Chapter 123: Debate on Elixir Ends

Not only was Zhang Xuan stunned, but Ouyang Cheng and the others standing by also gaped in astonishment.

What on earth is going on? Can anyone tell me?

Weren't they avoiding him like the plague just a moment ago? Why are they now acting as if they've seen a beautiful woman, eager to rush forward?

"What are they doing...?" Wen Xue was also completely bewildered, not understanding the reason.

"I understand now. These guys, they really are..." Alchemist Du Man shook his head with a bitter smile.

"What do you know?" Ouyang Cheng looked over.

"Before, Zhang Xuan could identify all sorts of problems by observing their alchemy, making them feel completely exposed. No one would want to ask questions then!" Alchemist Du Man explained, "But now, he not only answered Alchemist Lin Mu's question but also resolved a hidden issue. Even the most foolish person knows this is an opportunity. Who wouldn't jump at it?"

"That's true..." Ouyang Cheng understood and nodded.

People can recognize others but not themselves! One often fails to perceive one's own flaws. If Zhang Xuan could explain it, they might be able to correct their deficiencies and make great strides in alchemy!

"What a pity, I was so foolish. I shouldn't have given up so early. Otherwise, I could have asked a few questions that have been buried in my heart for a long time..." Alchemist Du Man shook his head repeatedly, filled with regret.

How could I have missed such a great opportunity?

"Well, if it's missed, it's missed. You have only yourself to blame for not cherishing it. As for me, as the impartial judge of this alchemy debate, I've always been diligent and dedicated, never asking a single question. Tell me... when the debate ends, do you think he'll give me a chance to ask a couple of questions too? I have quite a few of my own..." As he spoke, Ouyang Cheng's eyes twinkled, and he became visibly excited.

Alchemist Du Man was speechless. Wen Xue was speechless.

Seriously? You're a one-star mid-grade alchemist, the president of the Alchemist Guild, and you're asking an apprentice, acting so self-righteous about it... And diligent and dedicated? I didn't see you being dedicated at all! All I saw was you sitting here doing nothing...

"Alright, one by one!" Soon, Zhang Xuan also figured out what was happening. He shook his head helplessly and pointed at one of the alchemists, "You!"

"Me? Excellent!" The designated alchemist excitedly stood up quickly: "I really do have a question I want to ask. Recently, I haven't been sleeping well, waking up seven or eight times a night. I also frequently experience heart palpitations and many dreams. Can you help me see if I have an illness, or if I've been framed, or... if my concubine is the problem?"

Zhang Xuan was speechless. Everyone was speechless.

"Ahem, Alchemist Liu, we are here for an alchemy debate, not fortune-telling or medical consultations. Please pay attention..." Ouyang Cheng couldn't help but stand up.

"Huh? But... this really is my problem! This is what I want to ask about..." Alchemist Liu insisted with a determined look.

"Alright, how about this: you perform alchemy first so I can observe. Perhaps I can discern something from your process!" Zhang Xuan felt a headache coming on and couldn't help but wave his hand.

"Okay!" Alchemist Liu nodded repeatedly with excitement and quickly went to perform alchemy.

"Next, what's your question?" After dismissing that guy, Zhang Xuan looked at another alchemist.

"My question is simple, unlike Alchemist Liu's shameless one!" This alchemist huffed righteously, then continued: "My daughter is getting married in the next couple of days to a man named Zhou Xuan, who is from out of town. I've investigated for a while but haven't gotten any useful information. Can you tell me if this young man is reliable? If not, I'll refuse the marriage..." The alchemist paused, then looked over with a probing gaze, "Do you think... I should also perform alchemy for you to observe?"

"Pfft!" Zhang Xuan nearly spat out a mouthful of old blood.

Alchemy my foot! What does your daughter getting married have to do with me, or with alchemy?

I'm here to assess alchemists and debate alchemy, not to tell your fortune... Besides, even if I were a fortune teller, what good would alchemy do if you don't tell me about your daughter's situation? Are you sure you're not messing with me?

"Alchemist Qin, your daughter's marriage has nothing to do with alchemy. What good would it do to ask Brother Zhang Xuan? What kind of joke is this?!" The last alchemist waved his hand and snorted.

"But I... I really want to ask this question now..." Alchemist Qin looked conflicted.

"You need to ask about alchemy-related matters! Keep thinking, or I'll go first!" The last alchemist strode forward a few steps and stood before Zhang Xuan: "Brother Zhang Xuan, you don't seem very old. Are you married? I have a daughter who is a peerless beauty; she could be your concubine. If that doesn't work, my niece is also available, huh? If you think I'm taking advantage of you, I also have a younger sister and an older sister..."

Zhang Xuan was speechless.

You're over sixty, practically at death's door. Your younger sister, older sister... how extreme do you think my taste is...?

After a long while, the chaotic situation was finally clarified, and everyone was brought back on track.

"My question is about the main ingredient for detoxification pills: the Cleansing Herb is too fragile; it often turns to ash before reaching the alchemy cauldron. Am I doing something wrong?""The Cleansing Herb cannot withstand high temperatures; this is a widely known property. It's naturally difficult if you just throw it directly into the cauldron. You can first soak it in Purple Sun Water for three days before refining it. This will not only maximize its medicinal properties but also prevent it from burning...""My question is that I often feel my qi isn't smooth when refining pills...""That's simple..."...

Once they were back on track, the remaining tasks were simple. Zhang Xuan could generally resolve problems using the knowledge he had acquired from the elementary library. If he couldn't solve a problem, he would have the alchemist perform alchemy, then use the Heaven's Path Library to identify the flaws.

Half an hour later, he finally finished answering all the questions from the remaining three alchemists.

"Alright, all ten alchemists have conceded! I announce that Zhang Xuan is the winner of this alchemy debate! From this moment on, he is the Alchemist Guild's newest one-star alchemist!"With the debate concluded, Ouyang Cheng announced the results and handed over a badge with a single star and a robe.

"This is the alchemist's badge. With it, you can go to any Alchemist Guild and receive discounts when purchasing pills..."

"Okay!" He took both items and casually put them into his storage ring.

Everyone already suspected that he must have a prominent figure guiding him, so they weren't surprised that he possessed a storage ring. Furthermore, alchemists were a high-income profession; while storage rings costing hundreds of thousands to millions were valuable, they weren't considered extraordinary among them.

"President Ouyang, where is the Advanced Library? I'd like to visit it..." Zhang Xuan asked.

The primary purpose of his alchemist assessment was to access the library. Now that he was officially an alchemist, he naturally wanted to go see it.

"I'll take you there!" Ouyang Cheng said, then led the way forward. Zhang Xuan followed closely. They hadn't gone far when the alchemist from earlier shouted out again.

"Alchemist Zhang Xuan, please reconsider. If my older sister or younger sister aren't suitable, I also have an aunt who isn't married..."

Zhang Xuan stumbled, tears streaming down his face. Your aunt... she could probably be my great-grandmother...