Fictional Transcension System - Chapter 33 Pill Debate Once More

“Examiner Zhang Xuan, teacher of the Hongtian academy, you have consented to a pill debate and have already been informed about the consequences of failure. We will now begin the pill debate!”

Elder Bai sat back down before indicating for one of the official apothecaries to begin asking away. Although reputation was not supposed to matter in exams like this, the apothecaries would obviously favour an Elite Student, while a man who was most likely the trash teacher of Hongtian academy would not be worth their sympathy. Each of the other elder’s eyes gleamed as they thought out the most difficult question they could think of. There would be no mercy!

Once again, the same elder who had gone first for Lu Fengyi’s examination stood up before gesturing proudly, “I shall be going first.”

“Wait a moment!”

As Zhang Xuan’s voice rang out, the examiners sneered, “What, you’re afraid now? You should withdraw while you can!”

While the purpose of the examination was to mainly test the examiner on knowledge, the examiners would not hesitate to show hostility and derision. After all, mental fortitude was important when one crafted pills as even the slightest lapse in concentration could be fatal during higher level pill forging.

“That’s not it, I’m trying to say that… all of you here are unable to make the cut!”

“Ha! I knew… WHAT?”

The examiners stood up in fury as they heard Zhang Xuan’s words.

“You…”

“Arrogant!”

“Ignorant brat!”

While all the other examiners stood up, throwing insults at Zhang Xuan, both Elder Bai and Lu Fengyi remained in their seats. Grinning underneath his cloak, Lu Fengyi stood up abruptly, shouting in a voice modulated to become deeper, “Impudence!”

Hearing the authoritative tone, although the other examiners did not know the cloaked man’s identity, just the tone and the fact that he was sitting next to Elder Bai already signified that he had considerable status.

Boosted by the thought that even such a prestigious figure would stand up for them, the elders continued berating Zhang Xuan, however were abruptly stopped once more by the same voice.

“And you continue? Do you think the pill debate is a circus? Sit down right now!”

The sides of Elder Bai’s mouth twitched in awkwardness. Not only had Lu Fengyi just become an apothecary, it was less then half an hour ago, ‘What is with this tone? Do you think you’re the guild leader or something?’

Shocked at the sudden turn of events, the elders sat back into their seats, now stifled into silence. Lu Fengyi sighed deeply before addressing Zhang Xuan, “Examinee Zhang Xuan, please clarify what you meant earlier.”

“To tell you the truth, I look down on them. Actually, I don’t think that there is much point to a mere debate, so why don’t we increase the difficulty of the examination?” Zhang Xuan voiced out.

Knowing that this was the only way that Zhang Xuan could most effectively make use of the Library of Heaven’s Path, Lu Fengyi gestured grandly, “Then what do you suggest?”

Zhang Xuan feigned a look of contemplation before answering, “How about this? As long as any apothecary here dares to forge pills before me, regardless of what methods he uses, I will point out the name of his forging method and the errors he commits in the process. If any of those here finds what I say incorrect, I can admit defeat immediately!”

The elders grew into a restless state. While theoretical content posed by official apothecaries was already hard enough, finding out the forging method and the errors would be near impossible, especially for a youngster without much experience. Expecting the cloaked figure to disapprove of the suggestion, the elders were once again, left in shock as Lu Fengyi spoke once more, “Alright then. I agree to your proposal.”

Lu Fengyi stepped back and sat into his seat, one leg over the other.

While his height may not have been the most impressive when he was standing, the disposition of an expert was almost unmistakable. Even now, when the cloaked figure sat back down, he still radiated an aura of authority. It was as if one would not hesitate to follow his orders. Sighing to themselves, the apothecaries accepted the situation before them.

Seeing that the pill debate had begun, Zhang Xuan looked around him before grinning broadly with arrogance, “So who wants to go first and receive some free pointers?”

Instantly, the apothecaries burst into hateful speech, however seeing that the two most authoritative figures were still silent and watching the proceedings, the chatter quickly died down before a middle aged man stood up from his seat, “I can’t stand watching him act like this any longer. Allow me to teach this brat a lesson first!”

The other apothecaries echoed in surprise.

“It’s Apothecary Meng Yan!”

“Meng Yan’s temper may be awful, but he’s a true 1-star primary stage apothecary. Given how he’s able to forge over a dozen kinds of pills, he isn’t someone to be underestimated!”

“Indeed, a few of his apprentices even made it big. Furthermore, he has many kinds of forging methods. It is most suitable for him to make the first move!”

While the other examiners were thinking of ways to best this arrogant man, Lu Fengyi sat back into his seat. Although it was almost a perfect opportunity to get another point in his second quest, it would mean spelling a possible end for his teacher-student relationship with Zhang Xuan. While completing quests were good, Lu Fengyi knew that making friends was usually better than making enemies, and despite knowing he would leave the world in due time, there was still no reason to become rivals with potentially the second most powerful person in the world and that moment.

By the time Lu Fengyi had completed his thoughts, Meng Yan, the apothecary who had just gone up, had already finished his pill forging and was now waiting expectantly for an answer.

“Hmph, lad, I am already done forging my pills. So, what method did I just use and what flaws are there in it!”

Zhang Xuan sighed while giving Meng Yan a sorrowful look of pity.

Angered by Zhang Xuan’s actions, Meng Yan slammed the table with his hand, “Hurry up if you have something to say!”

Zhang Xuan nodded lightly, “Since you aren’t embarrassed by it, then I will begin speaking! If I’m not wrong, the pill you forged should be the Tranquil Heart Pill which fighters often consume! The method you used is Ten Formulas of Tranquil Water!”

Expecting Zhang Xuan not to know anything, Meng Yan was slightly shocked, however he nodded and continued listening.

“As for flaws, I found several major ones that affected….” Zhang Xuan continued ranting upon Meng Yan’s technique and before long, Meng Yan withdrew his sneering face, evidently shocked.

Hidden under the folds of the cloak, Lu Fengyi closed his eyes before accessing the system, browsing through some of the items. It would be a while before his turn.