Word Count: 3,156 Words
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That Dan Chen's soul-devouring constitution reminded Xiao Yan of a Tian Class Qi Method in the Hall of Souls' Treasure Hall. It consumed others' souls to rapidly enhance cultivation and required an enormous number of soul points.
"Hehe, Elder Ye Zhong, I didn't expect it would be you again leading people for the assessment. Seems everyone else knows this task is quite embarrassing!"
A sharp, grating laugh interrupted Xiao Yan's thoughts just as he followed Ye Zhong through the special passage into the testing room.
Xiao Yan's expression remained unchanged. His gaze followed the voice to a gray-clothed old woman grinning with yellow teeth, eyes filled with mockery as she looked at them.
Behind the gray-clothed old woman stood three white-clad young people: two men and one woman. All three had attractive appearances, especially the white-clothed young lady. Her tall, graceful figure had sensual curves that were extremely alluring. The two men beside her repeatedly focused their gaze on certain parts of her body, their eyes burning with heat and greed.
Ye Zhong transmitted his voice to Xiao Yan: "This time it's not just us being tested. The Bai Clan and Qiu Clan are here too."
"Oh? The Qiu Clan?" This reminded Xiao Yan of some past events. He wondered if that Qiu Ping was present. Perhaps he could find an opportunity to visit the Qiu Clan.
Xiao Yan hadn't forgotten how Qiu Ping had shown bias and deliberately made things difficult for him during the Great Meeting of Factions.
He held grudges.
Though he suspected Qiu Ping was probably already trembling with fear within the Qiu Clan, especially after he had dealt with Ice River Valley and his reputation had grown even more resounding.
"This noisy old woman is from the Bai Clan. The yellow-robed elder and that young man and woman are from the Qiu Clan."
Xiao Yan glanced at the yellow-robed elder. Unfortunately, it wasn't that old fellow Qiu Ping.
In the Pill Region, the five great clans were Dan, Cao, Bai, Qiu, and Ye. Though the Dan Clan maintained a low profile, their strength had always been at the pinnacle, and nobody questioned its power. The Cao Clan was currently the most prominent powerful clan. The Bai Clan, while not comparable to the previous two, remained a prestigious faction.
The Qiu Clan's relatively weaker strength had driven them to the North-Western Region to establish relations with the Medicine Bone Sect, hoping to expand their clan's influence and recruit powerful alchemists from outside the clan.
"Hehe, Ye Zhong, you've come too." A white-robed elder emerged from the room.
"Apologies for troubling Elder Han Li."
"Sigh, why stand on ceremony between us... sigh." The elder called Han Li sighed. He knew the Ye Clan's situation well. Perhaps after this time, he would never see Ye Zhong again.
"Enough, Ye Zhong, stop wasting time. I don't want delays because of you people. Is this kid your Ye Clan's representative? Why doesn't he even have an alchemist's robe or grade badge? Has he never obtained one from the Pill Tower?" The Bai Clan's old woman waved her hand impatiently before casting a sidelong glance at Xiao Yan and sneering.
Clearly, the Ye Clan and Bai Clan had some history between them.
Ye Zhong frowned when he saw the Bai Clan targeting Xiao Yan. He stepped forward with a cold snort. "Hmph, do you know who he—"
Xiao Yan raised his head and interrupted before Ye Zhong could finish, waving his hand. Self-introductions were better handled personally.
He glanced at the old woman and answered very honestly: "This is my first visit to Holy Pill City. I've never received a badge from the Pill Tower before."
"Heh, truly a country bumpkin."
Hearing Xiao Yan's candid response, the cold, beautiful white-clothed young lady cast a disdainful glance his way. Her voice remained flat as she said, "This special testing room is only for those qualifying for 5th-tier or higher grade badges. Is your Ye Clan trying to break the rules?"
Ye Zhong's face darkened, and he retorted coldly, "What business is it of yours how I, Ye Zhong, do things? Aren't you questioning Elder Han Li with this?"
The white-clothed young lady's face darkened at these words, but she could only snort coldly and dared not speak further.
The old woman's lips curved upward as she laughed coldly. "Enjoy your few remaining days strutting around, Ye Zhong. When assessment day arrives, we'll see how your Ye Clan can possibly remain in the Pill Region."
In the past, whenever the old woman mocked him this way, Ye Zhong would grit his teeth in helpless anger. This time, surprisingly, Ye Zhong chuckled, folded his arms across his chest, straightened his back, and adopted a 'we'll see' attitude.
Having someone backing you really did straighten the spine!
Before the old woman could grow suspicious, Han Li interrupted the dispute.
"Time's up. Let's begin the assessment in order of arrival," Elder Han Li announced. "Qiu Clan, what level badges are you two testing for?"
"6th-tier, middle grade," the two young people from the Qiu Clan responded in unison.
Han Li nodded and looked toward the Bai Clan. "And you three?"
"6th-tier, middle grade," the two men behind the old woman stepped forward and said.
The white-clothed young lady's face carried a hint of arrogance and confidence as she said coldly, "6th-tier, high grade."
At this, the Qiu Clan elder's expression changed slightly, while the gray-clothed old woman wore a triumphant smile.
"Not bad."
Elder Han Li nodded slowly. The Bai Clan might not compare to Dan or Cao, but they still possessed abundant talent, far better than the Ye Clan.
The white-haired elder sighed inwardly at this thought. His gaze turned to Ye Zhong. "Ye Zhong... what about you?"
All gazes in the room instantly converged on Ye Zhong and Xiao Yan when his words fell. These gazes all contained faint disdain. The Ye Clan had lost considerable face over the years.
Xiao Yan didn't speak first. Instead, Ye Zhong very 'considerately' walked to his side and whispered, "The highest test available here is only middle-grade tier 7. Anything higher requires applying to the Pill Tower directly, which is quite troublesome."
????
Everyone present looked confused, not understanding why Ye Zhong would say this. He looked less like the Ye Clan's First Elder and more like an old servant!
"Oh, then middle-grade tier 7 will do." Xiao Yan didn't care either way. This grade meant nothing to him. Compared to these 7th-tier or 8th-tier badges, he felt the Pill Gathering championship suited him better.
When Xiao Yan spoke, the room fell completely silent. Everyone stared at him in disbelief, wondering if they had misheard.
His words had transformed the atmosphere of the entire room. The various gazes fixed upon him initially showed astonishment, which gradually shifted to mockery.
"Poor country bumpkin, mistaking ignorance for humor."
"Heh, Ye Zhong, is your Ye Clan now so desperate that you're playing attention-seeking tricks? This is the Pill Tower's testing point, not your Ye Clan's. You can't speak so carelessly." The gray-clothed old woman recovered first and spoke disdainfully.
The three young Bai Clan members also turned mocking gazes toward Xiao Yan, looking as if they were expecting a good show. They couldn't believe this kid who had never been tested at the Pill Tower could actually qualify for a middle-grade 7th-tier alchemist badge.
The three from the Qiu Clan didn't openly sneer like the Bai Clan members, but their doubtful gazes swept over Xiao Yan. They clearly thought this kid was bluffing.
Han Li looked at the calm Ye Zhong in surprise and asked, "Ye Zhong, you know that falsely reporting assessment levels carries heavy penalties, right?"
Ye Zhong calmly nodded, stroking his beard. "No false reporting. It's middle-grade tier 7. Don't worry, Old Han. It's genuine."
Elder Han Li was shocked. He carefully examined Xiao Yan, yet what surprised him more was that his Spiritual Strength couldn't perceive Xiao Yan's true depth!
He was a middle-grade 7th-tier alchemist himself!
'Could it be, at such a young age?!' Han Li was startled inwardly. Could it be!
Han Li truly deserved his position as a Pill Tower branch elder. He quickly calmed down and said, "Since that's the case, Qiu Clan, please wait. I'll test this little brother first."
The Qiu Clan offered no objections. Middle-grade tier 7—they also wanted to know whether this claim was genuine. Could such a young middle-grade 7th-tier alchemist really emerge from the Ye Clan?
Even in the Dan and Cao Clans, a middle-grade 7th-tier alchemist of this age would rank among the top five or even top three geniuses.
Xiao Yan clasped his hands behind his back and followed Han Li into the testing room.
Just three minutes later, Elder Han Li's exclamation came from within: "Ah!"
After another three minutes:
"Holy crap!"
After yet another three minutes:
"HOLY CRAP!!!!!"
One minute later, the door creaked open. Xiao Yan walked out calmly from the room. Strangely, Han Li didn't follow him out.
"Ten minutes??"
Everyone rolled their eyes when they saw Xiao Yan emerge after just ten minutes.
"I really had pork fat covering my brain. I actually believed for a moment that he was a middle-grade 7th-tier alchemist."
"This guy probably went in, messed things up, and then got kicked out by Elder Han Li."
"Seems like it. He even made Elder Han Li curse loudly in anger."
Mockery, sneers, and eye rolls were directed at Xiao Yan. The only person who remained calm and believed in Xiao Yan was Ye Clan's First Elder, Ye Zhong.
There was no particular reason, simply because he was Xiao Yan!
"Sir! No, Grandmaster! Grandmaster, please wait!" Moments later, a visibly shocked Han Li stumbled out of the testing room, bumping into several objects along the way.
"Is something wrong?" Xiao Yan turned his head and asked.
"Grandmaster, you haven't told me your name yet. I can't register and create the badge without it!" Han Li shouted loudly, completely abandoning his initial composed manner.
The entire room instantly became deathly quiet. Everyone except Ye Zhong experienced a mental shutdown.
What had they just heard?!!
The Bai Clan old woman hadn't even had time to question Han Li's fairness before another thunderbolt struck.
"Oh, your test was so simple I completely forgot." Xiao Yan smiled slightly, his expression surprisingly warm. "My name is Xiao Yan."
"Xiao Yan? Why does that name sound familiar?"
"Ah! Yan Alliance's Xiao Yan! The legendary super-genius who rivals Cao Ying!"
"8th-tier alchemist!!"
The two words 'Xiao Yan' caused an immediate uproar throughout the room. Although this world could use soul projections to record memories, there was no internet or photographs. Names spread more easily than appearances.
Many people might not recognize Xiao Yan's face, but his name resounded like thunder throughout the entire Pill Region!
"You... you, you're going to help the Ye Clan with their assessment?!" The old woman instantly understood and pointed at Xiao Yan in shock.
The Ye Clan was clearly about to be eliminated. How could this happen!
Xiao Yan glanced at her and coldly snorted. His Soul State Spiritual Strength immediately pressed down. The old woman bore the brunt of it, groaning as she was forced to the ground. The three young people were even more defenseless, frightened into sitting on the ground and trembling visibly.
They had just mocked an 8th-tier alchemist! That was the level of their clan's ancestors!
"Do I, Xiao Yan, need you to teach me how to do things?" Xiao Yan clasped his hands behind his back, looking down imperiously at the old woman. He then turned toward the white-clothed young lady sitting terrified on the ground and sneered coldly. "Average looks, average figure, even more average alchemy talent. I don't know what you're being so haughty about."
Not a single word of this triple blow could be refuted by the white-clothed young lady.
Xiao Yan then looked toward the Qiu Clan on the other side. The yellow-clothed elder retreated two steps in fright when he saw Xiao Yan's gaze.
With a slight smile, Xiao Yan said softly, "Don't be nervous. I'm someone who directs grievances appropriately. Is that Qiu Ping in Holy Pill City? Tell him to come find me tomorrow. Otherwise, I'll personally visit your Qiu Clan to find him."
The yellow-robed elder initially wanted to say something, but remembering what had happened to Ice River Valley two months ago, he couldn't utter even half a word.
Their Qiu Clan was even weaker than the Bai Clan. The entire clan had only one 8th-tier alchemist ancestor who could at best refine pills that attracted three-colored Pill Lightning. This elder was already declining with age and couldn't compare to a super-genius like Xiao Yan.
If they handled this poorly, the Ye Clan's fate would become their own!
"Elder Han Li, please send that badge to the Ye Clan mansion." Xiao Yan nodded and spoke amiably, as if the domineering Xiao Yan from moments ago was an illusion. He now appeared friendly and harmless.
"Grandmaster Xiao Yan is too polite. This isn't troublesome at all. Hehe, if you don't mind, just call me Han Li. I don't deserve the title of Elder before you." Han Li spoke almost obsequiously at this point.
Without needing to ask, everyone understood what scenes Han Li had witnessed inside.
With the assessment complete, Xiao Yan had no desire to linger. He waved his hand and began wandering around leisurely.
Han Li walked to Ye Zhong's side at this moment and said awkwardly, "Ye Zhong, where did you find such a great deity to save your Ye Clan? With him here, unless the Dan Clan and Cao Clan send out Dan Chen and Cao Ying, he's practically guaranteed first place."
Even a fool knew that Xiao Yan had come to save the Ye Clan and help them pass the assessment. As for Xiao Yan not having the surname Ye, that could easily be explained away with some public statements.
Ye Zhong sighed heavily at these words and said, "Perhaps it's fate."
…
Holy Pill City grew increasingly crowded as the Pill Gathering approached. Not only during the day, but even at night, the clamor filled the air. With increased foot traffic came countless people from all walks of life. Strange and curious items circulated in these places, including some genuine treasures. Of course, one had to have the discernment to recognize them.
Clearly, Xiao Yan's luck wasn't great today. He spent the entire afternoon browsing several trading areas in the outer region without much gain, at most recognizing a few rare medicinal ingredients. He had to be quick to prevent others from snatching them first.
Shaking his head, he returned to the Ye Clan mansion to await the alchemist marketplace in two days.
Without a doubt, news of Xiao Yan arriving in Holy Pill City and helping the Ye Clan with their assessment spread throughout the entire city within half a day. Even the Pill Tower in the inner city began circulating his name.
Early the next morning, before the sky had brightened, someone stood outside the Ye Clan mansion gate.
Ye Zhong shook his head when he saw this person. Wasn't this Qiu Ping? In terms of alchemy skills, this Qiu Ping slightly surpassed him and was one of the Qiu Clan's elders, holding a not-insignificant position.
But today, he could only come alone to apologize.
The Qiu Clan simply couldn't afford to offend the Yan Alliance. Even if their overall strength was inferior to the Yan Alliance, that was one thing; after all, they were an alchemist clan. Now, even their alchemy skills were inferior to Xiao Yan's. It was complete domination on all fronts.
They couldn't possibly protect Qiu Ping at the cost of offending Xiao Yan.
"Sigh, Qiu Ping, come in." Ye Zhong felt sympathy for his acquaintance.
"Um, is Grandmaster Xiao Yan..." Qiu Ping asked fearfully. He now wished he could scatter even Gu Tong's ashes!
That man had truly ruined him!
"Grandmaster Xiao Yan is already awake, eating breakfast in the living room. He asked me to bring you in." Ye Zhong explained.
Hearing this, Qiu Ping hurriedly followed Ye Zhong into the Ye Clan mansion. In the main hall, he saw Xiao Yan competing 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 completely ignore Qiu Ping's presence.
Ye Zhong waited a while and knew it was time. He coughed lightly and said, "Grandmaster Xiao Yan, Qiu Ping has arrived."
Xiao Yan stopped competing with Zi Yan. He looked at the trembling Qiu Ping and smiled slightly. "Eh? Aren't you the referee from the Great Meeting of Factions?"
Qiu Ping was scared to death. His legs went weak, and with a thud, he knelt on the ground. "I was blind and failed to recognize Mount Tai. Please forgive me, Grandmaster Xiao Yan!"
Xiao Yan put down his chopsticks and smiled. "No, no, no. You weren't wrong. That Gu Tong's alchemy truly was superior to mine. If he hadn't died, he might have surpassed me."
Qiu Ping's teeth chattered when he heard the word 'died'. He hurriedly took out a long wooden box from his storage ring, held it high with both hands, and crawled on his knees to the table. He said fearfully, "Upon learning of Grandmaster Xiao Yan's promotion to tier 8, this humble one has come to offer congratulations."
Qing Lin very considerately took the wooden box and slowly opened it. Three rays of light immediately emanated from within, revealing three Monster Cores arranged inside.
Three high-grade Rank 8 Monster Cores!
Xiao Yan felt genuinely happy when he saw these three Monster Cores. Xin Lan and Ye Zhong beside him stared with wide eyes! Their Ye Clan could no longer produce such high-quality Rank 8 Monster Cores!
Even though Qiu Ping was a 7th-tier alchemist, these three high-quality Monster Cores had probably cost him most of his wealth.
Xiao Yan licked his lips, picked one up, and played with it in his hand. "Although I don't like you, I do like these. Besides, I'm a very forgetful person; I tend to forget many things."
"Qing Lin, bring another set of bowls and chopsticks."
"Yes, Young Master."
"Qiu Ping, eat something before you go."
Qiu Ping breathed a sigh of relief when he heard these words. He slowly stood up, though his heart ached. Why had he been so loose-lipped back then!
Little Fairy Doctor rolled her eyes at Xiao Yan from the side and said softly, "You're not an alchemy grandmaster at all. You're clearly a bandit chief."
Xiao Yan looked at her and smiled. "What, do you want to be the bandit chief's wife?"
Only Zi Yan, sitting opposite Xiao Yan, was diligently taking notes.
Something new has been learned!