Refining the Dou Ling Pill, Fifth-Rank Alchemist!

Before long, Gerard returned with three sets of medicinal ingredients. The four of them walked into a dark chamber together; under normal circumstances, outsiders were not permitted to enter during an Alchemist Association examination.

However, since it was clear that Xiao Chen intended to bring the young girl inside, and Fama did not open his mouth to stop him, what else could Gerard say?

It was precisely because Gerard did not intervene that Xiao Chen assumed Gerard was also permitted to observe, which could be considered a mutual courtesy between the two parties.

"Ahem... young friend, the ingredients are prepared. You may ignite the furnace!"

Seeing that Xiao Chen had not taken out a pill furnace, Fama gave a light cough to offer a reminder, little knowing that Xiao Chen's next move would nearly cause his eyes to pop out in shock.

Xiao Chen did not speak upon hearing this. With a flip of his palm, a sea of golden flames surged out. He then rapidly performed a few hand seals and let out a low shout, "Condense!" As his voice fell, the golden flames coalesced into a pill furnace in mid-air.

"Condensing a cauldron from fire! What a magnificent technique, young friend!!"

Fama bolted from his seat, staring at the furnace in the air formed entirely from the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame, unable to stop himself from exclaiming in awe.

Beyond his astonishment, he also noticed something amiss. The flames were filled with violent energy; they did not look like the physical fire an alchemist would condense through their own power, nor did they resemble beast fire. He possessed beast fire himself, and it was impossible for it to contain such ferocious energy.

Thinking of this, a terrifying conjecture surfaced in Fama's mind. "Young friend Xiao Chen, is this flame of yours an Exotic Flame?" When he asked this question, Fama's voice trembled slightly.

That was an Exotic Flame, the dream fire of every alchemist on the Dou Qi Continent. Even an Exotic Flame at the very bottom of the Exotic Flame Ranking could incite alchemists to fight until rivers of blood flowed.

"President Fama has a sharp eye. What this junior possesses is indeed an Exotic Flame!"

Xiao Chen did not hide it; furthermore, an Exotic Flame of the caliber of the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame would only be mistaken for beast fire by those who were ignorant.

Fama had, after all, spent a few years by Yao Lao's side, so he had some understanding of the continent's legends. How could he be deceived?

Having received Xiao Chen's personal confirmation, Fama's eyes were filled with envy, though it was merely envy, and he harbored no other ulterior motives.

Xiao Chen dared to bring out an Exotic Flame so brazenly, which meant he must have something to rely on. Judging solely by strength, he was indeed stronger than Xiao Chen, but life-and-death struggles were never determined by cultivation level alone.

Moreover, even if he could kill Xiao Chen and seize the Exotic Flame, could he really get away with it? Would the forces behind Xiao Chen spare him?

To be able to produce an Exotic Flame, combined with the fact that Xiao Chen had become a peak fifth-tier alchemist at such a young age, it was clear that the forces behind him were not simple. He did not want to die without knowing why.

"A golden Exotic Flame... My teacher once told me that the Exotic Flame Ranking records twenty-three known Exotic Flames. Among them, only two match this flame!"

Fama watched the golden flames in mid-air, lost in thought. A moment later, his eyes widened sharply. "Young friend, is this the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame, ranked fourth on the Exotic Flame Ranking?!"

"I have long heard that President Fama is learned and knowledgeable. Seeing it today, the reputation is truly well-deserved!"

Xiao Chen did not directly confirm it, responding while manipulating the flames to refine the medicinal ingredients.

Although this did not directly answer President Fama's question, it implicitly confirmed that it was indeed an Exotic Flame.

Gerard, standing to the side, was now completely speechless, his gaze hollow as he stared at Xiao Chen.

That's right, he was the ignorant fool who had mistaken an Exotic Flame for beast fire. Recalling his earlier actions in the main hall, he now wished he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

Mistaking an Exotic Flame for beast fire—if this news got out, he would likely be the laughingstock of his colleagues for the rest of his life. Even though most of those people would likely have made the same mistake, that wouldn't stop them from mocking him!

Having verified his guess, Fama stopped speaking to avoid disturbing Xiao Chen's pill refinement. Little Doctor Fairy had not spoken a word, merely watching the pill furnace silently, her eyes filled with longing.

Time passed bit by bit. Although there was no sunlight in the dark chamber, there was a timer. Fama watched the pill nearing completion in the furnace, his heart filled with excitement, secretly marveling: "Three days. To refine a peak fifth-tier Dou Ling Pill in only three days—truly, a hero emerges from the youth!"

Xiao Chen performed rapid hand seals, simultaneously controlling the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame within the furnace to purge the impurities from the pill.

About the time it takes to brew a cup of tea later, "Condense!" With Xiao Chen's low shout, the Dou Ling Pill took shape. The Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame dissipated, and a round, fragrant pill spun merrily in the air.

Xiao Chen used his Dou Qi to guide the pill into his palm, then handed it to Fama. "President Fama, please trouble yourself to appraise it!"

"This is! Pill patterns!!"

Fama took the pill and looked at the wave-like patterns on its surface, falling into silence once more. After a brief silence, he let out a long sigh. "Sigh! Truly, a hero emerges from the youth. This pill does not need to be appraised; this old man is not qualified to appraise it!"

According to the rules of the Alchemist Association, a pill belonged to whoever refined it. Fama returned the Dou Ling Pill to Xiao Chen and first cupped his hands in congratulations. "Congratulations, young friend, on successfully passing the fifth-tier alchemist examination!" He then instructed Gerard, who was standing to the side, "Gerard, quickly bring out the robe!"

"Senior, this is the standard robe of the Alchemist Association. Please use this for now; if it does not fit, you may inform me of your measurements!"

Now that Xiao Chen had passed the fifth-tier alchemist examination, his status was higher than Gerard's, so it was no longer appropriate to address him as "young friend," and he was clever enough to change his form of address in time.

Xiao Chen, on the other hand, felt a bit awkward about the title. The reason was simple: his age was what it was. This feeling was like walking down the street and having a forty or fifty-year-old man suddenly call you "Uncle"—it was truly hard to accept. "Brother Gerard, let us address each other as peers. I cannot accept this title of 'Senior'!"

"Senior, that is where you are wrong. As the saying goes, 'In the pursuit of knowledge, there is no seniority; the one who is more skilled is the teacher.' Your alchemy is superior to mine, so why is it inappropriate for me to call you Senior?!"

Upon hearing this, Gerard shook his head repeatedly, refusing to budge. Seeing this, Fama smiled and said, "This lad is just like this; he has a straightforward nature. When I first took him on as a disciple, it was precisely because I valued this trait!"

"Alright, this is not the place for chatting. Let us head out first!"

Since Fama had spoken to this extent, Xiao Chen found it difficult to say anything more, so he nodded and followed him out.

"Having stayed in that dark chamber for three days, I'm still not quite used to coming out!"

Xiao Chen looked at the dazzling sun in the sky and squinted slightly. After staying in the dark chamber for so long, the direct, intense light made him feel somewhat uncomfortable.