Chapter 92: The Alchemist's Trial

Zephyr's voice still echoed in the distance, "You're free to roam now. Explore as you wish, but remember to complete at least one task within six months." He nodded and headed off to find Mentor Meng, leaving the trio standing amidst the vast expanse of the academy.

Feng Xuan looked keenly at both Li Yang and Lisa, the prospects of adventures evident in his bright eyes. "Shall we check out the tasks together?" he inquired.

Li Yang declined with a small smile, "I'd prefer some solitude right now." Lisa, too, had her plans. "I'm curious about the teaching methods here. I'd like to attend one of the classes."

With a mutual understanding, the three went their separate ways. As Li Yang ambled down a path lined with ancient trees, the weight of Lysar's words about his father resonated in his mind. "Where would I find clues about my father?" he pondered aloud.

Lysar's voice whispered, "The Forbidden Zone. I sense faint traces of your father's aura there." There was a pause before he added, "But tread carefully, the place is guarded. Find a justifiable reason to enter."

Li Yang's heart raced, his fists tightened, "Understood." The urgency to return to Earth, to reunite with his wife Lan Xi, pushed him forward. The Alchemy Lab became his immediate focus. If he could master the art, he might be able to repair the teleportation circle and return to Earth.

Upon reaching the entrance of the Alchemy Lab, Li Yang was met with an unexpectedly long queue. A murmur ran through the crowd, hinting at the prestige associated with becoming an alchemist here. To make it through would mean not just honor but wealth and status.

Li Yang learned of the three-tiered trial process. The first trial was a replication task. Candidates were shown a holographic display of Grandmaster Yuan crafting a common ring, enhancing it with a gold attribute monster. This process, while seeming simple, was layered with complexities. The second trial was a direct test from Grandmaster Yuan, the specifics of which remained a mystery. The final trial was Edward's test - whispered to be the most daunting.

Choosing to gauge the challenge before participating, Li Yang watched the ongoing evaluations. One by one, aspirants took on the first task. The room was filled with intense concentration as candidates meticulously tried to mirror Grandmaster Yuan's process. The air crackled with magic and hope, but also with the palpable tension of potential failure.

But, to Li Yang's astonishment, every single participant failed. The task, which seemed straightforward, held layers of intricacy that most failed to grasp. Some could not get the gold attribute just right, while others struggled with maintaining the stability of the ring's form. It became evident that this was not merely a replication task, but a test of one's understanding of alchemy's fundamentals.

Li Yang paid close attention, noting each minor mistake and the areas where most struggled. He realized that the true essence of this trial wasn't just in the crafting but understanding the core principles of alchemy, the relationship between the material and the magical.

Hours seemed to pass, and the queue dwindled as more and more aspirants left, defeated. As the sun dipped, casting a golden hue across the academy, Li Yang felt a fire kindling within him. It wasn't just about mastering alchemy or finding his father's traces; it was about proving to himself that he could overcome any obstacle.

Taking a deep breath, he decided that the next dawn would see him take on the alchemist's trial, armed with observations, determination, and the burning desire to return to his beloved Lan Xi.