Heading to the Alchemist Association

Morning sunlight filtered through the dappled leaves in Glory City, spilling across the bluestone streets.

Xiao Tianhao rose early, tidied himself up, and prepared to take the alchemist examination.

His memories contained a wealth of theoretical knowledge and recollections of performing alchemy, but he had done little practical refining himself. Eager to see whether he could successfully refine pills, he headed to the Alchemist Association in high spirits.

The streets grew busier as more pedestrians appeared.

Vendors called out one after another. "A Bronze Rank Crimson Fire Leopard, freshly hunted last night! Only 500 Demon Spirit Coins for the whole beast!"

"Bronze bracers inscribed with Black-Striped Tiger blood! Fifty thousand Demon Spirit Coins! Come one, come all-don't miss out!"

"Candied! Haw! Skewers!"

"Oh, how much is this?"

"What about that one?"

As Xiao Tianhao walked along, he suddenly heard a familiar voice. "Tianhao!" He turned to see Xiao Ning'er approaching with a radiant smile, her pale blue dress making her look like an orchid in full bloom.

"Ning'er, what a coincidence." A smile spread across Xiao Tianhao's face when he saw her.

Xiao Ning'er hurried to his side. "It's hardly a coincidence. I was planning to come find you today, but I ran into you right after leaving home. Tianhao, I really don't know how to thank you."

Xiao Tianhao paused, puzzled. "What happened?"

Gratitude filled Xiao Ning'er's eyes as she said earnestly, "Do you remember the Crimson Blood Fox refined blood you gave me? My Cold Affliction started improving after that. Then you gave me Red Bone Body Tempering Powder and a cultivation method, and now my Cold Affliction has completely healed."

Delighted to hear it, Xiao Tianhao decided to tease her. "We're good friends, aren't we? Besides, I couldn't bear to watch our academy's ice goddess suffer like that."

A faint blush immediately rose to Xiao Ning'er's cheeks, but she still hastened to explain.

"Tianhao, you don't know how much this means to me. Before, the Cold Affliction held back every aspect of my cultivation. My family was also under the Sacred Family's control, and they were forcing me to marry Shen Fei. Back then, I could barely see any hope.

"But ever since you gave me the Wind Thunder Dragon God Art, my cultivation has become much faster. Not only have I reached Three-Star Bronze Rank, but my extreme Cold Affliction has completely healed too. It won't be long before I reach Silver."

Seeing Xiao Ning'er so full of life made Xiao Tianhao happy as well.

"I'm glad to see you like this. By the way, you mentioned your family being controlled by the Sacred Family. What exactly happened?"

As a transmigrator, he naturally knew what had happened, but he still wanted to hear Xiao Ning'er's answer.

Xiao Ning'er sighed softly, a trace of helplessness and resentment flashing through her eyes. "Our Winged Dragon Family is one of the Seven Great Families, after all.

"The Sacred Family is despicable and shameless. Our Winged Dragon Family declined back then because we fell into their trap. They took control of more than eighty percent of our businesses, leaving us no choice but to depend on them."

"Even now, the Winged Dragon Family hasn't recovered. We're already near the bottom among the great families, and we're about to fall into the ranks of ordinary noble families."

Xiao Tianhao frowned slightly. "The Sacred Family really is a family that fishes for fame and reputation. But now that you're growing stronger, the Winged Dragon Family will gradually break free of their control."

Xiao Ning'er nodded firmly. "Yes. I'll work hard at cultivation and restore my family. Tianhao, where are you going?"

Xiao Tianhao smiled. "I'm heading to the Alchemist Association to take the Junior Alchemy Master examination."

Xiao Ning'er's eyes lit up. "I see! I've heard the alchemist examination is quite difficult, but I'm sure you'll have no trouble, Tianhao. You're so capable that you'll definitely pass."

They chatted as they walked and soon arrived at the Alchemist Association.

The Alchemist Association's building was magnificent, with the words "Alchemist Association" carved in large, archaic characters above its entrance, proclaiming its long history and exalted status.

When Xiao Tianhao and Xiao Ning'er entered the association, a smiling staff member immediately approached to introduce herself and ask why they had come.

She was a girl of seventeen or eighteen named Xiao Lan.

"Little brother, little sister, this is the Alchemist Association. What brings you here?"

Xiao Tianhao answered seriously, "Sister Xiao Lan, I'm here to take the alchemist rank examination."

Xiao Lan was astonished. "An alchemist examination? Are you sure you don't mean the alchemy apprentice examination?"

"Sister Xiao Lan, there's no need to ask. I'm taking the Junior Alchemy Master examination."

The people waiting nearby heard him, and discussion immediately broke out.

An alchemy apprentice in his thirties said skeptically, "Is that really true? How come I, Tang Shan, have never heard of such a young genius alchemist?"

A heavily bearded man chimed in, "Exactly. I, Tang Hao, haven't heard of one either."

Feeling rather helpless, Xiao Tianhao paid the registration fee of 200 Demon Spirit Coins and quickly asked Xiao Lan to lead him to the examination area, with Xiao Ning'er following beside him.

Two examiners were already waiting there. Both were old men in their fifties or sixties, and the introductions revealed that they were Junior Alchemy Masters named Mu Yang and Huyan Ming.

They briefly sized Xiao Tianhao up as he entered. Mu Yang asked, "Are you the one here to take the Junior Alchemy Master examination?"

Xiao Tianhao answered respectfully, "Yes, masters."

Huyan Ming sighed as well. "Young and hotheaded, indeed. Very well, let's begin with the theory examination."

Although he had an hour, Xiao Tianhao finished the entire written examination in just half an hour and earned full marks, leaving both examiners so shocked that they stood frozen, unable to speak for a long time.

Xiao Tianhao quickly urged them on. "Masters, let's move on to the next part."

Mu Yang recovered and nodded. "All right, let's begin. Your task is to refine one Qi Gathering Pill within an hour. The ingredients are over there. You may begin preparing."

Xiao Tianhao approached the ingredients table and inspected everything carefully, gaining a clear idea of what to do.

He took a deep breath and faced the pill furnace.

He began processing the ingredients methodically. His movements were practiced and precise, each one executed just right.

Xiao Ning'er watched without blinking, her admiration for Xiao Tianhao growing even stronger.

Mu Yang and Huyan Ming had initially held little hope and were merely watching as a matter of routine. After all, Xiao Tianhao was so young that memorizing the theoretical knowledge alone was already remarkable.

But as Xiao Tianhao worked, their expressions gradually grew serious.

The techniques Xiao Tianhao used to process the medicinal ingredients were extremely unusual. Some steps looked simple, yet contained profound principles. They had never seen such alchemy techniques before.

"What... what technique is that?" Huyan Ming could not help murmuring.

Mu Yang looked equally astonished. "I've never seen it either. But judging by his technique, his understanding of medicinal ingredients seems extraordinarily deep. Could he have inherited the teachings of some ancient hidden family?"

While they spoke, Xiao Tianhao had already begun placing the prepared ingredients into the pill furnace.

He formed seals with both hands, sending streams of Soul Force into the furnace. A strange radiance immediately shimmered across its surface.

As time passed, waves of rich medicinal fragrance drifted from the furnace.

Half an hour later, Xiao Tianhao abruptly struck the furnace with both palms. Its lid flew open, and three softly glowing Qi Gathering Pills slowly floated out.

Mu Yang and Huyan Ming exchanged looks, their eyes filled with shock. They had never imagined that this youth of merely sixteen would possess not only such unusual alchemy techniques, but also such impressive refining speed and success rate.

"This... this is simply unbelievable," Mu Yang muttered.

Huyan Ming recovered and said, "His alchemy skills far surpass those of an ordinary Junior Alchemy Master. We must inform Director Yang Xin and President Gu Yan."

Mu Yang nodded and immediately turned to leave.

Xiao Tianhao paid little attention to their actions, instead considering something else.

He remembered that the original story had mentioned a wall here where alchemists exchanged insights. Many wrote questions they did not understand on it, seeking answers from all the alchemy masters. Sometimes even Gu Yan, the Alchemist Association's president, answered them.

Anyone who knew the answer to a question could write it on paper and post it for everyone to discuss and verify.

He could write a few answers himself to give his words more weight.

He acted on the thought without delay, walking to the discussion wall at the back and picking up a brush to write.

("Three Flowers Gather at the Crown"! Take three Crimson Sun Fruits, one qian of powdered Golden Crow Feather, and half a qian of powdered Molten Fire Crystal. Add three drops of cold pool water to the mixture and drive it with fierce flame!

This formula draws upon supreme yang energy. Once refined, the pill's energy will soar into the heavens. Taking it will feel like bathing in molten lava, and cultivation will surge! Is this method viable?)

(Crimson Sun Fruit, Golden Crow Feather, and Molten Fire Crystal are all substances of supreme yang and extreme intensity. Three drops of cold pool water are nowhere near enough to harmonize their violent fire properties.

Under fierce flame, the conflicting medicinal powers cannot be reconciled, and there is a ninety-nine percent chance that the furnace will explode. Even if a pill forms by luck, swallowing it will be like swallowing burning coals. At best, it will scorch the meridians; at worst, it will burn away the dantian and destroy all cultivation.

Reduce the Crimson Sun Fruits to two and halve the Golden Crow Feather. Replace the Molten Fire Crystal with three drops of the milder earth vein firevine juice. Increase the cold pool water to ten drops and add one blade of jade spring algae to channel away the fire toxins.

Refine it using alternating flames through "Seven Parts Gentle Flame, Three Parts Fierce Flame," allowing the yang fire to circulate like dragon and tiger joining in harmony. Only then can a pill form.)

He wrote at great length, leaving Huyan Ming exclaiming in wonder and praising him again and again as he watched.

Soon, Mu Yang hurried back with Director Yang Xin.

Director Yang Xin was one of the Alchemist Association's core figures and possessed profound mastery of alchemy.

Her voice arrived before she did.

"I heard a young little brother refined a perfect-quality Qi Gathering Pill. Which one of you is he?"

Director Yang Xin entered the examination area and saw Xiao Tianhao, who had just set down his brush at the alchemists' discussion wall in the back, along with the three Qi Gathering Pills. Surprise flashed through her eyes.

She approached the furnace and examined it carefully, then picked up a Qi Gathering Pill to inspect. After reading the answers Xiao Tianhao had written, her expression turned incredulous.

"A perfect-quality Qi Gathering Pill, and such profound theoretical knowledge of alchemy! Little brother, what's your name? Who is your master?" Director Yang asked Xiao Tianhao delightedly.

Mu Yang quickly stepped forward to explain.

"This is Director Yang Xin. In the entire Alchemist Association, her alchemy skills are second only to the president's."

At his words, Xiao Tianhao grumbled inwardly. Who are you calling little? If there weren't other people here, I'd strip down and let her see whether I was little. Still, he had to answer. Hmm, I'll use Nie Li's story.

"My name is Xiao Tianhao. My master is an alchemist who travels the continent. He was only passing through Glory City. After taking me as his disciple, teaching me some alchemy, and giving me a few pill formulas, he left."

Director Yang sighed inwardly. She had thought she would have the chance to meet a senior alchemist and seek his guidance.

She had not expected this... but it would be inappropriate to question him further.

Just then, another set of footsteps sounded outside, and President Gu Yan arrived as well.

President Gu Yan was the Alchemist Association's highest leader and held an extremely prestigious position throughout Glory City.

As he entered, he heard Director Yang's words and saw Xiao Tianhao and the Qi Gathering Pill. He paused briefly before delighted surprise flashed through his eyes.

"Good, wonderful! To think such a talent would appear in our Alchemist Association today!" President Gu Yan praised.

The Alchemist Association had suffered devastating losses from repeated Demon Beast attacks. Many of its texts had been lost, greatly reducing the effectiveness of the pills it refined and causing a severe loss of talent.

These days, many people focused on martial cultivation, and few were willing to devote themselves to alchemy. Meeting a genius alchemist today filled him with delight.

Director Yang said beside him, "President, young brother Xiao Tianhao's alchemy skills have probably already reached the level of a Senior Alchemy Master. Why don't we invite him to serve as a Guest Elder of our Alchemist Association?"

President Gu Yan stroked his beard and nodded.

"Indeed, we should."

"Would you be willing, young brother Xiao?"

Xiao Tianhao was naturally willing. After all, he would only be a Guest Elder, and it would not interfere with his cultivation, so he nodded in agreement.

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