65: Second-grade alchemist assessment

“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.

Great Master 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!”

Great Master 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, Great Master 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 Great Master Otto and two other Third-Rank Alchemist Elders as deputy examiners.

Lin Fei, as Great Master 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.