Xue Mei

Hearing the surprised voice behind him, Lei Luo finally realized what was going on.

Although Otto was from Black Rock City, he had also made his way in the Imperial Capital in his early years.

As an Alchemist, one would generally seek out a faction to join. Otto had been no exception back then.

As a Fourth-Rank Alchemist, Otto had naturally become a guest elder of the Mite'er Family, which was why he had recognized Lei Luo.

Turning around, Lei Luo greeted Otto as naturally as ever.

"Master Otto, what a coincidence!"

At that, Otto strode forward and said with a chuckle, "I thought it looked like you from far away. Turns out it really was."

"You little brat, why aren't you staying properly in the Imperial Capital? What are you doing in our Black Rock City?"

As he spoke, he patted Lei Luo on the shoulder.

"I went out to gain experience. Since I happened to pass through Black Rock City, I came to visit you, Elder."

Otto could not help rolling his eyes. "You brat, would you really be that kind-hearted?"

With an awkward laugh, Lei Luo suddenly said, "I also came to take the Alchemist rank examination."

"Alchemy? And you say you just happened to be passing by?"

Otto immediately grew agitated. He circled Lei Luo once before clicking his tongue in amazement. "I remember you only just turned eighteen, right? You didn't seem to have studied alchemy back then either."

Hearing his doubts, Lei Luo could only make something up. "While I was traveling, I met my current teacher. He taught me."

Only then did Otto nod in belief.

After all, Lei Luo's status was there for all to see. Saying that he had become a First-Rank Alchemist at eighteen did not seem entirely unacceptable.

Otto then introduced the girl and Lei Luo to each other.

"This girl is called Lin Fei. She's my disciple, and her talent is fairly decent. She can barely be considered a First-Rank Alchemist already."

Praised by Otto like that, Lin Fei puffed out her rather well-developed chest, flashed Lei Luo a playful smile, and greeted him.

Otto then introduced Lei Luo.

"Lin Fei, this handsome young man is no ordinary person. He is the young clan leader of the Mite'er Family, one of the three great families of the Imperial Capital!"

After he said that, not only Lin Fei but even the two guards at the entrance revealed shocked expressions.

Remembering that they had just tried to stop Lei Luo, they could not help feeling somewhat afraid afterward.

And because he had run into Otto, everything Lei Luo needed to do next became much more convenient.

He had originally planned to show off his Purple Flame a little, but it seemed unnecessary now.

After chatting about old times for a while, the two entered the Alchemist Association together.

The moment he entered, Lei Luo smelled a captivating medicinal fragrance that instantly refreshed his mind.

Whether because it was still early or because Alchemists were simply too scarce, the association was somewhat quiet at the moment.

When the three entered the main hall, a woman in green hurried over at a light jog.

Stopping before them, she gave a slight bow and said with a smile, "Master Otto, you're here."

Otto nodded with a chuckle. "There's no need to register my little disciple again, right? Help the young man beside me register first."

He then explained to Lei Luo, "These are the rules of our Alchemist Association. It makes management more convenient."

Nodding, the three went to sit in the hall.

Thanks to Otto, Lei Luo naturally managed to get himself a cup of hot tea.

Taking a light sip, he was surprised to discover that the tea leaves were actually a type of spiritual medicine. Even ordinary people would benefit greatly from drinking it.

At this moment, the woman receiving them swayed her willow-like waist and arrived at the empty seat before Lei Luo.

Placing the registration papers on the round table and picking up a brush, the woman politely said in a soft voice:

"Sir, please tell Yahan your name, age, and your mentor's name. I will register you."

Licking his lips, Lei Luo said, "Mittel Lei Luo, eighteen years old. As for my mentor, I don't have one."

Yahan, who was writing down the information, paused her brush, her expression becoming somewhat troubled.

Fortunately, Otto was still beside them.

"If it's inconvenient, then leave it blank. Some experts simply don't like to show off."

With Otto's approval, Yahan checked the parchment once more before putting it away.

She then led the three toward a large door.

Before long, they came to a stop before a heavy iron gate.

Four burly men in full armor stood guard before it.

Lei Luo's gaze swept across the emblems on the four men's chests, and he felt slightly surprised.

All four were Nine-Star Dou Practitioners. Moreover, one of them had a steady, long breath, making it clear that he would soon break through to the Dou Master realm.

Seeing that it was Otto, the four hurriedly bowed in greeting.

Otto waved his hand, signaling them not to be so formal, before Yahan spoke.

"Uncle Teya, this is Mr. Lei Luo. He will also be taking the examination later."

Yahan handed Lei Luo's information to the strongest-looking man.

"Hehe, alright. This young fellow is quite handsome." The burly man called Teya looked Lei Luo over and praised him.

However, when he took Lei Luo's information, his expression became puzzled.

"Why is the mentor section..." As he spoke, he looked toward Master Otto, then immediately came to a realization.

"The test is about to begin. Master Otto, you should hurry inside." The burly man said attentively.

Otto nodded slightly and led Lei Luo and Lin Fei through the gate.

The spacious hall was illuminated as brightly as day.

At the moment, quite a crowd had gathered in the hall, whispering among themselves.

Lei Luo's gaze swept over the emblems on their chests, and he discovered that most of them were genuine Alchemists.

There was even a Fourth-Rank Alchemist among the crowd.

The old man's identity was not hard to guess. He was naturally Foklan, the president of the Black Rock City Alchemist Association.

At the center of the hall stood more than a dozen carefully arranged stone platforms, each separated from the others.

All sorts of alchemy equipment had been placed on the platforms. Clearly, the upcoming examination would be conducted there.

Several young people were standing impatiently beside the platforms. Like Lin Fei, they had likely come to take the First-Rank examination.

"Foklan, where is Xue Mei? Why hasn't she come out yet? The examination is about to begin!" Otto asked with a chuckle.

"Don't rush, don't rush. This is the girl's first examination, so naturally she wants to be fully prepared." Looking at the increasingly impatient Otto, Foklan's aged face revealed a doting smile.

Otto rolled his eyes and ignored him, but Foklan immediately noticed the distinctive Lei Luo.

"Young fellow, are you here to take the examination as well?"

Out of politeness, Lei Luo clasped his hands and said, "Junior Mittel Lei Luo greets you, Senior."

Foklan's expression turned somewhat stunned. "A young fellow from the Mite'er Family?"

Just as he was surprised, a cold yet ethereal female voice quietly rang out.

"Sorry, Teacher. I'm late..."