In the vast and bustling Holy Pill City, the internal assessment of the Five Great Clans was already underway when Liu Xi and his group arrived — almost at the last possible moment. The day after reaching the city marked the beginning of the crucial internal test.
Within the slightly secluded Ye Clan residence, Liu Xi stepped out of his room, his expression calm and unhurried. Outside, Ye Zhong, Ye Xinlan, and Yao Tianhuo had been waiting for some time. Xiao Yixian followed silently behind him — their relationship long acknowledged by everyone present, needing no further explanation.
Today's assessment would decide the Ye Clan's fate — whether they would soar once more or fall into ruin. Everything hinged on Liu Xi's hand.
Ye Zhong took a deep breath, his eyes burning with determination as he bowed solemnly. "Everything depends on you, Master Liu."
Liu Xi smiled faintly and waved his hand dismissively. To him, this so-called assessment posed no difficulty whatsoever.
"Elder Ye, don't worry. I will do what I promised. And remember the medicinal ingredients I mentioned — they must be gathered before the Pill Gathering begins. They're all auxiliary materials, but the more the better. I trust the Ye Clan can manage that much. Don't disappoint me."
Ye Zhong's expression turned serious. This was Liu Xi's first official command to the Ye Clan; no matter what, he had to prove the family's worth. "The Ye Clan still has some connections here in Holy Pill City. Before the Pill Gathering begins, every herb you requested will be delivered to you, Master Liu."
Liu Xi nodded, satisfied, his gaze turning toward the heart of the city. "Good. Let's go see what kind of so-called geniuses the other four clans have produced."
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The testing site of the Five Great Clans lay within a grand hall deep in Holy Pill City — a place established by the Pill Tower itself, used exclusively for these examinations across generations. That alone showed how highly the Pill Tower regarded this tradition.
The assessment wasn't private. On the contrary, it was semi-public — attracting numerous factions who always made sure to appear when the test began. After all, the Five Great Clans were seen as the gateway to the Pill Tower's inner hierarchy.
Everyone understood what this event represented: the fastest path to the Pill Tower's upper echelon. To climb this ladder was to gain protection, wealth, and power beyond imagination.
But for the Ye Clan, their position among the five was hanging by a thread. One failure here would mean losing their seat entirely. And once that seat was vacant, countless ambitious powers — those circling like sharks smelling blood — would pounce without hesitation.
By the time Liu Xi and his group arrived before the colossal, radiant hall, a sea of people already filled the square. The dense crowd left only a narrow passage leading to the entrance, guarded by Pill Tower sentinels.
"Please, Master Liu."
Ye Zhong's voice was calm but heavy. Beneath his wide sleeves, his hands clenched and loosened repeatedly. Every corner of this place was carved into his memory — every past humiliation branded into his heart.
'This time will be different. This time, the Ye Clan will remain here with dignity… and reclaim the honor we once lost.'
As Liu Xi's group appeared, countless eyes turned toward them. The murmurs started immediately, aimed at the Ye Clan's insignia gleaming on Ye Zhong's chest.
"Look, the Ye Clan actually showed up again. If they fail this time, they'll be expelled from the Five Great Clans entirely."
"Heh, the once-glorious Ye Clan — now just a shadow of its past. Once they lose their status, they'll vanish into obscurity."
"Wait… who's that?"
A sharper-eyed alchemist in the crowd suddenly gasped, recognizing the young man walking among them.
"Isn't that—?! The 8th Tier Alchemist who shook the Central Plains — Liu Xi!"
The hum of conversation exploded instantly. Many had never seen him in person, but everyone knew his name. Portraits of him had circulated throughout the region — the youngest 8th Tier Alchemist in decades.
"No way! How could the Ye Clan possibly invite him? Are they cheating? This is blatant favoritism!"
"Ridiculous! But… if he really joins the Ye Clan's assessment team…"
The rest of the words were swallowed by disbelief.
Hearing the chatter, Ye Zhong couldn't decide whether to laugh or curse. These people had been waiting for the Ye Clan's fall — now, with Liu Xi standing at their side, every scheme and ambition they harbored turned to dust.
Liu Xi clasped his hands behind his back, his expression composed and unreadable under the weight of countless gazes. He had expected this the moment he agreed to help the Ye Clan. After all, an 8th Tier Alchemist's mere presence was enough to shake an entire city.
The crowd parted instinctively as they approached the entrance. Even the Pill Tower guards — once indifferent — now straightened their backs, bowing slightly. Not toward Ye Zhong, but toward Liu Xi.
"Ye Clan, enter!" one guard announced respectfully, stepping aside.
Ye Zhong exhaled softly. In the past, when the Ye Clan came here, the guards hadn't been openly rude, but their disdain had always been obvious — eyes filled with contempt that cut deeper than any blade.
Now everything was different. That respect in their gaze wasn't for the Ye Clan… but for Liu Xi.
'One day,' Ye Zhong swore silently, 'the Ye Clan itself will earn such respect again — not borrowed, but truly deserved.'
Under the weight of hundreds of eyes, Ye Zhong led Liu Xi and the others through the entrance. Many who watched could only sigh, their envy and frustration plain to see.
Inside the grand hall, soft light spilled from ornate lanterns. Liu Xi could feel the subtle scrutiny of numerous powerful auras, each filled with curiosity or apprehension.
Raising his eyes slightly, he scanned the hall — the front rows were occupied by figures of clear influence, cultivators whose power marked them as elders or heads of their respective clans. Some even rubbed their eyes, unable to believe what they were seeing.
The young man standing calmly beside the Ye Clan… was the one whose reputation had spread across the Central Plains.
The number-one Alchemist of the younger generation — Liu Xi.
Even within the Pill Tower's own ranks, few could rival him.
Ye Zhong smiled and whispered, "These are merely observers, Master Liu. Don't mind them. The seats of the five clans — Dan, Cao, Qiu, Bai, and Ye — are at the very front."
Following his gaze, Liu Xi saw five designated sections. Three were already occupied, while two remained empty.
"Let's go," he said calmly.
And with that, the Ye Clan advanced toward their rightful place beneath the Pill Tower's light.
(End of Chapter)
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This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on P4 treon, For those who want to read 2 chapters ahead for free, you can find me on P4 treon by searching for my username: Fallen_Archangel_.
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