Could He Really Be a Fourth-Rank Alchemist?

Medicinal cauldrons were closely tied to an alchemist's refining technique.

Generally, a First-Rank Alchemist used a first-rank medicinal cauldron, a Second-Rank Alchemist used a second-rank medicinal cauldron, and so on.

The highest level of alchemy was currently eighth rank, and medicinal cauldrons likewise went up to eighth rank.

A fourth-rank medicinal cauldron required at least a Fourth-Rank Alchemist to use.

It was not that a Third-Rank Alchemist could not use a fourth-rank medicinal cauldron, but the results would be poor.

This was because the medicinal cauldron itself needed to absorb Dou Qi. If one's alchemy was not up to par, using a higher-rank medicinal cauldron could instead backfire, producing worse results than a cauldron one rank lower.

At this stage, Fourth-Rank Alchemists were not particularly rare.

After all, alchemists from all over had rushed here.

But how old did Ning Su look?

Fifteen or sixteen at most.

Such a young boy was actually a Fourth-Rank Alchemist??

Even Ya Fei found it hard to believe.

Ordinarily, even with exceptional talent, one would need to be around thirty to reach the level of Fourth-Rank Alchemist.

Still, she took out the fourth-rank medicinal cauldron Ning Su had specifically requested.

"This is a fourth-rank medicinal cauldron—the True Dragon Cauldron. It has rather demanding requirements for flames. Only with Beast Flame can its full power be brought out."

The cauldron stood one meter tall, supported by four legs. Its entire body was dark blue-green, and it had two fire inlets, each shaped like a dragon's head.

Ning Su gently stroked the medicinal cauldron, feeling its icy texture.

"A medicinal cauldron is like an alchemist's most important assistant. It needs to be chosen personally."

"If you're buying it for someone else, it would be better to let him choose it himself. It would be troublesome if it turned out unsuitable after you bought it," Ya Fei said thoughtfully.

She had already assumed Ning Su was buying the medicinal cauldron for someone else.

"No need. It's for me. I'll take this one."

Ning Su carefully sensed the cauldron. It was quite good.

It needed Beast Flame to fully bring out its abilities?

Sorry, but he had Heavenly Flames!

"You'll be using it yourself?"

Ya Fei froze for a moment. "This is a fourth-rank medicinal cauldron. It requires a Fourth-Rank Alchemist to use."

"I know. And?"

Seeing Ning Su's calm expression, Ya Fei's pupils widened.

She understood now—Ning Su really was a Fourth-Rank Alchemist??

Young alchemists were common enough.

But there was not a single Fourth-Rank Alchemist this young in the entire Jia Ma Empire!

Even the genius alchemists within the Alchemist Guild had never reached such a level.

Which empire had this alchemist come from?

For a moment, Ya Fei developed a keen interest in Ning Su.

"Am I not qualified to buy this medicinal cauldron?" Ning Su asked.

"Of course not."

Ya Fei had seen plenty of grand occasions and quickly composed herself.

She personally handled Ning Su's purchase. Money and goods changed hands at once.

"By the way, may I ask how to address you, young master?" Ya Fei began probing for information about Ning Su.

A Fourth-Rank Alchemist this young was someone worth befriending, regardless of which country he belonged to.

"Ning Su."

"Young Master Ning, if there's anything else you need to buy, I can show you around," Ya Fei said with a warm, radiant smile that made quite a few people nearby green with envy.

Many of them had come to the Gama Holy Capital for the first time.

The first time they saw Ya Fei, they had been captivated by her beauty.

Many wanted to approach Ya Fei, but after learning that she was the Auction House's auctioneer, they could only give up.

Now that they saw Ya Fei being so close to Ning Su, they were naturally envious and jealous.

"I am still short on some medicinal ingredients. If Miss Ya Fei has time, I'll have to trouble you to see whether your Auction House has them."

"Of course!"

Ya Fei was more than willing.

Ning Su then took out a list containing dozens of medicinal ingredients.

Moreover, they were all high-grade ingredients, usually used to refine high-grade pills.

Ya Fei became even more certain that Ning Su was a Fourth-Rank Alchemist.

She personally helped Ning Su find every medicinal ingredient he needed.

It had to be said that the Mitel Auction House had a formidable foundation.

They had every medicinal ingredient Ning Su needed.

"Young Master Ning, these are all the medicinal ingredients you requested. They're all here."

"Thank you, Miss Ya Fei."

After settling the bill on the spot, Ning Su stored all the medicinal ingredients in his Storage Ring.

"Young Master Ning, are you participating in this Alchemist Competition?" Ya Fei suddenly asked.

The question was actually somewhat redundant.

At this time, nearly every alchemist who came to the Gama Holy Capital was here for the competition.

"Yes."

"Then I look forward to seeing Young Master Ning's brilliance at the Alchemist Competition." Ya Fei smiled beautifully, her bearing graceful and charming.

Ning Su returned her smile. "Thank you."

He then left the Auction House with Qing Lin.

Not long after they left, Xiao Yan also arrived.

And he successfully met Ya Fei.

"Xiao Yan?"

Surprise appeared on Ya Fei's face when she saw the young man.

Xiao Yan smiled faintly. "Sister Ya Fei, it's been a long time."

Ever since they had parted in Wutan City, they had not seen each other again.

"I didn't expect you to come too." Ya Fei was pleasantly surprised.

Back in Wutan City, she and Xiao Yan had worked together on quite a few matters.

"Yes, it was about time I came."

Ya Fei thought of the matter between Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran. "The Three-Year Pact should be coming up soon, right?"

"Mm, less than half a month remains."

After the Alchemist Competition would come the Three-Year Pact.

"Are you ready?" Ya Fei still hoped Xiao Yan would win.

"Ready or not, I have to face it."

To wash away the humiliation of that year, Xiao Yan had endured plenty of hardship over the past three years. How could he possibly not go?

"Then did you come this time to catch up?"

"Partly to catch up, and partly to buy some medicinal ingredients."

"You're participating in the Alchemist Competition too?"

"Yes."

"I knew it."

Ya Fei suddenly remembered that this fellow also seemed to be an alchemist.

For some reason, she began comparing Xiao Yan with Ning Su.

They were both young, and both alchemists. She wondered which of the two was stronger.

She suddenly looked forward to seeing them compete on the same stage at the Alchemist Competition.

"Alright, what medicinal ingredients do you need?"

"These."

Xiao Yan took out a list and began purchasing medicinal ingredients.

The day the Alchemist Competition began drew closer and closer.

After buying the medicinal cauldron and ingredients, Ning Su immediately returned to the inn and hurried to familiarize himself with alchemy.

Although he had obtained Yan Li's alchemy through devouring him, he had never personally refined pills before.

He still needed to get familiar with it as quickly as possible.

Otherwise, if he went straight up to refine once the Alchemist Competition began and something went wrong, it would be troublesome.

Thus, Ning Su practiced alchemy in the inn for three full days.

He went from a novice who had never refined a pill before to a truly proficient Fourth-Rank Alchemist!

And at last, under countless watchful eyes, the Alchemist Competition began...