Outside the token counter, a robed old man stood waiting, his hands clasped behind his back, sharp eyes sweeping up and down Liu Xi's figure. Though his face remained calm, his heart was full of astonishment.
The white-haired elder and the young woman beside Liu Xi both carried unfathomable auras—and Liu Xi himself was no ordinary man. At the very least, all three were Dou Zong-level powerhouses; the two others perhaps even stronger. And for some reason, the old man felt a faint sense of familiarity he couldn't place.
"I am Han Li, a Deacon of the Pill Tower," the old man said slowly. "You're the one applying for the 7th Tier Alchemist assessment? Without a mentor's recommendation, you must first hold a 5th Tier High-level Alchemist badge before qualifying for any 6th Tier or higher test."
Liu Xi lifted his hand, displaying the badge in his palm. "I've already obtained it. Can we begin the assessment now?"
Han Li nodded lightly, then turned to lead them inside. "Follow me. We'll head to the advanced alchemist testing hall."
Earlier, Han Li had been irritated upon receiving an application for a high-tier assessment—only to find the applicant still in the middle of testing for a 5th Tier badge. The nerve of this youth! Daring to talk about a 7th Tier test before even qualifying for the 5th? Absurd.
Yet now, standing before him, the young man's calm demeanor and extraordinary bearing, along with his companions' quiet but immense pressure, made Han Li hesitate. 'Could this youth truly possess the skills of a 7th Tier Alchemist?'
They followed him through the winding corridors for several minutes before arriving at a spacious yet plainly decorated room. Inside, two groups were already waiting.
As Han Li entered, an old man seated within said coldly, "Deacon Han, since you've returned, start the test. You've kept us waiting long enough."
Han Li inclined his head politely. "Yes, Elder Cao."
Turning to Liu Xi, he murmured in warning, "These are members of two of the Five Great Families—the Cao and Bai Clans. Be careful with your words. Don't invite unnecessary trouble."
Liu Xi smiled. "Thank you for the reminder, Deacon Han. We'll be cautious."
Sweeping his gaze across the room, he noted six people in total—each elder accompanied by two younger followers. All bore the proud air typical of highborn alchemists. As Liu Xi and his companions entered, none of them bothered to offer even a glance, their arrogance radiating like a wall.
Han Li strode to the center and faced Elder Cao. "According to order of arrival, the Cao Clan will go first. Which tier badges will you be testing for?"
Behind the elder, two young men stepped forward. One spoke first with a hint of smugness. "Cao Xiu—6th Tier Intermediate."
The second youth smiled faintly, his handsome face calm but his pride impossible to hide. "Cao Dan—7th Tier Beginner."
A ripple of astonishment swept through the room. All eyes turned toward Cao Dan with clear surprise.
Across the chamber, the Bai Clan's group watched silently. The younger woman at the old elder's side even revealed open admiration in her gaze.
"At such a young age, to already reach 7th Tier potential… truly a prodigy," Han Li thought quietly. "But today, it seems he won't be the only one aiming for that level."
Han Li gestured toward the two Cao youths. "Very well. You—enter the 'Xuan Gate.' You will be assigned your test inside. As for you," he turned toward Cao Dan, "wait a bit. I'll personally oversee your examination."
Then, facing the Bai Clan, he continued, "Now, the Bai family."
The two juniors stepped forward. The young man clasped his fists. "Bai Feng, 6th Tier Lower-level."
The woman beside him lifted her chin proudly, revealing her slender white neck. "Bai Xue, 6th Tier Intermediate."
Though not as remarkable as the Cao Clan's candidates, they were still talented—proof that the Bai Clan was producing worthy successors.
Han Li nodded. "You, Bai Feng, enter the Huang Gate. Bai Xue, the Xuan Gate."
He raised his hand toward the four color-marked doors—Tian, Di, Xuan, and Huang—and declared, "Enter your assigned rooms. Prepare for the assessment."
Just as everyone began to move—
"Wait."
The Bai Clan Elder suddenly spoke, her sharp tone slicing through the air. She cast a mocking look at Liu Xi. "Deacon Han, what about that boy who came last? Shouldn't you ask him what tier he's testing for? This place is for 6th Tier and above. How could anyone be allowed in so casually?"
Han Li's brows furrowed. He had planned to test Liu Xi last, hoping to avoid stirring up unnecessary tension. If he admitted now that Liu Xi was here to test for the 7th Tier, wouldn't that completely humiliate the Bai Clan's people?
He hesitated—then Liu Xi's calm voice cut through the silence.
"Me? I'll just test for 7th Tier Advanced Alchemist."
"What!"
Han Li's composure shattered. He stood frozen, staring at Liu Xi as if struck by lightning. He had assumed the youth would apply for 7th Tier Beginner at most—but Advanced? That was a level reserved for senior Pill Tower Deacons themselves!
Even Han Li, a 7th Tier Beginner Alchemist, wasn't qualified to conduct such a test.
Gasps and murmurs filled the room. The Cao and Bai clansmen—excluding Xiao Yixian and Yao Tianhuo, who already knew the truth—stared at Liu Xi in disbelief.
Then came the sneers. Mockery. Contempt. Disdain.
None of them believed it. Or rather, none of them wanted to believe that a young man their age could stand at such a height.
Bai Xue's lips curled in derision as her gaze swept over him. To her, this handsome youth was just another braggart with a pretty face and an empty head.
Even Cao Dan couldn't help but sneer. "7th Tier Advanced? Does he think he's my monstrous little sister?"
Elder Cao frowned slightly. Something about the youth's calm confidence made him doubt his first impression. Lying about alchemy ranks inside the Pill Tower would be sheer stupidity. Moreover, the woman and old man at his side radiated overwhelming strength—so strong, even he couldn't see through them.
Still, the Bai Clan Elder cackled with scorn. "Hah! These youngsters truly don't know the limits of heaven and earth. 7th Tier Advanced, he says? I doubt he's even seen a real 7th Tier pill before!"
"Deacon Han, is the Pill Tower letting anyone walk in these days? Aren't you afraid of tarnishing the Tower's reputation by bringing in such delusional fools?"
Han Li's face darkened instantly. Her words, veiled and sharp, were an open accusation—implying he had lowered the Pill Tower's standards.
He cursed silently in his heart. 'This old hag! Just because the Bai Clan's candidates can't compare to the Cao family's, she wants to vent her frustration on him—and drag me into it as well!'
If not for the Bai Clan's influence within the Pill Region, he would have long taught this brainless woman her place.
(End of Chapter)
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