Chapter 408: The Scene of the Alchemy Master Assessment
Chapter 408: Chapter 408: The Scene of the Alchemy Master Assessment
The reason Ning Xuan dared to participate in the Alchemy Grandmaster examination was because the most fundamental requirement was condensing liquid medicine into pills.
Before Ning Xuan entered this world through a spatial rift, the first alchemy system she ever learned was how to refine Elixir Pills, so it wasn’t difficult for her at all.
Instead, when she first arrived, she had to spend a great deal of effort familiarizing herself with this world’s medicinal ingredients and its unique alchemy system.
Of course, to the locals accustomed to creating liquid medicine, refining Elixir Pills required powerful and precise control over one’s spiritual power, years of accumulated experience, and a unique aptitude for it to even be possible.
Although Ning Xuan was the champion of the last Alchemist Competition and had made many contributions in the field of medical rescue, these events had all happened relatively recently, and the military hadn’t publicized them much.
Besides, the participants in the Alchemy Grandmaster examination were all major figures who had been immersed in the rank of Alchemy Master for many years. They didn’t pay much attention to competitions on the level of the Alchemist Competition, nor were they interested in up-and-coming stars from the military.
So, when they saw Ning Xuan was also participating in the Alchemy Grandmaster examination, most of them inwardly scoffed.
Of course, they just wouldn’t say it as bluntly as Lan Shuiyu did.
"What do you mean I’m spouting nonsense? At her age, she’s far short on both the years she’s spent studying Alchemy and the time she’s put into medical rescue. Even if she’s exceptionally gifted with a high Spiritual Power Level for her age, that doesn’t mean she can participate in the Alchemy Grandmaster examination. She was obviously slipped in here to steal our techniques," Lan Shuiyu grumbled resentfully.
It wasn’t surprising that Lan Shuiyu would make such a guess. Any candidate participating in the Alchemy Grandmaster examination was allowed to observe the others’ processes.
His own journey had been anything but easy, and he detested young geniuses like her who had both powerful backing and immense personal strength. They could always so easily obtain the things he struggled and suffered for.
Upon hearing this, Ning Xuan couldn’t help but smile. She glanced around and asked, "Does everyone else share this concern?"
Truth be told, Ning Xuan was somewhat curious about the local methods for refining Elixir Pills. But curiosity was one thing. She had used and analyzed the local Elixir Pills before; while their potency was greater than liquid medicine, they were far less effective than pills of the same level that she refined herself. Therefore, she didn’t believe their Alchemy techniques were worth learning.
"I don’t mind. My technique is extremely complex. I’ve dedicated many years to researching it. It’s not something you can learn with just a glance or two." Fu Rong shrugged, indicating she wasn’t concerned.
"Besides, everyone can observe each other. That’s just a rule of the examination. If Master Lan is dissatisfied, he can choose not to take it." As one of only two female Alchemy Masters participating in the exam, Fu Rong naturally sided with Ning Xuan.
Fu Rong had lived for over 100 years and had once been a young genius herself. She had been famous for 70 or 80 years, so her renown was on a completely different level from the young Ning Xuan’s. Especially since Fu Rong’s Contractors included many influential figures from various industries, even someone as habitually arrogant as Lan Shuiyu wouldn’t dare to provoke her.
"The examination is only held once every three years. We’ve all made extensive preparations, so why wouldn’t we take it? She’s the one I have a problem with. I suspect she isn’t qualified to participate, and I hope this young lady can prove that she is," Lan Shuiyu said, pointing at Ning Xuan.
Ning Xuan raised an eyebrow and was about to speak, but Fu Rong pulled her back. "If you need proof, take it up with the staff in charge of screening. You can voice all your suspicions to them. Ning Xuan has no obligation to answer you," Fu Rong said, her expression darkening.
"Are you just going to let others fight your battles for you, Miss Ning? Don’t you have anything to say for yourself?" Lan Shuiyu didn’t dare to argue with Fu Rong, so he turned on Ning Xuan instead.
"Sister Fu Rong is right. What I would say is exactly what she said." When Lan Shuiyu had first raised the issue, Ning Xuan had originally disdained the idea of watching others’ Alchemy techniques. But Fu Rong’s staunch defense warmed her heart. When someone stood up for her like that, she certainly couldn’t undermine them.
When Fu Rong heard Ning Xuan call her Sister Fu Rong, she was taken aback for a moment before her eyes filled with amusement. For years, she had grown accustomed to people respectfully calling her Senior, My Lady, or Master. To suddenly be called "Sister" felt surprisingly endearing, and it even made her feel much younger.
Fu Rong’s eyes curved into crescents as she grabbed Ning Xuan’s hand. "Come on, don’t pay any attention to him. The examination is starting soon. Just stick with me. I’ve taken this test several times, so I know the procedure well."
From the moment Fu Rong first saw Ning Xuan, she had taken a liking to her. Even knowing how young she was, Fu Rong hadn’t looked down on her in the slightest.
"Then I’ll be counting on your guidance, Sister." Ning Xuan readily followed Fu Rong into the waiting room ahead.
Ning Xuan followed Fu Rong and pushed open an ancient, heavy, carved sandalwood door, entering a room. As soon as she stepped inside, a rich medicinal aroma immediately washed over her, and she couldn’t help but take a deep breath.
This medicinal fragrance had a wondrous, tranquil quality, as if it could cleanse one’s very soul.
"This is the waiting room. Before the official examination, we can freely use the medicinal ingredients, Pill Furnaces, and fire sources here. Three hours from now, the examination topic will be announced. Candidates will then select a Pill Furnace and fire source before entering the official examination."
Fu Rong smiled and explained everything to Ning Xuan in meticulous detail.
"The Alchemist Association does this primarily to let candidates familiarize themselves with the equipment and choose a suitable fire source and Pill Furnace in advance. Of course, it’s also one of the perks of the exam. During this three-hour waiting period, you can take home any Elixir Pills you manage to refine, no matter how precious the ingredients. What’s more, the person who refines the most valuable Elixir Pill gets to pick any Pill Furnace and fire source they want. Even if someone else has already picked it, they can claim it." Fu Rong was clearly an expert on the procedures and their hidden benefits. Hearing this, Ning Xuan’s eyes lit up.
Ning Xuan surveyed the spacious waiting room. Dozens of crystal medicine cabinets lined the walls, each displaying different rare medicinal ingredients. Down the center of the room, a long row of uniquely shaped Pill Furnaces stood in neat formation. They glowed with all kinds of halos under the light of moonstones embedded in the ceiling. Clearly, these were no ordinary Pill Furnaces.
"We can use all of these freely?" Ning Xuan’s voice trembled with excitement.