Xiao Chen led Xiao Yi Xian into the Alchemist Association and walked up to the counter. He spoke calmly. "Hello, I'd like to take the alchemist certification exam."
The young woman handling registrations looked up at the sound of his voice. She was surprised to see how young Xiao Chen was, but still followed procedure and asked, "Do you have a letter of recommendation?"
"No, but I have this. Would it prove that I'm an alchemist?"
Xiao Chen opened his hand again and summoned the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame. Terrifying heat instantly flooded the area.
Watching the golden flames flicker in Xiao Chen's hand, the young woman felt her head buzz. She froze for a brief moment, then finally came to her senses and let out a piercing shriek. "A condensed true flame—a Fourth-Rank Alchemist!"
Her cry instantly drew everyone's attention. In an instant, all eyes in the hall were fixed on Xiao Chen and Xiao Yi Xian.
"Is that a true flame? Is that young man a Fourth-Rank Alchemist?"
A Second-Rank Alchemist nearing sixty stared at the golden flames in Xiao Chen's hand and muttered to himself. Suddenly, he began to doubt his entire life. It felt as if he'd wasted every year of it.
He had studied alchemy his whole life and had only barely made it to the Second Rank. Meanwhile, look at someone else: so young, and already at the Fourth Rank. Comparing people really could drive you to despair.
Most of the people present felt the same way. They looked at Xiao Chen with undisguised envy. A fine talent with a beautiful woman by his side—wasn't that the dream they'd all had when they were young?
"Enough. Keep it down. What kind of racket is this?"
As the alchemists all chattered among themselves, a voice rang out from the crowd. "The energy in that young man's flame is far too violent. It doesn't look like a true flame—it looks more like some kind of Beast Flame!"
The speaker was a middle-aged man. The badge on his chest showed that he was a Fourth-Rank Alchemist, and he seemed to command considerable respect. The surrounding area soon fell silent after he spoke.
"Little brother, I'm Gerard, an elder of the Alchemist Association. Which rank are you planning to certify for?"
Though Gerard suspected that the flame in Xiao Chen's hand wasn't a true flame, Beast Flames were extremely rare too. So he didn't put on his usual superior airs; instead, he was uncharacteristically humble.
Xiao Chen cupped his hands and replied politely, "I'm Xiao Chen. Greetings, senior. I'm planning to certify as a Fifth-Rank Alchemist."
"Oh! A Fifth-Rank Alchemist. I didn't expect someone so young to have reached the Fifth Rank..." Gerard stopped mid-sentence when he realized something was off. After a brief silence, he let out a shrill cry just like the young woman at the counter. "What? Which rank did you say you were planning to certify for?!"
"The Fifth Rank. Is there a problem?"
Xiao Chen patted Xiao Yi Xian in his arms. It seemed Gerard's sudden shriek had startled her; the girl was now pressed against his chest, clutching his clothes tightly without moving.
Gerard realized he'd been rude and hurriedly cleared his throat. "Ahem. My apologies, young friend. I was out of line. But are you serious about certifying as a Fifth-Rank Alchemist?"
"Of course. I know the Alchemist Association's rules. Since I've never taken an alchemist examination before, I can start with the First Rank!"
Xiao Chen didn't blame Gerard for making such a fuss. If he put himself in Gerard's shoes, he'd probably be so shocked that he'd lose his voice too, seeing such a young man claim he wanted to certify as a Fifth-Rank Alchemist.
Seeing how utterly confident Xiao Chen was, Gerard immediately realized that the young man wasn't bluffing—he had real skill. After a moment's silence, he made a bold decision. "According to the rules, that is indeed how it should be. But from what I've seen of your control over flames, you're far more skilled than I am!"
"So I'd be willing to vouch for you. I'll go invite President Fama to serve as the examiner. Please wait a little while!"
That was merely a polite excuse. He'd only seen Xiao Chen summon the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame; how could that tell him anything about Xiao Chen's control over flames? He was doing this only to earn goodwill and save Xiao Chen some trouble.
Xiao Chen knew what Gerard was thinking, but there was no reason to refuse a favor freely offered. Besides, turning him down outright might cost Gerard face. So he simply accepted the offer. "In that case, I'll have to trouble you, Elder Gerard."
"Hahaha, no trouble at all!"
Gerard beamed and waved away Xiao Chen's polite words. It really was a simple favor for him, and if he could win the goodwill of a Fifth-Rank Alchemist in return, he'd be making a killing.
What's more, this Fifth-Rank Alchemist was so young. Perhaps he could one day surpass Pill King Gu He. The only question was which great power in the Central Plains had cultivated such a young prodigy.
Indeed, after learning that Xiao Chen wanted to certify as a Fifth-Rank Alchemist, Gerard had guessed that he came from some great power in the Central Plains. To reach the Fifth Rank at such a young age, there was a very good chance he came from the Pill Tower.
There was no way the Jia Ma Empire could have cultivated someone like that. Besides, he knew all the promising young talents in the Jia Ma Empire. And as for the other empires, that was even less likely.
It wasn't that Gerard looked down on the other empires. If any of them could really cultivate a prodigy like this, the Jia Ma Empire might as well surrender and wait to be swallowed whole.
Gerard's smile faded. He turned to the attendant beside him and instructed, "Take young friend Xiao Chen to the VIP room to rest while he waits. I'm going to get President Fama!" Then he cupped his hands toward Xiao Chen. "Please go and wait in the VIP room, young friend. I'll be right back."
Xiao Chen nodded and thanked him again before following the attendant into the VIP room. Gerard watched him enter, then hurriedly turned and left.
In the Jia Ma Empire, inside a lavish manor, Fama was sampling a prized tea sent by the Imperial Family.
"Teacher, you really are taking it easy, with time to sit around sipping tea, while you leave me to suffer at the Alchemist Association!"
Gerard watched Fama leisurely holding his teacup and rolled his eyes as he grumbled.
Fama was a little surprised to see his nominal disciple come looking for him. "Gerard, what brings you here?"
"Teacher, you don't know? A young man came to the Alchemist Association today to take the alchemist rank certification exam!"
A sly smile tugged at Gerard's lips. He deliberately stopped there, leaving Fama in suspense.
Fama knew his disciple was probably trying to surprise him. He tapped the table with a finger, thought for a moment, then asked, "What rank does he want to certify for? Could it be the Third Rank?"
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