"Brother Feng, can Elite Class students advance to the Genius Class?" Lu Chuan asked.
"Of course they can."
Chu Feng explained, "The last three days of every month are designated by Azure Dragon Academy as Challenge Days."
"At that time, Normal Class students may challenge Elite Class students, and Elite Class students may likewise challenge Genius Class students."
"If they win, they can advance to a higher class."
"However, everyone has only one chance to challenge per month. Once they fail, they cannot issue another challenge for the next half year."
"Therefore, students who wish to challenge higher classes will observe and carefully consider their targets beforehand."
"And specially admitted students like you are the most sought-after."
A teasing smile curled at the corner of Chu Feng's lips. "Specially admitted students may have good aptitude, but students at your level have trained at the academy for at least half a year."
"The gap between you cannot usually be bridged by mere aptitude."
A chill ran down Lu Chuan's back. Didn't that mean he would have to face challenges at every moment?
"Of course, you needn't worry too much."
Chu Feng smiled. "As long as you win three times in a row, no one else will be allowed to challenge you."
"At the same time, the academy will reward you with thirty Academic Credits as compensation for being challenged."
Lu Chuan sighed in relief. That was not too bad.
It was only three challenges. With enough preparation, winning should not be a problem.
No, he had originally planned to charge toward the Genius Class. How had Chu Feng talked him into only wanting to hold on to his Elite Class position?
Damn it!
You big swindler!
"Alright, get some rest. I'm leaving."
After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Chu Feng no longer had any intention of staying and immediately rose to leave.
After Chu Feng left, Lu Chuan fell into thought.
"With my current strength, whether I challenge a Genius Class member or hold on to my Elite Class position, neither should be a problem."
"With cultivation at the peak of the fifth grade, even among second-years, I would not be considered weak."
"But I still need to make more preparations. I can't afford to capsize in a gutter."
"Mm, I'll simplify the Grand Profound Art first, then learn a few martial arts."
After sorting out his thoughts, Lu Chuan left the dormitory.
However, he was not going to buy treasures to exchange for Simplification Points. Instead, he headed to the Alchemist Service Hall.
The time was about right. It was time to exchange the ten Potion Recipes he had mastered for Academic Credits.
Even though Lu Chuan had a hefty sum of six thousand Academic Credits in hand, he was unwilling to let these hundred credits slip away.
Alchemy Faction, Alchemist Service Hall.
"Hello, I'm looking for Teacher Chu Liang."
Lu Chuan stopped a maidservant.
"Please wait." The maidservant nodded, then went inside to report his arrival.
Before long, Chu Liang appeared.
The moment he saw Lu Chuan, a smile instantly surfaced on Chu Liang's face. With a beaming smile, he said, "Lu Chuan, what brings you to see me today?"
As far as Lu Chuan was concerned, Chu Liang found him as regrettable as could be.
Such a monstrous genius had actually fallen into the hands of the Combat Department.
A priceless treasure gathering dust!
His own teacher was the same, stubbornly refusing to fight for him over some damned pride.
What a pity. A future master alchemist was going to wither before his time.
"Teacher, I'm here for an assessment." Lu Chuan smiled.
"An assessment?"
Chu Liang was taken aback. "What assessment? Why don't I know about it?"
"Teacher, have you forgotten what you once said? As long as I could learn those ten recipes within a month, the academy would reward me with Academic Credits?" Lu Chuan said with a smile.
Only after the reminder did Chu Liang react. "Look at my memory. I actually forgot about that."
"Tell me, how many recipes have you learned?"
"All ten." Lu Chuan smiled brightly.
"How many?"
Chu Liang's face was filled with disbelief. Are you joking?
No matter how much Chu Liang believed in Lu Chuan's talent, he had thought it would already be impressive if Lu Chuan could learn one or two recipes.
Yet Lu Chuan claimed he had learned them all.
Was that possible?
"If I remember correctly, you took the recipes away seven days ago, right?" Chu Liang asked.
"That's right." Lu Chuan nodded.
"In other words..."
The smile vanished from Chu Liang's face as he said seriously, "You learned ten First-grade Potion Recipes within seven days?"
"Lu Chuan, that joke isn't funny."
Lu Chuan had long expected Chu Liang's doubts.
After all, no normal person would believe that someone could learn ten Potion Recipes in seven days.
Even if those Potion Recipes were the most basic First-grade Potions.
"Teacher, won't we know if we try?" Lu Chuan said with a smile.
Lu Chuan's words made even Chu Liang lose confidence.
Could it be that he had really learned them?
Impossible!
Absolutely impossible!
"Fine. I want to see whether you truly have that ability."
"If you do, I'll personally give you a Second-grade Potion Recipe!" Chu Liang said with a smile.
The two immediately went to the laboratory.
Without needing to be told, Chu Liang consciously prepared the spiritual herbs. "Go ahead and make them."
"Alright."
After answering calmly, Lu Chuan skillfully picked up the ingredients and began preparing the potions.
One vial, two vials, three vials...
As time passed, one potion after another was prepared by Lu Chuan.
Chu Liang, who had initially harbored doubts, grew increasingly shocked.
Good heavens, could there truly be such a monstrous alchemist in this world?
"Whew!"
"I'm done."
Half an hour later, Lu Chuan had finished preparing all the potions.
There had been failures along the way. After all, his proficiency in the ten potions was only at the proficient level, so failure was normal.
Fortunately, each potion allowed three attempts. If one failed, he could simply prepare it again.
Turning to look at Chu Liang, Lu Chuan said with a beaming smile, "Teacher, I'll gladly accept your Second-grade Potion Recipe."
At this moment, Chu Liang was too shocked to say a word.
He... he had truly prepared them all!
A heaven-sent genius!
A heaven-sent genius!
Master, did you know what kind of monstrous genius you had missed?
No, this person had to remain in our Alchemy Faction!
With that thought, Chu Liang casually flung out a Yellow Booklet, then left without looking back. "This is the Second-grade Potion Recipe I promised you."
"I have matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving first."
"The Academic Credits granted by the academy will be transferred to your identity card within half an hour. Remember to check it."
With that, Chu Liang hurriedly left in a panic.
Watching Chu Liang's departing back, Lu Chuan scratched his head. "Are Alchemy Faction teachers all this busy?"
"Whatever. As long as I get the Academic Credits."
Afterward, Lu Chuan picked up the booklet Chu Liang had left behind.
The potion's name immediately came into view—Yellow Spirit Potion!
"It's actually the Yellow Spirit Potion. Teacher Chu Liang is quite generous!" Lu Chuan rejoiced.
The Yellow Spirit Potion was named after its main ingredient, the Yellow Spirit Fruit.
Its effects were simple: it could assist martial artists in cultivation.
Unlike the Spirit Gathering Potion, which could only be used by martial artists below the third grade, the Yellow Spirit Potion could be used by anyone below the fifth grade.
Even in Azure Dragon Academy, the Yellow Spirit Potion was a sought-after commodity.
Among first-year students, quite a few could make use of the Yellow Spirit Potion.
Its only drawback was that it was difficult to master. Without being an elite Second-grade Alchemist, one simply could not prepare the Yellow Spirit Potion.
Before you continue