Chapter 35: Li Jian Three Takes the Stage

“Buzz.”
Finally, the light of the Soul Testing Stone lingered only on the second star.
Mo Dawei’s face showed clear disappointment; he was obviously dissatisfied with this result.
The white-bearded elder glanced at Mo Dawei and said, “Mo Dawei, soul power, second rank. Barely qualified. Prepare yourself for the next round of assessment.”
Hearing the old man’s words, the crowd erupted anew:
“No way, there’s another test after this?”
“My goodness, the first round is already this hard. Won’t the next be even tougher?”
“The requirements for the Alchemists’ Guild apprentice assessment are too strict!”
“Stop complaining. If you pass, you’ll be promoted straight to a First Grade Alchemist. Do you think that’s easy?”
As the murmurs grew, the white-bearded elder’s brows furrowed, and he spoke sternly:
“Our Alchemists’ Guild seeks only the most talented, the most gifted disciples. Let me be clear: there are two more rounds of testing, and each will be harder than the last. If you are dissatisfied, you may leave at any time.”
No one knew how much time had passed, but by now most of the crowd had taken the soul level test.
Yet, less than half met the standard.
Even so, the remaining candidates still far exceeded a hundred.
The elder continued to call names:
“Next, Yang Zishuo.”
As soon as Yang Zishuo’s name was called, the air grew tense and lively:
“It’s him! I didn’t expect Yang Zishuo to show up.”
“Yang Zishuo comes from a renowned family and possesses extraordinary talent for alchemy. He’s one of the leading figures in Flowing Fire City.”
“His alchemical talent ranks in the top ten in the city; his soul power must be astounding as well.”
“Not only that, I heard he’s already a First Grade Alchemist. I can’t believe he’s here for the guild’s apprentice assessment.”
“Look at him, so full of confidence. No doubt he’s aiming to become Master Mo’s direct disciple.”
While the crowd speculated, a graceful young man dressed in white strode forward.
The white-bearded elder eyed him and said, “Yang Zishuo, begin.”
“Yes, sir.”
Yang Zishuo gave a slight bow, then placed his hand upon the Soul Testing Stone.
A buzz resounded the instant his palm touched the stone, and all the star stones upon it burst forth in dazzling light.
The brilliance blazed like the sun, forcing everyone to shield their eyes.
The stars shone one after another, until the radiance finally settled upon the fifth.
“He actually lit up the fifth star! I never imagined Yang Zishuo’s soul power had reached the fifth rank!”
“No wonder he’s seen as the most gifted among the youth—his strength is truly remarkable.”
“Fifth-rank soul power—surely that’s the highest we’ve seen?”
“Remove the word ‘surely.’ There’s no doubt Yang Zishuo wins this contest. Who else could surpass his soul power?”
“It seems certain that Master Mo’s new disciple will be Yang Zishuo.”
After witnessing his result, everyone’s gaze brimmed with envy.
Even the usually indifferent white-bearded elder could not help but smile:
“Excellent, your soul power has reached the fifth rank.”
“You have far exceeded our requirements. Go rest and prepare for the next test.”
With all eyes watching in admiration, Yang Zishuo stepped down and waited quietly by the side for the assessment to end.
After a while, another group went up for testing, but very few managed to remain.
“Next, Li Jiansan!”
At long last, it was Li Jiansan’s turn.
No one in the crowd held any expectations for him.
After all, Li Jiansan’s notorious reputation for wantonness and recklessness was well known.
Such a prodigal young master—surely he was here merely for amusement. Did anyone truly expect him to pass?
The white-bearded elder cast Li Jiansan a glance and said bluntly, “You may begin, but I hope you’re not just wasting my time.”
He’d heard of this boy—relying on his status as the young lord of the Shengjing Sect, he’d caused no small amount of trouble.
Moreover, he’d never cultivated; to this day, he hadn’t even broken through the Qi Refining stage. In truth, he was little more than a privileged wastrel.
Yet Li Jiansan seemed entirely unconcerned by the elder’s attitude.
He sauntered onto the platform and placed his hand on the Soul Testing Stone with careless ease.
Seeing his nonchalance, the elder bristled with anger:
How infuriating! Every other candidate had approached the test with utmost seriousness, fully focused on measuring their soul power.
But this boy acted as if it was all a game, as though he’d come to mock the Alchemists’ Guild itself!
Normally, during the soul assessment, candidates concentrated their minds for the best results. Never had he seen someone as lackadaisical and indifferent as Li Jiansan.
If he failed to register any result, the elder would show no mercy!
Hmph! Even if you are the young lord of Shengjing Sect, I’ll teach you a lesson today. The Alchemists’ Guild fears no one!
Frowning deeply, the elder watched Li Jiansan’s every move with displeasure.
On the other side, Chu Xier’s face was clouded with worry.
She had thought Senior Li truly had some knowledge of alchemy, which was why he’d come to the apprentice assessment.
But seeing him now, it was clear he was here for amusement.
An alchemist’s status was highly esteemed; if he continued to treat this so lightly and provoked their wrath, what then?
How could Senior Li take such a risk? If he really angered the guild, with their exalted position, how could they tolerate such mockery?
They would surely retaliate.
What to do, what to do…
Even if she invoked the name of Shengjing Sect, the guild would hardly care.
Chu Xier herself understood the guild’s immense power; their influence spanned the entire continent. To them, Shengjing Sect was nothing.
Her eyes were fixed anxiously on Li Jiansan atop the platform, her face tense with concern.
“Senior Li, you’ve really gotten yourself into trouble this time…”