Chapter 108: Meng Yan

“What?!”

“We are official alchemists, and you, an apprentice, presume to point out errors in our alchemy?”

“What kind of show are you putting on? Our alchemy techniques are diverse. Forget pointing out errors; if you can even recognize them, you win!”

Upon hearing Zhang Xuan’s words, the crowd immediately erupted.

A mere callow youth actually claimed that as long as they performed alchemy, he could discern their techniques and point out errors. Was he crazy, or had he been kicked by a donkey?

“Is he... insane?”

Ouyang Cheng, Wen Xue, and others on the side also felt a bit exasperated.

In alchemy debates, one usually just raises questions, and even if they are obscure, many can still be deduced with a thorough understanding of alchemy. But to point out specific techniques and errors... what on earth is that?

Alchemy is like handwriting; ten thousand people have ten thousand different styles. For the same type of pill, there are at least eight hundred, if not a thousand, different refining techniques. They are numerous and complex, with even slight variations marking a different school of thought.

Furthermore, for an alchemy technique to be passed down and successfully produce pills, it must have undergone countless refinements and the painstaking efforts of many. Without claiming perfection, at the very least, these alchemists, who use these techniques daily, have never detected any errors.

Even a third-grade alchemist, or a higher-ranked one, would find it difficult to point out errors!

This wasn't just increasing the difficulty; it was changing the rules and escalating the difficulty to an immeasurable level!

If an apprentice’s alchemy debate was like basic arithmetic within a hundred, what Zhang Xuan proposed was like elevating it straight to the Goldbach Conjecture!

The difficulty didn't just increase; it became limitless.

“Brother, are you sure you’re not joking?”

Wen Xue looked at him as if he were a monster.

Yesterday, he didn’t even know the Alchemist Guild had a library, nor what books to read for the apprentice examination. Today, he suddenly transformed into an unparalleled master, putting on airs here. If they hadn’t witnessed it themselves, others might have thought he was schizophrenic.

Even if a person changes, they can't change *this* drastically!

Even if you want to show off, you don't need to go this far!

“How about it? Are you afraid to agree? Are you afraid that I’ll point out your errors and embarrass you, making you lose face? Or are you afraid your techniques will be exposed by me, leaving you with no dignity?”

Ignoring the gazes of the crowd, who looked at him as if he were a monster, Zhang Xuan smiled faintly.

He had already planned this on the way.

Although he had read all the books in the Alchemist Guild's elementary library, he knew it would still be difficult to complete the alchemy debate.

After all, among so many alchemists, who could guarantee they wouldn't possess one or two skills not found in books, or raise questions not documented?

If he couldn't answer, he would lose!

Since that was the case, he needed to find a way to prevent them from asking such questions.

To others, having them perform alchemy and then identifying their techniques and errors was far more difficult than a normal debate. But Zhang Xuan possessed the Heaven's Path Library, which could easily discern any flaw. The most challenging task for others became a simple, rote exercise for him.

When an alchemist performed alchemy, it was like a martial artist demonstrating a martial technique; simply observing it would cause a book to appear.

Therefore, as soon as Zhang Xuan arrived, he intentionally provoked them, angered the crowd, and then spoke in a contemptuous tone. The others were sure to find him arrogant and rude, and agree to his terms.

As long as they agreed to this method...

Heh heh, you little fools, just wait until I’m done with you!

“Since you’re looking for trouble, we’ll give it to you!”

“Indeed, let him show off. He’ll be crying later!”

Sure enough, provoked by him once more, everyone was so enraged they felt like exploding.

Each wished they could curse Zhang Xuan’s entire lineage.

“Lose face, no dignity... You're a joke!”

“I have my dignity; I just worry you don't have the skill!”

The ten alchemists were all fired up, and if not for their status, they would have likely rushed forward and beaten him soundly.

“Since you all have the courage, let’s begin!” Seeing his plan work so smoothly, Zhang Xuan chuckled and looked at Ouyang Cheng in the center: “President Ouyang, may we start?”

“Uh... yes, you may!”

Ouyang Cheng was utterly helpless, never expecting a perfectly good alchemy debate to turn out this way. At this point, even if he didn't agree, there was nothing he could do.

“Which of you wishes to go first? I, Zhang, can offer free guidance!” Zhang Xuan declared grandly, flicking his sleeve.

Everyone’s faces turned green with anger again.

“I can’t stand this anymore, everyone! Allow me to teach this brat a lesson first!”

Finally, an alchemist could no longer restrain himself and suddenly stood up.

He was a middle-aged man, in his forties, with a pale, ashen face and eyes like lanterns, clearly indicating a bad temper.

“It’s Alchemist Meng Yan!”

“Although Meng Yan has a fiery temper, he is a genuine peak-early stage 1-star alchemist, capable of refining over a dozen types of 1-star pills. He’s not to be underestimated!”

“Indeed, he comes from a renowned lineage and possesses many alchemy techniques. It’s most suitable for him to take action!”

Seeing the middle-aged man step forward, everyone secretly nodded.

No one becomes a 1-star alchemist easily. While Alchemist Meng Yan wasn't the most skilled among them, he certainly wasn't the least, making him just right to test how much this arrogant fellow was truly capable of.

“Brat, I’m going to start refining now. If you can’t identify my refining technique or point out its flaws later, you’ll see how I teach you a lesson!”

With a cold snort, Meng Yan strode to the cauldron.

He casually took some medicinal ingredients from a nearby shelf and activated his True Qi, making the furnace fire burn even more fiercely.

Whoosh!

As the flames blazed, the alchemy furnace immediately hummed, like a large bell.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

One by one, the medicinal herbs dropped into the cauldron in sequence, and under the intense heat, they released their unique herbal fragrance.

“This is alchemy?”

Although Zhang Xuan had read many books in the elementary library, this was his first time witnessing someone perform alchemy in person.

“Impressive!”

He couldn’t help but marvel.

Though his cultivation wasn't lower than the other's, he was far from capable of smoothly tossing the ingredients into the cauldron with no hesitation, ensuring each herb's medicinal properties were perfectly utilized.

This indeed required time and repeated practice.

No amount of theory could substitute for practical experience.

After watching for a while and attempting to analyze it with the knowledge he had gained from the library, Zhang Xuan soon realized, to his dismay...

He couldn't discern a single thing!

Forget pointing out flaws; he didn't even know what the other party's technique was.

No wonder everyone thought he was insane upon hearing his demand. Discerning techniques and flaws from alchemy—not only did an apprentice lack such insight, but even President Ouyang, the highest-ranked alchemist in this guild, looked utterly bewildered.

“Flaws!”

Confirming that he couldn’t discern anything relying solely on his knowledge, Zhang Xuan didn’t waste any more time. With a thought, his mind stirred.

Buzz!

With a hum, the Heaven’s Path Library vibrated, and a book abruptly appeared in his mind.

It detailed Alchemist Meng Yan's alchemy technique and its flaws.

“This...”

He casually flipped through it, and after just one glance, Zhang Xuan’s expression turned peculiar.