As Expected of the Timing Guy

"Hey, Old Ao, you brought some people with you this time?"

An aged voice, tinged with a hint of amusement, echoed throughout the hall.

Looking in the direction of the sound, one could see an elderly man with snow-white hair, who looked like an ordinary person, standing on the high platform to the left.

Four wavy lines were engraved on the badge of the old man's Alchemist robe.

"That's the Vice President of the General Association, Chemir, who is also the Little Princess's teacher."

Otto waved to the old man and whispered the introductions to Xiao Tian and the other man.

"I'll take you to meet those old guys; they wield enormous power in the Jia Ma Empire."

Otto led Xiao Tian and the other person to the high platform and stopped.

"Old Ao, it's been a long time since you've led a team to the tournament. Is this all the strong contenders from your Black Rock City?"

"I've brought two rare geniuses with me this time, so don't let them outshine you."

"Vice President Chemir!" Xiao Tian bowed slightly and smiled.

Chemir's cloudy eyes sized up Xiao Tian.

"He's a promising talent with great potential; he'll definitely be a pillar of our Alchemist community in the future."

The other Fourth Grade Alchemist around Chemir also cast sweeping glances their way.

He then looked at Xiao Yan beside him and saw the Second Grade Alchemist badge on Xiao Yan's chest. His brows furrowed almost imperceptibly. Second Grade Alchemist would find it difficult to even get into the top twenty at the Alchemist Convention.

"Young man, Old Ao rarely recommends people, so it seems he values you highly. Don't let him down."

"There were no problems with this test."

Xiao Yan knew that his identity as Second Grade Alchemist would easily arouse people's imaginations, so he shrugged indifferently.

Having confidence is a good thing.

Mitchell nodded and smiled.

"Alright, the test is almost ready to begin. You can all go now."

Mitchell glanced at the time and spoke gently to Xiao Tian and the other man.

After Xiao Tian and his companion descended from the platform, Mitchell stood at the very front of the platform and pointed to the wall on the far left of the hall, which was covered with numerous black curtains:

Behind each curtain is a small room, which will be your Examination Room.

"This test involves refining the medicinal herbs to their ultimate purity before the hourglass runs out, and then using the results of a final test to determine whether someone advances."

"Alright, you can choose your own rooms and begin."

After Mitchell finished speaking, everyone in the hall rushed to get inside the curtain.

Xiao Tian also chose the nearest curtain and went inside.

Just as Xiao Yan was about to enter a relatively secluded area behind the curtain, a voice sounded behind him.

"I didn't expect that you, Brother Yan Xiao, would be able to participate in this kind of internal test."

Xiao Yan looked at Liu Ling's slightly effeminate face, his expression carrying a faint hostility. After letting out a disdainful sound, Xiao Yan stepped through the curtain.

Liu Ling clenched her fist in anger.

"Brother Liu Ling, is he your friend?"

"No, what, do you want me to introduce you to him?"

Liu Ling composed herself and smiled at Yao Yue, who had asked the question.

"No, I'm more interested in the Third Grade Alchemist beside him."

Yao Yue shook her head; a Second Grade Alchemist wasn't worth trying to win over.

"That guy must be Xiao Tian, who's ranked eighth on the so-called Championship Favorite List. He certainly seems like a worthy opponent. Coming from those remote places, what kind of strength could he possibly have? He's utterly insignificant in front of me."

Liu Ling pondered for a moment, a hint of disdain that no one could notice playing on her lips.

The two then chose a curtain and went inside.

Looking at the candidates who had already gone inside, Mitchell took a sip of tea and smiled as he looked at the left wall, "Now let's wait and see who can refine it to the highest purity."

"How about we take a gamble?"

One of the elderly Fourth Grade Alchemist looked at the surrounding Alchemist with a slightly provocative glint in his eyes and a wicked grin.

"You're not afraid, are you?"

"Old Deng Tou, I'll bet you. I'll buy Xiao Tian's product with the highest purity, and I'll bet a bottle of Azure Stone Stalactite on your Snow Lotus Seed."

The one who spoke was naturally Otto, who had complete confidence in Xiao Tian.

Others also placed bets against it.

Xiao Tian entered through the curtain and saw a Cyan Stone Platform against the wall in the small room. On the platform were medicinal herbs that looked like pieces of charcoal and an hourglass.

"As expected, the Black Iron Spirit Leaf is the most heat-resistant. I wonder how long you can withstand the Heavenly Flames."

Xiao Tian chuckled and used his Heavenly Flames to condense a bright red Medicine Cauldron. With a flick of his hand, a Black Iron Spirit Leaf from the stone platform was projected into the Medicine Cauldron.

The bright red flames instantly enveloped it and began to burn fiercely.

With nimble fingers, the Soul Power controlled the temperature of the Heavenly Flames.

Time flew by, Xiao Tian, having finished refining the Black Iron Spirit Leaf, which could no longer be refined, put them into Jade Bottle.

Seeing that less than a fifth of the hourglass had passed, Xiao Tian picked up the Jade Bottle, lifted the curtain, and went outside.

A group of elderly people on the high platform were immediately drawn to one of the curtains by a hand reaching out.

"Only a fifth of the time has passed, and someone's already coming out? Has the refining been completed, or have they given up?"

"Old Ao, isn't this the Third Grade Alchemist from your Black Rock City?"

"Yes." Otto smiled, but also looked worried, when he saw that Xiao Tian was the first to come out.

After Xiao Tian came out, he stood in the center of the hall and nodded slightly to meet Otto's gaze.

Seeing Xiao Tian's confident demeanor, Otto immediately felt relieved.

Xiao Tian stood quietly in the center, closing his eyes to rest. Several old men stared at him blankly; if they didn't close their eyes, they felt they would get goosebumps.

When the hourglass was about a quarter full, someone came out from behind a curtain.

Xiao Tian opened his eyes, saw that it was Liu Ling, and then closed his eyes again.

Liu Ling thought she was the first one to come out, but when her gaze fell on Xiao Tian standing in the middle, she was stunned for a moment, and then couldn't help but speak out.

What is he doing here?

"He came out right after he finished refining it, is there a problem?"

Mitchell couldn't understand what was going on with Liu Ling.

"Stealing my thunder, does this guy think he can just do a little refining and it's done?"

After calming herself down, Liu Ling raised her head and stood in the middle of the hall like a proud peacock.

Xiao Tian ignored this rather erratic Gu He disciple.

After Liu Ling, the Little Princess and the other Alchemist also mostly came out.

"Brother Liu, you are indeed fast. I didn't expect I still couldn't beat you."

"I wasn't the first to extract it; he was already standing here when I came out."

Liu Ling gritted her teeth and slightly raised her head at Xiao Tian.

"Is he really that strong?" Yao Yue looked Xiao Tian up and down. He was both strong and handsome. How biased must God be to arrange things like this?

"Strong my ass! I think he doesn't know the rules. He only refined it once and got it right. I don't know how he was able to pass the Third Grade Alchemist exam."

"He doesn't seem like it to me; he seems so calm."

Upon hearing this, Yao Yue looked at Xiao Tian in surprise, her eyes also showing a hint of disdain.

The Little Princess had a good relationship with Liu Ling and completely trusted Liu Ling's analysis, so much so that she was totally fooled.

My initial intention to strike up a conversation was immediately extinguished.

As the hourglass nearly ran out, Xiao Tian opened his eyes but still couldn't see Xiao Yan.

Otto's eyes dimmed slightly as he thought to himself, "One of us has already been eliminated here? That shouldn't be the case."

"Alright, everyone, I hereby announce the time."

"Sorry, I'm late."

A figure slowly emerged from behind the last remaining curtain and bowed slightly to Mitchell.

Xiao Tian sighed upon seeing this famous scene.

As expected of you, Timing Master! If I hadn't been able to sense that Xiao Yan was still refining, I would have thought that Xiao Yan was standing behind the curtain waiting for the time to almost end before coming out. The timing was just too perfect.