Battle Through the Heavens: Heavenly comprehension

Although it was Xiao Yan's first time refining the assessment's prescription, with his extraordinary talent, he effortlessly grasped the essence of the formula.

Thanks to his exceptional control over flame, he managed the purification and extraction of various medicinal materials with remarkable precision.

If an experienced second-tier alchemist had performed this well, Frank and Otto wouldn't have been surprised. However, the fact that the young man before them was only sixteen, just stepping into adulthood, left them in shock.

At that age, they were still struggling with cultivating Dou Qi and couldn't even distinguish medicinal ingredients properly.

If Frank and Otto knew that Xiao Yan was actually only eleven years old, they might have been utterly stunned.

"Did you start cultivating Dou Qi and studying medicinal herbs in your mother's womb?" Frank looked at Xiao Yan as if he were a monster.

Yao Lao nodded in agreement, as if saying, "Pretty much."

Xiao Yan simply smiled and remained silent.

Fortunately, he had slightly increased his age; otherwise, he might have ended up being dissected for research.

Due to his years of cultivating Dou Qi, Xiao Yan had a tall and upright physique. When he put on the special robes of a second-tier alchemist, instead of diminishing his original graceful aura, it added a touch of stability and composure.

As several individuals walked out of the hall, Lin Fei and Xue Mei's gazes swept past their future mentors and locked onto Xiao Yan.

More accurately, they were fixated on the ancient alchemist emblem on his chest!

Two liquid mercury-like ripples continuously shifted like living beings.

"A second-tier alchemist... Did he really succeed?!"

Lin Fei and Xue Mei were dumbfounded, murmuring to themselves in disbelief.

Xiao Yi Xian gracefully walked over to Xiao Yan, curiously gazing at the lively alchemist emblem.

Frank, a little impatient, called out, "What are you standing there in a daze for? Have you completed today's training tasks?"

Xiao Yi Xian shrank back in fear of Frank's loud voice. This alchemist sure has a fiery temper!

Otto smiled at Xiao Yan and said, "You've asked for quite a few things. We'll have to check carefully. Come with us."

Watching them walk away, Lin Fei pouted and muttered, "Favoritism!"

"Come on, stop complaining. He earned it. If you're not convinced, why not take the second-tier alchemist assessment yourself?" Xue Mei chuckled as she walked out of the hall.

"Let me become a Dou Practitioner first!" Lin Fei huffed and followed.

Inside a tidy study room, Xiao Yan quietly watched Otto flipping through records.

As for Frank's inquiries, Xiao Yan stuck to his usual explanation, attributing everything to his "teacher's request."

Reclusive experts often had peculiar tastes, so Frank didn't pry further.

After a long silence, Otto finally came over, holding a thick ancient book. With a headache, he said:

"You sure know how to make things difficult. Blood Lotus Essence and a third-tier magic core can be bought at auction, but Ice Spirit Flame Grass and Ice Spirit Cold Spring are priceless treasures."

"You're a fire-attributed alchemist. Why do you need such icy materials?" Otto asked, scratching his head.

Xiao Yan replied with his usual excuse, "My teacher asked for them; I'm not sure why."

"If it's truly for your teacher, you might try seeking that eccentric old guy," Otto suggested with a smile.

Frank's expression changed, and he exclaimed, "You don't mean that treasure-obsessed old pervert Gu Te, do you?"

Otto grinned, "Who else could it be? That old eccentric loves collecting rare materials."

"However, if you want to get something from him, you'll need to pay dearly. Does your teacher have anything valuable?"

Otto smirked slyly and suddenly changed the topic.

"My future disciple, Lin Fei—the girl in the purple dress earlier—she's beautiful and comes from a prestigious background. How about marrying her? If you become my disciple's husband, even if the City Lord and I have to go bankrupt, we'll get those items from Gu Te."

Frank snorted, "You old coot, you've been hanging around Gu Te too much; you're becoming just as shameless."

"Lin Fei is too mischievous. If you want a wife, my disciple Xue Mei is better—gentle and refined. And don't forget, the Alchemist Association's treasury is no joke!"

Xiao Yi Xian had thought the Alchemist Association president was a respectable man, but it turned out he was just as scheming as the vice president.

Her delicate hands tightly clenched the hem of her dress as she glanced at Xiao Yan out of the corner of her eye.

Lin Fei and Xue Mei were both flawless beauties—how would Xiao Yan respond?

Xiao Yan twitched slightly at the corner of his mouth. Is this a marriage recruitment fair?

"I need a day to contact my teacher. I believe he will provide something to satisfy Gu Te," Xiao Yan said calmly.

Otto sighed regretfully, "Alright, once you're ready, come find me. As for the Blood Lotus Essence and third-tier magic core, I'll handle the auction for you to save time."

"Thank you, Master Otto," Xiao Yan replied with a smile.

"Heh, since you're now part of Black Rock City's Alchemist Association, it's no trouble." Otto waved it off, then added with a grin, "But are you sure you don't want to reconsider my offer?"

"Lin Fei is the City Lord's daughter. Marrying her could save you twenty years of effort."

"I want to carve my own path," Xiao Yan glanced at the glaring Frank, feeling overwhelmed. He quickly pulled Xiao Yi Xian and took his leave.

Watching Xiao Yan disappear into the distance, Otto sighed with a smile, "Ah, still too young."

"Having an Alchemist Association president's support is an invaluable asset," Frank nodded in agreement.

Otto, however, shook his head and argued, "Xue Mei is refined, but she lacks the background Lin Fei has. They're not on the same level."

Frank disagreed, and soon the two old men were passionately debating over whose disciple was better.

Listening to their argument, Yao Lao chuckled, "Those old geezers sure have wild imaginations."

"Their disciples can't compare to your fiancée, Nalan Yanran, let alone that mysterious little girl."

(End of Chapter)

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