After passing the Alchemist rank test, Xiao Li returned to the manor and rested for a few days.
Finally, the day of the Five Great Families' assessment arrived.
Xiao Li let out a long breath and emerged from his room.
Ye Zhong and Ye Xinlan were already waiting outside.
"Elder Xiao, today is the day of the assessment. Are you ready?" Ye Zhong asked.
It could be said that the future of the entire Ye Family now rested in Xiao Li's hands, so they had to take it seriously.
Xiao Li nodded, "I'm ready. Let's go."
"Good."
The three of them then headed towards the assessment location.
The Five Great Families' assessment was held in a specialized grand hall, specifically set up by the Pill Tower for their assessment, which showed how much importance they placed on it.
However, this assessment was semi-public, and some qualified factions would arrive early.
After all, many people coveted the positions of the Five Great Families.
Especially since this year's Ye Family assessment was their last chance; if they failed, they would lose their position among the Five Great Families.
That vacant spot would naturally need to be filled.
Therefore, many people today came with the intention of seeing the Ye Family fail.
As soon as the Ye Family lost its qualification as one of the Five Great Families, they would swarm in and snatch that spot!
Upon arriving at the assessment location,
Xiao Li looked up at the magnificent and grand hall before him and nodded.
"As expected of the Pill Tower, truly grand. Even a place for an assessment like this is made so imposing."
Many onlookers saw their arrival and began to discuss in low voices, whispering amongst themselves.
"The Ye Family's people are here."
"Heh, if I remember correctly, if their Ye Family fails again this time, they will completely lose their Elder seat and no longer receive the Pill Tower's protection."
"And this assessment isn't that simple; they need to rank at least in the top three to keep their seat."
"Top three, huh? That's not easy."
However, most people were basically sneering and mocking, not optimistic about the Ye Family.
After all, the Ye Family's downfall would benefit them.
Passing the people at the entrance, Ye Zhong and his group arrived at the entrance of the grand hall.
Although the guards of the grand hall also showed some ridicule, the Ye Family was still one of the Five Great Families for now.
Moreover, even without the Pill Tower's protection, the Ye Family's own strength was not weak, and ordinary guards dared not openly make things difficult for them.
Entering the grand hall, Xiao Li saw that the seats on both sides were full.
Most of these people were there to watch the show — and also to see if the Ye Family could pass the assessment.
If the Ye Family failed, their spot would likely fall to one of these factions.
Therefore, these factions hoped even more for the Ye Family to fail.
"Our seats are at the front."
"The four seats at the very front belong to the four Great Families: Dan, Cao, Bai, and Qiu."
Ye Zhong led the way, explaining the situation to Xiao Li, and they arrived at the Ye Family's seats.
Xiao Li nodded, his gaze sweeping over the other families.
"Over there is the Dan Family. That blue-robed man is Dan Xuan. His talent is extremely strong; with him participating, they'll likely secure a spot in the top three."
Xiao Li saw a blue-robed young man and a petite, timid girl at the Dan Family's seats.
"Over at the Bai Family, that white-robed man is called Bai Ying, also the most outstanding among the Bai Family's younger generation."
"Bai Ying and Dan Xuan have both reached peak Grade Seven, and will be the biggest competitors. The Qiu Family's only has a low-grade Grade Seven, so they are not much of a threat."
Ye Zhong's expression was very solemn.
In truth, the Dan Family and Bai Family had no assessment pressure; sending anyone to pass the assessment would suffice.
But now they were sending their most outstanding disciples, clearly not wanting to give the Ye Family a chance.
After all, relations between the Five Great Families were not very good, and if there was an opportunity to suppress the Ye Family, they would not give it up.
"The Cao Family hasn't arrived yet. I wonder who the Cao Family will send this time." Ye Zhong looked at the empty seats of the Cao Family, somewhat worried.
If one were to say who was the strongest among the Five Great Families, it was undoubtedly the Cao Family.
"If it's Cao Dan, then there's no pressure," Xiao Li said.
Ye Zhong shook his head and analyzed, "Among the younger generation of the Cao Family, there are three pillars."
"The one with the best and most monstrous talent is that Cao Family enchantress, Cao Ying. Cao Dan is third, and in between them is Cao Xiu."
"Not only is Cao Xiu's alchemy talent stronger than Cao Dan's, but his personality is also more steady. It's very likely he will participate in this assessment."
Just as Ye Zhong was analyzing, the guard's voice rang out from outside the door,
"The Cao Family has arrived!"
As the shout echoed, everyone immediately looked towards the door.
Several figures were seen walking in. The first to catch the eye was an enchanting figure.
It was a woman in a black long dress, with a slender figure, skin like snow, and three thousand strands of dark hair casually draped over her shoulders. Her delicate face was beautiful, as flawless as porcelain.
Especially her slightly lazy eyes, which revealed a hint of charm, making her alluring.
Many people in the hall were immediately captivated by her charming aura, their hearts stirred.
"Is this the Cao Family enchantress? She is indeed full of charm." Xiao Li nodded.
Cao Ying's aura was very similar to Medusa's, but there were also differences between the two.
Medusa's allure was naturally inherent, carrying the arrogance of a queen, giving people a sense of distance—only to be admired from afar, not to be trifled with.
Cao Ying was equally alluring, but she lacked that arrogance, only carrying a hint of coolness. Moreover, she even had a deliberate display of her charm, making it easier to captivate hearts, and one could easily fall into her gentle vortex.
"This is Cao Ying, one of the future candidates for the Pill Tower Three Giants. Her talent is monstrous," Ye Zhong said.
Cao Ying was called an enchantress not only because of her bewitching beauty but also because of her monstrous alchemy talent.
Following behind Cao Ying was a slightly sturdier man.
"That must be Cao Xiu, right?"
Xiao Li didn't see Cao Dan, probably because that fellow was still recuperating in the Cao Family — after all, Xiao Li's kick was not light.
The atmosphere in the grand hall became much livelier with the arrival of the Cao Family.
Cao Ying's charming eyes swept around and finally landed on Xiao Li, as she gracefully walked towards him.
Seeing her actively approaching Xiao Li, many people immediately adopted a 'watching the show' mentality.
"You are Xiao Li, who injured Cao Dan?" Cao Ying came before Xiao Li, a fragrant breeze wafting, her voice clear and pleasant.
"Are you here to seek justice for him?" Xiao Li smiled faintly and retorted.
Others might be suppressed by Cao Ying's aura.
But for Xiao Li, it was useless.
"I have no interest in that. Cao Dan's strength was inferior, he can only blame himself."
"However, I am very interested in you. I hope to see your wonderful performance in the upcoming assessment."
Cao Ying's lips curved into an arc, and after speaking, she turned and walked to the Cao Family's seats...