"Uncle, I'd advise you—don't judge people at a glance. How do you know I'm not a First-rank Alchemist?"
Jiang Chen's brows furrowed slightly, his calm tone carrying a sharp edge.
"My dog looks down on people?"
The middle-aged man laughed in fury, his face darkening."You claim you're a First-rank Alchemist? Fine—show me your alchemy badge."
"The alchemy badge you mean…" Jiang Chen's gaze swept over the copper badge on the man's chest, his voice faint and unconcerned. "...That little thing you're wearing with two stars?"
"Yes!" The man lifted his chin slightly. "Only those who pass the Alchemist Guild's assessment can earn a badge. Without it, you're nothing but a pretender"
Boy, if you can show me an alchemist badge—don't just talk about joining Baodan Pavilion—I'll hand over my own position as Chief Alchemist to you!"
His tone was scornful, full of mockery.
Laughter broke out across the shop.
"Hahaha! This kid doesn't even have a badge but wants to apply at Baodan Pavilion? What a joke!"
"Zhu Danshi is being too polite. If it were me, I'd have already thrown him out."
"Does he think pretending to be an alchemist will get him somewhere?"
Jiang Chen's words had drawn the attention of the other customers, and they mocked him freely.
"An alchemy badge?" Jiang Chen shrugged lightly, unconcerned by their ridicule. "You're right. I don't have one of those."
The crowd sneered.
"But looking at your badge… two stars. That makes you a Second-rank Alchemist, doesn't it?"
The middle-aged man puffed up proudly."That's right. I am Zhu Mingyuan, Chief Alchemist of Baodan Pavilion—a Second-rank Alchemist."
"Oh? Second-rank?"
Jiang Chen's voice dripped with disdain."Decades of study… and you've only reached Second-rank? That's really not much to brag about."
"WHAT?!"
The room froze.
Everyone turned to stare at Jiang Chen like he'd lost his mind.
Even in the entire Lingyun Prefecture, Second-rank Alchemists were rare.And Zhu Mingyuan wasn't just a Second-rank Alchemist—he was the Chief Alchemist of Baodan Pavilion, a man of status and skill whose name carried weight across Lingyun City.
Yet this brat, who didn't even have an alchemy badge, had the audacity to call him trash.
"Boy… what did you just say?"
Zhu Mingyuan's voice grew low and icy, his killing intent barely restrained.
"A brat with no alchemist badge dares to insult me? You've got guts."
He stepped closer, glaring down at Jiang Chen."I'll give you ten breaths. Get out of Baodan Pavilion, or I'll make sure you crawl out!"
Jiang Chen tilted his head lazily.
"Decades… for Second-rank." His lips curled into a mocking smile. "Even if I don't have a rank, I'm still better than you."
"YOU LITTLE BASTARD—!"
Zhu Mingyuan's qi flared, and he roared:"Guards! Throw this arrogant brat out!"
"Hold it!"
Before the guards could act, a hurried voice cut through the tension.
Everyone turned their heads—
A slightly chubby young man in fine robes strode in with an air of casual authority.
Jiang Chen blinked in surprise.
Him? Why is he here?