Chapter 301: Sister, did you pass the assessment?

Can a person's destructive power truly be calculated?

Master Ti fell silent.

Suddenly, he felt he couldn't quite fathom his old friend from the Saint Palace anymore. Judging by the letter alone, its contents seemed to genuinely suggest that Old Sang had merely predicted Xu Xiaoshou would cause a major commotion here, something even Master Ti couldn't handle.

However, even if the Pill Tower had all these holes, Master Ti wasn't so petty as to argue with a junior.

But was that all?

Master Ti looked at Xu Xiaoshou and suddenly asked, "What is Old Sang to you?"

The boy had only just mentioned that his junior sister was Old Sang's disciple; as for himself... Everyone in the Heavenly Sang Spirit Palace referred to each other as senior or junior siblings, so Master Ti naturally assumed he wasn't. If he were, would this boy really keep quiet about it?

Xu Xiaoshou recalled their three-chapter pact and solemnly stated, "Old Sang is my vice-dean."

Sure enough...

Master Ti understood in his heart. This letter, while seemingly about this boy, was essentially a distraction.

"Your precious disciple is coming to test; you must be scared too! All these tactics, just to make me focus more attention on this Xu Xiaoshou? Heh, ridiculous! How could I, Master Ti, fall for your old fox's trick! This Mu Zixi is the top priority. Want to distract me? No way!"

"You two, do you want to test for the Alchemist Badge?"

Both nodded.

Master Ti placed the letter back into its envelope, put it in his pocket, and looked at Mu Zixi. "My earlier suggestion wasn't a joke, nor was it a test for you, little girl. Don't be too quick to refuse; you can think about it for a while longer."

Saying this, he directly walked upstairs. "Come with me; the assessment is upstairs."

At these words, everyone instantly burst into an uproar.

"My heavens, judging by the President's meaning, he doesn't care if the Pill Tower is blown up; he's going to let these two off and let them take the exam?"

"Boohoo, the President is such a good person! You won't find anyone as righteous and upright as him!"

"Your focus is all wrong! That letter is the key. What on earth was written in it that made the President change his mind?"

"What was written... You ask me? Who should I ask? Do you dare to go look?"

"Why are you still focused on the letter? The key is Old Sang, the never-before-seen Vice-President of the Alchemist Association. The fact that he still holds that title, isn't that enough to tell you something?"

"Oh? So... I heard, just heard... between President Master Ti and that Old Sang, it was a childhood romance..."

Master Ti's steps faltered, and he almost fell down the stairs. "All of you, get out of here!"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa." Everyone was startled, scattering in all directions.

Xu Xiaoshou and Mu Zixi exchanged glances, somewhat shocked.

Mu Zixi followed him, while Xu Xiaoshou secretly slipped away, grabbing the person who had spoken last and asking, "Childhood romance what? Tell me more clearly..."

"Xu Xiaoshou! Get over here!"

"Oh, oh." Xu Xiaoshou hadn't expected the President to still be paying attention to him. He immediately let go of the man's hand with disappointment. As he left, he lowered his voice. "What's your name? Leave an address. I'm very interested in your story..."

"Hurry up!"

"Coming, coming." Xu Xiaoshou took a step, then turned back again and said, "I..." Before he could finish, he suddenly felt himself float up. He looked, and found himself on President Master Ti's shoulder.

Xu Xiaoshou: ???

This old President, he's truly a King Stage expert too!

Everyone was stunned.

"Holy cow, what did I just see? The President is carrying someone?"

"Oh my gosh, what kind of treatment is this?"

"I wish I had that too..."

On the President's shoulder, Xu Xiaoshou grimaced and gestured. Unfortunately, while he wasn't afraid, the person who had just spoken was clearly terrified. Xu Xiaoshou looked at him expectantly, but the man only shook his head silently, zipping his mouth shut.

The seventh floor.

Completely different from the large floors below, this level was devoid of idlers strolling around without buying elixirs. Here, there were only alchemists, all dressed in identical alchemist robes. They gathered in groups of three to five, casually discussing around tables. Sometimes, when a crucial point was made, they'd even excitedly bang on the table or tug at their beards, completely shattering Xu Xiaoshou's noble impression of alchemists.

Some younger individuals, clearly brought by their elders, respectfully stood outside the discussion areas, diligently taking notes.

"What a strong atmosphere for learning..." Xu Xiaoshou mused.

For others, a place like the Alchemist Association might simply be where one could buy the most authentic elixirs. But for these old scholars, this place was a sacred ground. If one could conquer other old men with their alchemy, the sense of accomplishment would surely be no less than that of those so-called national Go masters who dominate entire neighborhoods.

Master Ti and the others' arrival didn't attract much attention from the crowd. Xu Xiaoshou had already been put down; the President wouldn't walk around carrying someone in front of a group of old men, as that would be too undignified.

The group walked past the noisy main hall, arriving before rows of slightly heated rooms. Alchemy rooms!

Mu Zixi's small face immediately showed signs of nervousness. Fighting might not faze her, but alchemy was a skilled craft, and it was her first time, so she felt a sense of unease. Xu Xiaoshou, however, felt nothing. He had already mastered the "Cinderlight Congealing Pill Art" quite perfectly within ten days, having tried his best to grasp common alchemy methods. Theoretically speaking, the possibility of an explosion was low.

Turning around, he saw Fu Xing following behind him.

Xu Xiaoshou asked in confusion, "Are you also taking the alchemist assessment?"

"No, I'm watching my sister."

"Watching your sister?"

"Mm-hmm."

Xu Xiaoshou fell silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Is your sister named Fu Yinhong?"

"Yes." Fu Xing felt no surprise. In Heavenly Sang City, it would be surprising if someone didn't recognize a member of the Fu family.

Xu Xiaoshou also felt no abruptness; he was already prepared. Fu Yinhong, that Deputy Commander Fu...

"Your sister is Fu Yinhong, what's your brother's name?"

"I don't have a brother."

"Oh, then what about your older brother?"

"I don't have an older brother either."

Xu Xiaoshou's eyes widened. "No, you do!"

Fu Xing froze, then his face darkened. He remembered the bet...

"You've been cursed. Passive points: 1."

"Heh heh." Xu Xiaoshou grinned, saying, "What were you supposed to call me again?"

Fu Xing fell silent. The sense of justice in his heart made him want to fulfill the bet, but looking at the person in front of him, it was already impressive that he managed to hold back from throwing a punch. Call him 'big brother'?

"I..."

A nearby alchemy room opened, and a woman with short red hair and a curvaceous figure walked out. Quite different from her previous valiant appearance, Fu Yinhong, without her armor, exuded a more feminine charm. Xu Xiaoshou almost thought they were two different people. After all, Deputy Commander Fu's tendency to imprison people whenever her temper flared was quite memorable!

Fu Xing felt a wave of relief. He used to be an upright person, but after meeting Xu Xiaoshou, he had only learned to evade. Young Master Fu immediately brushed past Xu Xiaoshou's shoulder, walked towards Fu Yinhong, then clapped a hand on the woman's shoulder, his expression agitated.

"Sister, did you pass the assessment?"

Fu Yinhong ignored him completely, her beautiful eyes immediately falling upon Xu Xiaoshou.

Somewhat familiar?

Very familiar!

Who was this again?

Xu Xiaoshou took a deep breath. There was no hiding now. To avoid being imprisoned, he immediately put on an even more agitated expression than Fu Xing's. Walking straight over, he heavily clapped the woman's other shoulder, his young face filled with surging passion and fervor.

"Sister, did you pass the assessment?!"