Chapter 327: Stay Here and Be Humiliated
The spacious room was dead silent. Xiao Yuan's gaze swept over the image in the soul-powered projection, displaying the participants undergoing their alchemy assessments.
Well… the standards of the Pill Tower were indeed harsh. If this were in the Jia Ma Empire, at least a quarter of alchemists would be eliminated under similar testing conditions.
These few young people would be considered powerful overlords if placed in Jia Ma. After all, they were testing for sixth-tier alchemist ranks—each of them could be compared to the once-renowned Dan King Gu He in his youth.
But frankly speaking, their alchemy skills were still far inferior to Xiao Yuan's level from a year ago.
It only took a brief glance for Xiao Yi Xiang to lose interest and look away.
Their skill was simply nowhere near Xiao Yuan's.
Xiao Yan also observed for a moment and shook his head in disappointment.
As expected, these people would not be a challenge to him. The gap was just too large.
The Bai family's old woman, still unable to move, naturally had no way to express her opinion. Meanwhile, the elder of the Qiu family watched the projected image while occasionally casting covert glances at Xiao Yuan.
He couldn't comprehend how this youth before him could have cultivated both Dou Qi and alchemy to such terrifying levels by the age of twenty.
Elder Han Li was equally shocked. With his keen eyes, he could see that the spatial power Xiao Yuan was using was already comparable to that of a Dou Zun. As for his soul force, it had clearly reached the level of an eighth-tier alchemist. Judging by its depth and refinement, he hadn't just reached this level recently—he had likely been at it for a while!
No wonder Ye Zhong had spoken so highly of him.
In this strange silence, everyone continued to watch the test unfold on the floating screen. No one spoke.
Creak...
No one knew how long this quiet tension lasted before the Xuan-level room's door slowly opened. Four people walked out. Except for one with a flushed, embarrassed face, the other three bore badges on their chests. On the badges, flames encircled a tower-shaped emblem with six purple-gold stars radiating dazzling light.
Six stars—upon closer inspection, the sixth star was slightly dimmer than the rest, marking it as mid-tier. If it had been low-tier, the sixth star would be even dimmer. For high-tier, all six stars would shine equally bright.
"Mid-tier sixth-grade assessment completed. Qiu family: two passed. Bai family: one passed," Han Li announced calmly.
But since everyone had already seen the outcome through the projection, no one was surprised. The Qiu elder smiled faintly—after all, his group had all passed.
The old woman from the Bai family, though frustrated, couldn't move. She glared fiercely at the man who had failed the test.
The attention of the four examinees then turned toward the now-blank screen. Although it no longer showed images, the residual pressure of immense soul power still lingering on it left them in awe.
The two from the Qiu family returned to their elder, confused. The Bai family's two youths, however, noticed the strange sight of their elder frozen in mid-air and rushed forward, only to be blocked by an invisible barrier.
Looking panicked, they turned to Han Li for help.
But Han Li had no time for them. The door to the Earth-level room was now opening.
A cold, elegant woman dressed in white walked out with proud steps. On her full chest gleamed a badge with six brilliantly glowing purple-gold stars.
High-tier sixth-grade!
"High-tier sixth-grade assessment complete. Bai family: passed."
As Han Li declared this, the woman's prideful smile grew even wider—but no one in the room paid her any attention.
She walked over to the immobile old woman and then turned to Xiao Yan with amusement. She was eager to see how this man who dared attract so much attention would end up.
However, she quickly sensed something was wrong. Turning her head, she saw her elder still frozen stiff, the only movement being her fearful eyes.
She reached out, only to discover the invisible wall blocking her as well.
"Next up is the mid-tier seventh-grade assessment. I'll conduct it personally. Follow me."
Han Li cast a kind glance at the unshaken Xiao Yan, then turned and headed toward the Heaven-level testing room. Thanks to Xiao Yuan's earlier demonstration, he no longer doubted that Xiao Yan—clearly related to Xiao Yuan—was far from ordinary.
Xiao Yan followed without hesitation, and the two gradually disappeared from everyone's view.
The Qiu family members, now informed by their elder, understood what had happened. They glanced at Xiao Yuan with a bit of fear in their eyes. Who would have thought this dazzlingly handsome youth possessed such terrifying power?
The Bai family's three were still in the dark, but seeing their elder in such a state, they dared not ask questions. They simply stood silently in place.
No one else in the room left—they all wanted to see what made this "Xiao Yan" so special.
Even the white-robed woman frowned. Though she didn't know what exactly happened, she had a feeling it had something to do with that stunning young man who made her feel inadequate.
Everyone's gaze shifted toward the closed Heaven-level door, awaiting the final result.
Huh?
Some newly emerged people noticed that the projection now displayed the interior of the Heaven-level room!
Time passed slowly and silently in the testing chamber. Tension built in everyone's expressions.
Even the Bai family's old woman and the Qiu family's elder had to admit Xiao Yan's alchemy techniques were superior to their own. Clearly, he had surpassed them!
Another half-hour passed before the Heaven-level room's door finally creaked open.
Everyone had seen through the projection that Xiao Yan had successfully refined his pill. Elder Han Li looked visibly moved.
Excitement filled the room. All eyes turned to the doorway.
As the door opened, a white-haired elder stepped out. Han Li now wore a frown and sighed softly.
Seeing this, the Bai family's old woman lit up with hope. Her gaze turned eagerly behind Han Li—where Xiao Yan's slender figure soon emerged.
But as he stepped into view, the entire room's attention went straight to his chest—only to see that it was bare.
The old woman assumed something had gone wrong, though she couldn't confirm it while being locked in place.
The coldly elegant woman beside her smirked, shaking her head. Just a flashy clown after all. She felt silly for even briefly thinking he might be extraordinary. And she'd stood here waiting this whole time!
The Qiu elder, however, thought differently. The Bai family clearly didn't want to see Xiao Yan succeed, but he had seen the whole test clearly. The pill Xiao Yan refined was beyond even their best elder's capabilities.
Amid all the mixed emotions, Ye Zhong furrowed his brows—but he wasn't as worried as the others. He knew Xiao Yan's strength. Passing the mid-tier seventh-grade test wasn't guaranteed, but he was confident Xiao Yan had at least an 80% chance. Xiao Yan's calm demeanor didn't resemble someone who had failed.
Han Li approached Ye Zhong and sighed.
"Elder Han Li?" Ye Zhong asked uncertainly.
"Old man, congratulations. The test was a success. Your young man's alchemy far surpasses mine. Although he's passed the mid-tier seventh-grade test with flying colors, I didn't issue him a badge yet. I believe he's qualified for a higher badge, so I'd like to invite him to test again at the Pill Tower headquarters."
Han Li's words dropped like a thunderclap, shocking everyone—especially the Bai and Qiu families. All eyes snapped to Xiao Yan in disbelief. The coldly elegant woman's expression was especially complex.
"Deacon Han, testing at the headquarters... no need," Xiao Yan replied casually. Whether mid-tier or high-tier, it was just a badge. As long as it was usable, that was enough for him.
Han Li blinked, then nodded. He took out a dazzling badge from his storage ring and handed it to Xiao Yan with a smile. "Since you insist. But if you ever find the time, I still encourage you to take the higher test. I believe in your ability."
Xiao Yan casually flipped the badge in his hand. It was a deep metallic color, decorated with swirling flames. At its center was a towering spire etched into the flame—on which seven purple-gold stars sparkled. Only the seventh star was slightly dim.
Everyone stared blankly at the brilliant badge in Xiao Yan's hand. The room was deathly silent. Not even the Bai old woman, the Qiu elder, or Han Li himself had reached this level—yet this young man had passed with ease.
Ye Zhong beamed with joy, stroking his beard. Seeing the stunned expressions of the Bai family was incredibly satisfying. Since the Ye clan's fall, he hadn't seen them this shocked in years.
Soon, Han Li turned to Xiao Yuan, respectfully cupping his hands. "Sir, would you consider testing for the eighth-grade alchemist badge at our Pill Tower headquarters? And would you perhaps be participating in the upcoming Pill Gathering?"
This shocked the younger Bai and Qiu members, who hadn't yet recovered from Xiao Yan's results. Their eyes widened and focused on Xiao Yuan in disbelief. Their throats felt dry.
This man... an eighth-grade alchemist?
"Ah, Pill Tower headquarters? I'll go another day. There are a few elders I need to visit. But not today. Today's been too disappointing. That someone as low as a one-star Dou Zong could speak so rudely in the Pill Tower... It really sullies the so-called sacred land of alchemy."
Xiao Yuan shook his head, voice calm but sharp.
Though he never looked at the Bai family's old woman, everyone knew who he meant.
Her face twisted in humiliation. She couldn't move—still locked in place by the powerful spatial force.
This youth was terrifyingly strong!
"Yes… I've been too lenient," Han Li admitted gravely. "I'll raise this issue with the Elders. If you ever need a guide at the Pill Tower, just come to me. I'll introduce you to anyone you wish to meet!"
"Very well. I'll trouble you when the time comes," Xiao Yuan replied with a smile. He then nodded to Ye Zhong and turned to leave with Xiao Yi Xian. Xiao Yan followed quickly.
The Bai old woman remained frozen in place.
The three Bai juniors wanted to speak but found they couldn't. They could only watch the trio leave.
"Who exactly is this Xiao Yuan?" Han Li whispered to Ye Zhong.
"I only know that he's accompanied by Dou Zun-level guards. He's a senior from my granddaughter's academy—a monstrous genius," Ye Zhong replied.
Naturally, he wouldn't dig into things he had no business knowing.
"So he's not from Central Plains?"
Han Li's pupils contracted.
"Of course not. He and Xiao Yan are real brothers—from an empire in the northwest region."
This information came from Ye Xinlan, who had heard it from her fellow academy members.
"Hard to believe the northwest could produce such a prodigy. What a shame he's not joining the Pill Gathering. He'd be a top contender for champion!"
"A contender? Only a contender?" Ye Zhong raised a brow.
"Well... don't spread this, but I heard the Cao and Dan families have some exceptional youths this time. Their alchemy might've reached that realm too," Han Li whispered via Dou Qi transmission.
"Is that so?" Ye Zhong's expression grew more serious. He cupped his hands. "No need for thanks—you know me. I'll inform the others immediately."
"Good."
Han Li nodded and watched him leave.
The Qiu family took their leave as well.
Only the Bai family remained, due to their elder still being trapped.
"Deacon Han—"
After a moment, the coldly elegant woman from the Bai family spoke up.
"Don't look at me. Since that gentleman hasn't released her, go find a Dou Zun from your family to deal with it. Otherwise... just stay here and be embarrassed."
Han Li had no interest in this mess. With a cold remark, he turned and left.
(END CHAPTER)
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