Time was running out—less than an hour remained before the 12-hour mark, and Felix was still grappling with his decision. He muttered, "Alas, this is such a headache."He knew that if he did not complete the task within the next hour, his talent would forever be categorized as Supreme grade, and Heaven grade would be out of reach. Talent was a fixed trait, unchangeable by time or experience, so once determined, there would be no second chances."The gap between Heaven grade and Supreme grade is massive. Then again, becoming Heaven grade also means drawing a lot more attention," Felix thought.For ten hours, he had agonized over this, torn between the external threat of the Maximus family and the Grand Elder and the internal challenge of Harmony Clinic's resource restrictions. It was no wonder the choice felt impossible."Damn it! Sacrifices must be made," he murmured through gritted teeth, finally making up his mind. The resources provided to a Heaven-grade alchemist were simply
"Ma'am, I'm truly honored by your offer, and I'll never forget your kindness, but I've already sworn allegiance to a mentor. I'm afraid I must decline," Felix said with an apologetic bow.Delilah had expected as much. Felix's young age and his remarkable attainment of Physical Refinement Realm clearly indicated that he was not self-taught."It's fine," she replied with a smile. "Your mentor can't possibly be an expert in every field. The path of learning never ends, and truly talented individuals often have more than one mentor. I would only be guiding you in pill cultivation and nothing more."Before coming to Martial City, Gerald had mentioned that Felix could consider taking on a mentor for pill cultivation, as Gerald himself was not an expert in the field. However, Felix had too many unknowns to deal with right now and did not dare rush into such a commitment."I appreciate your understanding, ma'am," Felix said politely, bowing again.Delilah felt a pang of regret but decided
Felix panicked, wondering what the hell was happening. Before he faced any life-threatening dangers in Martial City, he was actually at risk of losing his dignity first.What made it worse was that the seductive middle-aged woman holding him in an iron grip was a Physical Refinement Realm martial artist, just like him. He would have to go all out if he wanted to resist, but could he risk that here?"Ma'am, what are you doing?" he protested. No matter how much he struggled, it was useless. Her hold on him was unshakable, leaving him completely immobilized."My, my!" Nellie Belmont chuckled, clearly amused. "You're an interesting one. Most men would kill for the chance to be with me, and here you are, acting scared. It's adorable, really—it's making me enjoy this even more.""Who is this crazy woman?" Felix thought, his frustration mounting. No matter how alluring she might be, there was no way he would allow himself to be caught up in this mess just because of his hormones."Ma'am,
Felix cursed internally, furious at the absurd situation he had landed in. No matter how carefully he had planned, he had never accounted for the irrational jealousy and arrogance of someone like this wealthy heir."Who doesn't have friends of the opposite gender?" Felix thought bitterly. He and Laura had maintained a noticeable distance while walking into the city, and their time together had been brief before splitting up at Harmony Clinic. Yet somehow, someone had decided to make it into a scandal."You've got it all wrong. Laura and I—" Felix began.Before he could finish, the young man cut him off sharply, "Save it! I have no time for your excuses! I, Jared Windson, have made it clear to everyone in North City that no man is allowed to even get close to Laura! And you dare break my rule? Take him away!"Two men grabbed Felix's arms, forcing him to remain still. Confused, Felix frowned. Weren't there rules about no fighting in the city?"Jared, right? I'm a member of Harmony
The unmistakable energy Felix sensed could not have been wrong. It was the Dragonspine, the final piece he had been searching for, and it was in Martial City.For a brief moment, he almost charged off to pursue it, but he forced himself to calm down. It might have been possible if he were alone, but right now, he was locked in a standoff with Jared. If he revealed his strength recklessly, Felix would have to abandon his Harmony Clinic identity and all the advantages that came with it. Worse, the Dragonspine's owner could be far more powerful than he anticipated. If he failed to take it, he would lose both the Dragonspine and his current foothold in the city.Weighing the pros and cons, Felix reluctantly decided to hold off. At least he now knew the Dragonspine was in Martial City, which meant there would be more opportunities to claim it in the future.Meanwhile, on the second floor of Harmony Clinic, Nellie stood by the window, arms crossed, watching the commotion outside with
Felix had heard about the Top Ten Menaces before from Laura. Those ten people represented the most powerful young talents in Martial City. They were each extraordinary in their own right."What are you going to do about Jared? He's definitely going to keep causing trouble for you," Laura said.He replied, "Don't worry about it. I'll handle it."…Upstairs, Natalie stepped out of the elevator. She was followed by two elderly men, who were bodyguards assigned by Harmony Clinic to protect her. Their presence alone spoke volumes about her status."Well, well! If it isn't my dear Nattie. What brings you back to North City? Do you miss me already?" Nellie greeted her with a sly smile. Natalie's eyes flashed with fear, and she instinctively took a step back. "Please stop joking around. I'd rather not hug you." Quickly, Natalie approached Delilah and greeted her respectfully, "Hello, Madam Goddard."For once, Delilah's face softened with a smile. "Are you having trouble again, littl
The metal roller shutter creaked open, and Felix stepped out of the storefront. Jared smirked upon seeing him. "Well, well, you're not stupid, after all. Coming out on your own saves me the trouble. I was about to make you experience some heat tonight."Not far away, someone stood holding a lit torch, leaving little doubt about their intentions."Jared, I don't believe you'd really dare to act so recklessly," Felix said.Jared sneered with disdain. "You really don't get it, do you? I've got an army of loyal men ready to die at my command. You, a nobody, wouldn't understand."While Martial City appeared to have strict rules, Felix quickly learned that those rules only bound ordinary people. Those with power and connections always found ways to evade them.Take arson, for instance. Jared's people could torch a building and have a scapegoat lined up to take the fall without any consequences."Laura and I are just friends. She already explained this to you, and I've said it more th
"Why are you still standing there? Get lost!" Felix said.Not daring to stay any longer, Jared bowed respectfully and retreated. He knew that staying would only lead to more humiliation."That slap made me like you even more," said Delilah, a smile spreading across her face. The more she looked at Felix, the more satisfied she felt. That decisive slap earlier had truly earned her favor.To her, his actions were akin to alchemy. He knew exactly what to do at every step, acting with precision instead of hesitation. Without such quick thinking and composure, one could never hope to master the art of alchemy at its highest level.Since she had already intervened, the initial two slaps clearly signaled that neither Jared nor his family were worth her time. With that assurance, Felix had no reason to fear or worry anymore."Thank you for coming, Madam Goddard. Please, come inside. I have something I'd like to discuss with you."Felix was well aware that Jared wouldn't let this go easil
Delilah said, "Your words have brought back memories. That old man is cunning and sly. While I don't consider him a real threat, removing him won't be a simple task. "He comes from the royal lineage and holds a high position as the general of the city's defense forces. His demise would not go unnoticed by the royal family." Felix was smart, but Delilah's tone hinted that there was more to the story. It seemed like she still had some limitations in Martial City, and there were certain individuals she couldn't risk angering."But don't worry," Delilah reassured. "I can easily transfer him out of North City to ensure your safety while you’re here." With that taken care of, Delilah got down to business. "I've already submitted your application for the Intermediate Alchemy Assessment. It will take place in five days at Harmony Clinic's headquarters. Unfortunately, I won't be able to accompany you. I made a promise to an old friend to refine some pills for him. Your presence has cau
Jeremy was known for his ruthless nature. With a flick of his hand, he sent an invisible force toward Mindy. She had no time to even scream before she collapsed in a pool of blood, her final sound unheard. Despite murdering his own family member, Jeremy acted as though it were no big deal and even managed to force a smile. "You can make one more request," he offered casually. Once again, Felix was reminded of the heartlessness of the inhabitants of Martial City. It was a place where strength equaled power. "Release Laura. From now on, she has no relation with the Larsson family."Jeremy waved his right hand again, and the ropes binding Laura snapped. She landed safely beside Felix. "Let's go," Felix said. With a deep exhale, Jeremy finally relaxed, only to come face-to-face with Jared. "Jeremy, I believe I'm owed an explanation, don't you think?" Jeremy narrowed his eyes at Jared. If this guy weren't the son of a high-ranking general in the city defense forces, he would ha
At that moment, Felix became aware of Jared's presence and realized the situation. Jared rose from his seat as well. "Felix, I had a feeling you'd show up to rescue Laura. "That's why I informed the head of the Larsson family beforehand, anticipating your attempt to deceive them by posing as Madam Goddard's disciple."Laura, who was in the process of getting hung, desperately wanted to say something. However, she had been silenced and could not utter a single word. The look in her eyes displayed a silent plea for Felix to leave as soon as possible and not to worry about her. If they both stayed, they would never be able to escape. However, Felix ignored her and remarked coldly, "So, you don't believe me?"Jeremy's eyes narrowed as if he were staring at something beneath him. "So today you're Madam Goddard's disciple," he scoffed. "What about tomorrow? Will another kid come along and claim to be Mr. Earnhart's disciple? And what about the day after that? It's absurd, and here
The locations of Harmony Clinic and the Larsson residence were in completely opposite directions. Jared speculated that at Felix's speed, there was no way he could make it to both places in time to save Laura. So, once Felix made his move, he was certain to go to the Larsson residence. To guarantee the success of this plan, Jared threatened one of Andrew's subordinates with life or death, forcing them to block all signals in the area surrounding Harmony Clinic.After all, Andrew held a high-ranking position in the city defense forces and had the power to make this happen. In Martial City, one of the four major cities under the rule of the royal family alongside Imperial City, various families held power and influence. However, they are all subordinate to the royal family, and their city defense forces are under their command.As time went by, in a courtyard belonging to the Larsson family in North City, Laura hung from a rope. Though she didn't show any visible signs of physical
It was clear to Felix that Laura was struggling to live within the Larsson family. Despite not sharing her troubles with him, he could sense her discomfort from the get-go. It was telling that she didn't even have skilled bodyguards by her side, especially considering the size and influence of the Larsson family in North City. It was unthinkable for them not to provide proper protection for their direct kin.Mindy said, "I am here to inform you that Laura has been confined to the water dungeon due to her involvement in an inappropriate relationship with a member of our household staff. She will face execution in 30 minutes. "If you have already had any relations with her, consider yourself fortunate. It is acknowledged that she possesses considerable physical attractiveness. However, if not, then it is indeed unfortunate for you."Mindy left without saying another word. Felix's expression became stern and disapproving. It was absurd to accuse Laura of having an affair with a me
Bern stood up and pointed a trembling finger at Felix. "No one stop me! I'm going to beat this little show-off into a pulp right now!"However, no one even attempted to stop him! Delilah was laughing wholeheartedly, and Natalie was dumbfounded.This was Felix's first time refining an intermediate pill; he not only succeeded in three attempts but also made six pills? It was so terrifying that it was hard to describe. Yet, throughout all this, he was more worried about the outcome."Sit down, Bernie! You know nothing at all! My disciple has high ambitions. And here I thought he was as easily satisfied as you!"Delilah's eyes sparkled with joy. This was indeed her beloved disciple. She was also surprised by the success rate of his first intermediate refinement."Felix, making six pills on your first try has already broken the record of the alchemists of Martial City! If you don't believe me, you can ask old Bernie here how many pills he had made on his first try."Bern calmed down,
"You truly hit the nail on the coffin, girl! Felix is a perfect match for you. If he doesn't get the Ice Dragon furnace, who else would?" Delilah exclaimed.Huh? A couple? Natalie's expression quickly changed. Her? Coupled with that pervert? That was absolutely impossible!"Alright, alright, Nattie. Since Delilah is asking for it for once, I cannot refuse. As for whether you get with him or not, that's for you youngins to decide. We won't care about the matchmaking," Bern said with a chuckle.Immediately, a silver-white furnace appeared. There were two dragons carved on each side—a total of four dragons. On the silver surface of the furnace, the dragons truly looked like they were real. "I've lifted the restrictions on it. Now, let's allow Felix to try." The smile on Delilah's face grew even wider. "Ah, you old man, you're still so kind. Let's wait until he comes out before letting him try it. He's refining the Breath Concealment pill currently."Bern nodded. "Alright. Then let
In the end, Delilah still chose not to hold a ceremony to accept him as a disciple. She knew that Felix was still harboring a secret, and although they were mentor-mentees, they still respected each other.She was very happy that they could acknowledge each other as mentor-mentees in public without having to hide it anymore. Soon, Felix went to the secret room in Harmony Clinic to try the intermediate refinement process for the first time. Meanwhile, Atlas had already contacted an elder of the family."Herbert, I just received news from the spy at Harmony Clinic. Felix Zeller had just been accepted as Delilah's disciple!"On the other end, Herbert wondered for a long time before replying, "This complicates things. If he was merely a genius at Harmony Clinic, your earlier assumptions would've been right. "But since Felix was accepted as Delilah's disciple, this is a little difficult to deal with! I can't guarantee anything—but two things are certain. First, Harmony Clinic will st
"Impressive! No wonder you're someone who practices Dragons Destroyer. If your family hadn't practiced it before, I would've been shocked by your terrifying martial arts talent. Haha! "This is just another benefit of having the true Dragonspine. Otherwise, how could you reach the Physical Refinement Realm so fast?" Atlas laughed.Felix shook his head again. "Is it necessary to say such things to comfort yourself? I can practice the Dragons Destroyer. I think that speaks for itself."Atlas's smile immediately vanished with those words. "Well, whether you want to or not, you'll come with me today! A mere Physical Refinement Realm martial artist means nothing to me!" "Alright, then let's see if you're able to make me go with you," Felix said as he stood up. The shutter door was pulled aside just as they were about to fight. "Two grown men with the door closed in broad daylight? What are you two doing in here?"Atlas turned around fiercely and was about to angrily spit out the wor