Jiang Chen followed the voice and saw a boy of about sixteen or seventeen staring at them. The young man wore an alchemist's robe, his handsome features highlighted by the pride in his gaze. On his chest, a badge with two stars gleamed conspicuously—he was a second-rank alchemist.
For someone so young to reach this level marked him as a rare talent in alchemy.
Jiang Chen clasped his hands politely.
"Brother, I am Jiang Chen. I've come to Qingxuan Residence to see Master Yan Qingxuan. I would appreciate it if you could pass on the message."
The boy's eyes flickered with a sharp light at the name. Jiang Chen? Wasn't this the same person Senior Sister Su had mentioned to the teacher just a few days ago?
Ever since Su Lingxiang had returned, she had been adamantly recommending someone named Jiang Chen to Master Yan. Bai Zixuan had taken note of the name, though he hadn't expected Jiang Chen to show up so soon.
In his eyes, Jiang Chen was nothing but an opportunist, eager to secure a coveted spot as Yan Qingxuan's personal disciple. Bai Zixuan, a second-rank alchemist at only sixteen, had immense talent and had only been accepted as a named disciple. And now, this so-called Bronze Student dared to aim higher?
"Boy, who do you think you are? You can't just walk in here and demand to see the teacher."
Bai Zixuan's voice dripped with disdain. "Master Yan is busy with Senior Sister Su, studying a new pill. He doesn't have time for you. Leave."
"You haven't even gone in to announce my arrival. How do you know Master Yan won't see me?"
Jiang Chen's tone hardened, his patience thinning.
"Hmph, do you think the teacher would meet just anyone? His time is precious."
Bai Zixuan sneered. "If you want to see Master Yan, you need to prove yourself worthy."
"Oh?" Jiang Chen smiled faintly. "And how exactly can I prove that?"
Bai Zixuan produced a pill recipe from his sleeve, smirking as he handed it to Jiang Chen.
"This is an incomplete ancient pill formula. If you can complete it, I'll consider letting you see the teacher."
Inwardly, Bai Zixuan scoffed. The pill in question was one that even Master Yan and Senior Sister Su Lingxiang had been struggling to perfect. There was no way this boy could succeed where they had not.
Jiang Chen took the recipe, his eyes scanning it briefly.
Suddenly, a familiar system prompt echoed in his mind:
[Ding! You've analyzed the incomplete fourth-rank Life Renewal Pill, triggering Hundredfold Comprehension!]
[Ding! You have successfully comprehended the complete fourth-rank Life Renewal Pill!]
The Hundredfold Comprehension System delivered once again! With a single glance at the incomplete formula, the system had instantly completed it for him.
Bai Zixuan watched Jiang Chen in silence, sneering internally. "Well? Can you complete it?"
Jiang Chen smirked. "Even if I can, do you even know what a complete Life Renewal Pill looks like?"
His expression grew confident. "But here's the thing: I don't need your permission to meet Master Yan. If I want to, I can have him out here to see me in person—within a minute."
Bai Zixuan's eyes narrowed. "What nonsense are you talking about?"