Chapter 56: The Alchemist Convention Begins

"That is Master Fa Ma, the president of the Jia Ma Empire's Apothecary Guild. Currently, his alchemy skills are second only to Elder Gu He, and it is said that he is about to reach the level of a sixth-grade Alchemy Master."

"That is Che Mi Er, the vice president of the Alchemist Association."

"That is Mu Chen, the former patriarch of the Mu Family."

"That is Jia Lao, the guardian of the royal family."

Yun Yun introduced each of them to Chen Mo one by one, ensuring that the Yunlan Sect did not lose its manners.

"Junior Chen Mo greets all the seniors!" Chen Mo respectfully cupped his fists and bowed.

"Haha, young man, it's been a long time since we last met."

"Your performance at the Yunlan Sect's grand competition that day truly amazed us old folks!"

"I heard you even managed to cure the Branding Poison within Nalan Jie's body."

"Heroes emerge from the youth. It seems that what Gu He said was not an exaggeration—you have indeed become a renowned alchemist."

The VIPs who had witnessed Chen Mo's performance at the Yunlan Sect that day greeted him warmly and praised him.

Chen Mo smiled calmly but did not engage further in the conversation.

Some of the previously expressionless strong individuals, seeing such heavyweight figures greeting this young man with goodwill, began to speculate about his identity.

They came from outside the Jia Ma Empire and had not heard of Chen Mo.

Yun Yun led the two of them to sit in the spectator seats to the left of Fa Ma.

There was still some time before the Alchemist Convention began. Fa Ma, whose face resembled dried wood, asked Chen Mo, "What level is your alchemy at now?"

Fa Ma, noticing that Chen Mo had not participated in any alchemist assessments, wanted to know his current level.

Several strong individuals who were unaware of Chen Mo's identity also pricked up their ears to listen.

"Second-grade," Chen Mo replied, thinking that with some effort, he might be able to refine a third-grade elixir during the convention.

The strong individuals were surprised. How could a mere second-grade alchemist be treated so well by the president of the Apothecary Guild?

But Fa Ma's next words left them utterly stunned, "Already second-grade? Not bad, not bad!"

In just over three months, from a complete novice in alchemy to a second-grade alchemist, he could indeed be considered a genius.

"Haha, coincidentally, I'm just here to make up the numbers at today's Alchemist Convention!" Chen Mo laughed.

"Make up the numbers?" Fa Ma looked puzzled.

"Just passing through," Chen Mo explained.

"Oh," Fa Ma nodded. Indeed, a second-grade alchemist would only be considered average at today's convention.

"Sect Master."

"Yan Ran."

"Junior Brother."

Two figures walked in from outside.

Chen Mo raised an eyebrow. How did these two end up together? He then smiled and responded, "Senior Brothers."

The newcomers were Liu Ling and Mo Li.

Seeing Chen Mo sitting between the two women, they frowned slightly.

"Junior Liu Ling greets President Fa Ma," Liu Ling said respectfully to the elder beside Yun Yun.

"Sit down. Where is Gu He?" Fa Ma's attitude toward Liu Ling was not as warm as it was toward Chen Mo, but it wasn't bad either. He casually pointed to an empty seat and asked about Gu He.

"Teacher has been invited by the Medicine Sovereign to the Black-Corner Region."

"Oh? Medicine Sovereign Han Feng." Fa Ma showed a hint of surprise. What were these two up to?

Chen Mo, who had little to no connection with the two, casually responded and then closed his eyes to rest.

Liu Ling, still harboring ulterior motives, stretched his neck from afar to strike up a conversation with Nalan Yanran.

Especially Mo Li, who was actually offering advice on the side, truly an old dog strategist.

About ten minutes passed like this.

"His Majesty has arrived!" A loud voice echoed above the square.

Everyone stood up in unison, shouting "Your Majesty!"

Above the square, a middle-aged man in a dragon robe, with a dignified expression, appeared in everyone's sight amidst the cheers.

Beside him was the Little Princess, wearing a light green Alchemist Robe, and a tall woman with a somewhat similar appearance to the Little Princess, exuding a cold and elegant demeanor.

Moreover, the woman carried a majestic aura akin to Queen Medusa, lacking the queen's allure but possessing a cold and mature charm.

The middle-aged man merely nodded, said something to the two beside him, and then sat down on the dragon throne behind him.

The two women descended the square via the nearby steps.

As the two women approached Jia Lao, Chen Mo glanced over, bowed slightly, and smiled, "Greetings to both Your Highnesses!"

Although Chen Mo didn't know the identity of the tall woman, he could guess she was a princess.

Jia Lao, noticing the flash of admiration in Chen Mo's eyes earlier, suddenly had an idea and pointed to the tall woman, smiling, "Young man, you've already met Yue'er. This is Yue'er's elder sister, Yao Ye. She is in charge of the security and the upcoming friendly match."

Hearing this, Chen Mo was startled. According to the system's prompt, this woman was not only a three-star Dou Grand Master but also had such capabilities.

Judging by her age, she was only about twenty-five or twenty-six.

"Yao Ye, this is Chen Mo, who recently became well-known throughout the capital. It's worth mentioning that he is now a second-grade Alchemist." Jia Lao had clearly heard what Fa Ma had asked earlier.

As for the truth, Chen Mo wouldn't lie, as the truth would soon be revealed.

Hearing their great-grandfather's words, both women were surprised. It was rare to find someone with exceptional talent in cultivation and also skilled in Alchemy.

Especially since they knew that Chen Mo had only been involved in Alchemy for a little over three months and was already a second-grade Alchemist.

This was simply...

"A monster," Yao Ye recalled the public's recent evaluation of Chen Mo, then extended a hand of friendship, smiling slightly, "Hello, Mr. Chen Mo."

"Hello, Princess Yao Ye."

Their handshake was brief.

Yao Ye and Yao Yue retreated behind Jia Lao.

Subsequently, the Alchemists participating in the Alchemist Convention entered the venue.

Fa Ma announced the commencement of the Alchemist Convention.

Under the scorching sky, countless flames suddenly rose in the square. Following the formulas provided by the convention, the Alchemists threw the medicinal ingredients into the Alchemy Cauldrons one by one, in sequence.

After more than ten minutes, those who were quick had already completed their Elixirs and removed them from the cauldrons.

Chen Mo's Thunder Fire technique caught everyone's attention, but his Alchemy skills were merely commendable, allowing him to pass the first round of assessment.

In the second round, he barely managed to refine a third-grade Elixir.

As Chen Mo passed the second round, a wave of astonishment swept through the VIP seats.

"A sixteen-year-old third-grade Alchemist, my goodness!"

"From what I understand, he has only been involved in Alchemy for a little over three months and can already independently refine third-grade Elixirs."

"This guy is a bit too strong."

Both Jia Lao and Fa Ma's eyes revealed looks of astonishment.

Achieving the rank of a third-grade Alchemist in just over three months—who in the history of the Jia Ma Empire could accomplish such a feat?

Even Pill King Gu He fell far short of this.

"No wonder my great-grandfather holds him in such high regard. Last night, he even encouraged me

to interact with him more," Yao Ye's beautiful eyes sparkled.

PS: There isn't much focus on alchemy in this chapter. The next chapter will be about the friendly competition.