Alchemy Master

Chapter 482, So Slow

Translator: Silavin

As the assessment began, Duan Zihai cast a provocative glance at Qin Yichen before picking up a bottle of Medicinal Liquid and started to sniff it.

Although there was only Medicinal Liquid extracted from a single medicinal herb, identifying the name of the herb and even its approximate age was no simple task.

Even with Duan Zihai’s knowledge and Spiritual Energy, it took him five or six minutes to put down the first bottle. Judging by his expression, although it was somewhat difficult, he had still managed to identify the medicinal herb in the first bottle of Medicinal Liquid.

At this point, Qin Yichen still had not made a move.

“Hmph! At least you know your place!” Duan Zihai glanced at Qin Yichen and laughed.

Medicinal Liquid mixed with different medicinal herbs was several times more difficult than his own. Trying to identify eight bottles of Medicinal Liquid within the time of a stick of incense burning was simply impossible.

“Qin Yichen…” Seeing that the incense had already burned down a small section, yet Qin Yichen still had not moved, Tian Liang could not help but call out.

Qin Yichen did not respond to Tian Liang’s call. In fact, as if he had given up and found it too boring, he simply sat down on a chair nearby.

“Hehe… Elder Duan, rest assured, this kid definitely won’t be able to enter our Alchemy Manor.” Seeing Qin Yichen’s actions, the middle-aged invigilator laughed sycophantically at Duan Quan.

“En, well done.” Duan Quan nodded and said softly, then looked arrogantly at Tian Liang.

“Old Tian, do you now understand what despair feels like? How dare you oppose me? Since the Manor Master is still around, I won’t personally kill you, but there are plenty of ways to make you wish you were dead!” Duan Quan walked up to Tian Liang and whispered in his ear. The naked threats and malice in his words made Tian Liang’s body violently tremble.

“Duan Quan, you shameless bastard!” Tian Liang pointed at Duan Quan in anger and shouted loudly. “Because of our personal grudge, you actually use such despicable methods against an uninvolved youth. Do you not have any dignity as an Elder!?”

“Elder Tian, one can eat carelessly, but one shouldn’t speak carelessly. Which of your eyes saw me making things difficult for him?” Following Tian Liang’s outburst, Duan Quan’s expression became serious, and he replied with a smile. However, his face clearly said, “Even if I did it. What can you do about it?”

“You!” Tian Liang’s anger surged, feeling a tightness in his chest, but he could not refute Duan Quan’s words.

The two glared at each other, and during this standoff, the incense stick gradually burned down.

*Phew…* When only about a tenth of the incense remained, Duan Zihai let out a soft sigh, having finally identified all eight Medicinal Liquids!

“Good job!” Seeing Duan Zihai’s confident expression, Duan Quan could not help but exclaim.

When he had taken this test years ago, he only needed to identify five Medicinal Liquids to pass. At that time, he had tried his best and only managed to identify seven Medicinal Liquids within the time it took one incense stick to burn.

“Sir, I have completed the task.”

Duan Zihai looked at the small section of incense left, which would probably take another five or six minutes to burn out completely. He had completed the task faster than Duan Quan had from years ago, and had even identified one more Medicinal Liquid, which made Duan Zihai eager to have his answers verified.

As for Qin Yichen?

Duan Zihai had completely ignored him. Anyone who saw those mixed Medicinal Liquids would probably have no choice but to give up.

“Good, then…” The middle-aged invigilator nodded, but his eyes glanced towards Tian Liang. The incense still had yet to completely burn out, and having learned from his previous lessons, he did not want to give the latter any excuse to accuse him of arbitrarily changing the time.

“Boy, you haven’t really given up, right…?” Tian Liang sighed and shook his head in disappointment. This could not really be blamed on Qin Yichen. It was clear that the invigilator was deliberately making things difficult for them. Mixed Medicinal Liquids—how could anyone identify eight bottles within the time it took one incense stick to burn?

“You’re finally done? So slow…” At this moment, a lazy voice sounded. Qin Yichen was seen stretching from his chair and slowly stood up.

Then, under the astonished gazes of several people, he slowly walked to the ten somewhat chaotic bottles of Medicinal Liquid.

“What? Don’t tell me he still wants to try and identify them?”

Seeing Qin Yichen pick up a bottle of Medicinal Liquid, Duan Quan snorted coldly and mocked.

*Click!*

But as soon as his words fell, with a light sound, the bottle was put back by Qin Yichen, who then picked up the second bottle.

“Hahaha…”

Seeing Qin Yichen’s actions, Duan Quan could not help but laugh. Just one glance before putting it down—was this kid deliberately trying to make a fool of them?

*Click!*

In just a few breaths, Qin Yichen had put the second bottle back and picked up the third one.

As he continued, Tian Liang’s expression sank, and the unease in his heart intensified.

Several medicinal herbs mixed together, needing to be identified within the time it took for one incense stick to burn—this level of difficulty was something even he could only sigh in resignation.

In less than a few minutes, Qin Yichen had basically picked up each bottle. He looked at each for a couple of seconds, and put them back. By the time the last bit of ash fell from the incense stick, the final bottle of Medicinal Liquid had also been returned from Qin Yichen’s hand.

“Time’s up! Time’s up!”

Seeing the incense completely burned out, the middle-aged invigilator hurriedly shouted, as if afraid Qin Yichen might change his mind.

In Tian Liang’s eyes, the small glimmer of brightness that had been there previously now dimmed. [Is it really impossible after all?]

“Alright, time’s up. Start answering now!”

The middle-aged invigilator, almost snatching, pulled the Medicinal Liquids in front of Qin Yichen away, and then declared.

“Let me go first!” Duan Zihai said confidently.

He pointed at the first bottle of Medicinal Liquid and said. “This is Medicinal Liquid refined from Cloud Water Grass!”

“Impressive! Cloud Water Grass is an extremely rare medicinal herb. Even in our Alchemy Manor, not many have come into contact with it. I didn’t expect you to have such profound knowledge and could identify it. Truly worthy of being a member of the Duan Family!”

As soon as Duan Zihai finished speaking, the middle-aged invigilator immediately clapped his hands and praised.

“You flatter me.” Duan Zihai was clearly pleased. After nodding, he pointed at the second bottle of Medicinal Liquid and said. “This Medicinal Liquid is refined from Blue Illusion Fruit!”

“It is indeed Blue Illusion Fruit!”

“This is Medicinal Liquid refined from Gulf Grass!”

…

Each time Duan Zihai identified a bottle of Medicinal Liquid, the middle-aged invigilator would praise him. In total, Duan Zihai directly identified eight bottles of Medicinal Liquid.

In less than the time of one incense stick burning, he had identified eight types of Medicinal Liquid. It was evident that Duan Zihai’s arrogance was indeed justified!