The Rise of a Master: It Starts With Rejection

After chatting a while longer and getting Felix's number, Janet left.

A few minutes later, Barry appeared. He entered cautiously. "Wow, this is one of Westville's high-end restaurants! A meal here costs at least 500 emeralds. You really know how to pick a place."

Felix laughed and said, "Come on! You're an Intermediate-grade alchemist now. Can't you afford this much?"

Barry gave a bitter smile. "Felix, I may have succeeded, but my pill-forming rate is low. So, I'm barely hanging on at Harmony Clinic. Do you think all Intermediate grades are doing well?

"Those of us with average talent spend most of our time making basic pills just to meet requirements, or we'd be kicked out."

Felix understood this well. As an Intermediate-grade alchemist, if he could not deliver the required monthly quota of intermediate pills, he had to make up for it with basic ones. If he failed a few times, he would be expelled from Harmony Clinic.

This created a vicious cycle. With low pill-forming rates, the alchemists had to spend an enormous amount of time cultivating basic pills, severely limiting time for intermediate ones. This meant little chance for improvement. It showed just how crucial natural talent was for alchemists.

"It should have been cause for celebration, but given my lack of talent, I asked my family not to make a big deal out of it. I've got to stay humble, you know?"

Changing the subject, Felix asked, "Do you know about Ghosttown?"

A flash of fear crossed Barry's face as he lowered his voice. "Yeah, it's a unique town in Martial City, located deep in the Silent Forest. The royal family has no control there. Only the most vicious people hang around there.

"Death is common, so normal people absolutely avoid that place."

Normal people? Felix felt helpless, yet he had to go there. According to Shepherd's information, the Skeletal Demon visited Ghosttown without fail every full moon, though nobody knew why. en

"So, are there no rules there? Are martial artists of all realms in danger? Or is there some limit?"

Barry thought for a moment before saying, "I've only heard stories, but they say even a master of the Transcendent Realm died there once. So, I guess anyone could be in danger. en

"Don't let your curiosity get the better of

to do with. That place has nothingnoveldrama

us. Only someone who's

not in their right mind would go there for no reason."

Felix then thought silently, "How dare you call me that!"

Just then, Barry's phone rang. He shot Felix an apologetic look and stepped away to answer. "Mom! What's wrong?"

Whatever he heard changed his expression instantly.

"That's impossible! Why would Dad break into the Xavier residence? That's punishable by death! Mom, are you sure? This isn't something to joke about."

Apparently confirmed, Barry rushed out in panic. He only said, "Sorry, Felix. Family emergency!"

All he could do now was rush out to find connections to help, or his father might lose his life at any moment.