Chapter 310: President, You Don't Believe Me Again

"Received suspicion, passive value, 34."

"Received affirmation, passive value, 1."

"Received support, passive value, 1, 1, 1, 1."

Xu Xiaoshou turned his head and looked at Mu Zixi.

The young girl gave him an encouraging glance, clenching her fist and raising a thumb.

"Hey."

Xu Xiaoshou smiled. "President Shi Ti, do you still not believe me?"

"I do believe you."

Shi Ti nodded firmly, feeling relieved.

"Truthfully, based on this single Dan Yao and Yun He's guarantee, I could give you the Alchemist Badge right here and now."

Xu Xiaoshou stayed silent, smiling brightly at the old president, knowing there was more to come.

"But..."

The old president stroked his beard, pulling out a handful of black stubble, and sighed. "I want to see you refine one again."

The onlookers nodded frantically—seeing is believing, after all.

Even with Yun He's firm assurances, they still couldn't accept that a mere Dan Yao could survive such a massive explosion.

Xu Xiaoshou chuckled and waved his hand dismissively.

"No need to refine it again."

"Since you've already said you believe me and plan to give me the Alchemist Badge, why should I bother with all that pointless effort?"

Shi Ti: ???

"Received curse, passive value, 1."

Everyone: ""

You have to admit, his train of thought is pretty flawless!

"Received admiration, passive value, 36."

Shi Ti's anger flared up easily again. He opened his mouth to roar.

Xu Xiaoshou quickly cut him off. "President Shi Ti, you've misunderstood. That's not what I meant."

"Since you're planning to give me the badge, I won't refuse it."

"I'll take the tenth-grade one first, then I'll test for ninth-grade to show you."

He waved his hand casually, leaving everyone stunned.

"Consecutive tests?"

"Received suspicion, passive value, 36."

Shi Ti's anger paused, his eyebrows shooting up.

He had thought Mu Zixi might handle consecutive tests, but that was just a guess.

Whether she could take them was one issue; whether she'd pass was another.

But where did Xu Xiaoshou get this confidence?

You, a mere stand-in, really think you're Sang Lao's disciple?

That you can dominate the entire Dan Ta with your alchemy skills?

Xu Xiaoshou laughed lightly. "President, you're doubting me again."

Shi Ti: ""

"Received curse, passive value, 1."

Everyone couldn't help but laugh.

As onlookers, once they calmed down, they realized for the first time that this guy seemed to have a good temperament.

Even when misunderstood by the crowd or yelled at by President Shi Ti, he remained completely unfazed, as if nothing could ruffle his emotions.

In contrast, the others were the ones getting shocked by his casual remarks, their anger boiling over.

And no one more so than the usually steady President Shi Ti.

Shi Ti's face darkened.

He truly didn't believe Xu Xiaoshou could pull this off.

"Whether I believe it or not doesn't matter now. Just refine a furnace of Dan Yao for me, and I'll see what you're really capable of!"

Yun He rolled his eyes inwardly. In the end, you just don't trust me, do you?

Xu Xiaoshou said with amusement, "Sure, but give me the badge first."

"The badge isn't possible yet, but we can follow your plan. If you really can refine a ninth-grade Dan Yao..."

Xu Xiaoshou excitedly interrupted, "President Shi Ti, are you making a bet with me and offering a reward?"

Shi Ti: ""

When did I ever say that?!

He gritted his teeth, nearly spilling his inner frustration.

Xu Xiaoshou sighed sadly, "Sigh, they say a genius is never appreciated in their time!"

"I've refined the Chi Jin Dan, and I have Yun He as my guarantor, yet no one believes in me, Xu Xiaoshou."

"Is the life of a genius always this lonely?"

"Where are my fellow geniuses?"

Everyone was dumbfounded.

Aren't those words supposed to stay in your head? How can you say them out loud so shamelessly?

Mu Zixi clenched her fist beside him. "Xu Xiaoshou, I believe in you."

Everyone turned to look, and the young girl's face flushed as she hid behind Shi Ti.

"Xu Xiaoshou, you got this."

This sudden encouragement surprised everyone even more.

They looked over.

Fu Xing?

Fu Yin Hong's beautiful eyes turned icy in an instant. "Why are you butting in?"

Fu Xing: "I believe in Xu Xiaoshou. I believe in my brother!"

Fu Yin Hong: ""

Shi Ti let out a long breath. At this point, he couldn't stay silent anymore.

If this kept going and everything Xu Xiaoshou said turned out true—even if just by chance—he'd lose all face.

He said slowly, "If you really can refine a ninth-grade Dan Yao, I'll, Shi Ti, grant you one favor!"

Everyone was shocked.

He was offering a favor just like that?

Envy filled their eyes—couldn't believe President Shi Ti was being so generous.

But then they thought again: if Xu Xiaoshou succeeded, Shi Ti's earlier behavior would indeed be excessive.

In that case, one favor in exchange for the president's dignity was a fair trade.

Xu Xiaoshou's spirits lifted.

Though Shi Ti had ties with Sang Lao, that wasn't a reason for him to act recklessly. But if he could secure this favor, things would be different.

He'd have a solid footing in Tian Sang Cheng!

As long as he didn't use the favor, who would dare touch Xu Xiaoshou?

He chuckled immediately. "Does that mean you can do anything for me, President?"

Shi Ti sneered, "Only if you can actually refine the Dan Yao!"

Xu Xiaoshou thought to himself, what's the difficulty in that?

His ninth-grade Lian Ling Dan had already been produced in Ling Gong, and he had plenty stored in his ring!

Though some lacked the usual refining liquid and looked pitch-black, they were still genuine finished Dan Yao!

This favor was as good as his.

Xu Xiaoshou pondered this and asked again, "If I refine a ninth-grade Dan Yao, you'll grant me one condition."

"What if I refine an eighth-grade one?"

A hint of eagerness appeared in his eyes.

Everyone was stunned.

This guy...

They had just thought he had a decent character, and now he was showing his true colors?

All talk and no substance, overly ambitious, plus causing chaos everywhere—he was full of flaws!

Shi Ti was amused despite his anger. "You really say whatever comes to mind, don't you? Eighth-grade?"

"You're quite bold to even suggest it!"

Xu Xiaoshou frowned. "President Shi Ti, you're doubting me again."

"Think carefully—have I ever lied? Which of my words has been false?"

Shi Ti: ""

He didn't want to speak at all.

Those painful memories of the Dan Ta scars—he didn't want to recall them!

Xu Xiaoshou sighed. "You think I can't do it, but it's always been accidents."

"What if? What if I succeed this time too!"

Shi Ti threw his head back and laughed. He couldn't take this kid's arrogance anymore and said coldly:

"If you can really refine an eighth-grade Dan Yao, then I, Shi Ti, wouldn't mind taking you as my disciple!"