20: Chapter 20: Assessment of a Rank 3 Alchemist

Early morning, in front of the Alchemist Guild in Blackrock City.

"What is this thing? Is there absolutely no sense of aesthetics here?"

Xiao Yan gazed at the uniquely shaped building and couldn't help but complain.

The Alchemist Guild building resembled a giant Medicine Cauldron. The surroundings were also designed to mimic a cauldron, with windows set up like the fire vents of a Medicine Cauldron, and a massive cauldron lid on the roof covering the room.

Walking to the entrance, he was stopped by two burly guards.

"Little brother, this is the Alchemist Guild. You want to go in? Do you have an introduction letter from your instructor?"

"An introduction letter? I don't have one, but this should be enough to prove my identity as an Alchemist, right?" Xiao Yan said, turning his palm upward. A cluster of tangible purple flames suddenly appeared in his palm, flickering.

"Condensing tangible fire? A Fourth-Rank Alchemist?"

Shocked voices emerged from both of them simultaneously. With the experience gained from frequently guarding the Alchemist Guild, they naturally knew that one had to be at least a Fourth-Rank Alchemist to condense tangible fire.

"Can I go in now?" Xiao Yan looked at their expressions and said with a chuckle.

"Yes, yes, of course, Milord, please come in." The two hurriedly said, their shock mixed with fawning smiles.

Xiao Yan nodded and slowly walked into the uniquely shaped Alchemist Guild.

A faint medicinal fragrance wafted toward him. Shortly after, a woman dressed in light cyan robes saw Xiao Yan and walked briskly toward him.

"Sir, you look unfamiliar. Is this your first time at our Alchemist Guild in Blackrock City?" the woman asked with a smile.

"I'm here to be assessed for an Alchemist Rank. What is the procedure?" Xiao Yan said casually.

The woman in cyan was slightly taken aback, then said with a touch of respect, "Please, come this way."

"Sir, please state your name and age. Also, the name of your instructor; Ya Han needs to register it for you."

"Xiao Yan, seventeen years old. My instructor is Yao Lao, but he hasn't registered in the Jia Ma Empire, so you probably haven't heard of him," Xiao Yan said.

"Seventeen! Sir, you are truly young and promising." Hearing Xiao Yan's age, the woman named Ya Han exclaimed.

Ya Han took the registration form and smiled at Xiao Yan, "Sir, please follow me. If you pass the Alchemist assessment, you will be able to receive your Rank badge... Sir, you are here to be assessed as a First-Rank Alchemist, right?"

"No, Third-Rank." Xiao Yan shook his head and once again manifested tangible flames in his hand.

"Th-Third-Rank? You said you want to be assessed as a Third-Rank Alchemist?" Ya Han's body stiffened, her small mouth agape, her gaze shifting to the purple flames in Xiao Yan's hand.

"Surprised? It's okay, being surprised is normal," Xiao Yan said considerately.

Xiao Yan didn't want to be assessed as a Fourth-Rank Alchemist; that would be too outrageous. His purpose in coming for the assessment was simply to meet Great Master Otto and have him introduce him to Master Guter, who possessed the ice spirit cold spring.

As for refining a Fourth-Rank Medicinal Pill, not to mention the time and energy it would consume, this Blackrock City might not even be able to certify a Fourth-Rank Alchemist.

Entering the assessment area, Xiao Yan saw two men wearing badges representing Fourth-Rank Alchemists on their chests. One was his target, Great Master Otto, the City Lord of Blackrock City.

The other was named Frank, the President of the Blackrock City Alchemist Guild.

"Little fellow, are you also here to be assessed as an Alchemist?" Frank asked, surprised to see Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan nodded. This was the assessment area for First-Rank Alchemists, but to be assessed as a Third-Rank Alchemist, one had to go through the assessments Rank by Rank, starting from the first.

"The assessment is about to begin. Go over there." Frank pointed Xiao Yan to a spot between two beautiful young women.

Xiao Yan knew who they were. He had inquired before coming; there would be an assessment this morning, and the two disciples of the Fourth-Rank Alchemists would also be participating.

One was a petite girl dressed in purple, her long hair tied with a purple ribbon, cascading down to her rounded hips. She was named Lin Fei, Great Master Otto's disciple.

The other had a slender figure, silver hair reaching her waist, and was dressed in silver robes. She possessed a much more ethereal temperament than Lin Fei, and was named Snow Charm.

Their status and standing were similar, but due to their personalities, they were often at odds, competing with each other for many years.

Seeing Xiao Yan walk over, the two glanced at him casually and stopped their bickering.

Arriving at the stone platform, Xiao Yan picked up the assessment Pill Formula.

Power Accumulation Pill, a relatively difficult First-Rank Medicinal Pill to refine, which even official First-Rank Alchemists found strenuous to refine.

The bell rang, and the assessment began.

All the candidates quickly placed their palms against their Medicine Cauldrons, releasing Dou Qi, and the flames inside the cauldrons rose accordingly.

Seeing this, Xiao Yan did not hesitate and immediately began refining the Power Accumulation Pill.

But when his purple flames appeared, they instantly drew everyone's gaze.

"Purple flames! A Heavenly Flame?" Frank gasped in shock.

Otto frowned deeply and said in a low voice, "It shouldn't be. Heavenly Flames are not so easy to control..."

Xiao Yan paid no attention to the commotion outside. Once the alchemy began, his focus was concentrated within the Medicine Cauldron.

He calcined the medicinal herbs and extracted their essence unhurriedly. With his powerful Soul Power and Dou Qi, refining these things was incredibly simple.

Time flowed slowly. Although the Power Accumulation Pill was one of the more difficult First-Rank Medicinal Pills to refine, Xiao Yan was the first to finish.

Xiao Yan looked casually at the people around him. Most were apprentices below the four-star Dou Practitioner level, and they didn't have much certainty of succeeding in the refinement, so they weren't worth much of Xiao Yan's observation.

Only the two beside him had slightly stronger Dou Qi. Xiao Yan shook his head; it was still too crude.

When time was up, Frank and Otto came to Xiao Yan with smiles. Frank said, "Little fellow, impressive. How old are you this year?"

"Seventeen," Xiao Yan said.

"Seventeen, you really are young and promising!" Frank exclaimed.

Then, the two checked the Medicinal Pills refined by Snow Charm and Lin Fei first, nodding slightly to each other, "Not bad. Although the Medicinal Pill still lacks some refinement, it has reached the standard for assessment."

After checking those two, they picked up and checked the Medicinal Pills of the other six one by one. Unfortunately, only two met the assessment standards.

"Hehe, you don't need to be discouraged. You are still young. If you don't make it this year, you can just come back next year," Frank said with a smile, comforting the four who did not pass.

Then, he exchanged a glance with Otto and walked to Xiao Yan together.

As they moved, everyone's gaze once again turned to Xiao Yan.

"Power Accumulation Pill? Good fellow, you have talent. This Medicinal Pill is difficult to refine even for some genuine First-Rank Alchemists," Frank exclaimed. He then took out a round, yellow Medicinal Pill. It was the size of a thumb, pale yellow in color, with a ring of emerald green ripples circling it.

"Pill Patterns!" The markings that only appear when the quality and luster of a Medicinal Pill reach their peak.

"Ahem, did I pass?" Xiao Yan asked.

"Congratulations, Xiao Yan, you have passed the Alchemist assessment," Frank said, exhaling lightly.

"Oh, then can we start the Second-Rank Alchemist assessment? I'm in a hurry. If possible, can I take the Third-Rank Alchemist assessment as well?" Xiao Yan looked at Frank, who had just exhaled, and asked.

Hehe, are you exhaling already? After I finish the Third-Rank Alchemist assessment, won't you be spitting blood?

Xiao Yan looked at the stunned faces of the people around him and smiled slightly.

Being assessed as a Third-Rank Alchemist really wasn't much. One had to know that at the Alchemist Convention a year later, Xiao Yan had refined a top-grade Fourth-Rank Medicinal Pill, the top-grade Three-Pattern Azure Spirit Pill!

At this time, the most talented young Alchemists in the Jia Ma Empire were at least Third-Rank Alchemists. However, his current real level was Fourth-Rank, and his age was only seventeen...