"Applying again for the second-level alchemist examination?" Xiao Yan's words not only left Frank and Otto utterly stunned, but even the two women by his side, Xue Mei and Lin Fei, paused mid-action, lifting their heads with wide eyes and glistening red lips, gaping in astonishment at the young man on the stone platform. Every eye in the hall was fixed on the young man, as if frozen. While their initial amazement at Xiao Yan's successful completion of the first-level alchemist examination had been profound, his renewed application now truly left everyone speechless. A first-rank alchemist at nineteen is rare, but not unprecedented within the Gamma Empire. However, a second-rank alchemist at nineteen? That truly is a rare find. After all, even the renowned Dan King, Gǔ Hé, within the Empire, had only just attained first-rank alchemist status at that age. If Xiao Yan successfully passes the second-rank alchemist examination today, wouldn't that mean his future accomplishments would surpass those of Dan King Gǔ Hé? "Leaning slightly to one side, Linfe observed the young man's smiling face and couldn't help furrowing her brows. "A Combat Master, then?" With a gentle smile, Xiao Yan gazed at Linfe's beautiful and charming features, smiling warmly. "I just wanted to give it a try. Whether or not I succeed really doesn't matter much." "Are you truly determined to undergo the second-grade Alchemist assessment again?" After listening to Linfe's words, Xiao Yan still showed no sign of wavering, Frank and Otto exchanged glances and asked seriously. "Shouldn't there be little difficulty?" Xiao Yan nodded and smiled. "How confident are you?" At that moment, Otto's expression had grown slightly serious. If this young man actually passed the second-grade Alchemist assessment, he would indeed be a remarkable talent—perhaps even surpassing the renowned Alchemist Guo He in strength. For the Empire's alchemical world, such a development would undoubtedly be a major event. "Hmm... five out of ten, I'd say." Xiao Yan bit his lip, after carefully assessing his success rate in crafting second-grade pills, and then gave the figure. Concerned that he might speak too slowly, his estimate was slightly conservative. Yet even though he considered it conservative, when he announced it, both Otto and Frank simultaneously felt a subtle tremor in their bodies, while several others' faces grew pale. Crafting second-grade pills carried a significant failure rate—indeed, even the current practitioners present couldn't confidently claim a success rate of over fifty percent! Yet the young man before them, smiling calmly, had stated this very figure. As a result, several of the second-grade pill masters in the hall found themselves questioning his claim, clearly not fully convinced, despite his possession of that unusual flame. "Five points..." murmured in thought, Xue Mei slightly turned her head, gazing at the tall figure of the young man within the stone platform, and softly remarked in her heart, "Isn't this guy a bit too confident?" "How about it? Can he proceed with the assessment? If not, then perhaps it's best to let it go—after all, I'm only passing through Black Rock City temporarily. If the opportunity arises, I'll return to visit elsewhere next time." Seeing Frank and Otto remain silent, Xiao Yan shook his head in resignation before speaking. "Wait!" Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Frank quickly interjected. After all, this was a golden opportunity for the Black Rock City Alchemist Guild to showcase itself before peers. He absolutely wouldn't allow Xiao Yan to go and assess elsewhere—wouldn't that be a waste of the chance? "Attendants! Prepare the assessment procedures for a Second-Rank Alchemist immediately!" Frank locked eyes with Otto once more, both of them seeing a spark of excitement in each other's gaze. With a wave of his hand, he said lightly. At his words, several pharmacists behind him hurried forward and stepped swiftly through a side door into the hall, where the door was inscribed with the words "Second-Rank Pharmacist Examination Venue." "Well, then, I'll let you continue with the assessment, young man. Just don't fool us old fellows, okay?" After clapping his hands, Frank turned to smile at Xiao Yan. "I'll do my best... By the way, I heard that after passing the examination and registering with the guild, one can enjoy certain guild privileges?" As Xiao Yan stepped off the stone platform, he asked with a smile. "Heh, yes, that's correct. When a pharmacist prepares medicinal pills, they invariably need a wide variety of rare and unusual herbs and plants. Yet, no single person can possibly travel around every day to gather all these ingredients. Therefore, once you register with our Gamma Empire Pharmacists' Guild, you'll be granted the right to exchange. For instance, if you're preparing a certain type of pill and lack a specific herb, while another pharmacist happens to have that very herb, the Guild can facilitate the exchange between you both—provided, of course, that you offer something the other party finds satisfactory." Frank nodded, smiling warmly. "Of course, the higher your rank, the more exchange privileges you'll enjoy. Thus, to ensure smooth and unimpeded exchanges of the items you need, you must strive to improve your rank." "Truly excellent..." Xiang Yan nodded with a touch of satisfaction. The initiative from the Pharmacy Guild would undoubtedly save many pharmacists from the constant back-and-forth travel. At the moment, he himself was particularly short on certain rare materials. After passing the assessment, he would definitely have Frank investigate—should others possess these materials, he would be willing to make substantial efforts in exchanging medicines! "All right, the review for second-grade pharmacists has been set up. Follow me." Turning slightly, Frank glanced at the several pharmacists stepping out of the small room one by one. Upon seeing them nod in acknowledgment, he smiled. "Alright." Xiao Yan nodded and then followed Frank toward the cottage, with Otto right behind him. As Otto entered, he turned to the group stretching their necks outside and smiled warmly, saying, "A second-tier alchemist's review is different from that of a first-tier alchemist, so you can't just walk in at will. Please stay outside and wait—there will be an answer soon." "Teacher, please let me go in and take a look!" Hearing Otto's words, Linfei grew visibly anxious, rushing forward and gently pulling at his sleeve to plead. "This has always been the alchemist guild's rule. I can't make an exception. Please stay outside and wait," Otto sighed, shaking his sleeve slightly, which caused Linfei to step back a little. Then he quickly slipped inside and closed the door firmly with a solid 'thud.' "Hmph. What's so special about it? Just because you can't see, you won't see!" Linfei sniffed, her cheeks flushed with disappointment, and muttered discontentedly at the firmly shut door. Turning around, Linfei gazed at the snow-ethereal woman whose face remained calm and composed, like still waters. She took a few steps forward and whispered softly beside her, "Do you think he'll succeed?" "How could I know? Didn't he himself say he had a fifty-percent chance? That seems quite good, doesn't it?" The snow-ethereal glanced at Linfei with a faint, composed tone. Linfei pursed her lips, leapt gracefully onto the stone platform, and with her long legs subtly swaying beneath her purple gown, revealed a delicate, inviting arc that drew the gaze of several men in the hall. "Ah, I thought we'd already achieved something remarkable by becoming first-grade alchemists after two years. Yet here comes this newcomer—so much more extraordinary. It's not just that he's younger than us; he's even qualified to undergo the examination for second-grade alchemist status. That truly undermines us!" Linfei turned to her long-time rival, her expression filled with resignation. Upon hearing this, the faintly composed snow-maiden's expression softened slightly, and she sighed softly, murmuring, "It does indeed take a toll." "You didn't used to say that no one among the younger generation in Blackstone City could surpass you, right? Now someone has emerged. I remember you mentioning that he was someone you'd be accompanying..." Her dark eyes flickered thoughtfully, and Linfei suddenly added. "I'm sorry, he's not from Blackstone City at all." A gentle blush rose on her delicate cheeks, and then a sly gleam passed through her eyes as she smiled warmly at Linfei. "Well, that's quite bold of you..." Linfei murmured, lightly sighing, as she brushed a strand of her dark hair aside. "Besides, with this young man's talent, you're not really losing any prestige. Though your teacher is one of the most distinguished figures in Blackstone City, you should know that it takes an exceptionally strong teacher to nurture such a prodigy. What must his teacher be like?" "I'm not interested. If you'd like, go ahead and take him yourself. Isn't Otto Master equally renowned as a potion master, on par with my own And your father is the lord of Blackstone Castle," Snow Mei smiled, her calm words, yet making Linfei's silver teeth clamp tightly. "Honestly... my pursuers have lined up all the way to thirty miles outside the city—how could I possibly find time to play matchmaker?" Linfei gave a graceful eye-roll, her delicate voice bright with charm. Snow Mei offered a gentle smile, slightly raised her brows, her gaze shifting toward the main gate, where her jade hands subtly tightened. "They've arrived." "The review is complete?" Linfei perked up immediately, quickly turning her attention to the gate. The wooden doors creaked open slowly, and Frank and Otto stepped out first, exchanging a glance before both sighed and shook their heads. Seeing their expressions, Linfei and Snow Mei furrowed their brows—had they failed? "This young man's potion-making talent is truly extraordinary. Honestly, I can't help but admire him."