"The Soul Control test is quite simple," Elder Sheng explained with a faint smile. "When the test begins, a large number of Soul Testing Orbs will fall from above. You may not use Dou Qi — only your Spiritual Power — to catch them. In the end, whoever catches the most will be the victor of this round, and the rest will be ranked accordingly."
As he spoke, his gaze flicked toward Cao Ying, his tone light yet teasing. "Incidentally, the current record holder for this test is also Cao Ying. She once caught eighty-nine orbs in a single session. I wonder who will surpass that today."
Cao Ying covered her lips and laughed softly, her phoenix eyes gleaming with mischief as she turned to Liu Xi. "Master Liu, as an 8th Tier Alchemist, I am truly curious — just how fine is your control over your Spiritual Power?"
Liu Xi cast her a sidelong glance, a smile curving at his lips. "Certainly more than eighty-nine," he said lightly.
Cao Ying's eyes lit up with competitive fire. "Then we'll just have to see, won't we?"
Elder Sheng chuckled, stroking his beard. He loved to see such vigor in the younger generation — it reminded him that the Pill Region would remain strong for years to come. "A word of advice," he said. "Don't get greedy and try to catch too many at once. Dividing your soul control is the most foolish mistake in this test. Well then… let's begin."
Before his voice had even faded, Elder Sheng's figure flashed away from the field. From above, his parting words echoed faintly: "The test begins!"
Immediately, the ceiling above rumbled as countless black apertures opened up. In the next instant, a torrent of obsidian orbs poured down like a torrential rainstorm, filling the air with whistling motion.
The five participants reacted instantly, spreading out to avoid collision. Waves of powerful Spiritual Power erupted one after another as each began their test.
Liu Xi, whose Spiritual Power had reached the mid Spirit Realm, didn't dare to grow complacent. He kept Elder Sheng's warning in mind, shaping his Spiritual Power into a massive translucent hand. It swept through the air and pinched lightly — catching the first falling orb between two fingers.
'Heh… heavier than expected. Even my Spiritual Power feels a slight drag. But manageable.'
With one orb as reference, Liu Xi quickly grasped the rhythm. His soul hand flickered and weaved among the descending orbs, each movement smooth and precise. Sometimes he caught three at once, sometimes four — all without breaking composure.
Meanwhile, Bai Ying and Qiu Ji looked miserable, dodging frantically among the falling black streaks while trying to grab a few here and there. Their expressions twisted in frustration as the weight of the orbs strained their limited Spiritual Power.
By contrast, Cao Ying and Dan Chen moved with grace and poise, like twin butterflies fluttering through a storm. Their figures twisted and spun, each motion graceful and alluring. Orbs flowed into their control one after another as the audience, especially the men, found themselves utterly captivated.
The word on everyone's lips was simple — breathtaking.
Of course, Liu Xi had no time for distractions. He was focused entirely on efficiency… well, almost entirely.
'Cao Ying's figure is… a bit better. Dan Chen's still got a few years before she catches up,' he mused idly, suppressing a grin.
Time passed, and the number of captured orbs climbed higher. The test grew more taxing by the moment, pushing the limits of each participant's Spiritual Power. Soon enough, Bai Ying and Qiu Ji could endure no longer. Exhausted and pale, they released their control and stepped back. Floating before them were forty-three and forty-one orbs respectively — Bai Ying ranking second to last, Qiu Ji dead last.
Now only three remained — Liu Xi, Cao Ying, and Dan Chen. The competition sharpened. Driven by pride, Cao Ying's tempo increased, her Spiritual Power surging in waves. Her charming face flushed slightly from the strain, breath coming quicker and quicker as soft, rhythmic gasps escaped her lips.
After several more minutes, Dan Chen's endurance reached its limit. She bit her lip, unwilling but helpless, as one by one her orbs dropped to the floor. The audience gasped when the final count appeared before her — one hundred twenty-four orbs. She had shattered Cao Ying's old record.
Cao Ying, refusing to be outdone, persisted a little longer. Her Spiritual Power trembled violently before she too gave in, retreating from the field with a fiery glare cast toward Liu Xi. Her total — one hundred thirty-five. Eleven more than Dan Chen, yet still falling short of satisfaction.
Liu Xi, seeing both women withdraw, exhaled lightly. 'Boring now,' he thought with faint amusement — and definitely not because the show had ended. He retracted his Spiritual Power gradually, allowing the swirling field of orbs around him to settle gently to the floor.
When the last orb touched ground, Elder Sheng stepped forward, his eyes glowing with unconcealed delight. "One hundred forty-nine!" he declared.
Liu Xi simply adjusted his robe sleeves, calm and unhurried, as though he'd done nothing remarkable at all. Bai Ying and Qiu Ji could only stare blankly — their painstaking effort amounted to not even half his result. Their faces were the very picture of despair.
Cao Ying and Dan Chen, though proud, could only sigh. Whether it was raw Spiritual Power or control, Liu Xi's superiority was monstrous, undeniable.
Around the hall, the gathered powerhouses of every clan rose to their feet, their gazes fixed upon Liu Xi — filled with awe, admiration, and eagerness to curry favor. Yet not a single person looked surprised. For an 8th Tier Alchemist, this level of mastery was simply expected.
Elder Sheng smiled warmly. Three prodigies stood before him — three true monsters of the alchemy world. Cao Ying and Dan Chen were outstanding in their own right; Liu Xi was simply older and further along his path. "The Soul Control test is complete," Elder Sheng announced. "According to the results: Liu Xi first, Cao Ying second, Dan Chen third."
He paused, his eyes sweeping over them all before pointing toward a massive red circle inscribed into the ground, nearly thirty feet wide. "Now, for the third and final test. As you all know, a strong soul is the foundation of every alchemist — but a soul's offensive power is just as vital. The final round will test both."
A faint smile tugged at his lips. "All five of you will enter this arena. Using only your Spiritual Power, you will battle one another. Whoever remains standing within the circle at the end — shall be the final victor."
(End of Chapter)
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