Chapter 83 - 81: Tell Him How Great I Am
Chapter 83: Chapter 81: Tell Him How Great I Am
Feng Hao hadn’t noticed everyone’s gazes. He was completely focused on the final stage.
The most crucial step in creating Ghost Stone Powder was the finalization, which involved quenching the mixture with Tier Four Magical Beast Essence Blood. This process activated the properties of the three poisons after they had fused. The principle was the same as quenching metal during forging, capable of inducing a massive qualitative change in the materials to achieve unexpected effects.
Ghost Stone Powder, the second eye of a Three-Eyed Toad, and Xuan Iron Ore Companion Grass were merely ordinary toxic materials. The only reason the mixture could be classified as a Tier Four poison was entirely thanks to this final quenching process.
Furthermore, the quality of a batch of Ghost Stone Powder was determined by this final step. If quenched properly, its toxicity and efficacy would see a qualitative improvement. If quenched improperly, it could only be considered an ordinary Tier Three poison!
Given Feng Hao’s skill in concocting poisons, a quenching error was naturally out of the question. With his practiced and delicate technique, the warm-white Ghost Stone Powder quickly took form.
At the neighboring Alchemy Platform, Houhuiyao was in the middle of his own final refinement when he suddenly saw this, and his eyes nearly popped out of his head. ’Good heavens, isn’t he just concocting a poison? How is he even using a quenching technique?’
’This technique, this efficiency... he’s practically on par with my old man. Compared to Brother Feng, what kind of Level 5 Alchemist does that make me?’ Houhuiyao gulped, utterly shell-shocked.
Feng Hao only knew that in the game *Mage*, quenching was a required step for many concoctions. He had no idea that in the Mage World, it was considered a high-level Alchemy Technique.
Had he known, he would have rather produced a subpar Tier Three product than reveal such a high level of skill at this time.
Unfortunately, fate often works that way. The more one tries to hide something, the more likely it is to be revealed when least expected...
On the examiners’ platform, it took a long while for Sun Yaowen and the three instructors to come to their senses. Their faces were etched with shock, never having expected to witness such a high-level Alchemy Technique during an assessment.
"This kid is actually quenching, and he looks so proficient at it," Instructor Guo said, rubbing his eyes hard, thinking he must be mistaken.
The female instructor was equally disbelieving, her face a mask of astonishment. "Simply incredible!" Xiuxiu Qing exclaimed.
"Damn, that skill alone is worth a hundred thousand academic credits!" Instructor Liang cried out.
Flames of excitement danced in Sun Yaowen’s eyes, so much so that his body began to tremble involuntarily. After so many years, he had finally found a top-tier prodigy. Most importantly, this kid had come with a recommendation from an intern instructor, which meant there was a high probability he didn’t have a master.
"Xiaoliang, seal all the exits! Don’t let him get away!" Sun Yaowen suddenly declared with a wave of his hand.
The three instructors were dumbfounded by this, especially Instructor Liang, who replied, his expression strained, "Dean, you’re overthinking this. He came to take the assessment, so he’s obviously trying to get into our department. Why would he run away?"
"You have a point." Sun Yaowen broke into a grin and said cheerfully, "Tomorrow, Xiaoguo, go to the main combat division and find out which intern instructor was so promising. They must be handsomely rewarded!"
"Don’t worry, Dean. I know what to do," Instructor Guo replied with a nod.
The other two instructors nodded in agreement. For unearthing such a talent for the academy, this intern instructor truly deserved a commendation. Even if the main department took no action, the Alchemist department would have to step up. After all, if the Alchemist department had one thing in abundance, it was money. They had never been stingy with rewards.
"Let’s go, let’s have a look at his final product." Sun Yaowen’s face was flushed with excitement, and he grinned from ear to ear as he strode over to Feng Hao.
The three instructors followed close behind, with the female instructor pointedly bringing along the special device from before.
At that moment, Feng Hao had just finished the concoction process. Looking at the warm-white powder in the medicine bowl, a satisfied smile graced his lips.
"Not a bad performance, kid. Let me personally test your poison." Sun Yaowen was in an exceptionally good mood. As soon as he was in front of Feng Hao, he took the special device from the female instructor, wanting to conduct the test himself.
Feng Hao looked up to see the four examiners standing before him. He found it a little strange, but handed over the Ghost Stone Powder nonetheless.
After taking the Ghost Stone Powder, Sun Yaowen’s eyes filled with wonder. He rubbed a little between his fingers, then brought it to his nose for a sniff. The look of astonished suspicion on his face intensified, and he hastily began operating the special device to test it.
A moment later, a string of data appeared on the special device, causing all four of them to gasp in unison:
Type: Genetic Toxin
Toxicity: 275 qie
Duration: 80 seconds
Special Effect: Weakens entire genetic root system by 10%
"Hiss... Weakens the entire genetic root system by 10%? What a terrifying poison!" Instructor Liang exclaimed. As a Combat Mage, he knew exactly what that meant.
And the toxicity was nothing to scoff at either. A toxicity of 275 qie lasting for 80 seconds meant that an enemy with no poison resistance would lose 22,000 points of Qi Blood. It was a staggering amount.
Even Feng Hao was taken aback by the Ghost Stone Powder’s effects. It hadn’t been nearly this powerful in the *Mage* game. On second thought, however, it made sense. Poisons in the real world could be instantly lethal; they couldn’t be quantified in the same way as in a game.
This meant that Feng Hao’s overall power had received another significant boost. With his current damage output, combined with this poison, as long as he could break an opponent’s skin with a single strike, absolutely no one would be able to endure it.
Sun Yaowen suppressed his inner excitement. The more he looked at Feng Hao, the more he liked him. "Kid, are you interested in taking me as your master?"
"Uh, thank you for the generous offer, Senior, but I already have a master," Feng Hao said, taken aback.
"Didn’t you come here with a recommendation from an intern instructor? Where did this master come from?" Sun Yaowen’s eyes narrowed, his expression turning sour.
Feng Hao froze for a second before fabricating a story. "My master is accustomed to a reclusive life, like a wandering crane among the clouds. He doesn’t have certification from the Alchemist Association."
Sun Yaowen clearly had no intention of giving up. He cleared his throat and said with an air of superiority, "It doesn’t matter that you’ve already taken a master. Just switch and come under my tutelage. As for that other master of yours, I doubt his skills are anything special."
"Well..." Feng Hao was speechless. ’Damn it, he’s blatantly trying to poach me!’
Seeing Feng Hao’s hesitation, Sun Yaowen sensed an opening. He glanced at Instructor Guo and said, "Xiaoguo, tell him just how formidable I am!"
"Uh." Instructor Guo opened his mouth, then braced himself and stepped forward. "Student Feng Hao, the Dean is an Eighth-level Alchemist, and his Alchemy Techniques are among the absolute best in the entire Ancient Cang Realm. Countless people would kill for the chance to become his disciple."
"A teacher for a day is a father for a lifetime. How could I do something so treacherous as to betray my master?" Feng Hao asked, feigning a righteous and solemn expression.
Faced with such a statement, Sun Yaowen’s expression turned stormy. He snapped in a fluster, "If that’s how you feel, then what are you doing in our Alchemist department? Why not just go learn from that damn master of yours?"
"Well... can I be honest?" Feng Hao asked awkwardly.
Sun Yaowen snorted. "Go ahead."
"Actually, my dream is to become a Combat Mage, but my aptitude is lacking, so..." Feng Hao said, looking embarrassed.
Hearing this, everyone was taken aback. Only Instructor Liang cheered loudly, "Good kid, that’s the spirit!"
Sun Yaowen was so furious he nearly coughed up blood. He aimed a kick at Instructor Liang and roared, "You just had to open your big mouth, huh? Get the hell away from me!"
Sensing trouble, Instructor Liang quickly shut his mouth and scurried to the side to watch.
"If you want to be a Combat Mage, go to the main combat division! Our Alchemist department doesn’t accept students like you!" Sun Yaowen said, exasperated.
"I’d love to, but they won’t accept me," Feng Hao said, annoyed. He sneered, "Besides, I’ve already passed your department’s assessment. Surely you’re not planning to go back on your word?"
"You—" Sun Yaowen was so angry his vision swam, and he seethed with rage.
Fortunately, the female instructor beside him intervened in time, placating him in a low voice, "Dean, your image. This can’t be rushed. Once he joins the Alchemist department, he will eventually be won over by your Alchemy Techniques."
At her words, much of Sun Yaowen’s anger subsided, but his stubborn streak remained. He gave a cold snort, flicked his sleeves, and stormed away.
Seeing Sun Yaowen leave, the female instructor finally let out a sigh of relief. She stepped forward with a smile and said, "Alright, Student Feng Hao, please come with me to register. From this day forward, you are a student of our Alchemist department."
"At least you’re a reasonable instructor," Feng Hao said with a slight smirk, following closely behind her.