Chapter 147: Overnight Unexpected Fame

Meanwhile, Long Feng was already on his way back, the library token in his hand and a smile on his face.

Since it was still afternoon, he decided to take care of a few things before returning to his residence.

As he walked along the mountain path, his gaze fell upon the badge attached to his chest. It was the badge of a fourth-rank alchemist.

’I’ve already become a Core Disciple, yet I’m still wearing this old badge. I should upgrade it.’ ℓ.

Although his cultivation and status within the sect had improved considerably, his alchemist rank had not changed. Since he had recently refined the Obsidian Scale Beast’s Flame, it was a good opportunity to advance his alchemist rank as well.

Thinking this, Long Feng quickened his pace toward Medicine Peak.

Unlike the other peaks specializing in combat, this place focused almost entirely on alchemy and spiritual herbs.

After walking for nearly fifteen minutes, a magnificent tower finally appeared before him.

It rose nearly twenty stories high. Its dark jade walls were engraved with countless ancient alchemical patterns, and a huge plaque hung above the entrance.

Alchemist Tower.

Although hundreds of disciples entered and exited the building every day, everyone maintained proper etiquette. After all, most people here were alchemists, who generally possessed calmer temperaments than ordinary cultivators.

Long Feng calmly entered the tower and walked toward the nearest registration desk.

Behind it sat a young female disciple wearing the robes of an Outer Disciple.

She had long, light-brown hair that fell gracefully over her shoulders, delicate features, and bright eyes. Her appearance was striking, and her slender figure made her stand out even among the many beautiful female disciples of the sect. Her name was Lin Yue.

Sensing someone approach, Lin Yue raised her head.

"Welcome to the Alchemist Tower. How may I help you, Senior Brother?"

Her voice was polite and gentle. Her gaze briefly fell upon Long Feng’s Core Disciple robes, and her attitude immediately became even more respectful.

Long Feng nodded. "I’d like to upgrade my alchemist rank to the fifth rank. What procedures do I need to complete?"

Lin Yue opened her mouth to answer, but the moment she clearly saw his face, her eyes widened.

She stared at him for several seconds, her expression changing from surprise to undisguised delight.

Long Feng frowned slightly.

’What is she looking at? Is there something on my face?’

He glanced down at his robes, but everything seemed normal.

Meanwhile, Lin Yue was practically bursting with excitement.

It was him!

The famous Long Feng!

She had heard countless stories about him over the past few days. He had won the Inner Disciple Ranking Tournament, defeated powerful opponents during the wilderness training, and recently become a Core Disciple under Elder Zixuan’s guidance.

He was practically a legend among the younger disciples now!

And she had actually encountered him in person!

"Senior Brother Long Feng!"

Her voice rose slightly with excitement.

Long Feng blinked.

"Yes?"

Lin Yue seemed to realize that she had been staring at him. Her cheeks reddened, but the excitement in her eyes remained.

Long Feng waited for her to continue. However, she simply kept looking at him.

He couldn’t help coughing lightly.

"Ahem. Junior Sister, I asked about the fifth-rank alchemist promotion."

"Ah!"

Lin Yue finally snapped out of her daze.

"I’m terribly sorry, Senior Brother! Please wait a moment. Promoting to the fifth rank requires an Inner Elder to examine the candidate. I’ll summon one immediately!"

Before Long Feng could reply, she hurriedly stood up and disappeared through a side entrance.

Long Feng watched her leave, somewhat bewildered.

’What a strange girl.’

He shook his head and waited patiently.

A few minutes later, Lin Yue returned with an elderly man wearing the robes of an Inner Elder. The moment Long Feng saw him, a flicker of surprise crossed his face.

He recognized this elder. It was one of the three elders who had led the disciples during the wilderness training.

The elder also recognized him immediately.

"Long Feng!"

His expression brightened, and he approached with a warm smile.

"Hahaha! I never expected to meet you here. How have you been since returning from the wilderness?"

Long Feng cupped his hands respectfully.

"Greetings, Elder. This disciple has been well."

The elder nodded, looking him over with obvious satisfaction.

"Good, good! I heard about your performance in the tournament and your subsequent advancement to the Core Disciple ranks. You’ve certainly given the sect plenty of surprises recently."

He paused, then introduced himself with a smile.

"My name is Elder Gao. I was responsible for leading one of the groups during your wilderness training. You may call me Elder Gao."

Long Feng nodded. He had not known the elder’s name previously, but he naturally remembered his face.

"Elder Gao, I came here hoping to upgrade my alchemist rank to the fifth rank."

"Your alchemist rank?"

Elder Gao glanced at the fourth-rank badge attached to Long Feng’s chest before breaking into laughter.

"Hahaha! There’s no need for you to take the examination."

Long Feng was taken aback.

"No examination?"

"That’s right. Elder Dong has already submitted the application for your fifth-rank alchemist badge. You can collect it tomorrow morning."

Long Feng stared at him for a moment.

Elder Gao smiled and continued, "Given your talent and the fact that Elder Dong has already vouched for you, there’s no need to put you through an ordinary examination. The application has already been approved."

Long Feng finally understood.

It seemed Elder Dong had taken care of this matter in advance.

He had been so busy with his cultivation and the refinement of his new flame that he hadn’t even thought about it.

"Then I’ll come tomorrow morning. Thank you, Elder Gao."

"It’s nothing. You deserve it."

Elder Gao waved his hand dismissively before suddenly looking at Long Feng with an amused expression.

"Speaking of which, you may not realize just how famous you’ve become in the sect. Almost everyone has heard your name by now."

Long Feng raised an eyebrow.

"Have I really become that famous?"

"Of course! You took first place in the Inner Disciple Ranking Tournament, performed exceptionally well during the wilderness training, and then advanced directly to the Core Disciple ranks. Even the elders have been discussing you."

Elder Gao chuckled and glanced toward Lin Yue, who was standing nearby and trying very hard to appear composed.

"And judging by our little receptionist’s reaction, you already have quite a few admirers among the disciples as well."

Lin Yue’s face turned bright red.

"Elder!"

She lowered her head, clearly embarrassed.

Long Feng finally understood.

He glanced at Lin Yue, who immediately looked away, then recalled the curious gazes he had encountered throughout the morning.

’So that’s why.’

No wonder so many people had been looking at him since he left his residence.

He had assumed they were merely curious about his Core Disciple robes, but it seemed his name and appearance had already spread throughout the sect.

Long Feng couldn’t help smiling wryly.

He had only wanted to cultivate quietly. Somehow, he had ended up becoming a well-known figure.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries with Elder Gao, Long Feng brought the conversation back to his original purpose.

"Elder Gao, I also came hoping to visit the Alchemist Tower’s library. I’d like to study some pill formulas."

"Ah, the library!"

Elder Gao nodded thoughtfully.

"Since you’re already a fourth-rank alchemist, you can access the corresponding section. However, the higher sections require special permission."

He glanced at Long Feng’s badge and added, "Don’t worry. I’ll have Lin Yue take you there. We keep several spare access keys at the reception, so she can help you enter the sections available to you."

Long Feng was about to explain that he already possessed a token given to him by Elder Zixuan, but seeing the elder’s goodwill, he decided not to refuse.

"Then I’ll trouble Junior Sister Lin."

Lin Yue’s eyes immediately brightened.

"Not at all, Senior Brother! Please follow me!"

She quickly retrieved a key from the counter and led him toward a corridor at the rear of the tower.

Elder Gao watched them leave with a satisfied smile before returning to his duties.

Meanwhile, Lin Yue walked beside Long Feng with noticeably lighter steps. She occasionally glanced at him, only to quickly look away whenever she realized he had noticed.

Long Feng pretended not to see it.

Soon, they arrived before a tall wooden door reinforced with dark metal. Several intricate formations had been engraved around its frame.

Lin Yue inserted the key into a small slot.

A faint ripple passed through the door, and the formations briefly illuminated before the entrance slowly opened.

"This is the section for fifth-rank alchemists, Senior Brother. You can enter through here."

Long Feng nodded and stepped inside.

The library was considerably larger than he had expected.

Two spacious halls were connected by a broad central passage, with tall shelves lining the walls from floor to ceiling. Each shelf was filled with jade slips and books containing pill formulas, medicinal properties, flame-control techniques, and the experiences of previous alchemists.

Several disciples were already browsing through the shelves.

Some sat at wooden tables, carefully studying ancient records, while others compared notes about different pill formulas.

Long Feng swept his gaze across the room.

’There really is a lot of material here.’

Although his knowledge of alchemy had reached the level of a peak seventh-rank alchemist through the system, there were still countless pill formulas he had never encountered.

His understanding of the principles was sufficient. What he lacked was a broader collection of formulas and practical references.

He walked toward a nearby shelf and selected a book containing the basic formulas for fifth-rank pills.