Chapter 97: Debating Elixirs

“Want to give it a try?”

Not only was Ouyang Cheng stunned, but Du Man and the others beside him also reeled in disbelief.

Brother, do you think alchemists are like cabbages and cucumbers, something you can just pick up a bunch of at the market?

And you suggest “trying the exam”? Are you kidding me?

These are top-tier, peak professions, among the most prestigious. To become a full-fledged member, one must endure years of study and put in an extraordinary amount of effort, far more than most people could imagine.

Yet here you are, with a single phrase: “Give it a try”...

Good heavens!

Do you even know the assessment content? Or how one becomes a true alchemist?

Coughing, Ouyang Cheng swayed, suppressing the urge to vomit blood, and looked at him seriously. “To become an alchemist, it's not as simple as just recognizing and distinguishing herbs. You also need to learn how to compound medicines, extract ingredients, refine elixirs, condense pills, and perform actual alchemy. There are thousands of alchemy techniques alone... It's not an easy assessment to pass!”

“That’s right,” Du Man added. “In the alchemy process, mastering the heat is also crucial. A single mistake at any stage can lead to complete failure. Success only comes through diligent study and relentless practice, day and night; it’s impossible to achieve overnight!”

“That complicated?” Zhang Xuan asked, full of helplessness. “Then it seems I can’t do it within half a month?”

The freshman competition was scheduled in half a month. His purpose for coming here was simple: to find elixirs that could help Yuan Tao and Zhao Ya activate their special physiques, greatly advance their cultivation, and ensure their victory in the competition.

He had to solve this problem within half a month; if not, what good would becoming an alchemist do?

Through his conversation with Huang Yu, he had already set his sights on becoming a Grandmaster. Teacher Lu Xun’s challenge was a risk, but also an opportunity; a victory would give him sufficient qualifications and significantly increase his chances of being recognized by a Grandmaster.

Similar to alchemists, aspiring Grandmasters must first become apprentices – it’s a mandatory step.

How could he become an apprentice without being recognized by a Grandmaster?

“Half a month…”

His words left everyone speechless once more.

Which alchemist dares to take the assessment without serving as an apprentice for many years first?

Yet here you are, having just become an apprentice, already wanting to “try” the alchemist assessment… and in half a month? What kind of joke is that?

Sun Tao and Zhu Huahua, in particular, almost took off their shoes and threw them at him.

Brother, is it really appropriate to be so arrogant?

Becoming an alchemist is even harder than becoming an apprentice; didn’t you see how much we struggled just to become apprentices?

Become an alchemist in half a month?

You must be dreaming…

“Zhang Xuan, don’t bite off more than you can chew. You’re not even twenty yet. Becoming a true alchemist before thirty would already break records in the Tianxuan Kingdom. Fifteen days is absolutely impossible! I advise you to study diligently, follow the proper steps, and stop dreaming so big…” Ouyang Cheng advised earnestly.

This guy is talented, but his mindset is far too impatient. Becoming an alchemist in half a month… what kind of pipe dream is that?

“Alright, if it’s that much trouble, I won’t bother with the exam. I’ll find another way!”

Hearing how complicated it sounded, Zhang Xuan shook his head.

He had little interest in alchemy. With the Heavenly Dao Divine Art, breakthroughs were as simple as eating and drinking, rendering elixirs largely unnecessary. What was the point of being an alchemist then?

If not for Yuan Tao, he wouldn’t have come here at all.

Seeing him give up, Ouyang Cheng and Du Man assumed he was deterred by the hassle and couldn’t help but try to persuade him. “There are so many professions in the world, and alchemists are among the noblest. You possess such remarkable talent and have specifically studied medicinal knowledge. Wouldn’t it be a waste of all those years of effort if you didn’t become an alchemist?”

“Years of effort?” Zhang Xuan blinked.

It had only been two hours in total; where did “years” come from?

“I have other matters to attend to. Since becoming an alchemist is so complex and requires concocting pills, I certainly can’t learn it quickly. So, let’s just forget it!”

Without much hesitation, Zhang Xuan shook his head.

“Don’t be too quick to dismiss it,” Ouyang Cheng said, as if suddenly remembering something. “There’s actually another way to be assessed as an alchemist, not just through actual alchemy! Given your excellent memory, perhaps this method would be more suitable!”

“Are you referring to…” Du Man’s expression shifted.

“Exactly!” Ouyang Cheng nodded.

“But… you must understand the consequences. Failure carries extremely severe penalties, potentially even forfeiting any future chance to be assessed as an alchemist…” Du Man was clearly worried.

“I know,” Ouyang Cheng replied, “but if he wants to become an alchemist quickly, this is the only method. Otherwise, traditional alchemy demands countless trials, constant practice, and the expenditure of vast quantities of herbs. Success in a short time would be nearly impossible!”

“But…”

“No ‘buts,’” Ouyang Cheng said, shaking his head. “Our responsibility is just to present the option; the decision rests entirely with him!”

“What method are you talking about?”

Seeing the two discussing so animatedly, Zhang Xuan couldn’t help but lean closer.

“There are two methods for an alchemist assessment,” Ouyang Cheng began. “The first is traditional alchemy. If you can successfully concoct a first-grade elixir, you will naturally become a first-grade alchemist. This is the most orthodox and standard approach!” Ouyang Cheng explained without hesitation.

“The second assessment method isn’t alchemy, but ‘Elixir Debating’!” he continued.

“Elixir Debating?”

Zhang Xuan’s face was filled with confusion.

Not only him, but even Zhu Huahua, Sun Tao, and the others nearby seemed to have never heard of it, looking utterly bewildered.

“Indeed. Among the Upper Nine Paths, there’s a profession hailed as the most noble: Grandmasters. I presume you’ve all heard of them?” Ouyang Cheng stated.

“Yes!” Everyone nodded.

Anyone familiar with the Upper, Middle, and Lower Professions would certainly know about Grandmasters.

It’s the highest-ranked profession among the Upper Nine Paths, its status immeasurably superior to that of alchemists.

“Remarkable Grandmasters can provide guidance not only in cultivation but also in fields like alchemy, artifact forging, and array formations!” Ouyang Cheng explained. “However, becoming a Grandmaster alone consumes an immense amount of time. How then would they have the energy to also master alchemy, or artifact forging, let alone become actual alchemists or artifact forgers?”

“But how can they guide others without being a part of those professions themselves?”

“To address this, the unique assessment method of ‘Elixir Debating’ was introduced!”

“Taking us alchemists as an example, to become a true alchemist, one must undergo extensive practical experience and constantly refine elixirs. However, Grandmasters certainly don’t have that much time to devote; they merely need to thoroughly master the theoretical knowledge of alchemy!”

“In other words, they don’t need to perform the actual process; they only need to articulate the theory, and they can still successfully pass the alchemist assessment!”

“Of course, this assessment is far from easy. It requires ten true alchemists to engage in a detailed debate, discussing numerous intricate aspects of alchemy. If even a single point is misstated, the candidate fails and faces severe punishment!”

Ouyang Cheng slowly explained the alternative method for alchemist assessment: Elixir Debating.