Chapter 98: I Want to Debate on Pills

"Oh? There's such a method?"

Zhang Xuan's eyes lit up.

Refining first-grade pills without years of practice, he knew, was impossible. But debating on pills was different. With the Library of Heaven's Path, as long as there were enough books and knowledge, learning would be very simple!

"Although this method is very simple, even master teachers would rather learn alchemy than do this!" Seeing his excitement, Ouyang Cheng interrupted and couldn't help shaking his head.

"Why?"

Zhang Xuan found it strange.

If theory alone could allow one to become an alchemist, why bother learning alchemy? Why spend more time?

"To be honest, without practice in any profession, one cannot gain deeper understanding. No matter how much theory you learn, without practical experience, no one can guarantee it's correct! If you're not even an alchemist, relying solely on book knowledge to debate with real alchemists—who do you think would win?"

Ouyang Cheng said.

"This..."

Zhang Xuan nodded.

Paper knowledge is ultimately shallow; one must personally practice the matter. This was true, a maxim of wisdom.

Learning only theory without practice—how could one know right from wrong? Even a single error would make pill refinement impossible!

A slight difference leads to a great error!

"Since the method of 'debating on pills' appeared, over the centuries, no fewer than a thousand master teachers have attempted it. Each was extraordinarily talented, with knowledge of alchemy surpassing any real alchemist. But unfortunately... after the debates began, they repeatedly failed. Of those thousand master teachers, those who truly succeeded might be fewer than the fingers on one hand!"

Ouyang Cheng sighed.

"Fewer than one hand?"

Zhang Xuan was startled.

Fewer than five successes out of a thousand? The probability was too low!

"Yes. There is still a big gap between theory and practice. Because of this, although debating on pills is also a method to assess alchemists, it is rarely used and gradually forgotten."

Ouyang Cheng shook his head.

Speaking of it, debating on pills seemed easier than alchemy assessment, but in reality, it was harder.

Without practice, relying solely on theory—how could one succeed?

If one could explain theory without any mistake, it meant their practice would certainly not be poor.

In that case, rather than the trouble of debating on pills, it was simpler to take the alchemy assessment.

"Others can't... but I can!"

Ignoring the other's sigh, Zhang Xuan's heart surged with excitement, his eyes growing brighter.

Debating on pills was indeed harder for others, but for him, it was extremely simple!

With the Library of Heaven's Path, he could directly see errors and flaws. Pure theory without practice—others didn't know if it was correct, but with a single scan of his library, he would immediately understand clearly!

Using this to debate on pills, he would make no mistakes and could surely pass easily!

"Since this method exists, I've decided to take the pill debate assessment to become an alchemist!" Thinking this, Zhang Xuan didn't hesitate much and said directly.

"Ah?" Having said so much expecting him to give up, Ouyang Cheng was speechless to see him even more determined: "Do you know the consequences of failing the pill debate?"

"Consequences?"

"Yes, a pill debate requires at least ten alchemists to argue with. These alchemists all have status and position. Without a price, if everyone requested it, they would be exhausted to death!" Ouyang Cheng said. "Therefore, the guild stipulates that if an apprentice applies for a pill debate and succeeds, all is well; but if they fail, they must compensate each alchemist at least one hundred thousand gold coins! Second, they must endure one hundred killing god rods as punishment! Third, they are not allowed to take the alchemist assessment again for ten years!"

Zhang Xuan was stunned.

This punishment was indeed severe.

With at least ten alchemists, each compensated one hundred thousand, that meant at least one million gold coins.

Such a sum for an alchemy apprentice was an absolute astronomical figure, one they might never earn in a lifetime!

The killing god rod was a form of punishment that released different power based on the person's cultivation. One hundred rods, even with his current strength, would leave him crippled, unable to get out of bed for a month or two.

As for the third, how many decades did a person have? Not being allowed to take the assessment for ten years meant being away from pills for ten years. Trying again later would essentially mean lifelong hopelessness.

"The consequences are severe, and it's hard to pass, which is why this method is no longer tried. As far as I know, in the more than ten kingdoms neighboring Tianxuan Kingdom, there hasn't been a single such assessment in hundreds of years!"

Ouyang Cheng's words carried a tone of persuasion: "With your talent, I think you should just learn alchemy step by step. The pill debate is not suitable for you."

"I've already decided. I intend to conduct the pill debate. Please, Master Ouyang, help arrange it!" Zhang Xuan shook his head.

Jokingly, if debating on pills could make him an alchemist, of course he would do it.

Otherwise, learning alchemy and such would take who knows how much time.

Not only was time insufficient, but he also didn't have the energy to waste!

"Help arrange it? You don't mean... you want to do it right now?"

Master Ouyang staggered.

You just became an apprentice, don't even know what alchemy is, and you want to debate on pills? Really?

Are you sure you're not joking?

"Yes!" Zhang Xuan nodded.

"You... do you know the content of the pill debate? Do you know what questions the alchemists will ask? You just became an apprentice without systematic study, and you want to debate..."

Du Man on the side was also speechless.

"Can't I go to the elementary library? If I don't understand this knowledge, I can go take a look!" Seeing their urgency, Zhang Xuan explained.

"Go take a look?"

Du Man, Ouyang Cheng, and the others almost cried.

Brother, you still know to go look!

You just passed the apprentice exam, haven't even been to the library, and you want to take the pill debate assessment—are you sure you're not joking?

The library has hundreds of thousands of books. It would take at least three to five years to read them all. You haven't even entered it, and you want to debate...

Are you too bold, or is there something wrong with your brain?

"Mm, I'll go to the library to read in a while. Don't worry, I won't waste time. The pill debate matter might trouble you two to take care of!" Zhang Xuan said.

"Go read in a while..."

The crowd felt dizzy.

You're planning to cram at the last minute?

You haven't read the books, yet you want to debate?

Doing something so brainless—how did this guy pass the apprentice exam?

"Don't worry, I know the stakes. I won't do anything without confidence. Just arrange it. I also need to go read!" Zhang Xuan said, seeing everyone still frozen.

"Know the stakes?"

"Won't do anything without confidence?"

Damn it!

Do you know what a pill furnace looks like? Do you know if pills are round or square? Do you know how alchemists refine herbs?

You know nothing, yet you want to take the alchemist assessment and debate on pills... Are you sure you're confident?

"Alright!" Seeing his insistence, unable to dissuade him, Ouyang Cheng and Du Man exchanged glances and shook their heads: "I'll arrange it now. But gathering so many alchemists might take some time. The pill debate will be held tomorrow afternoon. You'd better think clearly about what you want to do in this time. Otherwise, once it starts, there's no turning back!"

"Mm!" Zhang Xuan nodded, flicked his sleeves, and with a confident and righteous expression, took two steps forward, then suddenly turned his head: "Oh, by the way, where is the elementary library?"

"..." Ouyang Cheng.

"..." Du Man.

"..." Sun Tao, Zhu Huahua.