Yao Tianhuo, ever composed and steady, ignored the whispers spreading through the courtyard. He knew that once Liu Xi passed the assessment, these petty tongues would shut themselves soon enough. Xiao Yixian, however, felt her patience thinning. Her eyes turned cold as she swept her gaze across the mocking faces, a chill surging forth that seemed to slice through the air itself. The entire courtyard fell silent—many felt as if a sharp blade were pressed against their throats, the arrogance in their expressions melting into traces of fear.
"Xian'er, that's enough."
Liu Xi's calm voice cut through the stillness. This was, after all, the sacred ground of alchemists across the continent—the Pill Tower deserved at least some respect. Barking dogs weren't worth his attention.
Xiao Yixian snorted softly but obediently withdrew her aura, allowing the heavy air to dissipate.
The middle-aged guard beside them exhaled in relief. His eyes flicked toward Xiao Yixian with barely concealed astonishment, his thoughts racing. 'What a terrifying presence… at least a Dou Zong-level expert! Just what is the background of this young man? Could he truly be here to test for a 7th Tier Alchemist badge?'
Many of the surrounding alchemists flushed red with indignation, feeling insulted. Leaning on their status as alchemists, they began to bark again.
"How audacious! To threaten us inside the Pill Tower, just because you have some strength? Outrageous!"
"Is there no law left? No respect for the Pill Tower? We alchemists are of noble standing—how dare someone use brute force to silence us here!"
Their complaints spread like flies buzzing around rotten fruit, but Liu Xi ignored them entirely. In the Pill Tower, only alchemy spoke louder than words.
He turned toward the woman at the counter—still wide-eyed and stunned—and tapped lightly on the table to bring her back to her senses. "The 7th Tier Alchemist assessment," he said evenly. "Where is it conducted? What's the process?"
The young woman blinked rapidly, regaining her composure. The longer she looked at Liu Xi's calm, refined face, the harder it was to imagine him as some attention-seeking fool. "For 6th Tier and above," she explained softly, "the assessments aren't held here. They must be done in a special testing chamber, overseen personally by one of the Tower's decons. If you have a recommendation from a recognized 7th Tier Alchemist, you may proceed directly. Otherwise, you must first become a 5th Tier High-Level Alchemist before applying to the Pill Tower for qualification."
"I see," Liu Xi replied with a small nod. "Then I'll take the 5th Tier High-Level Alchemist test first. Also—submit the application for my 7th Tier examination. I suspect I won't need to wait long."
His smile was warm, his tone calm, and for some reason, the young woman's cheeks flushed pink. "Y-Yes! Right away!" she stammered, quickly retrieving a token for him.
5th Tier High-Level—Number Three.
Liu Xi glanced at it and smiled. "Looks like I won't be waiting long." With a polite nod to the girl, he turned and walked toward the courtyard, ignoring the judgmental stares around him. He waved for Yao Tianhuo and Xiao Yixian to sit with him at a stone table.
When you are weak, enemies are everywhere. When you are strong, friends come in droves.
In the way of alchemy, Liu Xi considered himself strong enough. Once he displayed his skill, all those contemptuous looks would vanish on their own.
There weren't many testing for 5th Tier rank today, so Liu Xi didn't wait long before one of the chamber doors opened. Out came a proud young man wearing a badge engraved with five purple-gold stars, followed by a solemn middle-aged examiner.
"Well done, my disciple!" an elderly man with white hair exclaimed, eyes gleaming with pride. "I knew you would succeed!"
"Thank you, Teacher," the youth said excitedly, bowing respectfully.
Around them, congratulations broke out one after another.
"Congratulations!"
"Well done!"
"See, disciple? Learn from him—this is how one builds true skill."
Then, the examiner spoke solemnly, his voice carrying across the courtyard. "Next—Number Three. Step inside for the 5th Tier examination."
Liu Xi rose calmly under countless scrutinizing gazes and walked toward the testing room. The heavy door shut behind him with a thud.
"He dares to talk about testing for the 7th Tier," someone sneered. "That's a rank reserved for the Pill Tower's elite deacons."
"Indeed. Nothing but empty boasting. Even the Cao Family's prodigy only reached the 7th Tier in her twenties. How could this unknown boy compare?"
"I heard that same woman was accepted by one of the Pill Tower's Grand Elders as a disciple. This one doesn't even have a badge—he's clearly just showing off."
"Ah, youth… always chasing fame before earning it. Remember that, disciple—don't learn from fools like him."
Nearby, Xiao Yixian's fingers twitched. Her expression darkened—she could barely restrain herself from shouting that her Young Master already possessed Spirit Realm Spiritual Power and was, in truth, an 8th Tier Alchemist. But Yao Tianhuo gently chuckled beside her.
"Patience, Miss Xiao Yixian. Those who cannot achieve something often refuse to believe others can. Facts will silence them soon enough."
Her expression softened at that, and she nodded in quiet agreement.
Time passed swiftly. Barely an hour later, the door to the testing room opened once more. Liu Xi emerged with a faint smile, lightly tossing a shining badge in his hand.
"The usual routine," he said casually. "Identifying ingredients, purifying materials, refining the pill—it wasn't difficult."
Behind him, the examiner—a middle-aged man with sharp eyes—followed respectfully, personally escorting Liu Xi out of the chamber. The sight stunned the crowd. That examiner was a genuine 6th Tier Alchemist!
Murmurs filled the air as Liu Xi walked past them without a glance, gesturing for Xiao Yixian and Yao Tianhuo to follow him out. Behind him, the alchemists swarmed toward the examiner.
"Examiner Zhang, why were you so respectful to that young man?"
"Yes, what's his background? Tell us!"
Examiner Zhang watched Liu Xi's back disappear through the gate before letting out a quiet breath. His arrogance from before melted into solemnity. "Don't be fooled by his youth," he said. "His refinement technique flows like clouds and water. Even though he refined only a 5th Tier pill, his control and mastery… only a few veteran 7th Tier Alchemists in the Pill Tower could match that level."
A sharp intake of breath rippled through the courtyard.
"Seven… 7th Tier Alchemist?"
The murmuring crowd fell utterly silent. For the first time, awe replaced mockery in their eyes.
(End of Chapter)
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