Super Gene Optimization Fluid

time, Chieftain Juen came rushing in, most likely having been called by Joey, which only showed just how astute and sufficiently cautious the Imp was, for he did not call Xia Fei to be beaten the moment he heard what Master Lu said.

Master Lu’s face went frigid, and his attitude became prideful.
Not only did he disregard Xia Fei, he did not seem to show much care for Chieftain Juen, either.
Instead, it was Juen who showed a measure of respect to Master Lu, constantly trying to brownnose the man.

“Master Ah Fei, to think you’d become an accomplished apothecary despite your young age.
I wonder what business you are attending to have found yourself on our land?” Juen asked with a broad smile.

“It’s true that he is very young, but I think that his credentials as an apothecary is false,” Master Lu dropped a lukewarm comment from the side.

It was clear that Juen was in a fairly awkward spot.
His smile instantly froze, though Xia Fei thought nothing of the comment, simply treating Master Lu like air.
Xia Fei very casually answered, “I heard that this is a place that produces fire plums, and I happen to need a batch of them for my medicinal concoctions, which is why I’ve traveled all the way out here.”

Juen chortled.
“That’s right.
The fire plums are indeed our speciality.
In fact, that iced sour plum juice before you was made with fire plums, and it’s specifically used to entertain the noble guests that Flame Imps host.
Unfortunately, despite the fire plums being quality products, the rate of their production is far too low.”

Xia Fei’s eyebrows relaxed as he laughed along.
“Chieftain Juen, please don’t worry.
Since I especially made my way here to retrieve some fire plums, I will of course not just take them for free.
I’m more than happy to use my medical services to the best of my ability in exchange for the fire plums.”

Speaking of, the fire plums here were indeed very decent.
Anyone would think that they were heat-bearing fruits from their name, when actually they bore traits of gentle chill.
They even had an effect of detoxification and suppressing heat, so both Xia Fei and Seth felt a lot more refreshed after drinking that sour plum juice they had been served with.

Chieftain Juen and his military adviser, Joey, exchanged looks, whispering to each other for a while, seemingly having a serious discussion between the two of them.
The expression on their faces did seem like they were somewhat troubled.

That was when Master Lu, who had not said a word, suddenly posed a question, “Since you call yourself an apothecary, may I ask which family you studied with and what is their level?”

The art of apothecary had levels and inheritance, and with Master Lu asking such a question, Juen and Joey both turned toward Xia Fei as well, their eyes looking at him questioningly.

Xia Fei smiled.
“My master’s unnamed and I have no level.”

Juen instantly became somewhat vexed when he heard this.
It turned out that this newcomer was a wandering apothecary, who did not even have any level to speak of.
Being unwilling to provide his master’s name could only mean one thing, too: Xia Fei’s master was definitely someone who had not made a name for himself.

*Clap clap clap clap*

Master Lu began clapping wildly as he broke out into raucous laughter, turning to Juen and saying, “I told you: This man is nothing but a quack! He has no skill to speak of and just goes around to remote locations to deceive people.
Surely, the chieftain believes me now, right?”

Though Juen did not make any sound, it was apparent that his rage was building from the look in his eye.

However, Xia Fei was unfazed.
“Master Lu, why are you calling me a quack? Where’s your proof?”

“Hmph! An apothecary needs to spend decades gruellingly studying the profession, and at best, you’ll be a mere novice at your age.
To think that you dared to impersonate an apothecary master!” Master Lu slapped the table with great force as he made his case.

Xia Fei chuckled, taking exception to his statement.
“Only a fool will take decades of study, and there’s no guarantee one can become an apothecary even if they spend several decades practicing hard, either.
Master Lu, how could you make your case with just age? By your words, someone older will surely be an expert, right? Why is it that there are some who are never qualified to become apothecaries despite spending all their lives studying?

“Age is proof of how long someone lives, and it proves nothing else.”

Everyone was shocked.
Xia Fei’s words made sense.
Whether someone qualified as an apothecary or not could of course only be proven by their craft in the field of pharmacology; nobody should be judged by their looks alone.

Xia Fei had no intention of stopping right there, though.
Pausing for just a moment, he pressed on.
“Master Lu, since you claimed that I am a quack, may I ask who’s your master and what’s your level?”

Master Lu appeared all proud as he raised his two hands and solemnly replied, “My master is the Exiled Grounds’ God of Medicine, Chen Ziqiang! I am not as well-versed in the craft like my master and am just a level 2 apothecary.”

As soon as he finished introducing himself, Xia Fei reached out one hand and mockingly asked, “Show me.”

“Show you what?”

“A license that states you’re a level 2 apothecary.” Xia Fei smirked.

Master Lu’s face instantly turned purple as he defended himself.
“This here is Exiled Grounds, and there’s no Apothecary Association to speak of.
Why would I have a license?”

Xia Fei sniggered darkly.
“If you have no license, how can you call yourself a level 2 apothecary? Are you perhaps the quack yourself?”

*Bang*

Master Lu was beside himself with anger, kicking the small table set in front of him, causing the juice to splash onto the ground.
Those guards watching felt their hearts break witnessing this waste.

Xia Fei ignored the fuming Master Lu, turning toward Juen and saying, “Chieftain, we are in Exiled Grounds, so unless the apothecary in question has fled from the two peak races, no one will have any license to speak of, nor will they have any level.
Master Lu proclaimed himself to be a level 2 apothecary when he’s clearly just trying to fool you.”

Master Lu became even more unhappy upon hearing Xia Fei’s words, the veins on his forehead throbbing as he yelled, “My level has been given to me by my master, Chen Ziqiang, a personal evaluation from the master himself! You’re clearly disrespecting my elder with your words right now!”

“Your master can’t replace the Apothecary Association, so the fact of the matter is that you have no level to speak of.
Even the heavenly master Laozi can’t help you if you invoke his name,” Xia Fei crooked his head and said, tossing a peach right into his mouth to munch on, his disdainful attitude on full display.