The Alchemist Guild is located in the southeastern part of Danling City, serving as the premier alchemist guild responsible for recruiting alchemists and conducting their assessments.
"This is the Alchemist Guild. Many alchemists are here undergoing assessments," Xuan Kong said as he led Xin Ci into a massive building.
The main hall of the Alchemist Guild was already teeming with people. There were tall, elegant beauties, energetic young men, and many elders, all evidently there to participate in the assessment.
"Oh, so many people are here for the assessment. This year's Alchemy Competition is going to be lively," Xuan Kong remarked with a smile.
"Brother Xuan Kong, I wanted to ask earlier, what exactly is this Alchemy Competition, and why are so many people participating?" Xin Ci asked Xuan Kong curiously.
"Heh heh, Brother Xin Ci, you might not know, but the Alchemy Competition is a grand event that takes place in Danling City once every three years."
"Not only alchemists from Danling City participate, but also alchemists from other cities. The prizes for this year's competition are exceptionally generous," Xuan Kong said mysteriously.
Xin Ci's interest was piqued, and he couldn't help but press further, "Oh, then what exactly are the rewards for this competition?"
"The first-place winner of the Alchemy Competition receives extremely rich rewards. Setting aside the valuable treasures, the title of Alchemy King alone can increase your status and influence severalfold. There's also a True-grade Alchemy Cauldron, a Saint-grade Spirit Medicine, and the Nine Yang Ginseng Emperor."
"Furthermore, you'll receive an Elder Token issued by the Alchemist Guild, granting you Elder treatment at any Alchemist Guild branch across the Eastern Continent."
"And these are just a few of the most valuable prizes," Xuan Kong explained volubly.
Hearing these details, even Xin Ci, who had mentally prepared himself, was astonished. The rewards for the Alchemy Competition were indeed incredibly abundant.
In the consciousness space, Mu Qing Qing's eyes lit up upon hearing the details of the prizes.
"Wow, so many treasures! It seems this competition is truly worth looking forward to. The rewards this time are much more substantial than in the original plot. Male lead, hurry up and participate!" Mu Qing Qing murmured in the consciousness space, a look of excitement on her face.
"Saint-grade Spirit Medicine is extremely rare, and a single Saint-grade Spirit Medicine is priceless. The Nine Yang Ginseng Emperor is a top-tier treasure that can enhance cultivation realms and is incredibly potent for body shaping," Elder Han commented with emotion.
"I didn't expect there to be a Saint-grade Spirit Medicine in the Eastern Continent. It seems this Alchemy Competition has considerable appeal. Even major sects in the Central Continent would be tempted by such a spirit medicine."
Body shaping! Xin Ci's expression changed after noticing these four words. He transmitted his thoughts to Elder Han: "Elder Han, can the Nine Yang Ginseng Emperor shape a body suitable for bearing a soul?"
"It can, but relying solely on the Nine Yang Ginseng Emperor would make it difficult to perfectly shape a suitable body to bear a soul," Elder Han replied.
"You would also need the Five Elements Spirit Pill, Purple Crystal Jade Bones, and the vital blood of a Saint-tier spirit beast. Only with these three Saint-grade materials can a suitable body be fused and formed. These materials are extremely precious. Apart from the Nine Yang Ginseng Emperor, the other materials are highly unlikely to be found in the Eastern Continent. One might only find them in the Central Continent," Elder Han sighed.
Although the other materials were currently out of reach, it at least offered him a glimmer of hope. Xin Ci secretly resolved in his heart to visit the Central Continent in the future to find suitable bodies for Elder Han and Mu Qing Qing.
"It's you! What are you doing here?" a gentle voice suddenly interrupted Xin Ci and Xuan Kong's conversation.
Turning around, they saw a woman in a pink dress and a middle-aged man in an alchemist's robe walking towards them. The woman had a delicate and pretty face, fair and smooth skin, and large, sparkling eyes, appearing petite and adorable. The middle-aged man beside her was burly and robust, with a full beard and wide, piercing eyes.
"Huh? You know me?" Xin Ci asked in surprise, as he had no recollection of the woman.
However, in the consciousness space, Mu Qing Qing recognized her. This woman seemed to have met the male lead once at the Alchemy Hall of the Four Symbols Academy a year ago. But it appeared that Xin Ci had not registered her in his memory.
"Junior Brother Xin Ci, the three-star pills you refined in the Alchemy Hall a year ago shocked the entire Alchemy Hall. Many elders were looking for you, a talented disciple," Bai Cai said with a bright smile, pointing to the middle-aged man in the alchemist's robe beside her. "Including Elder Yan here."
Seeing Xin Ci's eyes widen slightly, Bai Cai assumed he recognized her and looked at him with great anticipation. But the next moment, Xin Ci shook his head, appearing bewildered.
"Sorry, I don't know you, nor have I met you. And who is Elder Yan?" Xin Ci's response stunned both Mu Qing Qing in the consciousness space and Bai Cai. Bai Cai exclaimed directly.
"You don't recognize me? How is that possible? We met in the Alchemy Hall! How could you not recognize me?" Bai Cai was clearly incredulous, her eyes almost popping out of her head.
"Accept it, girl. With the male lead's current personality, the only thing that can make him focus is cultivation," Mu Qing Qing smiled helplessly.
"What! Little Bai Cai, you're saying this young man in front of us is the person from Alchemy Room No. 56 a year ago!?" Yan Hong De, standing beside Bai Cai, also heard her words. His face showed astonishment, and he exclaimed.
Hearing "Alchemy Room No. 56," Xin Ci recalled that he had gone to the Alchemy Hall of the Four Symbols Academy to refine pills once a year ago. However, he still had no impression of these two people.
"You scoundrel, you made me look for you! A year ago, I thought you were a new disciple of the Alchemy Hall. I almost turned the entire Alchemy Hall upside down looking for you, but couldn't find any trace of you," Yan Hong De said, staring at Xin Ci with indignation. "And now you appear in Danling City."
"This..." Xin Ci was rendered speechless by Yan Hong De's words. Mu Qing Qing, in the consciousness space, chuckled. "There's no help for it. Who told you to only visit the Alchemy Hall once and yet surprise Elder Yan so much with your refining skills?"
Xuan Kong, standing nearby, recognized Yan Hong De and immediately cupped his hands in greeting. "So it's Senior Yan Hong De, a Five-star Alchemist Master from the Four Symbols Academy. I apologize for not recognizing you earlier!"
Yan Hong De waved his hand, "No need for such formalities." He then glared at Xin Ci and continued, "You brat, even the young people outside the academy recognize me, and you're a disciple of the Four Symbols Academy."