Chapter 20: The Solar System in the Hall

The receptionist waited until the teacher and student finished their argument before speaking cautiously, "Master Liweier, can you tell me exactly where in the Zuzhou Wupin Shoucangshi you found this item?"

"I don't know, in a gray box, maybe?"

"Box number thirty-three," Leini accurately reported the number.

"Okay, let me check the records." The receptionist took out a notebook and flipped from back to front. As soon as she opened it, she had a result. "Oh, the items inside were sent by the city guards last night. They said they saw a very strange Outsider, and then found many strange and curious things in his luggage."

"They couldn't determine if these things were dangerous, so they picked three items from them and detained them, sending them to us, hoping an alchemist could help check them."

"City guards?" The old alchemist was overjoyed. "They shouldn't be so unreasonable. This isn't any dangerous item; this is the crystallization of ancient alchemy, the brightest pearl on the crown of magic civilization. I'm going to correct their mistake and return these things to their rightful owner. Leini, give me my hat, let's go."

"Okay," the alchemy apprentice said helplessly.

Liweier walked with a brisk pace, almost colliding with a visitor when he went out. He didn't even have time to see the person's appearance; the old alchemist's mind was now entirely on the creator of the ancient alchemy creation, and he couldn't accommodate anything else.

Leini, who was behind him, took a few more looks, her lips moving as if she wanted to say something, but after just a short delay, her teacher was already walking away.

Seeing this, Leini hurriedly chased after him.

Mali arrived outside the Alchemy Association and looked at the part facing the street. It was a spire-style building, about four stories high, and together with the Baita behind it, it was all built of marble, which was still very conspicuous even in the Old District, which was full of wealthy people and nobles.

A circle was carved on the extended outer edge, and the circle was divided into three equal parts. The top part was carved with a heart, the bottom left was a crucible, and the bottom right was a hexagram.

Just as Mali was looking up at the mysterious pattern, an old man with white hair and beard, wearing a pointed hat and leaning on a wooden staff, ran out from behind the door in a hurry, and the two almost collided.

Fortunately, Mali took half a step back at the critical moment. Because the other person's attire looked very much like a mage in fantasy novels and film and television works, he couldn't help but take a few more looks. However, that old mage must have had something urgent to do, his feet didn't stop, and he walked away after a while.

Behind him followed a girl with braided hair, also leaning on a wooden staff and holding a large stack of books. The girl gave Mali an apologetic smile, as if apologizing for her teacher's rudeness just now.

But soon a look of confusion appeared on her face. She looked at the old mage's back, wanting to say something but stopping, and finally ran after him.

This was just a trivial little episode, and Mali didn't think much about it. After the two left, he lifted his feet and walked into the Alchemy Association.

The hall here was very spacious, and the height between the floor and the roof was estimated to be over five meters, reminding Mali of the cathedrals he had seen on the internet in his previous life.

In the center of the hall was a complex-looking metal instrument, which seemed to be simulating the movement of celestial bodies. Many copper balls of different sizes were rotating around a large ball.

Mali recognized at a glance that it was the sun and its eight planets.

This made his heart shake again.

A somewhat hoarse and low voice came from behind him. "This is an orrery, a work from the later years of Alchemy Master Xiaoduode. Do you see the fourth ball from the inside out? Master Xiaoduode firmly believed that we live on this small ball. Do you know what the largest ball is?"

"The sun," Mali answered.

This time it was the person behind him who was speechless.

Mali turned his head and saw a woman wearing a purple robe and a black veil.

"I don't know why you are so knowledgeable about Xiaoduode and his heliocentric theory. Many people say it was just his gibberish before he died."

The veiled woman paused here and took the initiative to change the subject. "You don't look like a local. I have mastered seven languages, including Dixinyu, but the language you use is still very strange to me. However, it is magical that we seem to have no obstacles in communicating."

"I just drank a bottle of Animal Communication Potion," Mali didn't hide it.

"Interesting, I didn't know Animal Communication Potion had such an effect."

"Doesn't it?"

"I haven't seen relevant literature, but my grandfather often said that potions do hide many secrets we don't know, and our research on alchemy is still in the toddler stage."

The veiled woman took the initiative to reach out. "Oh, I seem to have forgotten to introduce myself. I am Jia Anda, the granddaughter of Master Kelin, the master of Baita. You have come from afar, what can I do for you?"

Mali shook hands with her. "I am Mali, from... Luoyang. Are you the manager of this place?"

Jia Anda searched for information about Luoyang in her mind, but found nothing.

She had never heard of this place.

"Are you talking about the Alchemy Association in Yingjiao City? No, the president of the association is Master Kelin. My grandfather is currently focusing on an important research, and he hasn't left Baita for a long time. As his granddaughter, I will handle some daily chores for him. So... in a sense, what you said is not wrong. The affairs of the association are now also my responsibility."

"I want to know how to register to become an alchemist," Mali said straight to the point.

"Are you an alchemist?" Jia Anda was a little surprised.

"I don't know either."

"What do you mean?"

"In my hometown, I am indeed considered an alchemist. But on this continent, I don't know how you define an alchemist."

"So that's it." Jia Anda nodded and then explained patiently, "Most alchemists come from magic schools. Each school has a complete assessment process. Those who pass the assessment can register as an alchemist at the Alchemy Association. This is the simplest and most direct way."

"Of course, considering that a small number of alchemists are not from schools, the door of the association will also be open to them. And for this part of people, the association has also formulated a set of assessment standards. Those who meet the conditions can become alchemists recognized by the association."

"How to assess?" Mali asked.

"You really don't want to waste a moment. Okay. You are lucky. Council member Yisi is currently inspecting in Yingjiao City. He is qualified to serve as the chief examiner. For the remaining two seats, I can represent my grandfather, and then just find another alchemist." ===== CHAPTER 21 =====