Chapter 161: The Familiar Spirit Refining Method (Part 2)

"Mm." Xiao Yan nodded, casually pulled out a chair and sat down, quietly watching Fa Ma's smile. After a long while, he chuckled softly: "President, if you have something to say, just say it. If it's within my power, I won't refuse."

Fa Ma looked at Xiao Yan's faint smile, shook his head with a bitter laugh: "'Should' isn't enough."

┓(`)┏

Xiao Yan smiled slightly, spread his hands: "President, even if I'm confident, facing the vice president of the Chu Yun Empire's Alchemist Guild—a Fourth-Rank Peak Alchemist—I can't give you a guarantee. I'm still just an eighteen-year-old kid."

Fa Ma suddenly froze—he'd forgotten Xiao Yan was only eighteen! But for some reason, he felt Xiao Yan was incredibly reliable, nothing like an eighteen-year-old.

After a moment of thought, Fa Ma said: "You probably know why I called you here—to have you win the Champion title."

"Tomorrow's round has been changed at the last minute: no set topic. Alchemists may refine any Pill they wish—the one who produces the highest-quality, highest-Rank Pill wins. It all depends on your true skill and hidden cards."

"Everything—including the Medicinal Materials—must be self-provided. If you don't bring enough, that's just your bad luck." Fa Ma spread his hands and smirked.

Clearly, Fa Ma and the others, to prevent Yan Li from winning, didn't just leak the exam topic—they set a trap. If Yan Li didn't bring enough Medicinal Materials, his strength would be crippled.

"Xiao Yan, tell me honestly, what Rank is your Alchemy?" Although Fa Ma had some suspicions, Xiao Yan had never been tested by the Alchemist Guild, so only he knew his true Rank.

"Fourth-Rank Peak." Xiao Yan didn't hide it—he said it outright.

Hearing the four words "Fourth-Rank Peak" from Xiao Yan's mouth, even though Fa Ma had expected something, his eyelid twitched violently.

Damn, he really is Fourth-Rank!

Eighteen years old and already a Fourth-Rank Alchemist is a miracle—yet he's Fourth-Rank Peak! This is insane!

"How the hell did you cultivate your Soul Force? At eighteen, you have Fourth-Rank Peak Soul Force?" Soul Force is the hardest thing for an Alchemist to improve—after all, not everyone is like Xiao Yan, born with extraordinarily strong Soul Force and the Arcane-Rank High-Level Soul Gathering technique.

"I was born with strong Soul Force."

Fa Ma tapped the desk: "Can you refine a Five-Grade Pill?"

"I've tried—but never succeeded." Xiao Yan grimaced. Every time, he was just barely short.

"Sigh—if I'm right, tomorrow Yan Li will definitely refine a Fourth-Rank High-Level or even Fourth-Rank Peak Pill." Fa Ma sighed and shook his head. At this life-or-death moment, Yan Li would spare no effort.

Although refining depends heavily on the Alchemist's condition, Yan Li might unleash hidden potential under pressure.

"With the Medicinal Materials and Pill Formulas I have now, I'll probably refine a Fourth-Rank Mid-Level Pill." Xiao Yan rubbed his nose, gazing at Fa Ma with an innocent look.

That look seemed to say: I want to push hard too—but conditions won't allow it.

"If Yan Li wins the Champion, the entire Jia Ma Empire will plunge into war—millions will die." Fa Ma spoke mournfully, hoping to stir Xiao Yan's patriotism.

But he misjudged Xiao Yan—Xiao Yan's gaze remained as calm as still water, waiting for Fa Ma to name a condition that would satisfy him.

Xiao Yan had patriotism—but not for the Jia Ma Empire. He had feelings for it, but not much.

"Sigh, then I'll be blunt—I want you to give it your all tomorrow. From all the Pill Formulas preserved by the Alchemist Guild, you may choose one to refine tomorrow, and we'll provide the Medicinal Materials. The resulting Pill will be yours."

Free Pill Formulas and free Medicinal Materials—even Xiao Yan found it hard not to be tempted.

"Do you have any Six-Grade or higher?" Xiao Yan immediately made a bold demand.

Fa Ma rolled his eyes: "Do you think Six-Grade Pill Formulas are cabbage? The Alchemist Guild's highest is Five-Grade. The Six-Grade Formula awarded to the Champion is provided by the Dan Tower—to encourage weaker nations."

Fa Ma walked to the bookshelf, twisted a book—and the shelf clicked open, revealing a rack holding over a dozen Scrolls.

"These are all the Alchemist Guild's Fourth-Rank High-Level and higher Pill Formulas. Take a look."

Xiao Yan licked his lips, scanning the Scroll descriptions, murmuring: "Wow, wow, wow—the Alchemist Guild really is impressive. These Formulas aren't simple at all."

His Mysterious Ring held many Formulas too, but many were ancient, with hard-to-find Medicinal Materials. The Alchemist Guild's were mostly modern creations—novel, with easier-to-obtain ingredients.

"Hmm? This is…" Xiao Yan stared at a Scroll as black as ink—his eyes grew profoundly deep.

Fa Ma, seeing the Scroll in Xiao Yan's hand, looked away with a distant, reflective gaze: "That's the Three-Stripe Green Spirit Pill. Though it says 'my own creation,' it isn't entirely mine."

"Not entirely?"

Fa Ma slowly stood, took the Pill Formula from Xiao Yan's hand, and spoke slowly: "When I was young, I traveled the continent and met an old man of unfathomable strength. By chance, I spent three days with him."

"During those three days, he casually taught me some Alchemy knowledge—I gained immensely. It was thanks to his teachings that I reached where I am today. This Three-Stripe Green Spirit Pill was created using the knowledge he imparted."

Hearing this, Xiao Yan's eyes flickered with a glint. He smiled: "What kind of man was he?"

"What kind of man?" Fa Ma recalled those three days, gazing out the window at the night: "A true teacher teaches without discrimination."

"Even though I was just a novice Alchemist with no background, he patiently taught me."

With a snap, Xiao Yan took the Three-Stripe Green Spirit Pill Formula from Fa Ma's hand and smiled: "Then I'll take this one. Tomorrow, I'll refine the Three-Stripe Green Spirit Pill."

Fa Ma blinked: "The Three-Stripe Green Spirit Pill has three Ranks. One stripe = low-grade Fourth-Rank Pill. Two stripes = high-grade. Three stripes = Peak!"

"If a Great Battle Master takes it, there's a chance he'll instantly gain three levels. But there's also a risk of backlash—his strength might drop one or two levels."

"And to refine the highest-quality Three-Stripe Green Spirit Pill, you need three different flames. Do you have three different flames?!"

Fa Ma knew Xiao Yan possessed two: crimson and black.

Xiao Yan smiled faintly: "Don't worry—I happen to have exactly three."

With that, Xiao Yan gripped the Scroll, clasped his hands behind his back, and walked cheerfully toward the door. He'd gotten what he needed—he'd return. The Medicinal Materials could wait until tomorrow, when Fa Ma prepared them.

"Aren't you going to practice here first? I can guide you on the Alchemy Technique!" Fa Ma called out urgently—he didn't want to lose his investment.

This Three-Stripe Green Spirit Pill Formula was worth nearly as much as a Five-Grade Pill Formula—it directly boosted strength.

Walking out the door, Xiao Yan turned his back to Fa Ma, waved the Scroll in his hand: "I know the Alchemy Technique for the Three-Stripe Green Spirit Pill better than you do."

(End of Chapter)