Test It Again

As the alchemists emerged from behind the black curtains, the once empty hall became full again, but everyone remained quiet.

There wasn't much sand left in the hourglass, but Xiao Yan still hadn't come out. All eyes were fixed on the black curtain through which Xiao Yan had entered.

Otto on the platform tensed up. He hadn't expected to be the most nervous one in the end. Liu Ling had a faint smile on her face, but a hint of disdain and mockery appeared deep in her eyes.

"So what if you can heal Old Master Nalan? I heard you have Heavenly Flames, and you've managed to refine it to this point. It seems the rumors about the Heavenly Flames are false. I will prove to Yan Ran who is truly right for her. This tournament champion will definitely be me!" Liu Ling thought to herself.

Otto's brows were almost completely furrowed. He glanced at Xiao Yu, Xiao Yu naturally noticed Otto gaze and gave him a reassuring look, which made Otto feel a little better.

The Little Princess chuckled softly, "Hey, Brother Liu, I heard that Yan Xiao seems to be treating Old Master Nalan's illness. His strength is really too weak, isn't it?"

Liu Ling chuckled softly, "Hehe, perhaps Yan Xiao's teacher has a way to cure Old Master Nalan? Yan Xiao might just be benefiting from it!"

The Little Princess pouted and said, "That's possible."

Liu Ling glanced at Xiao Shi Yi and then laughed, "I heard from Yan Ran that Xiao Shi Yi and Yan Xiao seem to be fellow disciples. They're both oddballs; one has refined it countless times, and the other refines it relentlessly. How interesting!"

The Little Princess burst out laughing upon hearing this.

On the high platform, the hourglass was almost empty. Seeing this, Qiemier shook his head helplessly. He hadn't expected that the little guy Otto recommended wouldn't even pass the test. After sighing, he stood up to announce the end of the refining process.

Otto glanced helplessly at Qiemier's actions, but said nothing. Just then, a calm voice came from behind the black curtain.

Xiao Yan, dressed in black, slowly emerged from behind the black curtain and gave a slight bow to Qiemier looked somewhat surprised on the high platform.

The Little Princess looked at Xiao Yan as he walked out and chuckled softly, "This guy was lucky to make it out at the last minute, but I wonder how pure his refined product is?"

Qiemier nodded slightly at Xiao Yan, but he didn't hold out much hope. He glanced at the crowd standing below the stage and said in a deep voice, "Since everyone has come out on time, let's begin the next test."

"Before the test, each person should state how many times they refined their knowledge, then take the test. It's out of 10 points, with 1 point being the lowest and 4 points being the passing score. Let's begin!"

After speaking, Qiemier and the group of alchemists behind him all stood up and looked towards the testing machine, waiting for their results to be announced.

As Qiemier finished speaking, the people in the hall exchanged glances. The third- Third-grade Alchemist standing at the front gritted his teeth and was the first to step forward, placing his refined product on the testing machine.

"Vice President, my ability only allows me to refine Ironwood Spirit Leaf three times!"

Qiemier nodded slightly. Three successful extractions of Ironwood Spirit Leaf was already a good result, but for a monster like Xiao Shi Yi who had extracted it ten times as Third-grade Alchemist, it was still far from enough!

After flashing a few times, the screen of the testing machine displayed a large number "5".

"Five points, congratulations on passing!" Qiemier nodded with a smile.

"Next!"

"Four points... pass!"

"Five points... pass!"

Three points... failed!

As each alchemist stepped forward, it became clear that those who failed were all Second-grade Alchemist, while the worst Third-grade Alchemist scored four points.

Soon it was Liu Ling's turn. He calmly approached the testing machine, took out a jade bottle from his Storage Ring, carefully placed it into the slot, and looked up at Qiemier, saying, "My strength is limited; I can only refine it six times."

As soon as Liu Ling spoke, the other alchemists in the hall were in an uproar, but the elders on the platform were much calmer. Normally, they would have praised her highly, but there was an extra variable: Xiao Shi Yi!

"Seven points, congratulations, you passed!" Although Qiemier was prepared, he was still surprised by Liu Ling's strength. This strength was enough to reach the peak of Third-grade Alchemist.

After that, several people passed and several were eliminated, and soon the Little Princess happily walked up.

Qiemier smiled as he looked at the Little Princess; after all, she was his beloved student, and he valued her even more.

"I refined it five times, teacher!" The Little Princess giggled as she placed the jade bottle into the groove.

The bright red numbers lit up, and everyone was surprised to find that although the Little Princess had refined the material one less time than Liu Ling, her score was only 0.5 points lower.

Qiemier nodded with satisfaction at the Little Princess; this achievement was already quite satisfactory for Qiemier.

As the testers passed by one by one, only Xiao Yan remained standing in the same spot.

"Yan Xiao, it's your turn!" Qiemier said, looking at Xiao Yan.

Upon hearing Qiemier's voice, Xiao Yan first glanced at Liu Ling, who was smiling at him, smiled faintly, and then walked directly towards the testing machine.

"I refined it eight times in total!" Xiao Yan said softly.

Before the test-takers could even chuckle, their eyes widened as a huge, bright red character flashed on the testing machine. "Nine points!"

Gazing at the crimson characters, Qiemier's pupils contracted slightly. It was quite surprising that Second-grade Alchemist could refine nine-tenths of the original. Even Liu Ling and the Little Princess had a hint of disbelief in their eyes!

The Little Princess looked at Xiao Yan with a hint of helplessness and resentment, thinking to herself, "Why is this guy deliberately hiding his strength? Does he have a masochistic streak?"

In an instant, a variety of gazes, filled with awe, curiosity, jealousy, and other emotions, turned towards Xiao Yan. Liu Ling pointed at Xiao Yu and said, "Hasn't he already taken the test?"

Everyone's eyes immediately turned to Xiao Yu, who had been sitting there drinking tea, with strange looks in their eyes. It was as if he wasn't there for the test!

Seeing Liu Ling pointing at Xiao Yu, Qiemier coughed lightly and said, "Xiao Shi Yi's score was already tested before you, and he passed!"

Qiemier didn't want Xiao Shi Yi's performance to affect the confidence of these people. Perhaps Liu Ling and the Little Princess wouldn't be so easily discouraged, but what about the others? So, as the vice president, he still had to consider these people!

However, Liu Ling frowned and said, "Vice President, we were all tested in front of everyone, but we didn't see his score, yet you say he passed. That's probably not in accordance with the rules!"

Qiemier frowned slightly as he looked at Liu Ling, but Liu Ling was not flustered at all. After all, his teacher was of a higher rank than the president of the Alchemist Guild, and he was not afraid of anyone in the Alchemist Guild!

Seeing that everyone else had similar expressions to Liu Ling, Qiemier sighed slightly and said, "Alright then, since you all want to see it, let's test it again!"

"Little guy, come over and test it again. Let them see, so they won't say it's against the rules!" Qiemier glanced meaningfully at Liu Ling, then smiled at Xiao Yu and said.