The Strange Flame Rekindles in Battle Through the Heavens

Chapter 52 Phamro's Praise

"Hehe, this young man is quite something! Not only is his refining technique exquisite, but his control over the flames is also incredibly skillful. Moreover, he is very adept at the entire refining process. Clearly, this isn't the first time he's refined this kind of pill!" President Fa Ma said with a smile.

"This junior greets President Fa Ma. I never expected such a trivial matter to trouble you, sir." Xiao Yan bowed respectfully to Fa Ma.

Although Xiao Yan had never met this president, the old man was worthy of Xiao Yan's respect in terms of both character and status.

"The pills you've refined, young brother, seem to be quite unique. Not only are they of superior quality, but they also smell comforting to this old man. It's truly amazing!" President Fa Ma praised Xiao Yan without reservation.

"You flatter me, President!" Xiao Yan said modestly.

"I didn't expect that even without using a different kind of fire, the pills I refined would smell so wonderful!" Xiao Yan thought to himself, clicking his tongue in amazement.

"Is it really that amazing?" Chemir asked, somewhat skeptical.

"Hehe, smell it for yourself!" Fama handed the pill directly to Chemir so that he could take a look as well.

Chemir took the pill, examined it carefully, and smelled it. He found that it was indeed as Fama had said, and he was greatly puzzled.

"Hmm? This pill is indeed as the guild leader said. It smells refreshing and makes one feel younger. However, it's just a low-grade energy-building pill, and it doesn't contain any other medicinal herbs. How can it be so different from the ones we refine?" Chemir asked Fama.

Energy-accumulating pills are a type of pill that almost every alchemist can refine, but none of the pills they refine have the effect of making people feel refreshed and invigorated!

Those around were greatly shocked to see that both the president, Fa Ma, and the vice president, Chemir, had confirmed that the pills Xiao Yan had refined were somewhat different from what they seemed.

President Fa Ma is a highly respected figure throughout the empire, comparable even to King Dan Guhe. To receive his praise is an immense honor.

"Young man, your alchemy skills are quite remarkable. Your teacher must be extraordinary as well! Would you mind telling me your teacher's name?" Fa Ma asked expectantly.

"My teacher is called Xiong Ba, but he has an eccentric personality, a bad temper, and doesn't like crowds. He has always lived deep in the mountains, and this time he only let me participate in the alchemist assessment alone." Xiao Yan naturally wouldn't reveal Yao Lao's real name, after all, this Fa Ma knew Yao Lao when he was young and had even received guidance from him.

"Xiong Ba? That name sounds imposing; his identity must be extraordinary!" Fa Ma smiled. However, a hint of disappointment appeared in his eyes, as if he hadn't heard the name he wanted to hear.

"Look at my brain, I haven't even asked your name yet, young man?" Fa Ma asked again.

"My name is Nie Feng!" Xiao Yan lied without batting an eye. But he wasn't wrong! Wasn't one of Xiong Ba's disciples named Nie Feng?

"Hehe, Brother Nie Feng, you've become a first-grade alchemist at such a young age, your talent is extraordinary!" Fa Ma praised again.

"Thank you for the compliment, President Fa Ma!" Xiao Yan bowed respectfully and expressed his gratitude.

"I have a favor to ask of you, Brother Nie Feng. Could you give me this Energy Accumulation Pill? I'm willing to exchange it for a fighting technique," Fa Ma said with a faint smile.

"It's just a low-level energy-gathering pill. If the guild leader wants it, I'll just give it to you directly. There's no need to exchange it for any fighting techniques," Xiao Yan said respectfully.

"How could I take advantage of you, young brother? This is a fire-attribute fighting technique that I obtained by helping someone refine pills. However, I, an old man, do not like fighting, so it's been gathering dust here. It's perfect to give it to you, so you can carry it forward." Fa Ma took out a red scroll from his storage ring and handed it to Xiao Yan.

"How can this be? This Power-Gathering Pill can only be sold for a few hundred gold coins at most. How can it compare to the value of a Fighting Technique?" Xiao Yan hurriedly refused.

"Little Yanzi, if he wants to give it to you, just accept it!" Yao Lao's voice rang in Xiao Yan's heart.

Xiao Yan was slightly taken aback by Yao Lao's words, but he didn't refuse. After all, strictly speaking, Fa Ma was practically his senior brother!

Just as Yao Lao was transmitting information to Xiao Yan, Fa Ma seemed to sense something, his pupils suddenly widened, and he looked at Xiao Yan with a look of surprise.

Seeing Fa Ma's rather delighted expression, Xiao Yan knew that Fa Ma had probably sensed Yao Lao's presence. But it wasn't a big deal; at most, Fa Ma could only clearly sense Yao Lao's aura on Xiao Yan.

At this moment, Yao Lao was not asleep, although the aura he emitted was very weak under his control. However, Yao Lao's strength at this time was only that of a Dou Huang, while Fa Ma himself was a Dou Huang, and also a peak fifth-grade alchemist with keen soul perception, so it was inevitable that he would notice something amiss.

When Fa Ma was young, his talent for alchemy wasn't particularly outstanding; it was his passion for it that impressed the old alchemist. He received guidance from the old alchemist for three days, and it was precisely those three days of guidance that enabled Fa Ma to achieve his current success.

After seeing that Xiao Yan had accepted the scroll, Fa Ma had someone prepare a nice alchemist's robe for Xiao Yan, personally handed it to him, and gave him some encouragement.

Those around Xiao Yan, seeing that he had received a pharmacist's robe personally bestowed by Fa Ma, were filled with envy. What an honor this was! Even the empire's little princess wouldn't receive such treatment!

After Xiao Yan changed into the alchemist's robe, he stood out from the crowd. After all, this alchemist's robe was a gift from Fa Ma, so it had a special meaning.

"Hehe, from today onwards, young friend, you can be considered a true alchemist," Fa Ma said with a smile.

The alchemy apprentices in the hall were filled with envy upon seeing Xiao Yan become a first-grade alchemist. Even the advanced alchemists couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy seeing Fa Ma's warm treatment of the young man named Nie Feng.

Seeing the envious, jealous, and resentful looks in the eyes of those around him, Xiao Yan had no choice but to give up his original plan to continue taking the second-grade alchemist exam.

"Today was far too high-profile. I'll come back for the assessment in a few days!" Xiao Yan sighed helplessly. After bidding farewell to Fa Ma, he left the Alchemist Guild directly. He didn't want to become the center of attention. Before his strength reached a certain level, being too high-profile could lead to his downfall.

After Xiao Yan left, President Fa Ma and Vice President Chemir also left.

"Why is the guild leader so kind to this young man named Nie Feng, and even gave him the fighting technique you've treasured for so many years? I remember many people asked you for this fighting technique, but you refused them all." After leaving the crowd, Chemir finally couldn't help but ask.

"Hehe, didn't you notice that this young man named Nie Feng's alchemy technique is somewhat similar to mine? And the aura he exudes... is just too similar!" Fa Ma said with a smile.

"Could he be your apprentice?" Chemir asked in surprise.

"Haha! How could I be qualified to take him as my disciple! I just feel that he resembles the disciple of my old friend, after all, that old friend was incredibly kind to me! But I'm just guessing. If he really is the disciple of my old friend, what's wrong with giving him all my savings? Remember, you must try your best to fulfill all the requests of this young brother named Nie Feng from now on." Fa Ma laughed self-deprecatingly and then gave a word of advice.

(End of this chapter)