Upgraded Explosive Power Pill

"Hmm, it seemed this Demonic Flame still wasn't suitable for alchemy. That fierce aura would inevitably affect the pill's efficacy. Fortunately, he was refining an Explosive Power Pill today. The fierce aura contained within the Demonic Flame could instead bring out the Explosive Power Pill's effects to the fullest, perhaps even surpassing the original Explosive Power Pill."

Yao Feng rubbed his nose, ignoring the gazes around him. He swept his eyes over the medicinal ingredients on the stone platform, then leisurely picked up several herbs and tossed them into the Medicine Cauldron in an orderly manner. Under his powerful Soul Perception, the herbs each occupied a separate space within the cauldron. Wrapped in the Demonic Flame, they slowly turned to ash, leaving behind only drops of pure medicinal liquid.

Chemier, who had been watching everyone from the side, naturally noticed Yao Feng's unusual situation. He muttered quietly, "That black flame should be some kind of Beast Flame. Even after being refined, it still contains a trace of fierce energy. This Beast Flame must be extraordinary. And those skillful techniques... is this little fellow really only thirteen years old?"

As he tossed herb after herb into the Medicine Cauldron, Yao Feng soon finished extracting all the ingredients needed to refine the Explosive Power Pill. Next came the most crucial step: pill condensation.

Yao Feng controlled all the medicinal liquids and gathered them together, then wrapped them in Demonic Flame. The rough shape of a pill gradually emerged. Seeing this, Yao Feng relaxed slightly. All that remained was to control the heat properly, and the chances of successfully forming the pill would be very high.

After rolling around in the Demonic Flame an unknown number of times, the embryonic pill gradually became round and smooth. A faint medicinal fragrance drifted out from the Medicine Cauldron. Yao Feng smiled faintly and suddenly struck the cauldron with his palm. A brown pill shot into the air, bearing a faint black pattern that gave it an oddly bewitching appearance.

Yao Feng swiftly caught the pill, picked up a jade bottle from the table, and placed the Explosive Power Pill inside. After finishing everything, he dusted off his sleeves and turned his gaze elsewhere.

The little princess was not slow either. By the time Yao Feng collected his pill, her embryonic pill had already taken shape. Not long after, she became the second person after Yao Feng to complete her refinement.

Looking at the two who had finished so quickly, Chemier revealed a smile. He naturally knew Yao Yue, the little princess, could achieve this much, since he had personally taught her. But this young man named Yao Feng had given him more than enough surprises. A thirteen-year-old Grade Alchemist—he needed to recruit him properly and strive to win first place again at the Alchemist Conference three years from now.

Although the champions of previous Alchemist Conferences had always come from the Imperial Capital headquarters, the branches in other cities had produced quite a few talented alchemists in recent years. If he could bring Yao Feng into the fold, then as long as he continued cultivating his alchemy skills, winning the championship at the Alchemist Conference three years from now should not be difficult.

"I'm Yao Yue. What's your name?"

The purple-clad girl put away her pill in a jade bottle, then turned toward Yao Feng. Her little mouth pouted, and she looked somewhat aggrieved. She had originally wanted to make a stunning impression during the assessment so she could ask her teacher for some rewards afterward. She had not expected this fellow before her to steal the spotlight. Yet when she saw Yao Feng's handsome face, she found herself unable to get angry and could only put on an aggrieved expression.

"Uh, my name is Yao Feng."

Looking at Yao Yue's ever-changing expressions, Yao Feng thought to himself, Heh, women really have one face in public and another in private. She looked elegant and noble earlier, but now she's turned all quirky and mischievous.

"Alright, time's up. Those who failed to refine a pill may leave on their own. Those who refined one, bring your pills forward. I'll assess their quality."

Watching Yao Yue's behavior, Chemier felt rather speechless. This little girl had not changed her temperament at all over the years. He simply stopped paying attention to her and announced loudly.

As he watched several pale-faced people leave, Yao Feng picked up his jade bottle and calmly walked forward. In a world where the strong preyed on the weak, the weak were destined to be eliminated. It was somewhat cruel, but it was the truth. Yao Feng had realized that long ago.

"Healing Pill. The quality is fairly good. Passed."

"Fire Condensing Pill. Not bad, not bad. Passed."

"Body Lightening Pill. Too many impurities. Unqualified."

After several people in a row, some passed while others failed. After waiting for quite a while, it was finally Yao Yue's turn beside Yao Feng.

Yao Yue walked up to Chemier with a mischievous grin and handed over the jade bottle.

"Teacher, if I pass this time, what reward will you give me?"

"You're so young, yet all you think about are rewards. If you put even half that effort into alchemy, you'd be taking the Second Grade Alchemist assessment by now!"

Chemier scolded her with a smile, though his eyes were full of indulgence.

"Detoxifying Pill. The quality is fairly good. Passed."

"Yay!"

"Alright, next!"

Chemier waved Yao Yue away and motioned for Yao Feng to step forward.

Yao Feng walked over and handed the jade bottle to Chemier.

After pouring the pill into his palm, Chemier's expression changed slightly.

"It's actually an Explosive Power Pill. This thing isn't easy to refine!"

Chemier picked up the Explosive Power Pill and sensed the energy contained within it. When he saw the faint black pattern on its surface, a trace of surprise flashed through his eyes.

"Hehe, it actually has a Pill Pattern. And the ferocity of this flame perfectly complements the Explosive Power Pill. This can already be called an Upgraded Explosive Power Pill."

Upon hearing Chemier's words, every gaze present turned toward the young-looking boy. With such talent, perhaps the Jia Ma Empire would not produce another like him even in several hundred years.

Yao Feng merely stood there with a calm expression. He knew his own capabilities. With the system's enhancement, he could refine pills of the second grade and below nearly perfectly.

"Congratulations. You have passed the Grade Alchemist assessment. I wonder whether you have any interest in joining our Alchemist Guild? Alchemists in our guild receive many benefits throughout the Jia Ma Empire. Moreover, many rare medicinal ingredients circulate within the guild. You know that alchemists value medicinal ingredients most, and our guild possesses quite a variety of them."

"Thank you, Master Chemier, but I still need to ask my teacher for his opinion on this matter. Please forgive me for being unable to answer."

"Good, good. It's fine to give it more thought."

Chemier nodded with a smile, showing no displeasure at Yao Feng's refusal.

"Um, may I continue and take the Second Grade Alchemist assessment?"

The moment Yao Feng's words fell, Chemier froze. The others were even more stunned as they stared at Yao Feng. If Yao Feng passing the Grade Alchemist assessment at thirteen had filled them with amazement, then what he had just said left them utterly incredulous.

A thirteen-year-old boy actually wanted to take the Second Grade Alchemist assessment. The very thought of it was absurd.

"The requirements for the Second Grade Alchemist assessment are very strict. Not only do you have to refine a second-grade pill, your own strength must also reach the Dou Shi level. How old are you this year? Have you reached the Dou Shi level?"

Yao Yue spoke softly from the side. Although she greatly admired Yao Feng for refining such a powerful Explosive Power Pill, a second-grade pill was not something an Explosive Power Pill could compare to.