Ye Zhong's gaze swept across the three occupied seats ahead as he leaned slightly toward Liu Xi, lowering his voice in explanation. "Master Liu, that elegant young man in blue robes over there is Dan Xuan of the Dan Clan. He's likely their representative in this internal examination. His talent is said to rank second among the five great clans' juniors—just beneath that demoness from the Cao Clan. Of course, he's nowhere near your level."
Liu Xi gave a faint, amused smile at the flattery, his eyes shifting to the tall, refined youth whose gentle temperament exuded scholarly grace. Perhaps sensing Liu Xi's gaze, Dan Xuan turned slightly, meeting his eyes for a brief moment before bowing his head in quiet respect.
The young man's talent was commendable but unremarkable in Liu Xi's eyes. Instead, it was the delicate girl standing beside Dan Xuan that caught his attention. She glanced at him once before hurriedly lowering her head like a startled deer. Though timid in demeanor, the pulse of Spiritual Power within her soul was undeniable—profound and refined far beyond her years.
'A young girl with such soul strength... that must be Dan Chen. Quite an enviable gift indeed,' Liu Xi thought with faint interest.
Moving on, Ye Zhong continued softly, "That's Bai Ying of the Bai Clan—also a Mid Level 7th Tier Alchemist, same as Dan Xuan. As for the Qiu Clan, they've sent only a Low Level 7th Tier Alchemist, not worth mentioning. The only uncertainty lies with the Cao Clan. I don't know whether they'll send Cao Shan, Cao Xiu... or perhaps even Cao Ying herself."
When Liu Xi's gaze swept across the Bai and Qiu Clan seats, the alchemists seated there either looked down or turned away, not daring to meet his eyes. Especially the Bai Clan members—after the humiliation they had suffered at his hands previously, their faces now carried a forced respect, even a trace of fawning.
Liu Xi withdrew his gaze, a hint of helpless amusement flickering through his mind.
'Not one of them can even put up a decent challenge. At this point, I'm just bullying children. Hopefully, this won't stay so dull for long.'
As the two spoke quietly, they reached the Ye Clan's designated seat. Around them, whispers rippled through the surrounding crowd.
"...Why is he here? Hasn't the Ye Clan fallen already? How could they possibly be associated with him?"
"...Ye Xinlan's only a 5th Tier Alchemist. She's doomed to be eliminated. Wait—don't tell me that man will compete on their behalf...?"
"...Tch, the Ye Clan really doesn't die easily, huh? Even at rock bottom, they somehow managed to enlist him..."
Just then, a clear voice rang out from outside the grand hall.
"The Cao Clan has arrived!"
The murmur of the hall quieted. Dozens of gazes turned toward the massive bronze doors as they slowly swung open. From the bright corridor beyond, a graceful figure stepped into view—light-footed, elegant, every step exuding natural poise.
When she entered the hall fully, the dim amber light cast over her form, and a collective gasp spread through the crowd.
The woman was tall and slender, her curves accentuated by a black dress that shimmered faintly under the light. Her snow-pale skin contrasted sharply with the dark fabric, and her delicate features—fine as porcelain—radiated both allure and aloofness.
Her long, obsidian hair cascaded freely down her shoulders, and though her cheeks were faintly thin, the sharpness only enhanced her beauty. Her narrow, phoenix-like eyes carried a faint charm, and the subtle curve of her lips exuded effortless seduction.
Yet beneath that beguiling grace was a power that made hearts instinctively tighten.
No one in the hall was ignorant of her name—Cao Ying, the famed enchantress of the Cao Clan, one of the Pill Tower's current Giant candidates.
Before Liu Xi's rise, Cao Ying had been the uncontested star of the Pill Region, her talent, beauty, and poise placing her above all peers—born, it seemed, to become one of the Pill Tower's Elders.
But now…
Dozens of eyes shifted once more—away from the stunning newcomer, and toward another figure seated calmly at the Ye Clan's position. Liu Xi sat there, serene and composed, as though the world itself could not stir his focus.
He was the miracle of the Central Plains—the man who had risen from obscurity to dominance within just a few short years, his brilliance so overwhelming that even Cao Ying's name was now mentioned beneath his.
Once, when people spoke of "genius," they spoke of Cao Ying.
Now, they spoke of Liu Xi.
Barely 26, already an 8th Tier Alchemist of undeniable mastery—he had surpassed generations of alchemists before him.
As Cao Ying's gaze swept the hall, it lingered briefly on Dan Chen, and her sharp phoenix eyes brightened slightly. Yet her expression subtly shifted when she noticed a figure who remained utterly unmoved by her entrance.
Liu Xi.
Her eyes narrowed faintly. Before Liu Xi's rise, she had regarded only Dan Chen as her peer. But now... this man's name carried a weight she could not ignore.
The Zun Shi Pill, the Three-Colored Pill Lightning, the title of 8th Tier Alchemist—each was a mark of terrifying ability, and each added to the pressure she quietly felt.
Abandoning her focus on Dan Chen, Cao Ying's red lips curved into a playful, bewitching smile as she gracefully approached. Her hips swayed slightly with every step, and the air around her seemed to ripple subtly with charm.
Dozens of eyes followed her as she stopped before the Ye Clan's seats. Smiling sweetly, she inclined her head toward Liu Xi.
"Master Liu Xi, I've long heard your name sung across the Pill Region. To see you today—well, the rumors hardly do you justice."
Liu Xi's expression remained calm. His gaze flicked briefly across her face—beautiful enough to topple nations—and a hint of appreciation flashed through his eyes, but no hint of lust. He had long since grown immune to such temptations.
"The famed enchantress of the Cao Clan," he replied lightly. "I've heard much the same about you. Seems you've come quite far yourself."
For a heartbeat, Cao Ying's pulse quickened. She met his calm, penetrating eyes and wasn't sure if he had truly seen through her—or merely said it in passing.
Her lips parted in a lilting laugh, her tone as smooth as honey. "I can't compare to Master Liu. Since you've come all this way, I imagine the Pill Gathering's championship must already belong to you?"
Her words were graceful, but her meaning sharp—probing, challenging, even enticing.
Liu Xi's lips curved faintly, and an aura of absolute confidence rolled from him like a silent wave. His voice carried an edge of quiet dominance as he replied evenly—
"Indeed. This year's Pill Gathering championship... will be mine."
(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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