Alchemist Exchange

Both the semi-finals and the finals were held in Beijing, so the Jinghai University Team that advanced would stay in Beijing for the following week instead of returning to Jinghai.

The Psionic Training Ground needed for the Jinghai University Team's daily training are provided by the organizers, so there's no need to worry about not having a place to train these days.

Li Shuyi tugged at Bai Xiaowen's sleeve and whispered, "Do you want me to stay with you?"

"Hmm, it's alright. You can continue training with the team."

Qiao Rui invited Bai Xiaowen to go to the training camp of the China Alchemist Conference. She wondered how much time it would take, which would affect the overall training of Jinghai University.

If Li Shuyi leaves with Bai Xiaowen, Jinghai University will only have three people left, making training and teamwork even more impossible.

"Okay, call me if anything happens." Li Shuyi squeezed Bai Xiaowen's hand with a little reluctance before leaving with Yan Xiaoxin and the others.

A black minivan speeds through the streets of Beijing.

"How many spots do we have for the Exhibition Match at this conference?" Bai Xiaowen asked.

"Three," Qiao Rui said.

"Three?" Bai Xiaowen was a little surprised. "I remember Qiao Qi saying that there are currently five outstanding young Alchemist in China. Although one of them went to Japan, there are still four... No matter how you look at it, I shouldn't get one of those spots."

Bai Xiaowen's reputation as a genius Alchemist is not yet widely known. Compared to the "Central Plains Five Little Masters," his reputation in the Alchemist circle is not high.

Many people are still skeptical of Bai Xiaowen, much like a self-taught scientist who claims to have proven Goldbach's Conjecture. Bai Xiaowen's claim of being "skilled in making Perfect-Tier Enhancement Potion" is seen by many as nothing more than hype and publicity.

Moreover, the Young Alchemists Exhibition Match isn't something you can shine by making one or two perfect potions.

Qiao Qi shrugged and said, "I told you last time, the one who defected is called Huang Xuan. He's the most skilled of the Five Little Bai. I heard he's representing Japan in the competition, and the other four chickened out and made excuses not to participate... The Pharmaceutical Development Commission had to try several times before they finally persuaded two of them to participate."

"Chicken out?" Bai Xiaowen asked in astonishment.

"Given the current situation, it's understandable that they're unwilling to risk their reputation..."

Qiao Rui said softly, "This time, Huang Xuan's intentions are not good. Many Japan media outlets are hyping up the so-called revenge battle... This International Alchemists Competition is attracting a lot of attention, especially within the domestic Alchemist community."

After thinking about it carefully, Bai Xiaowen roughly understood.

Alchemist generally value their reputation; their signatures on medicine labels signify quality assurance and Silver Tier.

In a regular competition, it wouldn't be a big deal, but in an international event like this, being defeated by Huang Xuan, who has been naturalized in Japan, is a significant blow to his reputation—this Exhibition Match actually carries a certain degree of nationalistic sentiment.

Just like in the Common Era, when the Chinese national table tennis team was invincible and dominant, it was particularly hard to accept that Deng Yaping lost to Koyama Chirei (originally named He Zhili), who was naturalized in Japan Japan, and Zhang Jike lost to Harimoto Tomokazu (originally named Zhang Zhihe), who was naturalized in Japan.

"So, when you came to me, did you also trick me?" Bai Xiaowen said with a smile.

Qiao Qi scratched his head.

Qiao Rui kept her eyes fixed on Bai Xiaowen's, and she said softly, "I have faith in you."

This time, it was Bai Xiaowen's turn to feel embarrassed. Regardless, being so highly regarded by a gentle and beautiful woman was a very pleasant thing. He touched his nose and smiled, "Now that you mention it, I really need to work harder. Disappointing a beautiful woman would be a serious offense..."

Soon the car arrived at the training camp, which was a rather grand courtyard house.

In the Psychic Energy Era, there are no longer any authentic courtyard houses in the Beijing; they are all replicas. But regardless, in the Beijing where land is incredibly valuable, a courtyard house remains extremely precious and rare, serving not only as proof of wealth but also as a symbol of status.

"Actually, you're already late. Master Yang Haogu has been giving lectures for the past few days, but now that the Alchemist Competition is approaching, the focus is on free exchange among the training participants," Qiao Rui said.

Bai Xiaowen nodded.

The training camp had very strict access control, with soldiers standing guard at the top of their lungs, and Bai Xiaowen could sense the presence of awakened individuals hidden in the shadows.

After showing a certificate, Qiao Rui led Bai Xiaowen, Qiao Qi, and Uncle Wang, the man in black, directly inside.

"Calculation ability is an important indicator of Alchemist's competence. To put it simply, how much salt should a chef add when cooking a dish, and how much when cooking a whole pot of vegetables? This involves calculation ability. Of course, the calculations of Alchemist are much more complex than cooking, and the process of making medicine is constantly changing."

A young man's voice rang out, which immediately triggered a burst of laughter.

After passing the screen wall, Bai Xiaowen saw a group of people sitting together. In the middle was a young man dressed in white, standing in front of a pharmaceutical workbench, operating the equipment while chatting and laughing with the others.

"So many people? Weren't there only three spots for the Exhibition Match?" Bai Xiaowen asked in a low voice.

Qiao Qi waved her hand. "Most people got in through connections. The one in the middle who's performing medicine-making is Ke Caijin from the Five Little Bai. He's the main character... Um, so are you."

It's worth mentioning that almost everyone present was an Awakened, but they were all Standard Class templates.

That's not surprising. After successfully making their first potion and acquiring this secondary profession, Alchemist gain an increase in Divine Might. In addition, they have no shortage of Enhancement Potion and money, so reaching the total attribute of Quasi-Awakened is quite easy.

After reaching the standard of Quasi-Awakened, Alchemist will also try their luck in the Spirit Realm to Class Change awakened. Putting aside the privileges of awakened, the fact that their bodies are free from illness and pain after being digitized is enough to make them extremely sought after.

Almost all master potion makers also possess the identity of an Awakened One. Awakened Ones can maintain focus for extended periods during the potion-making process, and even if they are mentally exhausted, they can regain their energy after a few hours of sleep—an advantage that ordinary people cannot match.

However, their focus is still on pharmaceuticals, and they are not good at combat. This is different from Bai Xiaowen.

Qiao Rui led Bai Xiaowen to a stone bench outside the venue to sit down and listen to the conversation among the young Alchemist.

The Alchemist noticed the arrival of the group, but few recognized them, only guessing their identities from their clothing and demeanor. It must be said that having Uncle Wang, a highly skilled Awakened with a military bearing, as their bodyguard was quite eye-catching.

Ke Caijin's eyes lit up, and he quickly waved.

Inspired by Ke Caijin, the others stood up one after another, without even knowing why.

Qiao Rui's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, then relaxed. She waved to Ke Caijin, then gently shook her head.

Ke Caijin then resumed his pharmaceutical work, occasionally exchanging a few words with the others. For someone of his pharmaceutical skill level, making relatively simple Enhancement Potion was as easy as eating and drinking, requiring no full concentration.

However, after Qiao Rui's arrival, it's hard to say how much of these people's minds were actually on pharmaceutical exchanges.

"Qiao Qi, come with me to see Master Yang," Qiao Rui said. "Xiao Wen, Master Yang's residence is in the backyard, but he doesn't like to be disturbed by strangers. Please wait here for us."

Bai Xiaowen nodded slightly.

After Qiao Rui and the other two left, Bai Xiaowen took a closer look at Ke Caijin.

Ke Caijin, who is known as the "Little Master," truly deserves to be called the best young Alchemist in China. Although the potions he concocts are not of high grade, the ease and skill he displays in his work surpasses that of any other Alchemist Bai Xiaowen has ever seen.

Of course, Bai Xiaowen himself is an exception; he is different from ordinary Alchemist and is an outlier.

Just as Bai Xiaowen was observing, a slightly overweight Alchemist, around thirty years old, walked over from the outer edge of the circle.

"You're from the Qiao Family, right? But you look a bit unfamiliar." The chubby Alchemist smiled. "My Zhu Chengjun."

"I'm not." Bai Xiaowen shook her head.

"Then... why are you with the second young lady of the Qiao Family? May I ask who you are...?"

My name is Bai Xiaowen.

"Bai Xiaowen? That name sounds familiar..." Zhu Chengjun suddenly frowned, and the warmth on his face subsided considerably.

"I remember now, you're Bai Xiaowen, who participated in the Young Alchemists Exhibition Match with Master Ke and Master Zhou?" Zhu Chengjun said.

"I don't know if it's with Master Ke or Master Zhou that you mentioned. However, I'm going to participate in the Exhibition Match." Bai Xiaowen glanced at the fat man, noticing a strange look in his eyes.

"You're that rumored genius Alchemist? You've only been studying pharmacy for less than a year?" Zhu Chengjun's words were filled with suspicion. "How exactly did you get this spot?"

Bai Xiaowen frowned; this fat man's words seemed rather hostile.

"The Jinghai Base City Awakened Association recommended me, and the Pharmaceutical Development Commission approved it. So I'm qualified. Isn't that the procedure?" Bai Xiaowen snorted softly.

The so-called Pharmaceutical Development Commission is short for the China Pharmaceutical Development Committee. Apart from government officials, those who join the Pharmaceutical Development Commission are all renowned pharmaceutical masters in their respective regions.

"I'm asking you whose connections you used!" Zhu Chengjun snorted. "Based on your so-called pharmaceutical genius title, the Pharmaceutical Development Commission approved a kid like you to participate in Exhibition Match? This isn't the kind of embarrassment you're making."

Bai Xiaowen smiled faintly, "You're probably someone who wants to embarrass yourself but doesn't have the connections."

"Nonsense!" Zhu Chengjun's face flushed slightly.

Bai Xiaowen sighed inwardly. Wherever there are people, there is a world of intrigue, and with it, conflict and interests. For the four accomplished Little Bai, this spot in the Exhibition Match was a hot potato they would rather refuse, but for Zhu Chengjun, an unknown Alchemist, it was a shortcut to fame.

The voice was slightly loud, drawing everyone's attention.

Zhu Chengjun raised his thick, short eyebrows and said loudly, "Let me introduce you all. This is Bai Xiaowen, the pharmaceutical prodigy who obtained the third qualification. It is said that he has been studying this field for less than a year..."

Among those present, there were quite a few like Zhu Chengjun who were desperate to secure a spot.

Instantly, Bai Xiaowen became the target of everyone's criticism, and hushed whispers echoed throughout the room.

There's no need to elaborate on the content of the discussion; aside from skepticism and conspiracy theories, disdain and a "I could do it too" attitude dominated.

Bai Xiaowen stood calmly, like a pine tree. When he saw Ke Caijin's gaze also falling on him, he calmly met his eyes.

Ke Caijin nodded slightly as a greeting. He hadn't noticed the young man when Qiao Rui and her group arrived, but he hadn't expected him to be one of the participants in the Young Alchemists Exhibition Match, just like himself.

Ke Caijin is not as superficial as Zhu Chengjun.

Bai Xiaowen's ability to obtain a spot through the Pharmaceutical Development Commission's approval was definitely not due to back channels. He knew the inside story; he was fully aware of what this Exhibition Match meant for Qiao Xiangdong, the head of the Pharmaceutical Development Commission, and for the Qiao Family.

If it weren't for the bigwig Qiao Xiangdong personally intervening, Ke Caijin wouldn't have wanted to get involved in this mess...

Just as Ke Caijin was lost in thought, Bai Xiaowen suddenly spoke up.

"Shouldn't we Kairila Vine Powder now?"

Ke Caijin glanced back at the beaker and shook his head. "It's still a little short of time, let's wait another 10 seconds."

"It should be fine according to the standard procedure, why do we have to wait?" Bai Xiaowen asked.

Ke Caijin was a little puzzled. Was the young man in front of him serious or joking? He actually asked such a superficial question.

The surrounding Alchemist burst out laughing.

"Standard procedure? If pharmaceutical manufacturing could be done according to standard procedures, what would be the point of having Alchemist like us?"

"The level of Alchemist apprentice cannot be higher than this."

"They don't even know about discretionary power. The purity of the Frost Ring Snake Blood in this material is too low; it needs to be boiled for a longer period of time to react perfectly with the Kairila Vine!"

Ke Caijin sprinkled in some powder, carefully observing the boy's reaction, but Bai Xiaowen remained calm and composed amidst the mockery of the crowd.

Ke Caijin was unsure of Bai Xiaowen's background, but Zhu Chengjun seized the opportunity and sneered, "You'd better go home, prodigy. The pharmaceutical industry isn't as simple as you think. Don't embarrass China at the conference..."

"Participating in the Exhibition Match was simply to exchange ideas with my peers; there's no shame in it."

A cough came from the direction of the backyard, followed by a robust old man's voice.

Zhu Chengjun's expression changed. At this moment, everyone else, including Ke Caijin, went to greet the old man.

"Master Yang."

"Does the master still have classes today?"

Bai Xiaowen glanced at the old man. He was wearing an ordinary gray Zhongshan suit, with a full head of silver hair, and was in good spirits, though his face was somewhat thin. Behind him were Qiao Rui and the others.

"This person is Yang Haogu, the master instructor of the training camp..."

Bai Xiaowen muttered to himself.

Yang Haogu waved his hand. "Alchemist must not make noise during the preparation of medicines... Cai Jin, you can't concentrate, so this material will most likely be wasted."

Ke Caijin blushed slightly. "What the teacher said is true." He stopped chatting and laughing with the others and focused on the subsequent steps of making the potion.

The atmosphere in the room fell silent for a moment.