Chapter 1128: Dan Clan
One after another s.p.a.ce Boats flashed past like the falling stars in the night sky. After which, they swarmed toward the enormous, silver light circle like fish entering the ocean…
The black-colored s.p.a.ce Boat Xiao Yan"s group was riding followed the flow. It resisted the incomparably intense spatial ripple and entered the light circle. Finally, it disappeared…
When the boat charged into the silver-colored light circle, the intense spatial ripple caused the entire s.p.a.ce Boat to violently jolt. However, this jolt lasted less than ten seconds before it disappeared. The silver light that filled the eyes of Xiao Yan"s group gradually weakened. A moment later, the silver-colored light glow erupted. A powerful, eye-piercing glow caused Xiao Yan"s group to reflexively shut their eyes…
A gentle wind blew over while Xiao Yan"s group shut their eyes. This gentle and warm feeling caused their tensed hearts to gradually relax…
After which, an extremely ear-piercing mixture of noises suddenly entered their ears from all directions just as their mood was gradually becoming relaxed. This caused Xiao Yan"s group, which did not have the time to take precaution, to feel a little dazed for a moment…
Xiao Yan slowly opened his eyes. A large open s.p.a.ce that was completely built from crimson stone stood in front of his eyes. This open ground seemed to stretch to the horizon. All Xiao Yan could see was a redness that filled the land… from the looks of it, this place was at least a thousand meters wide. Xiao Yan"s group was just like tiny ants when standing within it, appearing inconspicuous…
At this moment, this crimson open ground seemed to be filled with people. Noise was being emitted from all directions. Finally, it gathered together and charged to the sky. Even the clouds in the sky had become a lot paler…
"Is this the Holy Pill City?"
Xiao Yan involuntarily inhaled a gentle breath of air as he looked at this open ground, which was so vast that one could not see its edge. Currently, some distorted ripples were continuously appearing in the s.p.a.ce behind him. s.p.a.ce Boats rushed out of these ripples one after another. After which, the s.p.a.ce Boats swiftly became tiny. The people within them fell from the sky like beans, one after another…
Clearly, this was an exit point of a Wormhole.
"This is merely one of the spatial points of the Holy Pill City"s outer region… there are a total of eight such spatial exits in the outer city…" Ye Zhong glanced around him. His eyes appeared a little complicated. The Ye clan had seldom come to this place after it had declined. During each of the five great clans" test, they had also visited with a crestfallen mood. After which, they would leave in a dejected manner after having lost all their face.
Xiao Yan"s mouth trembled upon hearing this. Just this open ground was around ten percent of the size of Ye City. However, this Holy Pill City possessed eight of them?
"Ke ke, there is no need to be surprised. The Holy Pill City is divided into the outer region and the inner region. Currently, we are located in the outer region. The Pill Tower is located in the inner region. Of course, regardless of whether it is the outer region or the inner region, they are all territories of the Pill Tower…" Ye Zhong involuntarily smiled upon seeing Xiao Yan. "This Holy Pill City might be called a city, but it is far from what an ordinary city can compare with. Its size is such that even some expert Dou Zongs would need nearly half a day to fly from the north to the south…
"Currently, traffic has yet to reach its peak. It will really be terrifying one month before the start of the Pill Gathering. Hee hee, don"t think that this Holy Pill City is so big. At that time, there will definitely be a need to squeeze in…" Ye Zhong laughed, "You should not underestimate the allure of the Pill Gathering…"
Xiao Yan bitterly smiled and shook his head. He only now understood what a country b.u.mpkin he was after having reached this Holy Pill City. He had finally witnessed a large city today.
"Where do we head to first?"
Xiao Yan organized his emotions. His gaze, along with that of the Little Fairy Doctor and the others, arrived on Ye Zhong. It was the first time that they had come to Holy Pill City, and they were unfamiliar with this place. They still needed to rely on Ye Zhong, who knew the way.
"The test for the five great clans will occur a few days from now. We have traveled for the entire day, let"s find a place to rest first. I will bring you to the test location for the Pill Tower tomorrow. You need to obtain an alchemist tier badge that the Pill Tower recognizes." Ye Zhong mused for a moment before replying.
"An alchemist tier badge?" Xiao Yan was startled after hearing this. He asked, "There is still a need for this thing?"
Xiao Yan had only obtained an alchemist badge once. It was the tier 2 alchemist badge he had obtained when he was training in the Jia Ma Empire. After that, he had never obtained any other badges.
"Ke ke, a badge that is recognized by the Pill Tower cannot be compared with other places. This Pill Tower is infamous for being exceptionally strict. It is precisely because of its rigorous policies that its tier badge is widely used across the continent. It possesses a shocking effect no matter where one is… if you wish to partic.i.p.ate in the Pill Gathering, one must be in possession of a tier badge. Otherwise, one will not be allowed to partic.i.p.ate…" Ye Zhong smiled as he replied.
Xiao Yan slightly nodded and did not resist to much. However, he had not partic.i.p.ated in this kind of tier test for many years. Thus, he was indeed a little curious…
Ye Zhong smiled after seeing Xiao Yan did not voice any objections. He identified their position and took the lead in heading to a resting area. However, a spatial ripple suddenly appeared in the distant sky behind. Immediately, a snow-white carriage driven by a silver-colored pegasus appeared in the sky…
The snow-white carriage, that had suddenly appeared, immediately attracted the focus of a countless number of eyes. Numerous shocked voices resounded over the open ground…
"It is the Void Heavenly Horse Beast? Just who is this? They have appeared in such a grand manner?"
"Void Heavenly Horse Beast?"
Xiao Yan also raised his eyebrows upon hearing the exclamations that were transmitted from below. His eyes revealed a shock as he looked at the snow-white carriage. He had heard of such a Magical Beast. Although it was only rank 6, it was an extremely rare beast. They possessed the ability to fly through the void. Moreover, their speed was even faster as well as more comfortable when compared to a s.p.a.ce Boat. Many people wanted to own a Void Heavenly Horse Beast. Due to their rarity, however, there was demand with no supply, yet this mysterious snow-white carriage was able to use a Void Heavenly Horse Beast to drive a carriage. This grand manner was really impressive.
The gaze of Ye Zhong by the side paused on the snow-white carriage. A moment later, he let out a frown.
"Does Elder Ye Zhong know who the owner of this carriage is?" Xiao Yan involuntarily asked when he saw him frown.
"Do you see the pill-shaped clan crest on the carriage? That is the special indicator of the Dan clan. If I have guessed correctly, the ones seated in this carriage should be the people from the Dan clan who are going to partic.i.p.ate in the test this time around…" Ye Zhong nodded as he replied.
Xiao Yan glanced over after hearing this. He noticed a golden-yellow, round clan badge. It appeared just like a medicinal pill.
"Dan clan…" Xiao Yan mumbled in his mouth. He slowly nodded. The five great clans of the Pill Region were Dan, Cao, Bai, Qiu, and Ye. Currently, the Dan clan kept the lowest profile, but their strength was something no one doubted. The Cao clan was the most renowned. The Bai clan could be considered a wealthy family within the Pill Region, and they possessed some say. The Qui clan was a little weaker, but it was many times better when compared to the Ye clan…
On the whole, the Ye clan was in the worst condition among the five great clans. The remaining four great clans, including the weakest Qui clan, were able to steadily maintain their clan"s position in the Pill Region.
"Since the members of the Dan clan have arrived. It is likely that the other three clans should arrive soon…" Ye Zhong voiced his thoughts. "I wonder just who the Dan clan will send to represent them this year?"
"Can the Dan clan be comparable to Cao Ying from the Cao clan?" Xiao Yan fondled his chin and asked.
"This… I am not very certain. The Dan clan has always kept a low profile, but this clan could also be considered to possess a great amount of alchemical talent. During its glorious period back then, they had occupied three seats among the Elder"s Seats of the Pill Tower…" Ye Zhong replied with some embarra.s.sment when he heard Xiao Yan"s question.
"However, normally speaking, the ones who partic.i.p.ate in the test are usually not the strongest among the younger generation because it is not too difficult for them to pa.s.s this kind of test… this will also be our opportunity. After all, the chances of obtaining the top three position will improve if this is the case…"
Xiao Yan slightly nodded. He was aware of how important this test was to the Ye clan. If he did not help them, they could forget about attempting to fight for the top three. With just the abilities of their younger generation, it was likely that they would not even possess the qualification to even pa.s.s…
The snow-white carriage drove the Void Heavenly Horse Beast and disappeared into the distant sky amid clear hoof sounds while Xiao Yan"s group was conversing with one another…
"Let"s go, we"ll find a spot to rest first. Tomorrow, we will go to the testing a.s.sociation of the Pill Tower and get a tier badge. We will consider the other matters after that…"
Ye Zhong laughed. He was still secure knowing Xiao Yan"s strength. However, the only thing he was worried about was that the younger generation dispatched by the four great clans would be even stronger than usual. After all, the Pill Gathering was approaching, The members of the younger generation who would come were definitely not ordinary…
Ye Zhong turned his body after uttering his words. He flew to the exit of the crimson open ground. Xiao Yan, the Little Fairy Doctor, and the others followed close behind…
Chapter 1129: Night Meeting in the Stars Realm
Xiao Yan"s group followed Ye Zhong for around half an hour before they finally descended. They had come to a region to the south…
There was a somewhat s.p.a.cious courtyard located where Xiao Yan"s group descended. However, this courtyard was clearly a little old and damaged. From the looks of it, there had not been anyone living here for many years. A wooden plaque was located at the front of the courtyard. There were two vague characters still identifiable on it.
"Ye Manor."
"This is a property of my Ye clan. However, with the decline of the Ye clan, there is no longer anyone cleaning this place. Still, it is not a bad location to temporarily rest…" Ye Zhong turned his head and spoke to Xiao Yan"s group after looking over the courtyard.
Xiao Yan"s group naturally did not have any requirements about where they stay. Moreover, this Ye Manor might appear a little old and damaged, but it was superior in terms of being quiet. Although there was still quite a great amount of traffic around, it was quite remote when compared to other places.
"Ke ke, it is fine if there is no problem. It is already getting late. Everyone should rest first. There are still important matters to do tomorrow…"
…
Along with the flow of time, night slowly began to scatter down from the sky, wrapping the entire Holy Pill City within a blurry night…
Xiao Yan stood with his hands behind his back in a small yard within the Ye Manor. He raised his head and looked to the bright stars. It was a long while later before he slightly frowned.
"I have not sensed even a little ripple related to the Three Thousand Burning Flame ever since I entered the Holy Pill City. It is likely being sealed or hidden by the experts from the Pill Tower…"
Xiao Yan mused for a moment before turning his gaze to the obscure starry sky of the inner region in Holy Pill City. The Three Thousand Burning Flame was formed within the stars. It would remain in the distant sky when it was created. If Xiao Yan had guessed correctly, the Three Thousand Burning Flame should be in the starry sky of the Holy Pill City inner region.
"Ugh, the skills of the Pill Tower are really secretive. Looks like I can only take the proper route.."
Xiao Yan softly sighed in his heart. He was just about to turn around and return to his room when his ears moved. He turned his head and looked at the door to the yard. The Little Fairy Doctor was quietly standing there in a white-colored dress. The moonlight from the sky diffused down and landed on her body. She appeared just like silver yarn with an additional alluring enchantment.
"Have you not gone to rest?"
Xiao Yan was startled when he saw the Little Fairy Doctor. He then smiled and asked.
"Xun Er instructed me to protect you properly before she left. How can I stop working before you rest?" The Little Fairy Doctor replied with a sweet grin.
Xiao Yan could not resist laughing upon hearing the Little Fairy Doctor"s saucy words. She had undoubtedly become a lot more cheerful after having resolved the issue of the Woeful Poison Body.
"There should not be any problem with your Woeful Poison Body, is there?" Xiao Yan studied the Little Fairy Doctor, who was slowly stepping through the moonlight, before he asked in a concerned manner.
"It should be fine… currently there is a thumb-sized Poison Dan within my body. All of the Woeful Poison Qi within my body is suppressed within it. The current me is able to completely control it…" The Little Fairy Doctor thought for a moment before replying.
"That"s good. I can only help you until this point. You can only rely on yourself in what you wish to do in the future. However, the Woeful Poison Body is not an ordinary const.i.tution. Moreover, there has never been anyone who could completely control the Woeful Poison Body in the past. Hence, I do not know how refining a Poison Dan will impact you in the future…" Xiao Yan nodded as he responded.
The Little Fairy Doctor slightly smiled. She turned her eyes and suddenly asked, "Have you told Xun Er about the matter regarding Cai Lin?"
Xiao Yan was stunned upon hearing this. He immediately felt a little embarra.s.sed as he shook his head with a bitter smile. The matter regarding Cai Lin was merely an encounter that was filled with l.u.s.t. After that incident, Xiao Yan had gradually gained a greater understanding of this woman through their encounter. He had to admit that he had begun to feel a complicated feeling for this cold but alluring Queen Medusa. This was especially the case regarding… Cai Lin suspected of being pregnant…
It had been a number of years since Xiao Yan had left the Jia Ma Empire. If Cai Lin was really pregnant, based on the rules of the Snake People Race"s pregnancy, currently… it was likely that the little Xiao Yan… had already been born.
Xiao Yan"s heart once again felt an extremely complicated feeling upon thinking about this. He appeared happy but distressed. Various emotions gathered together, appearing as though the bottles of five tastes had broken. One would be unable to differentiate the sourness, sweetness, bitterness, spiciness…
"Ugh, when the boat gets to the bridge, there will be a way. When I see Xun Er next, I"ll tell her those things…"
Xiao Yan shook his head. He calmed his own emotions and sighed, "There are some things that I will naturally not be able to continue hiding."
"It is not rare for a man to have multiple wives and concubines on the Dou Qi continent. I think that Xun Er will not mind…" The Little Fairy Doctor comforted upon seeing Xiao Yan"s worry.
Xiao Yan could only bitterly smile and nod in the face of the Little Fairy Doctor"s comfort. Xun Er was not an ordinary girl. She definitely possessed a position within the Gu clan that other people had difficulty imagining. Otherwise, two elite Dou Zuns would not be protecting her all the time. Even if Xun Er were to agree when the time came, it was likely that the Gu clan would use this as an excuse to hinder them…
The Little Fairy Doctor changed the conversation topic after seeing that Xiao Yan had no intention of speaking more about this matter. The two of them sat down on the stone stairs in front of a room, raised their heads, and studied the endless starry sky.
"It has been many years since we have watched the night sky together… however, the night sky in that little valley near Qingshan Town is still more beautiful…"
After softly chatting for a long while, the Little Fairy Doctor leaned her lovely body gently against a stone pier by the side. Her eyes were slowly shut as she softly muttered. She had actually fallen asleep…
Xiao Yan was slightly startled. He turned his head to look at the pretty face that was filled with warmth. Back then, they had been striving to their own targets. Currently, they had reached a height that they would never have dared imagine back then…
"I will accompany you to watch the night sky there once we return to the Jia Ma Empire…"
The Little Fairy Doctor"s pretty face slowly became more gentle, like she had heard Xiao Yan"s soft voice…
Xiao Yan took out a large, black robe from his Storage Ring. He gently used it to cover the Little Fairy Doctor"s delicate body. He also slowly got up and took two steps forward. Raising his head, he looked to the bright starry sky…
While he focused intently on the sky, he suddenly discovered something. When compared to the other night sky, this night sky of the Holy Pill City seemed to be… filled with spirituality?
Xiao Yan knit his brows. He placed both of his hands behind him as he quietly stood under the vast and endless starry sky…
Xiao Yan had stood for nearly two hours. During these two hours, his body remained unmoving, appearing like a statue. Both of his eyes watched the flickering stars in the sky…
This posture of his had just reached the third hour mark when the corner of Xiao Yan"s mouth was suddenly lifted into a slight arc. He slowly shut his eyes.
Xiao Yan"s Spiritual Strength spread out from between his eyebrows like floodwaters the moment he shut his eyes. His majestic Spiritual Strength unfurled. After which, it reached into the bright starry sky.
The Spiritual Strength unrolled in the sky like a wave of water. That unusual feeling of being filled with spirituality had accompanied his spreading Spiritual Strength. It quietly inscribed a vague imprint on Xiao Yan"s widespread Spiritual Strength like a mysterious, searing seal…
Xiao Yan, who had his eyes shut, did not discover that his completely still body had begun to emit a weak fluorescent glow at this moment. This kind of fluorescent glow was extremely mysterious. One"s naked eye was unable to see it. Instead, one must use one"s Spiritual Strength in order to sense it.
The somewhat withered-yellow gra.s.s around Xiao Yan"s body began to lose its withered-yellow color under the s.h.i.+ne of this weak fluorescent glow. Buds quietly appeared, causing it to appear full of spirituality…
At this moment, Xiao Yan was naturally unable to know about the changes around his body. With his Spiritual Strength spreading further, that blurry imprint grew. Xiao Yan"s soul appeared to be a bath under warm sunlight in the face of the deepening searing imprint, causing him to feel an unusually potent feeling of comfort.
The spreading of his Spiritual Strength continued for an unknown length of time. Suddenly it barged into an unknown place and abruptly shook. By the time Xiao Yan recovered, he discovered that his soul"s sight could see an endlessly large dragon curled up on the ground. Both of its huge dragon"s eyes were tightly shut. A kind of strange, purple-black flame lingered over its body…
Xiao Yan"s heart suddenly felt a familiar feeling when his Spiritual Strength saw the purple-black-colored flame. A soft gasp immediately sounded within his soul.
"Three… Three Thousand Burning Flame?"
"Who dares to peep into the star region of the Pill City?"
A stern cry suddenly sounded from deep within Xiao Yan"s soul while he had gasped!
This sudden, stern cry caused Xiao Yan"s spreading Spiritual Strength to blast apart. Immediately, it quickly disappeared from this overcast star s.p.a.ce. A kind of faint spirituality was vaguely left behind following the scattering of Xiao Yan"s soul.
"Huh, it is actually a Soul State spirit?"
A vague, mysterious voice sounded within empty s.p.a.ce after appearing to have sensed the remnant spirituality of the soul.
Xiao Yan, who had his eyes tightly shut in the distant Ye Manor within the outer region of the Holy Pill City, suddenly opened them. His legs took two unsteady steps back. His expression was a little pale as he turned to the deepest regions of Holy Pill City. The place he had sensed the Three Thousand Burning Flame earlier was definitely in that direction!
"Pill City star region… that place is where the Three Thousand Burning Flame was sealed, huh?"
Chapter 1130: Branch Tower
Xiao Yan"s eyes were locked on the sky of the Holy Pill City inner region. It was a long while later before he slowly withdrew his eyes. He rubbed his forehead with his hand. Xiao Yan"s head was currently feeling a little giddy due to the terrifying cry from earlier.
"It is indeed worthy of being the Pill Tower. There is such a frightening expert…" Xiao Yan softly sighed. He let out a bitter laugh. The owner of that cry earlier did not even reveal a figure, yet it had shattered Xiao Yan"s soul with just mere words. This strength was likely something that only some tier 8 alchemists could achieve.
Xiao Yan gradually withdrew his mind. His gaze swept around him, and he immediately became dull because the courtyard was currently filled with a kind of freshness. Tender, green gra.s.s protruded from the ground, dyeing the withering-yellow ground with a great amount of life.
"What"s this?"
Xiao Yan frowned. He clearly remembered this place being old and damaged where wild gra.s.s grew in cl.u.s.ters during the day, yet why had there been such a drastic change?
"Could it be because of what happened earlier?"
Xiao Yan suddenly pondered the change after this idea appeared in his heart. Earlier, he had been guided by this starry sky, and he seemed to have vaguely entered a mysterious state.
Xiao Yan shut both of his eyes slightly the moment he thought of this. A moment later, he suddenly opened them. There was some shock and joy that was difficult to hide within his eyes.
"The spirituality that is within my soul seems to be much denser when compared to before…"
Xiao Yan was extremely unfamiliar with this so-called Soul State. He did not know how he could strengthen the spirituality within his soul. Hence, he could only rely on occasionally entering a unique condition in order to improve. However, such a condition was something that he could only encounter but not seek out. Other than the time when he had refined pills until he had gone crazy, it had only appeared tonight.
Regardless of what the case was, the growth of the spirituality within Xiao Yan"s soul was considered a good matter to him.
"Based on this speed, it is likely that I will be able to advance to that so-called Soul State if I enter a mysterious condition a couple more times. If that is the case, I will be confident during this Pill Gathering…"
Xiao Yan slowly stretched his lazy waist after having sensed the comfort from the spirituality that filled his soul. All this while, he was having greedy thoughts.
While Xiao Yan was feeling joyous over the increase in the spirituality within his soul, there was information flowing within an empty s.p.a.ce in the distant inner region of the Holy Pill City. After which, the information was exchanged…
"There is someone who peeped into the star region earlier. However, it was fortunate that he did not wake the Three Thousand Burning Flame. Otherwise, there would have been some trouble again." An elderly voice slowly sounded within the emptiness.
"Have you discovered who it was?"
"No, however, this person"s Spiritual Strength is quite strong. Based on my guess, he is likely a tier 8 alchemist who had stepped into the Soul State…"
"Could it be someone from the Hall of Souls? They are really interested in the Three Thousand Burning Flame. Base on some information I"ve obtained, the Hall of Souls will dispatch someone to join this Pill Gathering. If they are allowed to obtain a spot in the top ten, it is likely that they will act on the Three Thousand Burning Flame.." A low, uncertain voice suddenly sounded.
"I don"t know. Although I have shattered the soul of the person peeping in, it was merely a wisp of soul. It did not cause much harm to the actual person."
"Strengthen the defenses a little. The Three Thousand Burning Flame will become stronger as it absorbs the light from the stars. It is impossible for us to continue sealing it. However, its grudge is very great. Once the seal is undone, it is likely that the entire Holy Pill City will be destroyed by it. It will be the best if someone can subdue it. Of course… the one who subdues it must not be someone like a member of the Hall of Souls. Quite a number of alchemists" souls in this continent have landed in their hands."
"Those fellows from the Hall of Souls… what exactly are they planning to do? They have captured so many spiritual bodies. Ugh, I feel a little uneasy…"
The s.p.a.ce descended into a silence after this person spoke…
"It is rumored that even Yao Chen has landed in the hands of the Hall of Souls." The silence continued for awhile before a low, deep old voice slowly sounded.
"Yao Chen huh… what a distant name. Ugh, originally, he should also have a seat among us three great heads of the Pill Tower. However, his mind is not here… those fellows from the Hall of Souls are really overboard."
"I think that you have all heard of the big battle within the Pill Region some time earlier. It is rumored that there is someone among them who is Yao Chen"s disciple…"
"Ha ha, Yao Chen"s disciple huh… I really wish to meet him. By being able to be selected by that extremely picky fellow to be a disciple, it is likely that he possesses quite outstanding abilities. I wonder just how he will compare with the Cao clan and the Dan clan."
"Those two are of a monster-like cla.s.s. Based on their momentum, they will very likely possess the qualification to be the next great heads of the Pill Tower a century later."
"Ah… forget it. There is no need to be bothered about anything else. The Pill Gathering is about to start. We should organize it properly. As for the Hall of Souls, they might be strong, but they cannot do as they like. If any soul-stirring conspiracies are uncovered, the Gu clan and some of the hidden ancient factions will not allow them to do as they like… currently we just need to prevent the Three Thousand Burning Flame from landing in the hands of the Hall of Souls. Let"s scatter first. Be more attentive during this period of time…"
"Yes…"
After this voice sounded, the conversation between the great heads of the Pill Tower slowly ended in this illusionary s.p.a.ce…
When the Little Fairy Doctor woke up from her deep sleep the next morning, she was a little startled upon seeing the scene of spring within the courtyard.
"You have awaken?" Xiao Yan, who was training on a large rock, also opened his eyes at this moment. He looked at the Little Fairy Doctor, smiled and asked.
The Little Fairy Doctor slightly smiled. She stood up and the black robe on her body rolled down. Her body vaguely trembled upon seeing the robe. After which, she squatted down and picked up the black robe. Her hand gently rubbed the robe as a warmth flashed across her grayish-purple eyes.
"Mister Xiao Yan, have you woken up?"
An elderly voice sounded from outside the courtyard. Ye Zhong"s figure appeared at the door. He involuntarily smiled when he saw Xiao Yan and the Little Fairy Doctor inside.
Xiao Yan leaped down from the stone and asked with a grin, "Are we about to leave?"
Ye Zhong nodded and replied, "Let"s go. I will bring you to the test location of the Pill Tower to get a tier badge that is recognized by the Pill Tower. The Little Fairy Doctor and the rest can remain here. They need not follow this time around…"
The Little Fairy Doctor hesitated for a moment upon hearing this. She looked at Xiao Yan. Only when he tilted his head did she softly utter, "The both of you should be careful."
Xiao Yan smiled. His eyes interacted with Ye Zhong for a moment before turning around and heading out of the Ye manor.
Xiao Yan followed Ye Zhong. They walked for around ten minutes after leaving the Ye clan before they finally stopped in front of an ancient stone tower in the outer city of the Holy Pill City. A countless number of alchemists were coming and going outside of this stone tower. The noise transformed into numerous waves that spread apart…
"This is a branch tower that the Pill Tower has established. It is similar to the branch a.s.sociations of some empires" Alchemist a.s.sociation…" Ye Zhong led Xiao Yan as they followed the human flow into the ancient stone tower while he softly explained.
Xiao Yan swept his gaze around the interior of the stone tower after entering. The interior was unexpectedly s.p.a.cious and was not smaller than the headquarters of the Alchemist a.s.sociation in the Jia Ma Empire. At this moment, the interior of the tower had quite a number of alchemists wearing various alchemist robes, that represented different tiers, as they shuffled around the tower.
"The north of the tower is a transaction area. Many alchemists will exchange medicinal ingredients, medicinal pills, etc. that they need there…" Ye Zhong pointed to the north of the tower after describing the makeup of the tower.
"However, there is usually nothing good in this place. In two days time, the Holy Pill City will have a special auction. That auction is one where alchemists can trade with each other. Only those alchemists recognized by the Pill Tower have the qualification to partic.i.p.ate in it. We can perhaps make a trip there. Quite a number of rare items frequently appears in that place."
Xiao Yan lifted his eyebrows upon hearing this. An auction that was completely made up of transactions between alchemists was really quite rare. However, he was indeed a little interested in this. Moreover, even if he could not find the things he needed there, he would gain some exposure from it…
"Ha ha, follow me. The southern area is where the tier recognition is being held." Ye Zhong smiled. He turned his body and walked to the south. Xiao Yan also swiftly followed.
By the time Xiao Yan and Ye Zhong arrived at the test area, there was already a long queue there. Ye Zhong slightly frowned upon seeing this. He said to Xiao Yan. "You should wait here for awhile. I will try to use some connections. If we continue to wait in this manner, it is likely that we will not be able to finish the test today."
Xiao Yan nodded. His eyes sent off Ye Zhong"s back. After which, he habitually took a step back. Immediately, he sensed his back collide with a softer body…
"Ah…"
A soft exclamation sounded behind Xiao Yan. He hurriedly turned around and saw a young lady had fallen on the ground after colliding with him. He extended his hand in a lightning-like fas.h.i.+on and grabbed the young lady.
"Don"t!"
The young lady hurriedly cried out when she saw that Xiao Yan was grabbing at her.
However, her voice was a little late. Xiao Yan"s hand had already reached her arm with lightning-like speed. Before he could use any force, however, his expression had become horrified. This was because he realized that the Spiritual Strength lingering between his eyebrows was gus.h.i.+ng out and beginning to show signs of surging into the body of this young lady…
Xiao Yan violently bit the tip of his tongue. He released his hand as though he had suffered from an electric shock. After which, he took two steps back with some lingering fear. His eyes were shocked as he looked at the small, pale-faced, young lady in front of him. There was a badge on the chest of this young lady. The badge was a circular drawing that appeared like a medicinal pill…
"Someone from the Dan clan?"
Chapter 1108: Test
The young lady was really quite young. She merely looked around eighteen or nineteen. Her delicate body was small while her pretty face appeared pale. From the looks of it, she seemed to be in a sickly state…
Of course, the thing that attracted Xiao Yan"s eyes was not this young lady"s outer appearance. Instead, it was that circular-shaped badge on her chest. He had seen this badge on the mysterious snow-white carriage when he had arrived in Holy Pill City. Hence, he understood that this badge was the clan badge of the Dan clan, one of the five great clans of the Pill Region.
"You… are you alright?"
The young lady supported herself to her feet with her hands. She timidly glanced at Xiao Yan and softly inquired.
Xiao Yan"s mind only s.h.i.+fted away from the badge of the Dan clan upon hearing the young lady"s voice. His eyes looked at the young lady in front of him with surprise. The horrific scene from earlier had caused his heart to pound at this moment. Earlier, he had clearly sensed an extremely strange suction force had erupted from the interior of this young lady"s body. Under the suction force, even his soul could not resist but show the terrifying signs of being sucked out.
Xiao Yan rubbed his hand. He took another step back without anyone noticing. This young lady might appear seventeen or eighteen, but she emitted a strangeness. Moreover, she was someone from the Dan clan, which kept an extremely low profile. This caused Xiao Yan to involuntarily be a little more cautious.
"I"m fine…"
The young lady only let out a gentle sigh of relief after seeing Xiao Yan shake his head. However, her gaze was a little strange when she looked at Xiao Yan. It seemed that she was a little surprised that Xiao Yan could remain fine even after having touched her…
"That… I"m sorry…" The young lady swept her eyes over Xiao Yan"s face and apologized to him. After which, she turned around and rushed off without waiting for Xiao Yan to reply. She merged into the human flow and disappeared.
Xiao Yan"s eyebrows were involuntarily knit when he saw this young lady go, whose every action was emitting a strangeness. He vaguely felt that this young lady was not simple…
"Xiao Yan, follow me…"
Ye Zhong"s voice suddenly sounded beside Xiao Yan"s ears while he was deep in thought. Xiao Yan hurriedly recovered. He looked at the frowning Ye Zhong, who had walked to his side, and asked, "Can we enter?"
"Uh…" Ye Zhong nodded. He hesitated for a moment and said, "I have used some connections that can allow you to use a special examination room. However, there are some other people in that examination room now. In my opinion… perhaps we should come tomorrow?"
Xiao Yan looked at the somewhat dim expression of Ye Zhong. He raised his eyebrows and asked, "Are they the other clans?"
Ye Zhong was startled upon hearing this. He bitterly smiled, nodded, and sighed, "Coincidentally the Bai clan and the Qiu clan are also here to take the test… in the past, these two clans had been suppressed by the Ye clan. Now that they have turned things around with much difficulty, they naturally act like little men intoxicated by their success. Every time we meet, they take the opportunity to mock me. This old face of mine is fine with it, but I"m afraid they may utter some awful words to you."
Xiao Yan smiled. He patted Ye Zhong"s shoulders and said, "We have already come. Don"t tell me that we should return empty-handed?"
Ye Zhong hesitated for a moment upon hearing Xiao Yan. He could only nod his head as he said, "Alright, you should just act like you have not heard them no matter what they say."
Ye Zhong turned around after saying this. He walked along a special path. Xiao Yan followed close behind.
The two of them successfully entered the special path in front of the many surprised eyes around them. They pa.s.sed by the somewhat dim path before a bright light suddenly appeared in front of them. Xiao Yan and Ye Zhong followed the light forward. An extremely s.p.a.cious room immediately appeared in the eyes of the two of them.
This room was very s.p.a.cious. Moreover, it was extremely quiet. Not the least bit of noise from the outside world was transmitted into this place. At this moment, there were nearly ten plus people standing in the room. All of their eyes paused on Xiao Yan and Ye Zhong at this moment.
"Hee hee, Elder Ye Zhong. It is unexpected that you have brought someone to take the test. Looks like the other people also know that this is a rather embarra.s.sing errant…" Before Xiao Yan and Ye Zhong could say anything after they had just entered the room, an ear-piercing laugh was transmitted over.
Xiao Yan"s expression did not change. His gaze followed the voice only to see a gray-clothed, old woman. Her parted mouth was filled with yellow teeth as she revealed a ridicule in her eyes while looking at the two of them.
There were three white-clothed, young men standing behind the gray-clothed, old woman. Two men and one woman. The three of them had nice appearances, especially the white-clothed lady. She had a tall, lovely body that was s.e.xy and well-proportioned. It possessed a great amount of allure. The eyes of the two men beside her continuously pausing on parts of her body. There was a fiery heat and greed within their eyes…
The white-clothed lady appeared extremely cold. Her pretty eyes swept over Xiao Yan and Ye Zhong, and her eyes contained a disdain and ridicule that she could not hide. Currently, the Ye clan was no longer able to hold onto the name of being one of the five great clan. It was a little embarra.s.sing mentioning them…
"This noisy old woman is someone from the Bai clan…"
Ye Zhong"s face twitched because of the old woman"s ridicule while he softly introduced her to Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan slightly nodded. His eyes landed on another spot. There were also three people standing there. The one leading them was a yellow-clothed, old man. There was a man and a woman behind him. The man was handsome while the woman was beautiful. They appeared like an extremely matching pair. Although these three people did not utter any mocking words, their eyes merely swept over Xiao Yan"s group before turning away. There disdain and contempt was even more infuriating.
Although Ye Zhong did not introduce these three people, Xiao Yan also understood that they should be the so-called members of the Qiu clan.
"Ke ke, have the people from the Ye clan also arrived…"
There was another a white-haired, old man in purple alchemist robes within the room. The smile on his face was much more sincere when he saw Ye Zhong. Clearly, he had some sort of friends.h.i.+p with Ye Zhong.
"I have troubled Elder Wei Li…"
Ye Zhong cupped his hands to the white-haired, old man as he courteously replied.
"Ugh, what is there to be so courteous about between the two of us…" The old man who was called Wei Li sighed when he saw how Ye Zhong acted.
"Alright, Ye Zhong, there is no need to be so long-winded. I do not wish to be delayed because of you. Is this brat the person that your Ye clan has sent over? Why does he not even have a tier badge? Don"t tell me that he has never obtained a badge from the Pill Tower?" The gray-clothed, old woman waved her hand impatiently. She immediately glanced at Xiao Yan and coldly laughed.
"I have really never obtained any badge from the Pill Tower… this is also my first time here." Xiao Yan honestly replied in the face of the ridicule from this gray-clothed, old woman.
"Hee.. as expected…"
A harsh smile was lifted on the corner of the gray-clothed, old woman"s mouth when she heard this. The cold, white-clothed lady by the side also looked at Xiao Yan with some disdain. Her voice was indifferent as she said, "This is a special examination room. Only someone who is being tested for a badge that is tier 5 and above has the qualification to enter. Is Elder Ye Zhong not aware of this?"
"You should manage yourself properly. The people from the Bai clan have a really poor upbringing!" Ye Zhong"s expression sank as he coldly reprimanded.
The face of the white-clothed lady changed slightly upon hearing Ye Zhong"s chilly cry. She immediately let out a cold snort.
"Hee hee, it has been a few years since we have met. Ye Zhong, your temper is really becoming worse. However, if your Ye clan is unable to enter the top three in this test, it is likely that you will have to give up your position as one of the five great clans." The gray-clothed, old woman mocked.
"Alright, this is the Holy Pill City. It is not the territory of your own clan! If you have any objections, you can head to other places to take the test!" That white-haired, old man frowned at this moment and spoke in a deep voice.
The room became much quieter after everyone heard the white-haired, old man speak.
"We will follow the order of arrival. Qiu clan, you will take the test first." The white-haired, old man"s eyes turned to the three people from the Qiu clan who had not joined the conversation. He faintly spoke to them.
The man and woman behind the elder from the Qiu clan swiftly stepped forward upon hearing this. They cupped their hands respectfully to the white-haired, old man.
"What tier badge are the two of you preparing to take?" The white-haired, old man swept his eyes over them as he randomly asked.
"Tier 6 middle grade."
The white-haired, old man raised his eyebrows upon hearing this. He looked at these two with some surprise. It was considered quite good to be able to take the test for the tier 6 middle grade at this age. It seemed that this Qiu clan had gained some talent during these years.
"The two of you should wait for a moment. You will head to the Xuan gate in a while. There will naturally be someone who will test you inside…" The white-haired, old man pointed to the second of four doors from the left as he instructed them.
This man and woman with good looks nodded and took a step back. They exchanged looks with one another, appearing a little proud. The surprise of the white-haired, old man caused them to feel quite satisfied.
"Bai clan…"
The two men behind the gray-clothed, old woman were the first to step forward after seeing the eyes of the white-haired, old man turn toward them. They said in a clear, loud voice, "Tier 6 middle grade!"
The voices of these two were quite loud. It caused the man and woman from the Qiu clan earlier to change their expressions. A soft snort was immediately emitted from their nostrils.
That cold-white, clothed lady slowly stepped forward after the two of them and uttered, "Tier 6 high grade."
The expression of the old man from the Qiu clan changed slightly upon hearing this while the gray-clothed, old woman displayed a proud smile on her face.
"Not bad…"
The white-haired, old man slowly nodded. This Bai clan was filled with talent. Compared to the Ye clan…
The white-haired, old man sighed in his heart when he thought of this. His eyes turned to Ye Zhong as he said, "Ye Zhong… it"s your turn."
All the gazes within the room instantly gathered on Xiao Yan after his words sounded. There was faint disdain in their eyes. The Ye clan had lost quite a lot of face during these years…
Xiao Yan slowly stepped forward in front of the many gazes. He glanced at the white-haired, old man and asked, "What is the highest tier that I can be examined for in this place?"
The white-haired, old man was startled when he heard this while the others let out mocking laughs.
"Tier 7 middle grade. This is the limit I can examine here because the old me is merely at the tier 7 low grade. Which tier test do you wish to take?"
Xiao Yan slowly nodded and randomly uttered, "In that case, tier 7 middle grade…"
The ridicule within the room immediately ceased when these words sounded.