"Rank 6!?"
"Master Xiao, I know the Alchemist Guild like the back of my hand!"
"Please allow me to lead the way for you!"
Before the Alchemist Guild, frost bloomed across the cloud-patterned stone steps.
Mittel Tengshan stared at the jade Medicine Staff in Fa Ma's hand, the symbol of the president's authority.
His Adam's apple bobbed uncontrollably.
The president of the Imperial Capital's Alchemist Guild had actually come here to receive him in person?
As expected of Master Xiao!
At the guild entrance:
When Fama's weathered eyes fell upon Xiao Yan, dressed in black brocade.
They instantly widened!
He was actually this young!?
Upon learning that Xiao Yan was coming to the guild to undergo the Rank 6 Alchemist assessment.
Fama had already suspended all guild activities.
He had cleared out everyone within the Alchemist Guild and the crowds outside.
Then waited here personally for Xiao Yan's arrival.
As the four approached, they finally saw the man standing beside Fama.
"Master Xiao, I have long admired your name."
"I am the head of the Nalan Family. Please, you must save the Nalan Family!"
Xiao Yan had only just approached and had not even had the chance to speak.
When Nalan Su immediately stepped forward and respectfully bowed to Xiao Yan.
"If Master can treat my father, the Nalan Family's treasure vault will be open for Master to choose from as you please!"
"I beg Master to save him!"
His tone was earnest, and his attitude was even somewhat humble.
There was no other choice. His father's Brand Poison had grown increasingly severe.
If this continued, then in another year or two.
He would likely reach the point where his life force was exhausted.
Yet the Nalan Family had sought out every renowned physician, and even Pill King Gu He had been unable to cure it completely.
He had only proposed one feasible solution.
When he learned from Fama that a Rank 5 Alchemist possessing a Heavenly Flame.
Was about to arrive in the Imperial Capital, only heaven knew how excited he had been.
This might be the Nalan Family's only hope!
If the clan's sole Dou Wang expert perished, the Nalan Family's standing would plummet!
Mittel Tengshan paused, surprise flashing through his eyes!
The Nalan Family's usually arrogant patriarch was actually being so humble now.
Even the Gilded Calling Card cradled in his hands trembled slightly.
Xiao Yan replied softly.
"Patriarch Nalan, please calm down. I will consider your request."
"Right now, I have more important matters to attend to."
The moment Xiao Yan spoke, Nalan Su repeatedly voiced his agreement and stepped aside.
He had no temper at all right now, terrified of angering this master alchemist.
Fama stepped forward.
"This icy aura."
"His Excellency Ice Emperor, welcome back to the Imperial Capital."
Hai Bodong nodded.
"We can catch up later. Let the kid begin his assessment first."
Fa Ma tapped his Medicine Staff against the ground.
"This must be Master Xiao?"
"An honor, an honor!"
Xiao Yan smiled and nodded.
"President Fama, there is no need for courtesy."
"Let us begin."
Inside the top-floor secret chamber of the Alchemist Guild:
Crimson flames roared, turning the air into distorted waves of heat.
Outside, Fama and the others waited quietly.
Yet their expressions were all anxious at this moment.
Fama looked toward the secret chamber with admiration in his eyes.
"I never expected Master Xiao to choose the Sect Breaking Pill."
"Among Rank 6 pills, this pill's refinement difficulty is among the very highest!"
"If he succeeds, the skies of the Jia Ma Empire may well change!"
Hai Bodong stood outside the door, his expression perfectly calm.
Yet stormy waves surged within his heart!
He knew Xiao Yan's alchemy was exceptionally powerful, but he had never imagined it could be powerful to such an extent!
After all, even Pill King Gu He.
Had absolutely no confidence in refining the Sect Breaking Pill.
If Xiao Yan succeeded, he would become the Jia Ma Empire's number one alchemist in a single stroke!
Moreover, that old fellow Jia Xing Tian had been stuck at the Peak Dou Huang for a long time!
Hai Bodong himself was not confident of breaking through to the Dou Zong either.
If word spread that Xiao Yan could refine Sect Breaking Pills.
He did not dare imagine how crazed Jia Xing Tian would become in his pursuit of a breakthrough to the Dou Zong.
Even if he had to empty the Jia Ma Empire's treasure vault, he would still come forward and give it a try!
The atmosphere outside remained silent as every second passed, until three hours later!
A strange Pill Fragrance drifted out!
The secret chamber doors suddenly opened.
The instant the Black Demon Cauldron landed inside!
The fire vein beneath the entire guild suddenly boiled.
Xiao Yan held two fingers together like a blade as the final eighteen five-hundred-year medicinal ingredients flew into the cauldron!
The Green Lotus Flame transformed into nine fire serpents that coiled around the cauldron's handles.
Fama's eyes suddenly widened, filled with disbelief!
The worldview he had built over an entire lifetime collapsed completely at that moment.
Before his eyes:
Xiao Yan was actually controlling three flames at once!
The Green Lotus Flame balanced them at the center!
The Fire and Water Flame extracted the essence!
And the Kirin Devouring Heaven Flame was condensing the pill patterns!
"Condense!"
"Boom!"
The instant the cauldron lid burst open:
Seven-colored radiance transformed into a long dragon and pierced through the ceiling.
Xiao Yan stepped into the air and swept up a hundred-foot wall of flame with a wave of his hand!
In an instant, he sealed all the pill's essence within it without allowing the slightest bit to escape!
And although the pill had clearly already formed, he did not stop.
The flames surged, yet gently wound around the pill.
Everyone saw crimson-gold light soaring like a dragon, radiant clouds spilling in every direction!
A Sect Breaking Pill with six pill patterns spun rapidly in his palm.
Wrapped in flames, it faintly began to reveal a seventh pill pattern.
But limited by the ingredients, it ultimately faded away slowly.
The Medicine Staff in Fa Ma's hand clattered to the ground.
"Sealing the medicine and gathering the spirit, tempering the pill with flame."
"This... this is the Pill Condensing Technique recorded in ancient texts!"
"Master Xiao's alchemy has likely already touched the peak of Rank 6."
"From this day forth, Master shall be the Jia Ma Empire's number one alchemist!"
The surging radiance tore through the clouds, illuminating all of Jia Ma Upper City!
At the palace, Jia Xing Tian's figure flickered as he appeared in the sky.
Looking at that radiance shooting into the heavens, he murmured softly.
"Rank 6."
"We must do everything possible to win this master over to the Imperial Family!"
"I just wonder whether this master can refine the Sect Breaking Pill?"
"No matter what, I have to try."
Outside the Alchemist Guild:
Most alchemists who lacked the qualifications to observe Xiao Yan refining pills in person had gathered here.
No one wanted to miss the rare opportunity to watch a master refine pills during a Rank 6 Alchemist assessment.
Even if they could only stand at the outermost edge.
But at this moment, after seeing the radiance soaring into the sky.
Everyone went mad!
The normally reserved and arrogant Rank 3 and Rank 4 Alchemists.
Excitedly grabbed their friends by the collars.
"Rank 6, it really is Rank 6!"
"Quick, slap me! Let me see if I'm dreaming."
"Holy shit, simply..."
Just as the entire crowd erupted in cheers, Fama appeared above the Alchemist Guild with Xiao Yan.
When Xiao Yan casually pinned the Rank 6 Badge to his collar, Fa Ma suddenly unfurled a scroll.
"By resolution of the council of elders!"
"This Alchemist Convention specially invites Master Xiao to serve as..."
"The Alchemist Convention's Chief Judge!"
"Boom!"
The instant Fama's words fell.
A tidal wave of thunderous applause erupted throughout the venue!
And at that very moment, in the distant sky!
An earth-yellow streak of light rapidly shot toward them...
Before you continue