Hearing Xiao Tian's age, Yu He's hand paused mid-motion. She looked at him with genuine surprise and said, "Sir, you are truly young and promising."
Yu He then glanced at the Little Fairy Doctor. "Is this young miss also here to take the Alchemist assessment?"
"I am not. I am just accompanying him," the Little Fairy Doctor replied softly.
"Then, could I trouble you to wait in the rest area? Those who are not taking the assessment are not allowed inside," Yu He said, pointing politely toward the waiting area not far away.
Yu He quickly tidied the registration form and, holding it, smiled at Xiao Tian. "This way, sir. Please follow me."
The Little Fairy Doctor nodded without saying anything. She stepped closer to Xiao Tian, straightened his collar, and brushed the dust off his shoulders. "I'll wait for you here. I wish you success in your assessment."
Xiao Tian nodded gently. He turned and walked inside, with Yu He following respectfully to guide him.
While walking, Yu He asked with a smile, "Sir, are you here to take the Rank 1 Alchemist assessment?"
Xiao Tian shook his head. "No. I am here for the Third-Rank Alchemist assessment."
Yu He's footsteps suddenly halted. She turned her head, eyes wide, and asked in a trembling voice, "Y-You… you said you want to take the Third-Rank assessment?"
"Yes, that is correct. Is there a problem?" Xiao Tian asked calmly, looking at her in mild confusion.
"N-No problem at all…" Yu He stammered. "Sir, to take the Third-Rank assessment, one must start from Rank 1. Only after successfully advancing can one proceed to Rank 2, and finally Rank 3."
"I see. Then I will take them one by one," Xiao Tian replied indifferently.
Yu He led him to a large gate. She stepped forward to speak with the guards and handed over the documents. After carefully checking them, one guard took out a black armband.
Yu He accepted it and returned to Xiao Tian. "Sir, this is your candidate number. Keep it safe and do not lose it. From here on, you must go in by yourself. According to the rules, I am not allowed to enter casually."
Xiao Tian took the armband, which had the number "8" written on it. He put it on his arm and walked through the gate.
Inside, Xiao Tian entered a large hall illuminated as bright as day.
Quite a few people were already present, whispering among themselves.
In the hall, Xiao Tian also spotted two old men wearing badges with four ripples on their chests. They were most likely the two great Rank 4 Alchemists of Blackrock City: Great Master Otto and President Frank.
In the central assessment area stood over a dozen stone platforms, each equipped with various alchemy tools.
Seven or eight young men and women were already standing there, waiting.
Noticing Xiao Tian enter, President Frank saw the armband on his arm and asked kindly, "Little fellow, are you also here for the Alchemist assessment?"
"Yes, President Frank," Xiao Tian replied politely with a nod.
"How old are you, little fellow?" Frank asked in surprise upon seeing his youthful face.
"Eighteen."
"Hmm? Eighteen?" Frank turned to Otto in astonishment. "Old Otto, this little fellow is quite a bit younger than both your and my disciples."
"It seems this little fellow is extraordinary," Otto stroked his beard and praised.
"Little fellow, go choose a spot and prepare. The assessment will begin shortly," Frank said with a smile.
"Alright!" Xiao Tian picked an empty stone platform and walked over.
"Do you think this little fellow will succeed?" Frank asked Great Master Otto quietly.
"It's difficult. He is too young. We have never had such a young Alchemist appear in Blackrock City," Otto replied.
Frank also shook his head. He knew that obtaining an Alchemist badge at eighteen was as difficult as ascending to the heavens.
Xiao Tian arrived at his platform. Standing at the one beside him was a young woman in a purple dress. She looked less than twenty, petite in stature, yet very well-developed with an alluring figure.
"Hello! My name is Lin Fei." Seeing someone looking at her, the woman turned her head, ready to scold him. However, upon seeing Xiao Tian's refined temperament and handsome appearance — influenced by the principle of 'beauty is justice' — she swallowed her words and greeted him with a smile.
"My name is Xiao Tian." Xiao Tian responded briefly, then turned his attention back to the items on his table.
Just as Lin Fei was about to speak again, a cold voice rang out: "Teacher, I apologize for being late."
Xiao Tian turned his head and saw a woman walking in. She had a slender figure, wore a tight silver dress, and had striking silver hair that gave her a unique, cold attractiveness.
It was the first time Xiao Tian had seen silver hair, so he couldn't help but be slightly surprised. This must be Xue Mei, the one who gets scammed later when buying the Peach Blossom Flame.
The woman walked over to Frank, said a few simple words, then headed toward the central platforms and stopped at the empty spot next to Xiao Tian.
Looking at the two women on his left and right, Xiao Tian suddenly thought: Isn't this the same treatment Xiao Yan received during his assessment?
The people around them cast envious glances.
"Hmph, if you end up blowing up your cauldron later, don't you dare affect me," Lin Fei couldn't help but snort when she saw Xue Mei.
"Even without my influence, there is a high chance you will blow up your cauldron given your skills," Xue Mei replied coldly.
Caught in the middle, Xiao Tian watched with interest as the two bickered like mortal enemies.
"Ahem, little fellows, the assessment is about to begin. Now, please check the instruments, medicinal materials, and prescriptions in front of you," Frank walked forward, cleared his throat to interrupt their argument, and said with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Tian and the others immediately began carefully inspecting the items on their tables.
Xiao Tian opened the parchment prescription. It clearly stated the Rank 1 Medicinal Pill: Force Accumulation Pill. On the table, three portions of the required medicinal materials were neatly laid out.
He turned to look at Xue Mei and Lin Fei's materials. Good heavens — the scene of abuse of power has appeared again. The two of them were assigned to refine the Recovery Pill and Fire Condensation Pill, which were considered simple among Rank 1 pills.
"Have you all finished checking? If there are no issues, the assessment officially begins." Seeing that no one raised any questions, Frank waved his hand, sending out a burst of energy to ring the iron bell above.
As the bell rang, a transparent light barrier rose up, surrounding and isolating all the candidates.
The candidates placed their hands on the standardized medicine cauldrons provided, circulated their Qi, and ignited flames inside.
Xiao Tian did not use a Heavenly Flame. Instead, he used Purple Crystal Winged Lion King Flame, which he got from the ten thousand beast mountain. A burst of purple flames appeared inside his pill furnace.
Great Master Otto was holding a cup of tea and drinking when he saw Xiao Tian's red flame. He spat the tea out in shock: "What kind of fire is this? Is it a Heavenly Flame?"