Chapter 77: The Supreme Pill Master (Part 5)

Passing the fourth-grade alchemist exam in one go, and being a disciple of the Pill King, that's normal.
Just as everyone was making excuses for Su Chen, he suddenly spoke up.
“Senior, I also want to take the fifth-grade alchemist exam.”
The vice president, seeing that Su Chen wasn't joking, became serious and asked, “Are you sure? What are your chances?”
Su Chen replied, “More than 50%.”
Well, actually, 99%—but Su Chen didn't want to discourage the black-haired old man before him.
50% is already quite high in alchemy exams; normally, a 20% or 30% chance is considered lucky.
“The fifth-grade alchemist exam is extremely complex. Normally, you need to apply for qualification from the Holy Assembly…but my Alchemist Guild has one emergency spot that doesn't require an application to the Holy Assembly.”
“Young brother, you are a disciple of the Eight Desolate Pill King; my Alchemist Guild won't be stingy with this spot.”
Su Chen understood his meaning and gratefully said, “Thank you, senior.”
He understood social etiquette.
Upon hearing this, the vice president smiled and said, "I have already informed the president. He should be able to return to the capital tomorrow. The fifth-grade alchemist assessment requires the president's personal supervision."
Su Chen had no choice but to wait a day.
A bombshell piece of news spread throughout the capital.
After disappearing for over two hundred years, the disciple of the Eight Desolate Pill King has reappeared in the Alchemist Guild!
In the entire Dragon Sky Dynasty, the number of Pill Kings can be counted on one hand, naturally making him the focus of everyone's attention.
Within the Dragon Sky Dynasty, a middle-aged man with silver hair smiled upon seeing the news in his hand: "Junior brother... is this the disciple you mentioned?"
"Not even twenty years old, yet he's taking the fifth-grade alchemist assessment—truly a prodigy... However, Qing'er is also a genius in alchemy. Defeating her won't be so easy!"
"I'm really looking forward to it..."
A gentle breeze brushed against his cheek, causing the silver-haired man's white robe to flutter, a six-star alchemist badge gleaming on his chest.
The Royal First Alchemist, the current head of the Pill Kings of the Dragon Sky Dynasty.
Ghost Valley Pill King!
......
The next day
Su Chen arrived at the Alchemist Guild to take the fifth-grade alchemist exam.
He met the Guild Master, also a sixth-grade Pill King, a portly, squinting man with a kind and approachable appearance.
This kind and approachable fat man was none other than the Flame Ash Pill King.
Facing a sixth-grade Pill King, Su Chen remained calm and composed.
This made the Flame Ash Pill King think even more highly of Su Chen.
Few people showed such an attitude towards a Pill King.
“So this is the disciple of that old ghost from the Eight Desolations. Young and promising. That old ghost's judgment was indeed excellent.”
The Flame Ash Pill King seemed very familiar with the old man, praising him with a smile.
Faced with praise, Su Chen remained unmoved.
Sixth-grade alchemists were highly respected in the Dragon Sky Dynasty.
He had seen all the eighth-grade alchemists before; although few in the ancient clan, there were still two.
Seeing a sixth-grade alchemist didn't really excite him.
Pill King Yan Jin didn't think much of it, after all, the young man before him was a disciple of a Pill King.
The assessment began quickly. Although Su Chen was only at the Spirit Sea Realm, refining a fifth-grade pill was still no problem.
Three days later, a red pill appeared before Su Chen, flames swirling around it, its color a rich, reddish hue.
"Truly, the younger generation surpasses the older!"
The Flame King Pill King sighed with emotion, smiling, "Congratulations! You've successfully passed the fifth-grade alchemist assessment, becoming the youngest fifth-grade alchemist in the Dragon Sky Dynasty. Given time, you'll surely surpass us old fogies!"
"You've come to the capital this time to participate in the Dragon Sky Dynasty's Alchemy Conference?"
Su Chen nodded.
The Flame King Pill King continued, "With you joining, those youngsters might have a headache this time. I'm already looking forward to the Alchemy Conference."
Su Chen registered with the Alchemy Guild. With half a month until the conference, he decided to stay in the capital.
Su Chen's reputation spread throughout the Dragon Sky Dynasty. A fifth-grade alchemist not yet twenty, with a Pill King as his backer, quickly attracted the attention of various powerful forces, all sending people to try and recruit him.
However, Su Chen wasn't interested in any of this; his ambitions had never extended beyond the Dragon Sky Dynasty.
"Strange, is the old man's reputation so effective?"
Su Chen was surprised.
He hadn't forgotten that within the royal family lay the number one alchemist who had caused the old man to lose everything. With such an enemy, why were so many people willing to risk public condemnation to curry favor?
There was definitely something fishy going on!
Unfortunately, Su Chen couldn't find anything out through investigation. He could only learn everything by meeting that person in person.
The good news was that no one was provoking him, and he wasn't being hunted down everywhere.
Soon, the day of the Alchemy Competition arrived.
Su Chen also met the alchemy geniuses of the Dragon Sky Dynasty.
Most of the Dragon Sky Dynasty's alchemy geniuses were third-grade alchemists, with a very small number being fourth-grade.
The appearance of one person instantly attracted everyone's attention.
The woman wore a moon-white silk dress, her figure graceful, her face exquisite, her skin as white as snow. The five-star badge on her chest was even more alluring than her exquisite figure.
Song Wanqing walked to Su Chen's side, securing her long, black hair with a jade hairpin. She raised her slender swan neck, a few stray strands falling beside her, revealing a hint of arrogance.
"Su Chen, I've heard of your reputation, the youngest fifth-grade alchemist, a disciple of the Eight Desolate Pill King."
"My master said you would be my greatest rival, vying with me for first place in the Alchemy Competition."
"Su Chen, I, Song Wanqing, tell you, I will defeat you, just as my master defeated the Eight Desolate Pill King."
"..."
Su Chen didn't pay much attention to what Song Wanqing was babbling about.
His gaze was drawn to someone.
On the stage, amidst a group of alchemists sat a middle-aged man with silver hair. He turned his gaze to Su Chen, giving him a kind smile. Su Chen recognized that look; it was the look one gave a junior.
Su Chen thought to himself, "Looks like this old man has a story to tell."
Seeing Su Chen's nonchalant attitude, Song Wanqing's eyebrows furrowed, her chest heaving. "Su Chen, did you hear me?"
Su Chen looked at the woman before him, whose gentle demeanor had suddenly transformed into a fierce one. "Yes, yes, I'm listening. Continue."
Song Wanqing: "......."
She felt utterly humiliated.
Ever since learning of Su Chen's whereabouts, she had considered him her greatest enemy, going to great lengths to say so much and even issue a challenge.
Unexpectedly, the person she 'cared about most' completely ignored her words.
"Su Chen, I will definitely defeat you!"
Song Wanqing stomped her foot and snorted coldly.
Su Chen: "Oh."
Song Wanqing exploded, lunging directly at Su Chen.