BTTH : Emperor Yang

Chapter 155: Chapter 155: Assessment

Support me at patreon for 60+ advanced Chapters :

/YaoIk

**

After stepping through the door, a spacious hall stretched out before them.

Bright lights bathed the room in a glow as luminous as daylight.

At the moment, the hall was already filled with a crowd of people. Occasional hushed whispers and quiet laughter drifted through the air.

A quick glance at their robes and the badges pinned to their chests revealed that most of them were genuine alchemists.

Among them, there were even two Tier 4 alchemists present—standing like stars at the center of attention, surrounded by admiring onlookers.

At the center of the hall, over a dozen stone platforms had been meticulously set up, each spaced apart from the others.

On these platforms, a wide array of alchemical tools and instruments had been neatly arranged.

Currently, six young individuals—both men and women—stood on the platforms, their expressions eager and full of anticipation.

”Those kids are lucky,” someone in the crowd murmured, tone laced with envy. ”Two Tier 4 alchemists actually showed up to observe this assessment. If either of those masters gives them a bit of guidance, that’d be a windfall.”

”Haha, no kidding. Normally, a Tier 3 alchemist is already enough to supervise these tests... But if I were up there now, I’d probably be a nervous wreck, haha,” another whispered teasingly.

”Yeah, you’re right.”

”Heh, it’s about to begin.” A young man with a Tier 2 badge on his chest glanced at the sand timer on the table and said casually, ”Ten more minutes. Hope these six kids all manage to pass. The Tier 4 alchemists aren’t easy to impress.”

As he spoke, he casually turned his head, letting his gaze wander across the hall—until it paused on a young man and woman who had entered at some point.

”Oh? More newcomers?” His eyes flicked to the armbands on their arms, and a small smile curled at his lips. He asked, ”You two are here for the assessment as well?”

His voice drew the attention of many others in the hall.

”Yes, we’re here to take the exam,” Wei Yang answered as he led Xian’er forward with a nod.

Beside him, Xian’er’s eyes sparkled slightly.

This was the first time she had ever been surrounded by so many fellow alchemists. The new experience made her feel both curious and excited.

On the platforms, the six young people who were about to be tested also turned their gazes toward Wei Yang and Xian’er, eyes fixed on the pair.

Good-looking—he was handsome, she was beautiful.

But so what?

Their eyes narrowed with faint hostility, and a touch of open provocation crept into their expressions.

After all, while fellow professionals might not be enemies, competitors taking the same assessment certainly were.

Being bad was fine—as long as everyone else taking the test was worse, that worked out just great.

Excellence is often best measured by comparison.

...

As for those provocative stares, Wei Yang didn’t even bother glancing back.

Xian’er didn’t care either.

Both remained calm and composed.

To them, this kind of exam was nothing but a dimensional downgrade—a formality, really. There wasn’t the slightest sense of challenge to it.

”Not bad. Calm hearts for ones so young.” One of the Tier 4 alchemists, an elderly man with snow-white hair and beard, stroked his beard and smiled. ”Your ages?”

”Twenty-one,” said Wei Yang.

”Nineteen,” Xian’er replied.

The crowd froze for a moment.

Too young!

Wei Yang’s age was acceptable—twenty-one wasn’t that outrageous.

But nineteen?

To become a true alchemist, one had to possess the correct soul attributes—and also reach the level of a Dou Zhe.

Even then, becoming an alchemist required hands-on, step-by-step instruction from a skilled teacher. And even for a prodigy, the learning process would still take at least a year.

So, to be a Tier One alchemist at nineteen, that would mean she had to become a Dou Zhe at eighteen—possibly even seventeen!

Geniuses with that level of talent were rarer than alchemists themselves.

Back then, when Xiao Yan became a Dou Zhe at the age of twelve, it caused a massive stir for exactly this reason.

So, most of the alchemists present believed that this beautiful young woman with pure, ethereal charm and long white hair probably wouldn’t pass the test. She was likely just here to keep her companion company.

...

”Hmm?” The white-haired old alchemist suddenly frowned slightly. He muttered to himself, ”Strange... I can’t sense either of your cultivation levels.”

”Huh?” the other Tier 4 alchemist—a middle-aged man—was also taken aback. He concentrated for a moment, then said in surprise, ”You’re right. That’s odd. Normally, if someone’s weaker than me, they can’t hide their level from my perception.”

Others in the hall began to focus their own senses as well, only to discover something bizarre—

None of them could determine Wei Yang or Xian’er’s cultivation.

It felt exactly like facing two ordinary people with no Dou Qi at all.

It was... unnerving.

Everyone’s curiosity was now piqued. They all stared at Wei Yang and Xian’er, hoping for an explanation.

But Wei Yang simply frowned, a touch of impatience showing on his face.

He took a slow breath, glanced at the sand timer—already empty—and asked, ”May I ask if the assessment can begin now?”

Many people frowned at this, finding his tone a bit too arrogant. Where was the humility a junior ought to show?

”You may begin anytime. Go on up,” the white-haired Tier 4 alchemist said with a cold snort, flicking his robe dismissively.

Youngsters these days... think a bit of talent means they can be arrogant and disrespect their elders?

Hmph!

Just wait. I’ll be picking apart your flaws the moment you start refining. If you pass this test without a hitch, I’ll eat my badge and spell my name backwards!

Let me show you what it truly means to nitpick—to dig bones out of an egg.

The rest of the crowd didn’t look too pleased either. Their gazes toward Wei Yang were laced with mockery, and some even looked like they were ready to roll up their sleeves and start swinging.

Arrogant to this degree, daring to offend so many alchemists here? Kid, you’ve got guts. I respect that—at least you’ve got spine!

But today, if the pill you refine has even the slightest flaw... don’t expect to walk out of here so easily.

...

”You, take this stone platform.”

A Tier 3 alchemist stepped forward, pointing to a nearby platform as he spoke to Wei Yang.

”And you, this one over here.”

Xian’er was assigned to the platform directly beside his.

Under the gazes of the crowd, Wei Yang reached out and took Xian’er’s hand, calmly walking up to the platform together with her.

Their stations were side by side.

Xian’er gave Wei Yang an apologetic glance.

Today, Wei Yang had only come along to accompany her—and ended up in this mess because of it.

Under normal circumstances, as a Tier 6 alchemist, how could someone of his standing possibly need to step out in public like this?

As for the certification from the Alchemist Association of the Jia Ma Empire? That was even more of a joke.

A true powerhouse didn’t need recognition from others.

If you can refine Tier 6 pills, then you are a Tier 6 alchemist. Who’s going to question that? Who dares?

Receiving Xian’er’s apologetic look, Wei Yang only clicked his tongue nonchalantly, then winked at her, flashing a bright grin full of white teeth.

It’s fine—accompanying my wife, right? As long as she’s happy, what’s the harm in being a doting husband for a day?

That’s what they call romance.

Of course... I’ll be expecting a reward.

Wei Yang gave her a look that clearly said: Tonight—you know what I mean.

Xian’er seemed to catch the meaning in his eyes, and her face instantly turned shy. She bit her lower lip with her pearly teeth and cast him a playful glare before lowering her head, no longer responding to him.

Instead, she turned her full attention to carefully inspecting the items arranged on her stone platform, taking things quite seriously.

”Hehe...”

Wei Yang withdrew his gaze with satisfaction, already filled with anticipation.

A beauty playing the jade flute... is truly the most seductive thing in the world!

Xian’er had always refused in the past, too shy to agree—but tonight, would he finally get his wish?

Jie jie jie...

...

”...”

The others around them were speechless.

The flirting between Wei Yang and Xian’er, right there as if no one else existed, made everyone grit their teeth in frustration.

They were being force-fed dog food right in broad daylight!

A few younger men even threw jealous glances their way.

Among the handful of women present, in terms of beauty and elegance, Xian’er stood out completely—peerless and unrivaled.

How could she not stir jealousy?

Wei Yang completely ignored all the attention, casually sweeping his eyes over the tools laid out on his platform, including a standard-sized alchemy cauldron, compact and uniform in make.

To become a Tier 1 alchemist, the most basic requirement was to independently refine a single complete medicinal pill. As for what kind of pill—that was left to the Alchemist Association to decide at random.

The final quality of the pill would also be judged by the observing alchemists to determine whether it passed or failed.

Wei Yang picked up a piece of parchment from the platform and casually glanced at it.

It was a pill recipe—for a type of pill called the ”Power Accumulation Pill.”

This Power Accumulation Pill could temporarily enhance the user’s strength after consumption.

Among Tier 1 pills, it was pretty average—middle of the pack at best.

But for first-time examinees attempting the assessment, it was still considered fairly difficult.

Setting the recipe down, Wei Yang swept a glance around and quickly noticed that every participant in the exam had received a different pill formula.

For instance, Xian’er had been given the recipe for a pill called the ”Blood Circulation Pill,” which helped activate blood flow and dispel stasis—a much simpler concoction.

”So they’re targeting me on purpose? Trying to make things difficult?”

Wei Yang chuckled indifferently.

A mere Tier 1 pill—whichever one it is—makes no difference in his eyes.

He turned his gaze back to the stone platform.

All of the ingredients required to refine the Power Accumulation Pill were neatly prepared—three full sets.

Which meant: this assessment allowed for three chances—three chances to make a mistake.

...

Just then, the same Tier 3 alchemist who had assigned the platforms spoke again.

”Has everyone finished checking their materials? If there are no objections... then this assessment—”

His eyes swept across the participants standing at each platform. Seeing no one speak, he raised his hand and waved.

”—Begins now!”

A burst of Dou Qi surged from his palm, striking the ancient bronze bell at the top of the hall.

Dong~

A deep, ancient chime echoed throughout the hall, reverberating across every corner.

---------------------------------------------

Support me at patreon for 60+ advanced Chapters :

/YaoIk