On Qin Feng’s palm, eighteen gleaming, round golden elixirs glittered like stars, emanating an innate aura of perfection.

Generally speaking, only elixirs with no impurities that have achieved the Upper Grade would emit this innate aura of perfection.

These were definitely eighteen Upper-Grade Elixirs.

Gaze after gaze fell upon Qin Feng, the shock in everyone’s eyes impossible to hide.

Not only was this youth’s alchemy speed fast, but his success rate was also abnormally high.

From a single set of Bone Tempering Pill ingredients, he had produced eighteen elixirs in one go, every single one of them Upper Grade.

Many of the Alchemist Apprentices felt their heads spin.

Across from him, Ji Huang’Er stared at the medicinal ingredients that had turned to ash in her Alchemy Furnace, a trace of bitterness showing in her beautiful eyes.

’That bastard has surpassed me again.’

All around the circular arena, every eye was fixed on Qin Feng.

A First-grade Alchemist, despite having just entered the ranks, would be a cash cow for any major power they joined and would be treated with courtesy.

Even if they entered a supreme power like the Star Sect, they would immediately be granted the status of an Outer Disciple.

In the stands, by the railing, stood Yue Ji, a graceful figure with silver hair and a snow-white robe. Her gaze shifted to the black-robed youth. As she sized him up, she realized it was the first time she had ever seen a First-grade Alchemist with such a stunning performance.

To refine the notoriously difficult First-Grade Bone Tempering Pill, producing eighteen Upper-Grade elixirs in a single attempt—even she had only managed a similar feat back in the day.

Although Qin Feng had slightly stunned Yue Ji, she only gave him a passing glance.

He was only a First-grade Alchemist. No matter how stunning his performance, in the eyes of a Fourth Grade Alchemist, it was nothing special.

Half an hour later, after ruining one set of ingredients, Meng Ran successfully refined the Qi Recovery Pill. He produced six pills in one go. Each one was as pure as snow, but their auras were slightly flawed, so they could only be considered Middle Grade.

Even so, Meng Ran couldn’t contain his joy.

Not long after, Ji Huang’Er succeeded in refining the Quenching Essence Pill. She formed nine pills at once, each one flawless and perfect. They were also Upper Grade.

There was no trace of joy on Ji Huang’Er’s beautiful face. If not for Qin Feng’s earlier performance, this result would have been absolutely outstanding.

At the thought of Qin Feng’s performance, Ji Huang’Er bit her lower lip tightly, her expression complicated.

Her eyes fell upon the black-robed youth who had finished his alchemy long ago and was now meditating to regulate his breath.

Ji Huang’Er thought to herself, ’Qin Feng, I don’t know how you managed to refine eighteen Upper-Grade Elixirs at once, but I, Ji Huang’Er, will not lose to you!’

Just as the examination time was about to end, Zhou Rou also succeeded in refining three fiery-red Red Essence Pills. The three elixirs each shone with a crimson luster.

Zhou Rou couldn’t hide the joy on her face, but when her gaze swept over Qin Feng, a hint of unease appeared on her pretty face.

DONG!

At that moment, the sound of a bell rang out across the circular arena.

The Alchemist examination was over.

Some of the apprentices, drenched in sweat and still in the middle of their alchemy, turned pale. With looks of unwillingness, they resentfully stopped what they were doing.

Qin Feng awakened from his meditation and stood up. At some point, the invisible light barrier around the stone platform had been removed.

A faint smile played on Qin Feng’s lips.

With this round of alchemy, Qin Feng felt he had gained some new insights into controlling the Heaven and Earth Sui Fire within him.

Using Spirit Fire for alchemy seemed to be the best way to familiarize himself with and master it.

The Suihuang Spiritual Vein in his body grew more spiritually active, and this practice helped it mature. Qin Feng gained a deeper understanding of the conflict between his three Spirit Fires.

Qin Feng looked up. He could clearly feel many gazes subtly watching him.

Turning his head, Qin Feng saw Ji Huang’Er’s resentful and indignant expression. He offered her a smile.

Seeing Qin Feng look over, Ji Huang’Er’s chest heaved. She suddenly snorted coldly. "Smug bastard!"

"Er..."

Qin Feng’s mouth twitched. After a moment, he shook his head with a wry smile.

’Looks like I really got to her last time!’ Qin Feng had underestimated how long a woman could hold a grudge.

Just then, the Name Executor Elder and Elder Zhiyu made their way over, having finished their inspections.

The Alchemist examination, which had started with fifteen or sixteen people, now only had about ten remaining on the floor.

Of those ten, four or five had used up all three sets of ingredients without successfully refining a single formed elixir. They were undoubtedly eliminated.

Only five people were left.

On Qin Feng’s side, besides himself, there was only one other apprentice in a black robe. Across from them were Ji Huang’Er, Meng Ran, and Zhou Rou.

The group, led by the Name Executor Elder and Elder Zhiyu, inspected the elixirs refined by Zhou Rou and Meng Ran.

After the two took out their elixirs and the elders carefully observed their quality and luster, they nodded to each other with a slight smile.

"Not bad. Although the quality is a bit lacking and the control over the heat was a little off, you still meet the examination standards!"

Hearing this, Meng Ran and Zhou Rou’s tense nerves finally relaxed. They exchanged a glance, a hint of joy on their faces.

A First-grade Alchemist. Though they had just entered the ranks, their identity and status were now worlds apart from what they were before.

Now, if they were to apply to enter the Star Sect, there would be no difficulty at all.

This was an entry ticket.

Grasping it meant opening a gateway to the heavens.

After finishing their inspection of the pair’s elixirs, the Name Executor Elder and Elder Zhiyu moved to the other apprentice in the black robe.

Unfortunately, this Black Robe apprentice did not meet the examination’s requirements.

The apprentice stood dejectedly in place, frustration written all over his face.

"Young man, don’t be discouraged. If you didn’t make it this time, just prepare diligently for the next, and you might just pass! Every Alchemy Master has experienced failure. They learn from each one and eventually achieve their breakthroughs!"

After offering a few words of encouragement, the Name Executor Elder and Elder Zhiyu turned their gazes to the final two.

Qin Feng and Ji Huang’Er. The two elders smiled faintly and exchanged a look. The Name Executor Elder then chuckled.

"There’s no need to inspect your elixirs. The aura of an Upper-Grade Elixir cannot be faked. You have both passed the examination requirements!"

Her willow-like brows twitched slightly as Elder Zhiyu spoke. "Congratulations, you have passed the First-grade Alchemist examination!"

"From this day forward, you are all official Alchemists!"

At these words, everyone in the circular arena stood up, their gazes fixed on the four young men and women on the arena floor.

In that moment, the four of them became the center of attention.

Just then, a group of Alchemists in gray robes walked up carrying trays. On each exquisite Jade Disc rested a First-Grade Alchemist Badge and a beautiful, comfortable, and silky-smooth standard-issue black robe.

One for each of the four.

...

「Half an hour later.」

Qin Feng finally broke free from the hundreds of enthusiastic new students and Alchemist Apprentices. Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, he glanced back at the circular arena, which was packed to the brim.

’These junior and senior sisters are way too enthusiastic!’

Hurrying out, Qin Feng pulled the hood of his new robe over his head and appeared in the Alchemy Hall.

He kept looking back over his shoulder, a lingering fear on his face.

He scanned the empty hall, pondered for a moment, then walked toward the registration desk.

"To rent an Alchemy Room, register on the left. If you want to apply for the Alchemist examination, grab a form and fill it out yourself..."

It was the same freckled girl in a black apprentice robe. She had her head down, furiously filling out some documents, her cute little face taut with annoyance.

Suddenly, as if sensing something, the freckled girl looked up and saw the familiar black-robed youth before her. Her mouth fell open.

"How is it you again?"

"That’s right, it’s me again. I want to take the Second-grade Alchemist examination!"