Preparations Before the Assessment...

After Gu Xia walked deeper into the hall, he found it was nowhere near as lively as he had imagined. Only a handful of people were quietly going about their business. Seemingly hearing his footsteps, several people looked up at the teenage boy, who appeared to be visiting as if on a sightseeing trip.

"Hello, how do I take the Alchemist assessment?"

Gu Xia strolled unhurriedly over to what looked like a reception counter and asked a young female attendant who was doing registration work.

"What are you here for?"

Unfortunately, the young attendant seemed to consider her work more important than Gu Xia. She did not even raise her head, merely casually asking why he had come to the Alchemist Guild...

"I'm here to take the Alchemist assessment..."

Since arriving on this continent, this was the first time Gu Xia had been treated so casually and coldly by a woman. The feeling was rather novel! He even felt a little excited! Pah, wasn't that just being a masochist? How could I, Gu Xia, possibly have such perverted tastes?

"Oh? An Alchemist assessment? What grade?"

Upon hearing why Gu Xia had come, the young attendant finally emerged from her head-down writing state. With a curious expression, she looked up at the boy, who was no more than fourteen or fifteen...

In her eyes, a boy this young had probably come to try for a first-grade Alchemist assessment or something. His age was right there, after all. Even if he had started learning alchemy in his mother's womb, at most he would only be a first-grade Alchemist capable of passing the assessment.

"Um... I'll take the fifth-grade assessment first."

After a brief moment of thought, Gu Xia stated the grade he intended to test for.

This was the conclusion Gu Xia had reached after careful consideration. After all, his goal was the Pill Tower. Without talent capable of crushing the vast majority of people, why would they notice him? Why would they take him as a disciple and teach him their knowledge and pill formulas?

So Gu Xia decided to stop pretending and lay his cards on the table. I'm just this absurd. What are you going to do about it...

"Oh, fifth... What did you just say? A fifth-grade Alchemist? You're not joking, are you?"

The young attendant had originally been about to rise and lead Gu Xia away, but after processing his words, she lost her balance and collapsed back into her chair. Her beautiful eyes were filled with disbelief and shock...

"Yeah, is there a problem?"

Gu Xia did not seem to care how astonishing the grade he had named was. After all, a mere fifth-grade Alchemist was still somewhat beneath his actual capabilities.

"You... really want to take the fifth-grade Alchemist assessment?"

After recovering from her shock, the young attendant still scrutinized the boy before her with some suspicion. He was leisurely cracking sunflower seeds, carrying an unusual air of "refinement."

"It's true..."

Gu Xia said he never lied, so he very honestly gave the young attendant an affirmative answer once again. Then he continued cracking sunflower seeds at an unhurried pace, waiting for what she would say next...

"Sir... no, Master! It's not that I don't believe you, but our Alchemist Guild has regulations. If you wish to take the fifth-grade Alchemist assessment, you must first present your fourth-grade Alchemist badge. Only then can we prepare the assessment content and materials for a fifth-grade Alchemist..."

After receiving Gu Xia's confirmation again, her attitude immediately became extremely respectful. She also patiently explained some of the relevant rules for taking the fifth-grade Alchemist assessment...

"Huh? I need a fourth-grade Alchemist badge too?"

Gu Xia clearly had not expected this. In his original plan, he should have been able to directly pass the fifth-grade Alchemist assessment.

He had not expected that taking the fifth-grade Alchemist assessment would require a fourth-grade Alchemist badge. "That's right, sir. This may be your first time taking an Alchemist grade assessment, correct? Actually, it is not just the fifth-grade Alchemist assessment. To take the fourth-grade Alchemist assessment, you must also present proof that you are a third-grade Alchemist, and the same applies to the third-grade assessment... If you are only beginning with the first-grade Alchemist assessment, you must also provide a recommendation from your mentor. Only then can we arrange the relevant assessment and venue for you..."

At some point, the young attendant had put on a pair of green glasses. Her eyes began staring fixedly at Gu Xia's profile. While staring at him, she smoothly explained the Alchemist Guild's relevant regulations and common assessment procedures...

"...Do I really have to take them one grade at a time?"

After listening to her explanation, Gu Xia immediately felt a headache coming on. Although starting from the first-grade assessment would only cost him a little more time, Gu Xia truly disliked such troublesome assessments.

So he asked, hoping there might be some other, simpler method of assessment...

However, the young attendant's answer ruthlessly snuffed out that small spark of hope...

"Sir, I'm terribly sorry. You must understand that the Alchemist Guild has many responsibilities when handling assessments. These include preparing materials and venues for you, as well as assigning the corresponding assessment appraiser Alchemists, so..."

The young attendant clearly understood Gu Xia's mindset, so she continued explaining patiently...