Three rings of people crowded around the First-Rank Alchemist examination room.
Fortunately, since Fa Ma was giving Xiao Yan a "one-on-one examination," the other candidates were unaffected.
Her confidence was well founded. Even with a fused beast flame that was harder to control, Xiao Yan could refine First-Rank Pills bearing pill patterns, and her success rate was far from low.
Using only the peach blossom flame now was like training with weights every day, then taking the field unburdened. She practically felt as though she could fly.
Soon, a steaming First-Rank Pill emerged from the furnace.
Fa Ma examined the pill in his hand, stroking his beard with the other as he spoke with some... hesitation.
When the spectators heard that Xiao Yan had successfully refined a First-Rank Pill, and that it was even in "perfect" condition, bearing a pill pattern, they erupted into an uproar.
After all, this girl named Xiao Yan was only fifteen!
Most of those present were Alchemists, so they naturally understood what that age meant-
So terrifying!
Her talent surpassed even Gu He's back in his day!
Ignoring all the "noise" around her, Xiao Yan still "hadn't had her fill" and wanted to try the Second-Rank Alchemist examination.
When they heard that Xiao Yan wanted to continue with the Second-Rank Alchemist examination, the spectators' surprise and admiration turned into stunned disbelief.
The examination... for Second-Rank Alchemist?!
There were certain "hard" requirements for taking the Second-Rank Alchemist examination-one's Dou Qi cultivation had to be at Dou Shi or above.
However, that did not mean the first through ninth ranks of Alchemists had to correspond exactly to the cultivation levels from Dou Zhe to Dou Sheng.
For example, Pill King Gu He was a "Fifth Tier" Dou Wang, but his alchemy was sixth rank.
Thus, seeing Xiao Yan refine a nearly perfect First-Rank Pill so "effortlessly," Fa Ma was intensely curious about just how strong her alchemy really was.
So, although he could tell at a glance that Xiao Yan was only a Dou Zhe, he still made a special exception and gave her the opportunity to take the Second-Rank Alchemist examination.
Unlike the First-Rank Alchemist examination, the Second-Rank Alchemist examination did not permit spectators, but that did nothing to dampen everyone's enthusiasm.
Soon, "Pure Bystanders," Guild "attendants," and "spies" from various factions packed the area around the examination room so tightly that not even water could seep through.
Inside the examination room, Fa Ma, the current president of the Alchemist Guild, personally presided over Xiao Yan's examination.
The Second-Rank Alchemist examination also proved "a scare without disaster"-Xiao Yan successfully refined the second-rank pill required by the "exam question."
For a "seasoned First-Rank Alchemist" like her, it counted as a modest "above-and-beyond performance."
After all, the strength of her soul power had already reached the requirement for refining second-rank pills, and her Flame Mantra, now at yellow tier high grade, also provided sufficient "staying power."
Add to that the fact that Xiao Yan was now using a single beast flame, which was comparatively easy to control, plus a hundred million little bits of "protagonist halo"...
Refining an ordinary second-rank pill [by a lucky fluke] was not impossible.
For Xiao Yan, who had only studied alchemy for a year at most, this was definitely an "above-and-beyond performance."
Although she had failed to produce a pill pattern on this second-rank pill and had even gone slightly over the time limit.
Fa Ma still passed her.
When Xiao Yan walked out of the examination room wearing an Alchemist's robe with a Second-Rank Alchemist badge sewn onto her chest, she stunned everyone present.
Seeing Xiao Yan reach the second rank in one go, swarms of spies swiftly sprang into action, relaying this spine-chilling news to their respective factions.
Then, under Fa Ma's arrangements, Xiao Yan moved into a luxurious courtyard residence.
Several "spies" and "guards" at the Dou Ling level also watched the place from the shadows.
Xiao Yan knew that she had already achieved her goal.
By now, the Imperial Family had probably received word about her, or soon would, and would begin verifying her identity and background.
All she needed to do was stay here and wait for the Jia Ma Imperial Family to come spoon-feed her... ahem, recruit her.
To be fair, the Dou Wangs in the entire Jia Na Empire could be counted on two hands, but there were quite a few Dou Lings.
Of course, she simply ignored all those Dou Lings.
With Apothecary around, those Dou Lings would not "see" anything they should not.
The Alchemist Guild moved faster than Xiao Yan had expected. The next day, Fa Ma sent someone to invite her to the Guild headquarters.
Xiao Yan did not refuse, either, and turned to change into a pair of flats.
She had certainly not expected the president to be so... pocket-sized.
But now that she knew, she might as well be a little considerate, rather than make things too awkward for them both.
Emotional intelligence.jpg
Following an old man who looked like a steward to the Alchemist Guild, then passing through several more corridors, the two finally stopped outside a spacious room.
The old man turned and said quietly to Xiao Yan, "This is the president's study. He should still be inside. Please go in on your own, esteemed Alchemist."
Xiao Yan nodded and knocked lightly on the door. Only after Fa Ma's voice came from within did she push the door open and enter.
"Hehe, have a seat, lass."
Fa Ma sat behind a desk with two cups of hot tea on it, clearly freshly brewed.
Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow, feeling that the other party might have "come with less than friendly intentions."
The people of the Alchemist Guild must have been keeping an eye on her all along-tea needed time to steep, too.
She had just stepped through the door, and the tea was ready at precisely that moment. This not only demonstrated the "host's" excellent control of the pace, but sometimes also served as a subtle "show of strength" to the "guest."
Although most people would not notice this, rendering the "show of strength" entirely ineffective, it still revealed how much "importance" he attached to her.
"Lass, there's an old man at the Dou Emperor level next door." Apothecary's voice also rang out in Xiao Yan's mind.
A Dou Emperor? Could it be Jia Xingtian, the guardian of the Jia Ma Imperial Family?
Interesting.
"Senior, was there something you wanted to discuss with me?"
Thoughts surged through Xiao Yan's mind, but none showed on her face. She sat down opposite Fa Ma and asked with a smile.
"Hehe, naturally, there are a few things." Smiling, Fa Ma slid a token across the desk toward her.
Xiao Yan paused. "This is..."
"This is the token of an honorary elder of the Alchemist Guild. With it, you can obtain assistance at any of our branches throughout the empire."
Fa Ma smiled. "With your talent, obtaining this token would only be a matter of time, so I took the liberty of presenting it to you in advance."
"I know you young people dislike being bound by the Guild-if you wish, you need not accept orders from anyone, including me."
Xiao Yan accepted the token and raised her eyebrows in surprise. It seemed Fa Ma really had invested heavily in recruiting her.
"You've gone to considerable trouble, President." Naturally, Xiao Yan chose to graciously accept such gifts delivered right into her hands.
However, she also knew that what came next would be the real business.
"I hear that you, little Xiao, have a marriage engagement with the young master of the Nalan Family?" Watching Xiao Yan put away the token, Fa Ma spoke with a smile.
Novel Home provides all readers with free online access to the complete text of excellent webnovels. If you like this site, please share it with more readers!
If you think "Battle Through the Heavens: Flame Emperor, but Xiao Yan" is a wonderful novel, please copy the following link and share it with your friends. Thank you for your support!
Before you continue