The Rise of the Fallen Prodigy

"Hehe, kid, you've got a conscience," Alistair said, sounding a bit pleased.

"Of course. There has to be an order in apprenticeship, right? Even if a disciple desires the art of refining elixirs, he couldn't possibly do such a thing as betraying his master," Liam Smith said with a sense of righteousness.

"Good, good. After knowing you for so long, today you finally said something sensible."

Liam Smith's face fell. Did that mean all the other things he'd said before were nonsense?

After a moment of silence, Alistair said earnestly, "Kid, actually, even if you were to apprentice with that old man, the master wouldn't blame you. The art of refining elixirs is a secret method that thousands of people desire. If you could really achieve something in it, the master would be happy for you."

"I understand, Master," Liam Smith said solemnly.

In fact, Liam Smith also knew that as long as it was beneficial to him, Alistair would unconditionally support him. This was a truth he'd learned during his time with Alistair. Although the two often bickered, in Liam Smith's heart, Alistair held a unique position.

Not to mention Aldrich, even if someone with higher cultivation than Alistair were to stand in front of him and ask to take him as a disciple, he still wouldn't agree.

After being stunned for a while, Aldrich slowly came to his senses, but his face was still filled with shock. He asked, "You... just said... what?"

"Please forgive me, Master Mu. I really have no intention of taking an apprenticeship," Liam Smith said, making a bow.

"Whoa." After clearly hearing Liam Smith's words, there was a collective gasp in the hall.

"Is he crazy? He actually rejected Master Mu?"

"Could he have gone crazy from cultivation? Others are scrambling for this kind of good opportunity, but he actually disagrees?"

"Not only does he disagree, but he also acts so casually?"

"..."

Theodore Smith also didn't expect that Liam Smith would say no. He became a bit anxious and asked, "Liam Smith, are you okay? This is your chance."

"Yeah, kid. You need to think carefully before you speak," Xander said, sounding a bit worried.

The smile on Caspian Smith's face in the main seat had completely disappeared. His face turned serious as he said, "Liam Smith, you need to think this through."

"I've already thought it through," Liam Smith said indifferently.

"Liam Smith, do you know how many people begged to be my disciple, but I didn't agree?" Aldrich said coldly.

"Of course I know, Master. But as I said, I currently have no intention of taking an apprenticeship. Please don't blame me, Master Mu."

"Hmph, do you think that just because your talent has returned, you can look down on Master Mu?" Nathaniel Smith said, eager to stir up trouble.

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's nerves were on edge.

If what Nathaniel Smith said was true, then today the Smith family would surely offend Aldrich because of this. At that time, the situation would be extremely harmful to the Smith family.

Caspian Smith's face was a bit solemn as he tried to persuade Liam Smith, "Liam Smith, why don't you consider it again?"

"Yeah, Liam Smith. Quickly tell everyone you're just joking," Theodore Smith could no longer sit still. He quickly got up and came to Liam Smith's side to persuade him.

"Grandpa, I'm not joking."

"You..." Theodore Smith was left speechless.

He knew Liam Smith's personality very well. Once he made up his mind about something, not even nine oxen could pull him back.

Aldrich's face looked a bit unpleasant, and his tone turned colder, "Do you think I'm not qualified to be your master?"

Liam Smith clasped his fists and bowed, "Master Mu, you're overthinking. I'm afraid I'll bring shame to you, Master."

"How could that be?" Aldrich's face softened a bit. "With your talent and Soul Power, you're definitely going to shine in the art of refining elixirs."

"Master, you don't understand. I'm afraid that my talent might disappear again at any time. Then wouldn't I become a burden to you, Master? It doesn't matter if I'm laughed at, but if I implicate your reputation, I would be guilty beyond redemption," Liam Smith explained.

Apparently, Liam Smith's words caught Aldrich's attention. He furrowed his brows and fell into deep thought.

Just when Liam Smith thought the matter was about to end, Aldrich suddenly laughed and said, "The unprecedented return of talent has happened to you, which proves that you're different from ordinary people. Even if your talent disappears again in the future, I won't regret it. Now, just tell me whether you're willing or not."

Liam Smith was a bit frustrated. He didn't know if Aldrich was really stupid or just persistent. He had made it so clear that he wasn't willing. Just because his words were a bit more tactful, Aldrich really thought that was the reason he didn't want to apprentice.

Just when Liam Smith didn't know how to answer, Alistair's voice rang out in his mind again, "Kid, I think you'd better agree. Otherwise, not only will you offend him, but you might not be able to stand in the Silvermoon Valley in the future. The elders of the Smith family won't let you off either."

"Is it that serious? I just don't want to be his disciple."

"Hehe, pharmacists are arrogant. If you reject him in public, it will be worse than slapping him in the face. Think about it."

"Then what should I do?" Liam Smith was a bit helpless. "I never thought that having extraordinary talent and powerful Soul Power could also be a mistake."

"Kid, stop pretending. I don't care, so why should you? Besides, becoming a pharmacist is your own dream, right? In the future, he can teach you the art of refining elixirs, and I can teach you the methods of martial arts cultivation. It's not a problem, right?"

Liam Smith casually glanced at Aldrich's face. After thinking for a while, he still felt that he couldn't let Alistair down.

Some things Alistair could say, but he still had to do what he thought was right.

He looked embarrassed and said, "Master Mu, there are many people with outstanding talents in the Silvermoon Valley. Why don't you look around more before making a decision?"

"No need to look anymore. I've taken a fancy to you," Aldrich said, his face changing slightly as he waved his hand.

"But I really don't dare to climb up to you, Master," Liam Smith said.

"So, you're still not agreeing?" Aldrich's voice turned cold.

"It's not that I don't want to, Master. I just don't dare to, for fear of ruining your reputation," Liam Smith said.

Aldrich snorted coldly, "After all that, you still don't want to be my disciple. Are you still brooding over the fact that I left alone five years ago?"

Liam Smith didn't know why Aldrich suddenly said such a thing. He had never blamed him, and there was no proper reason to blame him either. He wasn't such a petty person.

"I've never dared to blame you, Master," Liam Smith said.

The more Liam Smith said this, the more Aldrich felt that Liam Smith was angry with him for what happened five years ago.

After a moment of silence, Aldrich suddenly made a move that surprised everyone.

He clasped his fists and bowed slightly to Liam Smith, saying, "If you're angry about what happened five years ago, then I apologize to you here."

"This won't do," Liam Smith said, not daring to be disrespectful. He quickly returned the bow with respect.

He had originally thought that Aldrich would say some harsh words, but he never expected such a move. This made Liam Smith a bit caught off guard.

"Master Mu, you're embarrassing Liam Smith," Caspian Smith said, also a bit surprised.

Aldrich seemed not to have heard Caspian Smith's words. He then said to Liam Smith, "Now, can you agree to be my disciple?"

"It would be an honor for me to be your disciple, Master Mu. But..."

"But what?" Aldrich suddenly thought of a possibility and asked, "Could it be that you already have a master?"

Liam Smith indeed had a master, Alistair. But this was obviously something that couldn't be known to a second person.

He shook his head and said, "I don't have a master."

"Then what's the problem? Since you don't have a master yet, what's wrong with apprenticing with me?"

"It's not like what you think, Master..."

Liam Smith was completely at a loss. He was rejecting because he already had a master, but at this moment, he couldn't say it clearly and couldn't find a proper reason to reject. He felt like his head was about to explode.

Aldrich had already made his attitude clear. Even if Liam Smith's talent disappeared again, he wouldn't regret it. His determination to take Liam Smith as a disciple was truly visible to the heavens.

For Liam Smith, if Aldrich really used force, he would rather offend him than agree.

But now, it was this dignified fourth Class Pharmacist "begging" him. Liam Smith was the type who was soft - hearted rather than tough. This made it a bit hard for him to refuse.

It seemed that seeing Liam Smith was a bit wavering, Aldrich continued to push harder. He pretended to be sad and said, "I've dedicated my life to the art of refining elixirs. I'm already on the verge of death, but I don't have a disciple to pass on the art of refining elixirs. I won't be able to rest in peace even if I die."

"Damn, am I seeing things?" Liam Smith opened his mouth wide and looked at Aldrich in front of him in disbelief.

Even if he really wanted to take him as a disciple, did he have to go this far? Was this complaining to him?

The people around were even more shocked. They never expected that the always - lofty Master Mu, Aldrich, would "come to such a state". Everyone was stunned.

Seeing Liam Smith's reluctant look, Aldrich said, "How about we discuss it?"

"What to discuss?" Liam Smith asked.

"Let's not have an apprenticeship ceremony. From now on, I'll be your honorary master. How about that?" Aldrich said, looking expectantly.

"Honorary master?" Liam Smith had only heard of honorary disciples before and had never heard of an honorary master.

But one thing was certain. Aldrich really went all out to take him as a disciple. He was completely lowering his status and had no regard for his image.

When the four attendants following him heard that Aldrich wanted to be an honorary master, they immediately expressed their disagreement. They quickly stood up and said, "Master, no!"

Aldrich ignored the persuasion of the four attendants. From beginning to end, his eyes were fixed on Liam Smith. He smiled and asked, "Liam Smith, what do you think? As long as you think I'm not a competent master in the future, you can leave immediately. I won't say another word."

"This guy has no bottom line," Liam Smith thought to himself.

At this time, Alistair's voice rang out again.

After talking with him for a few words, Liam Smith finally had an idea.