The Pill Devourer Dan Chen's physique, which allowed her to absorb Soul power, couldn't help but remind Xiao Yan of a Heaven Rank Cultivation Method in the Soul Palace's Treasure Hall. It involved devouring the Souls of others to cultivate and rapidly increase one's cultivation, requiring a ridiculous amount of Soul Points.
"Hehe, Elder Ye Zhong, I didn't expect you to be the one leading the team for the assessment again. It seems everyone else knows this is a rather embarrassing task."
Just as Xiao Yan followed Ye Zhong's footsteps, having just entered the testing room through a special passage, a shrill and sarcastic laugh echoed, jolting Xiao Yan from his thoughts.
Xiao Yan's expression remained unchanged as he turned his gaze towards the source of the voice. He saw an Old Woman in gray robes, grinning to reveal a mouthful of yellow teeth, her eyes filled with mockery as she stared at them.
Behind the Old Woman stood three young people in white robes, two men and one woman. All three had decent appearances, especially the white-robed woman, whose slender figure and alluring curves were extremely seductive. The two men beside her constantly focused their gazes on certain parts of her body, their eyes filled with desire and greed.
Ye Zhong transmitted his voice to Xiao Yan, saying, "This time, we're not the only ones conducting the test. The Bai Family and Qiu Family are also here."
"Oh? The Qiu Family?" This reminded Xiao Yan of some past events. He wondered if Qiu Ping was present and if he could find an opportunity to visit the Qiu Family.
Xiao Yan hadn't forgotten how Qiu Ping had been unfair and deliberately made things difficult for him during the Sect Assembly.
He held grudges.
However, Xiao Yan guessed that Qiu Ping was probably trembling in fear within the Qiu Family, especially after Xiao Yan dealt with the Ice River Valley, which made his name even more renowned.
"That noisy old hag is from the Bai Family, and the Yellow-Robed Old Man beside her is with a man and a woman from the Qiu Family."
Xiao Yan glanced at the Yellow-Robed Old Man, but unfortunately, it wasn't that old fellow Qiu Ping.
Among the Pill Domain Five Great Families—Dan, Cao, Bai, Qiu, and Ye—the Dan Family was always the most powerful, despite being low-key. No one would question their strength. The Cao Family was currently the most influential and powerful clan. The Bai Family, while not as strong as the previous two, was also a prestigious family.
The Qiu Family was relatively weaker, which was why they had ventured to the Northwest Region and engaged with the Medicine Bone Sect, hoping to expand their family's influence and recruit powerful Alchemists from outside their lineage.
Of course, Xiao Yan believed in holding people accountable for their actions and wouldn't target the Qiu Family without a reason. He was only targeting Qiu Ping.
"Hehe, Ye Zhong, you're here too." A white-robed Elder emerged from the room.
"Greetings, Elder Han Li."
"Ah, why are you being so polite with me... alas." Seeing this, the Elder called Han Li sighed. He was well aware of the Ye Family's situation and knew that this might be the last time he saw Ye Zhong.
"Alright, Ye Zhong, stop dawdling. I don't want to waste time because of you. Is this the person your Ye Family sent this time? Why doesn't he have an Alchemist Robe or a level Badge? Has he never obtained one from the Pill Tower?" The Bai Family's Old Woman impatiently waved her hand, then glanced at Xiao Yan and sneered.
It was evident that the Ye Family and Bai Family had some history.
Seeing the Bai Family targeting Xiao Yan, Ye Zhong frowned and stepped forward, coldly retorting, "Do you even know who he is..."
Before Ye Zhong could finish speaking, Xiao Yan raised his head and interrupted, waving his hand. Let me introduce myself.
Xiao Yan glanced at the Old Woman and honestly said, "This is my first time in Holy Pill City, and I haven't obtained a Badge from the Pill Tower."
"Heh, he's just a country bumpkin."
Hearing Xiao Yan's honest answer, the cold and elegant white-robed woman also looked at Xiao Yan with a hint of disdain, saying in a calm voice, "This special testing room is only for those who are assessing for Fifth Grade or higher level Badges. Is your Ye Family trying to break the rules?"
Ye Zhong's expression darkened, and he coldly rebuked, "I, Ye Zhong, don't need you to interfere with my affairs. Are you questioning Elder Han Li?"
The white-robed woman's face also darkened upon hearing this, but she could only snort coldly and refrain from saying more.
The Old Woman's lips curled into a cold smile as she sneered, "You, Ye Zhong, can only jump around for a few more days. Let's see how your Ye Family will remain in the Pill Domain after the assessment."
In the past, Ye Zhong would grit his teeth and appear helpless when the Old Woman mocked him like this. However, this time, to everyone's surprise, Ye Zhong chuckled, crossed his arms, straightened his back, and adopted a 'just you wait' attitude.
Having someone to rely on makes one's back straight!
Before the Old Woman could express her confusion, Han Li interrupted the dispute.
Elder Han Li spoke, "The time has come. Let the testing begin. Let's go in order of arrival. Qiu Family, what level of Badge are you two assessing for?"
"Rank 6 Intermediate-Level," the two young people from the Qiu Family said in unison.
Han Li nodded and looked at the Bai Family, asking, "What about you three?"
"Rank 6 Intermediate-Level," the two men behind the Old Woman stepped forward and said.
The white-robed woman wore an arrogant and confident expression, coldly stating, "Rank 6 High-Level."
Upon hearing this, the Qiu Family's Old Man's expression changed slightly, while the gray-robed Old Woman wore a smug smile.
"Not bad..."
Elder Han Li slowly nodded. Although the Bai Family wasn't as strong as the Dan or Cao Families, they were still full of talented individuals, far better than the Ye Family.
Thinking of this, the white-haired Elder sighed inwardly and turned his gaze to Ye Zhong, saying, "Ye Zhong... what about you?"
His words fell, and all the gazes in the room instantly converged on Ye Zhong and Xiao Yan. These gazes all contained a faint disdain, as the Ye Family had lost no small amount of face in recent years.
Xiao Yan didn't speak first. Instead, Ye Zhong very 'thoughtfully' walked to Xiao Yan's side and whispered, "The highest level that can be tested here is Rank 7 Intermediate-Level. Testing higher than that requires applying to the Pill Tower, which is very troublesome."
???? For a moment, everyone present was confused, not understanding why Ye Zhong was saying this. Why do you look less like the Ye Family Great Elder and more like an old servant?
"Oh, then Rank 7 Intermediate-Level is fine." Xiao Yan didn't care. This level was meaningless to him. Compared to these Rank 7 or Rank 8 badges, he felt that the Pill Gathering champion was more suitable for him.
Xiao Yan's words caused everyone in the room to be stunned, staring blankly at him, wondering if they had misheard.
The atmosphere in the room became unusually quiet because of Xiao Yan's previous words. Gazes, stunned, looked at him. After a moment, the astonishment dissipated, gradually turning into some sneers.
"Pitiful bumpkin, mistaking ignorance for fun."
"Hey, Ye Zhong, is your Ye Family so desperate that you're resorting to such attention-seeking tricks? This is the Pill Tower testing point, not your Ye Family's testing point. You can't just say whatever you want." The gray-robed Old Woman was the first to recover, saying disdainfully.
The three young men and women from the Bai Family also turned their mocking gazes to Xiao Yan, looking like they were watching a good show. They didn't believe that this kid, who had never been to the Pill Tower for testing, would actually be qualified to test for a Rank 7 Intermediate-Level Alchemist Badge.
The Qiu Family trio, although not as openly sneering as the Bai Family, also scanned Xiao Yan with suspicious eyes, clearly feeling that this kid was bluffing.
Han Li looked at the calm Ye Zhong in surprise and asked, "Ye Zhong, you need to know that if you falsely declare the assessment level, you will be severely punished."
Ye Zhong nodded slowly with a calm expression, stroked his beard, and said, "I didn't falsely declare. It's Rank 7 Intermediate-Level. Don't worry, Old Han, it's true."
Hearing Ye Zhong's words, Elder Han Li was also shocked and began to size up Xiao Yan. What shocked him even more was that his Soul Strength couldn't sense Xiao Yan's true strength!
He is a Rank 7 Intermediate-Level Alchemist!
"No way, so young?!" Han Li was shocked. Could it be!
Han Li, as befitting an Elder of the Pill Tower branch, quickly calmed down and said, "In that case, the Qiu Family, please wait a moment. I'll test this little brother first."
The Qiu Family had no objections. Rank 7 Intermediate-Level, they also wanted to know if it was true or false. Could such a young Rank 7 Intermediate-Level Alchemist come from the Ye Family?
Even in the Dan Family and Cao Family, a Rank 7 Intermediate-Level Alchemist of this age would be a top-five, or even top-three, genius in the family.
Xiao Yan, with his hands behind his back, followed Han Li into the testing room.
In just three minutes, Elder Han Li's exclamation came from the room: "Ah!"
Another three minutes passed.
"Damn!"
Another three minutes passed.
"DAMN!!!!!!"
A minute later, with a creak, the door was pushed open, and Xiao Yan walked out of the room with a calm expression. Strangely, Han Li didn't follow.
"Ten minutes??"
Seeing Xiao Yan come out in just ten minutes, everyone present rolled their eyes.
"I must be out of my mind. I even thought for a moment that he was a Rank 7 Intermediate-Level Alchemist."
"This guy probably went in and messed around and was kicked out by Elder Han Li."
"Looks like it. He even made Elder Han Li curse."
Sneers, cold laughter, and eye-rolls were directed at Xiao Yan. The only one who calmly believed in Xiao Yan was Ye Family Great Elder Ye Zhong.
There was no reason, just because his name was Xiao Yan!
"Mister! No, Master! Master, please wait!" A moment later, Han Li, with a look of shock, stumbled out of the testing room, bumping into many things along the way.
"Something wrong?" Xiao Yan turned his head and asked.
"Master, you haven't told me your name yet. I can't register and make the badge," Han Li shouted loudly, completely lacking his initial composure.
For a moment, the entire room became deathly silent. Everyone except Ye Zhong had a brain freeze.
What did they hear?! Before the Bai Family Old Woman could even question Han Li's fairness, another thunderclap struck.
"Oh, your tests are too simple. I forgot." Xiao Yan smiled slightly, the smile even a little kind, and said, "My name is Xiao Yan."
"Xiao Yan? Why does that name sound a bit familiar?"
"Ah! Xiao Yan of the Flame Alliance! That super genius who is rumored to be on par with Cao Ying!"
"Eighth Grade Alchemist!!"
The entire room erupted into an uproar the moment Xiao Yan's name was mentioned. One must understand that while this world allows for Soul image projections to preserve memories, it lacks the internet and pictures. Therefore, names are more easily spread than appearances.
Many might not recognize Xiao Yan's appearance, but his name is renowned throughout the entire Pill Domain! "You, you want to help the Ye Family with the assessment!?" The Old Woman instantly understood, pointing at Xiao Yan as she exclaimed in shock.
How could this be happening when the Ye Family was on the verge of being eliminated? Xiao Yan glanced over, letting out a cold snort. Instantly, Spirit Realm Soul power suppressed down. The Old Woman bore the brunt of it, letting out a muffled groan as she was forced to the ground. The three young people were even more vulnerable, so frightened that they collapsed onto the ground, trembling.
They had actually mocked an Eighth Grade Alchemist! That was the level of their family's Old Ancestor! "Do I, Xiao Yan, need you to teach me how to act?" Xiao Yan said with his hands behind his back, glancing condescendingly at the Old Woman. He then looked at the white-clothed girl who had fallen to the ground with a terrified expression, coldly smiling with disdain, "Average looks, average figure, and even more average Alchemic talent. I don't know what you're being so high and mighty about."
Xiao Yan's triple strike left the white-clothed woman unable to retort a single word.
Afterward, Xiao Yan looked towards the Qiu Family on the other side. Seeing Xiao Yan's gaze, the Yellow-Robed Old Man took two steps back in fright.
With a slight smile, Xiao Yan softly said, "Don't be nervous. I am a person who believes in settling debts with the right person. That Qiu Ping is in Holy Pill City, right? Have him come find me tomorrow, or I'll personally go to your Qiu Family to find him."
The Yellow-Robed Old Man originally wanted to say a few words, but recalling the outcome of Ice River Valley two months ago, he couldn't utter a single word.
Their Qiu Family was even weaker than the Bai Family. The entire family only had one Eighth Grade Alchemist Old Ancestor, and this Old Ancestor could only refine Eighth Grade Pills that attracted Three-Colored Pill Lightning at best. He was already old and declining, incomparable to a super genius like Xiao Yan.
If they didn't handle this well, the Ye Family would be their template!
"Elder Han Li, please deliver that Badge to the Ye Family mansion." Xiao Yan nodded, speaking kindly. It was as if the domineering Xiao Yan from just now was a fake. He now wore a welcoming smile, appearing harmless.
"Master Xiao Yan, you're too kind. It's no trouble at all. Hehe, if you don't mind, just call me Han Li. I can't bear the title of Elder in front of you." Han Li said, almost fawning.
Without even asking, everyone understood what kind of scene Han Li had witnessed inside.
With the assessment completed, Xiao Yan didn't want to stay any longer. He waved his hand and began to stroll around, appearing leisurely.
At this moment, Han Li walked to Ye Zhong's side, saying awkwardly, "Ye Zhong, where exactly did you find such a great figure to save your Ye Family? With him here, unless the Dan Family and Cao Family send out Dan Chen and Cao Ying, he's definitely going to be number one."
Even a fool would know that Xiao Yan had come to save the Ye Family, helping them pass the assessment. As for the fact that Xiao Yan wasn't surnamed Ye, that was easily resolved. They could just say something to the outside world.
Hearing this, Ye Zhong also sighed heavily, saying, "Perhaps it's fate."
As the Pill Gathering approached, the flow of people in Holy Pill City became increasingly terrifying. Not only during the day, but even at night, the clamor was deafening. As the number of people increased, countless individuals from all walks of life naturally mixed in. Some strange and bizarre things also began to circulate in these places, and among them, there were also some genuine treasures. Of course, this was only if your eyesight was good enough. Clearly, Xiao Yan's luck wasn't very good today. He spent an afternoon wandering around several trading areas in the outer region, but didn't gain much. At most, he only recognized a few rare Medicinal Herbs, and even then, he had to be quick to avoid being beaten to the punch by others.
Shaking his head, he returned to the Ye Family mansion, waiting for the Alchemist marketplace in two days.
Unsurprisingly, the news of Xiao Yan arriving in Holy Pill City and helping the Ye Family with the assessment spread throughout the entire Holy Pill City in just half a day. Even the Pill Tower in the inner city began to circulate Xiao Yan's name.
Early the next morning, before dawn, a person was already standing outside the Ye Family mansion.
Seeing this person, Ye Zhong also shook his head. Wasn't this Qiu Ping? In terms of Alchemy, Qiu Ping was slightly stronger than him, and was one of the Elders of the Qiu Family, holding a high position.
But today, he could only come alone to apologize.
The Qiu Family simply couldn't afford to offend the Flame Alliance. Even if their strength was inferior to the Flame Alliance, they were still an Alchemist family. Now, even their Alchemy skills were inferior to Xiao Yan's, a complete and utter defeat.
It was impossible to offend Xiao Yan to protect Qiu Ping.
"Sigh, Qiu Ping, come in." Ye Zhong couldn't bear it, after all, they were acquainted.
"That, Master Xiao Yan, he..." Qiu Ping asked anxiously. He now wished he could scatter the Bone Child Old Man's ashes!
What a pitfall!
"Master Xiao Yan is already awake, having breakfast in the living room. Master Xiao Yan asked me to call you in." Ye Zhong said.
Hearing this, Qiu Ping hurriedly walked into the Ye Family mansion, following Ye Zhong to the hall, where he saw Xiao Yan fighting with Zi Yan for steamed buns.
"Xiao Yan! You've eaten three already!"
"Haven't you eaten three too!"
For a moment, they seemed to ignore Qiu Ping.
Ye Zhong waited for a while, knowing it was time, and coughed lightly, saying, "Master Xiao Yan, Qiu Ping has arrived."
Hearing Ye Zhong's words, Xiao Yan stopped fighting with Zi Yan and looked at the trembling Qiu Ping, smiling slightly, "Oh? Aren't you the referee from the Sect Assembly back then?"
Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Qiu Ping was so frightened that his legs went weak and he knelt on the ground with a thud, saying, "It was I who was blind and failed to recognize Mount Tai. Please forgive me, Master Xiao Yan!"
Xiao Yan put down his chopsticks and smiled, "No, no, no, you're not wrong. That Bone Child Old Man's Alchemy was indeed better than mine. If he hadn't died, he might have surpassed me."
Hearing the word 'died', Qiu Ping trembled in fear. He hurriedly took out a long wooden box from his Storage Ring, holding it high with both hands, and walked to the table on his knees, saying in terror, "Upon learning of Master Xiao Yan's promotion to Eighth Grade, I have come to offer my congratulations."
Qing Lin was very sensible, taking the wooden box and slowly opening it. Instantly, three rays of light emanated from within, and three Magic Cores were placed inside.
Three Rank 8 High-Level Magic Cores! Seeing these three Magic Cores, Xiao Yan was genuinely happy this time. Xin Lan and Ye Zhong on the side were also staring with wide eyes! Their Ye Family couldn't produce such high-quality Rank 8 Magic Cores right now! Even though Qiu Ping was a Seventh Grade Alchemist, these three such high-quality Magic Cores probably cost him most of his fortune.
Xiao Yan licked his lips, picked up one of them and played with it in his hand, and said with a smile, "Although I don't like you, I like it. And I'm a very forgetful person, and I easily forget many things."
"Qing Lin, bring out another set of bowls and chopsticks."
"Yes, Young Master."
"Qiu Ping, have something to eat before you leave."
Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Qiu Ping breathed a sigh of relief and slowly stood up, but he also felt a pang of pain. Why was he so talkative in the first place!
The Little Fairy Doctor on the side glared at Xiao Yan and said in a low voice, "You're not a Grandmaster Alchemist at all, you're clearly a mountain bandit leader."
Xiao Yan looked at the Little Fairy Doctor and said with a smile, "What, do you want to be the lady of the stronghold?"
Only Zi Yan, who was sitting opposite Xiao Yan, was studying seriously, taking small notes.
Learned it, learned it.
Seventeen days!
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