9 President Gu Yan

The Alchemy Association is managed by the Elder Council, a group of 6 elders and the president that manages the daily affairs. Within the Elder Council, Yu Gan is the president and holds the most power within the Association. However, there are many trying to get his position. Building power to usurp him.

Most of the elder council is made up of Senior Alchemy Master who want to further improve their skill to enter the Grandmaster rank. As such, even with their age reaching more than 60 years, they continue practising. Refining daily or more to improve their skill.

Gu Yan, however, is one the one that's mostly disturbed during refining. As a president, most of the matters have to pass through him. This was one of the cases. As both, Chu Ling and Jiao Bei entered the Elder's Hall they disturbed him. Although he wasn't refining, he was looking at the declining finances of the Association.

Seeing both of them carrying a stack of pages, all his attention was into them. He was looking for an excuse to look away from these papers that only showed their fall.

"President Gu Yan, look at these pages" -Jiao Bei shouted, seeing he didn't show the respect needed he expressed regret- "I apologise."

Gu Yan didn't mind him and picked the pages as he started to look at them one could see how he was thinking about the answers. One could even see him making a few calculations with his fingers. After a few pages, he looked at the pair.

"Did that old Chang Fei make another answer sheet? He did exceed himself with this one. Seems he's getting near the Grandmaster rank before me."

"Grandmaster?" -Both Chu Ling and Jian Bei couldn't believe it. Was that kid Tian near the Grandmaster rank? He wasn't a genius but rather a monster.

"No, Elder Change Fei didn't make this. This is the exam of a student."

Gu Yan looked at both, their faces didn't seem to be lying– "Seems we're going to have quite the talented one joining. Then, what are you here for? This student shouldn't have any problem passing the exam"

"No, we would like to request you to let him pass the exam and join the Association directly."

"That's impossible" -Gu Yan refused- "You already know the requirements to become an Alchemy Master. Even if his theoretical test is splendid, he may not have the practical experience required."

"What if the student we are talking about is just a 13-year-old kid? Isn't this a talent we must try to get and nurture even if he doesn't have any practical experience?"

Hearing Chu Ling words, Gu Yan felt he heard wrong. Inside him, a part couldn't believe the word of Chu Ling and another part of him was excited. This could be the rise of the association. – "Wait, did you say 13 years old? Did I hear you right?"

"Yes, president. We were as surprised as you. We even checked to see his he was cheating. As we walked around him looking, he continued answering the pages. There wasn't even a change of speed."

Gu Yan in disbelieve couldn't help but ask- "Are you sure?"

"President, on the honour of the Chu Family. I assure you; he wasn't cheating." -Chu Ling said as he kneeled on the floor with a hand on his heart.

Gu Yan stood up from his seat. Helping Chu Ling get back up he spoke- "Now, there is no need to do so. I believe you." – Gu Yan stood in though. There was no way he would let him just pass to become an Alchemy Master without assessing him. – "Bring that boy to me. Also, bring Director Yang too. You cannot say any of this to anyone, even if the elders ask you about this, ok?"

"Yes!!" -Both Chu Ling and Jiao Bei run away after hearing the command of the president.

"If he is indeed such a genius, there's no way I'm letting him get away from me. I must nurture him to become one of my supports. That dammed Hu Shuo is gaining to much strength recently."

Gu Yan looked at the papers on his desk. The financial situation wasn't that important at this moment. He ordered the desk a bit, so as not to let the kid see the mess and lose face. By the time, he finished Chu Ling entered again in the hall. His face seemed to be a bit in distress.

"President Gu Yan, there's a problem."

"What? What's going on?"

"The student. Tian. He says he doesn't want to meet the president yet. He wants to continue to the practical test."

Gu Yan let out a small laugh. The kid didn't want to cheat his way to the Alchemy Master position. He would rather prove himself worthy of such a position. There were few people like that currently in the Association. Many tried to gain higher position abusing of family ties or favours.

Hearing Gu Yan chuckle, Chu Ling was a bit afraid. Tian didn't show much respect rejecting the summon of the president. He feared the consequences as he was the one that started the whole thing until he heard Gu Yan- "Bring him to my private chamber. Also, bring the materials for the practical test. I shall observe and asses his skill myself. No need for other juries. Oh, and bring director Yang too."

Gu Yan arrived at his private chamber. This was the place where most of his private experiments were held. One could see the used cauldron and grounded herbs on the table. In the middle, the cauldron with a small fire under it, currently put out. The smell of herbs was refreshing for Gu Yan, who lacked the time to refine as much as he wanted. One could see him breathing deeply, impregnating his lungs with the scent.

One door opened and he could see Tian enter.

"He really was a 13-year-old kid!! They weren't kidding!!"