Fama Arrives, Peak Fifth Rank?

Gerard sat on a nearby chair with a grin, holding up a finger and shaking it. "Wrong, Teacher. Guess again. I guarantee it will shock you!"

"Shock me? A fifth-tier alchemist?"

Fama stared intently at Gerard, waiting for him to confirm his guess. Gerard did not disappoint, nodding as he said, "Exactly, fifth-tier. And before this, he had never even taken an assessment for an alchemist rank!"

Upon hearing this, Fama shot up from his seat, his eyes filled with excitement. "You mean to say that our Gama Empire is about to produce another fifth-tier alchemist?"

The Alchemist Association has an unwritten rule: regardless of where an alchemist is originally from, as long as their initial registration is with a specific branch, they are considered a member of that branch's territory.

If a branch can cultivate an outstanding alchemist, the Pill Tower will allocate more resources to them. Thus, the lifelong dream of every Alchemist Association president is to cultivate an alchemist who surpasses themselves.

This provides bragging rights when dealing with other branch presidents, secures more resources, and if luck permits, might even catch the eye of some major figure, opening the door to promotion.

It was precisely for this reason that Fama was so agitated upon learning that Xiao Chen had indeed come to be certified as a fifth-tier alchemist. This was a treasure delivered right to his doorstep—a treasure without an owner, at that.

"Let's go, let's go! Stop drinking, take me to the association immediately!"

Fama snatched the cup from Gerard's hand and dragged him toward the door, terrified that this treasure might be snatched up by someone else.

"No, Teacher, I haven't even had a drink yet! We're going so far, at least let me have a sip of water!"

Gerard now wished he could slap himself. Why did he have to show off? Now he couldn't even get a drink of water.

Meanwhile, in the Gama Empire, the Imperial Palace!

"Your Majesty is saying that a young Dou Wang has entered the Holy City and is currently at the Alchemist Association? And Master Gerard is personally hosting him?"

Yaoye looked at the intelligence report in her hand, her mind rapidly weighing the possibilities. The Emperor nodded and continued, "The secret envoy's report cannot be wrong. Gerard has already gone to fetch President Fama!"

"President Fama is going to the association? It seems this youth is either of extraordinary background or a genius alchemist!"

Yaoye keenly sensed the vital information contained within. "Regardless of the reason, our Imperial Family must not fall behind. Your Majesty, I intend to visit the Alchemist Association myself!"

"That is exactly my intention, but my status makes it inappropriate for me to show my face. This matter must trouble you!"

Jia He's words seemed to be for the sake of the Imperial Family's reputation, but in reality, he had no choice. He knew full well that the only reason he sat on this throne was because he was sufficiently obedient.

As the monarch of the Gama Empire, he appeared infinitely glorious, capable of deciding life and death with a single word. In reality, he had to seek Jia Xingtian's approval for every decision before he could act.

Now that Jia Xingtian had cultivated Yaoye, it was clear he intended for the eldest princess to take over. Jia He had once thought of resisting, but after the heads of the talents and death-sworn soldiers he had secretly cultivated were placed on his bedside in the middle of the night, he completely lost the thought of rebellion.

Isn't it better to just live well? Even if I'm a puppet, at least I don't have to worry about food and clothing. Why court death? Holding this thought, Jia He completely let go, leaving even the morning court and state affairs to Yaoye.

Just as the two were speaking, Fama had already arrived at the Alchemist Association and met Xiao Chen.

"Sorry to have kept you waiting, young friend. I am Fama, president of the Alchemist Association in the capital of the Gama Empire!"

Fama wore a warm smile, appearing calm on the surface, while his heart was already churning with waves. Young, far too young! At such an age, if he had truly reached the level of a fifth-tier alchemist, then he was undoubtedly a prodigy.

Xiao Chen stood up and cupped his hands. "Junior Xiao Chen, greetings, Senior Fama!" This address of "Senior" was not out of respect for his cultivation, but from the innate instinct to respect one's elders.

"Hahaha, young friend Xiao Chen, I cannot accept such a title. We are both fifth-tier alchemists; let us address each other as peers!"

The smile on Fama's face deepened. Compared to those arrogant peers who always acted high and mighty, who wouldn't like Xiao Chen's humble and polite demeanor?

Xiao Chen smiled and did not argue further about the title. "Since Senior Fama has arrived, can we begin the assessment?"

"Please, this way, young friend. I shall personally supervise this assessment. May I ask which type of pill you specialize in refining?"

With this statement, Fama was clearly offering a favor. According to standard procedure, Xiao Chen should have drawn one of ten fifth-tier pill formulas to refine.

His intent was obvious: to let Xiao Chen refine the fifth-tier pill he was most proficient in. As long as the pill was successfully formed, he would pass the assessment.

Of course, this was not cheating. After all, only a fifth-tier alchemist could refine a fifth-tier pill. However, for someone who had just reached the fifth tier, if they were unlucky and drew a formula they had never practiced, they might not succeed within their three allotted attempts.

If they wanted to try again, they would have to wait half a year. Heaven knows where Xiao Chen would be in half a year.

Thus, Fama was killing two birds with one stone: he was doing a favor while ensuring he could secure the rewards from above.

"Senior Fama, I intend to refine the Dou Ling Pill. I wonder if the association has the materials?"

Xiao Chen had considered which pill to refine, and the Dou Ling Pill was just right; it could also help him improve his cultivation.

Hearing this, Fama's feet faltered, and he whipped his head around to look at Xiao Chen. "Are you sure, young friend? The Dou Ling Pill is a peak fifth-tier pill! Even I do not have the confidence to refine it!"

As he spoke, Fama's breathing grew somewhat rapid. He had assumed Xiao Chen was just a novice fifth-tier, but he hadn't expected this youth to attempt a peak fifth-tier pill. Did that not mean this youth had already stepped into the peak of the fifth tier?

"Yes! I have some confidence in refining the Dou Ling Pill."

Xiao Chen quickly ran through the refining techniques for the Dou Ling Pill in his mind. While he couldn't guarantee success on the first try, he was ninety-nine percent certain.

Fama took a deep breath, suppressing the excitement in his heart, and turned to instruct Gerard, who was standing to the side. "Gerard, go and fetch three sets of medicinal ingredients for the Dou Ling Pill!"

Gerard had been stunned ever since Xiao Chen mentioned the Dou Ling Pill. It wasn't until Fama called him that he snapped out of it, replied with a "Yes," and hurried toward the medicinal herb vault.