As Frank and Otto gaped in amazement, the throats of everyone in the hall involuntarily gulped. Seeing the two’s expressions, it was clear that the young man had passed the second-grade assessment.
“Such a terrifying fellow…” Everyone looked at each other, sighing inwardly. A nineteen-year-old second-grade alchemist—this must be a new record for the Jia Ma Empire, right?
“This guy… actually succeeded? He’s already at the level of a Fighter at nineteen? How is that possible!” Lin Fei, with her lips slightly parted, muttered in astonishment.
Beside her, Xue Mei nodded faintly. This guy was too abnormal, wasn’t he? Watching the shocked faces of the people in the hall, Frank and Otto exchanged a bitter smile. Having closely observed Xiao Yan’s pill refining, they couldn’t help but be amazed by his natural talent.
Although it was Xiao Yan’s first time refining the pill for the assessment, his outstanding control over the heat was no less than any true second-grade alchemist. Moreover, his precision in extracting the essence of various medicinal herbs during the process was remarkable. If a second-grade alchemist with rich experience had such a performance, Frank and Otto would not have been so surprised. But the person before them was only nineteen years old…
When they were at that age, they were just beginning to learn how to identify medicinal herbs under their mentors’ guidance.
“Such a disheartening fellow… Now I’m even more curious about which master could teach such an outstanding student?” Frank said with a bitter smile.
“Indeed, although this little guy has excellent talent in alchemy, even the finest jade needs to be carved carefully to become a great work. His mysterious mentor is truly impressive. At least, if either of us were to teach Xiao Yan, we certainly wouldn’t achieve such results,” Otto admitted.
“However, his purple flame is not an anomalous fire. Although it’s much stronger than ordinary flames, it doesn’t have the overwhelming and eerie power of an anomalous fire.” Frank recalled Xiao Yan’s alchemy, frowning slightly with a hint of confusion.
“Hehe, indeed, it doesn’t seem like an anomalous fire. But that’s nothing special. The Dou Qi continent is full of strange and miraculous things. There are always some amazing things that remain undiscovered. Although that purple flame is quite strong, it’s only slightly stronger than the fighting qi flames of other alchemists. Compared to an anomalous fire, it’s far from being comparable,” Otto said with a smile.
“Yeah,” Frank nodded, turning to look inside the room and said, “Little guy, when you’re done packing, come out.”
As Frank’s words fell, Xiao Yan slowly walked out of the room, gently patting off some medicinal powder from his simple clothes. His gaze swept over the faces of the people in the hall, smiling slightly.
Seeing Xiao Yan, the alchemists in the hall responded with kind smiles. Though their status in Hei Yan City was almost at the top, anyone who saw them had to respectfully greet them. However, the alchemical talent displayed by the young man made them show no trace of arrogance. After all, one day, this young man might become an alchemist even greater than Frank and Otto.
Seeing Xiao Yan, Frank waved to one of his subordinates, who hurried out of the hall. Moments later, he returned, carrying a set of exquisite black robes on a jade tray.
“These are the special robes for a second-grade alchemist. Before they are made, the material is soaked in the medicinal pool cultivated by the guild. So, don’t underestimate them. When worn, the medicinal liquid in the fabric will gradually emit a strange scent when it comes into contact with the air. This scent keeps the wearer alert. Additionally, under the stimulation of this scent, the skin becomes more sensitive, making it easier for the alchemist to control the heat while refining pills. It also has the function of immunity to certain poisons. Furthermore, due to the guild’s special manufacturing process, these alchemist robes have a defensive power that surpasses ordinary armor. If not for the high cost, they would have long been mass-produced for military use,” Frank explained with a proud smile, detailing the functions of the robe.
Hearing Frank’s explanation, Xiao Yan was somewhat stunned. He hadn’t expected such a seemingly luxurious robe to have so many desirable functions.
“No wonder many alchemists like to join the Alchemist Guild. These benefits are truly tempting…”
Taking the exquisite black robe, Xiao Yan noticed a badge of an alchemist on the chest. On the badge, there was an ancient-looking medicine cauldron with two mercury-like waves that seemed to move continuously.
As Xiao Yan’s hand brushed over the smooth black robe, the soft texture felt like the tender skin of a woman.
“Tsk tsk… Alchemists truly are the most noble profession on the Dou Qi continent. Just this robe alone must cost at least ten thousand gold coins.”
Xiao Yan, enchanted by the robe, removed his plain outer garment and put on the black robe. Immediately, the skin covered by the robe felt cool and comfortable, and a faint, pleasant fragrance entered his nose, invigorating his slightly tired spirit.
After nearly a year of arduous training, Xiao Yan’s physique had become slender. Although his face still looked a bit gaunt, wearing this well-fitted black robe gave him a graceful appearance, hiding the last remnants of youth on his face.
Seeing Xiao Yan, now transformed by the alchemist robe, Frank and Otto smiled and nodded, clearly satisfied with his current appearance.
In the hall, Xue Mei and Lin Fei, who had been watching Xiao Yan, also showed a hint of surprise at his transformation. Their eyes lingered on his smiling face a little longer.
“Good…” Experiencing the benefits of the alchemist robe, Xiao Yan praised it, nodding.
Seeing Xiao Yan’s satisfaction, Frank smiled. The influence of an alchemist was immense. To gather these powerful, noble professionals, the Alchemist Guild had indeed put in a lot of effort.
“Alright, the assessment is over. Everyone, you may leave now,” Frank said, turning to Xiao Yan. “Do you have some time? If so, I think we can have a chat.”
Xiao Yan smiled and nodded. “Sure, I actually have something to ask for the President’s help.”
“Haha, Xue Mei, Lin Fei, you and the other youngsters who passed the assessment go get your first-grade alchemist badges and robes. We have some business to attend to, so we won’t be joining you,” Frank said, smiling at Xue Mei and glancing at Otto. Then, they led the way out of the hall.
Faced with the obvious difference in treatment, Lin Fei could only nod reluctantly, then stick her tongue out at Frank’s back, muttering, “Partial!”
“Come on, stop complaining. He has the qualifications to be favored. If you’re not convinced, go take the second-grade alchemist assessment right away,” Xue Mei laughed as she headed out of the hall.
“Hmph, what’s so special about him anyway?” Lin Fei huffed, following after, though her words lacked confidence. She had barely managed the first-grade assessment; the second-grade seemed impossible.
In the tidy study, Frank smiled at Xiao Yan. Taking a seat, Xiao Yan cut straight to the chase. “Masters, ask away. As long as it doesn’t touch my bottom line, I won’t hide anything.”
Xiao Yan’s eyes flashed with a mischievous glint, indicating that the bottom line was entirely up to him.
“Haha, such a cunning and cautious little guy.” Frank shook his head, having lived long enough to understand Xiao Yan’s words. “Since you’ve registered with the guild, we need to fulfill some formalities. Hmm… the information you provided about your mentor seems a bit off. I don’t recall any alchemist master named ‘Pharmacist Elder’ in the Jia Ma Empire.”
Flipping through the registration form, Frank asked, “Sorry, my teacher told me not to reveal his information. But he has never been recorded in the guild,” Xiao Yan replied, shrugging.
Frank and Otto both shook their heads, realizing it was unlikely to get any information about his teacher from him.
“Alright, since you don’t want to say, we won’t push you. There are indeed some hidden strongmen in the Jia Ma Empire who prefer to remain unknown.” Otto sighed, then asked, “One last question: about that purple flame you control… you know it’s not an anomalous fire, right?”
“Hehe, if it were, that would be great,” Xiao Yan chuckled, half-truthfully. “I got this purple flame by chance from the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King. Don’t ask how exactly. I met it by chance in the Magic Beast Mountains, and it just spit fire at me for no reason. If I didn’t have some means to protect myself, I might have been burned alive. Later, I discovered the purple flame in my body.”
“Purple Crystal Winged Lion King?” Frank and Otto were taken aback, then nodded. “No wonder… That’s why the purple flame looks a bit wild. You are indeed lucky to have gotten it. Many alchemists tried to get its flame, but all failed.”
“Sigh, forget it. You haven’t revealed any useful information,” Frank waved, sighing. “What do you need? Let’s hear it.”
“Hey hey.” Xiao Yan grinned, licking his lips. His gaze fixed on the two, he said softly, “I need something. Can you help me find out if any other alchemist has it?”
“What is it?”
“Ice Spirit Cold Spring!”
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