The Alchemist Conference

"They're out!"

In the hall outside, everyone who had just finished the first-rank alchemist assessment had stayed behind. They were all interested in the two who had gone on to take the second-rank assessment and wanted to know whether Xiao Fan and Xiao Yan had succeeded. After all, even Pill King Gu He, whose name now resounded throughout the Jia Ma Empire, had only been a first-rank alchemist at nineteen.

If both of them earned their certifications, wouldn't that mean, in a certain sense, that their future achievements might surpass Pill King Gu He's?

Creak!

As the assessment room's doors opened, everyone saw Xiao Fan and Xiao Yan walk out behind Master Otto and Guild President Frank.

Shock still lingered on Frank's and Master Otto's faces.

Linda turned to Master Otto and asked,

"Teacher, did they pass?"

At Linda's question, everyone pricked up their ears. They were just as curious about the results.

Master Otto glanced at the disciple he had always taken pride in, shook his head, and sighed.

"One of them is now a second-rank alchemist."

Hearing Master Otto's words, everyone assumed that only one of the two had passed.

Their astonished gazes shifted back and forth between the pair, as though trying to determine which one had passed the second-rank alchemist assessment.

Seeing their expressions, Master Otto continued with the rest of what he had to say.

"And the other successfully passed the third-rank alchemist assessment."

The air abruptly froze!

Everyone was stunned by Master Otto's words.

Even the air in the room seemed to have been sucked dry by their incredulous gasps.

Their shocked expressions turned blank at his announcement.

A nineteen-year-old third-rank alchemist was unheard of in the Jia Ma Empire. Even on the Dou Qi Continent, surely he would rank among the most exceptional geniuses!

Only then did everyone understand why Master Otto and Frank had looked so strange when they came out after the assessment.

Master Otto waved the still-dazed crowd away. Seeing his disciple's dejected expression, he offered her some comfort.

"Hehe, geniuses like these can only be encountered by chance, not sought out. Don't let this discourage you." Even as he spoke, he couldn't help looking toward Xiao Fan.

At that moment, even Yao Lao, within Xiao Yan's body, was full of praise for Xiao Fan's talent for alchemy.

"In all my years roaming the Dou Qi Continent, I've rarely encountered a genius like him."

Master Otto walked over to Xiao Fan and Xiao Yan with a smile.

"All right, your assessments are complete. I've already had someone prepare your Alchemist Robes. These are the symbol of our profession."

He hesitated briefly before continuing.

"Do you have some time? If you're free, we could have a chat."

Master Otto's invitation made Xiao Yan inwardly suspicious. Xiao Fan, however, knew this was probably about the upcoming Alchemist Tournament. Master Otto wanted the two of them to represent Black Rock City.

After all, Black Rock City had finished at the bottom several times already. If it came in dead last again, Frank's position as guild president might well draw criticism.

"Sure!"

Once the two agreed, Frank and Master Otto led them into a quiet study.

By then, members of the Alchemist Guild had also delivered their Alchemist Robes.

"Hehe, here, try on your robes first! Before these robes are made, the fabric is soaked in a medicinal liquid unique to the Alchemist Guild, then taken away to be tailored. The fragrance released by that liquid keeps the wearer clearheaded at all times. Its stimulation also makes the skin more sensitive, allowing you to sense changes in flame temperature more distinctly during alchemy and control your flames better when refining pills."

Master Otto began introducing the alchemists' attire to the pair.

Xiao Fan accepted the exquisite black robe Frank handed him.

He lightly brushed his palm across it. It felt as silky as a woman's tender skin, exceptionally pleasant to the touch.

Xiao Fan put it on. The black robe, shimmering with pinpricks of starlight, lent him even more charm. Although the Shadowless Mask had altered his appearance, the face he had fashioned was already handsome. Adorned in this robe, his charm shone even more brilliantly.

He looked down at the pitch-black robe. A cauldron-shaped emblem was embroidered on its chest, topped by three arcs resembling ripples-the mark of a third-rank alchemist. Breathing in its soothing fragrance, Xiao Fan nodded in satisfaction.

Beside him, Xiao Yan also finished putting on his robe and chuckled softly.

"Tsk, tsk... alchemists really do have the most prestigious profession on the Dou Qi Continent! Even a robe has so much thought put into it." With the robe on, Xiao Fan felt as though his soul, slightly weary after the assessment, had relaxed. It was immensely comfortable.

Frank added from beside them, "These Alchemist Robes aren't merely attractive. They also provide immunity to most poisons. And thanks to the Alchemist Guild's special refinement process, their defensive strength is no worse than the empire's armor."

Hearing Frank's explanation, Xiao Yan exclaimed in surprise, "They actually have that many functions?"

"Of course. If they weren't too expensive to mass-produce, the empire would probably snatch them up to equip its elite troops."

Seeing that Xiao Fan and Xiao Yan were both satisfied,

Frank hesitated before asking curiously,

"Hehe, would you mind if we asked you two a few questions?"

Xiao Yan answered Frank with a cheerful smile.

"Please ask whatever you like, seniors. As long as it doesn't cross my bottom line, I can answer."

The two couldn't help marveling at what a slippery little fellow Xiao Yan was. Then they turned to Xiao Fan.

Xiao Fan said helplessly, "If you have questions, just ask."

At that, Master Otto asked curiously, "Mo Shang, I wanted to ask about that purple flame you used during the assessment..."

Xiao Fan answered casually, "Oh, that? The Amethyst Winged Lion King blasted me with a mouthful of fire a while back. After my injuries healed, I sensed purple flame inside my body. Once I grew familiar with it, I could use it."

"The Amethyst Winged Lion King?" Master Otto exclaimed in surprise. "No wonder I sensed a violent power within your purple flame."

"The Amethyst Winged Lion King is a sixth-rank magical beast. Encountering him turned out to be a blessing born of disaster for you!" Frank added after hearing Xiao Fan's explanation.

Otto then asked about their masters. Xiao Yan brushed the question aside by saying that his master disliked being disturbed.

When it was Xiao Fan's turn, he said he had always cultivated deep in the mountains with his master, who had now sent him out to gain experience. Everyone believed his answer, but it only made them more curious about his master.

After chatting for a while, Otto asked the pair a question.

"Mo Shang, Xiao Yan, will you be going to the Jia Ma Empire's capital in six months?"

"The Jia Ma Empire's capital?" Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed slightly. The Misty Cloud Sect stood just outside the capital. How could he not go? "Of course I will!"

"If nothing else comes up, I'll probably go take a look too!" Xiao Fan replied.

"Good!" Otto exclaimed. "You probably don't know this, but this year's Alchemist Tournament of the Jia Ma Empire will be held in the capital in six months. Participating would benefit you greatly. People from other empires might even come to compete. It's quite a grand occasion in the world of alchemy."

"All right. If I have time, I'll definitely come."

"Mm, if nothing comes up, I'll definitely be there too."

Looking at Xiao Fan, Otto smiled. "Mo Shang, if you compete this time, the championship might as well already have your name on it. Haha."

Xiao Fan merely smiled at Otto's words without replying.

Afterward, Xiao Fan bade farewell to Otto and Frank, and also said goodbye to Xiao Fan.

He hadn't expected Xiao Yan to challenge him at the end, saying they should have a proper contest at the Alchemist Tournament in six months.

Since Xiao Yan needed to find some medicinal ingredients, he stayed to continue talking with Otto and the others. Xiao Fan took his leave and stepped through the Alchemist Guild's doors.

Once outside the guild, Xiao Fan planned to head straight to the Tagor Desert.

After all, he had come to Black Rock City because it alone had a civilian flying transport service bound for the western region of the Magical Beast Mountain Range.

Along the way, Xiao Fan finally understood just how much convenience an alchemist's status afforded him.

When he asked a shopkeeper where the flying transport service was, the man immediately ordered one of his assistants to put down his work and escort Xiao Fan to its departure point.

Everyone he passed on the street also took the initiative to greet him. It gave Xiao Fan the uncanny feeling of watching his homeroom teacher walk down the corridor after class in his previous life.

With a faint smile, Xiao Fan shook the thought out of his head.

After they passed through two streets, the assistant pointed toward a vast area ahead and told Xiao Fan they had arrived.

Xiao Fan gave the assistant two gold coins as thanks. The pleasantly surprised assistant accepted them, bowed to Xiao Fan once more, and left.

Xiao Fan frowned slightly at the long line ahead. Just then, a woman nearby approached and asked,

"Sir, are you looking to ride a flying magical beast?"

When Xiao Fan nodded, the woman said delightedly,

"Sir, the empire provides travel benefits for alchemists. We have a dedicated flying transport service for you, so there's no need to queue here. May I ask where you'd like to go?"

"Desert City!"

Hearing his answer, the woman led Xiao Fan to a group of Thick-Winged Birds and said,

"Sir, this is the group heading to Desert City."

Xiao Fan nodded and hurried to his private compartment. The woman had swayed her hips as she walked ahead of him the whole way. How could he fail to see what she had in mind? But he had no interest in that.

Thick-Winged Birds were the most common flying magical beasts on the Dou Qi Continent. Their enormous size, gentle temperament, and ease of domestication made them a frequent choice for transportation.

The Thick-Winged Bird carried what resembled a small wooden pavilion on its back. Numerous wooden compartments separated the alchemists from one another, ensuring their privacy.

Before long, the Thick-Winged Bird gave a shrill cry, then slowly rose into the sky with Xiao Fan aboard.