Xiao Huo's Advice

Especially the Spear Technique instructors wore various expressions.

Luo Cheng, a Mid Sixth Grade Spear Technique expert, fixed his gaze on Qin Yan, a flicker of approval passing through his eyes.

With Qin Yan's Third Stage low-level attainments in Spear Technique, Zhang Qiming truly could not offer him much guidance.

Despite not meeting the requirements for recruitment by a top-tier instructor, Qin Yan had not been swayed by the immediate benefits before him. This showed how resolute his will was.

He's a good prospect. What a pity... Luo Cheng sighed inwardly.

Qin Yan's talent in Spear Technique was indeed outstanding, but it was not enough for Luo Cheng to make an exception and recruit him.

After all, he was still a non-Martial Artist. The gap between him and a true Martial Artist was simply too great.

Who knew how much time and effort it would take to make up for that gap?

At Magic Capital Martial University, one step behind meant falling behind at every step!

The allocation of resources and the acquisition of opportunities were all tied to strength.

Of course, if this young man had the nerve to step forward and recommend himself, demonstrating sufficient determination and potential, Luo Cheng would not mind giving Qin Yan a chance.

However, what happened next slightly exceeded Instructor Luo Cheng's expectations.

After declining Zhang Qiming, Qin Yan turned his determined gaze toward the area where the top-tier instructors stood and walked over.

Luo Cheng's heart stirred slightly. Does this kid really have the nerve to try?

But immediately afterward, he realized that Qin Yan was not heading in his direction. Instead... he was walking straight toward Xiao Huo, the Sixth Academy instructor stationed in the area on the other side!

Why was a promising Spear Technique student looking for an Alchemy Grandmaster?

Instructor Luo Cheng could not help frowning slightly, his heart filled with confusion.

Meanwhile, Lu Youyou stood prettily behind Instructor Xiao Huo.

Her lively, bright eyes curiously sized up the approaching Qin Yan. Her long lashes fluttered as she studied him with a hint of probing interest.

Qin Yan's gaze first fell upon the floating energy screen before Instructor Xiao Huo, where the recruitment requirements were clearly listed:

[Mandatory Requirements:

Must be an official Martial Artist.

Alchemy skills must have reached Second Stage or above.]

At present, Qin Yan met neither requirement.

Yet he took a deep breath, his gaze remaining firm.

He had come this far. How could he be willing to leave without trying?

"Qin Yan?"

Instructor Xiao Huo was clearly somewhat surprised to see Qin Yan approach him, and a hint of interest appeared on his face.

Naturally, he recognized this Spear Technique genius who had shone so brilliantly during the trial.

"You know how to refine pills?" he asked directly, curiosity in his tone.

Qin Yan calmly met Xiao Huo's gaze and answered sincerely, "Instructor Xiao Huo, to be honest, I don't know how yet."

Upon hearing that, Xiao Huo immediately lost interest. He waved a hand. "Then you should know that you don't meet my recruitment standards.

Go find another instructor who suits you better."

His tone made it obvious that he was dismissing Qin Yan. Clearly, he did not believe a Spear Technique genius could achieve much on the Alchemy Path, nor did he wish to waste his time.

But Qin Yan did not move.

Over the past few days, he had done his homework thoroughly. Not only had he carefully studied all of Instructor Xiao Huo's publicly available information, but he had also specifically visited the library to look up more records and rumors about this Alchemy Grandmaster.

He knew that although this instructor appeared casual, he actually placed tremendous importance on his disciples' character and perseverance.

He also enjoyed others' admiration and praise.

Thus, Qin Yan began delivering the speech he had long prepared, speaking in an exceptionally earnest tone tinged with reverence:

"Instructor Xiao Huo, although I don't know how to refine pills yet, I have a deep interest in the Alchemy Path!

I believe that interest is the best teacher!

I long to walk firmly down the path of alchemy and explore its mysteries."

"To be honest, among all the academies at Magic Capital Martial University, the Sixth Academy is the one I admire most!

And the skill I most wish to learn is alchemy!

Among the many outstanding instructors of the Sixth Academy, you are the one I respect most!"

"Especially back then, at the Alchemist Conference, when you used your peerless techniques to refine that quasi-Seventh Grade Dragon Tiger Pill across ranks, astonishing everyone present.

When I read about it in the records, I was shaken like never before!

Your exquisite control over the heat and your grasp of the timing for blending medicinal properties—it was practically art..."

Qin Yan spoke with unceasing eloquence, recounting one by one the alchemy achievements Instructor Xiao Huo was proudest of as though he knew them by heart.

His words were earnest, filled with sincere admiration.

As one glorious achievement after another was mentioned, an irrepressible smile gradually appeared on Xiao Huo's face.

He even subconsciously stroked a beard that did not exist, his gaze gaining a touch of gentleness and self-satisfaction.

This move had worked after all!

Qin Yan struck while the iron was hot, his tone becoming even more earnest. "Instructor Xiao Huo, I sincerely hope you can give me a chance to study Alchemy under you!

I hope that one day, I too can shine on the Alchemy Path and refine more and better pills for humanity's Martial Artists!"

However, the smile on Xiao Huo's face slowly faded.

He looked at Qin Yan. His tone had softened considerably, but it still carried a rational consideration:

"Qin Yan, I understand your intentions.

But Alchemy is not something one can master through passion alone.

Right now, you know nothing about Alchemy. That means you would need to start with the fundamentals: identifying medicinal ingredients, understanding their properties, learning about the spirituality of flesh and blood, and, most importantly, fire-control techniques...

Every stage requires an enormous amount of time and effort to study and practice."

With that, he turned to Lu Youyou behind him and asked, "Youyou, from the time you first encountered Alchemy until reaching your current level, how long did it take?"

Lu Youyou answered obediently in a crisp voice, "Teacher, I began identifying medicinal ingredients and systematically studying Alchemy Path knowledge at thirteen. It has been about five years now.

Most of that time was spent learning and memorizing the properties of tens of thousands of medicinal ingredients, as well as understanding the differences in the spirituality contained within the flesh and blood of different exotic beasts."

"Five years?!"

Qin Yan was secretly alarmed.

He knew Alchemy was difficult, but he had not expected even getting started to require such a long accumulation of knowledge.

"Did you hear that?"

Xiao Huo looked at Qin Yan, his tone grave. "And that is only because Youyou possesses exceptional talent in the Alchemy Path, far surpassing ordinary people.

If it were someone of average aptitude, reaching the High Second Stage in Alchemy without more than ten years of painstaking effort would be utterly impossible!"

He continued persuading him earnestly. "Qin Yan, think about it. Your own strength is already behind the top students of your year. Your most urgent task is to break through to Martial Artist as soon as possible.

Breaking through to Martial Artist requires cultivating specialized Body Tempering Martial Arts, which will also consume a great deal of your time and energy.

If you divide your attention now to study the immensely demanding Alchemy Path, do you think you will still have enough time?

What will you use to compete against those wolfish, tiger-like geniuses at Magic Capital Martial University?"