"This Spirit-Nurturing Dust is truly a good thing." Xiao Yan clenched his fist, feeling the increase in his Soul power.
However, Xiao Yan himself didn't know that even in ancient times, that small wisp of Spirit-Nurturing Dust was enough for a dozen people, extremely expensive. Moreover, the true purpose of this Spirit-Nurturing Dust was as a secret treasure for Alchemists at the Mortal Realm Great Perfection to break through to the Spirit Realm.
Xiao Yan used enough for a dozen people all by himself. Fortunately, his Soul was at the Spirit Realm, or else his Soul would have exploded from absorbing too much.
With a ga ji sound, Xiao Yan pushed the door open and walked out. He knew that he had to help the Ye Family with their assessment today.
Although the Ye Family had declined, their Alchemic abilities were still essential to the Flame Alliance. Currently, the entire Flame Alliance only had him and Yue Er as Alchemists, and a large number of people were indeed needed to refine some low-level Pills.
With a boom, the moment Xiao Yan opened the door, Ye Zhong, who was waiting outside, felt a tremor in his Soul and subconsciously lowered his head in respect!
"Great Elder Ye Zhong, you are too polite." Xiao Yan waved his hand, indicating that he wasn't used to this.
Ye Zhong suddenly came to his senses and said with a smile, "Xiao Yan Master, today is the day of the assessment."
"Mm, lead the way." Xiao Yan waved his hand. This assessment was just a formality. Now that his Soul power had reached the middle stage of the Spirit Realm, even if the Dan Family and Cao Family sent out their strongest young generation, Xiao Yan was confident that he could defeat them.
When Xiao Yan followed Ye Zhong to the front of the assessment Great Hall, which covered an extremely vast area and looked extremely magnificent, he found that it was already packed with a dense crowd of people.
The five major families represented the Pill Tower's control over the five major cities in the Pill Domain, so they naturally attracted countless spectators.
Looking at this Great Hall, Ye Zhong's heart was excited. In the past, he came here with trepidation and unease. Now, he finally understood what it meant to be a paper tiger! Ye Zhong took the lead and walked in front to guide Xiao Yan. When passersby saw Ye Zhong and Xiao Yan arrive, they began to discuss animatedly.
"Hey, look, the Ye Family is here."
"The one in front is Ye Zhong, so the man behind him is the legendary Xiao Yan?"
"Wow, he looks so young."
"I heard that Xiao Yan is not only skilled in Alchemy, but also has top-notch strength, and he's still unmarried."
Under the gaze of many eyes, Ye Zhong and Xiao Yan smoothly arrived at the entrance of the Great Hall. The guards at the entrance looked at the Ye Family Badge on Ye Zhong's chest, then glanced at Xiao Yan behind him, whose expression was calm. Their eyes changed from their original indifference to solemnity.
They all bowed to Ye Zhong and Xiao Yan.
They looked down on the Ye Family, but not on Xiao Yan. An Eight Grade Alchemist, how powerful was that? To become an Eight Grade Alchemist at such an age, he would surely become a Pill Tower Giant in the future! The Pill Tower Three Giants had all entered the Eight Grade realm at the age of thirty!
"The Ye Family has arrived!"
A ga ga ga sound came as the heavy door was slowly pushed open with the guard's shout.
Entering the Great Hall, soft light poured down. When the light shone on his body, Xiao Yan also noticed that gazes filled with various meanings were also cast over from within the Great Hall.
Raising his eyes slightly, Xiao Yan's gaze swept across the Great Hall. At this moment, there were many figures sitting around the seats in the Great Hall, and what was most surprising was that the aura of these people was mostly not weak, obviously from some forces or families with good strength.
Especially an old man closest to the seats of the Dan, Cao, Bai, and Qiu families, this person gnashed his teeth as he looked at Xiao Yan, wishing he could eat Xiao Yan alive.
Without Ye Zhong asking, Xiao Yan also knew that this was the so-called Xiang Family Head.
If Xiao Yan hadn't appeared, then the Xiang Family would have been the new five major families.
With just one decision from Xiao Yan, the future was rewritten.
Ye Zhong led Xiao Yan towards the Ye Family's seat, and Xiao Yan also looked towards the seats of the Dan, Cao, Bai, and Qiu families.
The Qiu Family was the weakest. When they saw Xiao Yan coming, the Qiu Family Head nodded slightly. The Bai Family had a feud with the Ye Family and looked at Xiao Yan with a gloomy expression.
What surprised Xiao Yan was that in the Dan Family's seat, the girl with the special physique was staring at Xiao Yan with some joy in her eyes.
Seeing the timid girl, Xiao Yan smiled and waved in response.
"Dan Chen cousin, do you know that Xiao Yan?" Dan Xuan, whose talent was second only to Dan Chen, asked curiously.
Dan Chen nodded and said excitedly, "Dan Xuan cousin, he's the man who didn't have any problems when he met me at the branch tower that time."
Hearing this, not only Dan Xuan, but the other members of the Dan Family also cast surprised glances at Xiao Yan. Their Dan Family naturally knew how domineering Dan Chen's special physique was. Even the family's Old Ancestor, an Eight Grade Alchemist, didn't dare to be careless when facing the current Dan Chen.
Xiao Yan was actually fine!
"That Xiao Yan should have obtained a very powerful inheritance and knows some Soul Skills to protect himself. Dan Xuan, you should interact with that Xiao Yan more. Remember, do not offend this person," an old man beside him instructed in a low voice.
"I understand, Family Head."
Xiao Yan naturally didn't know this. After the two arrived at the Ye Family's seat, the assessment didn't begin. The reason was simple: the Cao Family hadn't arrived yet.
About five minutes later, a loud shout came from outside the door: "The Cao Family has arrived!"
As the shout rang out, there was also a commotion and discussion in the Great Hall. Many forces that were originally sitting upright quickly stood up, their faces filled with smiles.
It's not surprising, with the Cao Family's current status, it's enough to make them fawn over them.
Even the people from the Bai Family and Qiu Family had a hint of nervousness and smiles.
Hearing this loud shout, Xiao Yan, who had been closing his eyes to rest, slowly opened them, turned his head, and looked towards the entrance of the Great Hall.
The tightly closed door slowly opened, and the first thing that caught the eye was a graceful figure, with light and delicate steps, slowly walking out as the sunlight shone upon her.
When the graceful figure walked into the hall and appeared under the lights and gazes, the atmosphere within the Great Hall seemed to pause for a moment because of her.
Beautiful and moving.
The leading woman had a slender and tall figure, a black dress revealing a hint of aloofness, her long black hair casually tied up, her cheeks slightly thin, but exceptionally delicate, noble, and dignified.
The woman stood at the entrance of the Great Hall, her narrow and slightly lazy eyes revealing a hint of enchanting charm.
When this woman appeared, countless men in the hall were lost in her presence. Sensing the admiration of the crowd, the woman's slender lips slowly curved into a faint arc. The moment this arc appeared, her thin and charming face instantly became enchantingly alluring.
"Indeed worthy of the name Bewitching Woman," Xiao Yan thought to himself, nodding inwardly.
Without Ye Zhong's introduction, Xiao Yan knew that this woman in the black dress was the legendary Bewitching Woman Cao Ying, who was said to be his equal.
She passed the Pill Tower assessment at the age of twenty, becoming a Seventh Grade Alchemist. A year ago, it was rumored that she had refined an Eight Grade Pill, and now, she was only twenty-three years old.
Purely in terms of Alchemic talent, at the age of twenty-three, Xiao Yan was inferior to the Cao Ying before him?!
Of course, if Hun Xuzi knew what Xiao Yan was thinking, he would probably slap Xiao Yan to death. Wasn't Xiao Yan's statement implying that he, the old man, was blind?
Cao Ying's lips curled up slightly, her beautiful eyes sweeping over everyone present with a hint of boredom. Those who were caught by her gaze couldn't help but feel a sense of fervor and apprehension.
This woman's charm was indeed extremely seductive, but beneath this seduction, there was also a deep-seated apprehension.
She was like a brightly colored, beautiful snake.
"I wonder what would happen if this Bewitching Woman met Cai Lin," Xiao Yan couldn't help but have some mischievous thoughts, but he quickly dismissed them.
Cao Ying's gaze turned to Dan Chen. Seeing Cao Ying look over, Dan Chen hid behind Dan Xuan, timidly, like Jerry seeing Tom.
Cao Ying led the Cao Family, under the gaze of many eyes in the Great Hall, towards the Cao Family's seat.
Her footsteps paused slightly, Cao Ying's beautiful eyes fixed on the listless Xiao Yan, and she smiled and asked, "You are Xiao Yan?"
"I think I'm the only Xiao Yan here," Xiao Yan shrugged and replied.
"I heard that Mr. Xiao Yan is a young Eight Grade Alchemist. Hehe, coming to Holy Pill City specifically, it's not just to help the Ye Family, right? Could it be that you want to take the championship of this Pill Gathering into your arms?" Cao Ying covered her mouth and chuckled softly, but her eyes carried a hint of challenge.
Hearing Cao Ying's words, Dan Chen's beautiful eyes widened in surprise, and she also looked at Xiao Yan. She only now realized that Xiao Yan was actually an Eight Grade Alchemist.
Not only Dan Chen, but many major families present were also listening attentively. Although everyone had some speculation, Cao Ying was the first to openly ask Xiao Yan directly, and everyone wanted to hear Xiao Yan's answer.
"Could it be that Miss Cao Ying is only participating in the Pill Gathering to get the second place? If that's the case, then I won't compete with you. I prefer the championship."
Hearing Xiao Yan's straightforward words, many of those who were preparing to participate in the Pill Gathering felt a sinking feeling in their hearts. The Pill Gathering hadn't even started yet, and Xiao Yan and Cao Ying were already at odds with each other, the atmosphere was very tense!
"Oh~~" Cao Ying murmured, then stopped talking and led the Cao Family to sit in their seats, her slender, snow-white Jade Hand playing with a round jade bead, waiting for the start of the assessment.
Pill Refining wasn't just about talking, the winner would be unknown until the time came.
Not long after the Cao Family and others took their seats, the ground within the Great Hall suddenly began to tremble slowly. The seats of the five major families moved back like pieces of active flooring, and in the blink of an eye, a very spacious square appeared in the center of the Great Hall.
As the square appeared, a spirited white-haired old man walked out slowly, then stopped in the center of the square, his gaze slowly sweeping over the field, and he smiled, saying, "Now that the five major families have arrived, then I won't say much. This year's assessment will still be hosted by me, does anyone have any objections?"
"Hehe, Elder Sheng Yao, with your status and position in the Pill Tower, who would dare to question you?" Facing the white-haired old man's laughter, Cao Ying replied with a charming smile.
"This old man's name is Sheng Yao, he is one of the Pill Tower Eight Great Elders, and has a significant voice within the Pill Tower. Speaking of which, he can be considered a true high-level figure in the Pill Tower, and is a true Eight Grade Alchemist," Ye Zhong whispered in Xiao Yan's ear.
Xiao Yan nodded indifferently. In Xiao Yan's opinion, this old man was only at the early stage of the Eight Grade, and being able to refine Eight Grade Pills with Three-Colored Pill Lightning was already his limit.
"Little Ying, you don't need to flatter me, my old bones can't take it," the white-haired old man smiled slightly, then his gaze paused on Xiao Yan, and said, "The time is almost up, the assessors from the five major families, please enter the arena."
As the white-haired old man's words fell, the whispers within the Great Hall suddenly quieted down.
Xiao Yan slowly stood up and was the first to head towards the arena.
To Ye Zhong's surprise, neither the Dan Family nor the Cao Family had Dan Chen or Cao Ying take action, but instead had Dan Xuan and a burly man beside Cao Ying, Cao Xiu, enter the arena.
The Bai Family was still the same, sending out their most talented genius, Bai Ying. On the other hand, the Qiu Family only sent out a man in the early stage of the Seventh Grade. It seemed that they didn't plan to compete for a ranking, and just wanted to pass the assessment.
"Hello, Xiao Yan Master. I am Dan Xuan. I wonder if Xiao Yan Master will be free after the assessment. I would like to invite Xiao Yan Master to a simple meal to welcome you to Holy Pill City," Dan Xuan asked with a warm smile.
"No, I still need to cultivate and prepare for the Pill Gathering."
He, Xiao Yan, will strive openly and honestly, then crush all of you!
Upon hearing Xiao Yan's words, the expressions of those alchemists who were also planning to participate in the Pill Gathering couldn't help but change: Damn! A try-hard has appeared!
Elder Sheng also sized up Xiao Yan before saying, "Now that everyone is here, let's begin."
"The first test is to measure the strength of your souls."
Elder Sheng pointed to the center of the stone tablet, where there was a round, smooth mirror disk, and said, "Each of you will input your soul force into it, and this mirror disk will measure your soul value. The Pill Tower refers to this value as Soul Value."
"A Soul Value of 400 or more is considered passing. In the past years of the Five Great Families' assessments, the highest record was held by Cao Ying. Her Soul Value reached 976 back then, and it has not been broken to this day."
Speaking of this, Elder Sheng's gaze also turned to the Cao Family's seat. There, Cao Ying, dressed in a black dress, was propping up her fragrant cheek with her jade hand, while playing with a round jade bead with the other, appearing nonchalant and unaffected by the surrounding gazes.
"Hehe, now that everyone knows the rules, let's start according to the ranking of the Five Great Families." Elder Sheng retracted his gaze and smiled at Xiao Yan and the others.
Seeing this stone tablet, Xiao Yan couldn't help but recall the testing stone tablet of the Xiao Clan.
"How nostalgic," Xiao Yan smiled, recalling his childhood days in Wutan City.
As for the Soul Values of the others, Xiao Yan didn't care at all.
"Xiao Yan, it's your turn," Elder Sheng couldn't help but call out.
"Me too?"
"Ah?" Elder Sheng was stunned for a moment, then nodded and said, "According to the rules, yes."
"Alright then."
Seeing Xiao Yan walk towards the stone tablet, Cao Ying also put away her lazy look. At this moment, the truth or falsehood of all the rumors would be revealed!
Xiao Yan slowly extended a finger and gently pressed it against the stone tablet, the corner of his mouth slightly raised, no longer concealing his soul force.
*Boom boom boom!!!* Suddenly, the entire Great Hall began to shake, the ground trembled, and some gravel fell from the ceiling.
"Spirit Realm! It really is Spirit Realm Soul Force!"
"This is too outrageous, how old is he!"
Even though countless pieces of evidence showed that Xiao Yan was indeed an Eight Grade Alchemist, without seeing it with their own eyes, everyone was still unwilling to believe it, because it was simply too outrageous!
And at this moment, they had no idea what to say.
"He really is an Eight Grade..." Cao Ying's eyes stared fixedly at the back of the black-robed man, with a crack, the jade ball in her palm shattered. She knew that this man would be her biggest opponent in the Pill Gathering!
"His soul force is so powerful..." Dan Chen, somewhat timid, looked at Xiao Yan with some light in her eyes. She sensed that Xiao Yan's soul force was even stronger than hers.
Xiao Yan slowly retracted his finger, and with a boom, the testing stone tablet couldn't bear the weight of Xiao Yan's Soul and shattered in response.
"Elder Sheng, why don't you get a new one? I'll control my soul force this time. Otherwise, it would be embarrassing if I got zero points," Xiao Yan said.
"Uh... no need, I think everyone already knows who the first place is." Elder Sheng wasn't stupid, why would he do such a stupid thing.
Elder Sheng wrote the four words 'Xiao Yan Spirit Realm' on the record board.
"The next assessment is called Soul Manipulation..." Elder Sheng said, not forgetting to glance at Xiao Yan, and then took out a jet-black iron bead from his Storage Ring.
"This is a bead made of Soul Steel, called the Soul Measuring Pearl. This kind of thing seems very light and handy when held in the hand, but for the soul, it is like a thousand pounds."
"After this Soul Manipulation begins, many Soul Measuring Pearls will be scattered from the ceiling, and you will need to use only your soul force, without using Dou Qi, to support them. Whoever catches the most Soul Measuring Pearls will be the best in this assessment, and so on, to determine the ranking."
"The record for this Soul Manipulation test... uh, forget it, let's just start."
Elder Sheng didn't say much else. After all, Cao Ying's test was still two years ago. Moreover, who would send an Eight Grade Alchemist under the age of thirty? Isn't that just asking for trouble! Whoosh whoosh! Overwhelmingly, jet-black iron beads poured down from the sky like a rainstorm!
Just as Dan Xuan and the others were waiting in formation, trying to catch more black balls, suddenly, the black balls falling from the ceiling seemed to have been paused in mid-air! At this moment, Xiao Yan pointed a finger at the sky, and the hundreds or thousands of black balls in the sky stopped.
"Elder Sheng, is this okay?"
"You..."
Even the refined and easy-going Dan Xuan was annoyed at this moment. What kind of game is this! The difference between Spirit Realm and Mortal Realm is like the difference between humans and gods, they are simply not in the same world!
The Five Great Families' test never considered that someone from the Spirit Realm would participate!
Many people from the families glanced at Ye Zhong, thinking: If you want to hire a helper, don't make it so outrageous!
Having arrived here, the final item was actually unnecessary. The Ye Family had already succeeded. In this test among the five great families, Xiao Yan was like an adult fighting a child, able to send them flying with a wave of his hand to who knows where.
"The final assessment is very simple. The five of you will enter this circle and use your Soul power to fight each other. Whoever can stay in the circle last will be the victor." After saying that, Elder Sheng saw that the other four families didn't even want to fight, and didn't even want to enter the circle.
It was completely asking for trouble. Wasn't the ranking of this third round entirely up to Xiao Yan's mood! "Elder Sheng, the Cao Family wants to change people midway, is that possible?"
Inside the Great Hall, all eyes suddenly shifted, finally landing on Cao Ying, whose Jade Hand was supporting the table, her delicate body leaning slightly forward, revealing an alluring curve.
At this moment, Cao Ying's eyes were filled with a hint of fiery heat and fighting spirit as she looked at Xiao Yan.
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