Chapter 42: The Flames of Li Jian San

At this moment, those around were watching Li Jian San with anticipation.

“I wonder if this little fellow can really refine a pill.”

“It’s hard to say. He’s still young, and even if he’s quite familiar with pharmacology, that’s just theoretical knowledge.”

“That’s right. His practical experience is far too limited. He may not have ever refined a pill before. This round of assessment is likely to be quite challenging for him.”

“Judging by Elder Xu Fu’s attitude earlier, no matter how poorly he performs, I doubt he’ll give up on Li Jian San.”

As those words were spoken, the crowd cast envious glances at Li Jian San. He was all but assured a place as an apprentice alchemist—it was practically decided.

Hearing the murmuring of the crowd, Yang Zi Shuo’s expression darkened.

Hmph, even if he’s favored by Master Xu Fu, so what? If he can’t refine pills as well as I can, Master Mo would never choose him.

That way, even if he enters the Alchemist Guild, he’ll still be beneath my feet.

With this thought, Yang Zi Shuo looked at Li Jian San, his gaze arrogant. “Kid, let me show you what true alchemist strength looks like.”

With those words, Yang Zi Shuo produced a piece of purple stone. As it appeared, waves of intense heat radiated from it.

“That’s actually a Violet Crystal Stone!”

The crowd’s expressions changed dramatically upon seeing the stone in Yang Zi Shuo’s hand. Even though they knew Yang Zi Shuo hailed from an alchemist family, none expected he would produce a Violet Crystal Stone.

It seemed he was pulling out all the stops for this apprentice assessment.

Violet Crystal Stone was exceedingly rare. It contained immense energy, found only at the bottom of lava flows, and was extremely difficult to mine.

Because of its rarity, it was so precious.

Its greatest use was to significantly raise the temperature of an alchemist’s flame, allowing for more precise control.

Seeing the crowd’s reaction, Yang Zi Shuo grew even more arrogant, casting a glance at Li Jian San.

“All your previous efforts were futile. Now, do you see the gap between us?”

“Oh? Is that all? You call this a gap?” Li Jian San replied, smiling indifferently.

Yang Zi Shuo’s face grew cold at Li Jian San’s words. “Kid, still so stubborn? I’d like to see just what you’re capable of.”

Yet Li Jian San ignored him.

This so-called Violet Crystal Stone was only prized by low-tier alchemists; it merely offered a slight improvement in flame control. For powerful alchemists, whose souls were strong, controlling flames was no challenge at all.

Li Jian San’s own soul strength was formidable, making the Violet Crystal Stone utterly superfluous to him.

“Still stubborn, are you? I’ll be watching to see how impressive your pills turn out,” Yang Zi Shuo scoffed, then turned to continue his pill refining.

“Then watch closely,” Li Jian San replied. Without another word, he began to refine his pill.

Buzz!

Before the eyes of all present, a fierce flame ignited in Li Jian San’s palm.

This was the third-tier Nether Fire he had just refined.

Even some third-grade alchemists had yet to master such a Nether Fire. Within the Alchemist Guild, only Master Mo had grasped a Nether Fire—though merely a second-tier one.

To avoid causing too great a stir, Li Jian San revealed only a tenth of the fire’s power, keeping the true strength of his third-tier Nether Fire concealed.

“Is that... Nether Fire?”

Everyone was taken aback by the flame in Li Jian San’s hand.

This boy was a prodigy; so young, and already he had mastered a Nether Fire.

In his presence, any lingering sense of superiority the others had was utterly swept away.

“No, that’s not Nether Fire,”

The surrounding disciples, inexperienced, naturally assumed the flame was Nether Fire. But Xu Fu, standing to the side with his seasoned eyes, could see that the flame Li Jian San displayed was not Nether Fire.

“His flame is somewhat diffuse. It must be a demon beast’s Demon Fire.”

Even though he saw the flame was not Nether Fire, Xu Fu was still deeply shocked. He looked at Li Jian San, excitement making him leap from his seat.

This Demon Fire—born within the body of a demon beast—could only be obtained from beasts above the Foundation Establishment stage.

To acquire such a Demon Fire, one must slay the beast.

Could it be this boy was already capable of slaying Foundation Establishment beasts?

Xu Fu’s heart trembled. He looked again at Li Jian San, feeling it was unlikely; with his current strength, there was no way he could defeat such a beast. The Demon Fire must have been acquired by chance.

Even so, Xu Fu’s shock did not diminish.

Even possessing Demon Fire, refining it was a troublesome matter.

To refine Demon Fire—as with Nether Fire—the body must endure the baptism of flames, forging a complete harmony with the fire before it can be assimilated.

Moreover, the process was excruciating; refining Demon Fire was many times more painful than Nether Fire.

Xu Fu carefully studied Li Jian San. To have refined Demon Fire—what remarkable resolve!

Such resilience, if properly nurtured, would ensure greatness.

“With this support, this boy might well become a third-grade alchemist, or even surpass the old masters to become a Pill King above third grade!” Xu Fu grew excited. “He just keeps bringing surprises. Today, he’s offered so many shocks.”

Alchemists above third grade—if he could cultivate one, it would be a lifelong honor.

With such achievement, he might even be recalled to the Alchemist Guild headquarters.

Yet, regrettably, a genius like Li Jian San was destined to have little connection with him.

As he spoke, Xu Fu felt some disappointment...

“Look, that fellow seems to have mastered a Nether Fire.”

“It looks impressive, but is it really useful? Just look at Master Xu Fu’s expression…”

“Yes, Master Xu Fu is obviously disappointed. If that flame can’t be used for pill refining, it’s just for show.”

Compared to Xu Fu, the others’ vision was far less discerning; unable to see what kind of flame Li Jian San held, they watched Xu Fu’s face and speculated among themselves.

“Senior Li, are you really as incapable as the young master said?”

Down below, Chu Xi’er gazed at Li Jian San with excitement.

These past few days, Li Jian San had given her so many surprises.

Just days ago, he was without cultivation, yet he dared claim he could defeat all new students and take first place in the monthly competition—and he actually did it.

On the day of the monthly competition, he not only outperformed everyone, but also attracted attention from several major powers, who extended olive branches to him—only for him to refuse each one.

Now, in the Alchemist Guild’s apprentice assessment, he stunned everyone, prompting the guild to break precedent and personally invite him.

And now, not only had he displayed formidable soul strength, but he also mastered flames...

“Senior Li’s strength now…”

Chu Xi’er quickly shook her head. “No, no, the young master must be right. I must follow his instructions…”