Jiang Chen entered the Lingyun Martial Academy and quickly established a general understanding of its structure.
The Academy was split into the Inner Palace and the Outer Palace. The Inner Palace housed core students and those who made the prestigious Lingyun Roll, while the Outer Palace was the primary gathering place for the majority of students.
Outer Palace students were further stratified into three tiers: Bronze, Silver, and Gold.
Gold Students were exceptional talents, the chosen few.
Silver Students were admitted based on their own impressive strength, possessing talent that was far from poor.
Bronze Students, like Jiang Chen, were those who had relied on various channels and backdoor entries to gain admission.
Jiang Chen was, officially, the type of Bronze Student least welcomed in the academy.
"Brother Jiang Chen, we have an alchemy class scheduled for the Bronze Class this afternoon. Interested in checking it out?"
While Jiang Chen was reviewing the academy's hierarchy, a rotund young man walked up to him. This was Tang Sheng, Jiang Chen's roommate, who had been instrumental in helping him settle in.
"An alchemy class?" Jiang Chen's interest was immediately piqued. "Since there's a class, let's go."
The two arrived at the Bronze Class classroom, which was already filled with nearly a hundred students. Among them was Lin Yang, who had lost a Body Tempering Pill to Jiang Chen that very morning.
"Jiang Chen, you're here for the alchemy class? Do you even know what the hell alchemy is?" Lin Yang sneered, his eyes filled with disdain as Jiang Chen walked in.
"Even if I don't understand it, I guarantee I'm better than you," Jiang Chen replied, the corner of his mouth curving slightly. "If you're not convinced, cough up another Body Tempering Pill. I don't mind having another bet!"
The mention of the pill instantly wiped the smug look from Lin Yang's face. He let out a choked snort and quickly settled into his seat without another word.
"Holy shit, who is that kid? He's got the guts to make Lin Yang choke on his own words!"
"His name is Jiang Chen, a newcomer. I heard he won a Body Tempering Pill from Lin Yang in a gambling match this morning."
"Damn, that's impressive."
The Third-Rank Alchemist
At that moment, a beautiful instructor, appearing to be in her early twenties, walked into the classroom. An immediate silence fell over the room.
The profession of an Alchemist commanded immense respect. The stunning instructor before them, Su Lingxiang, was a famous alchemy prodigy in the Lingyun Academy. She was already a Third-Rank Alchemist. With that identity, few people in the entire academy dared to disrespect her.
Su Lingxiang stepped up to the podium. Her lovely eyes scanned the room, and a sweet, clear voice began to speak.
"Students, you have entered the Lingyun Academy and have received an introduction to alchemy. In today's class, I will personally demonstrate the process of alchemy for you."
As she spoke, Su Lingxiang waved her hand. A foot-tall pill furnace and an assortment of medicinal materials appeared on the platform.
"Today, I will demonstrate the refining of the unranked Power Enhancement Pill."
"In alchemy, the first step is to raise the furnace temperature, ensuring the cauldron is heated evenly. Then, the necessary medicinal materials are added in precise order. Once the material is dissolved, the essences are stabilized, and the pill can be condensed."
Su Lingxiang performed the alchemy while she spoke, the entire process flowing seamlessly. In just a few short minutes, a batch of Power Enhancement Pills was successfully refined.
"Ding! You watched a Third-Rank Alchemist refine the Power Enhancement Pill, gaining $100 \times 100$ experience!"
"Ding! You have successfully been promoted to a First-Rank Alchemist!"
A familiar chime suddenly rang in Jiang Chen's ear. He felt a flood of complex, complete alchemy knowledge pour into his mind. He had simply watched his teacher perform alchemy, and he was instantly promoted to a First-Rank Alchemist!
This Hundredfold Cultivation System truly isn't the most awesome thing—it's just more awesome!