Chapter 34: The Assessment

"The Alchemists' Guild in Blazing Fire City has already started recruiting apprentices. Have you heard about it?"
"Yes, yes, I’ve heard. This time, Master Mo will select one apprentice from this batch to take on as his final disciple."
"What? Doesn't the Alchemists' Guild require candidates to already have the skills of a First-Tier Alchemist to even apply?"
"No one knows for sure. It seems Master Mo has lowered the standards this time to prepare for the grand alchemists' tournament in three months."
"Master Mo—could it be that Third-Tier Alchemist, Mo Liuyun, the highest-ranked in all of Blazing Fire City?"
"That's right, it's the very same Master Mo. As long as you pass their assessment, you can be promoted directly to First-Tier Alchemist. Opportunities like this are rare—let's hurry over and take a look."

As Li Jiansan walked down the street, the crowd around him grew lively and restless.

"Recruiting apprentices?"
Li Jiansan smiled to himself. If he could be promoted directly to First-Tier Alchemist, it would save him a great deal of trouble. With this thought in mind, he turned to Chu Xier and said, "Junior Sister Xier, shall we go take a look as well?"
"Ah? Senior Brother Li, do you also wish to participate in the Alchemists' Guild apprentice assessment?"
Chu Xier was quite surprised by Li Jiansan's words. Was it possible that her senior brother also had some expertise in alchemy?
Before Chu Xier could recover from her astonishment, Li Jiansan had already pulled her along.

The Alchemists' Guild had long been renowned; its roots were deep and its influence spanned the entire continent. Even a branch office of the guild wielded tremendous power wherever it was established. In terms of overall strength, few organizations could rival the Alchemists' Guild. After all, in this world where martial might reigned supreme, strength was everything—and to obtain greater power, no one could do without the miraculous elixirs and pills crafted by alchemists.

The Alchemists' Guild was located at the very center of the city's western district, occupying nearly a thousand acres. Within its grounds stood countless resplendent buildings and palatial towers—no fewer than a thousand of them—each grand and imposing, a testament to the guild's formidable presence.

Upon arriving, Li Jiansan could not help but sigh inwardly at the sight:
Compared to the Alchemists' Guild, the Shengjing Sect was utterly insignificant.

By the time Li Jiansan and Chu Xier arrived, the guild's entrance was already packed with people, so crowded that there was hardly a place to stand. Every face brimmed with anticipation as they squeezed forward, desperate not to miss this rare opportunity.

No one knew how much time passed. Just as impatience began to mount, a white-bearded elder emerged from within the guild. He glanced over the surging crowd with satisfaction before addressing them in a steady voice:
"I'm sure you've all heard that the Alchemists' Guild is making an exception and recruiting apprentices—otherwise, you wouldn’t be here today. Enough with the pleasantries. Let me explain the basic requirements for this assessment."

"First, we are seeking only the most gifted among you, and only one hundred apprentices will be accepted!"
"Second, there is an age limit—you must not be older than sixteen."

The moment this requirement was announced, disappointment swept across more than half the crowd. This was only natural, for the guild sought those with the greatest potential, and older candidates had already lost their value in the eyes of the guild.

After finishing with the age requirement, the elder pointed to a small room in the distance.
"Those who meet the age requirement, please proceed over there to register. But let me warn you in advance: if you dare to falsify your information, the Alchemists' Guild has a hundred ways to make you regret it!"

When the white-bearded elder finished, more than half the crowd turned away, dejected.
A moment later, Li Jiansan stepped forward and completed his registration.
Seeing this, Chu Xier's face filled with astonishment. Up until now, she had thought he was simply here to watch the spectacle, but he had actually come to participate in the guild’s apprentice assessment.
Could it be that Senior Brother Li was also talented in alchemy?
Looking at him, Chu Xier asked, "Senior Brother Li, do you also have some skill in alchemy?"
Li Jiansan smiled and said, "No, I’m just here for fun."
Only then did the surprise fade from Chu Xier's expression.

After some time, everyone who met the requirements had completed their registration.
Once all the forms were filled, the white-bearded elder took the list in hand and glanced over it before saying,
"I trust all of you know that to become an alchemist, you need more than relentless effort—you must also possess formidable soul power. Therefore, we will test the strength of your souls. Only those whose soul power meets our standards will be allowed to stay."

"Stand in line now. I will call your names to test your soul strength."
As he spoke, several robust men emerged from behind the elder, carrying a massive white stone and setting it down before the crowd.
Pointing to the stone, the elder said,
"This is the Soul-Test Stone. It will reveal the grade of your soul power. Only those who reach Tier Two or higher will qualify as apprentices."
"Do you all understand?"
Li Jiansan glanced at the Soul-Test Stone. The soul test was much like the spirit root test back in Shengjing Sect, where the Spirit-Communion Stone was used—the effect was much the same.

It was worth noting that soul power was divided into nine tiers, with the first being the weakest and the ninth the strongest.

With the elder's announcement, the remaining candidates grew visibly tense, and the atmosphere became heavy with anxiety. None knew how many would be eliminated in this round of soul testing.

"When it is your turn, simply step up to the Soul-Test Stone and place your hand upon it," the elder continued. "There are nine Star Stones upon the Soul-Test Stone—the higher your soul tier, the more stars you will light. For example, if you light three stars, you are a Tier Three soul. Is that clear?"

"If there are no questions, let us begin."
The white-bearded elder spoke in a deep voice: "First, Hu Xiaowei."

Upon hearing his name, a young boy named Hu Xiaowei stumbled nervously to the Soul-Test Stone.

"Begin," the elder instructed.

Hu Xiaowei slowly placed his hand on the stone. Gradually, one Star Stone lit up—just one.
This meant his soul power was First-Tier; he had failed the assessment.

The elder's face remained impassive as he said coldly, "First-Tier soul power. You do not meet our requirements. You may leave."

Hu Xiaowei's face turned pale as he left, crestfallen.

"Next, Mo Dawei."

Another youth stepped forward.
At the sight of him, the crowd began to whisper,
"This one comes from a family of alchemists. His soul power should be strong."
"If even he can’t pass, then the guild’s standards are simply too high."

While the crowd gossiped, Mo Dawei calmly placed his hand on the Soul-Test Stone.
At that moment, the Star Stones burst into light...