Word Count: 3,195 Words
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"This Spirit Nourishment Powder is truly a good thing." Xiao Yan clenched his fists, savoring the enhancement to his Spiritual Strength.
What Xiao Yan didn't realize was that the small wisp of Spirit Nourishment Powder he had consumed would have been enough for more than a dozen people even in ancient times. It was extraordinarily expensive, and its true purpose had been as a precious treasure to help Perfected Mortal State alchemists break through to the Soul State.
Xiao Yan had single-handedly consumed a portion meant for over a dozen people. Fortunately, his soul was already at the Soul State; otherwise, his soul would have been overwhelmed to the point of bursting.
With a creak, Xiao Yan pushed open the door and stepped out. He knew today was the day he was to assist the Ye Clan with their assessment.
Though the Ye Clan had declined significantly, their alchemy capabilities remained indispensable to the Yan Alliance. Currently, the entire alliance had only him and Yue Er as alchemists, and they certainly needed others to mass-produce lower-grade medicinal pills.
The instant Xiao Yan opened the door, Ye Zhong, who had been waiting outside, felt his spirit tremble. He instinctively bowed low in deference.
"First Elder Ye Zhong, there is no need for such formality," Xiao Yan said, waving his hand to indicate his discomfort with such treatment.
Only then did Ye Zhong come to his senses, a smile appearing on his face. "Grandmaster Xiao Yan, today is the assessment day."
"Mm, lead the way." Xiao Yan casually waved his hand. This assessment was merely a formality. Now that his Spiritual Strength had reached the middle stage of the Soul State, he was confident he could defeat even the strongest younger generation members the Dan Clan and Cao Clan might send.
When Xiao Yan followed Ye Zhong to the front of the assessment hall, an expansive and magnificent structure, he found the place already packed with a dense sea of heads.
The Five Great Clans represented the Pill Tower's authority over the five major cities in the Pill Region, naturally attracting countless spectators.
Ye Zong gazed at the grand hall and his heart swelled with excitement. Previously, he had always approached this place filled with trepidation and anxiety. Now, he finally understood what it meant to borrow a tiger's might!
He strode confidently ahead, guiding Xiao Yan. A ripple of whispers and excited discussions spread through the crowd as they passed.
"Look! The Ye Clan's people have arrived."
"That is Ye Zhong in front, so the young man behind him must be the legendary Xiao Yan?"
"Wow, he looks so young!"
"I heard this Xiao Yan not only possesses exceptional alchemy skills, but his strength is also top-tier, and he is still unmarried."
Under countless gazes, Ye Zhong and Xiao Yan smoothly reached the hall entrance. The heavily stationed guards glanced at the Ye Clan emblem on Ye Zhong's chest, then their eyes immediately fixed on Xiao Yan behind him, his expression as tranquil as still water. Their own expressions shifted from indifference to gravity.
They all bowed respectfully to Ye Zhong and Xiao Yan.
They might look down on the Ye Clan, but Xiao Yan was another matter entirely. An 8th-tier alchemist… how powerful was that! To achieve 8th-tier at his age meant he was destined to become a Pill Tower giant!
Even the Three Great Heads of the Pill Tower had only reached the tier 8 around the age of thirty!
"The Ye Clan has arrived!"
Following the guard's announcement, the heavy doors groaned open.
Upon entering, soft lamplight cascaded from above. As the illumination touched him, Xiao Yan sensed numerous gazes laden with various intentions converging upon him.
Xiao Yan raised his eyes slightly and surveyed the interior of the hall. Figures occupied the seats around the perimeter; their auras were far from weak. They clearly represented factions or clans with considerable strength.
One elder seated closest to the Dan, Cao, Bai, and Qiu clan sections particularly caught his attention. The man glared at him with grinding teeth, as if wishing to devour him whole.
Without needing to ask Ye Zhong, Xiao Yan recognized this as the Xiang Clan Leader.
If not for Xiao Yan's appearance, the Xiang Clan would have claimed the fifth position among the great clans.
A single decision by Xiao Yan had rewritten their future.
Ye Zhong led him toward the Ye Clan's designated seats. Xiao Yan observed the other four great clans' sections along the way.
The Qiu Clan, weakest in strength, responded to his arrival with a light nod from their leader. The Bai Clan, having a feud with the Ye Clan, regarded him with sullen expressions.
What surprised Xiao Yan was seeing a familiar face in the Dan Clan's section. The young woman with the special constitution he had encountered before now gazed at him with evident joy in her eyes.
Seeing the timid young woman, Xiao Yan smiled and offered a gentle wave in return.
"Cousin Dan Chen, you know that Xiao Yan?" Dan Xuan, whose talent ranked second only to Dan Chen's, inquired curiously from beside her.
Dan Chen nodded enthusiastically. "Cousin Dan Xuan, he is the man I met at the branch tower, the one unaffected by my constitution!"
This revelation drew surprised looks from the entire Dan Clan contingent toward Xiao Yan. They understood intimately how formidable Dan Chen's special constitution was; even their clan's ancestor, an 8th-tier alchemist, dared not be careless around her.
Yet Xiao Yan remained unaffected!
"Xiao Yan must have obtained a powerful inheritance that includes Soul Skills for self-protection. Dan Xuan, try to get to know that Xiao Yan better. Remember, under no circumstances should you offend this person," a nearby elder instructed in a low tone.
"I understand, Clan Leader."
Xiao Yan remained unaware of this exchange. After reaching the Ye Clan's seats, he noted the assessment had not begun for a simple reason: the Cao Clan had yet to arrive.
Approximately five minutes later, a resonant announcement echoed from outside: "The Cao Clan has arrived!"
The declaration sparked immediate commotion throughout the hall. Numerous factions hastily rose from their seats, faces wreathed in ingratiating smiles.
This was hardly surprising; the Cao Clan's current standing commanded such fawning attention.
Even the Bai and Qiu clan members displayed nervous smiles.
When the announcement was made, Xiao Yan slowly opened his eyes and turned toward the entrance.
The sealed doors swung open gradually, revealing first a graceful silhouette that moved with light, lotus-like steps, as if emerging into the sun's embrace.
As the elegant figure entered the hall, stepping into the light and the collective gaze of the assembly, the atmosphere seemed to freeze for an instant.
Beautiful and captivating.
The leading young lady possessed a tall, willowy figure, and her black dress radiated subtle, cold pride. Her black, silky hair was casually tied up, framing a face that was somewhat slender yet exceptionally refined, lending her an air of nobility and dignity.
She paused at the entrance of the hall, her long, narrow, slightly languid eyes exuding a bewitching allure.
Her appearance left countless men in the hall utterly mesmerized. Sensing their collective admiration, a faint curve graced her slender lips. The instant this subtle smile appeared, her somewhat slender yet bewitching face seemed to overflow with an irresistible, almost demonic charm.
'She certainly lives up to the name Witch.' Xiao Yan nodded inwardly.
Without requiring Ye Zhong's introduction, he recognized this black-dressed young lady as the legendary Cao Ying rumored to be his match.
She had passed the Pill Tower's assessment to become a 7th-tier alchemist at twenty. A year ago, rumors claimed she'd successfully refined a tier 8 pill. Now, she was merely twenty-three years old.
In terms of pure alchemy talent, at twenty-three, was he truly inferior to this Cao Ying before him?
Of course, if Hun Huzi knew Xiao Yan harbored such a thought, he'd probably slap him senseless. Wouldn't Xiao Yan's way of thinking imply that the old man's judgment had been poor?
Cao Ying's lips curved slightly upward as her beautiful eyes swept across the assembly with an air of casual disinterest. Those caught in her gaze invariably felt both fervor and deep apprehension stirring within.
This young lady's allure proved devastatingly tempting, yet beneath such temptation lurked bone-deep wariness.
Like a beautiful, brilliantly colored serpent.
'I wonder what would happen if this Witch encountered Cai Lin,' Xiao Yan mused mischievously, before quickly dismissing the thought.
Cao Ying's gaze found Dan Chen, who immediately resembled Jerry spotting Tom, timidly shrinking behind Dan Xuan.
Cao Ying led her clan members toward their designated seats under the hall's collective attention.
Her steps paused briefly. Her beautiful eyes fixed on the seemingly listless Xiao Yan as she asked with a captivating smile, "You are Xiao Yan?"
"There should only be one Xiao Yan here," Xiao Yan shrugged in response.
"I have heard Mister Xiao Yan is an 8th-tier alchemist at such a young age," Cao Ying said, a light laugh escaping as she partially covered her mouth, though her eyes held a glint of challenge. "Perhaps you didn't come to Holy Pill City merely to assist the Ye Clan? Could it be you intend to claim the Pill Gathering championship for yourself?"
Dan Chen's eyes widened in shock as she turned toward Xiao Yan. Only now did she learn he was actually an 8th-tier alchemist.
Not just Dan Chen, many prominent clan representatives leaned in, their ears pricked. While many had harbored suspicions, Cao Ying was the first to ask Xiao Yan so directly, and all were eager to hear his response.
"Is Miss Cao Ying participating in the Pill Gathering merely to secure second place? If so, I will not compete with you for it. I prefer championships."
His blunt words caused the hearts of many prospective participants in the Pill Gathering to sink. The competition hadn't even begun yet Xiao Yan and Cao Ying were already trading barbs. Sparks flew! The tension was palpable!
"Oh~~" Cao Ying murmured, then led her clan to their seats without saying any more. Her slender, snow-white fingers idly toyed with a smooth jade bead, her expression unreadable as she awaited the assessment's commencement.
Alchemy wasn't won with words after all. The true victor would be decided in due time.
Not long after the Cao Clan was seated, the floor of the great hall suddenly began to vibrate. The seating areas of the Five Great Clans moved backward like sections of a movable floor. In moments, a spacious plaza appeared in the center of the hall.
As the plaza took shape, a white-haired elder with a remarkably spirited demeanor stepped forward. He stopped at the center, sweeping his gaze across the assembly before smiling. "Since all Five Great Clans have arrived, I will not waste words. I shall preside over this assessment as usual. Does anyone object?"
"Hehe, Elder Sheng, with your status and position in the Pill Tower, who would dare question you?" Only Cao Ying replied with a lovely smile.
"He is Sheng Yao, one of the Pill Tower's Eight Great Elders wielding considerable influence. He is part of the Pill Tower's true upper echelon and a genuine 8th-tier alchemist," Ye Zhong whispered to Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan nodded indifferently. In his estimation, this old man was merely at the initial tier 8 stage; the limit of his ability would be refining a tier 8 medicinal pill capable of attracting three-colored Pill Lightning.
"Ying lass, there's no need for such flattery; these old bones of mine can't bear it." Elder Sheng smiled before his gaze lingered briefly on Xiao Yan. "Time is short. Examinees from the Five Great Clans, please enter the field."
As his words fell, the hall's whispered conversations ceased entirely.
Xiao Yan stood and walked toward the center of the field, the first to step forward.
To Ye Zhong's surprise, neither the Dan nor Cao clans fielded Dan Chen or Cao Ying. Instead, the Dan Clan sent Dan Xuan, and the Cao Clan sent a burly young man who stood beside Cao Ying named Cao Xiu.
The Bai Clan, however, remained as expected, sending out their most talented genius, Bai Ying. Conversely, the Qiu Clan surprisingly only dispatched a man at the initial tier 7. It seemed they had no intention of competing for rankings, hoping merely to pass.
"Grandmaster Xiao Yan, greetings. I am Dan Xuan. Might you have time after the assessment? I would like to invite you for a simple meal to welcome you to Holy Pill City," Dan Xuan offered with a warm, courteous smile.
"Thank you, but I must decline. I need to cultivate and prepare for the Pill Gathering."
He, Xiao Yan, would strive openly and diligently, and then utterly crush all competitors!
His declaration made several aspiring Pill Gathering participants shift uncomfortably. Damn! An absolute overachiever was in their midst!
Elder Sheng appraised Xiao Yan for a moment before continuing: "Since everyone is assembled, let us begin."
"First stage: Spiritual Strength testing."
Elder Sheng pointed to the center of a stone stele where a round, mirror-like disc gleamed. "Each of you will channel your Spiritual Strength into this. The disc will measure your soul's numerical value. This numerical value, the Pill Tower calls it Soul Value."
"As long as the Soul Value reaches four hundred or above, it is considered a pass. And in the Soul Value tests during the Five Great Clans' assessments over these years, the highest record belongs to Cao Ying. The Soul Value she tested back then reached 976, and it remains unbroken to this day."
Speaking up to this point, Elder Sheng's gaze shifted to the head seat of the Cao Clan. There, Cao Ying rested her delicate cheek on her jade-like hand while idly toying with a smooth jade bead, appearing utterly unconcerned despite the attention directed her way.
"Hehe, since everyone knows the rules, let us begin according to the ranking of the Five Great Clans," Elder Sheng retracted his gaze and smiled at the five examinees.
The stone stele reminded Xiao Yan of the Xiao Clan's testing monument.
'How nostalgic,' he mused, a faint smile touching his lips as memories of his childhood in Wu Tan City surfaced.
As for the others' Soul Values, he paid no attention whatsoever.
"Xiao Yan, your turn," Elder Sheng called.
"I need to be tested too?"
"Ah?" Elder Sheng was momentarily taken aback before nodding. "According to the rules, yes, you must."
"Very well then."
As Xiao Yan approached the stele, Cao Ying shed her languid demeanor, her eyes fixed on him. This moment would reveal the truth behind the rumors!
Xiao Yan extended a finger and lightly touched the stele. A faint smile played on his lips as he ceased restraining his Spiritual Strength.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The entire hall shook violently. The ground trembled, and debris rained from the ceiling.
"Soul State! It is truly Soul State Spiritual Strength!"
"This is outrageous! How old is he?!"
Despite ample evidence suggesting Xiao Yan was an 8th-tier alchemist, many had refused to believe it without witnessing it firsthand. It simply seemed too preposterous!
Now, they stood utterly dumbfounded.
"Truly tier 8..." Cao Ying's eyes were fixed on the black-robed young man's back. With a sharp crack, the jade sphere in her palm shattered. She knew this man would be her greatest rival in the Pill Gathering!
"His Spiritual Strength is so formidable..." The usually timid Dan Chen gazed at Xiao Yan, a new light shining in her eyes. She sensed that his Spiritual Strength surpassed even her own.
Xiao Yan slowly withdrew his finger. With a thunderous crash, the testing stele, unable to bear the sheer immensity of his Spiritual Strength, shattered completely.
"Elder Sheng, perhaps bring a new one? I will restrain my Spiritual Strength this time. A zero score would be rather embarrassing," Xiao Yan suggested.
"Er... no need. I believe everyone clearly understands who claims first place." Elder Sheng wasn't foolish enough to pursue such pointless formalities.
He inscribed 'Xiao Yan - Soul State' on his recording board.
"The next assessment tests Soul Control." Elder Sheng glanced at Xiao Yan before producing a pitch-black iron bead from his storage ring.
"This is a bead made of Soul Steel, called a Soul-Measuring Bead. This kind of thing, if held by hand, appears very light, but to the soul, it is like an object weighing a thousand pounds."
"After this Soul Control test begins, numerous Soul-Measuring Beads will be showered down from the ceiling. You all will need to support them using only your Spiritual Strength, without using Dou Qi. Whoever catches and supports the most Soul-Measuring Beads will be the best in this assessment, and rankings will be determined accordingly."
"The record for this Soul Control test... uh, never mind, let us just begin."
Elder Sheng refrained from further explanation. After all, Cao Ying's test had occurred two years prior. Besides, who in their right mind would field an 8th-tier alchemist under thirty for this kind of assessment? This was simply causing trouble!
Swish! Swish!
Countless black iron beads cascaded from above like a torrential downpour!
Just as Dan Xuan and the others tensely prepared themselves, trying to determine how to catch more beads, the black spheres falling from the ceiling suddenly froze in mid-air as if someone had pressed a pause button!
Xiao Yan merely pointed a finger skyward, and hundreds, even thousands, of black beads halted in place.
"Elder Sheng, is this sufficient?"
"You... this..."
Even the usually refined and composed Dan Xuan felt utterly exasperated. This was absurd! The gap between the Soul State and the Mortal State resembled that between mortals and deities; they were not even in the same world!
The design of the Five Great Clans' assessment had never accounted for the participation of someone at the Soul State!
Many clan members shot sidelong glances at Ye Zhong, thinking: Even if you're bringing in outside help, did it have to be this outrageous?!
At this point, the final test seemed unnecessary. The Ye Clan had already succeeded. In this Five Great Clans' assessment, Xiao Yan's presence was akin to an adult competing against children; he could send opponents flying with a mere wave of his hand.
"The final assessment is very simple. The five of you will enter this circle and exchange blows using your Spiritual Strength. Whoever can remain in the circle at the end is the winner." After announcing this, Elder Sheng saw that the representatives from the other four clans showed no desire to compete; some did not even want to step into the circle.
It would be pure self-inflicted torture. Wouldn't the third stage rankings depend entirely on Xiao Yan's whims?!
"Elder Sheng, the Cao Clan requests a mid-assessment substitution. Is this permissible?"
Every gaze in the hall instantly swiveled to rest on Cao Ying. She leaned forward slightly, one jade-like hand resting on the tabletop. This movement subtly accentuated her alluring curves.
Her eyes, however, blazed with fierce fervor and unconcealed battle intent as they locked onto Xiao Yan.