Chapter 316: My Blueprint Has Collapsed

After being expelled from the Alchemist Tower, Xu Xiaoshou naturally lost his valuable qualification to be assessed as an alchemist. He squatted on the ground, drawing circles, feeling deeply troubled.

President Shiti's kind-hearted nature was fully evident at this moment. With Yunhe's endorsement and having witnessed Xu Xiaoshou's masterful control over heat, he believed that even though this kid caused chaos and destruction, he certainly possessed tenth-grade alchemist abilities. Therefore, Xu Xiaoshou received an alchemist badge.

"Tenth-grade..." The young man gazed wistfully at the noble purple badge in his hand. It featured a silver-white alchemy cauldron, shaped like a standard cauldron, which was obviously far more imposing than his "little bathtub." Below it, ten white clouds floated. Yes, they were indeed floating. The alchemist badge had been crafted with special techniques, making it impossible to counterfeit. At first glance, it was breathtaking. Upon closer inspection, one could even faintly discern the gentle drifting effect of white clouds.

Besides the badge, successfully becoming an alchemist normally came with public recognition from the association and other special rewards. These included exclusive cauldron selection, designated innate-grade elixir recipes, and the white and purple robes that signified an alchemist's esteemed status.

Xu Xiaoshou received none of these! According to President Shiti, if he were to face full punishment, he would lose more than just these items; he might even lose everything he owned. Xu Xiaoshou, however, disagreed. He still had some assets. Simply repairing the outer wall of the Alchemist Tower and some damaged barriers wouldn't cost too many spirit crystals. Yet, after his initial fury, Shiti surprisingly restrained himself, didn't issue any punishment, and simply handed over the badge.

"Is it because of Elder Sang?" Xu Xiaoshou speculated, convinced that only this reason could appease the old president's wrath. Perhaps it was due to that letter, the contents of which he was unaware... "I'm truly curious what was written inside. That vexing junior sister wouldn't let me sneak a peek!"

Dismissing his thoughts, Xu Xiaoshou erased the circles on the ground and stretched lazily. Overall, this assessment journey at the Alchemist Association was not entirely perfect. Originally, according to his plan, he was certain to get at least a ninth-grade alchemist badge. If he could upgrade "Culinary Mastery" twice more, an eighth-grade ranking would have been secured. Perhaps he could even aim for a seventh-grade realm. This way, he could ascend from nothing to directly claim the noble title of a peak Innate-level Alchemist within a single day. His junior sister would definitely not believe it, but she would have to believe it! Consequently, she would no longer generate "Curse" passive points, but instead overflow with "Admiration" and "Respect." And the many elders in the grand hall, including President Shiti, would surely be astonished, proclaiming him a genius and then seeking to curry favor.

In this way, he could seize the opportunity to infiltrate the upper echelons of Tiansang City, firmly establish himself, and navigate the city with ease. This would also lay the groundwork for his future escape from the Spirit Palace, freeing himself from Elder Sang's manipulative grasp! Later, using this as a springboard, with minimal effort achieving maximum impact, he could easily establish the reputation of "Xiaoshou-brand Elixirs." Through this, he could transcend Tiansang City, even Tiansang County, eventually venturing into the Great Thousand World, and ultimately taking control of...

"Alas." Xu Xiaoshou suddenly sighed softly, interrupting his beautiful blueprint for the future. What a pity! It was a complete failure! No matter how perfectly his grand scheme sounded, human calculations often fall short of fate. Who knew he would just be summarily dismissed like this...

Xu Xiaoshou glanced at the Alchemist Tower's entrance, his gaze dim and resentful, like a spurned lover. He didn't put away the badge, but instead wore it directly on his chest. Tenth-grade was still an alchemist, and still noble! He strutted around the Alchemist Tower's entrance, and thanks to his numerous experiences with explosive escapes, he surprisingly didn't have a single speck of dirt on him. He looked dashing and uninhibited. Such strolling immediately attracted many passersby's gazes.

"Who's that, so ostentatious, a tenth-grade alchemist?""He's not bad-looking, but his character... sigh, no good. Only tenth-grade and already showing off, how can he possibly go far in the future?""Indeed, the alchemist masters I've seen are all humble and polite, always ready to help, but they act discreetly and never show off...""This is the first time I've seen such an exaggerated posture!""Hmm, well, it's understandable. No matter how noble a profession, there are always a few bad apples mixed in."

Xu Xiaoshou's steps faltered upon hearing this, and his face darkened a little. What's happening? In all the stories I've read, weren't alchemists always arrogant and haughty? I just imitated them, why are so many people complaining? Could it be that alchemists in this world are generally more humble and don't dare to show off? He pondered the alchemy profession: once you sit down, it could be for ten days or half a month. He figured anyone who achieved success must be a recluse. Just look at those old guys on the seventh floor of the Alchemist Tower; would they be arrogant? Xu Xiaoshou felt that he must have been misled.

He quietly took off the badge from his chest, wanting to be low-key again, but then he noticed the information bar in his mind:"Received Jealousy, Passive Points, 121.""Received Envy, Passive Points, 133.""Received Admiration, Passive Points, 166."

So, everyone's just green with envy! Xu Xiaoshou was amused and decided not to take it off. With several hundred passive points accumulated just from this incident, he wouldn't take this badge off even if the King of Heaven himself commanded it!

"That little girl has been testing for quite a while!"

After wandering for most of the day, accumulating several thousand more passive points, Xu Xiaoshou still hadn't seen Mu Zixi emerge. He had been kicked out and wasn't allowed to continue the assessment, but Mu Zixi had done nothing wrong, so she could proceed with hers. The Alchemist Tower didn't only have alchemy rooms on the seventh floor, so at this moment, his junior sister and Deputy Commander Fu of the Imperial Guard were likely still diligently at work inside. Xu Xiaoshou stopped, feeling rather bored.

Just then, a figure suddenly rushed out of the Alchemist Tower in a hurry.

"Fu Xing?" Hearing the voice, Fu Xing instantly located Xu Xiaoshou and rushed over like the wind.

"Brother, Brother Shou!""Great, you're still here, I thought you had already left!"

Xu Xiaoshou's face darkened. "What do you mean 'already left'? Can't you speak properly? If not, then shut your mouth."

"Heh heh." Fu Xing scratched the back of his head with an embarrassed smile, and just as he was about to speak, Xu Xiaoshou raised a hand to stop him.

"Don't ask. If you do, the answer is 'no,' and I can't teach it."

Xu Xiaoshou knew what he was so eager to do, but even the incomplete versions of "Ten-Stage Sword Finger" belonged to the Spirit Treasure Pavilion. Elder Sang, moreover, had acquired the complete version from who knows where, and its value was unimaginably precious. Xu Xiaoshou couldn't simply teach it haphazardly; he knew how to act appropriately.