Chapter 36: A Crushing Defeat

Dutaine scoffed, his voice laced with venom. “Hmph! So any random formula you scribble down counts as a new medicine now? Who’s to say it won’t be another Bone-Corroding Potion?”

He then noticed that no one paid him any mind, and many even regarded him with a hint of disdain.

Lu Yuan had already explained the pharmacology with such clarity that even a monkey could grasp it. There was virtually no chance of failure if one simply followed his instructions.

‘Dutaine’s heart sank with a jolt, as if he had unknowingly incurred the wrath of the crowd.’

His anger towards Lu Yuan intensified. “Even if, by some stretch, this truly is your new medicine, who can confirm its efficacy without a physical product?”

His words certainly held a degree of truth. No matter how robust a theory, it remained merely theoretical; without practical application, no tangible results could be achieved.

Lu Yuan, however, didn’t even spare him a glance. He calmly stated, “I recall the review conditions merely stipulating progress in new drug development, not necessarily the actual production of the new medicine.”

Upon hearing this, everyone recalled the guild’s regulations, and it seemed Lu Yuan was indeed correct.

Developing a new medicine for every review? Did they truly believe inventing new drugs was as simple as a sow giving birth? Such a demand was impossible; the guild would never be so unreasonable.

The requirement was merely to motivate core pharmacists, ensuring they didn’t become complacent.

“I dedicated considerable time to completing this formula. May I ask if reaching this stage of formula completion satisfies the review criteria?”

‘Ruolin, standing nearby, found his words incredibly grating, almost inviting a slap.’

‘Considerable time? What nonsense! This was clearly a temporary rewrite based on *her* new medicine formula!’

Though most of the ingredients had been altered, leaving no trace of Ruolin’s original new medicine, the underlying concept was undeniably an extension of her work.

‘How could this fellow be so brazen?’

However, Ruolin overlooked something crucial: to discern the flaws in her formula, improve upon it, and re-create a significantly upgraded version in mere minutes—that spoke volumes about one’s profound mastery of pharmacology.

Lu Yuan’s words choked Dutaine, leaving him breathless. “…Fine… fine! Even if the progress on the new medicine meets the requirements… what about the annual quota of medicines to be submitted? Can you meet that?!”

“In my laboratory, in the third cabinet from the left as you enter, there are a total of one hundred and twenty potions. Ninety are for external injuries, fifteen are antidotes, and another fifteen are enhancement potions. Are these sufficient to meet the submission quota?”

In truth, Lu Yuan was benefiting from Lei Yin’s goodwill here. Senior pharmacists often delve so deeply into new research that they forget their potion-making quotas. Consequently, many pharmacists typically prepare their required submissions well in advance.

These very potions had, coincidentally, been completed by Lei Yin beforehand.

“No! No! This is impossible!” Dutaine’s face flushed with a peculiar, almost deranged crimson. “I searched your laboratory! I confirmed your medicine stock! You couldn’t possibly have enough left to pass the qualification review!”

“Oh? You ‘searched’ my laboratory?” Lu Yuan cast him a half-smile, a hint of mockery in his eyes.

Only then did Dutaine realize his slip of the tongue. ‘Searching without permission’ and ‘borrowing’ were two entirely different concepts. While Ruolin could borrow Lei Yin’s laboratory, that was merely a temporary arrangement; ‘searching without permission’ carried a far more malicious implication.

Immediately, a chorus of boos erupted throughout the hall. Dutaine’s actions were simply too contemptible.

It was clear that from this moment on, his reputation would be utterly ruined.

Lu Yuan shook his head. “Is it so strange for my own laboratory to have a hidden compartment only I know about?”

“Fine! Fine! You’re impressive.” Dutaine saw the judgment in everyone’s eyes, knowing full well the labels he would now bear. But with matters having come to this, he decided to simply abandon all pretense.

“Apprentices! That’s right, apprentices! I’ve mentored twelve apprentices this year! What about you? How many of your former apprentices are left?” Dutaine’s eyes were bloodshot, practically bulging. “Only one greenhorn little girl, right?! Can a twelve-year-old girl possibly pass an apprentice examination personally overseen by the Guild Master?!”

‘Ugly… This hysterical display was truly unsightly.’

Even Risdo found it unbearable to watch.

“Uncle! Uncle!”

A soft, tender child’s voice suddenly drifted in, instantly drawing everyone’s attention.

This was the inner sanctum of the Pharmacist Guild, where only qualified pharmacists were permitted. How could there be a child here?

Puzzled, everyone turned their gaze towards the source of the sound.

There, a silver-haired girl, roughly twelve years old, glided gracefully through the doorway. She wore the long white uniform of a pharmacist apprentice, resembling a beautiful little butterfly.

She immediately launched herself into Lu Yuan’s embrace. “Uncle! I passed the apprentice exam! And I was first place!”

Pfft!

Dutaine promptly spat out a mouthful of old blood, collapsing to the ground, his condition unknown.

“Guards! Guards! Someone’s fainted here! Quickly, fetch a pharmacist!”

“Are you an idiot?! Everyone here *is* a pharmacist!”

A few pharmacists who were on good terms with Dutaine reluctantly stepped forward to treat him. They eventually summoned several burly guards to carry him out.

To think a talented and promising registered pharmacist could meet such an ignominious end.

It was truly pitiable.