The first sight that greeted Liu Xi upon arriving at Jia Nan Academy was a towering, solemn gate radiating majesty.
The wide stairway in front of the gate, as well as the massive plaza beyond, was paved entirely with slabs of black steelrock that gleamed faintly under the sun. The gate itself was carved from flawless white jade, and on the plaque above, the four characters for Jia Nan Academy shone in radiant gold. One glance told him this was no ordinary inscription—it was forged with unimaginable wealth.
Just the sight of the academy's entrance was enough to awe the group of new students. Even Liu Xi, who had grown used to seeing fine things through his years of following Xuan Hao, had to admit inwardly with a soft chuckle, 'So this is the famed Jia Nan Academy… they really are rich.'
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After the new students were ushered in, the senior students who had helped escort them quickly departed, satisfied with the contribution points they had earned.
The fresh recruits were gathered in the vast plaza, where Instructor Zhang Yan stood waiting. According to their evaluated rankings, each student would be distributed to a teaching class and assigned a place of residence.
Once the crowd dispersed, Zhang Yan deliberately made his way to Liu Xi, his expression filled with hope.
"Liu Xi," he said earnestly, "with your talent, you could freely choose any instructor in the Outer Academy. Every single one of them would wish to have you as a student. But if you would join my class, I can guarantee that you will receive the highest level of treatment and cultivation resources available."
Liu Xi paused for a moment. With his talent, the Outer Academy was only going to be a temporary stop. Zhang Yan, though kind, was merely at the Da Dou Shi level—his guidance would be limited. What Liu Xi truly sought was higher-level alchemy.
Seeing the anticipation in Zhang Yan's eyes, Liu Xi offered a small, apologetic smile. "Instructor, to be honest, I intend to join the Alchemy Department."
Zhang Yan wasn't surprised. He had made discreet inquiries during his stay in Lin City and learned of Liu Xi's background—how he had once apprenticed under an alchemist. The entire city knew Liu Xi had already become an Alchemist himself, though his precise tier was uncertain.
Without losing composure, Zhang Yan quickly explained, "That's not a problem. The Alchemy Department and the Enforcement Division are both separate from our teaching classes. Our classes exist to guide students' Dou Qi cultivation. Afterwards, each student chooses to enter either the Enforcement Division for combat training or the Alchemy Department to study medicine refining."
"In the Alchemy Department, dedicated instructors pass down alchemy knowledge and even provide medicinal herbs for practice. In the Enforcement Division, Instructors lead students through real battles, letting them accumulate combat experience. The two paths are different, but they do not conflict."
Liu Xi's eyes brightened in understanding. He smiled and bowed slightly. "So that's how it works. Thank you, Instructor, for clarifying. In that case, I'll gladly join your class."
Hearing the firm response, Zhang Yan broke into a broad grin. He clapped Liu Xi warmly on the shoulder. "Good! Good! You won't regret this."
---
That same day, Zhang Yan personally accompanied Liu Xi through all the necessary procedures, even taking him around the academy to introduce its history and facilities with pride. Afterward, he handed Liu Xi his new academy robes and guided him to his assigned dormitory.
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The next morning, Liu Xi awoke from cultivation in his dormitory bed. After washing up, he donned the white academy uniform. Standing before the mirror, he admired the fit with a confident smirk. "Even in a school uniform, I still look this good. As expected of me."
With that, he set off toward the Alchemy Department.
By now, Liu Xi had long since advanced to a 3rd Tier Alchemist. Though his spiritual power continued to grow alongside his cultivation, Xuan Hao had no higherTier recipes or techniques to teach him beyond the 3rdTier. To progress further, he needed new knowledge.
As he walked along the cobblestone paths of Jia Nan Academy, he passed other youths in matching robes. For a moment, the atmosphere almost made him feel as though he had returned to the campus life of his previous life. He shook his head lightly and chuckled to himself. 'That's a life I can never go back to.'
---
Soon, he arrived at the grand halls of the Alchemy Department. Approaching one of the supervising instructors—a stern middle-aged man—Liu Xi expressed his wish to join.
The man questioned him first. "Do you possess the innate talent for alchemy? Have you trained before?"
Receiving a firm "yes," the instructor launched into an explanation:
"In our Alchemy Department, lessons are regularly given by instructors of 4th Tier or higher. These lectures are open to all, and afterward students may approach the Instructors with questions. If your talent is exceptional, and a high Tier Instructor chooses to take you as a personal disciple, then you'll receive even greater guidance."
"Additionally, every time a student ascends one tier as an Alchemist, the Academy rewards them with three pill recipes of their choice. To obtain more, you must exchange contribution points—earned by refining pills for the Academy. Remember: recipes gained from the Academy must never be leaked outside."
"The Academy provides the herbs for its commissions, but you must guarantee a certain success rate. Separately, every Alchemist is allowed to request herbs each month for personal practice. Failures are tolerated, but successful pills belong to the Academy."
After finishing his explanation, the man looked Liu Xi over and asked, "Since you've trained before, can you refine a 1st Tier Pill?"
Liu Xi answered evenly, "I can refine 3rd Tier Pills."
The instructor froze, frowning deeply. His eyes sharpened with disbelief. "3rd Tier? Are you lying to me?"
"Of course not," Liu Xi replied calmly.
"Then can you prove it here and now?"
"I can."
At once, the instructor's expression grew grave. Without delay, he went to summon an elder to witness.
---
Before long, an elderly man with snow-white hair and a commanding presence arrived, accompanied by the middle-aged instructor.
"Who claims he can refine 3rd Tier Pills?" the elder's voice boomed.
"It's me," Liu Xi stepped forward respectfully.
"Very well, follow me." The elder's eyes flickered with surprise. "You may call me Elder Huo. I am a 5th Tier Alchemist. Today, I will witness your test. Normally, to be certified as a 3rd Tier Alchemist, you must draw lots from three assigned recipes. But today, I'll make an exception. I'll give you the simplest option. If you succeed, you will henceforth enjoy the privileges of a 3rd Tier Alchemist within the Academy."
---
Inside a spacious alchemy chamber, Elder Huo handed him a recipe and herbs.
"This is the Green Wood Pill, a 3rd Tier healing pill. These herbs are enough for two attempts. Show me what you can do."
Liu Xi examined the pill recipe briefly. "Green Wood Pill… mainly for healing wounds. Not too difficult."
He placed his palm against the cauldron, igniting a flame of Dou Qi. One by one, herbs fell into the cauldron, where his spiritual power guided the fire to extract every drop of essence.
Elder Huo's eyes gleamed brighter and brighter as he watched Liu Xi's practiced, fluid motions. 'A natural-born genius…'
"Fuse," Liu Xi commanded in a low voice once the essences had been fully drawn out.
Within the cauldron, the medicinal essences began to coalesce. At first the pill was rough and uneven, but as the flames steadily tempered it, the form grew smooth and round. A fresh fragrance of herbs filled the chamber.
"Condense!"
A small emerald pill flew out of the cauldron. Liu Xi's Dou Qi flickered, catching it neatly in his hand.
Turning to the elder, he presented it respectfully. "Elder Huo, please examine."
The elder accepted it, studied it closely, then nodded in satisfaction. "Round, flawless, free of impurities. Among Green Wood Pills, this is of superior quality. Liu Xi, was this skill passed down from a teacher?"
"Yes," Liu Xi answered reverently. "My teacher is Master Xuan Hao. All my alchemy was taught by him."
Elder Huo sighed softly. "So you already have a master. A pity—we have no chance for a teacher-disciple bond. Still, from today onward, you will receive the full treatment of a 3rd Tier Alchemist in our department."
Liu Xi bowed deeply. "Many thanks, Elder."
(End of Chapter)
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