Fourth Rank

"Jia Nan Academy is quite something. There are a few formidable people here. Looks like we can't do whatever we please."

It was early morning. After parting with Han Yue, Wu Bai headed toward the Alchemy Department.

The Yellow Springs Demon Saint's voice sounded in Wu Bai's mind. Over the course of the night, he had gotten a good look at most of the academy.

"That's fine. We didn't come here to cause trouble anyway."

As they spoke, Wu Bai passed through a quiet grove and arrived at an old, silent courtyard.

Because it was early morning, figures could be seen heading toward the large building at its center.

When Wu Bai entered the somewhat spacious tiered lecture hall, he was surprised to find dozens of students inside.

Alchemists were a rare breed, yet there were dozens of them here!

This was the first time Wu Bai had seen so many fellow Alchemists.

And from the look of things, the Alchemy Department had far more students than this.

But after thinking it over, Wu Bai understood. It was like university students: rare to encounter outside, but everywhere on a university campus.

With that thought, Wu Bai found a seat near the middle and looked forward to seeing what the Alchemy Department taught.

About fifteen minutes later, an old man with a profound aura entered the hall.

Wu Bai clearly felt the atmosphere change the moment the old man walked in. It became utterly solemn.

The old man said nothing at first. Instead, he swept his gaze over the young people in the hall.

But when his eyes fell on Wu Bai, he paused.

"I am the Department Head, in charge of the Alchemy Department. Ordinarily, I would not be teaching this pre-term class."

"But yesterday, I learned that a gifted Alchemist had joined our department."

A trace of a smile appeared on the old man's stern face as his eyes met Wu Bai's.

"Come, young man. Let me see what you can do."

Wu Bai had expected this. He rose calmly, approached the senior who headed the Alchemy Department, and bowed respectfully.

"I'm Wu Bai, sir."

"Wu Bai, I hear you're a Fourth-Rank Alchemist?"

"Yes. I've refined many Fourth-Rank Pills before."

At his words, Wu Bai felt gazes filled with all kinds of emotions settle on him.

He paid them no mind, acting as though they did not exist.

"Would you mind showing everyone what you can do?"

"Not at all."

"Then refine a batch of Qi Gathering Powder. It demands a great deal of skill from an Alchemist, but it won't take too long."

"All right."

The old man had come prepared. With a wave of his hand, he placed the ingredients for Qi Gathering Powder on the stone platform at the center of the hall.

Under everyone's scrutiny, Wu Bai sat down at the stone platform without a hint of haste.

Thud!

The Medicine Cauldron landed with a muffled sound.

Crimson flames entered the Medicine Cauldron, and the air above it quickly warped. Yet the temperature in the hall did not change in the slightest.

A little over half an hour later, the final nurturing stage ended. A jade-green pill bearing a faint blue pattern appeared before everyone's eyes.

"Even an ordinary Fourth-Rank Alchemist couldn't refine Qi Gathering Powder of this quality!"

Someone could not help exclaiming under their breath. Everyone present was an Alchemist, and whatever their rank, none of them lacked a discerning eye.

Anyone who had seen the Qi Gathering Powder sold on the market could tell just how exceptional this one was!

"Heh. Even if I refined it myself, I might not be able to produce Qi Gathering Powder of this quality."

The old man's assessment silenced the entire hall.

But the next moment, he shook his head.

"Still, I can't grant you Fourth Rank based on this Qi Gathering Powder alone. Come with me. The assessment for a Fourth-Rank Alchemist must be held elsewhere."

Wu Bai put away his Medicine Cauldron and followed the old man out.

Only then did the students in the hall realize what was happening, and they were filled with regret. They had missed the chance to watch this Fourth-Rank Alchemist refine a Fourth-Rank Pill with their own eyes!

Just as a few of the bolder students considered following them, another old man walked in. On the left side of his chest was a badge signifying a Fourth-Rank Alchemist.

Four lines rippled like living things across the ancient-looking Medicine Cauldron engraved on it, marking the lofty status of a Fourth-Rank Alchemist.

A Fourth-Rank Alchemist had come to teach them. How could any of these students still think of skipping class?

"Here. Take this."

They had not gone far when the old man took out a badge signifying a Fourth-Rank Alchemist.

"This..."

Wu Bai accepted the badge, unsure what the old man meant.

"The moment you refined that Qi Gathering Powder, I was convinced. And your Soul Power is absurdly strong. Even some Alchemists who have just reached Fifth Rank might not surpass you."

The old man stopped and looked at the boy before him, who seemed impossibly young.

He sighed softly, then started walking again.

"Your refinement of the Qi Gathering Powder was flawless. At your current level, I have little to teach you."

"How about this: when you reach Fifth Rank, I'll give you a gift to make up for your long journey to the academy."

"The Alchemy Department's Pill Formulas are all common ones. Look through whichever you like. You may also buy the Medicinal Herbs in the storeroom at the price we paid for them."

"Thank you, Department Head."

Wu Bai bowed slightly. If he remembered correctly, the old man was also a Fifth-Rank Alchemist.

In that case, it made sense to leave Wu Bai to study on his own.

"Call me Elder Huo. I have a fair amount of authority in this academy. If you run into trouble, come find me."

"That is where I live. Remember it."

Before they had gone much farther, Elder Huo pointed out the enormous estate nearby.

Even from a distance, Wu Bai could tell the building was old. It was probably very peaceful.

"I'll remember, Elder Huo."

A dozen or so breaths later, Elder Huo entered the estate. Seeing Wu Bai still standing where he was, he waved him off.

Wu Bai nodded slightly and turned around.

In truth, he was hesitating over whether to pin the Fourth-Rank Alchemist badge to his chest.

Would wearing it be too ostentatious?

But then Wu Bai thought again. People judged appearances before character; that was only natural. And he had no interest in hiding his strength to catch others off guard.

Simply wearing a badge would deter troublemakers and spare him many unnecessary hassles before they arose.

"Put it on. Don't forget how pretty that young lady is. If you don't want to fight the young men vying for her attention, you'd best wear that badge."

"Of course, if you wouldn't mind another man stealing her away, you can leave it off."