The Alchemist Guild held a public examination once every month.
Branches like the one in Black Rock City could only conduct examinations for the first through third ranks.
Only a headquarters like the one in the Jia Ma Empire's capital was qualified to conduct examinations for the fourth rank and above.
The facilities and standards of each examination hall differed as well. Four Nine-Star Dou Zhe guarded the entrance to the First-Rank Alchemist examination hall.
Their Dou Qi was solid and concentrated, and they could break through to Dou Shi at any moment.
The second-rank examination hall was on the Alchemist Guild's second floor, and it had no fixed opening schedule.
Anyone wishing to take the examination had to book in advance and invite two alchemists of the third rank or above to supervise.
The rules for the third-rank examination hall were much the same, except that it required two alchemists of the fourth rank or above to supervise.
In all of Black Rock City, only Frank and Otto met that requirement.
However, Otto and Frank rarely appeared together unless their own disciples needed to take an examination and they wanted to compete behind the scenes.
It was otherwise quite difficult to encounter both high-ranking alchemists at once.
Thus, in practice, Black Rock City had almost exclusively held first- and second-rank examinations over the years.
"Uncle Teya, has the examination inside started yet?" Ya Han asked with a bright smile.
The man in charge was a burly, bald fellow. As fellow members of the Alchemist Guild, they knew each other well. "Not yet, but it'll start soon. Bringing another newcomer this time?"
"That's right. Mr. Xiao Yan would also like to take the First-Rank Alchemist examination. Here are his details."
Ya Han handed the Sheepskin Scroll to the burly man