Cao Ying's result — 1634 Soul Value — was both expected and unexpected. Expected, because she was Cao Ying, the famed enchantress of the Cao Clan and personal disciple of one of the Pill Tower's Three Giants; unexpected, because even for her, such strength was astonishing. Elder Sheng could barely suppress his grin. Others might not understand, but he did — both Cao Ying and Dan Chen had reached, perhaps even stepped beyond, a higher threshold of soul cultivation. For an alchemist, that was a qualitative transformation. And yet, there was still Liu Xi.
Cao Ying gracefully withdrew her slender jade hand, the faint smile on her beautiful, bewitching face both confident and teasing. After exchanging a polite word with Elder Sheng, she turned slightly and lifted her delicate chin toward Liu Xi, her gaze shimmering with provocation. It was as if she were challenging him directly.
Elder Sheng stroked his beard with amusement, his eyes filled with anticipation. Even he wished to see how far Liu Xi's Spiritual Power could go. "Cao Ying passes. The last participant, Liu Xi, please step forward."
At that, Ye Zhong and Ye Xinlan both tensed, anxiety flashing across their faces. Even though they believed Liu Xi would succeed, the pressure of this moment was inescapable. By contrast, Xiao Yixian and Yao Tianhuo remained relaxed — their faith in Liu Xi was absolute. To them, there was nothing in this world that could truly trouble him. Still, Xiao Yixian's gaze drifted to Cao Ying, noting the latter's persistent fixation on Liu Xi. 'Dangerous,' she thought calmly. 'But only for her.'
Under countless expectant gazes, Liu Xi, ever composed, walked slowly toward the monument. As the publicly recognized 8th Tier Alchemist who had once drawn Three-Colored Pill Lightning, the crowd was eager to witness just how terrifying his Soul Value would be. "Elder Sheng," Liu Xi said lightly.
"Master Liu, please," Elder Sheng replied with a respectful gesture toward the monument.
Liu Xi placed his palm upon the cold crystal surface. A faint chill seeped through his skin, biting deep into his soul like invisible needles. The sensation was sharp yet distant — an echo in the depths of consciousness. He didn't release his Spiritual Power immediately, instead recalling the pressure Cao Ying had unleashed earlier, silently estimating her strength. 'Hmm… if it's just that level, then this should be enough to completely crush it.'
Boom!
A deep, muffled sound erupted from his body as an immense Spiritual Pressure exploded outward, dwarfing everything before it. Elder Sheng's expression shifted instantly, his eyes wide with disbelief. 'Impossible… how can someone so young possess such power? No matter how gifted, this shouldn't be possible!'
Cao Ying and Dan Chen managed to withstand it, their own soul defenses shimmering faintly around them. But Bai Ying and Qiu Ji were not so fortunate — sweat streamed down their faces as they trembled violently, nearly collapsing to their knees. This was the suppression born from difference in soul realm — the overwhelming pressure of a Spirit Realm Soul over those still trapped in the Mortal Realm.
From the five clans' seats to the stands beyond, the atmosphere was electric. All eyes were locked on the calm figure before the monument — Liu Xi, his aura serene yet unfathomable.
"...The Ye Clan is truly blessed," someone whispered. "To have persuaded this man to represent them — even a dying insect finds new life under such a guardian."
"Truly remarkable… it's over for the others."
The soul storm lasted for over a minute before the energy gradually dissipated. The crystal monument, still trembling faintly, flashed one final time before the blood-red digits froze in place.
"1868!"
The entire arena erupted in collective shock. A Soul Value surpassing Bai Ying and Qiu Ji by over a thousand, exceeding Dan Chen by more than three hundred, and even overtaking Cao Ying by two hundred — the result was overwhelming.
Ye Zhong and Ye Xinlan could barely contain their excitement. Their faces glowed with pride and relief, their earlier worries evaporating like smoke. Across the hall, members of the Cao, Dan, Bai, and Qiu Clans stared in silence at the young man who now stood radiant beneath the light — awe, envy, and reluctant admiration flickering in their eyes.
Dan Chen glanced timidly toward Liu Xi, curiosity gleaming in her beautiful eyes. She knew her own unique physique and terrifying potential, yet this man had surpassed her so effortlessly. Only Cao Ying had ever done the same — and now, there was another.
Cao Ying's slender brows knit together. Her gaze lingered on the glowing numbers, disbelief written across her face. 'A Spirit Realm Soul… the difference lies in the amount of Spiritual Energy a soul can hold. Without a specialized Soul Training Method, even gathering such energy would take years. Even with one, it should be impossible to reach this level so quickly. How did he…?'
She was right — under normal circumstances, such growth was unimaginable. But Liu Xi's soul had devoured the essence of Heavenly Flames themselves, merging their elemental origin into his being. What human method could compare to that?
Liu Xi withdrew his hand, clasped both behind his back, and gave a polite nod toward Elder Sheng. His faint smile carried no arrogance, as though he had done nothing more than perform a simple task.
Elder Sheng's gaze burned with excitement. This youth was beyond genius — even more monstrous than Cao Ying. If he joined the Pill Tower, he would undoubtedly become one of its future Elders, perhaps even one of the Three Giants themselves. "Hehe, everything is clear now," Elder Sheng declared with a broad smile. "The first round's top result belongs to the Ye Clan's representative, Master Liu Xi, who has shattered the old record and set a new one — one that may never be surpassed."
The declaration spread like wildfire. Even the proudest alchemists among the five clans bowed their heads in acknowledgment. Bai Ying and Qiu Ji dared not utter a word — their results, once commendable, now seemed pitiful.
Dan Chen, meanwhile, smiled softly, content. She had proved her clan's worth. Cao Ying, though unwilling to admit defeat, said nothing. Her pride burned, her once-unshakable superiority crumbling bit by bit beneath Liu Xi's brilliance. Yet, instead of resentment, her eyes glimmered with a dangerous spark — challenge. Her lips curved into a seductive smile as her gaze locked with his once more, still filled with defiance.
Knowing full well she couldn't win, she still refused to back down.
Elder Sheng chuckled quietly to himself, pleased that everyone had accepted the outcome. The Ye Clan's Elder seat within the Pill Tower was now secure. "Next," he said, eyes sweeping over the competitors, "is the second test — Soul Control."
He reached into his spatial ring and retrieved a small black iron sphere. Its surface was smooth, dull, and heavy with unseen density. "This," he explained, holding it up, "is forged from soulsteel — a Soul Testing Orb. To the body, it feels light as air, but to the soul, it weighs a thousand catties…"
(End of Chapter)
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