Raed approached Sara and Yamir, who was eating while carrying Sara on his shoulders.
"I'm heading to the Alchemy Pavilion. Will you come with me, or will you stay here?"
Sara, smiling as she patted Yamir's shoulder, replied, "No, we'll stay here. I need to stabilize my cultivation base to ensure it doesn't waver, and I'll also bring some beasts for this big child to eat."
"Alright, I'll buy some medicinal materials. Is there anything you need from the Alchemy Pavilion?"
"Get some materials to make a Blood Condensation Pill for me. It helps reduce the hard work needed for about half a year."
Sara's request surprised Raed. As soon as she mentioned the Blood Condensation Pill, the alchemy process surged into his mind, and he instantly mastered it. It's a second-level pill used by practitioners in the Blood Refining Realm to shorten their hard work by about half a year. However, it's an expensive pill monopolized by the Alchemy Pavilion.
"Alright, I'll get what you need. Watch out for those killer dogs."
Raed left the family headquarters and headed to the Alchemy Pavilion. Upon arrival, he was greeted by the girl who had sold him materials before, even though he hadn't paid anything.
"Young master, would you like me to inform the Pavilion Master that you're here?"
"Yes, please let him know that I want to take the alchemy test."
The girl hurried up a narrow staircase to the second floor. After a brief wait, she returned with Elder Shuan, who welcomed Raed with a broad smile. The room they entered was dimly lit, with shelves cluttered with jars of vibrant powders and vials of swirling liquids. The air was thick with the scent of herbs and the faint warmth of a smoldering fire.
"Haha, little friend, you're truly impressive. I heard you won first place. You're very talented."
Raed's eyes widened in surprise. He hadn't expected Elder Shuan to know about his recent achievement so quickly. The realization made him feel both impressed and slightly uneasy. Noticing Raed's confusion, Elder Shuan said, "Don't underestimate the Alchemy Pavilion. It's stronger than you think. Alright, let's go upstairs."
Elder Shuan led Raed up the creaking stairs to a dimly lit room on the second floor. The room was filled with shelves of jars and vials, their contents glowing softly in the dim light. The old man's smile, though warm, had an unsettling edge that made Raed's skin prickle.
"Old man, I assure you, I'm not here for anything inappropriate."
Elder Shuan's eyes widened in surprise. "What are you implying about me?"
Raed continued, "I came to take the alchemy test and also to buy some medicinal materials."
Elder Shuan's eyes lit up. "Since when did you learn alchemy to reach the first level? No matter. The test will be to make two first-level pills."
"You'll buy the materials yourself, and the pills will be yours if you choose to sell them to us. But if you ruin the materials, you'll have to pay for them. Those are the rules."
"Alright, I'll select some materials. Wait for me."
Raed walked through the materials warehouse, carefully choosing two sets of ingredients. When he returned, Elder Shuan's eyes widened in disbelief at the rare materials Raed had selected.
"Are you planning to make Spirit Recovery Pills? They're rare, and their recipe was lost during the last catastrophe. Do you have the recipe?"
Raed smiled but did not answer. He settled into a well-worn chair, pulled out the alchemy furnace from his bag, and with a deep breath, began his work. The room fell silent, save for the gentle crackle of the furnace and the occasional pop of the alchemical reactions. Flames danced in his hand, morphing into nine ethereal dragons that swirled around the furnace. The heat was intense, and the room seemed to shimmer with their glowing presence.
"Nine Dragons Flame Technique... Refining."
Raed shouted as the nine dragons merged, forming a glowing pill suspended in the air. Elder Shuan stared in astonishment, his mouth dropping open in disbelief. The intensity of Raed's technique left him momentarily speechless, his astonishment palpable as he watched the perfect pill take shape.
"Is this a perfect pill, free of impurities, with two stars as well? How did you achieve this?"
Perfect pills are not the highest level; there's a higher level divided into nine stars, and no one has reached that now.
"It doesn't matter, old man. Did I pass?"
"Yes, indeed. Hmm... Will you sell this pill?"
Raed grinned, "I'll auction it."
"Alright, you're cautious. Make the second pill quickly to get the certification. It will help you buy and sell materials with a 30% discount."
Raed's eyes lit up. He then sat down and refined a standard first-level pill, received the alchemy certification, and asked, "Old man, can this certification protect against great dangers for a while?"
Elder Shuan was momentarily taken aback but smiled at Raed. "It seems you know something, but this certification won't help much in this regard. The situation is more serious than you think."
Raed's initial disappointment was quickly overshadowed by a renewed sense of hope as Elder Shuan's next words hinted at an opportunity for his family. "However, there is another badge that can buy your family some time, but it will come at a cost."
"What do you need, old man?" Raed asked, his voice tinged with both intrigue and caution.
"You must promise to do something for me, but not now. When you become strong enough to split the sky..."
Elder Shuan's gaze grew distant, and a hint of sadness crossed his face. "Alright, I promise."
"Hahaha, good. I didn't misjudge you. Take this badge; it's my token. Hang it at the entrance of your family's residence, and they won't dare to offend you."
The old man handed Raed a golden badge, and Raed was astonished.
"It seems I was deceived."
"Hahaha... don't say that about yourself. Hahaha..."
"Alright, it doesn't matter. I want to buy some materials and also a Spirit Recovery Pill. You should auction it in the Global Trade Room."
"Alright, you can leave now. Take what you want, but you'll need to pay this time."