Chapter 107: The Pill Debate Begins

According to normal procedure, to assess for one star, a two-star alchemist must be present.

Zhang Xuan was not being tested on alchemy, but on pill debate; ten peers sufficed. However, the entire assessment had to be recorded with a recording crystal for headquarters to inspect at any time. Even some alchemy apprentices were qualified to view it. Once deliberate leniency or cheating was discovered, all alchemists involved in the assessment would have their qualifications revoked.

Because of this, no one dared to go easy during a pill debate. No matter how great the power or strong the connections, it was impossible.

"President Ouyang, you said someone is having a pill debate? It couldn't be this snot-nosed kid, could it!"

Once everyone was seated, they glanced at Zhang Xuan, all with strange expressions. An alchemist spoke first.

Those who could participate in a pill debate were either master teachers or scholars deeply versed in medicinal pills. When they received the news, everyone thought it would be an old man. They never dreamed it would be a youth not even twenty years old.

President Ouyang, are you sure you're not joking, playing with us?

Alchemy, like liquor, gets better with age. Although age doesn't represent everything, years of research are certainly better than just starting out.

A guy under twenty, wanting to take the pill debate...

Even if he started learning in the womb, how much knowledge could he have gained at this age?

"Although Zhang Xuan is young, he has a very deep understanding of medicine. He even scored full marks on the apprentice exam!" Seeing the crowd's doubts, Ouyang Cheng explained.

"Full marks?"

"That doesn't count for much!"

"The apprentice exam only tests the properties, types, and characteristics of medicinal herbs. Getting full marks only shows he has a solid foundation. To summon us all here for a pill debate based on that alone—isn't that a bit too rash?"

"Alchemy isn't just about understanding the properties and types of herbs; it also requires comprehension and insight into the Dao of alchemy. If knowing some basics is enough to become an alchemist, isn't that a bit too fanciful?"

The crowd curled their lips, full of disdain.

The exam was a test for becoming an apprentice. Formal alchemists, who dealt with medicine year-round, could basically get full marks. It meant nothing.

"Uh..."

Seeing that he was being looked down upon by so many before he even spoke, Zhang Xuan felt somewhat helpless.

If alchemists really got better with age, why don't you dig a few out of the ground and see?

They'd probably turn your pills to ash.

"Ahem!" Coughing to interrupt the crowd's discussion, Zhang Xuan spoke: "President Ouyang didn't invite you all here to discuss age. Although I am young, that doesn't mean I can't match you in alchemy!"

"Match us? You're not even an alchemist, yet you arrogantly look down on us?"

"A young man should be humble. You know little about pills, yet you dare to debate—quite bold!"

"Arrogant fellow. When the debate starts, I hope your mouth can still chatter as it does now!"

...

He hadn't even said much, but he became the target of everyone's attacks.

Everyone raised their eyebrows, as if wanting to tear him apart with words.

A pill debate was essentially one person challenging ten alchemists.

These alchemists summoned by Ouyang Cheng each had great fame and high status in Tianxuan Kingdom. If they lost to a master teacher or an old man, that would be one thing. But a snot-nosed kid, not even twenty—if he really won, where would they put their faces?

Thus, from the moment they arrived, they had no intention of giving him a good face, intending to give him a show of force.

That is, a destruction of confidence.

In his previous life as a single dog, he was tormented daily by people showing off their love, yet he still survived strongly, didn't he?

This level of destruction had no effect on Zhang Xuan.

"Alright!" Seeing the crowd growing more heated, with gunpowder already in the air before the debate even started, Ouyang Cheng was speechless and quickly interrupted: "Talking about other things is useless. Everything must be proven by strength. If you have strength, regardless of age, since we've gathered everyone for the pill debate, let's stop the nonsense and begin directly!"

"Now let me first explain the rules of the pill debate!"

Fearing the crowd would say even worse things, Ouyang Cheng waved his hands and began to explain: "The pill debate is not a debate. Instead, ten alchemists ask questions, and the participant answers. If even one question cannot be answered or is answered incorrectly, it means failure! If both sides are uncertain about the answer to a question, they can conduct a practical test on the spot, i.e., alchemy. Whoever's theory produces a higher quality pill wins."

"Of course, the questions asked by the alchemists can only be within the scope that a one-star alchemist can handle; they must not overstep. Nor should they deliberately ask about obscure secrets unknown to anyone."

Having said this, Ouyang Cheng looked around: "Does anyone have any questions?"

The rules were simple, and explaining them was easy.

"No!"

Everyone nodded simultaneously.

As alchemists, even if they had never heard of a pill debate, they would have done their homework before being invited, knowing it well.

Even if they could ask questions, there were limits. Otherwise, if you directly asked how to refine a third-grade pill or about profound alchemical techniques, an alchemy apprentice would be unable to answer.

"Since there are no questions, then..." Ouyang Cheng waved his hand and was about to announce the start when Zhang Xuan stood up, raised his eyebrows, and said with a righteous air: "Hold on!"

"What's wrong? Scared now? I'm afraid it's too late!"

"Even if you want to back out, it's too late. Either start the debate or admit defeat directly!"

Seeing him call a halt, everyone thought he wanted to give up and sneered at him.

"Back out? With your level, you think I'd back out?" Zhang Xuan curled his lip and directly activated his aura of attracting hatred.

"What did you say?"

Sure enough, as soon as he said this, the alchemists exploded, glaring angrily as if they wanted to tear him to pieces.

An old man shouted loudly!

"Sorry, I'm not saying your level is bad, I'm saying... none of you here are good!"

Zhang Xuan clasped his hands behind his back, wearing an arrogant demeanor.

What?

Trying to outtalk me? Believe me, I can choke you with one sentence?

"You..."

"Arrogant!"

"Ignorant brat!"

Sure enough, the crowd instantly exploded, each one like they'd been injected with chicken blood, their beards blowing up in anger.

Seeing the atmosphere stirred up and himself the target of everyone, Zhang Xuan nodded with satisfaction, smiled slightly, and looked at the center: "President Ouyang, they think I'm young and look down on me. To be honest, I also look down on them. How about this: just debating is boring. Let's increase the difficulty."

"Increase the difficulty?"

Ouyang Cheng frowned.

The pill debate was already difficult. To increase it further? How?

The others were also full of doubt.

Kid, do you think you haven't died enough, and want to find something more exciting?

"It's simple. The pill debate is just theory; no matter how much you say, it's all empty talk!"

Ignoring everyone's strange looks, Zhang Xuan waved his hand grandly, with an air of "I am the one": "How about this: any alchemist here, if they dare to refine pills in front of me, no matter what technique they use, I can point out the name of the technique and the mistakes in the alchemy. If anyone present thinks the mistake I point out is wrong, I will admit defeat immediately!"