Chapter 122: The End of the Pill Debate

Not only was Zhang Xuan stunned, but Ouyang Cheng and the others on the side were also dumbfounded.

Damn it, who can tell me what's going on?

Weren't they just now avoiding him like a viper? How come now they're like seeing a beauty, eager to rush forward?

What are they...

Wen Xue was also completely confused, not understanding the reason.

I see. This group of fellows, really... Du Man the Pill Master shook his head with a bitter smile.

See what? Ouyang Cheng looked over.

Earlier, Zhang Xuan could point out various problems in their bodies through pill refining, giving them a feeling of being stripped naked. Who would want to ask questions under such circumstances? Du Man the Pill Master said. But now, not only has he answered Lin Mu the Pill Master's question, but he also resolved the hidden danger. Even a fool would know this is an opportunity. Who wouldn't rush forward?

That's true... Ouyang Cheng understood and nodded.

People can recognize others but not themselves!

One cannot detect one's own flaws. If Zhang Xuan could explain them, one might correct the defects and greatly advance in pill refining!

Pity, I was such a fool to concede so early. Otherwise, I could now ask several questions that have long troubled me...

Du Man the Pill Master lamented, shaking his head repeatedly.

How could he miss such a good opportunity?

Since you missed it, so be it. You didn't cherish it. As for me, as the arbiter of this pill debate, I have been dutiful and conscientious, never asking a single question. Tell me... after the pill debate ends, will he give me a chance to ask two questions? I have quite a few problems too...

At this point, Ouyang Cheng's eyes flickered, and he was filled with excitement.

... Du Man the Pill Master.

... Wen Xue.

Damn it, you, a one-star mid-grade pill master and president of the Pill Masters Guild, want to ask an apprentice, and you're so self-righteous... Dutiful and conscientious? How come I didn't see you being conscientious? I just saw you sitting here without moving...

Alright, one by one!

Soon, Zhang Xuan figured out what was happening. He shook his head helplessly and pointed at one of the pill masters: You, then!

Me? Great!

The pill master pointed at stood up excitedly: I do have a question. Lately, I've been feeling that my sleep is poor. I get up seven or eight times a night, and I often have palpitations and dream a lot. Can you check if I have some illness, or if someone is harming me, or... if there's something wrong with my concubine?

... Zhang Xuan.

... Everyone.

Ahem, Pill Master Liu, we are in a pill debate, not fortune-telling or medical consultation. Please be mindful...

Ouyang Cheng couldn't help but stand up.

Ah? But... this is really my problem! I want to ask about this! This Pill Master Liu said firmly.

Alright, let's do this: first, refine a pill for me to see. Perhaps I can discern something from your refining process. Zhang Xuan, feeling a headache, waved his hand.

Okay! The Pill Master Liu nodded excitedly and hurried off to refine pills.

Your turn. What's your problem?

After dealing with that fellow, Zhang Xuan looked at another pill master.

My problem is simple, not as shameless as Pill Master Liu's! This pill master said with righteous indignation, then continued: My daughter is getting married in a couple of days. The man she's marrying is named Zhou Xuan, who came from out of town. I've investigated for quite a while but got no useful information. Can you check if this fellow is reliable? If not, I'll reject the marriage...

At this point, the pill master hesitated, then looked at Zhang Xuan with a probing gaze: Do you think... I should also refine a pill for you to see?

Pfft!

Zhang Xuan nearly spat out a mouthful of old blood.

Alchemy? Alchemy your sister!

Your daughter's marriage has nothing to do with me, and even less to do with alchemy!

I'm here to assess alchemists and debate alchemy, not to tell fortunes...

Besides, even if I were a fortune-teller, if you don't tell me about your daughter's situation, what use is alchemy?

Are you sure you're not messing with me?

"Alchemist Qin, your daughter's marriage has nothing to do with alchemy. What use is asking Brother Zhang Xuan? What a joke!" The last alchemist waved his hand and snorted.

"But... I just want to ask this question now..."

Alchemist Qin's face was full of distress.

"Ask something related to alchemy! Keep thinking; I'll go first!" The last alchemist stepped forward and stood before Zhang Xuan: "Brother Zhang Xuan, you look young. Are you married? I have a daughter, a national beauty, who could be your concubine. What do you think? If not, my niece will do, ah? If you think I'm taking advantage, I also have a younger sister and an older sister..."

"..." Zhang Xuan.

You're over sixty, almost in the grave, and your sister, older sister... how twisted must my tastes be...

After a long while, he finally sorted out the chaotic situation and got everyone back on track.

"My question is: the main ingredient for detoxification pills, the purification herb, is too fragile and often turns to ash before reaching the furnace. Am I doing something wrong?"

"Purification herbs are not heat-resistant—this is common knowledge. Throwing them directly into the furnace naturally makes it difficult. You can soak them in purple sun water for three days before refining; not only will it maximize the medicinal effect, but it also prevents burning..."

"My question is: when refining pills, I often feel my qi flow is not smooth..."

"That's simple..."

...

Back on track, the rest was simple. Zhang Xuan could solve most problems with the knowledge he had gained from the elementary library; for those he couldn't, he had the alchemist refine pills and used the Library of Heaven's Path to check for flaws.

Half an hour later, he finally answered all the questions of the remaining three alchemists.

"Alright, all ten alchemists have conceded. I declare that Zhang Xuan wins this debate. From now on, he is the new one-star alchemist of the Alchemist Guild!"

The debate ended, and Ouyang Cheng announced the result, handing over a badge with one star and a robe.

"This is the alchemist badge. With it, you can get discounts on pills at any Alchemist Guild..."

"Mm!"

He took the two items and casually stored them in his ring.

Everyone guessed he had a great master behind him, so they were not surprised he had a storage ring.

Besides, alchemists were a high-income profession; though storage rings worth millions were precious, they were nothing to them.

"President Ouyang, where is the advanced library? I'd like to take a look..."

Zhang Xuan asked.

His main purpose in becoming an alchemist was to access the library; now that he was an official alchemist, of course he wanted to go see it.

"I'll take you there."

Ouyang Cheng said and led the way. Zhang Xuan followed closely. Just after walking a short distance, the alchemist from before called out again.

"Alchemist Zhang Xuan, think it over again. If my older sister or younger sister won't do, I also have a younger aunt who isn't married..."

Zhang Xuan stumbled, tears streaming down his face.

Your younger aunt...

She could be my great-grandmother by now...