Chau Zhimen's height wasn't that tall and seemed to look like a middle-schooler when compared to his previous world. He had a sharp-blue color, indicating his determination toward his goal. His body was also physically fit due to his Second Level Spiritual Elementary Realm cultivation base.
Normally, to become a first-rank alchemist, one must at least be at the Fourth or Fifth Level Spiritual Elementary Realm unless they have cultivated some special soul technique.
After all, cultivation doesn't really matter much in terms of refining, but their actual soul force. Without sufficient soul force, there is no possible way for a person to refine a pill considering the long duration and concentration needed.
Hence, Jiang Ming was surprised to see Chau Zhimen was able to refine his pill to such a step even though he had failed in the end.
'If this Chau Zhimen had proper guidance, he would have become the youngest alchemist in the Northern Continent.' He thought.
While he was in deep thought, Chau Heung hurriedly responded to his original question.
"My little brother is just messing around and using the alchemist guild leftover herbs to play around." She laughed awkwardly. With her position as a receptionist, she was eligible to receive some leftover herbs free of charge.
Thus, she was hoping to use those leftover herbs for Chau Zhimen to practice alchemy.
An alchemist was always respected everywhere and it would also boost their status through the sky right away. Even a 1st rank alchemist is better than any Spiritual Elementary or Spiritual Lord Realm.
Jiang Ming nodded his head in understanding. He stared at Chau Zhimen, who was ready to throw a fit at him in amusement.
"Does this little brat have any teacher?" He asked.
"N-No, how could my little brother be lucky enough to receive guidance from the respectful alchemist. He's just playing around and still young. I hope that Jiang Ming can forgive his audacity from before." Chau Heung pleaded once again.
Chau Zhimen might not know who he was going up against, but Chau Heung knew exactly the type of person Jiang Ming was. He was the type to be extremely ruthless to his enemies yet outgoing when he was with his friends.
They had barely been acquaintances, so Chau Heung feared that Jiang Ming might slaughter Chau Zhimen for disrespecting and attacking him.
She decided to move Chau Zhimen aside and walked toward Jiang Ming.
And in a soft but sweet tone, she whispered, "If Jiang Ming is willing to forgive my little brother's offense, I-I can warm your bed tonight."
Right now, her body was the only bargain power she had in hand to exchange for her little brother's life. Or at least that's what Chau Heung had in mind.
"Seriously, why are you suddenly offering your body?" Jiang Ming asked in confusion. "It's just a little smack, and it's not like he was trying to kill me. He was just trying to protect his precious elder sister."
"B-But he had offended you…"
"Chau Heung, I'm a bit hurt that you are trying to compare me with those savages. Unlike those young masters who only used their background and influence to boast around, I relied on my own strength." He patted her shoulders, reassuring her that he wouldn't pursue it any further.
Meanwhile, Chau Zhimen twitched his eyes when he saw Jiang Ming once again touching his elder sister.
"Again!" Chau Zhimen shouted in fury. "Watch how I'll deal with you."
Afterward, Chau Zhimen's eyes gleamed in a blue light as he started using his soul force. Although the soul force wasn't much in Jiang Ming's eyes, it was adequate for someone his age.
"Stop it, Chau Zhimen!' Chau Heung shouted in panic. She had just gotten reassured from Jiang Ming that he wouldn't pursue the previous incident. Yet if her little brother decided to attack again, then she feared that it might really anger Jiang Ming.
"Heh, amateur control." Jiang Ming smirked, pulling Chau Heung behind him as he exuded his soul force.
THUMP!
The moment Jiang Ming unleashed his soul force, Chau Zhimen felt like he was staring at a devil. His knees quickly dropped to the floor as he could barely move an inch.
"Rest assured, Chau Heung. I'm just testing your little brother's aptitude. There's no way I would kill him in front of you when I still want to grope your body." Jiang Ming whispered sweetly to her, letting her know that he didn't mean any harm.
He simply wanted to test Chau Zhimen's aptitude and potential as an alchemist.
Sometime later, Chau Zhimen's mouth started seeping out blood as he struggled to resist the soul force emitting from Jiang Ming. Chau Heung was filled with anxiety the entire time, but she didn't dare to intervene, lest she might accidentally cause harm to him.
"Is this your limit?" Jiang Ming asked in a taunting tone. "You expect to protect your elder sister with such skill? Are you joking with me or simply clowning around?"
"Don't you dare act so arrogant!" Chau Zhimen gnashed his teeth in anger, his gaze focused completely on Jiang Ming. "Just because I'm young doesn't mean you can trample me like this. If I was older than you, then it would have been you kneeling in front of me."
"Heh, such a high tone you have. Unfortunately, it's nothing but a fart in my ear."
"Damn bastard…" Chau Zhimen started circulating his core as his aura started to rise up. It was a sign of breakthrough due to the rage and frustration he had felt.
Jiang Ming curled his lips upward when he realized he was about to make a breakthrough.
'Just like almost all those plot-armor protagonists… when you push them to a corner enough, then that's when their true potential will be revealed.' He thought.
Seeing the current state of Chau Zhimen, Jiang Ming pulled out a chair from his inventory as he took a seat. In addition, he held Chau Heung and had her sit on his lap while he sniffed her fragrance.
"What are you going to thank me with, now that I helped your little brother advance?" Jiang Ming asked cheekily.