Age of Evolution

Chapter 621: Chapter 623: Rich Second Generation World King

Upon entering the entrance of the Alchemist Guild, the heady aroma of elixirs immediately hit him.

The hall was bustling with many people, amongst them, most were in Star Domain Stage, with even a handful World Kings present. But they all sat in an orderly manner waiting their turn, with nobody daring to cause a commotion.

Those who were there for examinations or had requests for elixirs were all waiting for an alchemist inside to attend to them.

Lin Zhen first signed up, then took a seat in the last available spot. This spot was based on a rotating progression system, which was essentially queuing up while seated. When the person ahead finished, each spot would automatically shift forward once.

The receptionist at the front desk was a beauty with fair skin and a pleasant voice, just listening to her was a pleasure.

“Elder Qian, your elixir isn’t ready yet. Please come back next time.”

“Steward Du, you have a request for elixir creation later, you only have ten minutes. Go in right away and don’t delay, there are many people waiting behind.”

“Those coming for the examinations, come in. Remember not to make a loud noise. The fee is ten thousand per time. If you fail the examination, the cost of the wasted medicinal materials will be borne by you. Remember this point. If you do not wish to bear the cost of the materials, then don’t take the examination.”

Her demeanor wasn’t exactly pleasant, but no one dared to refute her.

A first level World King sat in front of Lin Zhen, nervously fidgeting with his hands.

World Kings that Lin Zhen usually saw were always aloof, he had never seen a World King acting in such a manner, he couldn’t help but ask, “Senior, what’s the matter?”

The World King turned his head, to Lin’s surprise, he looked quite young, had an innocent baby face, and sported an amusing watermelon head hairstyle.

“Sigh, you wouldn’t understand even if I told you. I am planning to take the alchemist examination, but I’m not very sure of myself.”

“What grade are you planning to test for?”

“Third grade. I have been studying alchemy for three thousand years, my father said my talent is decent, and that I should be able to acquire Third Grade Alchemist, but I’m still so nervous.”

“What’s your name?” Lin Zhen gave the World King a look; while he was powerful, he seemed somewhat childish, Lin Zhen couldn’t help but ask this question.

“My name is Shui Feng… What do you want?” The World King said, quickly growing wary.

“Haha, nothing, I am also here to take the alchemist examination.” Lin Zhen took note of this name.

“You, a little fellow who just reached a thousand years old, want to take the alchemist examination? I suppose you aim for the position of a First Grade Apprentice.”

Lin Zhen shook his head: “I intend to test for Fourth Grade Alchemist.”

“Pfff~! Are you making fun of me? It took me three thousand years of studying alchemy to try for Third Grade, you, at most, have studied for a few hundred years, and you are going to test for Fourth Grade? Do you know it’s not wise to fool an angry World King?”

With that, Shui Feng even brandished his fist at Lin Zhen.

“Alchemy is like cultivation, it all depends on talent. Just because you’ve practiced for a few more years doesn’t necessarily mean you’re stronger than others. If I say I’ll test for Fourth Grade, then it’s Fourth Grade.”

“Don’t be all talk, do you think I’ll believe your ghost tales? My father’s words are truth, he said my talent is good enough to get me to Third Grade, there’s no way your talent could surpass mine.”

“Hmph! If it doesn’t surpass yours, then my name isn’t Lin Zhen!” Lin Zhen stared back at the World King.

“Alright, alright~! If you can get to Fourth Grade, I’ll call you big brother, but if you can’t, you are in for some bad luck!”

Twisting his head away, Shui Feng no longer paid Lin Zhen any attention.

Lin Zhen smiled a little, he found this World King to his liking. Though Shui Feng was only a first level World King, his Star Power fluctuation was not inferior to those of Level 8 or 9 World Kings. Clearly, he was someone cultivated by a super family.

As for who cultivated him, Lin Zhen had some inklings.

This person was worthy of getting acquainted with.

“Shui Feng!” the receptionist called out from the front desk.

“I’m here, I’m here.” Shui Feng immediately walked over.

“Your examination time is here, you can go now. The examination room is the third one on the left-hand side.”

Shui Feng nodded, rubbing his hands involuntarily, looking very nervous.

At this moment, Lin Zhen suddenly spoke: “Hey! Fatty!”

Shui Feng was taken aback, instantly showing a hint of anger: “I just have a baby face, I’m not fat.”

“Whatever you say, I just wanted to tell you, you better not lose to me. If you can’t even pass the Third Grade, then you have no qualifications to compete with me.”

“Hmph~! Kid, you’re done for, I’ll let you witness the true strength of Lord Shui Feng today.”

Visibly becoming competitive with Lin Zhen, Shui Feng strode off confidently with his chest puffed out, looking not at all nervous anymore.

As Shui Feng was in the middle of his examination, Lin Zhen temporarily couldn’t enter. He could only wait outside.

About half an hour later, Shui Feng’s examination was over.

The guy walked out hands on hips, full of pride, a new emblem had appeared on his chest.

It was the exclusive insignia of the Alchemist Guild, with three Gold Stars on it, certifying his status as a Third Grade Alchemist.

“Hahaha~! Lin Zhen, you’re doomed, I’ll wait right here, waiting for your examination results later. If you try to deceive me, hehe…. Lord Shui Feng’s methods are brutal!”

Lin Zhen stood up: “Just be ready to call me big brother, remember, once you call me big brother, stick with me, don’t go back on your word.”

“Tsk! As if you could! Go on, I can’t wait to teach you a lesson, you arrogant fellow!”

The receptionist called Lin Zhen over, and he walked up to her.

She repeated to him the rules he had to observe for the assessment, and Lin Zhen nodded in agreement before entering the room where Shui Feng had previously entered.

Inside the room, two alchemists were waiting.

One of the two had five gold stars on his chest, signifying a fifth-grade alchemist, while the other had four gold stars, indicating a fourth-grade alchemist.

As mandated by the Alchemist Guild’s regulations, anyone assessing an alchemist should be of higher rank. Those of the same rank do not qualify to assess.

On seeing Lin Zhen, the fourth-grade alchemist glanced at him and scoffed softly, “What a waste of time.”

“Meng Fei, don’t say that.”

The older, fifth-grade alchemist waved his hand and turned to Lin Zhen, asking, “Which grade are you trying to pass?”

Lin Zhen eyed Meng Fei—surely, this man was the one backing the scalpers outside, facilitating the purchase of alchemist titles through him.

Nevertheless, Lin Zhen replied, “I don’t yet hold the title of alchemist, so I can’t take the second-grade test directly, can I?”

“Correct, if you’re being assessed, you must start with the first-grade apprentice.”

“Then let me start with the first-grade.”

The two alchemists seemed quite accustomed to such circumstances, and they instructed Lin Zhen to begin.

The first-grade examination didn’t require pill refining. Instead, it tested candidates on the demonstration of medicinal preparation and identification of medicinal properties.

A pile of medicinal materials was laid out before Lin Zhen. The assessor would ask a question, and Lin Zhen would then need to take the appropriate amount of medicinal material from the pile.

“One ounce of Fiery Cloud Rhinoceros Bone Powder!”

“Seven mace of Ghost Cry Grass!”

“One mace of Iris Flower Powder!”

“One milliliter of Blood Coagulation Dew!”

Meng Fei quickly listed a prescription for Lin Zhen. “If you can prepare these ingredients within one minute, with an error no more than three percent, then you’ve passed the first-grade apprentice’s exam.”

One minute might have been a significant challenge for a typical apprentice, and the three percent error margin was incredibly strict; usually, first-grade apprentices were assessed with a five percent margin.

The fifth-grade alchemist gave Meng Fei a glance. He didn’t understand why Meng Fei was making it difficult for Lin Zhen, but he didn’t say anything.

Meng Fei had his scheme—the scalper had already sent him a message about Lin Zhen before. If he made things difficult for people like Lin Zhen and they quit, they would have to go back to the scalpers, and Meng Fei would make more money.

He didn’t have the guts to cause trouble for World King, but there was no risk associated with messing with Lin Zhen, who was just at the Star System Stage.

With a smile, Lin Zhen started identifying the medicinal materials. The task was as simple as breathing for someone of his near fifth-grade alchemist’s abilities.

Without even blinking, Lin Zhen effortlessly went on to identify the materials. In the blink of an eye, he’d gathered all the ingredients from Meng Fei’s prescription.

The fifth-grade alchemist watched, amazed. He weighed the medicinal materials that Lin Zhen had identified. The error was less than one percent!

To be accurate, it was one in a thousand!

Even Meng Fei was astonished by the result. He knew that even if he did the identification himself, the error would still be between two and three in a thousand. Could Lin Zhen’s abilities exceed his?

“So, did I pass?”

“Of course. I wonder, have you mastered your Flame Power yet? If you have, demonstrate it. As soon as you produce a bright white flame, you qualify as a second-grade alchemist and can officially start alchemy.”

The second-grade evaluation is a demonstration of fire power.

Meng Fei brought Lin Zhen a large crystal ball. “Inject your flame into this. As long as it emits a bright white light, you’ve succeeded.”

Lin Zhen placed his palm on the opening of the crystal ball and injected his fire power.

He didn’t use his deep blue flame but a pale one instead. In less than a minute, the crystal ball emitted a pale blue glow.

“Good! Young man, it seems you still have power to spare in your flame, very well done!”

The fifth-grade alchemist stood up, his face showing a touch of excitement. Lin Zhen’s performance was beyond his expectations.

“So, did I pass the second-grade test?”

“Yes. Based on your understanding of medicine and your control over Flame Power, you now have the basic abilities of an alchemist. If you want to continue with the testing, that would measure your practical alchemy skills. Would you like to continue?”

A first-grade apprentice does not have the right to refine elixirs. A second-grade alchemist can barely produce low-level elixirs. Only those at the third-grade and above are considered real alchemists with social status.

“Of course, I want to continue with the testing.”

Lin Zhen came prepared to take the tests. He immediately agreed and was ready to start the official test.

Meng Fei frowned slightly. Lin Zhen was keeping him from making money, so he decided he could not let Lin Zhen easily pass the third-grade alchemist’s test.