The third round of the assessment was a free-for-all battle using soul power; whoever could persist to the end would be the winner.
In this round, Chen Xiaoyu finally felt more relaxed because, no matter what, the Ye family had managed to secure a spot in the top three.
The Qiu and Bai families had alternated between fourth and fifth place in the previous two rounds, so even if one of them took third place in this round, they still couldn't surpass Chen Xiaoyu, who had won third place twice.
Although a strategic victory had already been achieved, Chen Xiaoyu still went all out during the competition, utilizing the soul techniques she had learned.
In the soul contest, perhaps because her score had disrupted the Bai family's layout, Bai Ying intentionally or unintentionally pressed his soul power towards Chen Xiaoyu. The Qiu family watched indifferently from the sidelines, seemingly intending to reap the spoils after the two had decided a winner.
The lethality of the Bai family's Python Form Soul Condensation Art was not weak. Chen Xiaoyu, who hadn't undergone special training in soul skills, defended with superficial means. Even though her soul power was stronger than Bai Ying's, she found it somewhat hard to hold her ground for a while.
Just as Chen Xiaoyu felt helpless and was preparing to withdraw from this contest, Cao Xiu, who was standing nearby, suddenly changed his hand seals and shot out a sharp soul arrow, piercing through Bai Ying's python-shaped soul body with a single shot.
Pfft!
Bai Ying's face instantly turned pale, and he looked at Cao Xiu angrily.
"What are you doing?!"
Cao Xiu didn't bother to pay attention, just continuing his evenly matched confrontation with Dan Xuan.
Chen Xiaoyu seized this rare opportunity, gathered her soul power, condensed a rough soul wall, and in one fell swoop pushed Bai Ying out of this contest.
Qiu Ji's expression changed slightly, obviously not expecting Cao Xiu to actually attack Bai Ying, but the current situation barely matched his expectations.
With Bai Ying taking fifth place in the third round of the assessment, the Qiu family wouldn't lose too badly in this family competition.
"Thank you."
Chen Xiaoyu expressed her gratitude to Cao Xiu.
"No need."
Cao Xiu replied indifferently.
Consider it a small compensation for Chen Xiaoyu not surpassing him after her outburst in the previous two rounds of the assessment.
Superiors always hold generous mercy towards inferiors.
This sentence was somewhat embodied in Cao Xiu today.
In the Cao family's seats, Cao Dan's face was gloomy.
Some time ago, he brought people to the Ye family to propose marriage, but was rejected.
He originally thought that after this assessment, when the Ye family lost power, he, Cao Dan, could easily take Ye Xinlan. But this time the Ye family kept their quota; if he wanted to make a move against them again, he would have to weigh it carefully.
So at the end of the second round of the assessment, Cao Dan was already very angry. What made Cao Dan even angrier now was that this piece of trash, Cao Xiu, actually took the initiative to help the Ye family's external aid. Was his brain caught in a door?!
In the Cao family, Cao Xiu's talent was actually not considered good, so he was often belittled when he was young. But Cao Xiu cultivated very hard. After traveling for seven years, his cultivation and alchemy skills both surpassed Cao Dan, so Cao Dan held a great hostility towards Cao Xiu.
Cao Ying, who was beside him, saw her brother's gloomy face and didn't care much.
She had long known about Cao Dan's petty thoughts, but there was no way. Now that the Ye family hadn't been expelled from the Five Great Families, it was impossible for the family to provoke the rules of the Pill Tower for him.
Fifteen minutes later, the third round of the assessment ended.
Dan Xuan was slightly superior and maintained first place, Cao Xiu was second, and Chen Xiaoyu was third.
Qiu Ji's soul power had a somewhat large gap with Chen Xiaoyu, so even though he knew family soul skills, he couldn't resist.
The dust settled, and those families with malicious intentions left with unhappy faces.
They finally saw that a centipede dies but never falls down.
This Ye family still had some luck.
After the assessment ended, Elder Sheng expressed his optimism about Chen Xiaoyu. As an alchemist outside the Five Great Families, having such a soul level was considered quite good.
After a few brief comments, Elder Sheng left, and Chen Xiaoyu anxiously searched the hall for Han Feng's figure.
The Pill Tower didn't allow casually spreading soul power to investigate, so she could only search with her eyes.
"Senior Sister, what are you looking for?"
Ye Xinlan happily ran over at this time.
Chen Xiaoyu quickly put a finger to her lips, indicating she had no time to deal with her now.
"Elder Han!"
She called out loudly.
In the seats, Lin Xian'er looked at Han Feng.
"Master, she's calling you."
Lin Xian'er's tone carried a hint of coquetry.
Obviously, she also remembered Chen Xiaoyu, this woman who wanted to steal her master.
At that time, Lin Xian'er was prone to jealousy, just didn't dare to say it out loud.
Now she could control her emotions well, so she also became bolder.
Han Feng smiled, then stood up, leading the two women down from the spectator seats.
At this time, Chen Yunshu also walked down. Seeing Han Feng, she paused and quickly stepped forward to salute.
"Senior!"
Han Feng raised his hand to help her up, smiling and saying: "No need for formalities."
"Let's go congratulate Xiaoyu together."
The few people came to the square, and Chen Xiaoyu finally saw the Elder Han she was calling for.
Ye Xinlan stared blankly at Han Feng, finding him more and more familiar, then suddenly slapped her thigh.
"Oh my! Isn't this the Alliance Leader?"
During her studies, she also worked part-time in the alchemy department of Maple City and yearned for Han Feng, this Alliance Leader.
It's just that Han Feng didn't return all year round, so Ye Xinlan didn't have a chance to see him until before participating in the Pill Gathering.
Didn't expect to meet the Alliance Leader in the Pill Tower now!
Ye Xinlan was extremely excited in her heart.
Finally saw the Alliance Leader in person!
"Elder Han, it really is you!"
Chen Xiaoyu ran to Han Feng, her excitement and joy palpable.
Although she had guessed it was Han Feng long ago, when she actually saw him, the emotions in her heart surged up inexplicably.
"Xiaoyu, haven't seen you for so many years; you've grown up."
Han Feng said with a smile.
Hearing Han Feng's voice, Chen Xiaoyu lowered her head shyly.
To Chen Xiaoyu, Han Feng was not only the expert who broadened her horizons in alchemy back then, but also the benefactor who saved her family.
When she returned from studying at the Pill Tower back then, she heard from her sister that a major change had occurred in the family. If Han Feng hadn't intervened, their Chen family might have been destroyed.
Such a great kindness, Chen Xiaoyu would never forget.
Childhood admiration coupled with life-saving grace, Han Feng's image was deeply rooted in Chen Xiaoyu's heart, and as she grew older, it became increasingly beautiful.
"Elder Han, what you taught me just now..."
Chen Xiaoyu asked hesitantly.
Han Feng smiled and nodded.
"Cultivate it well after you go back. This Soul Art won't bury your talent."
Chen Xiaoyu nodded heavily.
Hearing the conversation between the two, everyone finally realized.
So Chen Xiaoyu's breakthrough in battle just now was with the help of an expert.
Ye Xinlan looked at Chen Xiaoyu enviously. Receiving teachings personally from the Alliance Leader, this opportunity is simply amazing!
Han Feng and the others didn't stay long in the hall; after all, this is the location for the special assessment of the Pill Tower.
"Elder Han, will you also participate in the Pill Gathering?"
Chen Xiaoyu asked.
"Why, can't I participate?"
Han Feng asked back.
"No, no!"
Chen Xiaoyu quickly waved her hands.
"Then won't I be refining pills on the same stage with Elder Han?"
She was somewhat happy.
"Ten thousand pills blooming at once, every Pill Gathering is a very spectacular sight."
Han Feng recalled.
"Has Elder Han seen previous Pill Gatherings?"
"No."
Han Feng shook his head.
In this life, he hadn't participated in the Pill Gathering; this is the first time.
But in his previous life, thirty years ago, when Han Feng was in his thirties, he had already reached the top of the world and became the champion of that Pill Gathering.
"Alright, the Pill Gathering is coming soon. Go back and adjust your state well this time. Looking forward to your performance at the Pill Gathering."
Han Feng looked at Chen Xiaoyu and smiled.
"En."
Chen Xiaoyu watched Han Feng and the others leave reluctantly. Even when everyone from the Ye family came over, she still maintained her original posture, looking north.
"Miss Chen, thanks to you this time, otherwise our Ye family..."
Ye Zhong said with great emotion.
He finally felt a sense of surviving a disaster at this moment. He had been ecstatic before and only calmed down now.
The Ye family failed to produce a decent talent and almost fell out of the title of the Five Great Families this time, attracting the covetous eyes of a group of forces.
In the next thirty years, if the Ye family still doesn't cultivate a genius, they probably won't be able to pass then.
Others can help once, but not twice. If the Ye family keeps hiring external help, the spirit of this family will be gone.
Chen Xiaoyu said modestly: "Grandpa Ye Zhong, I just did my part."
Actually, before the assessment began, Chen Xiaoyu was under a lot of pressure; she wasn't sure she could win.
If it weren't for Han Feng's guidance this time, even if Chen Xiaoyu could pass the assessment, there was a high probability she couldn't enter the top three and keep the Ye family's seat.
"Patriarch Chen, our Ye family will not forget the kindness of the Chen family. We will fulfill our previous promises one by one. Our two families can interact frequently."
Ye Zhong then said to Chen Yunshu.
"Elder Ye is too polite."
Chen Yunshu bowed slightly.
This assessment ended successfully, and next is harvest time.
With one of the Five Great Families of the Pill Tower as a backer, the development speed of the Beimang Chen family in the next thirty years will also enter a period of explosive growth.
On the other side, Han Feng and others strolled around the Pill Tower Chamber of Commerce, bought some medicinal ingredients, and returned to their residence.
Han Feng simply prepared the pill he was going to refine this time, sorted the medicinal ingredients, entered the Mountain and River Map, and refined it once.
The Mountain and River Map simulated multi-colored Pill Lightning on its own, offsetting the external anomalies.
After the pill successfully came out of the furnace, Han Feng put it away.
With a thought, in the next instant, he arrived at a secret realm space inside the Mountain and River Map.
Feng Qing'er was imprisoned here by him, cultivating quietly while being responsible for reclaiming the wasteland here.
However, as soon as Han Feng arrived, a Phoenix Wing slash attacked him.
A sneak attack from a Low-Level Dou Ancestor was really uninteresting. Han Feng just glanced lightly, and Feng Qing'er flew backward, her limbs firmly bound to the wall.
"The war of the Sky Demon Phoenix Clan is over; you surrendered."
Han Feng said.
"Impossible!"
Feng Qing'er said without thinking.
Han Feng didn't refute.
"Actually, you are of no great use to this Saint, except to hold back your mother and make her work for me."
"Shameless!"
"Look out for yourself. Besides cultivating, don't forget to reclaim the land. If you perform well, I might consider letting you out early."
After speaking, Han Feng's figure disappeared from the secret realm.
Feng Qing'er jumped down from the wall and resentfully slashed at the place where Han Feng just stood.
In another space, Fairy Hua was delving into formations here. Her mind had now concentrated and was no longer limited to Xu Lingzi's formations, showing that she had entered the stage of integrating everything. As long as this stage passed, becoming a Rank 9 Formation Grandmaster would be a matter of course.
Han Feng didn't disturb her and quietly left the Mountain and River Map.
At night, Han Feng walked to an open space, looking up at the sky of the Holy Pill City. The bright galaxy gathered together like ribbons.
Lin Xian'er sat beside Han Feng, her two smooth calves swinging, humming a song carefreely.
"I feel there are more stars here than in the Falling Star Pavilion."
Han Feng smiled slightly.
There is a complete Star Domain here; the power of the stars is naturally stronger than in the Falling Star Pavilion.
That Three Thousand Burning Flame is currently hiding in the Star Domain. It absorbs the power of the stars all year round and constantly becomes stronger. Now it has become the overlord of the Star Domain. Even the three giants of the Pill Tower find it extremely troublesome to deal with.
It is precisely because they worry that the Three Thousand Burning Flame will expand endlessly and thereby affect the Holy Pill City that the Pill Tower decided to let everyone try and see if anyone can subdue this Heavenly Flame.
After all, destroying such a natural spiritual object with brute force would be too much of a pity.
Under the rich starlight, Han Feng felt the power of the stars in his body start surging after a long time.
He had swallowed a rare and exotic fruit back then and awakened the intermediate physique, the Seven Star Body, which can actively absorb and utilize the power of the stars.
It's just that during the subsequent process of breaking through to Dou Ancestor, this physique was kneaded into the "Fire God Body".
Under the system of using the law of fire as the main cultivation method, the power of the stars can only be a minor trick. Of course, driven by Han Feng's Dou Saint cultivation, even a minor power is like a bright moon.
Dots of starlight rose from Han Feng's body. The power of the stars in his body established a special connection with the power of the stars in the Star Domain. In the next instant, the galaxy in the sky twisted, and Han Feng's soul body crossed the space and arrived inside the Star Domain.
At this time, Xuan Kongzi was cleaning up some escaping star power in the Star Domain.
Recently, the energy in the Star Domain has become increasingly violent. If not protected by Elder Lin of the Small Pill Tower, this Star Domain would probably have to be completely sealed off so as not to affect the Holy Pill City.
The power of the stars is mostly gentle, but its essence can actually be very variable. Violent and powerful star power is also very common in the boundless void.
Han Feng watched Xuan Kongzi's actions. This is Teacher's old friend, now also at the cultivation of the Peak of Nine-Turn Dou Venerate, one step away from breaking through to Half-Saint.
It is said that back then he narrowly lost to Teacher, and then made a bet with Teacher, saying they would let their respective disciples compete in the Pill Gathering.
In his previous life, naturally, Han Feng won against Xuan Kongzi's disciple. I wonder if this belated bet will continue in this life.
Han Feng turned his gaze, pierced through the space, and saw the black-purple dragon-shaped flame entrenched in the center of the Star Domain.
This aura... why does it feel somewhat familiar?
Han Feng's pupils shrank slightly.
Ancient Void Dragon?!