I Refused To Be Reincarnated
Chapter 562: Breaking the Mold

Chapter 562: Breaking the Mold

Adam tucked his fingers around his chin for a brief second, during which he scanned the spacial ring’s interior with his Qi.

A faint smile crept on his lips when he noticed the same variety of plants he had used a few minutes ago. Yet, those two sets vibrated with vitality and wafted a soft medicinal scent.

He tapped his fingers on his cheek, his eyes darting to the fuming furnace.

’I need eight more to take the second star test. But if I donate the pills, I won’t get benefits. Hmm.’

With a pensive groan, he pointed at the five stars embroidered on Zhong Fei’s robes.

"Besides reputation and better treatment, how does the association treat their two-star alchemists? Do they have special perks or get free materials?"

Zhong Fei raised his nose and inhaled sharply. His chest puffed and his face brightened with pride as he nodded.

"The association will, of course, take care of its promising alchemists. I won’t tell you the benefits of each rank, but upon reaching the second one, it’ll provide you with materials worth ten sect points weekly. You’ll also have access to an alchemy lab and the library on the building’s second floor."

Before his words could linger, Adam’s lips curled into a merchant’s smirk as he retrieved Misha’s disciple card.

He shoved it into Zhong Fei’s hands with the two pills from earlier and spoke enthusiastically.

"Bring me an additional set. I’ll refine them now and take the test."

"Little friend..." Zhong Fei’s voice wavered, and he bit his lips. "Even if your master taught you well, you’re only that old." He shook his head and sighed. "Why don’t you remain a one-star alchemist to broaden your knowledge and techniques for a month?" He extended the jade card back. "I see the confidence in your eyes, and maybe you can back it up. But taking precautions to ensure success will never hurt."

Even if he shared his opinion, Adam rolled his eyes at the man’s unrequested care. Still, his chest warmed, and his voice echoed gently.

"I’m young, but my teacher taught me many pill recipes." He smacked his lips and raised five fingers. "If I include venoms, I think they’ll number around fifty. So, don’t worry too much for me." He chuckled and pushed the man’s hand softly. "Bring me an additional set and supervise my test like you would for any other alchemist."

He saw Zhong Fei sigh, shake his head, and leave the testing room without answering him. Instead, his grumblings about youthful confidence and exaggeration reached his ears.

Yet, he cracked his neck and shrugged as he awaited his return.

’I need income to buy materials and a stable and trustworthy seller. The association checks all my requirements, so why wait when I’m probably the best alchemist in the sect?’ His eyes narrowed into determined slits. ’Sorry, Zhong Fei, but I’m here to upturn everyone’s conception about cultivation. And what better method than to shatter every set record starting with alchemy?’

Just imagining the man’s face after he succeeded in the second test already caused his lips to tremble and his throat to itch. But he slapped his forearm and exploded into boisterous laughter as he already foresaw the shock that would distort his face when he requested to take the third one!

However, he clicked his tongue and shook his head after envisioning the fourth.

’I won’t have the capital to take it before selling the pills I’ll produce during the third.’ A deep furrow creased his brows. ’More than that, I can’t show too much on the first day, or I’ll get suspicion instead of attention.’

As he pondered, the soft stomps of four feet forced his wandering mind to focus on the room.

He raised his head, noticing Zhong Fei and scrutinising the woman accompanying him.

Fiery red strands fluttered behind her straight back with each step she took. Her brows, as sharp as blades, reflected her no-nonsense approach to life, while her bright features revealed her high self-esteem and independence. One boosted by the four golden stars shining proudly on her right chest.

Two light emerald eyes, firm and sparkling with wisdom, pierced his short body, especially his hair and eyes, to return his scrutiny.

Then, her lips stretched into an intrigued and wonder-filled smile as they parted.

"That’s the little prodigy you requested me to evaluate, Zhong Fei? He indeed has a unique hair and eye color." She shook her head and towered before Adam. "But I doubt he has a high affinity for fire. Correct, little brother?"

Before he could answer, Zhong Fei stepped up, and his voice resounded urgently to avoid misunderstandings.

"She’s Xuefeng, one of our most dedicated alchemists and a close friend. She’s here per the association’s rules: two alchemists of a higher rank must judge a promotion test. Therefore, I invited her."

He handed him four sets of materials, Misha’s jade card, and continued.

"I deducted one sect point to cover their prices and prepared three sets for the two-star test."

Xuefeng raised her fist and nodded.

"Don’t let our presence pressure you and do your best!"

Adam’s lips rose at the eagerness and genuine encouragement in her movement and smile.

His lips quivered, and he raised his thumb at them as he turned to the furnace.

Using the same method as earlier, he refined nine additional pills before he handed eight of them to Zhong Fei.

As he began refining the test’s pills, Xuefeng frowned at her colleague.

"He’s faster than me, and I can’t sense his method." She sighed and shook her head. "His master should be an expert on your level."

Zhong Fei shook his head, his narrowed eyes sparkling as he observed Adam’s every movement and felt the slight disturbance his Qi caused. His voice wavered next, melding confusion, admiration, and wonder.

"His Qi control is high... too high. Even cultivators decades old might not match him when he’s a mere child. Even I can’t feel what he’s doing, meaning his master is at least a rank higher or perhaps... one the director’s level!"

His heart drummed in his ears, and his voice cracked as a potent medicinal smell accompanied the vapor swirling out of the furnace.

"He’ll succeed again! Xuefeng, we must guide and protect this young genius at all costs! He might surpass our director and rise to become the realm’s best alchemist one day!"

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AN: Sorry for the last two days. I was super sick and couldn’t write. :’(