“You might have cleared the evaluation, but this isn’t the only one. I have no idea what kind of Impenetrable Skill you’re trained in to become that invulnerable, but you’re wrong to think that becoming an inner court disciple of Emerald Cauldron Sect is going to be easy. Every single one of them is an alchemist who knows how to concoct pills.
In order to become one, relying on brute strength alone is not enough. You still need to demonstrate your skills in alchemy. I’m not going to make things difficult for you. As long as you can concoct a Level Five pill within two hours, I’ll issue you a token and admit you as an official inner court disciple of Emerald Cauldron Sect,” Ebenez stated to Jared.
“Mr. Erdell, since when is alchemy part of the evaluation for inner court disciples?” the confused Sigurd asked. This has never been part of the assessment, so why is it suddenly included today?
“Do I need to report to you when I added it? I’m the person in charge of the evaluation and have the authority to add another segment whenever I feel like it!”
Ebenez, who was already in a bad mood, vented his anger upon Sigurd. While Sigurd was cowed into silence, Jared could tell that Ebenez was deliberately making things difficult for him. In spite of that, alchemy came easily to Jared. He could concoct a Level Five pill even with his eyes closed.
“No problem. I know alchemy too,” Jared remarked. “All right then. I’ll get someone to bring a cauldron and herbs, but you only have two hours, so make it count,” Ebenez stated with a curl of his lips.
However, Jared stopped Ebenez, saying, “There’s no need to go through the trouble. I don’t need a cauldron for a mere Level Five pill. As for the herbs, they’re available everywhere. I’ll just pick them from the surrounding area.”
Briefly stunned, Ebenez furrowed his brows as he asked, “Kid, this is alchemy we’re talking about, not the Impenetrable Skill you have. You can’t concoct pills by bulldozing your way through. Have you really thought this through?”
“I have. If I can’t complete the pill within ten minutes, I’ll quit on my accord,” Jared responded in a nonchalant tone.
“Fine. I can’t wait to see how you make a Level Five pill without a cauldron and herbs. To make matters worse, thinking that you can do so in ten minutes is nothing but a pipe dream.” Ebenez was amused by the arrogance Jared was showing.
Alchemy was, after all, different from the usual tests used for evaluation. Regardless of how skillful one was, one would still not be able to produce a pill without alchemy techniques and knowledge.
Ignoring Ebenez’s snide comments, Jared began to scan the surroundings and saw an unwanted clay jar. As its bottom was still intact, he figured that it was still good for use. Thereafter, he took a closer look at the nearby cliff before leaping up into the air and grabbing a bunch of herbs growing out of its side.
He subsequently threw the herbs into the clay jar and ignited a spiritual fire at the tip of his finger by blowing at it. After that, he threw the fire into the jar, setting the herbs within it ablaze.
Watching the crude manner in which Jared was making the pill, Ebenez couldn’t help but snigger, for he didn’t believe one could concoct a Level Five pill this way. The process for making ordinary pills is wrong, let alone a Level Five one.
It was in the midst of Ebenez’s snigger and his anticipation of seeing Jared humiliate himself that the clay jar suddenly exploded from the overwhelming heat. The thundering boom that rang out abruptly even gave Ebenez a fright.
However, when he saw the broken clay jar upon regaining his senses, Ebenez burst into laughter. “Hahaha, are you going to eat your words after bragging earlier? You must be deluded to think that you can conduct alchemy with a lousy clay jar. Now that it has been shattered, let’s see how you’re going to make the pill!”
Jared merely broke into a faint smile as he paid Ebenez no heed. Upon walking up to the exploded jar, he bent forward and picked up a pill from within it.
