Gazes searched over Zhiyan's form, back and forth, until at last, nods were given in reluctant acknowledgment. "It's your turn."
Apart from Sharon and his sister Shasha, the expressions of other students in the arena were those of spectators eager for entertainment. Even the male instructor, Tie Mu, showed delight on his face. The timing of this little child's entrance was perfect. Once she failed the test, he was keen to see how Luo Feng would resolve the ensuing problems.
"Leng Zhiyan, Alchemist, nine years old." A crisp and pleasant voice rang out. Sharon and Shasha both startled, surprise flashing in their eyes. Was she not a Sage but an Alchemist?
Whoosh, the scene boiled over once again, and someone even let out three loud laughs. Ha-ha, wasn't this little girl hilarious? Alchemists were a rarity throughout the entire Mainland; how could she audaciously claim to be one at the meager age of nine?
Ah, could it be that the child's brain was squashed by a door? Did she know the consequences of blatantly lying in front of all the instructors of Youlan Academy?
The female instructor's face stiffened, filled with endless irritation. Could this little girl be doing this on purpose? It's true that this team was also assessing Alchemists, but who has ever seen such a discreet and young Alchemist?
Ignoring the reactions of the crowd, Zhiyan walked up to the crystal ball. Her delicate, smooth little hand slowly covered it, and the pure-colored crystal ball shook violently. Then, a thread of pure, dazzling orange color spread out, filling the entire ball. Her petite frame stood resolute under the bright sun, the rich Spiritual Energy flowing around her like water spilling from a tank, generously cleansing around her. Mysterious, ethereal, powerful...
Sharon and Shasha were both shaken. Though they already knew Yanyan was a mid-grade, mid-level Sage, hearing it from her mouth was far less shocking than seeing it with their own eyes. The thick orange filled the entire crystal ball, its brilliance heightened against the backdrop of black brocade, mocking and flamboyant in the eyes of all.
The white-bearded elder at the front shuddered, his closed eyes finally opening. His gaze burned with intensity as he stared at the girl he had overlooked at the start. A nine-year-old mid-grade, mid-level Sage?
Could this child be a gift specially sent from heaven? He had lived for more than half a lifetime and had never seen such a talented individual.
Inhale, the crowd gasped, their mouths agape, as they stared at the orange hue in collective astonishment. A mid-grade, mid-level Sage—were they seeing things?
Many people pinched their arms fiercely, reminding themselves this wasn't real. Yet, reality was cruel; the orange hue not only did not fade but grew more intense, nearly reaching the color concentration of a mid-grade, advanced-level Sage.
"My goodness, a nine-year-old mid-grade, mid-level Sage. Is she trying to make everyone feel inferior?" The silent crowd finally murmured, everyone trembling slightly as they looked at Yanyan. Their gaze no longer held the previous contempt but instead carried a certain fervent reverence.
Luo Feng stood still, her beautiful eyes fixed incredulously on the crystal ball. Her mind was a blank, even forgetting to announce the results. The male instructor, Tie Mu, became rigid. Upon seeing the color displayed by the crystal ball, his face, originally ready to enjoy the show, suddenly froze, twisting into a grimace of contortion and ferocity.
The commotion here once again attracted the attention of other assessment areas. Many shifted their gaze this way, and to get a clear picture, a lot of students even left in the middle of their own assessments to gather around.
After one minute passed, Zhiyan withdrew her hand, looked at Luo Feng and the others impassively, her lips curling slightly. Her delicate, smooth face bore a faint smile, her clear eyes seemingly able to pierce through the ugliness in everyone's hearts. Under her gaze, many tilted their heads down out of guilt. My goodness, they had just belittled her cultivation base, even doubting her as a blind practitioner. In comparison, what did they amount to?
The crowd suddenly felt as if they had lifted a rock only to drop it on their own feet, their faces turning red and their necks swelling in choked embarrassment.
"The young girl is applying to be an Alchemist?" The elder in the forefront spoke, his eyes shining brightly as he looked at Zhiyan. The two instructors were once again stunned, staring at Zhiyan with envy and jealousy.
Phew, the crowd stirred as everyone suddenly remembered that the little girl had not registered as a Sage but as an Alchemist from the Youming Continent, a rare and coveted profession.
Boom, an Alchemist, what a noble and glorious existence it was. How could they, mere modest Sages, even compare?
Everyone, including the instructors and students who had come over from the Warrior Assessment Area, waited in complete silence, their faces filled with curiosity.
Due to the special nature of their profession, Alchemists held a status on the mainland that was evident to all. With experts as common as clouds on the Youming Continent and countless Advanced-level Sages, there were only a few who could become Alchemists. As those capable of concocting various elixirs to enhance one's strength, they were undoubtedly the targets of major families' strenuous courtship.
It could be said that behind every Alchemist was the support of a powerful force. To offend an Alchemist was undoubtedly to directly antagonize these powers.
However, the current issue was not about how much support she had behind her but whether she really was an Alchemist?
Nine-year-old Mid-level Mid-grade Sages were one thing, but could there really be a nine-year-old Alchemist in this world?
Sharon and Shasha watched intently. Through their few days of acquaintance, they had already noticed Yanyan's extraordinary nature. Compared to those self-righteous Sages, she possessed a special aura. The confidence and pride that she inadvertently exuded were deeply attractive to them.
It was as if she were a born expert, seemingly ordinary yet concealing her true abilities, not showing off until the moment she did, leaving everyone astonished!
"That's right!" Zhiyan, fearless, met the gaze of the white-bearded old man, raising her small hand slightly while everyone watched.
Shh, a faint sound echoed as a burst of orange flames emerged from the tip of her delicate and smooth fingers. The hot, dazzling fire shone brilliantly under the bright sun, complementing her fair skin, appearing crystal clear and enticing.
Everyone's breath hitched, shocked on the spot. Externalization of Inner Fire was precisely the skill of an Alchemist. So, did this little girl really belong to the highly noble rank of Alchemist?
The white-bearded old man's body jerked as he stared at the flame with wide eyes and rapid breath. Amateurs watch the excitement, professionals spot the details. Among the tens of thousands present, probably only he realized the unusualness of that flame.
"It's not transformed by Spiritual Power?" the elder murmured softly. His Spiritual Sense reached out, attempting to see through the flame, only to retreat automatically upon contact, in frustration. What, what, what kind of miraculous flame was this? To repel his Grandmaster-level Spiritual Sense was simply inconceivable.
Could it be one of the legendary Exotic Flames? With this thought, the old man's gaze heated up even more. The orange flame might seem the same color as one synonymous with a certain level of Spiritual Energy, but it hid a secret. The fire was purer and hotter. He had just witnessed its power, so what Exotic Flame could it be?
His brows tightly knit, his gaze swept over Zhiyan's face. He guessed that, no matter how much he racked his brains, he wouldn't figure out that what Zhiyan possessed was not an Exotic Flame but Yang Energy capable of transforming into flame.
Alchemists were classified according to their ranks, which could be divided into low-grade (First to Third-grade), mid-grade (Fourth to Sixth-grade), advanced-grade (Seventh to Ninth-grade), and Pill Saint (Tenth-grade).