Stepping into the Alchemist Association, a faint, pleasant aroma of medicinal herbs greeted him, making one feel refreshed and at ease. Inside the grand hall, there were not many people, only a handful quietly engaged in their own tasks. Hearing footsteps, a few lifted their heads, glancing briefly at the young man with an enormous black ruler nearly dragging on the ground. After a flicker of confusion, they returned to their tasks, not believing that anyone would dare cause trouble in the Alchemist Association.
Standing in the somewhat quiet hall, Xiao Yan shook his head helplessly. Just as he was about to ask someone about the procedure to obtain an alchemist rank badge, a woman in a light green dress hurriedly walked out from a back area and approached Xiao Yan briskly.
“Sir, you look unfamiliar. Is this your first time at our Black Rock City Alchemist Association?” The woman in the green dress smiled and asked after scanning him with her beautiful eyes.
“Mm.” Xiao Yan looked at the woman in front of him. Her clear eyes and bright smile were quite charming. “Yes, it’s my first time. I’m here to get an alchemist rank badge.”
“Oh? You are also an alchemist?” The green-dressed woman was clearly taken aback, her eyes scanning Xiao Yan, surprised.
“Mm, could you tell me the procedure?” Xiao Yan nodded with a smile, not minding the surprise in her eyes.
“Please follow me.” Seeing Xiao Yan confirm, the green-dressed woman was slightly surprised, her expression becoming more respectful. She stepped back a few paces, went to the counter, and smiled at Xiao Yan.
Taking out a weathered, ancient sheepskin scroll from the counter, the woman in the green dress elegantly held a pen and smiled at Xiao Yan. “Sir, please provide your name, age, and the name of your mentor. Ya Han needs to register you.”
“Xiao Yan, nineteen years old. My mentor… Elder Medicine.”
“You are truly accomplished for your age,” Ya Han said, slightly astonished at Xiao Yan’s age, though she managed to smile and compliment him.
Furrowing her brows, she paused with her pen. After a moment, she said a bit awkwardly, “Sir, your mentor’s name is not in our records.”
“He likes to stay hidden, so he isn’t recorded. Is that necessary? If so, I might as well give up.”
Shaking his head, Xiao Yan turned to leave, not expecting such a hassle.
“Sir, please wait,” Ya Han said quickly. “Even if your mentor isn’t in our records, you can still get the rank badge if you pass the assessment.”
Hearing this, Xiao Yan stopped and let out a sigh of relief, turning to smile at Ya Han. She quickly tidied up the table and took the registration form, then gestured to Xiao Yan. “Sir, please follow me. If you pass the assessment, you can get the rank badge. Hmm… Are you here to test for Rank One Alchemist?”
Looking through the materials, Ya Han asked casually with a smile.
“No, Rank Two,” Xiao Yan replied, shaking his head lightly.
Pausing mid-step, the sudden stop almost made Xiao Yan run into her, but he managed to stop in time. He looked at her with a puzzled expression.
“You want to test for Rank Two Alchemist?” Turning her head, Ya Han stared at Xiao Yan, her mouth slightly open in shock. At nineteen, testing for Rank Two Alchemist? This was unprecedented in the Alchemist Association of the Jia Ma Empire!
“Mm, is there a problem?” Xiao Yan nodded faintly.
“No… no,” Ya Han quickly shook her head, looking at Xiao Yan with even more respect. “Mr. Xiao Yan…”
“Just call me Xiao Yan,” he interrupted with a smile.
“Haha, alright.” Ya Han, who had spent some time in the Alchemist Association and met many important figures, dropped the formalities and continued with a smile. “You haven’t received a profession badge before, right?”
“Mm.”
“In that case, you need to start with the assessment for Rank One Alchemist. If you pass, you can proceed to Rank Two.”
Ya Han explained the process with a smile.
“Alright, let’s do it step by step,” Xiao Yan said, nodding helplessly.
Smiling, Ya Han slowed down, stopping in front of a large door. Four burly men, fully armed, stood guard outside.
Scanning the men’s chests, Xiao Yan felt a chill. These four were all Nine-Star Fighters, and one of them, with a steady and long breath, seemed to be close to advancing to Fighter level, given the occasional glint in his eyes.
“Uncle Temya, has the assessment started inside?” Ya Han handed Xiao Yan’s information to the strongest guard, smiling.
“Not yet, but soon. Bringing in a new one? Looks promising.”
The man, Temya, scanned Xiao Yan, surprised that he couldn’t discern the youth’s strength.
“Mm, alright, go in.” After carefully checking the registration form and stamp, Temya took out a black armband with the number five on it. “This is your candidate number. Don’t lose it.”
Taking the armband, Xiao Yan put it on and thanked Temya with a smile.
“Xiao Yan, you have to go in alone now. According to the rules, we cannot enter,” Ya Han said, once everything was in order.
“Thank you!” Nodding with a smile, Xiao Yan waved to the others and entered the door.
Inside, the spacious hall was lit as bright as day. Many people were gathered, whispering and laughing. Xiao Yan scanned their chests and was surprised to find most of them were real alchemists. Among them, he even found two Rank Four Alchemicians, one of whom was the master Otter he had seen earlier. The other was an old man, known to be the president of the Black Rock City Alchemist Association, Foklan.
In the center of the hall, several stone platforms were set up, each equipped with various alchemical tools. Seven young people stood impatiently on the platforms, including the girl Linfei.
“Foklan, where is Xue Mei? She hasn’t come out yet, and the assessment is about to start!” Otter checked the hourglass on the table and turned to the old man chatting with others.
“Don’t worry, this is Xue Mei’s first assessment. She needs to prepare thoroughly,” Foklan reassured him with a smile.
Otter pursed his lips. “Ten minutes left. If she doesn’t come out, even you, the president, can’t extend the waiting time.”
Smiling, Foklan turned, scanning the hall, and his eyes landed on Xiao Yan. “Young man, are you here for the alchemist assessment too?”
Excited by the sight of so many fellow alchemists, Xiao Yan nodded when asked by Foklan.
“Really?” Foklan’s eyes widened in surprise. “How old are you, young man?”
“Nineteen.”
“Hmm?” Both Foklan and Otter were surprised. “Nineteen? That’s younger than our disciples.”
“Let’s see if he passes first. Although it’s a bit harsh, Linfei also tested at nineteen, remember?” Otter shook his head, smiling. “I noticed something different about this young man. You’re an alchemist, but why didn’t I sense it? Normally, those weaker than me can’t hide their identity.”
Confused, Xiao Yan shook his head, hiding his knowledge. With Elder Medicine’s protection, Foklan couldn’t detect Xiao Yan’s true strength. Otter, seeing Xiao Yan’s confusion, stopped asking.
“Linfei almost blew up the furnace then,” Foklan said, laughing. “Don’t think I don’t know you gave Xue Mei extra training.”
Just as the two were talking, a cold, delicate voice rang out behind them. “Teacher, sorry, I’m late.”
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