Becoming a Second-Rank Alchemist, Returning to Wutan City

Upon learning of the situation, Frank immediately followed Otto over.

Seeing how incredibly young Xiao Yan was, Frank was momentarily stunned.

At that age, he had been nothing more than a handyman.

Considering Xiao Yan's background, Frank set aside his status as Guild President.

"Young friend Xiao Yan, Otto tells me you are here to test for an alchemist rank. May I ask if you were an alchemist previously?"

Frank asked politely.

Xiao Yan stood up to reply, "Greetings, President Frank. I have not held an alchemist rank before, which is why I am here to take the exam now."

Frank's expression turned troubled.

"Young friend Xiao Yan, you may not be aware, but if you wish to test for a First-Grade Alchemist, I can arrange that for you right now. However, skipping ranks to test for a higher level is quite troublesome."

Xiao Yan said calmly, "It seems this is indeed difficult for you, President Frank, but if we could bypass the intermediate steps, it would save me quite a bit of time."

Frank nodded, while Otto hurriedly tugged at Frank's sleeve.

Then, Otto smiled and said, "We believe young friend Xiao Yan possesses the strength of a Second-Grade Alchemist, so there should be no issue with letting him test directly."

"Since that is the case, I shall say no more. Please, young friend Xiao Yan!" Frank extended an arm, gesturing toward a room in the distance.

Xiao Yan knew the two were playing good cop, bad cop. On one hand, they were giving him face; on the other, they were upholding the rules.

However, Xiao Yan did not care about any of that, as long as he could resolve the matter here. He still needed to return for his family's coming-of-age ceremony and the entrance exam for Canaan Academy.

"Then I thank you both, Masters." Xiao Yan feigned politeness.

And so, with Master Otto and President Frank personally supervising, they arrived at the room dedicated to certifying Second-Grade Alchemists.

Those in their twenties waiting to test for First-Grade Alchemist turned red with embarrassment.

"That guy couldn't be here through connections, could he? He looks even younger than my sister; how could he possibly be testing for Second-Grade Alchemist?"

"What do you know? I just saw two Dou Wang experts guarding him outside. He must be a young master from some great clan!"

"Forget it. No matter how talented he is, it's impossible to reach Second-Grade Alchemist at such a young age. A Second-Grade Alchemist must have at least reached the Dou Shi level. There's no one in this world with that kind of talent!"

Inside the room, Xiao Yan looked at the empty space.

Observers were not permitted during a Second-Grade Alchemist examination.

Frank rubbed his hands together and said, "Young friend Xiao Yan, the scroll in front of you contains the formula, and there are three sets of materials on the table. As long as you can refine the pill before the materials run out, you will have passed the assessment."

Master Otto smiled and said, "Young friend Xiao Yan, you may begin."

Xiao Yan opened the scroll to find it was a Second-Grade Qi Recovery Pill, which served to rapidly replenish Dou Qi lost during battle.

Xiao Yan was ecstatic, feeling as excited as if he had spent all night studying for a test only to find the next day's exam covered the exact same material.

This Qi Recovery Pill was the one he had practiced most during his grueling training in the mountain range; he knew it by heart.

Time was precious, and Xiao Yan had no time to lose.

He took out his medicine cauldron and began the refinement.

An hour later, under the astonished gazes of Master Otto and President Frank, Xiao Yan produced a perfectly round Qi Recovery Pill.

"Success on the first attempt, without a single wasted movement. Among Second-Grade Alchemists, this is already a peak level of mastery," Master Otto exclaimed in admiration.

Frank lowered his head, saying with a hint of shame, "At that age, we probably couldn't even identify all the herbs, let alone refine a pill."

"Don't even mention us; even if the Pill King Gu He were standing here today, he wouldn't dare claim he could surpass young friend Xiao Yan at the same age," Otto said, shaking his head.

"It is truly my life's fortune to witness what a heaven-sent genius looks like! Young friend Xiao Yan's future achievements will surely go far beyond a Sixth-Grade Alchemist." Frank recovered from his melancholy and began to praise Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan exchanged pleasantries with them for a while, and feeling that enough time had passed, he asked, "President Frank, may I have my alchemist badge now?"

Frank realized his mistake and said, "My apologies, I've delayed you, young friend Xiao Yan."

Otto retrieved the alchemist robes he had prepared in advance, along with some precious medicinal herbs.

Xiao Yan looked at the herbs and knew they were a gift from Frank and Otto, not something every alchemist received.

However, Xiao Yan accepted them anyway—after all, there was no reason to refuse something handed to him on a silver platter!

Once everything was settled, Frank knew Xiao Yan was in a hurry and did not try to keep him.

They escorted Xiao Yan to the entrance of the Alchemist Guild, where Frank asked, "Young friend Xiao Yan, would you be interested in participating in the Alchemist Grand Meeting in the Imperial Capital two years from now?"

"Oh? A gathering for all alchemists?" Xiao Yan feigned ignorance and asked.

Otto laughed heartily and explained, "Of course not. It is a competition for the younger generation. Only those under 30 are eligible to participate, and at not even 16, young friend Xiao Yan is truly a hero among youths."

Xiao Yan quickly cupped his hands and said, "You two are too kind. I am merely a bit sharper than others; when it comes to true experience, you seniors are far more impressive."

Frank looked at the humble Xiao Yan and felt even more favorably toward him; he truly wished he could betroth his own disciple to him.

But remembering Xiao Yan's background, Frank abandoned the thought.

"Young friend Xiao Yan, in that case, we shall not see you out any further." Otto smiled and bid Xiao Yan farewell.

Watching this scene, one might have thought they were seeing off a lifelong friend. There is a saying that rings true: once you become powerful, you will find that everyone around you is a good person.

"Many thanks to you both. I will consider the grand gathering two years from now."

After saying this, Xiao Yan unfurled his Purple Cloud Wings and departed, leaving everyone behind in astonishment.

Frank sighed and said, "We have lived most of our lives in vain; today, at least, our eyes have been opened."

"A flight-type Dou Technique—it seems he truly is the successor of a major power. Best not to speak of it, best not to speak of it," Otto added, shaking his head.

Xiao Yan arrived outside the city, where he rendezvoused with Hai Bodong and Yun Potian.

They waited for a while before White Fang finally arrived, fashionably late.

"My apologies, Boss. There was a Dou Wang-level female snake nearby, and I couldn't help myself."

Xiao Yan felt a vein throb in his forehead, but he had no time to deal with him.

"Alright, let's head to Wutan City! Xiao Yan of the Xiao Clan has returned."