"Masters, it's done." Xiao Se slowly removed the pill from the cauldron, holding it out on his palm for the two men to inspect.
Hearing this, Au Tuo and Fu Lan Ke moved closer. Their pupils shrank in shock as they exclaimed in unison, "Bone Restoration Pill, flawless..."
"Xiao Se, are you interested in joining the Black Rock City Alchemist Association? The moment you advance to a fourth-tier alchemist, I'll hand over my position as president to you immediately," Fu Lan Ke said excitedly, grabbing Xiao Se's hand in a hurry.
"Yes, yes! Xiao Se, joining our Black Rock City Association comes with many benefits. Whether it's medicinal ingredients, magic cores, or pill formulas, we have everything," Au Tuo added with a silly grin.
After pondering for a moment, as if feeling his offer wasn't enticing enough, he walked behind Lin Fei and pushed her toward Xiao Se with a chuckle. "If you're looking for a girlfriend, that can be arranged too. What do you think of my apprentice, Lin Fei? With your talents, it wouldn't take much effort to win her over. But once you're together, no philandering! You'd better get married quickly to avoid any complications."
"Master! What are you talking about?" Lin Fei's face turned crimson as she glared at her unreliable teacher. Though she was scolding him, there was a hint of shyness and joy in her tone. When she glanced at Xiao Se again, a slight anticipation filled her eyes.
"Uh..." Seeing the two elders' overwhelming enthusiasm, Xiao Se awkwardly tugged at the corners of his mouth, a dark line forming on his face. He waved his hand and politely declined, "Masters, it's not that I don't want to join the Black Rock City Association, but I have an agreement with my teacher. I need to complete the training tasks he assigned me, so..."
"Your teacher?"
Au Tuo and Fu Lan Ke's eyes brightened once again. They knew of Xiao Se's teacher, someone named Elder Luo. However, no such person existed in the recorded alchemists of the Jia Ma Empire. But anyone capable of teaching such a remarkable student must be an extraordinary alchemist, and their curiosity piqued.
"May I ask where Elder Luo is now? Our Black Rock City Alchemist Association would love to extend our hospitality," Fu Lan Ke asked respectfully.
"Hehe, anyone who can train such an outstanding disciple must be a highly skilled alchemist. Perhaps Elder Luo is on par with Pill King Gu He," Au Tuo added with a hearty laugh.
"Something like that. However, my teacher isn't fond of worldly affairs, and we've arranged to meet in the Tager Desert. So, he's not in the city," Xiao Se replied with an awkward smile. He couldn't exactly tell them that Elder Luo had already passed away.
Upon hearing that Elder Luo wasn't in Black Rock City, both Fu Lan Ke and Au Tuo showed signs of regret but didn't press the matter further.
The group returned to the previous hall, where the others who had failed the assessment were still lingering. They all wanted to witness whether this sixteen-year-old boy could create a miracle.
Seeing Fu Lan Ke and Au Tuo with smiling faces and Lin Fei casting admiring glances at Xiao Se, they knew that Xiao Se had succeeded.
As they entered the hall, Fu Lan Ke waved over an attendant, who quickly left and soon returned, carrying a tray with an exquisite black robe.
Taking the tray, Fu Lan Ke proudly introduced, "This is the uniform of a second-tier alchemist. It has the ability to enhance focus, improve fire control during pill refinement, and grant immunity to certain low-grade toxins. Additionally, it offers excellent defense, even stronger than most armors."
Xiao Se, a bit taken aback by the grand introduction, accepted the luxurious black robe with a smile. He didn't pay much attention to the details, as to him, it was just an ordinary piece of clothing. Aside from occasionally avoiding unnecessary trouble, it wasn't of much importance.
"Try it on, Xiao Se. If it doesn't fit, we can have it replaced right away," Lin Fei said with a look of envy.
Nodding slightly, Xiao Se picked up the robe and draped it over himself. To his surprise, it fit perfectly and was very comfortable. It accentuated his tall and slender figure.
"Haha, such a handsome young man! It seems no adjustments are needed. What do you think, Lin Fei?" Fu Lan Ke, ever perceptive, had noticed Lin Fei's growing interest in Xiao Se, though it appeared the latter was not as interested in her. It was a classic case of unrequited affection.
"Yes, it fits very well," Lin Fei replied, her cheeks turning slightly red as she nodded. Her gaze lingered on Xiao Se's handsome face a few seconds longer, not quite grasping the implication behind Fu Lan Ke's words.
"Alright, the assessment is over. Everyone, go back and work hard!" Fu Lan Ke waved to the crowd in the hall before turning to Xiao Se, "Xiao Se, do you have some time? I'd like to have a good chat with you."
Xiao Se nodded slightly. "I also have something I'd like to ask for your help with."
"Haha, Lin Fei, it was a special exception to let you observe the second-tier alchemist assessment today. Don't try to pull any more stunts in the future," Fu Lan Ke said with a smile before exchanging a glance with Au Tuo. The two of them led Xiao Se out of the hall.
Shrugging, Xiao Se followed them.
Watching their backs as they left, Lin Fei stomped her foot in frustration and pouted, "Hmph, fine! Who cares about watching anyway?"
"Please, have a seat," Fu Lan Ke said with a smile as they entered a clean and tidy study. He poured tea for the three of them.
Xiao Se sat casually in a chair, holding the teacup but not drinking. After blowing on it lightly, he got straight to the point, "Masters, if you have something to say, feel free to speak. I'll answer truthfully, within reasonable limits." As he spoke, a subtle glint of cunning flashed in Xiao Se's eyes. His "limits" were notoriously high.
"Haha, what a cautious young man. You're not really sixteen, are you?" Fu Lan Ke chuckled, taking a sip of tea.
Xiao Se was momentarily stunned but then immediately began to fib. "Master, you're sharp. I'll be turning seventeen in a few months."
His obvious lie made Fu Lan Ke and Au Tuo's faces twitch. They had seen shameless people before, but never someone so blatant. Though Xiao Se was about the height of a typical fifteen or sixteen-year-old, his youthful face couldn't deceive them. Forget seventeen, even fourteen might be pushing it.
"Alright, sixteen it is!" Fu Lan Ke sighed, shaking his head. After pondering for a moment, he asked, "One last question: what's the story behind your flame? It seems like beast fire, but it's much stronger. Even the beast fire possessed by the Jia Ma Empire's little princess can't compare."
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