

Then all of a sudden in the pocket of the big and burly guy, a small talisman suddenly started glowing. So he took it out and read the words that seem to start appearing in the blank pages.

'We as currently negotiating and is in no more need of the hostage. Get rid of him now.'

These are the words that began to appear in the paper. After the burly man read it, he suddenly had a wide grin on his face. And he looks at s.h.i.+n Jiao as if looking at someone who is already dead, and his eyes are showing fake sympathy and scorn.

He then nods his head towards the other young man, he was the one who is itching to get rid of s.h.i.+n Jiao. Seeing that the leader had already agreed for him to dispatch s.h.i.+n Jiao, the man enthusiastically walks to s.h.i.+n Jiao.

"Mortal trash, I think you've overstayed your welcome. It's time for you to depart, in your second life try to be stronger and pray for your luck to not be a mortal anymore. Haha!" the guy said as he lifted s.h.i.+n Jiao with one hand and drags him towards the back of the old house.

"Please don't! Immortal master, I am good at anything. Please don't kill me." s.h.i.+n Jiao begged as he was carried like a tied up meat ready for slaughtering.

...

Qin Lou and Susu Ling after searching for a while found themselves surrounded by a couple of people wearing a black leather cloak. Then Qin Lou saw someone she recognized, this person seem to not fear his ident.i.ty being exposed as he walks towards the two nonchalantly.

"h.e.l.lo, senior Lou. Nice seeing you again."

"You are... Xing Meng!" Qin Lou exclaimed as she saw the haughty expression of the person in front of her.