Yang Haogu

Huang Xuan didn't look at Bai Xiaowen again, probably thinking Bai Xiaowen posed no threat. He looked at Ke Caijin with a hint of provocation:

"You and Lao Zhou should both know that you are no match for me. What benefits did Qiao Xiangdong promise that would make you risk the reputation you've built up over the years to become his dogs?"

Ke Caijin said in a deep voice, "I'm still young, so it doesn't matter if I stumble. Huang Xuan, don't be too arrogant. The competition hasn't started yet, so who will win and who will lose is still unknown."

"Hahaha... that's interesting. See you on Wednesday then."

Huang Xuan chuckled a few times, then turned and left.

The Alchemist nearby were somewhat angry.

"Huang Xuan is too arrogant."

"Traitor, what's there to say?"

"He should be sent back to Japan."

Bai Xiaowen looked down on these Alchemist. When Huang Xuan was around, they didn't dare utter a word. Only after he left did they start spouting nonsense. What was the difference between them and internet trolls from another timeline?

Bai Xiaowen didn't know much about Huang Xuan and didn't want to draw any conclusions right now.

Hearing the curses from the crowd, Yang Haogu, his gray eyebrows furrowing slightly. "Everyone except the participants, please disperse."

The chubby Alchemist, Zhu Chengjun, glanced at Bai Xiaowen with a hint of jealousy and muttered, "The Pharmaceutical Development Commission really needs to change its approach. Apprentices are allowed to represent the country in competitions. If this continues, more Alchemist might be forced to leave."

Zhu Chengjun didn't speak loudly, but given the level of Divine Might acuity of those present, everyone could hear him clearly.

Qiao Qi couldn't take it anymore and shouted, "Fatty Zhu, watch your mouth! What kind of apprentice level are you? I know Bai Xiaowen's pharmaceutical skills better than you do. He's made more perfect-grade potions than you've ever seen!"

Zhu Chengjun felt a little uneasy, but he still forced a question, "You personally witnessed him making medicine?"

Qiao Qi's momentum faltered slightly.

Zhu Chengjun saw through the deception and sneered, "Looks like you haven't seen this either. Let's be reasonable. What skills can a newcomer who's been in the business for less than a year possibly have? To win everyone's respect, he needs to at least show some ability. We have all the materials and tools here, why don't we let this genius Alchemist give us a demonstration? If he can really make a high-grade, Perfect-Tier Enhancement Potion on the spot, I'll apologize to him right now."

Qiao Rui gently patted Qiao Qi's shoulder and took a step forward.

"Bai Xiaowen's abilities are beyond question; he doesn't need to prove anything to you. Also, this is the training ground for the Alchemist Competition. Unauthorized personnel must leave immediately and are not permitted to re-enter. Personnel on duty, please take note."

Both teams of soldiers nodded simultaneously.

Zhu Chengjun Alchemist were driven out with resentment.

Qiao Qi snorted and said, "They're just a bunch of people who audit classes, they really think they're something special."

Qiao Rui glanced at Qiao Qi, who immediately shut her mouth.

"Master Yang, Xiao Wen missed the class a few days ago and has no experience with Exhibition Match. Could you please give him some extra guidance over the next few days?" Qiao Rui said softly.

Yang Haogu chuckled, "Of course. I happen to have a few words I'd like to say to this young man alone."

The others were slightly taken aback, then nodded and left the courtyard to wait outside. For a moment, only Yang Haogu and Bai Xiaowen remained in the room.

"I wonder what guidance Master Yang has to offer?" Bai Xiaowen spoke first.

"It's nothing, just a casual chat," Yang Haogu smiled kindly. "The relationship between you and the Qiao Family girl is quite complicated."

Bai Xiaowen hadn't expected this master to have a penchant for gossip. For Qiao Rui's reputation, he quickly clarified, "No, we just met today."

"Really? It doesn't look like it to me... or maybe my eyes are just getting old and blurry."

Yang Haogu chatted for a while, which helped to bridge the age gap between the two. Soon, they got down to business.

"You've really only been in the industry for a year?"

"To be precise, only ten months."

"What is the highest level of Enhancement Potion you've ever created?"

"Tier 1, Level 10"

"Perfect quality?"

"Yes."

Yang Haogu asked this question, then looked Bai Xiaowen up and down, and suddenly laughed, "I've seen your public information; you have Insight Talent, right?"

Bai Xiaowen hesitated slightly, then nodded.

"Your Insight isn't just limited to people; it can also affect objects containing Psionic Particles? You can see their components?"

Bai Xiaowen breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "Yes."

"That makes sense."

Yang Haogu stroked his sparse beard and nodded, saying, "If Insight can discern the components of medicinal herbs and prepare thoroughly, the proportions of their active ingredients can be perfectly matched. As long as the standard procedure is followed, a perfect potion can be brewed."

Bai Xiaowen was secretly amazed. The master was indeed a master; he saw through the trick at a glance.

In its external advertising, the Super God Potion Shop still uses the gimmick of "genius potion master." Of course, it's impossible to widely publicize that Bai Xiaowen was able to concoct perfect potions through Insight Talent. No more than one person knows that Bai Xiaowen can clearly see the ingredients of medicinal herbs.

After a pause, Yang Haogu continued, "However, you can only follow the paths laid out by those who came before you, and make common potions according to the standard procedures in pharmacy books. You won't find ready-made standard procedures and perfect formulas for those uncommon potions."

Bai Xiaowen nodded. He didn't understand many of the principles of pharmacology; he only knew the "what" but not the "why," and often could only confuse the two.

"Since you know my abilities, Master, you should understand that the pre-competition training courses are not very meaningful to me... I rely on Insight to make medicine, which is not the proper way of pharmacology. A few days of study will not be of much use," Bai Xiaowen said.

Yang Haogu smiled and said, "What righteous path or evil path? Your talent is something many Alchemist envy. Make the most of your talent and achieve even greater success."

"Is there any chance for an unconventional Alchemist like me to win first place in this Alchemist Exhibition Match?" Bai Xiaowen asked. Just as Qiao Rui said, he was unfamiliar with the competition schedule, format, and judging criteria of the Alchemist Conference Exhibition Match and had no experience in Exhibition Match.

This is also why Qiao Rui brought him here.

Yang Haogu shook his head and said, "The evaluation of young Alchemist in the Exhibition Match can be roughly divided into four aspects: breadth of knowledge, observation skills, calculation ability, and operational skills."

"The breadth of knowledge mainly includes pharmaceutical theory and the principles governing the properties of various medicinal herbs."

"Observational skills involve observing the reactions during the drug manufacturing process, which includes not only visual observation but also hearing, smell, and even taste."

"Computational ability requires comprehensive observation of the percentage of effective components in medicinal materials, combined with your theoretical knowledge, to instantly estimate and determine the appropriate timing and dosage for adding the next batch of medicinal materials."

"As for operational skills, there's no need to elaborate; Alchemist needs a steady hand and a strong heart."

The storyline of the Alchemist Conference will be sped up, as it's not part of the main plot. Apologies to those who don't enjoy it.