Martial Master

The crowd was abuzz with discussion, enviously looking at Zhou Tao.

At twenty-five years old, being a first-grade alchemist is rare even in the entire history of Alchemy Pavilion in the Da Qi Kingdom.

Even Huang Yuling and Luo Guanshi looked on with admiration, their eyes sparkling.

"Look at that, he is the true genius. If he takes a liking to me, I’ll be set for life."

Casting a disdainful glance at Qin Chen, Huang Yuling's thoughts were already spinning as she contemplated how to seduce Zhou Tao later.

"Lastly, the fifth one, Wang An, ninety-two points!"

The person who walked out this time was an old man with graying hair and beard, estimated to be over sixty. He trembled excitedly, his beard shaking.

"Heaven has opened its eyes; it has not abandoned this old man."

The old man’s eyes were brimming with tears, nearly crying.

Seeing this, the crowd sighed.

Many who knew Wang An were regulars at the Alchemy Pavilion. In fact, he became a senior alchemy apprentice in his thirties.

Over the next nearly thirty years, this man had taken the alchemist assessment several times each year, totaling no less than a hundred attempts, yet he still had not become a first-grade alchemist.

This was his fifth time passing the first round of assessments, so it was no wonder he was so emotional.

If he failed again, future opportunities would only grow more distant.

"Alright, there are just five of you who have passed. Pack your things and get ready to follow me inside. The rest can leave; come back next time," Wang Jun rolled up the list and turned to leave.

Not far away, Qin Chen was stunned.

Is this the end?

"Wait, what about me?"

Stepping forward, Qin Chen couldn’t help but ask.

He was very clear about his own answer; there was absolutely no problem passing this first round of assessments.

But now, his name was surprisingly absent from the list. How could this be?

"You?" Wang Jun turned and glared at Qin Chen, sneering, "Who do you think you are? No name means you didn’t pass the assessment. You don’t even understand that? Why ask so many questions?"

He had seen the attitudes of Chen Mu and Ouyang Cheng toward Qin Chen just now. He knew the mentor was not fond of this person, so how could his attitude be good?

"Who is this? Asking such a stupid question."

"Let me see, ha, it’s actually this guy."

So it turns out to be the kid who submitted his paper in half an hour.

"Hehe, I heard he isn’t even an alchemy apprentice and still came to participate in the assessment. It’s one thing to participate, but submitting in half an hour; now he’s asking why his name isn't there."

"Heavens, is he here to be funny?"

The crowd looked at Qin Chen, their expressions were strange, revealing mockery.

"Why isn't your name there? Do you still need to ask? You’ve been eliminated, do you understand? Still pretending, what are you pretending for?"

Unable to hold back any longer, Huang Yuling looked at him with disdain.

"At this point, you’re still pretending? Aren't you tired?"

"I'm tired just watching you."

"Youth, don't aim too high; being practical is the true path," Luo Guanshi also couldn’t help but scoff.

In an instant, Qin Chen became the target of everyone's ridicule.

With a scoff, Wang Jun turned around, preparing to lead the five who passed the first round into the assessment room. Suddenly, with a creak, the door of the assessment room swung open, and three figures rushed out.

"Master Liu Guang, Mentor Ouyang, Master Chen Mu."

Recognizing the visitors, Wang Jun was startled and hurriedly bowed respectfully.

"Who is Qin Chen?"

Unexpectedly, Liu Guang didn’t even look at him, urgently shouting, his gaze darting around the hall, extremely anxious.

"What happened?"

A sudden shock hit Huang Yuling and Luo Guanshi simultaneously.

Seeing Master Liu Guang act so hurriedly, could it be that Qin Chen did something inside that angered him?

"We're doomed; Qin Chen is the one I brought over. If anything happens, I'm the one in trouble."

"Master Liu Guang, this is Qin Chen. He isn’t even an alchemy apprentice, he insisted on participating in the alchemist assessment. I was forced to bring him," Huang Yuling quickly distanced herself, saying.