Female Protagonist Assistance System

Chapter 28 : . Intimidation En Route

After leaving the Magic Beast Mountain Range, Xiao Han didn't immediately take Gu Xun'er to the Tageer Desert. Instead, she first brought her to Black Rock City on the edge of the Magic Beast Mountain Range, where she helped her obtain a second-grade alchemist badge.

Gu Xun'er looked at the second-grade alchemist badge in her hand, feeling somewhat surreal.

A second-grade alchemist at seventeen years old astonished the people at the Alchemist Association. Gu Xun'er had essentially broken the Gamma Empire's record.

In the original story, Xiao Yan had only obtained his second-grade alchemist badge at nineteen after leaving the Magic Beast Mountain Range. Now, while Xiao Yan was still struggling in the Magic Beast Mountain Range, Gu Xun'er had already surpassed his record.

"What a frightening young one," Otto, the Vice President of the Alchemist Association, shook his head and sighed.

"To be able to teach such a young second-grade alchemist, I wonder what level her teacher is?"

"Surely not surpassing Gu He?"

Frank sighed, waving to a subordinate, who quickly stepped out of the hall. Moments later, he returned carrying a set of exquisite black robes on a jade tray.

"This is the special attire for second-grade alchemists. Before crafting, the material for these robes is soaked in a medicinal pool cultivated by the association. When the fabric's absorbed medicinal liquid contacts air, it gradually releases a peculiar scent. This scent keeps the wearer in a constant state of alertness. Moreover, under the stimulation of this scent, the wearer's skin becomes somewhat sensitive, making it easier for alchemists to control the fire when refining pills."

Taking the jade tray, Frank detailed the robe's functions: "Additionally, it has the ability to neutralize some poisons. Through the association's special crafting, these alchemist robes are much more durable than ordinary armor. If not for the high production cost making mass production impossible, the empire would have long ago requisitioned them for military equipment."

Xiao Han lazily glanced at the set of robes, belatedly remembering that she had a set of seventh-grade alchemist uniforms in her system space. Although those robes were also black, they had rather elaborate and ostentatious decorations. Xiao Han disliked them, so after receiving them, she had tossed them into her system space to gather dust.

However, though the clothes were overly ornate, their effects were indeed excellent.

Gu Xun'er accepted the robes, smiling and expressing her thanks.

"May I ask if you have some time? There are a few matters we'd like to discuss with you," Otto said.

Gu Xun'er instinctively looked to Xiao Han, seemingly wanting to hear her opinion.

Xiao Han said calmly: "It's up to you."

So, Gu Xun'er smiled faintly and said: "Then please, lead the way."

The two masters exchanged glances, both seeing relief in each other's eyes.

Leading Gu Xun'er and Xiao Han into a small conference room, Frank said: "Please, have a seat."

After the two sat down, Frank looked towards Xiao Han: "May I ask who this is...?"

Although Xiao Han had accompanied Gu Xun'er for the exam, she hadn't directly stated that she was Gu Xun'er's teacher. Gu Xun'er, focused on alchemy, hadn't introduced Xiao Han either. So for this mysterious person whose face couldn't be seen and whose strength was unknown, Frank and the others didn't dare hastily decide how to treat her.

"This is my teacher," Gu Xun'er introduced. "A seventh-grade alchemist."

Hearing this, the two were greatly shocked and hurriedly stood up: "So this esteemed one is actually..."

Xiao Han glanced at Gu Xun'er's flawless smile, immediately seeing through her mischievous nature that enjoyed watching others' reactions. Her mouth twitched slightly.

So her earlier words about making her own decision... had dug a pit for herself?

Or was this little girl always so fond of seizing every opportunity?

"Speak directly if you have something to say," Xiao Han said coldly, not denying it.

Seeing Xiao Han indirectly confirm her identity as a seventh-grade alchemist, Frank and Otto became even more respectful. Frank inwardly wished he could go back half an hour and strangle himself for saying that Gu Xun'er's teacher surely couldn't compare to Gu He.

Gu He was merely a fifth-grade alchemist, while the person before them was seventh-grade! Though it seemed only two grades apart, what it represented was far more than just a number!

Otherwise, Gu He wouldn't have been stuck at fifth-grade alchemist for a full ten years without advancing to sixth-grade!

A seventh-grade alchemist was incredibly esteemed even across the entire continent.

The previously relaxed atmosphere in the conference room instantly became tense. The President and Vice President of the Alchemist Association now sat upright, afraid of inadvertently offending this seventh-grade alchemist.

"It's like this. In half a year, this session's Alchemist Grand Meeting will be held in the capital. I thought, if you have time then, you might consider attending," Otto said.

Alchemist Grand Meeting? Gu Xun'er had never heard of it.

Seeing Gu Xun'er's confused expression, Frank continued: "This Alchemist Grand Meeting not only gathers many alchemists from the Gamma Empire, but even alchemists from other empires on the continent come to join in. It's a grand event in the Gamma Empire's alchemy world. It would be a pity to miss it."

"Oh?"

"If you decide to participate then, you can come find me and Frank at the Alchemist Headquarters in the capital. We'll both be there at that time," Otto smiled.

Gu Xun'er pondered for a moment before smiling and nodding, accepting their invitation: "Very well, if I have time, Xun'er will certainly come to join in."

Hearing them mention the Alchemist Grand Meeting, Xiao Han's ears perked up, lost in thought. If she guessed correctly, in the original story, Xiao Yan had also participated in this meeting and won first place, gaining extremely high prestige in the Gamma Empire.

[Does the host want to go?]

[What would I go for? I don't need to grab fortune. Let Gu Xun'er go.]

The system made an "oh" sound, somewhat disappointed. It really wanted to see its mighty and imposing host display her domineering aura, making the world submit.

Xiao Han: .........

What exactly had happened? Why had her system become such an unprincipled, chuunibyou sycophant?

The system expressed that being the host's sycophant would ultimately lead to having everything!

After bidding farewell to the people at the Alchemist Association, the master and disciple pair left.

Walking on the street, Gu Xun'er's black alchemist uniform made people on the street instinctively and carefully avoid her, afraid of colliding with the noble alchemist.

"Teacher, how are we going to the Tageer Desert? Are we walking?" Gu Xun'er asked somewhat uncertainly. Walking... wouldn't that be too far?

Xiao Han replied without turning her head: "Aerial transport."

Gu Xun'er understood.

After asking for directions, they walked for about ten minutes before finally seeing the aerial transport station standing in a spacious square.

In the vast square, more than a dozen large flying bird beasts were stationed.

These bird beasts were called Thick-winged Birds. They weren't magical beasts, but genuine flying birds with extremely gentle temperaments, making them the easiest for humans to tame. However, due to their limited numbers, usually only empires had the resources to establish such aerial transport teams.

Although these Thick-winged Birds' speed couldn't compare to other flying magical beasts, their endurance was extremely strong. After one full meal, they could fly steadily for nearly four to five days. Moreover, these birds had excellent load-bearing capabilities. A mature Thick-winged Bird could easily carry loads five to six times its own body weight for long-distance flights.

According to imperial rules, alchemists could enjoy the aerial transport service for free, and there were special flying mounts set aside for alchemists.

Once again marveling at the conveniences of being an alchemist, Gu Xun'er followed Xiao Han and a staff member to the flying mounts specifically prepared for alchemists.

Xiao Han only needed one glance to know the mount's name.

First-grade Wind-walking Bird, a magical beast with unremarkable strength but extremely swift flight speed.

On the back of the flying magical beast was a firmly constructed house made of special wood. This wood was extremely light yet sturdy, though somewhat rare in production.

Inside the house were several small rooms, two of which were already occupied, and those occupants also wore alchemist robes.

Choosing a room at random, the two sat opposite each other in silence and began to cultivate.

At this moment, there was an unexpected knock on the door.

Gu Xun'er slowly opened her eyes, blinking in confusion. But the knocking didn't stop. She pondered for a moment, glanced at Xiao Han who showed no reaction, then stood up and opened the door.

Standing at the door were two somewhat disheveled men. Seeing Gu Xun'er's exquisite beauty, both couldn't help but gasp, the desire in their eyes becoming increasingly undisguised.

Immediately noticing the nauseating desire in their eyes, Gu Xun'er frowned slightly. She quickly scanned the two, finding that one was a third-grade alchemist, while the other was a second-grade alchemist like herself.

"Is there something I can help you with?" Despite her inner disgust, Gu Xun'er maintained her gentle smile. Her time in the Magic Beast Mountain Range had honed her composure.

The third-grade alchemist's gaze shamelessly swept over Gu Xun'er's beautiful figure, making no attempt to hide his intentions: "Hello, miss. I'm Zhao Qi. I feel like we're kindred spirits at first sight. Seeing as it's a long journey, I thought I'd invite you to sit and chat for a while."

Gu Xun'er knew without thinking what these two were after. Her eyes cooled as she said: "I'm sorry, I don't have time."

Seeing Gu Xun'er's resolute attitude, the two exchanged glances but were unwilling to give up. The second-grade alchemist smiled and reached out towards Gu Xun'er: "Don't be so quick to refuse, little miss. We have plenty of good things here. Why don't you take a look first..."

Just as that hand was about to touch Gu Xun'er's shoulder, and she was about to dodge, a forceful energy suddenly came from behind her. The energy was extremely powerful, striking the two alchemists hard. Both cried out in pain, flying back like kites with cut strings and crashing heavily into the wall.

Gu Xun'er was slightly stunned, instinctively turning her head to look. She saw her teacher had appeared behind her at some point, emanating a cold aura.

Sweeping her gaze over the two men clutching their stomachs in agony, Xiao Han's eyes were like ice.

"Get lost!"

Her disciple was not something such scum could covet.

Gu Xun'er hadn't expected Xiao Han to intervene. She glanced at the two men, shook her head slightly, and closed the door.

The two alchemists looked at each other, both seeing shock and fear in the other's eyes.

The aura that person had just unleashed clearly far surpassed a Dou Wang!

"Could it be... a Dou Huang level expert...?"