Elder Sheng's gaze swept across the five participants, lingering briefly on Liu Xi, then on Cao Ying, and finally on Dan Chen. Stroking his beard, he chuckled softly.
This year's internal assessment would surely be lively. Liu Xi, who had once refined an 8th Tier Pill that drew the legendary Three-Colored Pill Lightning before countless witnesses, was already acknowledged across the Central Plains as a true 8th Tier Alchemist.
Cao Ying and Dan Chen, both born from top-tier alchemy families and nurtured under the Pill Tower's orthodox teachings since childhood, were considered the most promising candidates for this year's Pill Gathering champion.
Now, all three stood on the same stage — their presence alone was enough to make the crowd tremble with excitement. Even though this test did not involve actual pill refinement, everyone knew they were about to witness something extraordinary.
The vast hall fell into a tense hush as Elder Sheng smiled. "Hehe, let's begin today's assessment." With that, he stepped aside and stopped next to a massive object covered by a black cloth. With a casual wave of his hand, the cloth was pulled away, revealing a towering crystal monument over ten feet tall. Its transparent surface gleamed faintly, like frozen ice lake. "Our test will be divided into three stages," Elder Sheng said seriously. "The first stage — Soul Measurement."
The smile faded from his face as his tone grew formal. His gaze swept across the participants.
"As you all know, one's soul is the foundation of an alchemist. Only with a sufficiently strong soul can one possess keen Spiritual Perception and precise Spiritual Control." He raised his hand toward the smooth circular mirror embedded at the towering crystal monument's center.
"You will each inject your Spiritual Power into this mirror. The monument will measure and display your soul value — what we in the Pill Tower call the 'Soul Value.' A result above 400 is considered passing. For the record, the highest Soul Value recorded in these family assessments was 976, achieved by Cao Ying herself. That record has remained unbroken ever since."
At those words, Elder Sheng's eyes rested on Cao Ying, and immediately, countless gazes followed his. The black-dressed enchantress curved her red lips and tilted her head, her phoenix eyes flickering with amusement as she cast a glance toward Liu Xi, who stood with hands behind his back, calm and composed.
"With Master Liu here today," she said teasingly, "this record will surely be broken. But tell me, will it be by your hand, Master Liu… or mine?"
Liu Xi smiled faintly. He had long grown used to her sharp tongue. 'Let her bask in her pride. Once this is over, her pride will be crushed beyond repair.' Even before the test began, the tension between them was already palpable — an invisible storm building in silence.
Elder Sheng cleared his throat. "Since the rules are clear, who will go first?"
For a moment, no one spoke. Then Qiu Ji of the Qiu Clan took a deep breath, stepped forward, and bowed. Without hesitation, he placed his hand on the monument's surface. His brows furrowed as his Spiritual Power surged violently outward, flooding into the monument.
The mirror at the center began to flash, blood-red numbers rapidly shifting across its surface before finally stabilizing after a few breaths.
"739!" Elder Sheng nodded approvingly. "Not bad. Qiu Ji passes. Next."
Qiu Ji smiled slightly, satisfied, and stepped back. The cold-faced Bai Ying of the Bai Clan stepped forward next, pressing his palm against the crystal. A stronger Spiritual Force burst forth, the mirror glowing again before the final number appeared.
"796."
"Bai Ying passes." Elder Sheng's eyes gleamed with interest.
Bai Ying exhaled quietly and stepped aside, though he knew his result would soon be overshadowed by what was to come. The next three — Liu Xi, Cao Ying, and Dan Chen — were monsters far beyond his reach.
Dan Chen took a nervous glance at Liu Xi and Cao Ying. Then, summoning her courage, she gracefully bowed to Elder Sheng and stepped forward. 'Cao Ying chose to compete. As the Dan Clan's heir, I cannot let our family fall behind.' She gently placed her pale, delicate hand upon the monument.
For a heartbeat, nothing happened. Then — boom!
A terrifying wave of Spiritual Pressure erupted from her body. The entire hall trembled under the crushing force. A soul storm rose around her like a cyclone, distorting the very air. Even Elder Sheng had to retreat several steps, his eyes shining with admiration. "Amazing… these young people truly defy the heavens."
When Cao Ying had once set her record, she too had caused a soul storm — but the pressure Dan Chen unleashed now was far greater.
The audience stared wide-eyed as the red numbers on the mirror climbed faster and faster, flickering chaotically until finally they froze.
"1536!"
Gasps filled the hall. This value surpassed Cao Ying's old record by nearly 500 points. The seemingly timid young girl from the Dan Clan had just rewritten history. Elder Sheng laughed heartily. "Dan Clan passes. Excellent!"
Blushing faintly, Dan Chen whispered an apology for losing control and retreated with measured grace.
Cao Ying's charming eyes narrowed. Smiling faintly, she stepped forward with a sway of her slender hips and saluted Elder Sheng. Her movements were fluid, each one radiating natural allure. Standing before the monument, she lifted her slender jade-like hand and pressed it gently against the crystal surface. Her thin, bewitching lips curved in a confident smile.
At once, another surge of terrifying Spiritual Power burst forth — equally as vast, if not stronger than Dan Chen's. A new soul storm howled through the air, shaking the ground itself. But this time, the crowd was ready.
'So this is why she's called the Cao Clan's enchantress,' many thought as their gazes burned with awe.
The monument's mirror flickered wildly again. Blood-red numbers flashed faster and faster until, after half a minute, they solidified.
"1634!"
The audience erupted in astonishment once more.
(End of Chapter)
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