Xiao Yan smiled faintly, then said, "We're not here to cause trouble. We're here to refine pills and borrow Jia Nan Academy's Medicinal Herb Storage."
Ye Xian was stunned for a moment before bursting into loud laughter.
All the alchemists present laughed along with him. Lin Yan was somewhat angered, but Xiao Yan stopped him.
Ye Xian said, "Maybe you have some talent in cultivation, but don't get too full of yourself. You're only a two-star Dou Ling, yet you want that kind of privilege?"
"Even Senior Ye doesn't have the privilege of borrowing the Medicinal Herb Storage, much less you!"
"Yeah, what makes some brute think he's worthy of touching alchemy? Aren't you afraid of wasting precious resources?"
Listening to their mockery, Xiao Yan said helplessly, "So this is the caliber of students in Jia Nan Academy's Alchemist Department. Looks like they've all been led astray by you."
The veins on Ye Xian's forehead bulged as he said word by word, "You've angered me. If you don't give me an explanation today, don't even think about walking out of here."
"Heh, it's not that I look down on you, but you bunch of medicine bags—do you believe I can take all of you down by myself?" Xiao Yan said disdainfully.
"Fine, fine, fine! Just wait here. You'd better not go anywhere!" Ye Xian waved his hand, preparing to send someone to call for reinforcements.
"What are you all doing over there?"
A furious roar interrupted everyone present.
An elderly figure appeared before them. Every student from the Alchemist Department, including Ye Xian, respectfully bowed to the old man.
Xiao Yan looked at the elder but could not determine which elder he was.
"What are you all making such a mess for? Have you learned how to refine every pill already? Do you need me to test you?" Old Man Fire cursed hot-temperedly.
None of the students present dared to argue. Ye Xian immediately accused them first, saying, "Elder Huo, these two came to our Alchemist Department to cause trouble. They even said they would deal with us."
After hearing this, Old Man Fire turned his gaze toward Xiao Yan. Among the elders, Xiao Yan's appearance was no longer a secret.
Virtually every elder knew Xiao Yan. The other elders valued him greatly and treated him like a treasure, but Old Man Fire did not see him that way.
After all, in Old Man Fire's eyes, only students who could refine pills were the best students.
"You're Xiao Yan, right? Your reputation is quite impressive. But this isn't a place you should be. Leave now," Old Man Fire said, suppressing his anger and speaking calmly.
Old Man Fire had never spoken so gently to students before. Ye Xian inwardly thought that things were bad.
However, Xiao Yan clasped his hands and said, "This junior, Xiao Yan, greets Elder Huo. I came this time to borrow Jia Nan Academy's Medicinal Herb Storage. I want to refine more pills and consolidate my rank."
Old Man Fire asked suspiciously, "You know how to refine pills too?"
Xiao Yan nodded.
"What rank of alchemist are you now?" Old Man Fire asked again.
"Fourth rank, I suppose. This junior is dull-witted; after cultivating for so long, I've only reached this level," Xiao Yan said with a smile, revealing two rows of snow-white teeth.
When the others saw that smile, they all felt that he was showing off.
That was a fourth-rank alchemist! Xiao Yan did not seem to be seventeen yet. What kind of concept was that? Who could understand it?
Ye Xian had only become a fourth-rank alchemist in his twenties. There were not many fourth-rank alchemists in the entire Alchemist Department. Did Xiao Yan even understand the value of a fourth-rank alchemist, casually blurting it out like that?
Old Man Fire first raised an eyebrow, then said, "The consequences of lying before me are severe. Even First Elder won't be able to help you."
Xiao Yan knew the temperament of Old Man Fire, a peak fifth-rank alchemist, but he still said confidently, "Elder Huo, whether it's real or not, wouldn't we know if you let me try?"
Ye Xian sneered, "Do you know how expensive the medicinal ingredients for a fourth-rank pill are? What if you can't refine it and waste all those ingredients?"
Lin Yan said, "I'll cover all the medicinal ingredients!" With that, he slapped a Fire Energy Card onto the table.
It contained an enormous amount of Fire Energy. Even Xiao Yan looked at Lin Yan in surprise.
Old Man Fire coughed, then said, "Fine! Prepare two sets of medicinal ingredients for the fourth-rank Bone-Growing Pill. If he fails to refine it, I'll naturally know how to deal with him."
Seeing that Old Man Fire's temper had risen as well, Xiao Yan answered with a smile, "Don't worry, Elder. Two sets of ingredients are already more than enough."
Then, under everyone's watchful eyes, Xiao Yan slowly walked into the room.
Ye Xian gritted his teeth as he watched Xiao Yan and muttered, "You'd better really be able to refine it. Otherwise, I'll make you understand the consequences of offending me."
The two sets of medicinal ingredients were quickly delivered. Xiao Yan inspected them briefly and found that their medicinal properties had been preserved very well.
"Not bad. Jia Nan Academy does a fairly good job preserving medicinal ingredients," Xiao Yan said with a smile as he held the ingredients.
Everyone stood beneath the raised platform, watching Xiao Yan stand above them.
Ye Xian glanced sideways and said, "As if you needed to tell us, country bumpkin."
Xiao Yan smiled and ignored Ye Xian.
Old Man Fire coughed twice and said, "All right, begin."
Xiao Yan nodded and took Elder Yao's Black Demon Cauldron from his Storage Ring. The instant the medicine cauldron appeared, every student felt an intense pressure.
It was pressure upon their souls, making everyone feel uncomfortable.
Outside the Alchemist Department, word that Xiao Yan was refining pills inside had already spread. Many people rushed over after hearing the news, wanting to see just how skilled Xiao Yan was at pill refinement.
Some, however, did not believe it. They felt that no one could excel in both combat and pill refinement at the same time, especially when Xiao Yan had already achieved such a high level in combat.
Yet because of Xiao Yan's reputation, students had now surrounded the entire outer perimeter of the Alchemist Department. The interior was so packed that no one could squeeze in.
"What's happening inside? Has he started refining yet?"
Someone outside asked.
"He's started, he's started! It seems both sides are betting on whether Xiao Yan can refine it!"
Someone inside answered.
Thus, the people inside and outside exchanged information, reporting everything happening within in real time, allowing everyone present to learn about Xiao Yan.
"What pill is he refining?"
"Seems like it's a question Elder Huo set for him—a fourth-rank Bone-Growing Pill!"
None of the students present had expected Xiao Yan to be a fourth-rank alchemist. Without a doubt, this raised Xiao Yan's status by another level.
Seeing everyone's expressions, Xiao Yan smiled faintly. When Xiao Yan took out the Black Demon Cauldron, however, Ye Xian's and Old Man Fire's expressions changed completely.
The next second, a pale green flame appeared in Xiao Yan's hand, and every alchemist present felt a scorching heat rise within their bodies.
When Heavenly Flames appeared, all flames submitted!
Even the flames within those alchemists' bodies submitted to the Heavenly Flames. Only after seeing this effect did Xiao Yan begin refining the pill with satisfaction.
Ye Xian's mouth had long since fallen open.
Before you continue