Chapter 33: Chapter 33: Second Grade Assessment
"Succeeded?"
Watching Ji Chen take the Wind Travel Pill out of the Pill Furnace, the onlookers’ faces were filled with an indescribable expression of surprise.
Before this, they had never imagined that a notorious young master known across the world could actually successfully concoct an Elixir.
Undoubtedly, this also meant that Ji Chen indeed had the qualifications to become a First Grade Alchemist.
Across the entire Chu Kingdom, Alchemists were extremely rare figures, especially among the younger generation. To become a true First Grade Alchemist at Ji Chen’s age, there were almost none.
"How is this possible..."
Nie Yuan’s face was full of disbelief, looking exceedingly grim.
If Ji Chen’s ability to ignite Pill Fire had already greatly surprised him, Ji Chen’s success in concocting the Elixir was even harder for Nie Yuan to accept.
Because this also meant that from now on, Ji Chen would become an Alchemist of the Alchemy Master Alliance. With such a status, the Celestial Profound Sect would have to consider the attitude of the Alchemy Master Alliance before making any moves against Ji Chen or Lingyun Sect.
Although a First Grade Alchemist wasn’t extraordinarily rare across the Chu Kingdom,
it was important to know that Ji Chen was only eighteen or nineteen years old. Such a young First Grade Alchemist would undoubtedly receive special attention from the Alchemy Master Alliance!
This was undoubtedly a very troubling situation for the Celestial Profound Sect.
After all, for a long time, they had experienced numerous frictions and conflicts with Lingyun Sect.
But now, behind Lingyun Sect suddenly stood the immovable backing of the Alchemy Master Alliance.
"Candidate number twelve, Ji Chen, successfully concocted the First Grade Elixir Wind Travel Pill. After inspection, this Elixir is flawless. Upon completion of the assessment, he will receive a certificate for First Grade Alchemist!"
Amidst the discussions of the surrounding crowd, Elder Li had already inspected the Wind Travel Pill concocted by Ji Chen and then announced loudly.
In truth, including Elder Li, everyone was extremely astonished in their hearts.
Because the Elixir was personally inspected by him, and he never imagined that Ji Chen, the infamous prodigal, would really manage to concoct an Elixir.
Soon, the second round of the assessment also ended.
Besides Ji Chen, another person also successfully concocted an Elixir.
But this person’s age was significantly older than Ji Chen’s, around thirty, middle-aged. In terms of potential and other aspects, everyone saw him as far less promising than Ji Chen.
And Ji Chen quietly left the venue amidst the discussions of the crowd.
"Does the Young Sect Leader intend to continue with the Second Grade Alchemist assessment?"
In a certain resting area, Ji Chen summoned Qin Lan over, and upon learning Ji Chen’s intention, Qin Lan asked in confirmation.
If Ji Chen truly had such an idea, he could indeed continue to participate in the Second Grade assessment.
However, although this rule had always existed, such a situation had never truly occurred.
For all these years, no one had ever gone directly from passing the First Grade assessment on the same day to participating in the Second Grade assessment.
Even the Eldest Princess Qu Luoning participated in the Second Grade Alchemist assessment after a year had passed.
Finally, after receiving Ji Chen’s confirmation, Qin Lan nodded, then got up and left to register Ji Chen for participation in the Second Grade assessment.
Ji Chen sat and quietly waited. Soon, when Qin Lan returned, he brought with him a Second Grade assessment certificate.
The number on it was forty-three.
Apparently, today the original number of people participating in the Second Grade Alchemist assessment was only forty-two, but with Ji Chen joining in, it became forty-three.
This meant that Ji Chen needed to participate in the fourth round of the assessment, and this time, he had requested Qin Lan to select a Second Grade Elixir called the ’Calamity-Breaking Pill.’
This Elixir has the effect of eliminating all toxins. Although it is common on the market, it is relatively more expensive than ordinary Second Grade Elixirs because of the higher difficulty in concoction.
"Young Sect Leader, the Second Grade assessment field has now reached the third round; you will have to go on stage in the next round. Due to the number of people, including you, only three people will simultaneously take the assessment in the next round," Qin Lan said.
Hearing this, Ji Chen nodded, didn’t ask any questions, and directly stood up, heading towards the Second Grade assessment field.
The distance from the First Grade assessment field was not far, but the crowd here was significantly larger.
After all, the Second Grade assessment was generally more engaging than the First Grade assessment.
"Ji Chen?"
In a certain resting area, Ji Chen randomly found a seat and sat down, waiting for the start of the next round of assessment.
But shortly after sitting down, a slightly surprised voice came from beside him.
When he looked over, Ji Chen realized that it was the Eldest Princess sitting there.
"Greetings, Eldest Princess. I didn’t expect to meet so soon again," Ji Chen said with a smile, slightly cupping his fist.
"Weren’t you participating in the First Grade assessment today? Is it already over?" Qu Luoning couldn’t help but ask.
Ji Chen nodded, "I was lucky, passed smoothly."
"Congratulations," Qu Luoning smiled.
No wonder Ji Chen sat here so leisurely to watch the Second Grade Alchemist assessment; it turned out he had successfully passed the First Grade assessment.
But she could not possibly have anticipated that Ji Chen was not here for observation but to prepare for the upcoming fourth round of the Second Grade assessment.
"What about the Eldest Princess? Passed the assessment?" Ji Chen also asked.
Qu Luoning shook her head, "It’s only the third round of the assessment now, and my number is forty-two, so it’s not yet my turn."
"Forty-two?" Ji Chen was slightly taken aback upon hearing this.
"What is it?" Qu Luoning asked, puzzled.
Ji Chen smiled and shook his head, "Nothing, I just didn’t expect to take the stage with the Eldest Princess."
"What do you mean?" Qu Luoning’s face was filled with confusion upon hearing these words.
"The third round of assessment is over. Next, please, candidates number forty-one, forty-two... uh, and also number forty-three, prepare to take the stage."
As she remained puzzled, a voice was heard from the assessment field.
"Number forty-three?"
That voice startled the crowd present.
Including Qu Luoning, her eyebrows slightly furrowed.
What’s going on?
Based on understanding, there were supposed to be only forty-two participants in the Second Grade assessment today.
So where did the sudden appearance of number forty-three come from?
"Let’s go, it’s time to go on stage."
Ji Chen smiled, rose first, and then, under Qu Luoning’s fully surprised gaze, headed towards the Second Grade assessment field.