The pill was about half the size of a thumb, emerald in color, with faint green ripples etched across its surface, like expanding waves on a tranquil lake. It looked strangely mystical.
"Pill Veins... it actually has Pill Veins!"
Staring at the verdant ripples, Fa Ma and Qie Mi’er nearly had their eyes pop out.
When refining pills, only when a pill reached the flawless grade would there be the slightest chance of forming Pill Veins.
The words "Pill Veins" struck Yao Yue like a thunderbolt. Her lower lip was almost bitten through in disbelief. A fourth-tier pill with Pill Veins... as far as she knew, even the president himself couldn’t refine such a thing.
Chen Mo raised an eyebrow. He had refined flawless pills before, but none had ever borne Pill Veins.
He hadn’t expected to be so lucky this time.
"Congratulations, Chen Mo. You’ve passed the fourth-tier Alchemist examination."
Fa Ma carefully returned the pill to the jade bottle. After a long moment of silence, he let out a deep breath and finally smiled at Chen Mo.
Hearing this, everyone in the room cast eyes filled with awe and envy toward Chen Mo.
"Congratulations, Mister Chen Mo. Tonight, I will host a banquet in the imperial palace to celebrate Yue’er’s promotion to a second-tier Alchemist. I hope Mister Chen Mo will honor us with your presence," Yao Ye said quickly.
Her words stunned everyone present.
Even Fa Ma and Qie Mi’er froze for a moment, while Yao Yue blinked in surprise.
"Your Highness, isn’t the Little Princess still only a first-tier Alchemist?" Qie Mi’er asked, baffled.
"I believe Yue’er will pass today’s second-tier examination," Yao Ye said firmly.
"Uh..." Qie Mi’er was at a loss. Good heavens, she hasn’t even taken the test yet, and they’re already throwing a banquet?
Chen Mo was just about to politely decline when he noticed the frostily beautiful Yao Ye suddenly soften her expression, a hint of pitiful pleading flashing across her face.
"Could it be that Mister Chen Mo won’t even give me this little bit of face?"
"...Fine. I’ll be there tonight." Chen Mo relented.
"That’s wonderful." Yao Ye’s pitiful expression melted instantly into a radiant smile. The speed of her change was astonishing.
"Elder Sister..." Yao Yue bit her lip, feeling a pang of bitterness watching her proud sister lower herself to invite Chen Mo in such a way.
"Is the assessment over?"
In the main hall, the gathered crowd hadn’t dispersed. Instead, they waited eagerly for the results. When Qie Mi’er stepped out first, their spirits lifted, and their eyes turned toward the large doors.
Following behind him were Chen Mo, Fa Ma, Yao Ye, and Yao Yue. When they saw Fa Ma and Qie Mi’er sigh and shake their heads, many furrowed their brows.
"It’s truly a pity... with such astonishing talent in alchemy, to not become the Guild President is a real loss," Fa Ma sighed.
"Nineteen years old and already a fourth-tier Alchemist. When this news spreads, the imperial capital will be shaken to its core," Qie Mi’er exclaimed.
Hearing their words, the crowd’s throats bobbed nervously.
From their tone, it was obvious—Chen Mo had passed the fourth-tier examination.
"What a terrifying fellow. He’s broken yet another record in the Jia Ma Empire..."
"He actually succeeded... Is he even human? A nineteen-year-old fourth-tier Alchemist? Did he start refining pills from inside his mother’s womb?"
Shocked whispers rippled through the hall.
This was simply monstrous.
Seeing the stunned expressions around them, Fa Ma and Qie Mi’er exchanged a wry smile. Having observed Chen Mo refine another pill up close, they couldn’t help but be awestruck at his monstrous talent.
It hadn’t been long since he passed the third-tier Alchemist examination.
Yet now he had so quickly reached the standard of a fourth-tier Alchemist and passed with ease.
Both Fa Ma and Qie Mi’er grew increasingly curious. Just what kind of powerful teacher could nurture such a genius in alchemy?
"Since little friend Chen Mo is unwilling to serve as president of any branch of the Alchemist Guild, I won’t press the matter further," Fa Ma said, sighing again. From his ring, he produced a set of exquisite black-gold robes.
"This is the exclusive robe of a fourth-tier Alchemist. Its effects are much the same as your third-tier robe, so I won’t bother explaining further."
Chen Mo nodded, running his hand over the soft black-gold fabric. The smooth texture was like a woman’s delicate skin—luxurious and pleasant. New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡⚑𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚⚑𝙣𝙚𝙩
He stored it into his ring, already planning to wear it before Ya Fei just to show off.
"The assessment is complete. Everyone may disperse," Fa Ma said to the crowd, waving them off. Then he turned to Chen Mo with a smile. "I’ve asked you many times to come visit, but you’ve never come. Today, I can’t let you leave so easily. Stay and chat with me awhile."
Chen Mo smiled and nodded. "All right."
"President, I’ll take the Little Princess for her second-tier Alchemist examination," Qie Mi’er said.
"Go ahead," Fa Ma waved. Though the princess’s alchemy talent was decent, compared to Chen Mo’s brilliance, his interest had waned.
Qie Mi’er led the Little Princess away.
As she left, she pursed her lips in envy.
Yao Ye glanced at Chen Mo, but he didn’t spare her a look as he followed Fa Ma. She bit her red lips tightly and could only leave with Yao Yue.
"Little friend Chen Mo, please sit."
Inside a clean and quiet room, Fa Ma greeted him with a beaming smile before rising to prepare tea.
Chen Mo pulled out a small tin of Refreshing Spirit Tea from his ring, chuckling. "President Fa Ma, try this tea instead."
Fa Ma blinked in surprise, opened the container, and inhaled the soothing fragrance. His eyes widened. "What a fine tea!"
"Of course," Chen Mo said with a smile.
Their conversation was casual and lighthearted. Fa Ma had already tried probing Chen Mo’s background last time, to no avail. This time, he didn’t even bother. They simply chatted as friends, speaking freely.
Meanwhile, elsewhere—
In a modest room chosen for the second-tier examination, Qie Mi’er stood with Yao Ye. The room wasn’t spacious, though it was the largest available, given Yao Yue’s status as his disciple.
Yao Yue approached the stone platform, where a cauldron and neatly arranged herbs awaited.
Encouraged by her sister, she ignited her Dou Qi flame and began refining according to her teacher’s instructions.
Qie Mi’er turned to Yao Ye with a smile. "Yue’er’s talent is solid, but she still lacks experience. With effort, she should pass the second-tier assessment."
"I believe in her," Yao Ye said firmly.
"We’ll see soon enough." Qie Mi’er was naturally pleased—if his disciple passed, it would reflect well on him too.
After a pause, Yao Ye asked, "Master Qie Mi’er, what do you think of Chen Mo?"
Qie Mi’er looked at her, puzzled. "He’s excellent. A nineteen-year-old fourth-tier Alchemist, with an extraordinary background. Handsome as well, and pleasant to interact with."
"But do you think he has the sense of responsibility needed?" Yao Ye pressed, biting her lip.
Qie Mi’er’s heart skipped. His eyes widened. "Your Highness... don’t tell me you’ve taken a liking to him?"
"Not exactly liking him," Yao Ye said calmly. "Let’s just say I need him right now."
"You... need him?" Qie Mi’er frowned, then thought of the royal family’s current situation. He quickly understood but didn’t pry further. "If you ask me, I think he does."
"Then Master Qie Mi’er, do you know of any drug that could intoxicate even a Dou Wang expert?" Yao Ye asked suddenly.
Qie Mi’er nearly jumped. "What are you planning?" He quickly warned her against any rash actions.
"Don’t worry, I’m only asking," Yao Ye said with a faint smile.
Qie Mi’er pondered. "There’s one—Snake Saliva Incense. If all the conditions are met, it can overwhelm even a Dou Huang. But the restrictions are harsh: it requires a confined space, the target must be unprepared, inhalation must last a certain time, and it often requires alcohol as a catalyst..."
He explained in detail.
Yao Ye memorized every word.
At the Mittel Estate—
"Beloved, look at this!"
Chen Mo proudly strutted before Ya Fei, wearing his new black-gold fourth-tier Alchemist robe.
Showing off without an audience, he believed, was as pointless as brocade clothes worn in the dark.
Before his woman, Chen Mo never hid his true self.
Ya Fei rolled her eyes. "Just look at you showing off."
She wasn’t surprised. She already knew he could refine fourth-tier pills. His passing the test was only natural.
Chen Mo pulled her into his arms and sat down with her on his lap. "Beloved, you give me no face at all. Come, a kiss."
Couples had to create their own little joys, after all.
"Enough fooling around. The royal family sent an invitation to the banquet celebrating the Little Princess’s promotion to second-tier Alchemist. If you keep delaying me, we’ll be late."
She brushed his hand away.
"The royal family works fast. Already sending invitations?" Chen Mo was surprised.
"When did it arrive?" he asked after explaining what had happened earlier at the Guild.
"Not long after you left this morning, they sent it," Ya Fei replied.
"So they’re that confident in the Little Princess passing." Chen Mo dismissed his earlier suspicion of a trap.
Naturally, he wouldn’t wear his Alchemist robe to the banquet. That would only steal the Little Princess’s spotlight.
As night fell, he donned a sleek black robe.
Ya Fei appeared in a fiery red cheongsam, her every curve accentuated. Chen Mo frowned. "No, change."
She pouted but secretly felt warm at his protectiveness. With a thought, the outfit shifted into a long pale-red gown that swept the floor—still alluring, but more elegant and dignified.
Chen Mo kissed her cheek, smiling. "My beloved always knows what I want. This Phoenix Feather Garment is truly useful."
By the time they arrived at the palace, night had fully descended.
Though Ya Fei reached for the invitation, the guards immediately recognized Chen Mo and bowed deeply. "Master Chen Mo, please enter."
"A fourth-tier Alchemist really is different. Everyone recognizes you," Ya Fei said enviously.
"That’s because I’m your guest of honor," Chen Mo teased, squeezing her waist mischievously.
"You shameless scoundrel," Ya Fei muttered, though the gleam in his eye told her all she needed.
The inner palace blazed with light, heavily guarded yet filled with life.
Led by maids, they soon arrived at an opulent grand hall.
Even before stepping inside, the sound of laughter and music drifted out.
Within, nobles and ministers mingled, drinking and chatting merrily.
A strange but pleasant fragrance wafted from the incense burners along the walls.
"What incense is this? It smells wonderful," Ya Fei murmured.
Chen Mo shook his head—he didn’t know either.
"Mister Chen Mo, you’ve come!"
A cool yet charming voice rang out from within the hall.
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