Special-grade Alchemist

Qiao Qi opened her mouth in surprise.

Qiao Xiangdong smiled and said, "Good, it's great that outstanding young people become friends, Inspire each other, and make progress together." Although he had some doubts in his heart, he did not show them.

Then, Qiao Xiangdong asked Bai Xiaowen about her future career path, whether she would focus on the Combat Department or the secondary profession of Alchemist.

Bai Xiaowen said, "I'll still focus on the Combat Department, but of course, I won't neglect pharmaceuticals."

"Can you manage both in terms of time and energy?" Qiao Xiangdong asked. After all, both Combat Department and secondary professions require a lot of energy. Many people dedicate their entire lives to one profession and still can't excel at it, let alone manage both.

"It's not time to make a choice yet. If one day I feel I don't have enough energy, then I'll make a choice," Bai Xiaowen said.

Qiao Rui said, "Second Uncle, Xiao Wen is basically the strongest among his peers in the Combat Department and secondary professions. He achieved his current success in less than a year."

Qiao Xiangdong nodded. "His talent in both areas is exceptionally high; it's truly rare."

"However, this world is bigger than you imagine. Right now, you're like walking through a narrow passageway, occasionally seeing fireflies or glowing grass and thinking it's beautiful. Only after you've walked through the passageway will you discover another vast world, that's the truly colorful and magnificent world."

Qiao Xiangdong made a rather poetic analogy, concluding with, "In places you may not know, there are some young people with equally high talent, excellent growth environments, and unimaginably abundant resources, achieving remarkable success. I hope you can determine your area of expertise soon; otherwise, if you encounter such an opponent one day, you might feel very frustrated, and by then it might be too late to catch up."

"Thank you for your guidance, Secretary Qiao."

Bai Xiaowen's heart stirred slightly. There seemed to be some special meaning in Qiao Xiangdong's words, but he didn't explain it clearly. Perhaps it involved confidentiality rules.

Qiao Xiangdong smiled slightly, "No need to thank me, on the contrary, I should be thanking you. Let's get straight to the point... The Pharmaceutical Development Commission will issue you a Alchemist certification. Your performance today was truly remarkable. I would say that you should be eligible for a Special-grade Alchemist position."

"Alchemist certification?" Bai Xiaowen was slightly taken aback.

Xu Wenchuan added softly, "Alchemist certified by the National Pharmaceutical Development Commission are essentially part of the system, enjoying its resources without many restrictions. Special-grade Alchemist can purchase rare medicinal herbs at discounted prices from the Pharmaceutical Development Commission's pharmacy..."

The pharmacy under the Pharmaceutical Development Commission has a very complete range of medicinal materials. This can be seen from the Youth Exhibition Match, where each Alchemist, when challenging others, could have even the most obscure medicinal materials readily available within ten minutes.

For Alchemist, not having to worry about a shortage of rare medicinal materials is undoubtedly a very attractive benefit.

Bai Xiaowen nodded and smiled, "Thank you, Secretary Qiao."

He knew in his heart that this was Qiao Xiangdong's thank-you gift. The Special-grade Alchemist position certified by the Pharmaceutical Development Commission was not something that could be obtained purely based on ability; it also depended on seniority, honors, and connections... much like the teacher promotion process in another timeline.

Although Bai Xiaowen shone brightly in the Exhibition Match, this was his only honor in the pharmacy world. To skip so many levels and directly become Special-grade Alchemist would definitely be an exception.

After chatting for a while, Qiao Xiangdong glanced at his watch. "It's getting late. Your teammates are waiting for you to go back and celebrate. They're all very interesting young people."

Such an important person waited for me for two hours and talked for so long, which shows that he values me quite a bit.

Thinking this, Bai Xiaowen said goodbye to Qiao Xiangdong and then left the second-floor platform.

Watching Bai Xiaowen's departing figure, Qiao Xiangdong seemed thoughtful and said to Qiao Rui, "Xiao Si, you and him... are friends?"

Before Qiao Rui could speak, Qiao Qi pouted and said, "Can't you tell? My sister is clearly in love... Oh dear!" He jumped and hid behind Xu Wenchuan.

"If I hear you spouting nonsense again, I'll rip your tongue out." Qiao Rui glared at Qiao Qi.

Qiao Xiangdong frowned. "Xiao Si, how are things going with the Ouyang Family's child?"

"Second Uncle, Ouyang Heng and I are just ordinary schoolmates. What era are we living in? Can't we stop with arranged marriages?" Qiao Rui said helplessly.

"This has nothing to do with the era..." Qiao Xiangdong sighed and said, "It only has to do with family. Our generation went through the same thing. Xiao Si, you are very mature. You need to know what choices you should make and not follow in your aunt's footsteps."

"My aunt is doing well; I think she's very happy. Not every woman is like my eldest aunt, yearning for a high position and the power to influence others," Qiao Rui said calmly.

"You child..." Qiao Xiangdong rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on.

Qiao Qi said, "Dad, from your perspective, you don't seem to have the right to stop Fourth Sister and Bai Xiaowen. They did you a huge favor today, otherwise you would have lost all face."

Qiao Xiangdong resisted the urge to kick Qiao Qi with his strong willpower and ignored this unfilial son who spoke without restraint.

Qiao Rui followed up on Qiao Qi's words, "Second Uncle, Qiao Qi and I helped you this time, and we don't ask for any reward. I only hope that you won't interfere in my love life in the future. Is that too much to ask?"

Qiao Xiangdong sighed and said, "Well, your second uncle neither supports nor opposes your relationship with Bai Xiaowen. Think about it, Bai Xiaowen is also a very outstanding young man. Putting aside his background, he is indeed more outstanding than Ouyang Heng... However, we may not know what the rest of the family thinks."

"I didn't say I like Bai Xiaowen," Qiao Rui said, a slight blush on her face. "I just feel disgusted that my family is forcing me and Ouyang Heng together. I want to find someone I truly love to spend my life with, and if I can't find that, I will never settle."

Qiao Rui was very happy when she spoke. Originally, her second uncle was very enthusiastic about arranging a marriage between the Qiao Faction and Ouyang Faction. It was unrealistic to expect him to completely change his stance through this Alchemist Exhibition Match. The fact that he had softened his stance and neither supported nor opposed it was already beyond expectations.

Qiao Rui is not the heroine of a romance drama. Although she dislikes arranged marriages, she does not want to fall out with her family because of them.

For Qiao Rui, the best outcome would be to have the happy marriage she desires, along with the support and blessings of her family.

A corner where no one ever goes.

Huang Xuan and Yang Haogu stood facing each other.

A long silence ensued, with the two seemingly communicating only through their eyes. Huang Xuan's face held a hint of madness, while Yang Haogu's eyes held a trace of regret.

If a downpour were to follow now, it would be perfect.

"Teacher, are you here to mock me?" Huang Xuan finally spoke, his arrogant gaze piercing through his messy hair and shooting straight at Yang Haogu.

"Huang Xuan, come back. The Japan pharmaceutical industry is too small; you'll only bury your talent if you stay there," Yang Haogu.

"Go back? Do you think I can even go back?" Huang Xuan's face revealed a familiar cold smile. "Qiao Xiangdong won't tolerate me."

"You underestimate Secretary Qiao. Even if he doesn't like you, he wouldn't refuse your return to China. That's the kind of magnanimity a high-ranking pharmaceutical official must have," Yang Haogu sighed. "It's good that you lost this competition. If you had won first place and acted recklessly as planned, everything would have been truly beyond repair."

After a pause, Yang Haogu continued, "I still have some influence with Secretary Qiao. If I mediate and you admit your mistake, the matter will be over. How long can he stay in office? He might be promoted or transferred within a few years. Isn't the future going to you young people?"

"I refuse to accept this!" Huang Xuan suddenly roared, "Why should I be the one to admit fault? It's Qiao Xiangdong who's targeting me!"

Don't you understand?

Yang Haogu's voice suddenly turned stern, "I advised you long ago to focus on your studies and not get involved in political struggles! You touched Secretary Qiao's most sensitive nerve, how could he not target you? Haven't you realized you've been used as a pawn?"

"I wasn't manipulated; I'm not that stupid. I oppose Qiao Xiangdong because I simply cannot accept an outsider in charge of the Pharmaceutical Development Commission, bossing us real Alchemist around!"

Huang Xuan said in a low voice, "Teacher, you don't need to persuade me anymore. Even in Japan, I, Huang Xuan, can make a name for myself. Sooner or later, I will make Qiao Xiangdong regret it!"

Watching Huang Xuan's departing figure, Yang Haogu remained silent for a long time before finally letting out a soft sigh.