A Bet on Alchemy!

Xiao Yan smiled slightly and said, "We certainly aren't here to cause trouble, but to refine pills. We would like to borrow the Canaan Academy's medicinal herb storehouse."

Ye Xian was stunned for a moment before bursting into loud laughter.

All the alchemists present followed suit with laughter. Lin Yan grew somewhat angry, but Xiao Yan held him back.

Ye Xian said, "You might have a bit of talent in cultivation, but don't get too carried away. You're only a two-star Dou Ling; do you really think you deserve such privileges?"

"Even Senior Ye doesn't have the privilege to borrow from the herb storehouse, let alone the likes of you!"

"That's right. What right does some unrefined brute have to touch alchemy supplies? Aren't you afraid of wasting precious materials?"

Listening to their mockery, Xiao Yan said with a helpless shrug, "So this is the quality of students in the Canaan Academy's alchemy department. It seems you've led them all astray."

Veins bulged on Ye Xian's forehead as he said, word by word, "You have angered me. If you don't give me an explanation today, don't think about walking out of here."

"Heh, it's not that I look down on you, but look at you lot—just a bunch of pill-bags. Do you believe I could take you all on by myself?" Xiao Yan said with disdain.

"Fine, fine, fine! You just wait there; don't you dare go anywhere!" Ye Xian waved his hand, preparing to send others to call for backup.

"What are you all doing there?"

A sharp roar interrupted the crowd.

An elderly figure appeared before them, and all the alchemy students, including Ye Xian, bowed respectfully to the old man.

Xiao Yan looked at the elder, but he couldn't confirm which elder it was.

"What are you making such a mess for? Have you all mastered every pill there is? Do I need to test you?" Old Man Fire scolded with his fiery temper.

None of the students dared to retort. Ye Xian, playing the villain who complains first, said, "Elder Huo, these two came to our alchemy department to cause trouble and even threatened to take us on."

After hearing this, Old Man Fire cast his gaze toward Xiao Yan. Xiao Yan's appearance was no longer a secret among the elders.

Basically, every elder knew Xiao Yan, but while the others valued him and treated him like a treasure, Old Man Fire did not share that sentiment.

After all, in Old Man Fire's eyes, only students who could refine pills were the most excellent.

"You must be Xiao Yan. Your reputation is quite loud. However, this is not a place you should be. Leave now." Old Man Fire suppressed his anger and spoke in a calm, level tone.

Old Man Fire had never spoken to students so gently, and Ye Xian felt a sense of foreboding.

However, Xiao Yan cupped his hands and said, "This junior, Xiao Yan, greets Elder Huo. I have come today to borrow the Canaan Academy's medicinal herb storehouse, as I wish to refine more pills to consolidate my rank."

Old Man Fire asked with suspicion, "You can refine pills?"

Xiao Yan nodded.

"What grade of alchemist are you now?" Old Man Fire asked again.

"Fourth grade, I suppose. This junior is dull; after cultivating for so long, I've only managed to reach this level." Xiao Yan smiled, revealing two rows of snow-white teeth.

Seeing this smile, the others felt he was just showing off.

That was a fourth-grade alchemist! Xiao Yan was not even seventeen yet—what kind of concept was that? Who could even comprehend it?

Ye Xian was already in his twenties before becoming a fourth-grade alchemist, and there weren't many in the entire department. Did Xiao Yan even understand the weight of being a fourth-grade alchemist, speaking so casually?

Old Man Fire raised an eyebrow and said, "The consequences of lying to me are very severe. Even the First Elder won't be able to help you."

Xiao Yan knew the temper of this peak fifth-grade alchemist, but he remained confident. "Elder Huo, whether this is true or false, why not let me try and see?"

Ye Xian mocked, "Do you know how expensive the materials for a fourth-grade pill are? What will you do if you can't refine it and waste all those herbs?"

Lin Yan said, "I will bear the cost of all the herbs!" With that, he slapped a Fire Energy Card onto the table.

It contained a massive amount of Fire Energy. Even Xiao Yan looked at Lin Yan in surprise.

Old Man Fire coughed and said, "Fine! Prepare two sets of materials for a fourth-grade Bone-Growing Pill for him. If he cannot refine it, I naturally have ways to deal with him."

Seeing that Old Man Fire's temper had flared, Xiao Yan smiled and replied, "Rest assured, Elder, two sets of materials are already plenty."

Then, under the watchful eyes of everyone, Xiao Yan slowly walked into the room.

Ye Xian gritted his teeth as he watched Xiao Yan, whispering, "You'd better be able to refine it, kid, otherwise I'll make sure you know the price of offending me."

The two sets of materials were quickly delivered. Xiao Yan inspected them briefly and found that the medicinal properties were well-preserved.

"Not bad. The Canaan Academy does a pretty good job of preserving herbs," Xiao Yan said with a smile as he held the materials.

Everyone stood below the high platform, watching Xiao Yan standing on the stage.

Ye Xian sneered, "As if you needed to tell us that, you bumpkin."

Xiao Yan smiled and ignored Ye Xian.

Old Man Fire coughed twice and said, "Alright, begin."

Xiao Yan nodded and took out Elder Yao's Black Demon Cauldron from his storage ring. The moment the cauldron appeared, all the students felt an intense pressure.

It was a pressure that reached the soul, making everyone feel quite uncomfortable.

Outside the alchemy department, news that Xiao Yan was refining pills inside had already spread. Many who heard the rumors rushed over, wanting to see just how skilled Xiao Yan was at alchemy.

However, some remained skeptical, believing it impossible for one person to be proficient in both combat and alchemy, especially since Xiao Yan had already achieved such heights in combat.

But because of Xiao Yan's fame, the entire perimeter of the alchemy department was now surrounded by students, and it was impossible to squeeze inside.

"What's happening inside? Have they started refining yet?"

Someone asked from outside.

"It's starting, it's starting. It seems like they made a bet on whether Xiao Yan can refine it!"

Someone answered from inside.

Just like that, the back-and-forth real-time reporting kept everyone present informed about Xiao Yan's situation.

"What kind of medicinal pill is he refining?"

"It seems to be the challenge set by Elder Huo, a Tier 4 Bone-Growing Pill!"

None of the students present had expected that Xiao Yan was actually a Tier 4 alchemist; this undoubtedly elevated Xiao Yan's status to a whole new level.

Seeing the looks in everyone's eyes, Xiao Yan smiled slightly. But when Xiao Yan brought out the Black Demon Cauldron, the expressions of both Ye Xian and Old Man Fire changed completely.

The next second, a pale cyan flame appeared in Xiao Yan's hand, and a sense of scorching heat stirred within the bodies of every alchemist present.

Exotic Fire appears, ten thousand flames submit!

Even within the bodies of these alchemists, their flames all bowed in submission to the Exotic Fire. Seeing this effect, Xiao Yan began the alchemy process with satisfaction.

As for Ye Xian, his mouth had long since fallen open in shock.