40: Chapter 40 Conference Predictions

Xiao Yan could not have anticipated that a casual remark of his would cause such a profound tremor within Hai Bodong's heart.

Even so, it could still be explained; what if Xiao Yan had learned of it from someone else?

The subsequent prediction about the arrival of people from the Heavenly Serpent Mansion, while surprising to Hai Bodong, was not enough to truly shock him.

That was until Xiao Yan returned from the depths of the desert to refine the curse-breaking Medicinal Pill.

As the former Ice Emperor and one of the ten strongest experts in the Jia Ma Empire, no one had ever been able to steal something from Hai Bodong and leave unscathed.

After breaking the Seal and returning to the level of a Dou Huang expert, the emotions Hai Bodong had suppressed for many years were finally revealed before Xiao Yan.

However, thinking back to Xiao Yan's words about snatching the Heavenly Flame from Medusa, Hai Bodong's temper had just barely calmed down.

Then, Xiao Yan's words, "Old thing, want to spar?"

Completely shattered Hai Bodong's years of patience. That surge of violence erupted, but what followed was his completely shattered heart of an expert.

Watching the outline of the city gradually reveal itself before him, Hai Bodong couldn't help but pull up his hood. Perhaps some Genius are simply destined to be beyond the reach of any Mortal.

...

Jia Ma Holy City, at the bustling entrance of the Alchemist Guild.

Before them was a carriage with a distinct aristocratic air. On the golden silk curtains surrounding the carriage was a painting of a strange beast engulfed in blue flames—this was the emblem of the Jiama Royal Family.

Around the carriage were a dozen Black Robed Man, one of whom stepped forward and respectfully pulled back the curtain.

Under the gaze of the crowd, a snow-white, jade-like slender hand reached out, elegantly gripping the door handle. Then, a beautiful figure slowly stepped out, appearing before everyone.

She was a young woman dressed in a purple dress inlaid with silver patterns, her delicate face faintly revealing an air of nobility.

However, as her gaze swept across the surroundings, Xiao Yan could detect a hint of mischievous amusement in her sparkling eyes.

In truth, this was an obvious deduction; a mature noblewoman would not be looking around while stepping out of a carriage.

"Hehe, that's the Little Princess of the Jiama Royal Family. I heard her teacher is Vice President Master Qie Mier. To think she would appear here this time." Among the crowd were many well-informed individuals who recognized her identity upon seeing the young girl's face.

"Don't let her age fool you. I've heard that half a year ago, she had already advanced to a Tier 3 Alchemist..."

Under the escort of the group of Black Robed Man, the girl in the purple dress swaggered inside.

Xiao Yan, also familiar with the route, squeezed his way toward the western district of the Alchemist Guild and once again found the room belonging to Otto and his companion.

"Hehe, you've arrived quite punctually." Otto said with a smile upon seeing Xiao Yan arrive.

"The competition starts tomorrow. Is there anything else to do now?" Xiao Yan asked casually as he pulled up a chair and sat down.

"There is indeed one more thing, which is to make predictions about the contestants recommended by our branch. This is considered an evaluation of our judgment by the Guild." Otto handed a list to Xiao Yan and continued, "This is an internal list. It contains some very strong contestants; you can take a look."

Xiao Yan took the list. There were twenty or thirty people on it, but only thirteen were Tier 3 Alchemist. His own name was not among them, which he assumed was because he was not famous.

"Come with me. I'll take you to meet some of the powerful opponents on the list."

Xiao Yan nodded, stood up, and followed Otto to a quiet corridor. Pushing open a large door, warm sunlight shone into the hallway.

Appearing before them was a spacious inner hall with classical decorations.

Scanning the room, many of these young people were at the level of a Tier 3 Alchemist. The Little Princess from the royal family he had seen earlier was also among them.

As the many young people swept their gazes over Xiao Yan, they saw the Tier 3 Alchemist badge on his chest. Upon seeing this unfamiliar Tier 3 Alchemist, many of them smiled at Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan nodded slightly, acknowledging their goodwill.

"Hey, Old Ao, you've brought someone over too?" An aged voice came from a high platform in the hall. Several old men dressed in Alchemist robes stood there, smiling. The one who spoke was an old man with snow-white hair.

"That is the Guild Vice President, Master Qie Mier, who is also the teacher of the Little Princess." Otto smiled, waved his hand at the old man, and said to Xiao Yan.

"Come with me to meet those old fellows. They are people who possess tremendous influence in the Jia Ma Empire." Otto said as he led Xiao Yan toward the high platform.

"Hehe." Xiao Yan smiled in response, neither confirming nor denying.

Otto chatted with the old man for a while, and then the old man looked at Xiao Yan with a beaming smile.

"Hello, Vice President Master Qie Mier." Xiao Yan greeted with a smile.

"Little fellow, not bad. It seems this time, Otto has found a treasure." The old man looked at the Tier 3 Alchemist badge on Xiao Yan's chest and said with a smile.

Xiao Yan continued to smile and nod, without saying much else.

"Alright, the time has come. Let us begin the test." Seeing this, Master Qie Mier did not say more and spoke directly.

"As everyone knows, the refinement of medicinal herbs is an extremely important part of refining a Medicinal Pill. Therefore, our test this time is the purity of your refinement!" Master Qie Mier pointed to the many hanging black curtains and continued, "Medicinal herbs have been prepared in each small room. What you need to do is achieve the maximum purity possible within your capabilities."

"Anyone who has not finished refining before the hourglass runs out will fail. Furthermore, even if you succeed, you must meet our grading standards. If you fail to meet them, you will also be considered to have failed and will lose your qualification to participate." Master Qie Mier continued.

"Alright, begin!"

Xiao Yan casually found a curtain and walked inside. On the stone table lay pieces of medicinal herbs that looked like charcoal.

Xiao Yan casually summoned his strange cyan flame. In an instant, a powerful aura of flames spread throughout the entire inner hall.

Many people had just activated their flames when they were startled by this violent aura, causing their flames to flicker slightly.

"What is this?" Hindered by the curtains, even though everyone was curious, they could only suppress it in their hearts.

"That's the Alchemist recommended by Otto, right? The name seems to be, Xiao Yan?" An old man asked.

"Indeed, but this name, Xiao Yan, seems exactly the same as that youth from Wutan City."

"Could it be that this youth is the Xiao Yan from Wutan City?" An old man asked tentatively.

"Perhaps. It is said that a year ago, that youth was only a Tier 1 Alchemist..."

"Perhaps he was hiding his strength. After all, this little fellow has kept everyone in the dark for three whole years!"

"That's true. I just didn't expect this Xiao Yan to actually come to the Imperial Capital. Now, there's going to be a good show to watch..."

Amidst the discussions of the many Alchemist outside the curtains, time slowly passed. When only one-third of the hourglass remained, an arm pulled back a curtain, and the person walked out of the room slowly with a smile on his face.

"It's actually him!" Many people revealed expressions of astonishment.

Thanks to "Grandmist Dao Lord, Yi Yuxuan, Han Yanlan Jinxiu" for the recommendation votes.

Recently, some people have said that I am padding the word count...

Alright, I will add an extra chapter tomorrow, so please be merciful, I beg of you. I am a new author with a fragile heart T﹏T.