When Yu He heard Xiao Zhitian's age, her hand froze mid-air. She blinked rapidly and exclaimed, "Sir… you truly are young and accomplished!"
She glanced at Little Fairy Doctor. "Is Young Miss here to take the Alchemist exam as well?"
"I'm not. I'm just accompanying him," Little Fairy Doctor replied calmly.
"Then please sit in the rest area over there. Non-candidates aren't allowed inside," Yu He instructed, pointing toward a nearby lounge.
After tidying the registration forms, she motioned Xiao Zhitian forward. "Sir, please follow me."
Little Fairy Doctor nodded, walking up to Xiao Zhitian. She straightened his collar and brushed dust off his shoulders. "I'll wait here. Good luck with your exam."
Xiao Zhitian gave a slight nod and stepped into the guild, Yu He guiding him with a professional air.
"Sir, are you taking the First-Rank Alchemist exam?" she asked casually, a friendly smile on her face.
Xiao Zhitian shook his head. "No, I'm here for Third-Rank."
Yu He froze mid-step, spinning around, her mouth wide open. "Y-you want to test for Third-Rank?"
"Yes. Is there a problem?" Xiao Zhitian asked, mildly puzzled.
"N-no problem… it's just that for Third-Rank, one must start at First-Rank, then advance to Second-Rank, and finally Third-Rank," she explained carefully.
"Fine, one by one then," he replied indifferently.
She led him to the exam gate, spoke briefly with the guard, and handed over his documents. After inspection, the guard produced a black armband.
Yu He picked it up and handed it to Xiao Zhitian. "This is your exam number. Keep it safe. You must enter alone; non-candidates aren't allowed inside."
Xiao Zhitian took the armband—it bore the number eight—and slipped it on before stepping through the gate into a bright hall-like chamber.
Several candidates were already whispering among themselves, eyeing newcomers curiously.
Xiao Zhitian's gaze swept over the room. Two older men with four-ripple badges caught his attention—undoubtedly Great Master Otto and Guildmaster Falkland, legends of Blackrock City.
In the center of the hall stood a dozen stone platforms, each laden with alchemical apparatus.
Seven or eight young men and women were already stationed on the platforms.
One of them, a middle-aged man named Frank, noticed Xiao Zhitian. "Little fellow, you're here for the exam too?"
"Yes, Guildmaster Frank," Xiao Zhitian replied politely.
Frank's eyes widened in surprise at his youthful appearance. "How old are you?"
"Eighteen."
"Eighteen?! Old Otto, he's younger than even our own disciples!" Frank exclaimed.
"He seems extraordinary," Otto murmured, stroking his beard in admiration.
"Choose a platform and get ready. We'll begin shortly," Frank instructed.
Xiao Zhitian picked an empty stone platform and approached it calmly.
Frank whispered to Otto, "Think he'll succeed?"
Otto shook his head. "Difficult. Far too young. Blackrock City has never seen an Alchemist of this age."
Indeed, eighteen was almost unheard of for certification at such a high level.
On the platform beside Xiao Zhitian stood a petite young woman in purple, her figure delicate yet graceful.
"Hi, I'm Lin Fei," she said, swallowing a rebuke at his striking appearance and instead smiling politely.
"I'm Xiao Zhitian," he replied, turning to inspect the alchemical table.
Before Lin Fei could speak further, a cool, commanding voice rang out: "Teacher, sorry I'm late."
Xiao Zhitian turned to see a tall girl with silver hair and a form-fitting silver dress. Her hair shimmered uniquely, giving her an ethereal charm.
This must be Xue Mei, he thought, recalling the story of the Peach-Blossom Flame.
After a brief greeting with Frank, she took the empty platform beside Xiao Zhitian.
Seeing the two young women flanking him, Xiao Zhitian smirked slightly—this mirrored Xiao Yan's exam scene perfectly.
Envious glances from other candidates were unavoidable.
"Hmph, if your cauldron explodes later, don't drag me down," Lin Fei huffed at Xue Mei.
"Even without me, your skill ensures an explosion is likely," Xue Mei retorted coldly.
Xiao Zhitian silently observed the rivalry, amused by their tension.
"Ahem, youngsters, check your instruments, herbs, and recipes," Frank interjected, stepping forward and clearing his throat.
Immediately, all candidates inspected their equipment meticulously.
Xiao Zhitian unrolled the parchment before him: First-Rank pill—Force Accumulation Pill. Three sets of ingredients were neatly laid out.
Glancing at the other candidates' herbs, he noted favoritism: Lin Fei and Xue Mei had simpler recipes like the Healing Dan and Flame-Condensing Dan.
"Everyone ready? Then the exam begins." Frank flicked energy to ring the bell overhead.
A transparent light curtain rose, enclosing every candidate.
They pressed their palms to the standardized Medicine Cauldrons, circulating Qi and kindling the flames within.
Xiao Zhitian refrained from using his Strange Fire. Instead, he released the Scarlet Ice Fire of his Ice Fire Lightning. The red flames roared vigorously inside his Pill Furnace.
Great Master Otto, sipping tea, nearly spat it out upon seeing the red fire. "What flame is that—a Strange Fire?"