Chapter 107: Debate on Elixir Begins

According to standard procedures, to be assessed as a one-star alchemist, a two-star alchemist must oversee the examination. However, Zhang Xuan was not being tested on alchemy itself, but on alchemy debate. For this, ten alchemists of the same level were sufficient. The entire assessment process had to be recorded using a recording jade crystal, so that the headquarters could inspect it at any time. Even some alchemy apprentices were authorized to view the recordings. If any deliberate leniency or cheating was discovered, all alchemists participating in the assessment would have their qualifications revoked. This strict rule was why no one dared to go easy during an alchemy debate, regardless of their influence or connections.

Once everyone was seated, they glanced at Zhang Xuan, all wearing peculiar expressions. An alchemist was the first to speak: "President Ouyang, did you say someone is here for an alchemy debate? It can't be this young whippersnapper, can it?" Those who came for alchemy debates were usually renowned masters or highly learned individuals with profound knowledge of pills. Upon receiving the news, everyone had expected an elderly figure. They never dreamed it would be a young man not even twenty years old. "President Ouyang, are you sure you're not joking with us?" Alchemy, much like fine liquor, improves with age. While age doesn't guarantee skill, years of research are certainly better than just starting to learn. A guy not even twenty years old wants to undergo an alchemy debate assessment... How much knowledge could someone his age possibly acquire, even if they started learning in the womb?

Seeing their skepticism, Ouyang Cheng explained, "Although Zhang Xuan is young, he has a profound understanding of medicine. He even scored a perfect mark on the apprentice's written examination!"

"A perfect score?""That's nothing special!""The apprentice's exam only tests the medicinal properties of drugs, and the types and characteristics of herbs. A perfect score merely indicates a solid foundation. To summon us here for an alchemy debate based solely on that, isn't that a bit too rash?""Alchemy isn't just about understanding medicinal properties and types of herbs; it also requires a deep comprehension and insight into the Way of Alchemy. Isn't it a bit too idealistic to think one can become an alchemist simply by knowing some basics?"

Everyone scoffed, their faces full of disdain. The written exam was for becoming an apprentice. Official alchemists, who dealt with medicinal ingredients year-round, could almost all score perfectly; it was nothing noteworthy.

"Uh..." Zhang Xuan felt a bit helpless, seeing so many people disparaging him before he even had a chance to speak. If alchemists were truly better the older they got, why don't you dig some up from the ground and see? Instead of concocting pills, they'd be lucky not to just turn things into ash.

"Cough, cough!" Zhang Xuan cleared his throat, interrupting their discussion. He then spoke, "President Ouyang brought you all here not to discuss age. Although I am young, that doesn't mean I can't surpass you in alchemy!"

"Surpass us? You're not even an alchemist, yet you arrogantly disregard us?""Young people should be more humble. To dare to debate alchemy with so little knowledge of pills, you've got some nerve!""Arrogant fellow, when the alchemy debate begins, I hope your mouth can still be as eloquent as it is now!"

It was better when he didn't speak; as soon as he opened his mouth, he became the target of everyone's ire again. Everyone's eyebrows shot up, wishing they could verbally attack him. An alchemy debate was essentially one person challenging ten alchemists. Each of the alchemists summoned by Ouyang Cheng held great renown and high status in Tianxuan Kingdom. If they lost to a renowned master or an elder, that would be acceptable. But if they were defeated by a young whippersnapper, someone not even twenty years old, where would they put their faces? Therefore, from the moment they arrived, they had no intention of being cordial with him; they wanted to assert their dominance. It was a psychological attack. As a 'single dog' in his previous life, he had endured constant torment from public displays of affection, yet he had still managed to survive resiliently. This level of psychological assault had no effect on Zhang Xuan whatsoever.

"Enough!" Seeing the arguments escalate and the tension rising even before the debate began, Ouyang Cheng's face darkened. He quickly interrupted them: "Talking about anything else is pointless. Everything boils down to strength. If you have the skill, age doesn't matter. Since I've gathered everyone here for an alchemy debate, let's stop with the idle chatter and just begin!"

"Now, I will explain the rules of the alchemy debate!" Fearing they would say something even worse, Ouyang Cheng waved his hands and began explaining: "An alchemy debate is not a discussion, but rather a session where ten alchemists ask questions, and the participant answers. If even one question cannot be answered or is answered incorrectly, it means failure! If neither party is certain of the answer to a question, they can conduct a practical demonstration on the spot—that is, alchemy. The person whose theory produces a higher quality pill wins.""Of course, the questions posed by the alchemists must be within the scope of what a first-rank alchemist can handle; they must not go beyond that. Nor are they allowed to deliberately ask about obscure secrets that no one would know."

At this point, Ouyang Cheng looked around: "Does anyone have any questions?"The rules were simple and easy to understand."No!" Everyone nodded simultaneously.

As alchemists, even if they hadn't heard of an alchemy debate, they would have certainly done their homework beforehand and understood the rules clearly. Even though questions could be asked, there were limits. Otherwise, if someone directly asked how to refine a third-rank pill or about advanced alchemy techniques, an alchemy apprentice wouldn't be able to answer, even if their life depended on it.

"Since there are no questions, then..." Ouyang Cheng waved his hand, about to announce the start, when he saw Zhang Xuan stand up, his eyebrows raised and a look of righteousness on his face. "Hold on!"

Everyone, seeing him call for a halt, assumed he wanted to give up and looked at him with sneers. "What's wrong? Scared now? I'm afraid it's too late!" "Even if you want to back out, it's too late. Either the debate begins, or you admit defeat directly!"

"Back out? You think your level is enough to make me back out?" Zhang Xuan curled his lip, immediately activating his 'aggro-pulling' aura.

"What did you say?!" As expected, at his words, the numerous alchemists immediately exploded in anger, glaring at him as if they wanted to tear him to shreds. An old man roared loudly!

"My apologies, I wasn't saying your skill isn't good. I was saying... none of you present here are good enough!" Zhang Xuan stood with his hands clasped behind his back, exuding an air of arrogance. "What? You want to out-argue me? Believe it or not, I can make you choke on one sentence!"

"You...""Arrogant!""Ignorant brat!"As expected, everyone instantly erupted, as if injected with stimulants, their beards bristling with rage.

Seeing the atmosphere building up and himself becoming the target of everyone's anger, Zhang Xuan nodded with satisfaction and smiled faintly, then looked towards the center: "President Ouyang, they think I'm young and look down on me. To be honest, I look down on them too. How about this? Just debating is rather boring. Why don't we increase the difficulty?"

"Increase the difficulty?" Ouyang Cheng frowned. Alchemy debate was already extremely difficult; he wanted to increase the difficulty? How? The others were also full of doubt. "Kid, do you think you haven't died miserably enough? Are you looking for even more intense excitement?"

"It's simple. Alchemy debate is just theory; no matter how much you talk, it's all empty words!" Ignoring their strange looks, Zhang Xuan waved his hand, displaying an air of unparalleled confidence: "How about this? Any alchemist present here, as long as they dare to refine a pill in front of me, no matter what technique they use, I can identify the name of the technique and any errors in their alchemy. If anyone here believes that an error I point out is incorrect, I will immediately concede defeat!"