Shocking the Alchemist Association, Quickly Invite President Fama!

Xiao Chen walked into the Alchemist Association with Little Doctor Fairy and approached the counter, speaking slowly: "Hello, I would like to undergo alchemist certification!"

The young lady in charge of registration looked up upon hearing his voice. She was quite surprised to see how young Xiao Chen was, but she still followed protocol and asked: "Do you have a letter of recommendation?"

"No, but I have this. Can this prove that I am an alchemist?"

Xiao Chen opened his hand again and summoned the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame, and a terrifying high temperature instantly permeated the air.

Watching the golden flames flickering in Xiao Chen's palm, the young lady felt her head buzzing, falling into a brief stupor. After a long while, she regained her senses and let out a sharp, piercing shriek: "Condensed real fire, a fourth-grade alchemist!!!"

This sound instantly attracted everyone nearby, and for a moment, all eyes in the hall were fixed on Xiao Chen and Little Doctor Fairy.

"Is that... real fire? That youth is a fourth-grade alchemist?"

A second-grade alchemist nearing sixty years of age stared at the golden flames in Xiao Chen's hand, muttering to himself. He suddenly felt a sense of existential doubt, feeling as though he had lived his entire life in vain.

He had studied alchemy for a lifetime only to barely step into the second grade, yet looking at someone else, they had reached the fourth grade at such a young age. It truly was a case of comparing people only to be driven to despair.

The vast majority of those present shared this sentiment, all looking at Xiao Chen with envy. With great talent and a beautiful woman by his side, wasn't this exactly the dream they all had when they were young?

"Alright, quiet down. What is all this shouting and clamoring about?"

Just as the alchemists were whispering among themselves, a rebuke came from the crowd: "The energy within that youth's flame is too violent; it doesn't look like real fire, but rather some kind of beast fire!"

The speaker was a middle-aged man. Judging by the badge on his chest, he was a fourth-grade alchemist, and his prestige seemed quite high; the surroundings quickly quieted down after he spoke.

"Little brother, I am Gerard, an elder of this Alchemist Association. May I ask what grade you intend to certify for?"

Although he suspected the flame in Xiao Chen's hand was not real fire, beast fire was also extremely rare, so Gerard did not adopt his usual high-and-mighty attitude, instead showing a rare touch of humility.

Xiao Chen cupped his hands and responded very politely: "Junior Xiao Chen greets you, Senior. This junior intends to certify as a fifth-grade alchemist!"

"Oh! A fifth-grade alchemist? I didn't expect a little brother so young to have reached the fifth grade..." Having said this, Gerard suddenly realized something was wrong. After a brief silence, he erupted with a sharp shriek just like the young lady at the counter: "What? You said you intend to certify as what grade of alchemist!!!"

"Fifth grade, is there a problem?"

Xiao Chen patted Little Doctor Fairy in his arms, who seemed startled by Gerard's sudden, piercing shriek. At this moment, the young girl was huddled in his arms, clutching his clothes tightly and remaining motionless.

Gerard also realized his rudeness and quickly cleared his throat: "Cough, cough. My apologies, young friend, it was my lack of manners. But are you serious about certifying as a fifth-grade alchemist?"

"Of course. I understand the rules of the Alchemist Association. Since I haven't undergone an alchemist examination before, I can start from the first grade!"

Xiao Chen did not blame Gerard for his fuss. If he put himself in Gerard's shoes, he would likely have been shocked into silence as well upon hearing such a young boy claim he wanted to certify as a fifth-grade alchemist.

Seeing Xiao Chen so confident, Gerard immediately realized that the youth before him was not bluffing but possessed genuine skill. After a moment of silence, he made a bold decision: "According to the rules, that is indeed how it should be, but I observe that your proficiency in fire control is far above my own!"

"Therefore, I am willing to vouch for you. I will go and invite President Fama to serve as the examiner shortly. Please wait a moment, young friend!"

This was merely a polite formality; he had only just seen Xiao Chen summon the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame and could not possibly have discerned the details of his fire control. He did this only to curry favor and save Xiao Chen some trouble.

Xiao Chen understood Gerard's intentions, but there was no reason to refuse a favor delivered to his doorstep. Moreover, refusing abruptly would risk causing him to lose face, so he simply went along with Gerard's suggestion: "In that case, I will trouble Elder Gerard!"

"Hahaha, no trouble at all, no trouble!"

Gerard's face was full of smiles as he waved his hand to dismiss Xiao Chen's polite words. This was indeed a small effort for him, and if he could gain the friendship of a fifth-grade alchemist, it would be a massive gain.

Furthermore, this fifth-grade alchemist was so young that he might one day surpass Pill King Gu He. He just wondered which major power in the Central Plains had cultivated this young prodigy.

That's right, after learning that Xiao Chen wanted to certify as a fifth-grade alchemist, Gerard guessed that Xiao Chen came from some major power in the Central Plains. To reach the fifth grade at such an age, there was a high probability he came from the Pill Tower.

In any case, the Gama Empire could not possibly cultivate such a talent, and he was familiar with all the promising seedlings in the Gama Empire. As for other empires, that was even more impossible.

It wasn't that he, Gerard, looked down on the other empires; if those empires could truly cultivate such a prodigy, the Gama Empire might as well surrender and wait to be annexed.

Gerard wiped the smile from his face, turned his head to look at the attendant beside him, and instructed: "Take young friend Xiao Chen to the VIP room to rest and wait. I am going to invite President Fama!" After speaking, he cupped his hands toward Xiao Chen: "Young friend, please move to the VIP room to rest. I shall return shortly!"

Xiao Chen nodded, thanked him again, and followed the attendant into the VIP room. Watching Xiao Chen walk into the room, Gerard hurried away.

In a magnificent manor within the Gama Empire, Fama was savoring some premium tea sent by the Imperial Family.

"Teacher is truly leisurely, having the time and elegance to drink tea here while leaving me to suffer at the Alchemist Association!"

Gerard looked at Fama, who was holding his teacup with ease, and rolled his eyes in complaint.

Seeing his registered disciple come to find him, Fama was somewhat surprised: "Gerard, what brings you here to see me?"

"Teacher may not know, but a youth came to the Alchemist Association today wanting to undergo alchemist grade certification!"

A mischievous smile curled at the corners of Gerard's mouth; he deliberately didn't finish his sentence in one breath, keeping Fama in suspense.

Fama knew his disciple likely wanted to give him a surprise. He tapped his fingers on the table for a moment, thinking, before asking: "What grade does he want to certify for? Could it be the third grade?"