As a wisp of the Elixir’s mystical aura fused with him, Qin Feng discovered that the tyrannical Suihuo within his Suihuang Spiritual Vein had become a touch gentler.

With a thought from Qin Feng, a cluster of Red Gold Flame appeared in the palm of his hand.

The Flame danced and morphed, bending to his will.

’If I refine a few more batches of Elixirs,’ Qin Feng thought, ’harmonizing the three Spirit Fires might come naturally.’

In turn, having been nurtured by the Suihuang Spiritual Vein, a deep purple pattern appeared on the twelve Purple Light Elixirs, whose auras had reached Perfection. The markings looked as if they were a natural part of the Elixirs themselves.

Pill Patterns.

These were markings that only appeared on Top-Grade Elixirs.

’This is great stuff!’

Qin Feng’s eyes lit up. This kind of Elixir offered irreplaceable benefits to a Martial Arts Strongman who aimed to forge an Upper Vehicle foundation in the Martial Dao.

If a High-Level Elixir was nurtured within a Spirit Vein, the Alchemist would gain even greater benefits.

Qin Feng recalled the Mystic Turtle Divine Pill and thought to himself, ’What a shame. I couldn’t keep that treasure. Otherwise, if I had placed it in my Spirit Vein to nurture, I might have been able to refine a true Divine Pill!’

Qin Feng continued to circulate the Mixed Element Star Technique, using his Suihuang Spiritual Vein to nurture the Elixirs one by one.

Qin Feng didn’t use his other two Spirit Veins.

Both the Sun Spirit Vein and the Heaven-Burning Spirit Vein were exceptionally tyrannical. They were not suitable for nurturing ordinary Elixirs. A typical Elixir would be unable to withstand the scorching temperatures of the True Sun Fire and the Heaven-Burning Blood Flame, and would easily be refined into nothing.

’Some other day, I’ll gather some Spirit Medicines and refine a batch of Nine Yang Pills. The Nine Yang Pill is especially suited for nurturing the Sun Spirit Vein. And the Nirvana Pill would be perfect for nurturing the Heaven-Burning Spirit Vein!’

With this in mind, Qin Feng diligently circulated the Mixed Element Star Technique, wringing out every last benefit from the twelve Soul Refining Pills.

An hour later, Qin Feng sensed that the twelve Soul Refining Pills had reached their nurturing limit within his Suihuang Spiritual Vein.

Pill Patterns had now appeared on all twelve of the Soul Refining Pills.

Qin Feng knew that the nurturing of these twelve Soul Refining Pills had reached its limit. Continuing the process would be of little use to the Suihuang Spiritual Vein.

This was because the Soul Refining Pills were of too low a grade.

The next moment, Qin Feng rose to his feet as an invisible aura rippled from his body.

SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!

One after another, twelve streaks of purple light shot out. Qin Feng’s eyes narrowed, and with a flick of his wide sleeve, an invisible force halted the twelve Soul Refining Pills in midair.

Qin Feng quickly grabbed a Jade Bottle and, with a flick of his wrist, precisely collected the twelve purple lights within it.

Slowly raising his head, Qin Feng realized that the Second-grade Alchemist examination was nearing its conclusion.

The Sun Dial in the center of the arena showed that the allotted six hours were almost up.

Qin Feng glanced around. Not many had completed the Second-grade Alchemist examination. Many of the contestants were drenched in sweat, having already used all three portions of their medicinal ingredients in their Alchemy Furnaces.

At least there seemed to be fewer exploding furnaces...

Before long, a clear bell chimed with a loud DANG. With that sound, the Second-grade Alchemist examination was officially over.

...

Fifteen minutes later, Qin Feng walked out of Circular Arena No. 2.

In the palm of his hand was a new badge.

The badge of a Second-grade Alchemist!

The red-robed girl emerged from behind Qin Feng. As she gazed at the black-robed youth, Ji Huang’Er’s beautiful eyes held an unreadable expression.

"Qin Feng, congratulations!" Just then, another voice called out.

Qin Feng turned to see the figure of Yue Ji. Beside her stood an exceptionally handsome, black-robed young man.

Yue Ji’s bright, phoenix-like eyes scanned over Qin Feng, a hint of surprise within them.

A fifteen-year-old Second-grade Alchemist.

’Another prodigy,’ she thought.

Especially since she’d heard from Ji Huang’Er that he had just won the Hidden Dragon Points Competition.

’A fellow with decent potential!’

Someone like him was worthy of her attention, but that was all.

With an indifferent look in her beautiful eyes, Yue Ji began walking toward another examination area. She still had to preside over the Third Grade Alchemist examination, and Master Lianshan and the others had likely already arrived.

After Yue Ji left, Ye Ding walked over, surrounded by a flock of adoring young women.

Ye Ding sized up Qin Feng, his sword-like brows furrowing slightly. After a moment, he spoke. "Congratulations on becoming a Second-grade Alchemist, Qin Feng. You have now stepped into the true halls of the Alchemists!"

Though his words were praiseworthy, his tone shifted in the next moment. "However, Qin Feng, your aptitude is indeed good, but a young man must not grow arrogant. You are only a Second-grade Alchemist. You still have a long way to go!"

His expression was placid, but his long, thin eyebrows were like sharp swords. His gaze sized up Qin Feng with a piercing quality, and his tone was laced with a deeper meaning.

’Is this a warning, or is he trying to put me in my place?’

Qin Feng remained expressionless.

Having said his piece, the group departed.

Qin Feng watched the backs of Ye Ding and his entourage, a cold smile touching his lips.

’A Fourth Grade Alchemist, is he? Heh heh...’

After a moment’s thought, Qin Feng turned and headed for the Alchemist Hall.

A few dozen breaths later, Qin Feng’s figure reappeared in front of the counter.

The freckled girl was in the middle of helping another black-robed apprentice when she looked up and saw a familiar figure.

"Senior, you’re..." The freckled girl gave Qin Feng a questioning look.

Seeing Qin Feng in the formal black robes of a certified Alchemist, the apprentice quickly and respectfully stepped aside.

Qin Feng directly pulled out the Second Grade badge that signified his qualification as a Second-grade Alchemist and tossed it on the counter. The freckled girl stared blankly at the badge.

The strange senior before her had actually passed the Second-grade Alchemist examination.

But his next nonchalant words left her completely dumbfounded.

"Help me fill out a registration form. I want to apply for the Third Grade Alchemist examination!"

BOOM!

’The Third Grade Alchemist examination?’

Her mind reeled, and the freckled girl’s mouth fell open into an "O" shape.

"What are you spacing out for? Hurry up and fill out the form. I hear the Third Grade Alchemist examination is about to begin!"

Qin Feng reminded her by tapping on the counter.

Just then, Ji Huang’Er emerged from a side door into the Alchemist Hall. The hall was mostly empty and felt quite spacious. Black-robed apprentices moved about in twos and threes, deep in discussion and debate.

A few students from All Stars Academy also walked in, heading for the adjacent Library Pavilion, hoping to learn about the path of alchemy.

The hall was very quiet.

A faint, elegant, and tranquil aroma of medicine wafted through the air, and a soothing smile appeared on Ji Huang’Er’s stunning face.

The pent-up frustration she felt because of Qin Feng seemed to ease somewhat.

Just then, an all-too-familiar figure appeared before her eyes.

’Qin Feng! It’s that bastard again!’

’But what is he doing at the counter?’

A thought flickered through her mind, and a hint of curiosity appeared in her eyes. As a peculiar light shone in their depths, Ji Huang’Er paused. She decided she wanted to see just what Qin Feng was up to.

"Alright, Senior Qin Feng, here is your registration form! The Third Grade Alchemist examination will be held in one hour in Circular Arena No. 3. Please be on time!"

Having completed Qin Feng’s registration, the freckled girl dazedly handed a registration form and a Points Card to him, her mind a complete jumble.

She didn’t even notice when Qin Feng left.