Chapter 51: The Alchemist Guild

Chapter 51: The Alchemist Guild

“Hee hee, brother can now even refine a third-grade Qi Recovery Pill, so he’ll definitely pass,” Long Kui’s beautiful eyes shimmered with admiration upon hearing Xiao Se was going to take the alchemist exam.

This was her brother—a prodigy barely thirteen years old, already a Battle Master in cultivation and capable of refining third-grade pills.

Hearing Long Kui’s praise, Xiao Se smiled quietly without a word.

His rapid progress in alchemy without any guidance was entirely due to the memory of a sixth-grade alchemist and later the soul cultivation method "Returning Soul Technique." Having surpassed the Battle Master level, if he still couldn’t refine a third-grade pill, he might as well give up on life.

As he walked through the bustling streets, inquiring about the location of the Alchemist Guild, wherever he went, people were astonished and envious upon learning of his destination, which made Xiao Se inwardly amused.

After turning several streets, Xiao Se soon stopped in front of a building shaped like a large medicinal cauldron.

“The Alchemist Guild,” he murmured softly, his gaze drifting to the golden plaque above the main entrance before stepping inside.

Approaching the entrance, he was unsurprisingly stopped by two fully armed guards.

“Young man, this is the Alchemist Guild. Do you have a mentor’s introduction letter?”

Xiao Se shook his head. Suddenly, his right hand extended, and a faint purple-blue flame curled upward. Calmly, he said, “No introduction letter, but I have this.”

“Condensed real fire, a fourth-grade alchemist! Oh my!” The two guards’ mouths dropped open in disbelief as they rubbed their eyes, their gazes becoming dazed.

“I’m not exactly a fourth-grade alchemist. I’m here to take the alchemist exam. May I enter now?” Xiao Se flicked his right hand, retracting the beast fire into his body, speaking lightly.

“Of course, of course! Please, please come in!” The guards quickly recovered from their shock, looking at Xiao Se with newfound respect and flattery.

Whether or not the boy was truly a fourth-grade alchemist, the ability to condense real fire was far beyond an ordinary alchemist, and they couldn’t help but feel reverence.

Xiao Se nodded slowly and stepped through the gate. Just as he entered, a clear, melodious female voice rang out from behind, growing nearer.

“Teacher, hurry up! You promised today you’d take me to visit the Alchemist Guild exam.”

“Ah, girl, why are you so impatient? In such a rush to be reborn?” An old, teasing voice sounded with a hint of helplessness from behind.

Xiao Se turned his head to see a stout elderly man and a charming young girl slowly approaching.

The old man walked lazily, perhaps out of breath every few steps due to his corpulent body, but not a single passerby dared mock him. The reason was obvious—on his chest hung an alchemist badge engraved with four silver stripes.

“A fourth-grade alchemist, the fat old man—is he Otto from the original story?”

Slightly surprised, Xiao Se’s gaze shifted to the purple-clad girl beside the old man, who kept urging him along. She looked about seventeen or eighteen, with a fair, delicate face and lovely features. Though petite, her curves were well defined—perhaps not quite as stunning as Long Kui, but still a rare beauty. Especially her rounded, perky hips, which constantly attracted the attention of nearby men.

Withdrawing his gaze, Xiao Se had no intention of greeting them and continued inside.

The girl noticed Xiao Se’s lingering stare but grew angry when she saw him withdraw his gaze without a hint of admiration.

Her pride in her beauty was wounded by this disregard. She quickly walked to the entrance and snapped at the two guards, “Hey! Who’s that kid who just went in? He didn’t even greet my teacher when he arrived!”

“Uh, Miss Linfei, that gentleman just went in to take the alchemist exam. We saw him condense real fire,” one guard replied cautiously. Despite the girl’s rude tone, they dared not argue—Linfei was the disciple of Otto, the vice president of Black Rock City and a fourth-grade alchemist.

“Real fire? Nonsense! That’s only possible for someone at my teacher’s level. You two have probably been tricked by that kid,” Linfei scoffed. Xiao Se looked younger than her by several years; it was almost impossible for him to condense real fire, let alone become even a first-grade alchemist.

“You’re bullying others again, girl!” The stout old man finally caught up.

“Master Otto,” the two guards respectfully greeted him.

“I wasn’t bullying. Those two just said that kid condensed real fire, but he looks at most fifteen or sixteen—how could that be?” Linfei shrugged disdainfully.

Otto smiled at the guards and nodded, then earnestly said to Linfei, “Don’t judge by appearances. If he truly can condense real fire, then even if he’s not a fourth-grade alchemist, passing the alchemist exam won’t be a problem.”

“Oh,” Linfei replied dismissively, clearly not taking Otto’s words seriously.

Otto didn’t mind. Actions speak louder than words. If the boy had talent, Linfei would soon have to swallow her scorn. He affectionately patted Linfei’s head and walked into the guild.

Meanwhile, Xiao Se, guided by a woman in blue, arrived at the registration counter.

The woman took out a slightly yellowed parchment, gracefully holding a pen. She looked up at Xiao Se with a gentle smile.

“Sir, please state your name, age, and mentor’s name. I’m Porto, and I’ll register you.”

“Xiao Se, sixteen years old, mentor… uh… Old Luo,” Xiao Se hesitated briefly but lied about his age.

“Sixteen?” Porto was momentarily surprised by his age but didn’t doubt it. Though he was over 1.7 meters tall, his face remained youthful. Whether sixteen, fifteen, or fourteen, she believed him.

After pondering for a moment and about to write, she realized no alchemist named Old Luo was registered anywhere in the Gamma Empire. Embarrassed, she said, “Sir, there is currently no record of an alchemist named Old Luo in the Gamma Empire.”

(PS: Old Luo has been dead for over a hundred years; no one would bother checking records that old.)

“He’s a man who shuns fame and fortune. It’s normal you don’t know him. Besides, isn’t it enough to pass the exam to receive the alchemist badge?” Xiao Se feigned irritation, furrowing his brows.

“Of course, of course.” Seeing Xiao Se’s displeasure, Porto hurried to reassure him, “Even without a mentor’s name, you can still take the exam.”

Hearing this, Xiao Se relaxed, smiling and nodding as he waited quietly.

Soon, Porto finished the registration form, efficiently packed up the materials, and respectfully led Xiao Se to the exam entrance. After receiving his test number, he entered the exam room.

PS: More updates tomorrow. Please support with recommendation and monthly votes.

Thanks to [Sticky Porridge Fairy] for 300 starting coins.

Thanks to [Wandering Running Star] for 500 starting coins.

Thanks to [Twilight Yu] for 100 starting coins.

Thanks to [Breaking Anchor] for 100 starting coins.

(End of chapter)