Invincible Soul Emperor

Chapter 117: Chapter 117: This I Am Good At

Du Pengcheng saw Chang Wei’s hesitant demeanor and had already guessed what was happening, so he turned his gaze to Liu Fu.

Liu Fu was slightly more quick-witted. Although terrified, he still spoke up.

”Replying to Steward Du, we heard that Junior Brother Ye won the Provisional Alchemy Contest. We believe he must be a prodigy in the Alchemy World, so we didn’t want him to rush things. We hoped he would go back and continue to hone his alchemy skills so that he could soar to great heights when he returns!”

An admiring expression appeared on Chang Wei’s face in response to Liu Fu’s answer. How is this kid so shameless? Why didn’t I think of such a self-righteous excuse?

Ye Qingchen scoffed internally. In his eyes, these two were merely clowns. As long as he could successfully complete the alchemist certification, he wouldn’t waste his time on them.

However, Du Pengcheng had no intention of letting them off so easily. He sharply reprimanded them and, using his authority as a Sect steward, penalized them half a year’s worth of their disciple stipend. Only then did he lead Ye Qingchen toward the Alchemy Pavilion.

Chang Wei and Liu Fu exchanged a glance, both seeing the bitterness in the other’s eyes. Li Zongrui had only given them a single Low-grade Spirit Stone. Compared to half a year’s disciple stipend, they had suffered a huge loss.

With Du Pengcheng leading the way, their path was unobstructed. Clearly familiar with the place, Du Pengcheng led Ye Qingchen directly to the certification area and said, ”Kid, the alchemist certification is very strict. Even though I’m a steward of the Qingyun Sect, I can’t pull any strings for you. Whether you succeed is up to you!”

Ye Qingchen knew Du Pengcheng hadn’t come especially for him; speaking up on his behalf was just a coincidence. The steward surely had his own business here, and being shown the way was already a great favor. Naturally, he wouldn’t expect any further help.

Moreover, Ye Qingchen was extremely confident in his own alchemy skills. He didn’t need Du Pengcheng’s help and was certain he would pass the certification on his own.

With this in mind, Ye Qingchen respectfully said to Du Pengcheng, ”I am already immensely grateful that you stood up for me today, Steward Du. Rest assured, I have confidence in my alchemy skills and will not disappoint you!”

Du Pengcheng nodded in satisfaction and led Ye Qingchen into the certification area.

Inside the certification area, a single middle-aged man of about forty or fifty sat in the center. His expression changed slightly when he saw Du Pengcheng lead Ye Qingchen inside.

Du Pengcheng, however, seemed oblivious and greeted the man with a smile. ”Elder Wang, it’s been a while. You look as spirited as ever.”

Only then did Elder Wang rise, speaking in an indifferent tone, ”It’s rare for you to visit my little corner of the Alchemy Pavilion, Steward Du.”

Du Pengcheng waved his hand, gesturing toward Ye Qingchen. ”Elder Wang, this disciple is Ye Qingchen, the champion of the recent Provisional Alchemy Contest. After honing his alchemy skills further, he has come to you to be certified as an alchemist!”

Elder Wang spared Ye Qingchen a brief glance before turning back to Du Pengcheng. ”The Provisional Alchemy Contest just ended a week ago, and he’s already in such a rush to be certified? Isn’t this boy’s temperament a little too hasty?”

Du Pengcheng gave an awkward laugh, while Ye Qingchen bowed to Elder Wang and said, ”Please forgive me, Elder Wang, but I’d still like to try. Even if I fail, at least I’ll know where I’m lacking!”

Elder Wang then gave Ye Qingchen a cold look and said, ”If you want to try, then so be it. To become a certified alchemist, you must pass a test.”

Ye Qingchen nodded and replied, ”Please state the test, Elder Wang.”

Elder Wang tossed a pill prescription to Ye Qingchen. ”This is the prescription for the Six Yang Soul Gathering Pill,” he said. ”Refine it successfully within one hour, and you pass the assessment. But remember, you only get one chance!”

Upon hearing Elder Wang’s words, Ye Qingchen’s heart leaped with joy. He was all too familiar with the Six Yang Soul Gathering Pill. Forget an hour—with his current skills, he could successfully refine it in less than twenty minutes!

Du Pengcheng’s expression, however, changed, and his tone turned harsh. ”Elder Wang, the certification for a First-Grade Alchemist isn’t supposed to be like this, is it? Not only is the Six Yang Soul Gathering Pill one of the most difficult First-Grade Spirit Pills to refine, but the assessment doesn’t normally test something like this. Besides, I remember that every disciple who takes the certification gets three attempts!”

A fleeting look of embarrassment flickered across Elder Wang’s face, but it didn’t escape Ye Qingchen’s Dual Pupil sense.

At first, Ye Qingchen hadn’t thought anything of it, but after hearing what Du Pengcheng said, he also sensed that something was wrong.

Even a true First-Grade Alchemist might not be able to concoct the Six Yang Soul Gathering Pill, let alone succeed on their first attempt. To use this to test a provisional alchemist was truly going too far.

After activating his Dual Pupil Martial Soul, Ye Qingchen clearly heard Elder Wang’s inner thoughts. I can’t very well refuse a task from the Young Sect Master. I’ll just make things difficult for this boy one time. When he comes back for the next assessment, I’ll relax the rules a bit to compensate him.

Ye Qingchen was inwardly amused. Li Zongrui acts like he has no brain, yet he knows enough to have a backup plan. Then again, if he were actually smart, his schemes would be capable of causing me real harm. It seems the only thing he can accomplish is annoying me.

After a brief silence, Elder Wang said, ”Steward Du, this is a new rule of the Alchemy Pavilion. Must we report such things to you in advance?”

”You...” Du Pengcheng started to say, but Ye Qingchen cut him off.

”Elder Wang, I am willing to take this assessment!”

Hearing Ye Qingchen agree, Du Pengcheng said anxiously, ”Ye Qingchen, don’t be rash! If you fail the certification, you won’t be able to attempt it again for a full year. I’d like to see if the Sect Master knows about this ’new rule’ of the Alchemy Pavilion!”

Du Pengcheng turned as if to leave. Knowing the steward intended to stand up for him, Ye Qingchen felt a wave of warmth. He quickly grabbed Du Pengcheng’s arm and said, ”Rest assured, Steward Du. I have confidence in myself!”

Ye Qingchen would not let Du Pengcheng disturb Sect Master Li Qingfeng over this. Since Li Zongrui wanted to annoy him, he might as well show off his strength and let Li Zongrui know he wasn’t to be trifled with!

With a plan already forming in his mind, Ye Qingchen confirmed the details on the prescription one last time and took the herbs Elder Wang handed him.