Chapter 145 - Ridicule

As the ice encased their heads, the trio’s expressions were frozen in that final instant. Their eyes were wide open, displaying vivid emotions. They were not dead, but they were also not truly alive.

Even if they were saved, they would be crippled because the chill had penetrated their bodies, which would cause them severe pain on windy and rainy days. Their dantians were also destroyed by the chill.

After leaving behind the three statues, Liu Wuxie appeared in the alchemy region. This area housed multiple alchemy chambers, each established with earthly flames guided from underground.

Each chamber required a varying amount of credits, with higher-level chambers demanding more. The chambers were designed to cater to one, two, three, and four-star alchemists, with lower-grade chambers being smaller in size.

Liu Wuxie entered a vast hall. If he wanted to enter an alchemy chamber, he would have to pay a certain amount of credit to take the key and enter. Aside from the few spirit stones given by the Imperial Academy, the use of each facility required credits.

The hall was massive, with a scale no lesser than a thousand square meters. But when Liu Wuxie stepped into the hall, it was emptier than he had imagined. He hadn’t expected the Imperial Academy to have so few alchemists.

Approximately sixty individuals, most likely all alchemists, were present in the hall, with the majority being one and two-star alchemists. Anyone who achieved the level of a three-star alchemist could become a teacher, but prodigies like Ji Yang were few and far between.

As for four-star alchemists, their numbers in the Great Yan Dynasty could be counted on two hands.

Liu Wuxie, moving through the crowd, didn’t draw much attention as most alchemists were Profound Grade students. Earth Grade students who became alchemists were not common. There were five counters, and Liu Wuxie approached the closest one.

“I need a fourth-grade alchemy chamber!” Liu Wuxie’s voice wasn’t loud, but it was heard by many.

After all, standard alchemy chambers were of no use to him due to the strict categorization of alchemy chambers. If he used a third-grade alchemy chamber, he wouldn’t be able to refine fourth-grade pills.

The middle-aged elder in charge of the counter was taken aback when he heard Liu Wuxie’s request. The Imperial Academy only had one alchemy chamber for four-star alchemists, and it had been a while since it was last occupied. It would be noteworthy if the third-grade alchemy chamber was used even once or twice a year.

“Pardon me?” The elder asked, unsure if he had heard correctly.

“I want a fourth-grade alchemy chamber for two days!” Liu Wuxie raised his voice. This time, everyone in the hall heard him. His voice was like a bomb that exploded in the crowd, causing everyone to turn and look at Liu Wuxie with puzzled expressions.

“Nonsense! What do you think this place is? Hurry up and leave; don’t cause trouble here!” The elder roared, thinking that Liu Wuxie was there to stir up trouble.

The fourth-grade alchemy chamber was last used by the headmaster a year ago for refining pills; it had been vacant since then.

“Hahaha!” A burst of laughter came from the surroundings.

“Where did this brat come from, declaring he wants to use the fourth-grade alchemy chamber? What a joke!” A purple-robed man sneered with a cold gleam flashing in his eyes.

“Judging from his appearance, he’s only seventeen. He’s probably barely an apprentice. Does he think that anyone can become an alchemist?” Mockery echoed from the surroundings.

However, Liu Wuxie ignored them. He couldn’t enter the fourth-grade alchemy chamber without the key. He had many fresh herbs on him that couldn’t last long. Thus, he didn’t have much time to waste.

“Elder, how can I enter the fourth-grade alchemy chamber then?” Liu Wuxie suppressed the anger in his heart. The presence of assassins from the Assassin Pavilion prevented him from visiting the Treasure Pill Pavilion to refine the pills, even though it offered superior facilities compared to the Imperial Academy. A return journey would consume an entire day, a luxury of time he didn’t have.

“Unfortunately, it’s not possible. The chamber is exclusively for four-star alchemists. You need to demonstrate your status as a four-star alchemist to use it. In addition to being exempted from the credits, you will also receive a bonus reward from the academy,” the elder responded, disregarding Liu Wuxie. Anyone wishing to use the alchemy chamber had to present the alchemist token issued by the Alchemy Association.

The token had the alchemist's information engraved, and the news of Liu Wuxie becoming a four-star alchemist hadn’t reached the Imperial Academy yet.

Just as Liu Wuxie was about to present his alchemist token, a disturbance erupted behind him, drawing everyone’s attention to a group of about ten people.

“That’s Senior Brother Ji Yang. He’s actually here!” A voice echoed through the hall, sparking a wave of excitement among the crowd. Compliments and flattery filled the air.

Liu Wuxie turned to see what the commotion was about and spotted a familiar face in the crowd. It was Ji Yang, whom he had met back in the competition. The memory of the threat Liu Wuxie had received from Shangguan Cai that night was still fresh in Liu Wuxie’s mind; Shangguan Cai had vowed to cripple him after he refused his offer.

After the competition had concluded, Liu Wuxie found himself the target of an ambush set up by Yun Lan and Nangong Qi, which nearly cost him his life.

A smirk played on Ji Yang’s lips as he strolled around with a man and a woman trailing behind him, akin to guards or servants. He wore a prideful smile as he stood there with several female alchemists looking at him with admiration.

“Congratulations, Senior Brother Ji Yang, on becoming a four-star alchemist!” Ji Yang had passed the assessment as a four-star alchemist a few days ago.

Soon after the contest, Ji Yang had made his way back to the academy. He had successfully advanced to the Marrow Cleansing Realm and proceeded to the Alchemy Association, where he earned the title of a four-star alchemist. Once he had solidified his cultivation, he ventured into the alchemy area with the intention of refining several fourth-grade pills.

“As expected of the youngest four-star alchemist in the Great Yan Dynasty. With him around, there’s a high chance that the Great Yan Dynasty can become the champion in the next competition.”

Cultivation required pills. Due to this, alchemists held a noble status and were highly revered in every dynasty.

Ji Yang might not be the youngest to reach the Marrow Cleansing Realm, but he was the youngest four-star alchemist in the Great Yan Dynasty. Just this title alone made him stand out among the crowd.

“Thank you, everyone. I have some matters to attend to, but I’ll host a gathering to discuss alchemy techniques!” Ji Yang cupped his fists together at the surrounding crowd while heading to the counter without wasting any time.

“Senior Brother Ji Yang is truly our model. I have to attend that gathering and seek an improvement in my alchemy technique!” Another compliment was heard. If it were anyone else proposing to host the alchemy gathering, they might have been overwhelmed by the skepticism of others. However, Ji Yang was an exception due to his credentials as a four-star alchemist.

He had perfectly executed the method of winning hearts with just a few words before walking to a counter with the man and woman.

“Young Master Ji, the fourth-grade alchemy chamber has been prepared for you, and you can enter anytime.” The elder responsible for the counter wore a flattering expression. He even used an honorific term to address Ji Yang, and his smile spread wide.

“Thank you, Elder Bi!” Ji Yang bowed lightly but without much gratitude, as it was a formality, fully exhibiting his arrogance and pride.

Elder Bi took out a key from behind the counter. But just when he was about to hand it to Ji Yang, a cold voice interrupted them, “Hold up!”

When everyone turned to look at the source of the voice, they burst into laughter, “What is that brat trying to do by stopping Senior Brother Ji Yang from entering the fourth-grade alchemy chamber?”

Liu Wuxie was the one who interrupted. He was the first to arrive, and there was only one fourth-grade alchemy chamber. Thus, he expected to be given a preference.

A cold light flashed in Ji Yang’s eyes as he turned around and saw Liu Wuxie.

However, Liu Wuxie ignored him as he stared at Elder Bi.

“I told you to leave! What are you still doing here?” Elder Bi expressed displeasure, prompting Liu Wuxie to leave in order to avoid further humiliation.

“Why can he be allowed to enter while I can’t?” Liu Wuxie questioned with murderous intent flashing in his eyes, which made Elder Bi stagger.

“Is that brat insane? How can he be comparable to Senior Brother Ji Yang? Senior Brother Ji Yang is the youngest four-star alchemist in the Great Yan Dynasty, and he was probably still in diapers when Senior Brother Ji Yang started refining pills.” A purple-robed man spoke up. Liu Wuxie was familiar with this person as he had mocked him before with Bai Qiong the other day.

Ji Yang maintained his silence as he smiled at Liu Wuxie. The two weren’t strangers, but they had never spoken. Back in the competition, Ji Yang rarely spoke and remained silent most of the time, including when Shangguan Cai had threatened Liu Wuxie.

Despite this, Ji Yang felt humiliated as no one had ever dared to challenge him before. His advancement to the Marrow Cleansing Realm was postponed due to Liu Wuxie. Had it not been for this delay, he would have achieved the status of a four-star alchemist a month earlier. Hence, his resentment towards Liu Wuxie was profound.

However, Liu Wuxie ignored the surrounding ridicule and waited for Elder Bi’s response.

“Brat, don’t say I didn’t give you a chance. Only a four-star alchemist can use the fourth-grade alchemy chamber. Are you a four-star alchemist then?” Elder Bi asked. There had never been a four-star alchemist under the age of twenty.

Ji Yang became a four-star alchemist at the age of twenty-four, and that was enough for him to shine brightly in the Great Yan Dynasty. It was no wonder that Elder Bi treated Liu Wuxie with impatience.

“You’re saying that as long as I can prove I’m a four-star alchemist, I can use the fourth-grade alchemy chamber?” Liu Wuxe sneered. He was planning to take out his alchemist token when Ji Yang’s arrival had disrupted him.

Ji Yang narrowed his eyes upon hearing his response, as he knew that Liu Wuxie possessed an unfathomable alchemy technique. Back in the competition, Liu Wuxie had refined a third-grade pill with cultivation in the third-level Xiantian Realm.

It had been a month since the competition, and Liu Wuxie might have become a four-star alchemist already. But he soon shook his head, as it was impossible to refine fourth-grade pills without reaching the Marrow Cleansing Realm.

“As long as you can prove you’re a four-star alchemist, there’s no reason to stop you.” Elder Bi didn’t know Liu Wuxie, and he naturally wouldn’t believe that Liu Wuxie was a four-star alchemist. This was why he ridiculed Liu Wuxie in hopes of flattering Ji Yang.