It's very common for people coming to Longevity Hall to take the alchemy exam. Only after taking the exam, they can be called certified alchemists. Out of thousands, only a couple few have talents for alchemy, but talent only isn't enough.
Learning any kind of profession, be it alchemy, blacksmithing, or talisman crafting, all need the tribute of money. Learning requires trials and errors, and each error costs a tremendous amount of money.
Not everyone was like Yang Shi who has memory worth a giant library of Samara Emperor. Materials, hard work, and luck, all require mastering a profession.
That's why only wealthy factions groom such talents as they have all three. Many younger people can only join them to pursue their aim.
As they were taking tests, people can pay some points to watch them as spectators. After all, watching someone concocting pills also helps one's understanding of alchemy and pill refinement.
