Nie Li walked over to the wall, which was covered in a dense collection of papers, each one detailing various problems encountered during the alchemy process.
Beside it stood a table stacked with horned pens.
Nie Li picked up one of the pens from the table.
“Wait!” Hu Yanming hurriedly intervened.
What was Nie Li planning to do?
“What’s wrong?” Nie Li looked at Hu Yanming in confusion.
“Are you trying to solve these problems?” Hu Yanming asked tentatively.
“Yeah, isn’t that okay?” Nie Li blinked and responded.
“Well, it’s fine, but…” Hu Yanming hesitated.
He wanted to explain that many of the problems on the wall were actual challenges faced by alchemy masters during their practices.
Merely reading books wouldn’t help in solving them; one had to experience the alchemy process firsthand.
He couldn't believe that Nie Li could resolve these issues.
“Since it’s fine, there’s no problem then!” Nie Li replied with a bright smile and began to write on the wall.
His brush danced with speed; as he read each question, he didn’t even blink.
Answers flowed quickly from his pen.
Seeing Nie Li answer these questions so swiftly, Hu Yanming couldn’t help but smile wryly.
Nie Li hadn’t even practiced yet he thought he could solve these issues—he feared it might turn into a laughingstock.
His gaze landed on one particular question about balancing the potion ingredients.
“How should Snow Ginseng, Nine Immortal Grass, and Gentlebell Grass be proportioned? According to alchemy theory, these three herbs paired should be able to concoct a potent detoxifying pill, but no one has ever figured out the correct proportions!” Hu Yanming murmured.
Nie Li’s answer was that no matter how you proportion them, success couldn’t be achieved.
Instead, Gentlebell Grass should be replaced with Black Nightshade Grass, and the correct ratio was three parts to one part to two parts!
The effects of Black Nightshade Grass were similar to Gentlebell Grass; both were potent detoxifying herbs.
However, Gentlebell Grass was more aggressive, while Black Nightshade Grass was more temperate, and this ratio was quite perfect.
“Brilliant!” Hu Yanming clapped in delight.
He wanted to immediately try brewing this potion to verify the proportions.
As he continued to read, all of Nie Li’s answers were astoundingly clever.
While he couldn’t tell which were definitely correct at this moment, it was worth a shot.
Although most answers couldn’t yet be confirmed, there were some, especially about potion-making, that Hu Yanming could confidently say were accurate.
His gaze toward Nie Li shifted, filled with admiration and respect.
Some of those questions were ones even President Gu Yan couldn’t resolve.
Could it be that Nie Li’s knowledge surpassed that of a senior alchemist? Had he reached the level of a legendary master?
What kind of prodigy was this? Nie Li was only thirteen years old! How could anyone compete with that?
As a junior alchemist, Hu Yanming had always held a sense of pride, as there were only a little over a hundred junior alchemists in the entire Alchemist Association.
But now, seeing someone so young yet so astonishingly knowledgeable, he felt an overwhelming urge to smash his head against the wall in despair.
In only a short while, Nie Li had answered a hundred questions and then set his pen down, muttering to himself, “These questions aren’t really that hard!"
Hearing this, Hu Yanming nearly spat blood.
These problems had accumulated over many years within the Alchemist Association and had never been solved, yet Nie Li dismissed them as easy!
However, it soon dawned on him that Nie Li's arrival might usher in a whole new era for the Alchemist Association.
If each answer he provided was verified, it would elevate the association's influence tremendously!
While Nie Li was busy answering the questions, an old man with white hair and a stunningly beautiful tall woman stood behind him.
Gu Yan and Yang Xin started off somewhat amused as they watched Nie Li write fervently, thinking that these problems were beyond someone his age.
But as they read what he was writing, they were left utterly speechless by their shock.
What kind of prodigious being was Nie Li? Was he really just a thirteen-year-old child? Though his face was still youthful, Gu Yan and Yang Xin wondered if Nie Li was actually an ancient being who had rejuvenated.
Without decades of study, achieving the rank of junior alchemist was nearly impossible.
Nie Li was only thirteen, yet his understanding of various alchemical concepts clearly exceeded that of junior and intermediate alchemists.
He was likely on par with a senior alchemist like Gu Yan himself!
Gu Yan’s gaze toward Nie Li became increasingly intense.
The Alchemist Association’s status had been waning in recent years.
If things kept going like this, it seemed doomed to decline further.
Repeated attacks from demon beasts had severely depleted the association's resources, with many records lost and the effectiveness of concocted potions greatly diminished.
Consequently, many alchemists had shifted their focus to martial arts, leaving fewer willing to pursue the alchemical path.
Gu Yan understood this wasn’t right; pills greatly aided cultivation.
If no one practiced alchemy, the martial arts would eventually decline as well.
The Alchemist Association hadn't seen new blood in a long time, and now here stood Nie Li, a true prodigy.
Watching his back, Gu Yan felt, starting today, the association might reach new heights because of him!
Yang Xin’s beautiful eyes sparkled with disbelief; her sensual red lips parted slightly, and her chest rose and fell rapidly.
She couldn’t fathom how someone as young as Nie Li could resolve so many issues that left even the masters stumped.
Nie Li suddenly turned his head, glancing at Gu Yan and Yang Xin.
“President Gu Yan, Councilor Yang Xin, hello!” Nie Li greeted them warmly.
Gu Yan was somewhat surprised and smiled back. “Little guy, you know us?”
Gu Yan assessed Nie Li and found him charming; the more he looked, the more he liked him.
Nie Li was truly a gift from the heavens!
“Of course! Anyone studying alchemy knows the names of President Gu Yan and Councilor Yang Xin. I even sent Councilor Yang an analysis on Purple Mist Grass!” Nie Li replied with a gentle smile.
He recalled that in his previous life, both Gu Yan and Yang Xin had contributed significantly to Glory City.
President Gu had died fighting alongside the City Lord, and Yang Xin had heroically shielded the citizens during an evacuation.
He had personally witnessed the beautiful woman get pierced by a Frost Mantis, a sight that had moved countless people to tears.
“That analysis on Purple Mist Grass was yours?” Yang Xin’s beautiful eyes filled with incredulity.
She remembered that analysis vividly; the more than sixty functions of Purple Mist Grass had all been proven without a fault.
She had often wondered who could write such a profound piece.
Even President Gu Yan, as the leader of the Alchemist Association, wouldn’t have been able to research the effects of a new herb so thoroughly.
Was it possible there was a master alchemist hidden in Glory City?
“It wasn’t me; it was my master who wrote it. My master sent me to the Alchemist Association to test for the title of senior alchemist!” Nie Li smiled lightly, making up a casual excuse to avoid seeming too extraordinary.
Sometimes, claiming to have a powerful mentor made things easier.
Gu Yan was momentarily stunned.
It made sense; someone so young with such accomplishments must have an excellent teacher behind him.
If Nie Li had been trained to be this incredible at such a young age, then his master must at least be a master alchemist!
“May I inquire who your master is so we might pay our respects?” Gu Yan asked courteously.
“My master doesn’t like to be disturbed by others!” Nie Li shook his head.
Yang Xin blinked, staring at Nie Li, trying to glean anything from his expression, but she failed.
Although he was only thirteen, Nie Li’s composure was calm and steady, making it impossible to gauge his depth.
Gu Yan nodded. “Since your master doesn’t wish to be revealed, we can respect that. With your talent, the title of senior alchemist suits you well. I hope to meet your master one day!” It was not unexpected for some reclusive masters to have such quirks.
Regardless of what kind of reclusive master it was, as long as they were in Glory City, it would be a grand blessing! Gu Yan planned to report this to Lord Ye Mo and the City Lord.
Having such a person as a friend would be immensely significant! As for granting Nie Li the title of senior alchemist, just resolving the problems that even he couldn’t solve was enough to merit that title.
Awarding Nie Li the title now would also be an acknowledgment of the person behind him!
“Councilor Yang, please bring him the certificate, medal, and robe for the title of senior alchemist!” Gu Yan decisively instructed.
“Yes!” Yang Xin turned to arrange it, amazed.
A thirteen-year-old senior alchemist was unprecedented in the history of the Alchemist Association!
“Besides seeking the title of senior alchemist, I wish to discuss some cooperation with President Gu Yan!” Nie Li smiled slightly, as he had come prepared.
“Cooperation? Little brother, feel free to speak!” Gu Yan’s heart stirred.
Nie Li was here to discuss cooperation; surely it was under the guidance of the person behind him.
Despite Nie Li’s mature demeanor, he was still just a thirteen-year-old child.
“I have five pill formulas here, including the Soul Nourishing Pill, Soul Condensation Pill, Soul Refining Pill, Red Flame Body Tempering Pill, and Nine Resurgence Pill…” Nie Li stated calmly, confident that these offerings would pique Gu Yan’s interest.
“What? Soul Nourishing Pill, Soul Condensation Pill, Soul Refining Pill? And Red Flame Body Tempering Pill, Nine Resurgence Pill?” Gu Yan gasped in shock, even he, who usually maintained composure, could not remain unfazed now.
(The End of This Chapter)