The Alchemist profession is divided into tiers based on the grade of Medicinal Pills they can refine: First Tier, Second Tier, Third Tier, and so on.
Within each tier, the level of skill is determined by stars.
An Alchemist who can refine Low Grade Medicinal Pills is a One-Star Alchemist; one who can refine Medium Grade Medicinal Pills is a Two-Star Alchemist; one who can refine High Grade Medicinal Pills is a Three-Star Alchemist.
An Alchemist who can consistently refine High Grade Medicinal Pills, occasionally refine top-grade Medicinal Pills, but cannot guarantee every batch is top-grade, is a Four-Star Alchemist.
One who can consistently refine top-grade Medicinal Pills is a Five-Star Alchemist!
Taking a Third Tier Alchemist as an example, if he can consistently refine High Grade Medicinal Pills, then he is a Three-Star Alchemist.
If he can occasionally refine top-grade ones, he meets the Four-Star standard.
Under the watchful eyes of Chu Shan, Yuan Qi, and others, Qin Chu refined a batch of top-grade Spirit Pills.
Seeing that they wouldn't disturb Qin Chu's Alchemy anymore, Yuan Qi and the others opened the bottles containing the Medicinal Pills and began to study them.
Two of the Elders even consumed Bigu Dan and Yuanling Dan to feel the energy contained within the Medicinal Pills and check for Impurities.
"That's right, they are indeed top-grade Medicinal Pills, but these are only two batches.
Who knows if he can consistently produce them?
At the very least, he needs to consistently refine three batches of top-grade Medicinal Pills before I will sign the appraisal document.
Of course, if he were applying for Four-Star, I would sign immediately," said an Elder with a wispy goatee.
"Elder Qiu, you're being too serious.
Alright, bring more Spirit Pill Materials!
Today, I'm going to make sure every one of you signs that appraisal document!" Chu Shan shouted to the staff outside the door.
Refining Fourth Tier Spirit Pills was familiar territory for Qin Chu, and soon two more batches of top-grade Spirit Pills were produced.
"He has indeed reached the level of a Fourth Tier Five-Star Alchemist; I will sign!" Elder Qiu, with the goatee, spoke up and declared.
Yuan Qi and the others also fully acknowledged that Qin Chu met the Five-Star Alchemist standard, and then the group proceeded to the Alchemist Guild's main hall.
"Our Alchemist Guild finally has a Five-Star Alchemist again.
The last time was thirty years ago, but that person didn't stay!" Yuan Qi exclaimed with emotion.
"Young man, whose Disciple are you?" Elder Qiu looked at Qin Chu.
Hearing Elder Qiu's question, Qin Chu bowed to Chu Shan, "Qin Chu thanks Elder Chu.
It was with Elder Chu's guidance that this Junior's Alchemy skills improved."
"Haha! I wouldn't dare take credit for that.
It's you, young man, who has a talent for Alchemy." Seeing Qin Chu acknowledge him, Chu Shan was very pleased.
Afterward, Yuan Qi inquired if Qin Chu had any intention of taking a position at the Alchemist Guild.
If he was willing, he would help arrange it.
"Thank you, Guild Master, for your high regard.
Qin Chu still has many things to do, but he will visit the Guild often.
If the Guild needs anything, Qin Chu will not delay." Qin Chu declined, but also made a small promise.
"The Five-Star Alchemist attire needs to be custom-made.
It will be sent to you later," Chu Shan said to Qin Chu.
After chatting with Chu Shan and the others for a few moments, Qin Chu left the Alchemist Guild.
He was very happy that he had successfully passed the Alchemist assessment.
Alchemists, Artifact Refiners, Array Masters, and Great Masters of Heavenly Machine Divination—this group of people has a very special status and is respected by Cultivators.
No Cultivator is willing to offend such people, as who knows when they might need their help?
Offending one could mean offending an entire circle, ultimately blocking one's own path.
After Qin Chu left, Yuan Qi and the others began to pester Chu Shan, saying that they absolutely had to keep Qin Chu.
Just then, Liu San rushed into the Alchemist Guild's main hall in a panic, "Guild Master, Elder Chu, Liu San just went to collect the Medicinal Pills and found that those dozens of bottles were not High Grade Spirit Pills, but top-grade ones..."
Liu San's face was filled with excitement; this was a major event, as top-grade Medicinal Pills were incredibly rare.
"Store this batch in the treasury, and use existing stock to fulfill the required quantity on the manifest.
This batch is to be used by our Alchemist Guild members themselves," Yuan Qi instructed Liu San.
"Yes!" Liu San excitedly went to make the arrangements.
If the Alchemist Guild members could use them, then he would also have a chance.
"Elder Chu, his name is Qin Chu?
This name has been circulating in the city lately.
He's a Sword Cultivator Genius, around seventeen or eighteen years old, who reached the Fourth Tier Sword Intent area of Heavenly Sword Mountain.
Could it be the same person?" Elder Qiu asked Chu Shan.
"I don't know! A few days ago, I was short-handed for Alchemy, so I grabbed him from among the people doing tasks.
Then I guided him for a few days and had him help refine Medicinal Pills for a few days," Chu Shan said, admitting he didn't really know Qin Chu.
Yuan Qi smiled, "Only a few days, Junior Brother.
How long did you think Senior Brother guided him for!"
"Junior Brother, this conversation is getting boring.
His Alchemy techniques before were indeed lacking; to say they were crude might be a bit of an understatement, but they were very unorthodox.
I gave him some pointers, and he improved, but it must be said, he did have some foundation before.
He carries a long sword; could he really be the same person Elder Qiu is talking about?
Then our Elder Qin might be interested," Chu Shan said.
Speaking of Elder Qin, Yuan Qi and the others' expressions became a little strange.
An Alchemist, who was also a Sword Cultivator, came to the Alchemist Guild more than ten years ago, but he never met guests.
He would only take action for high-level tasks.
After Qin Chu walked around the city for a while, he returned to the entrance of the Alchemist Guild and waited for Qian Xun.
The two of them returned to the inn together.
"Boss, I'm not going to do tasks anymore.
I'm as tired as a dog, and I don't lack resources," Qian Xun said to Qin Chu after they returned to the inn.
"Then don't go.
If I take Alchemy tasks, you can be my assistant; that would be much easier," Qin Chu said.
"Boss, I don't understand Alchemy?" Qian Xun said with a bitter expression.
Qin Chu smiled, "You won't learn?
It's fine if you just make me a pot of tea and lend a hand, isn't it?"
Qian Xun slapped the table, "Boss, you're going to help me soar!
Serving tea and pouring water is absolutely no problem!"
For the next few days, Qin Chu frequented the Alchemist Guild.
When someone posted an Alchemy task, Qin Chu would accept it.
He knew Chu Shan, so he worked in Chu Shan's Pill Refining Room.
Qian Xun became a general helper, sorting Medicinal Materials under Qin Chu's guidance, and then handling tea and water.
And surprisingly, Qian Xun was very skilled at it.
Because Qin Chu had a professional ethic, he refined only top-grade Medicinal Pills, which made the Alchemist Guild lively.
Everyone posting tasks wanted top-grade Medicinal Pills.
This caused an uproar in the Alchemist Guild.
Now, apart from Qin Chu, no one else could consistently refine top-grade Medicinal Pills, which left many Alchemists without work.
So Qin Chu was called to the Alchemist Guild's main hall.
There were many Alchemists in the hall, and each of them looked at Qin Chu with strange expressions, some admiring, some resentful.
"Qin Chu, your exclusive robe has arrived.
Go to the side hall, change into it, and come back," Yuan Qi said, handing Qin Chu a storage bracelet.
In the side hall, Qin Chu took off his coarse cloth outer robe and put on the traditional long robe of the Alchemist Guild, which was a cross-collared, tie-fastened long robe.
Qin Chu felt it was very good, very elegant, and had a bit of a Great Master's aura!