A few days later, inside the carriage, Mo Yuhan closed his eyes to meditate, digesting what he had gained from the journey and making final preparations for the upcoming Alchemist assessment.
Soon, the outline of a massive city, rising from the ground, finally appeared on the horizon.
The outline of Black Rock City rose from the ground at the edge of the horizon, like a giant black beast prostrate on the earth.
The towering city walls were built from neatly cut black rocks, gleaming with a cold metallic luster, and bore marks of varying depths from the weathering of time, silently narrating its glorious past.
Legend has it that this city wall once withstood the combined bombardment of two Dou Wang (Fighting King) powerhouses without budging, its sturdiness second only to that of Jiama Holy City, the capital of the Gama Empire.
Mo Yuhan stood on the simple carriage hired from Qingshan Town, his gaze calmly sweeping over this renowned and important city.
The wheels of the carriage ground against the hard black stone road, producing a monotonous sound.
The tall city gate was like the throat of a giant beast, swallowing and spitting out a continuous flow of people, carriages, and horses.
The bustling human voices from within the city, now close at hand, and various mixed scents assailed him, all showcasing the prosperity and vitality of this important town in the eastern Gama Empire.
He tightened the slightly oversized black cloak on his body, hiding most of his youthful face in the shadow of the hood.
The life-and-death struggle and the fortuitous encounter deep within the Monster Mountain Range half a month ago seemed like a distant past.
The immense energy gained from absorbing the symbiotic purple crystal source not only allowed him to leap from a six-star Dou Zhe to the peak of a nine-star Dou Zhe in one go.
The Xuan Huang Flame within his body, having devoured and refined the Purple Flame of the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King, became even deeper and more subdued in color, with a faint trace of violent purple flowing flame subtly appearing at its core, greatly increasing its power.
He had already collected some interest on the debt owed by the Jia Lie Family.
Following the tracks left by Jia Liejie's team in Qingshan Town, he launched a fatal sneak attack like the most seasoned hunter.
The three-star Great Dou Shi Jia Liejie, along with the remaining elites he led, were all buried in the outer reaches of the Monster Mountain Range.
It was a pity, however, that the old fox Jia Lie Bi had already retreated to his old lair in Wutan City with most of the family's forces.
This blood feud would have to be settled another day.
Black Rock City's prosperity far exceeded that of Wutan City; wide streets were lined with shops, people flowed like weaving threads, and the air was filled with unique scents from various medicinal herbs, ores, food, and other goods.
Mo Yuhan had no mind to appreciate it; he paid the fare, jumped off the carriage, and headed directly towards the city center—the Alchemist Guild.
Following the crowd, he entered the inner city from the outer city.
The streets were wide and clean, lined with shops displaying dazzling arrays of goods; pedestrians were well-dressed, and among them were not a few powerful Dou Zhe and individuals wearing various colors of Alchemist robes.
The air was filled with a faint scent of medicine, the metallic smell of ores, and the aroma of various foods.
The Alchemist Guild of Black Rock City was located in the central area of the city, a magnificent white towering building.
Its spire seemed to reach into the clouds, and its body was carved with intricate patterns of medicine cauldrons, flames, and herbs, exuding an aura of solemnity and nobility.
Mo Yuhan walked to the Guild's huge archway, carved from some kind of warm white jade, where two burly men with stable auras, dressed in the Alchemist Guild's standard guard uniforms, stopped him.
"Young man, this is the Alchemist Guild; non-Alchemists require a recommendation or invitation to enter."
One of the guards looked at Mo Yuhan's youthful face, his tone polite enough but with the detached professionalism of official business.
Mo Yuhan had not worn his First-Rank Alchemist robe on this trip.
Mo Yuhan said no more, directly taking out the letter of recommendation Grandmaster Gu Ni had given him from his storage ring and handing it over.
The guard took the letter, and upon seeing the unique medicine cauldron seal on the wax and the signature "Mittel Alchemist Gu Ni," his expression immediately became respectful: "So it's Grandmaster Gu Ni's letter of recommendation, young man, please wait a moment."
He immediately turned and quickly entered the Guild to report.
Just as Mo Yuhan waited quietly, a crisp, pleasant female voice with a hint of willfulness came from behind him:
"Oh? Such a young boy, and he has a letter of recommendation too? Are you an Alchemist as well?"
Mo Yuhan turned his head at the sound.
He saw a girl of about twenty standing behind him, curiously examining him.
Her figure was petite and delicate, yet her development was remarkably impressive; the tight, unranked purple Alchemist robe accentuated her curves in a breathtaking manner.
Where it should be prominent, the full, rounded pair on her chest stretched the garment into an alluring curve.
Where it should be concave, her slender waist was easily spanned by a hand, connecting to the suddenly rising, perky, and rounded buttocks below.
A long cascade of dark hair was tied at the back of her head with a delicate purple ribbon of the same color, its ends reaching down below her rounded buttocks; as she tilted her head slightly, the tips of her hair gently brushed against that alluring curve, creating a subtle ripple.
Her cheeks were charming and delicate, her skin fair and smooth, and her large eyes were bright and spirited, currently sparkling with curiosity and a hint of imperceptible scrutiny.
Her rosy lips were slightly pouted, as if carrying a pampered and willful demeanor.
"Lin Fei, don't be rude."
A gentle voice sounded. Beside Lin Fei stood a refined-looking, wise-eyed elder, dressed in a Fourth-Rank Alchemist robe, with four gleaming silver ripples on the badge on his chest.
It was Lin Fei's teacher, Grandmaster Otto, a Fourth-Rank Alchemist.
"Grandmaster Otto!"
The guards at the entrance immediately bowed even more respectfully in welcome upon seeing him.
Grandmaster Otto's gaze gently fell on Mo Yuhan, and seeing the letter of recommendation in his hand, he smiled: "So, young friend, you were recommended by little Gu Ni?"
"Yes, Grandmaster Otto."
Mo Yuhan bowed slightly, neither servile nor arrogant, "Junior Mo Yuhan, under the command of my teacher Grandmaster Gu Ni, has come to the Guild to seek Grandmaster Frank, the President, and to participate in the Alchemist rank assessment."
"Gu Ni's apprentice?"
A hint of surprise flashed in Grandmaster Otto's eyes, then understanding, and he chuckled: "I didn't expect little Gu Ni to actually take on an apprentice, haha... President Frank is inside; I'll take you in."
"Thank you, Grandmaster Otto."
Mo Yuhan responded politely.
"Wait!"
Lin Fei, as if discovering a new continent, bounced a few steps to Mo Yuhan's front, getting very close; a faint, delicate girlish fragrance entered Mo Yuhan's nostrils.
She blinked her large eyes, with a hint of defiance and strong curiosity: "Hey, little brother, are you really an Alchemist? Your teacher is Senior Brother Gu Ni, so what rank are you now? What elixirs can you refine?"
Her rapid-fire questions revealed her slightly willful nature without a doubt.
Mo Yuhan was a little uncomfortable with her sudden closeness, and he subtly stepped back half a step, calmly replying, "Miss Lin Fei, my teacher is indeed Grandmaster Gu Ni."
He did not directly answer his rank, mainly wanting to preserve Grandmaster Otto's dignity and Lin Fei's self-esteem at the moment
"Hmph, so mysterious," Lin Fei pouted, but her eyes darted around, revealing a mischievous smile. "Let's go, let's go! I'll take you to see Grandpa Guild Leader. I want to see what kind of skills this little apprentice recommended by Senior Brother Gu Ni possesses!"
Although Gu Ni was older, he and Lin Fei were indeed of the same generation, so it wasn't wrong for her to call him Senior Brother.
As she spoke, she familiarly grabbed Mo Yuhan's wrist and, without a word, dragged him into the Guild.
The young girl's wrist was slender and smooth, with a warm touch.
Mo Yuhan frowned slightly, instinctively wanting to break free, but Lin Fei held on tightly, pulling him quickly forward.
Grandmaster Otto smiled helplessly behind them, shaking his head as he followed.
The Alchemist Guild's interior was vast, elegantly and luxuriously decorated, yet also possessing an ancient and grand atmosphere.
The air was filled with a rich scent of medicine.
Along both sides of the corridor were many independent alchemy rooms, and occasionally, the buzzing sound of alchemy cauldron flames could be heard from within.
Lin Fei was clearly familiar with the place. She chattered as she walked: "Little brother, how old are you? How long have you been learning alchemy from Senior Brother Gu Ni? Why did your teacher tell you to come see the Guild Leader? To become his disciple?"
She fired questions like a machine gun, with an innate enthusiasm and curiosity, and also a hint of the arrogance belonging to a talented Alchemist apprentice.
"Nine years old. I've been learning alchemy for some time," Mo Yuhan's reply was concise.
"Nine years old?!"
Lin Fei suddenly stopped, turned around, her almond eyes wide, her rosy little mouth slightly agape, looking at Mo Yuhan with an expression of disbelief. "You're only nine years old, and Senior Brother Gu Ni already let you come to Black Rock City alone? Your small physique…"
She instinctively reached out and gestured at Mo Yuhan's height, which reached her nose. If she stood on her tiptoes, her delicate, full chest would almost brush Mo Yuhan's mouth.
Mo Yuhan subtly took half a step back, creating a little distance. "I'm used to being alone."
Lin Fei clicked her tongue in wonder, looking at Mo Yuhan with even more novelty, as if she were looking at some rare small animal.
"Nine years old… so young, but quite brave," she mumbled, then continued to lead the way, though her steps slowed a bit, seemingly wanting to observe this peculiar little brother more.
Along the way, they encountered many Alchemists, who respectfully saluted Grandmaster Otto and also curiously observed Mo Yuhan, who was being pulled by Lin Fei.
Soon, the three arrived at a spacious and bright office on the top floor of the Guild, furnished with a huge alchemy cauldron and various medicinal specimen samples.
Soon, the two arrived in front of a heavy mahogany door deep within the Guild.
Lin Fei knocked on the door, and a gentle voice came from inside: "Come in."
They pushed the door open and entered.
It was a spacious and bright office, elegantly decorated and filled with a scholarly atmosphere.
Huge bookshelves were filled with various thick tomes and scrolls. Behind a large desk sat a kind-faced, energetic elder with white hair and beard, wearing a meticulously tailored Fourth-Rank Alchemist robe, adorned with a badge bearing four silver wavy lines on his chest.
His hair was neatly combed, and he was currently engrossed in handling documents.
This person was none other than Frank, the Guild Leader of the Black Rock City Alchemist Guild, a peak Fourth-Rank Alchemist, and also Gu Ni's revered teacher.
"Grandpa Guild Leader!" Lin Fei called out sweetly as soon as she entered, like a cheerful little bird, running a few steps to Frank's side.
Grandmaster Otto was clearly used to his disciple's vivaciousness; he merely shook his head helplessly, though his eyes held a doting gaze.
"Fei'er, don't be rude," Guild Leader Frank smiled as he looked at Lin Fei, his gaze then falling upon Mo Yuhan behind her, with a gentle inquiry, "And who is this?"
Mo Yuhan stepped forward, taking off his hood, revealing a handsome face that was still youthful but already showing nascent contours.
Frank looked up, his gaze first falling on Otto, to whom he nodded slightly, then he looked at Lin Fei and Mo Yuhan, whom she was holding.
When he saw Mo Yuhan's excessively young face, a hint of surprise appeared on his stern face.
"Frank," Otto stepped forward, explaining with a smile, "This is Little Yuhan, your little grand-disciple. He has come with a recommendation letter from little Gu Ni."
Mo Yuhan took the opportunity to break free from Lin Fei's hand, stepped forward, and bowed deeply to Frank: "Disciple Mo Yuhan respectfully greets Grandmaster. By order of my teacher, Gu Ni, I have come to the Guild to seek Grandmaster and participate in the Alchemist rank assessment."
"Oh? Little Gu Ni's disciple?"
Frank put down the quill in his hand, his sharp gaze sweeping over Mo Yuhan, a benevolent smile on his face: "Rise. Little Gu Ni sent me a letter previously, and I knew he had taken a small disciple."
"In his letter, he praised you heavily, saying your talent is exceptional and specifically recommending you to the Guild for further study. However, he didn't mention the extent of your alchemy skills in the letter. So, do you intend to wait a few years before assessing for the First-Rank?"
Frank's tone carried a hint of an elder's warmth, but it wasn't overly cordial.
Gu Ni was just one of his disciples, not particularly talented, and after so many years, he was only a Second-Rank Alchemist.
Now he had brought a nine-year-old child; wasn't this asking him, an old man, to babysit?
Gu Ni was also too thoughtless. A nine-year-old child, whose First-Rank foundation hadn't even been firmly established, yet he sent him here.
Having a Fourth-Rank Alchemist personally guide an unranked beginner, unless they possessed extraordinary talent like Xue Mei, whom he personally took on, he simply didn't have the time to personally teach this child in front of him.
Just as Frank was about to casually arrange for an Alchemist to help guide him in his studies,
Mo Yuhan stood up straight, meeting Frank's gaze, and clearly uttered a few words: "Reporting to Grandmaster, this disciple has come to assess for the Second-Rank Alchemist badge."
"Pfft—!"
Lin Fei, who was curiously peering from the side, had just taken a sip of clear tea brought by a nearby attendant. Upon hearing this, she immediately spat it out, choking and coughing repeatedly, her pretty face turning scarlet.
"Wh-what?! Second-Rank?!"
Lin Fei's eyes widened, pointing at Mo Yuhan, her voice changing pitch. "You… how old are you? Little brother, there's a limit to how much you can boast."
Grandmaster Otto's gentle smile instantly froze, his eyes filled with disbelief.
Grandmaster Otto's pupils constricted slightly, his sharp gaze sweeping over Mo Yuhan like a tangible presence, filled with scrutiny and strong doubt.
A nine-year-old Second-Rank Alchemist—this was simply preposterous. There had never been such a record in the history of the Gama Empire.
His initial impression of Mo Yuhan was quite good, but at this moment, he was doubting whether he had misjudged the person.
Even the widely experienced Guild Leader Frank seemed to have heard some huge joke. "When did little Gu Ni teach you how to tell jokes? But I'm not joking with you now. Tell me truthfully about your current progress in alchemy, so I can arrange appropriate studies for you."
Mo Yuhan faced the gazes of the two Fourth-Rank Alchemists, especially Frank's smile, his expression remaining calm.
As if he was merely stating a simple fact: "Replying to Grandmaster, this disciple indeed wishes to participate in the Second-Rank Alchemist assessment."
Frank's expression was displeased. Hearing the same joke once was enough.
He had already told Mo Yuhan to state it truthfully, and upon hearing this now, he suddenly stood up from his chair, leaning slightly forward with his hands on the desk, his sharp eyes fixed on Mo Yuhan.
"Nonsense!"
Frank's brows furrowed, his voice growing several shades sterner. "The Alchemist rank assessment is no child's play. Do you know what a Second-Rank Alchemist signifies? It requires an extremely high level of understanding of medicinal properties, flame control, and soul perception."
"How old are you? Gu Ni said in his letter that your talent is good, but this is just too… preposterous."
He clearly felt that Mo Yuhan was acting with a youthful mindset, reaching for what was beyond his grasp.
Grandmaster Otto also recovered, advising gently, "Little Yuhan, the path of alchemy emphasizes gradual progress; you cannot be too hasty. Why not start with First-Rank? At your age, if you can pass the First-Rank assessment in ten years, that would already be considered very talented."
Lin Fei finally managed to stop coughing, patting her chest, and huffed arrogantly, "Exactly, exactly! Little brother, do you know how long it took me to barely touch the threshold of a First-Rank Alchemist? My teacher even said my talent was already good enough."
As she spoke, she counted on her fingers, "You're so young, and you want to test for Second-Rank? Don't joke around. Wait a few more years before even thinking about testing for First-Rank."
Mo Yuhan looked at the reactions of the three in front of him, some questioning, some advising, and was not surprised.
He smiled slightly, calmly taking out a neatly folded Alchemist robe from his storage ring, then slowly unfolding it.
The robe was black, representing a First-Rank Alchemist, and on the chest, a shimmering silver badge, carved with an ancient medicinal cauldron and a wisp of flame pattern, was quietly pinned there.
A First-Rank Alchemist badge.
!!!
Inside the office, silence descended once more.
Frank, Otto, and Lin Fei, their gazes were fixed on that small silver badge, as if they had seen something incredible.
Lin Fei's mouth was wide open, enough to fit an egg, her arrogant expression completely replaced by shock.
"This… this…"
Frank's voice was a little dry. "You… you are already a First-Rank Alchemist? When did you take the assessment?"
"Several months ago, at the Wutan City Alchemist Guild branch, personally supervised by my teacher Gu Ni, and vouched for by two other Second-Rank Alchemists," Mo Yuhan calmly replied, re-folding the robe.
Frank and Otto exchanged glances, both seeing the shock in each other's eyes.
A nine-year-old First-Rank Alchemist—this could no longer be described as merely exceptionally talented; it was practically monstrous.
That kid Gu Ni actually found a treasure!
One must know that although Alchemists have the qualification to vouch and recommend, Alchemists are very proud, making it extremely difficult to get three Alchemists to vouch simultaneously.
After all, if the person vouched for cannot meet the vouched rank, it would cause the recommending Alchemist to be directly scorned and despised by the entire industry.
At the same time, if the person vouched for is found to be fraudulent, the Alchemist Guild would still revoke their rank.
After all, alchemy is something that relies on genuine strength.
You either can do it, or you can't.
It's very easy to expose.
Therefore, the path of being vouched for and recommended as a qualified Alchemist is almost impossible to take.
This also meant that Mo Yuhan's alchemy skills had truly reached the First-Rank.
Lin Fei, on the other hand, completely deflated, like a little rooster that had lost a fight.
She looked at Mo Yuhan's young, yet remarkably steady face, and then thought about her own years of arduous cultivation still striving for First-Rank. A huge sense of frustration and disbelief filled her heart.
She was over ten years older than Mo Yuhan, yet she hadn't even touched the achievement he had already reached.
This blow made her arrogant nature subside quite a bit, and her gaze towards Mo Yuhan became incredibly complex—there was shock, curiosity, and a hint of… admiration that she herself hadn't noticed?
"Good! Good! Good!"
Frank recovered, saying "good" three times in a row, an unprecedented look of wild joy and excitement blooming on his stern face, his wrinkles smoothing out. "That kid Gu Ni has sent this old man a good grand-disciple! Heaven bless our Alchemist Guild! Hahahaha!"
His hearty laughter echoed throughout the office.
"Mo Yuhan!"
Frank's gaze was burning as he stared at him, addressing him by his full name with a hint of solemnity. "Since you are already a First-Rank Alchemist, you naturally have the qualifications to apply for the Second-Rank assessment. This old man will personally preside over it for you!"
"Otto, I will immediately go prepare the medicinal ingredients and venue required for the Second-Rank Alchemist assessment. You notify all Alchemists of Second-Rank and above present in the Guild to attend and bear witness!"
"Yes, Guild Master!"
Grandmaster Otto was also extremely excited and immediately turned to make arrangements.
A nine-year-old Second-Rank Alchemist assessment—this could be said to be a once-in-ten-thousand-years event!
Soon, the news spread like a hurricane throughout the entire Black Rock City Alchemist Guild.
A nine-year-old First-Rank Alchemist was going to challenge the Second-Rank assessment!
Guild Master Frank himself would supervise, and all Alchemists of Third-Rank and above would be present!
The entire Guild instantly boiled over!
Countless Alchemists put down what they were doing and surged towards the Guild's largest central assessment hall.
As Mo Yuhan, surrounded by Guild Master Frank, Grandmaster Otto, and several senior Elders who had rushed over upon hearing the news, walked towards the Alchemist hall dedicated to assessments, all the Alchemists and apprentices along the way cast gazes of shock, curiosity, and disbelief.
Heads bobbed, discussions buzzed, and everyone's gaze focused on the small figure in the center of the hall.
Mo Yuhan stood before the massive bluestone platform, his expression calm, as if the surrounding gazes of doubt, scrutiny, and disbelief did not exist.
He had changed into a brand-new, unranked black Alchemist robe. His small frame seemed a bit thin next to the enormous medicinal cauldron, but his steady demeanor made people dare not underestimate him.
Frank, Otto, and several other high-ranking Guild officials sat on the judging panel, their expressions serious.
Inside the Alchemist hall, the atmosphere was solemn and dignified.
The enormous medicinal cauldron and a dazzling array of medicinal ingredients were already prepared.
Guild Master Frank personally served as the chief examiner, with Grandmaster Otto and two other Third-Rank Alchemist Elders as deputy examiners.
Lin Fei, as Grandmaster Otto's disciple, also gained the privilege to observe. She stood in a corner, still watching the small figure in the center of the venue with strong skepticism.
Just as the assessment was about to begin, Lin Fei's eyes darted, and she saw a cool, quiet figure standing in another corner of the hall.
Her mind stirred, and she quietly slipped over.
"Hey, Ice Face, look!" Lin Fei poked the person's arm, her tone carrying a hint of barely suppressed excitement and a desire to watch a good show.
Xue Mei slightly furrowed her brows, her cool eyes sweeping over Lin Fei, a little helpless at her intimate gesture and the nickname "Ice Face."
She followed the direction of Lin Fei's finger and saw Mo Yuhan, surrounded like stars around the moon, in the center of the venue.
That small figure, amidst a group of highly respected Alchemists, seemed particularly conspicuous.
"Who is he, and why such a grand display?" Xue Mei's voice was like flowing ice springs, carrying a hint of confusion.
When did such a young child come to the Guild? And looking at the level of importance the Guild Master and my master place on him… it's a bit unusual.
"Hehe, I won't tell you! Just wait and watch the show!" Lin Fei played coy, a deliberately mysterious expression on her face.
Xue Mei no longer paid attention to Lin Fei's theatrics, her cool gaze returning to the center of the venue.
She wanted to see what was so special about this child that could make the Guild Master cause such a stir.
Mo Yuhan stood before the enormous medicinal cauldron, took a deep breath, and his eyes instantly became incredibly focused.
The medicinal pill he was to refine for his assessment was the Second-Rank Ice Heart Pill.
With a slight thought, a wisp of flame, dark like the Xuan Huang earth yet with a core that pulsed with a wild purple hue, rose gracefully from his fingertips.
The moment the flame ascended, a peculiar aura, hot yet profound, wild yet restrained, instantly permeated the air.
"Such a powerful flame!"
"This fluctuation... it doesn't seem like Dou Qi flame!"
A series of low exclamations echoed through the hall.
Frank and Grandmaster Otto's eyes simultaneously flashed with surprise, "Could it be a Heavenly Flame?!"
Grandmaster Otto concentrated and sensed for a moment, his brow slightly furrowed, and he said in a deep voice, "Although this flame's aura is strange and powerful, and its energy fluctuation far exceeds ordinary flames, it seems... somewhat different from a Heavenly Flame. It's more like the origin beast flame of some powerful fire-attribute magical beast."
"It's just... it seems to have been fused with a more pure and profound power? Frank, what do you think...?"
Frank also carefully sensed the Xuan Huang Purple Flame at Mo Yuhan's fingertips, stroked his beard, and slowly nodded:
"What you said is correct. Although this flame is strong, combining dominance and profoundness, its energy essence leans more towards a fusion with some kind of top-tier beast flame origin, rather than a Heavenly Flame born of nature."
"Perhaps it's some rare mutated beast flame, or fused with a special earth fire?"
Although there was surprise in his eyes, the extreme shock he had felt because of the 'Heavenly Flame' had largely dissipated.
A nine-year-old Second-Rank Alchemist was already astonishing; if he also possessed a Heavenly Flame, that would simply be mythical.
Now, the high probability guess was merely some powerful mutated beast flame. While still astonishing, it was at least within the'scope of understanding'.
Upon hearing the two Grandmasters' conclusions, the tumultuous waves of shock that had risen in the hall due to the suspected 'Heavenly Flame' subsided somewhat, but everyone's gaze towards Mo Yuhan remained filled with awe.
Being able to fuse and control such a powerful mutated beast flame was, in itself, an excellent proof of his talent.
Mo Yuhan paid no attention to the discussions and gazes around him.
He was fully concentrated, his spirit power spreading like a tide, precisely sensing the temperature of the medicinal cauldron and the timing for adding the medicinal ingredients.
Under his exquisite control, the Xuan Huang Purple Flame was at times as docile as a lamb, emitting gentle heat to refine the medicinal properties, and at other times as wild as an enraged lion, with purple light surging, instantly incinerating the impurities of some medicinal ingredients that required intense fire tempering into nothingness.
The transition of the flames was smooth and seamless, without the slightest hesitation.
One by one, medicinal ingredients were added, refined, and fused... The entire process flowed like water, his technique so practiced it was astonishing, not at all like a child, but more like a Grandmaster who had been immersed in alchemy for decades.
The Second-Rank Ice Heart Pill he was refining was considered quite difficult among Second-Rank medicinal pills.
This pill required balancing the extreme cold of the ice-attribute main ingredient, 'Cold Marrow Branch,' with the dryness and heat of several fire-attribute auxiliary ingredients, placing extremely stringent demands on flame control.
A slight mistake would result in a conflict of cold and heat, leading to the pill being ruined and the furnace exploding.
Time passed in the oppressive silence and the humming of the flames.
When a peculiar medicinal fragrance, a blend of coolness and warmth, emanated from the medicinal cauldron, and a dragon-eye-sized pill, completely ice-blue with a subtle, dark purple-gold sheen on its surface, was retrieved by Mo Yuhan in a jade bottle, the entire hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
The Elder responsible for inspecting the pill tremblingly took the jade bottle, and after careful identification, announced in an excitedly distorted voice: "Second-Rank medicinal pill, Ice Heart Pill! Quality... excellent! Pill contains purple lines, perfect fusion of cold and heat, assessment passed!"
After a brief silence, there was deafening gasps of amazement and applause!
A nine-year-old Second-Rank Alchemist had truly appeared before their eyes!
The Black Rock City Alchemist Guild had given birth to a true prodigy!
Frank and Otto first stepped forward together to inspect, and after confirming everything was correct, their old faces flushed with excitement.
Frank even stepped forward and patted Mo Yuhan's shoulder vigorously: "Good! Good child, Gu Ni truly took in a good disciple! From now on, I will personally instruct you. You are the most dazzling new star of our Black Rock City Alchemist Guild!"
Frank showed no shame in taking over his disciple Gu Ni's apprentice. Gu Ni had also said in his letter that his abilities were insufficient and asked Frank to personally instruct Mo Yuhan.
It was just that before, Frank had thought Mo Yuhan's skill was ordinary and not enough for him to personally mentor.
But now, with his talent so high, Frank naturally wanted to take him under his wing.
Afterward, Frank personally placed a brand-new badge, imprinted with two silver ripples, on Mo Yuhan's chest.
Lin Fei stood in the corner, staring blankly at the small figure surrounded by the crowd, wearing the badge symbolizing the honor of a Second-Rank Alchemist on his chest. The shock in her heart was beyond words.
Her previous schadenfreude and desire to watch a show had long vanished, leaving only a deep, ineffable tremor.
He really did it...
A nine-year-old Second-Rank Alchemist...
Xue Mei Senior Apprentice's clear, cold eyes were also fixed on Mo Yuhan. On her ice-mountain-like face, for the first time, such clear astonishment and disbelief appeared.
What kind of terrifying talent was hidden within that small body?
She subconsciously clenched her hands, her fingertips slightly cold.
Just then, Frank also saw Xue Mei Senior Apprentice, and with a chuckle, he pulled Mo Yuhan over to her: "Yu Han, come, come, let me introduce you. This is Xue Mei Senior Apprentice, she is also my direct disciple, so she is your Senior Sister."
Mo Yuhan looked up at the silver-haired woman with a cold demeanor before him.
She was tall and slender, wearing a tight silver dress-robe that shimmered with a metallic luster, perfectly outlining her figure.
Long, straight legs, a slender, strong waist, and although her chest was not as exaggeratedly full as Lin Fei's, it was round and perky, forming a cool yet alluring curve.
She had long, silver hair that reached her waist and hips, flowing like moonlight, smooth and lustrous.
Her face was as exquisitely carved as ice and snow, her eyes clear but with the coldness of a mountain spring, and her slender, delicate eyebrows were slightly furrowed, exuding an aura of aloofness that kept others at bay.
"Xue Mei Senior Apprentice."
Mo Yuhan calmly bowed.
"You... Hello, Junior Brother."
Xue Mei Senior Apprentice's clear, cold voice carried a subtle fluctuation.
She had just been wondering who this astonishingly talented child was, never expecting him to be her own Junior Brother!
Looking at the brand-new Second-Rank badge on Mo Yuhan's chest, and then at the First-Rank Alchemist badge she had just earned on her own chest, an unprecedented sense of pressure quietly arose.
"Precisely."
Mo Yuhan nodded.
Xue Mei Senior Apprentice took a deep breath, trying to suppress the turmoil in her heart, and looked directly at Mo Yuhan with her clear, cold eyes, nodding slightly: "Junior Brother Yu Han, congratulations."
Her voice, though still clear, had a touch more warmth than usual.
"Hmph!" Lin Fei, standing nearby, found this scene inexplicably jarring and couldn't help but let out a soft snort, pouting her small lips.
However, her mind was still filled with Mo Yuhan's demeanor during the alchemy just now, so this snort was more like dissatisfaction with herself