Chapter 361: Then Just Take the Exam!

Master Mu led the way, and before long they arrived at a room.

"Please announce that Alchemist Mu Yangfeng requests an audience!"

Master Mu clasped his hands to an apprentice standing guard outside the door.

"Yes!"

Knowing his identity, the apprentice turned and went inside. After a moment, he came out with an apologetic look: "The teacher is discussing matters with an honored guest and is busy now. Please come back tomorrow, Master Mu!"

"I have urgent business and cannot wait until tomorrow..."

Master Mu shook his head and said, "Please help me announce again. Tell him I have an urgent matter and need Master Hong's help!"

Since Teacher Liu had spoken, this fourth-grade pill formula must be extremely important; otherwise, he wouldn't be unable to wait even a few days. He had to help him complete it no matter what.

"This... I'll go ask again!" The apprentice nodded and went back inside.

"Aren't you both alchemists? Then why..."

Watching the exchange, Zhang Xuan was puzzled.

This Hong Yun and Mu Yangfeng were both alchemists—one at early three-star, the other at peak two-star, not far apart. Why was it so troublesome to meet him?

"The president is old and rarely involves himself in guild affairs. Even getting you into the library took a lot of effort! Now Master Hong basically manages everything, and all alchemists listen to him, so his status is relatively high..." Master Mu explained.

After a brief explanation, Zhang Xuan understood.

This Hong Yun was inherently arrogant; otherwise, back in Tianxuan Kingdom, he wouldn't have insulted other alchemists arrogantly without even meeting Zhang Xuan.

Now that he had broken through the final barrier and become a three-star alchemist, he was even more conceited. Other alchemists found it hard even to see him, let alone ask for a favor.

"Teacher Liu, when we enter the room, please don't speak for a while. Alchemical formulas are not easily shown to outsiders. If you ask for it, I'm afraid not only will we be directly refused, but it will also cause a lot of trouble!"

Master Mu instructed.

"Mm."

Zhang Xuan nodded.

Alchemical formulas were an alchemist's lifeline and not easily shown to others. It was indeed inappropriate for him, a physician, to ask for one.

They waited outside the door for a full two incense sticks' time. Just as they were about to lose patience, the apprentice came out again.

"Master Mu, please come in! However, our teacher only has the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. He has to go out later, so please be quick with your business..."

"Alright!"

Master Mu nodded.

The two entered the room and saw Master Hong Yun sitting in the host seat, with a young man beside him drinking tea calmly.

It was none other than Jiang Chen, the son of Hall Master Jiang, a one-star master teacher who had admired Mo Yu and always tried to show superiority in front of Zhang Xuan before the master teacher examination.

"Master Mu, what urgent matter brings you here?"

Picking up his teacup, Hong Yun scraped the floating tea leaves and looked over leisurely.

"I do have a favor to ask."

Master Mu said respectfully, "I would like to request Master Hong's help in applying for a fourth-grade alchemical formula. I will bear the costs myself!"

"Fourth-grade alchemical formula?"

Hong Yun frowned. "You're only a two-star alchemist. What do you need that for?"

Master Mu clasped his hands. "I have other uses, but rest assured, Master Hong, I will not violate guild regulations!"

Alchemists could apply for formulas, but they were not allowed to sell them or use them for fraud, violating ethical rules.

"Other uses? Hmph!"

Hong Yun stood up, clasped his hands behind his back, and walked over in two steps, his eyes like lightning. "As an alchemist, reaching for what you cannot achieve will not only fail to astonish but will also make a fool of yourself! Your alchemy skills are decent, but peak second-grade pills are your limit. I suggest you wait until you can refine third-grade pills before applying for so-called fourth-grade formulas!"

In his view, this fellow wanted a fourth-grade formula to try refining it and make a name for himself.

But alchemy had strict hierarchies. Someone who couldn't even refine third-grade pills attempting fourth-grade—wasn't that suicide?

"I..." Caught off guard by his strong reaction, Master Mu's face reddened.

"Alright, you may leave!" Hong Yun's face darkened, his chin lifted arrogantly.

"It's just an application, not complicated. Just a favor..." Master Mu hurriedly said.

After all, they were alchemists from the same guild, not far apart in rank. Although fourth-grade formulas were precious, as long as one was willing to pay the price, applying for one wasn't a big deal.

To refuse outright and say such things was too humiliating.

"What, don't you understand me? A fourth-grade formula—with your current alchemy skills, you're not qualified to see it!"

Hong Yun flicked his sleeve. "I have matters to attend to. Please return, Master Mu!"

With that, he ignored Mu Yangfeng and smiled at Jiang Chen nearby, clasping his hands. "Young Master Jiang, please take care of the matter with Teacher Zhang. I benefited greatly from his guidance once, and I must have you introduce me."

"Don't worry, it's a small matter. Teacher Zhang and my father are fellow disciples. After I pass the two-star master teacher exam, it will be simple to pay him a visit. I agree to this!" Jiang Chen said calmly.

He had been hostile to Zhang Xuan because of Mo Yu, but now that he knew Zhang Xuan had no interest in her and was his father's senior brother with a bright future, his hostility vanished, and he even regarded him as an idol.

"Then thank you, Young Master Jiang..."

Hearing the agreement, Hong Yun's eyes lit up with excitement, and he nodded quickly.

Although his contact with Teacher Zhang in Tianxuan Kingdom was brief, it had opened a door to alchemy for him, bringing clarity.

That was why he had reached the three-star level. If he could attend another of his lectures, his alchemy would surely improve further, perhaps even reaching a higher level.

"Mm." Jiang Chen nodded.

Hong Yun was beaming with joy, but then he saw that Mu Yangfeng and his companion had not left. His face darkened again. "Why haven't you left? Didn't I make myself clear?"

"Master Hong, I really need the fourth-grade formula urgently. Please help..."

Mu Yangfeng pleaded again.

"How dare you!"

Hong Yun raised his eyebrows, exuding an imposing aura. "Master Mu, mind your place! Only three-star alchemists are qualified to apply for fourth-grade formulas. I have matters to attend to and am unwilling to apply. What, are you trying to force me?"

"If you really want a fourth-grade formula, wait until you become a three-star alchemist and apply yourself! If you keep making trouble here, I'll report you to the headquarters for insubordination!"

Every profession had strict hierarchies. If a lower rank offended a higher rank, once reported to headquarters, they could face punishment.

Seeing his attitude, Master Mu trembled with anger, his face turning green. Just as he was about to speak, a slightly questioning voice rang out.

"A fourth-grade formula... you can apply for it once you become a three-star alchemist, right?"

It was President Liu behind him.

"Yes!" Master Mu nodded.

"Then... why don't you just take the three-star alchemist exam?" President Liu looked at him with confusion.

Hearing this, Master Mu, who had been full of anger, looked baffled and couldn't help but shake his head with a bitter smile. "To take the three-star alchemist exam, one must first be able to refine third-grade pills. I... am far from that!"

Although he had been stuck at peak two-star for who knows how many years, he was still a long way from being able to refine third-grade pills. In fact, given his talent, he might never achieve it in his lifetime.

This was common knowledge, yet President Liu said such a thing, leaving him at a loss for words.

"Ignorant!"

"If third-grade pills were so easy to refine, the guild wouldn't have only two three-star alchemists, the president and me!"

Hearing this "apprentice" behind Mu Yangfeng utter such ignorant words, Hong Yun and Jiang Chen both flicked their sleeves.

What nonsense!

"Just take the three-star alchemist exam..." Do you think three-star alchemists are carrots?

Something you can just decide to take on a whim?

In the entire Tianxuan Kingdom Alchemist Guild, there were no fewer than five peak two-star alchemists. Over so many years, only he had managed to break through—that showed how difficult it was!

If this Master Mu could refine third-grade pills, he would have taken the exam long ago. Why wait until now?

Utterly ignorant!

"Third-grade pills are simple. Follow my steps, and I guarantee you'll succeed!" Ignoring the sneers from the side, Zhang Xuan said calmly.

He had originally hoped Master Hong would help with the application, but since he was unwilling, so be it.

If any three-star alchemist could apply, then... he would just create one!

What's the big deal?

"Simple?"

"Arrogant nonsense!"

Hearing this "apprentice" grow bolder with his words, Hong Yun's face turned green with rage, nearly exploding.

Who the hell are you?

"Simple"...

Do you even know what third-grade pills are, spouting such nonsense?

"This..."

Master Mu hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth. "Alright!"

Although he didn't know why Teacher Liu said such a thing, as the president of the Physician Guild, he couldn't be making wild claims. Since he dared to say it, he must have a way.

"Then let's not waste time. Refine it right here!"

Seeing him agree, Zhang Xuan waved his hand.

He had once guided Mo Yu in refining a second-grade pill; guiding a peak two-star alchemist to refine a third-grade pill was no big deal.

If he had known it was this simple, why bother coming to see this Hong Yun? What a hassle.

"Alright!"

Knowing there was no turning back, Mu Yangfeng no longer hesitated. With a flick of his wrist, a massive cauldron appeared in the hall.

"Fine... I'll see what pill you can refine!"

Unexpectedly, this "apprentice" was so arrogant as to have Mu Yangfeng refine a third-grade pill right there, Hong Yun laughed in fury.

He had seen people show off, but never like this!

You guiding him in alchemy... and refining third-grade pills... Who do you think you are?

Hall Master Jiang of the Master Teacher Pavilion?

The super alchemy genius, Teacher Zhang?

Ridiculous! An apprentice from who knows where, young but with such a big mouth!

Jiang Chen on the side also frowned.

As a master teacher, he knew the difficulty of alchemy. Guiding a peak two-star alchemist to refine third-grade pills... wasn't that a dream?

Are you really not sick?