The morning dew clung to White Cloud Pharmacy, glistening faintly. Lu Chang’sheng straightened his attire and placed the alchemist’s hat upon his head.
His forehead itched a little. Looking closely, he realized he was losing hair.
Alchemy brings pill fire poison—now his hair had thinned quite a bit. Thankfully, he had a strong constitution, so he could still hold out.
"Alchemist Lu."
Just as he exited Yun’an Institute, he saw Steward Mo waiting outside, faint traces of undried dew still visible on his clothes.
Ever since he heard Lu Chang’sheng ntion the application for Grade B Alchemist certification yesterday, he hadn’t slept a wink.
No matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t figure out where Alchemist Lu had gotten the courage and confidence for this.
Becoming a Grade B Alchemist was no small matter. At least several senior alchemists had to personally judge the evaluation. Each assessnt not only took up the ti of these senior alchemists, but also consud so of the resources allotted to the applicant for alchemy.
If one wasn’t absolutely sure, no one would sign up lightly.
But in Steward Mo’s eyes, Alchemist Lu, counting all his experience, had only been at White Cloud Pharmacy for three to five years at most.
In that ti, even Alchemist Zhou Lin—renowned as a genius—was still quietly cultivating at White Cloud Pharmacy.
"Alchemist Lu, won’t you reconsider?"
They walked for a while before Steward Mo spoke.
Lu Chang’sheng smiled and said, "I’ve got a fair chance, at least."
Seeing this, Steward Mo said no more. Truthfully, it was only because of their decent relationship that he’d even bring this up; otherwise, he wouldn’t dare ask.
"Just ahead is the Grade B Institute." Soon after, Steward Mo stopped walking.
The Grade B Institute was not a place he could step foot in.
A Grade B Institute steward walked over, taking one look at Lu Chang’sheng, yet showing no sign of disdain.
For those courageous enough to apply for Grade B Alchemist assessnt, no one would look down upon them.
Perhaps in just a few years, these applicants might beco resident alchemists in the Grade B Institute.
However, as he led Lu Chang’sheng toward the special alchemy room used for assessnts, the steward seed to recall sothing, a strange look flickering in his eyes.
"May I ask, sir, are you Alchemist Lu in person?"
"Lu is indeed my surna, but as for whether I’m the Alchemist Lu you’re thinking of, that I can’t say for certain."
Lu Chang’sheng replied.
The steward caught on imdiately and smiled. "There is only one Alchemist Lu from White Cloud Pharmacy with a chance of stepping foot here."
As he spoke, he opened the door for Lu Chang’sheng and said, "I’ll be right outside. If Alchemist Lu has any requests, please send a ssage with the Sound Transmission Shell at any ti."
"This service is actually quite nice," Lu Chang’sheng thought to himself.
The alchemy room was a simple place. At its center lay an Earth-Fire Spirit Array capable of gathering earth fire. If used properly, it could even improve the quality of pills produced.
To the left were more than a dozen pill furnaces to choose from, all of first grade.
However, alchemists usually brought their own pill furnaces, finding it more comfortable to use ones they were familiar with.
Lu Chang’sheng lifted his gaze, vaguely noticing several figures seated atop high platforms in the surroundings—just like during alchemist evaluations.
After getting himself in the right state, Lu Chang’sheng imdiately began preparing the dicinal ingredients.
Extracting and refining the herbs, then starting the alchemy.
He handled everything calmly. Whatever the outco, it was most important to show off his strengths.
At the sa ti, on the surrounding high platforms, several senior alchemists watched him closely.
"His technique is practiced—he’s among the top level at the pharmacy."
"Indeed, just the way he refines the herbs rivals so Grade B alchemists."
"Who do you think this person could be?" Alchemist Lei sat in his chair, with a hint of curious speculation in his eyes.
White Cloud Pharmacy had its own ways of handling things. During evaluations, in order to prevent favoritism or bias, they had made the applicant’s face sowhat obscured.
"Zhou Lin has already entered the Grade B Institute, so I suppose the most likely is Zhong Ming," one alchemist comnted with a laugh.
Zhong Ming from Junya Institute was an old hand among alchemists, and the most likely candidate for a Grade B evaluation.
"You never know—the pharmacy is ho to many hidden talents. Perhaps it’s a reclusive friend," soone else chid in.
The group chatted and joked.
The atmosphere was harmonious.
After all, whether it was Junya Institute or elsewhere, there were only a handful of promising candidates. Everyone knew each other well enough so that there was no reason for hard feelings here.
"Do you think it could be soone from Guilan Institute?" Alchemist Lei suddenly asked.
The others froze, only coming to their senses after several breaths.
Guilan Institute was Lin Yan’s residence, and Lin Yan was already a Grade B Alchemist—why would he need another assessnt?
Thus, Alchemist Lei must be referring not to Lin Yan, but to Lin Yan’s direct disciple Lu Chang’sheng.
"No way, no way. Although that one is talented, his ti cultivating at Hundred Herbs Pharmacy has been far too brief."
To be chosen as the direct disciple of a senior alchemist was already enough to draw attention.
After Lin Yan’s letter arrived at every alchemist’s table, the details of Lu Chang’sheng’s background were plain to see.
Therefore, they all believed Lu Chang’sheng’s ti cultivating the Alchemy Dao was short indeed.
What happened next only strengthened their belief.
It was because the figure in the alchemy room began to reveal astonishing skill as he worked.
So techniques he used in alchemy even left the senior alchemists themselves feeling genuinely impressed.
"With alchemy like this, perhaps a supre-grade pill will be born."
"Marvelous!"
······
Several hours passed. Once Lu Chang’sheng finished his batch of pills, the senior alchemists didn’t hesitate for a mont before imdiately stamping a passing grade.
"A pity we have no authority to grant certification for Grade B level. Otherwise, perhaps he could have received a Grade A ranking from ."
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