You deserve to be taken care of by me

The next morning, the group of three set off.

They flew through the air, crossing thousands of mountains and rivers, finally arriving above a grand city.

This was Dan City!

It was known as the most prosperous city in the entire Eastern Region!

It was also the main base of Pill Cauldron Pavilion!

Looking around, Dan City's walls were dozens of feet high, majestic and stretching as far as the eye could see.

The mottled wall tops bore the marks of time's erosion, yet remained sturdy and thick.

Upon the city bricks, there were traces of Formation patterns engraved.

To be able to engrave a Formation in an entire city, looking at the entire Eastern Region, perhaps only Pill Cauldron Pavilion had such a display of wealth.

Stepping into the city, restaurants and shops lined both sides, and the cries of vendors on the road rose and fell incessantly.

How lively it was!

The Alchemist assessment was a grand event held every three years in Dan City.

On the streets, groups of people were constantly discussing this topic.

In the restaurants, there were conversations everywhere about who was qualified to advance to Alchemist, and who could challenge the Advanced Alchemist.

Among the crowd, there were many people dressed in black robes.

The Material of the black robes was extraordinary, woven with gold threads, giving off an ancient, heavy, and majestic feeling.

"Peak Master, these are all Alchemists who came to Dan City to participate in the assessment."

"Those with one star on their shoulder are One-Rank Alchemists."

"Those with two stars are Two-Rank Alchemists."

Beside him, Wu Yue explained to Zhong Qing.

The latter glanced through the crowd, most of them had one star.

Those with two stars were very few.

As for those with three stars, not a single one was seen.

He asked somewhat puzzled, "Are there no three-star ones?"

At this moment, Shi Xiaotian grinned and said.

"Peak Master, three-star ones are not common."

"Not to mention being as rare as a Phoenix feather, only people like me and Old Bai are worthy of wearing them."

"Moreover, wearing this Alchemist attire makes things much more convenient."

As they spoke, the two each took out a black robe from their Storage Pouch and put it on.

On their shoulders, three stars were clearly displayed.

"It's a Third Grade Alchemist!"

Someone in the crowd exclaimed.

A few more traces of reverence appeared in their gazes towards the two.

Zhong Qing felt that this Alchemist attire was too cool!

This was the battle attire of an Alchemist!

In his heart, he looked forward to this Alchemist assessment even more, and secretly made up his mind that he must become an Alchemist.

As they walked, the two continued to popularize common knowledge of the Alchemist world for Zhong Qing.

In this Eastern Region.

One-Rank and Two-Rank Alchemists were the backbone of the Alchemist world.

Third Grade Alchemists could be called Great Master-level figures in the Alchemy world.

Four-Rank Alchemists could be called a Grandmaster.

Five-Rank Alchemists were Alchemy King-level existences, the pinnacle of the Alchemist world in the Eastern Region.

Wu Yue and Shi Xiaotian came this time precisely to challenge for the Five-Rank Alchemist.

"Peak Master, the assessment locations for different Alchemist Ranks are not the same, so we might not be in the same place during the assessment."

Shi Xiaotian said at this point, "In addition, the Alchemist assessment has another rule."

"That is, each person can only choose one Rank to assess each time. If they fail the assessment, they need to wait three years before they can assess again."

"So, Peak Master, which Rank do you plan to assess this time?"

"There's also this rule?"

Hearing this, Zhong Qing stroked his chin and pondered.

He had originally wanted to try for an Advanced Alchemist, and if he couldn't pass, he would lower the Rank.

Now it seemed he could only conservatively choose to assess the lowest Rank, the One-Rank Alchemist.

"Alright, I understand!"

"You two go ahead, I'll go by myself."

Zhong Qing parted ways with the two at a crossroads.

Then he asked for directions, learned that the One-Rank Alchemist assessment location was in the west of the city, and then leisurely strolled along towards the west.

After passing through the bustling market, he walked for about ten li.

Then he saw a seven-story pavilion.

This was indeed the registration and assessment place for One-Rank Alchemists.

Zhong Qing came to the hall, filled out the registration information, and paid the registration fee.

He was then led to a spacious square.

Many people had gathered here.

Most were sitting in meditation, waiting for the assessment to begin.

Clearly, they were all candidates like him, about to participate in the One-Rank Alchemist assessment.

Zhong Qing scanned the entire area, looking for a place to sit.

Just then, one of the young men waved at him.

"Brother, there's an empty seat here!"

The young man was in his early twenties, dressed in a green robe, the same style as Zhong Qing's.

He pointed to the empty spot beside him, motioning for Zhong Qing to come over.

Zhong Qing didn't hesitate and walked directly to the young man and sat down.

"Brother, my name is Zhou Shen!"

The young man grinned, clearly a friendly person.

"May I ask your name?"

"Zhong Qing!"

The two exchanged names.

Zhou Shen asked with a smile, "Looking at you, brother, this is your first time participating in an Alchemist assessment, isn't it!"

"How is it? Do you have confidence in this assessment?"

Before Zhong Qing could respond.

He continued on his own, "Actually, this Alchemist assessment, it's simple yet difficult."

"Oh, what do you mean by that?"

"Looking at Brother Zhou, you seem very familiar with the Alchemist assessment process."

Zhong Qing asked.

"Naturally."

Zhou Shen patted his chest, acting as if there was nothing in the world he didn't know.

Then he said mysteriously, "There's a lot to it."

"It's only because we're fated, brother, that I'll tell you in detail."

"I wouldn't tell just anyone."

Then he revealed some so-called inside information.

"Pill Cauldron Pavilion's specific assessment content varies each year."

"This time, Dan Zun Pavilion will provide a new One-Rank Pill Formula, and successfully refining a Medicinal Pill according to their Pill Formula will count as success."

"But even if successful, you won't directly become a One-Rank, because the spots are limited. Instead, from those who succeed, the top thirty will be chosen based on quality to become One-Rank Alchemists."

This made Zhong Qing frown.

There were at least several thousand people on site.

Selecting thirty out of several thousand people, the elimination rate was indeed significant.

"Thank you for telling me, Brother Zhou!"

This news was definitely inside information among inside information.

It was worth Zhong Qing's thanks.

"If there's an opportunity another day, I will surely drink with Brother Zhou!"

Zhou Shen waved his hand and grinned.

"Why wait for next time, now is fine."

"This assessment will still take quite some time."

"Here, as long as you don't cause trouble, no one will mind if you have a little drink."

"Oh?"

Zhong Qing's eyes lit up.

"In that case, today I shall drink to my heart's content with Brother Zhou!"

Saying this, Zhong Qing untied the wine gourd from his waist.

And handed it over.

The latter also didn't stand on ceremony.

After taking it, he took a long, hearty drink.

After a long while, his eyes brightened.

"Buddy, this wine is good!"

Then the two began to drink, taking turns.

Zhou Shen, who was already a chatterbox, once he had a drink, his mouth was like a broken doorknob, unable to stop talking.

He rambled about all sorts of topics from north to south.

He boasted that his Alchemy talent was unparalleled and that he would surely become a Alchemy King one day.

He also said that his combat power was almost unrivaled in the same Realm, and that he once chased an enemy for three days and three nights by himself.

Finally, the topic shifted to women.

He even boasted that he was possessed by a God of War and empowered by a Great Emperor.

Good heavens!

Zhong Qing's mouth twitched slightly.

If bragging could lead to a sentence.

He felt this guy would at least get life imprisonment.

Unknowingly, two hours passed.

And Zhou Shen spent one and a half hours bragging about his affairs with various women.

To be fair, setting aside the bragging, this guy's research on romantic escapades was indeed refreshing.

It even made Zhong Qing's heart a little restless.

After all, since coming to this world, he had never been to that kind of place.

And although this guy bragged, Zhong Qing didn't dislike him; on the contrary, such people were very genuine.

"Brother, if there's an opportunity next time, I will definitely take you to experience what it means to be a Child of Ultimate Bliss!"

Zhou Shen waved his hand grandly, with a third of his drunkenness.

Then his tone shifted.

"Buddy, actually, you don't have to worry about this Alchemist assessment at all."

"As long as you can refine a finished Medicinal Pill, I'll take care of the rest for you."

He pointed to his head.

"To be honest, I have connections."

"There's a Third Grade Alchemist in Pill Cauldron Pavilion, and that's my relative."

"Do you know what a Third Grade Alchemist means?"

"That's a Great Master-level existence among Alchemists, an existence that countless top major powers would treat as honored guests."

"Many ordinary people probably haven't even seen one in their entire lives."

"Someone like you, buddy, certainly hasn't had contact with a Third Grade Alchemist."

"But don't worry, as long as I put in a word, you just need to succeed in refining, and I'll take care of the ranking for you. I feel like we're old friends, so I'll handle this small matter for you."

"Oh?!"

"You can go through the back door?"

"That's truly much appreciated."

Zhong Qing quickly cupped his hands in a salute.

Zhou Shen greatly enjoyed Zhong Qing's grateful expression; he waved his hand magnanimously.

"It's just a small matter!"

"Brother, no need to be so polite."

"However, although that person is my relative, the necessary procedures cannot be skipped, and gifts still need to be given."

"Of course, I'll send your share for you."

He patted Zhong Qing's shoulder generously.

"Who told you that you have the same taste as me, even wearing the same clothes."

"Buddy, I like you, so it's your fate to be looked after by me!"

...