Today, You Got to See It! Xiao Yi Xian's Strange Behavior

Chu Zhou knew nothing of what Mo Xuan had done behind the scenes, and he would not have cared even if he had.

Following Teras and the other two into the Alchemist rank assessment room, he went straight to the assessment Medicine Cauldron, having been through this once before, while Xiao Yi Xian quietly took a seat in the spectators' area.

"I'll begin refining now."

Standing before the Medicine Cauldron, Chu Zhou did not foolishly ask whether he could take the Third-Rank Alchemist assessment without first passing the second-rank one.

With Fa Ma's recommendation letter backing him, he could receive a third-rank badge directly as long as he produced a satisfactory pill and earned the approval of Teras and the other two.

After briefly regulating his breathing, he took a set of ingredients for Qi Gathering Powder out of his Storage Ring.

"Judging by these herbs and the magic core, he's preparing to refine one of the Grade Three Pills... Qi Gathering Powder?!"

One Third-Rank Alchemist was about to identify which Grade Three Pill Chu Zhou intended to refine from his ingredients, only to realize abruptly that he was preparing to refine the Grade Four Pill, Qi Gathering Powder.

"President, how do we judge this?" the other Third-Rank Alchemist asked in a low voice.

They had never seen an Alchemist refine a Grade Four Pill during a Third-Rank Alchemist assessment before.

Chu Zhou: Well, today you got to see it.

"If he can refine a Grade Four Pill, he'll naturally pass the Third-Rank Alchemist assessment." Teras's gaze and expression grew serious. "If he fails, we'll score his technique, timing, and so on."

The two Third-Rank Alchemists exchanged a glance, feeling that this was not quite appropriate.

If word got out and someone taking the Second-Rank Alchemist assessment chose to refine the most ordinary Grade Three Pill, would they have to score that attempt too?

But a moment later, they saw a blue-yellow flame appear in Chu Zhou's hand and fly straight into the Medicine Cauldron.

The destructive power of the Mystic Yellow Azure Flame currently matched that of a two-star Dou Shi, making it weaker than many beast flames.

Unless Chu Zhou told them, no one would suspect that the Mystic Yellow Azure Flame was a heavenly flame.

"True flame!" Subtle changes came over all three examiners' faces.

That was the hallmark of a Fourth-Rank Alchemist. Chu Zhou truly was exceptional.

The two Third-Rank Alchemists wisely shut their mouths. Neither had mastered True Flame yet.

"Extract!"

"Fuse."

"Condense!"

This was Chu Zhou's first time refining Qi Gathering Powder. Unlike the Blood-Suppressing Pill and Extreme Fire Pill, he had no example of Yao Lao's refining process to study and assimilate through his Myriad Medicine Clarity Body.

However, both the Blood-Suppressing Pill and Extreme Fire Pill were harder to refine than Qi Gathering Powder. With experience successfully refining those two Grade Four Pills, he should have little trouble with this one.

And that was exactly how it went.

As time passed, the refinement of Qi Gathering Powder approached its final stage.

Although his execution of a few individual steps was slightly unpracticed, he proceeded steadily, without the slightest sign of failure.

His unique technique, developed by drawing on the methods of numerous Alchemists, was fully at the fourth-rank level, and his command of it grew more assured as he refined the Qi Gathering Powder.

"Pill complete!"

With a wave of his hand, Chu Zhou drew the Qi Gathering Powder from the cauldron, wrapped in Mystic Yellow Azure Flame.

The Qi Gathering Powder landed on the jade tray beside him, and the flame instantly vanished.

Teras and the other two immediately gathered around to inspect it.

"A rich medicinal fragrance. This Qi Gathering Powder is of excellent quality. Many Fourth-Rank Alchemists couldn't achieve this."

"Though he was unfamiliar with the steps, his extraction technique, the purity of his extracts, and his timing during fusion were all spot-on."

"This was a highly successful refinement."

"He certainly passed the assessment. I almost thought we were conducting a Fourth-Rank Alchemist assessment."

"..."

All three reached the same conclusion: Chu Zhou had passed the Third-Rank Alchemist assessment and could even go to the imperial capital to take the fourth-rank assessment.

They also marveled inwardly: As expected of someone President Fa Ma thought highly of and personally wrote an assessment recommendation for. His ability and talent truly were outstanding.

"My young friend, my name is Liu Yun. Let's become friends. If you ever need Heavenly and Earthly Spirit Medicines or other resources, feel free to come to me." Liu Yun introduced himself to Chu Zhou in a slightly fawning tone.

He was already in his forties and was unlikely to become a Fourth-Rank Alchemist in this lifetime.

Chu Zhou was only in his early twenties, yet he could already refine Grade Four Pills. In the future, he might become a second Pill King Gu He.

With such an opportunity before him, he had to seize it.

The other Third-Rank Alchemist secretly cast Liu Yun a contemptuous look.

He was a Third-Rank Alchemist, after all, someone even Dou Ling experts courted and great families treated as an honored guest.

Wasn't it embarrassing to abase himself like this before a young man?

"My young friend Chu Zhou, my name is Mu Lantian. You can come to me anytime you need something too." That Alchemist stepped forward.

Teras rebuked them with a sharp exclamation. "Where is your dignity?"

"Go fetch our young friend Chu Zhou his higher-rank Alchemist robes and Third-Rank Alchemist badge yourselves. I'll handle things here."

After sending Liu Yun and Mu Lantian away, Teras immediately put on a smile and raised a hand. "My young friend Chu, let me escort you downstairs. If you ever need someone's help, there's no need to approach them. Just come to me."

Some of the techniques Chu Zhou had used while refining the Qi Gathering Powder had greatly inspired even him, a Fourth-Rank Alchemist.

He could say with certainty that Chu Zhou's future achievements would be no less than Pill King Gu He's.

If he had a chance to secure such a powerful connection, he had to take it.

"Sorry for the trouble, President Teras." Chu Zhou smiled and nodded.

In the lobby of the Salt City Alchemist Guild, many people witnessed a sight they would never forget.

Teras, who was always meticulous, known for his rigid manner, and considered difficult to get along with, was actually escorting Chu Zhou downstairs with a broad smile.

It felt absurd, almost like a dream.

"Elder Mo Xuan, here's your Qi Gathering Powder." Chu Zhou walked up to Mo Xuan and handed him the jade box.

"Qi Gathering Powder?" Mo Xuan accepted the box and opened it. Seeing that it really contained Qi Gathering Powder, with a rich medicinal fragrance and excellent quality, he widened his eyes. "Mr. Chu, did you refine this?"

"If our young friend Chu Zhou didn't refine it, did you?" Teras's face sternened as he spoke up in Chu Zhou's defense. "He refined this Qi Gathering Powder before my very eyes during his Third-Rank Alchemist assessment just now. There's no question about it."

Everyone drew a sharp breath!

Teras's words left everyone stunned.

Choosing to refine a Grade Four Pill for a Third-Rank Alchemist assessment—how confident did one have to be?

That alone showed that Chu Zhou truly was all but a Fourth-Rank Alchemist.

"I wouldn't dare doubt him. I'm merely surprised that Mr. Chu Zhou has already refined the Qi Gathering Powder for me." Mo Xuan put the pill away, his tone becoming exceedingly warm. "Mr. Chu Zhou, thank you for your help. I've already arranged a banquet at Salt City's finest restaurant. Would you honor us with your presence?"

"No, thank you. I'm not fond of dining and drinking." Chu Zhou shook his head and declined outright.

Mo Xuan showed no displeasure. He took out a token and offered it to him. "This is our Mo Clan White Jade Token. It grants access to many of our clan's resources. Please accept it, Mr. Chu Zhou. Whenever you need anything, you can ask the Mo Clan for help."

This time, Chu Zhou did not refuse. If he ran short of heavenly and earthly spirit medicines for alchemy later on, the Mo Clan might indeed prove useful.

A smile blossomed on Mo Xuan's face. He wanted to say more, but Liu Yun and Mu Lantian interrupted him.

The two had brought the higher-rank alchemist robes and Third-Rank Alchemist badge, respectively.

"Thank you both." Chu Zhou accepted the robes and badge, exchanged a few more pleasantries, then left the Alchemist Guild with Xiao Yi Xian.

"Would you like to keep looking around?" Chu Zhou asked Xiao Yi Xian.

"No, Young Master." Xiao Yi Xian stared straight at him. "You'll be heading away soon. I think we should hurry back."

Chu Zhou smiled and prepared to take Xiao Yi Xian back to the Mittel Auction House.

But before they had gone far, Xiao Yi Xian suddenly stumbled and fell headfirst into Chu Zhou's arms.

Chu Zhou: ?

"Xiao Yi Xian, what are you doing?"