Word Count: 3,092 Words
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Cao Ying's words plunged the hall into momentary silence before an uproar erupted.
Everyone understood that at this point, continuing the assessment served no purpose. This Five Great Clans assessment had become the most lopsided in its entire history.
Though the Ye Clan had officially claimed Xiao Yan as a member with deep connections when submitting their application, anyone with eyes could see this was blatant recruitment of outside help.
Yet even setting that aside, finding a 7th-tier alchemist under thirty would already be considered tremendous fortune. But Xiao Yan was an 8th-tier alchemist whose strength utterly crushed the other four great clans.
The result was a completely one-sided assessment.
Now Cao Ying's words were clearly directed at Xiao Yan; either as a challenge or simply to test herself against him.
While treasures that enhanced Spiritual Strength were precious indeed, for a clan as powerful as the Cao Clan, elevating Cao Ying's Spiritual Strength to the Soul State was entirely within reach.
"Wow, Cao Ying's actually stepping into the arena!"
"Could we be about to witness a battle between two 8th-tier alchemists?!"
Countless gazes darted between her and Xiao Yan, everyone burning with curiosity about what would unfold.
"Little lass, those who challenge me don't usually end up too well." Xiao Yan glanced up at Cao Ying, whose eyes now blazed with fierce battle intent as she met his gaze.
Though Cao Ying always wore a gentle smile, her heart harbored considerable pride and aloofness. Her sudden decision to step forward was primarily intended to blunt Xiao Yan's edge.
With the Pill Gathering imminent, she was one of the championship favorites destined to become a Pill Tower giant. This Pill Gathering championship was something she was determined to claim.
"Hehe, then won't I become Grandmaster Xiao Yan's first exception?" Cao Ying covered her mouth with a light laugh, her words already suggesting she would defeat him.
Xiao Yan couldn't help but think of that girl Feng Qing Er, rubbing his nose. She certainly hadn't fared well.
"Ahem." Elder Sheng cleared his throat and turned to explain to Xiao Yan: "As the previous assessment's first-place clan, the Cao Clan does have the right to substitute participants mid-assessment."
Had this been an ordinary junior, he wouldn't have bothered explaining. But Xiao Yan was different! This was no mere junior. Should he win the Pill Gathering championship, he might directly become a candidate for Pill Tower giant. Wouldn't that potentially make him his own superior!
Xiao Yan nodded to indicate he had no objections.
Cao Ying lightly pressed her jade-like hand against the table and floated out like a butterfly, landing gently in the arena. With a flick of her wrist, she swept her long hair aside, her beautiful eyes turning to Cao Xiu. Her voice was soft, "Brother Cao Xiu, let me play for a while."
Cao Xiu shook his head helplessly before leaving the arena. Cao Ying held an extremely high position within the Cao Clan, even the Clan Leader and ancestors paid close attention to her words. Moreover, no elders had accompanied them on this trip; Cao Ying herself led the team.
Elder Sheng said nothing more, only pointing to the red circle on the ground nearby. "Since there are no issues, please enter the field."
Dan Xuan, who had originally planned to forfeit, pondered for a moment before entering as well. He wanted to know just how vast the gap was between himself and these two, the most gifted alchemists of their generation.
The five contestants occupied positions around the red circle's perimeter and sat cross-legged. This was a contest of Spiritual Strength, not Dou Qi. At their level, Spiritual Strength could leave their bodies to attack others, so there was little need for physical movement.
Once an alchemist reached perfected Mortal State, even without cultivating Soul Impact, they could still unleash similar spiritual attacks. Soul Impact was merely a High Huang Class Soul Skill with no particular sophistication.
Elder Sheng surveyed the five, his gaze lingering especially on Cao Ying and Xiao Yan. Seeing both were ready, he announced in a deep voice: "Begin the assessment!"
The instant his words fell, Xiao Yan and Cao Ying opened their eyes simultaneously! A surge of Spiritual Strength so fierce that even Elder Sheng felt his heart tremble erupted forth. With a thunderous boom, the terrifying impact tore the arena apart.
A ripping sound echoed as the floor split open between Xiao Yan and Cao Ying as if it were made of paper. A spiritual storm visible to the naked eye materialized between them.
Puff! Puff! Puff!
Dan Xuan and the other two suffered the worst fate. Merely the faintest aftershock from the Soul State spiritual collision, a weak spiritual storm, struck them heavily, causing them to vomit blood and sending them flying backward like kites with severed strings.
Dan Chen flicked her hand gently, catching Dan Xuan with a soft wave of Spiritual Strength. She asked with concern, "Cousin Dan Xuan, are you alright!"
Dan Xuan coughed twice, looking at the two in the arena with bitter smiles. This was the Soul State that all alchemists dreamed of. He had already reached high-grade 7th-tier alchemist level, his Spiritual Strength at perfected Mortal State, just one step from the Soul State and becoming an 8th-tier alchemist.
But this single step made him understand the difference between heaven and earth. Had he not been born into the Dan Clan, he was certain he could never cross this threshold in his lifetime.
"I'm fine." Dan Xuan looked at this somewhat timid and soft-spoken cousin of his; she too possessed Soul State Spiritual Strength.
The terrifying Spiritual Strength manifested as a suppressive force. The leaders of the various great clans present were all suppressed to the point of being unable to move, while those below 7th-tier alchemist rank collapsed directly to the ground, their bodies trembling uncontrollably.
In their perception, it felt as if an invisible giant hand pressed down on their crowns, pinning them firmly in place. Even lifting their heads proved extremely difficult.
However, the storm quickly began to dissipate.
"My goodness, a clash of Soul State forces!"
"So this is the power of 8th-tier alchemists!"
"Who will win?!"
"Indeed not simple." Cao Ying brushed aside a wisp of hair blown across her forehead by the spiritual storm, her smile growing even more alluring. Since birth, she had never encountered a man whose Spiritual Strength could truly match her own.
Her eyes narrowed as her jade hands quietly formed hand seals, then abruptly condensed!
As her seals took shape, the vast Spiritual Strength swirling around her immediately gathered rapidly. In the blink of an eye, it transformed into a spiritual phoenix. The phoenix spread its wings, causing space to distort violently, with faint black spatial cracks even beginning to spread.
Her jade finger pointed lightly at the empty space. A clear phoenix cry suddenly echoed throughout the hall as the spiritual phoenix spread its wings, bringing fierce winds as it swooped toward Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow. This was a Soul Skill!
Even among Ice River Valley's treasures, he had never discovered a single Soul Skill or Soul Training Method. Throughout his journey, apart from the Hall of Souls, he had never seen any faction possess Soul Skills.
The only places that possessed Soul Skills were the Hall of Souls and the Pill Tower that opposed them.
The Cao Clan, as one of the Five Great Clans and an existence akin to a branch of the Pill Tower, naturally possessed Soul Skills. However, while Cao Ying's Soul Skill looked very flashy, its grade likely didn't exceed Low Xuan Class.
Xiao Yan watched the spiritual phoenix charging toward him and smiled calmly. His Spiritual Strength formed a blade as he commanded inwardly: 'Sever.'
There was a crisp snap. The spiritual phoenix was split in two a meter before him and dissipated into nothing.
Surprise flickered through Cao Ying's lovely eyes. "You truly are strong. You must have entered the Soul State quite some time ago."
Xiao Yan shrugged, as if to say 'guess for yourself.'
Cao Ying slowly rose to her feet, stretching her slender jade arms languidly as she arched her back. Her supple, serpentine figure stirred improper thoughts in many of the men present.
Xiao Yan's expression remained unchanged. He knew that while the woman before him was beautiful, she was a man-eating viper. More importantly, having seen even greater beauties, he naturally possessed some resistance.
"You came from outside the Central Plains. I shouldn't rely on the Cao Clan's ancestral glory against you. I possess a High Xuan Class Soul Skill. As a Dou Ancestor, you understand how vast the gap is between having techniques and not having them. Even if you withdraw now, first place remains yours." Cao Ying smiled sweetly, though her words dripped with provocation.
Xiao Yan slowly stood and lightly brushed off his robes. He was sorely tempted to say, 'I've actually cultivated a High Di Class Soul Skill myself.'
However, it was obvious he absolutely could not publicly reveal the Asura Soul Reaping Technique.
Once exposed, even a fool would know his origins were questionable. Even the Cao Clan or Pill Tower could only possess High Xuan Class Soul Skills; the entire Pill Tower might not even have a High Di Class Soul Skill.
If discovered possessing a High Di Class Soul Skill, there would be no doubt: it could only have come from the Hall of Souls.
This meant Xiao Yan had to fight barehanded, without using Soul Skills, and directly receive Cao Ying's High Xuan Class Soul Skill.
With Cao Ying's Soul State Spiritual Strength, the power of her Soul Skill would definitely not be weak.
But! How could Venerable Yan ever say he couldn't handle it!
"Come on." Xiao Yan extended his hand, making a beckoning gesture as he taunted: "I don't like wishy-washy women."
Cao Ying's eyes curved slightly, like a vixen whose scheme had succeeded. Her smile grew even more bewitching as she covered her mouth and laughed coquettishly: "Hehe, I just love such tough men."
As her light laughter faded, her expression hardened and a fierce glint appeared in her eyes. Her slender, fair jade hand slowly extended, immediately forming a strange hand seal. As this seal took shape, Xiao Yan suddenly discovered a vast and boundless Spiritual Strength rapidly forming in her palm. Faintly, through the distorted space, a barely visible handprint could be discerned.
The others present saw Cao Ying perform the hand seal and felt the terrifying Spiritual Strength condensing; all were shocked!
"It's the Cao Clan's signature Soul Skill, Spiritual Seal!"
"Cao Ying's even using the Spiritual Seal! That Xiao Yan will definitely lose now."
"Indeed, just like with Dou Qi, there's simply no comparison between having techniques and not having them!"
Everyone could clearly feel that while the Spiritual Strength gathered in Cao Ying's spiritual handprint wasn't much stronger than her previous spiritual phoenix, the power difference between the two was enormous!
This Spiritual Seal had likely reached quasi-Di Class, and Cao Ying had already cultivated it to major mastery!
"In ancient times, alchemists could unleash Spiritual Strength to its maximum potential, even rivaling powerful fighters' techniques. Ancient alchemists called this method Soul Skills." Cao Ying maintained that strange hand seal with her jade hand, smiling brilliantly at Xiao Yan. "However, Soul Skills have now become extinct. What I'm using is one of the few that never disappeared, so its power is not weak. You must be careful."
Xiao Yan glanced sideways at Cao Ying explaining this to him, thinking: 'As if I need your explanation.'
"Spiritual Seal!" Cao Ying cried out charmingly. The vast Spiritual Strength on her jade hand instantly solidified, and a spiritual handprint matching her palm shot out like lightning, forcibly tearing a black crack through the space before it.
This power already equaled a Dou Ancestor unleashing a Di Class Dou Technique! Even a 9-star Dou Ancestor would likely have their soul scattered if struck directly!
Xiao Yan's Spiritual Strength took form and became a spiritual wall blocking his front. However, the wall was extremely crude, like shoddy workmanship riddled with flaws.
Boom!
The invisible spiritual handprint struck the spiritual wall heavily. The entire hall shook violently at the moment of collision.
"What's happening?!"
Those waiting outside for results were bewildered. Was there a great battle inside? Why was the hall shaking?!
Though Xiao Yan's Spiritual Strength was powerful, being unable to use Soul Skills meant having great ability that was difficult to fully utilize. His crude spiritual wall was instantly shattered, more than half of it destroyed.
Cao Ying revealed a light smile when she saw her single palm strike shatter most of it. Her hand seal immediately formed again: "Second Seal."
An even larger palm print descended from above.
Xiao Yan's spiritual wall shattered completely with a thunderous crash. The remaining Spiritual Strength bombarded him, cracking the ground beneath him and raising a cloud of dust.
"Hehe, Grandmaster Xiao Yan, it seems I've won. Final Seal." Cao Ying couldn't help but laugh triumphantly. Her hand seal changed rapidly, and instantly, a spiritual storm erupted around her.
Without a doubt, the power of this seal had reached Low Di Class. Even Soul State Spiritual Strength might not necessarily withstand it.
Just as Cao Ying thought victory was hers, an unexpected change occurred!
The instant she raised her hand, two red lights flashed fleetingly within the dust cloud, resembling eyes visible only to Cao Ying who looked directly at them.
Cao Ying's entire body stiffened, as if hesitating whether to attack. But only she knew—it wasn't that she wouldn't attack, but that she couldn't move!
Her vision suddenly darkened. The surrounding scenery seemed to vanish as her soul felt dragged into an endless abyss.
She wanted to move but couldn't budge; her limbs felt bound by chains.
She wanted to scream but couldn't make a sound; her throat felt as if a large hand was gripping it tightly from behind.
A chill ran down her neck, as if a sharp spiritual sword was pressed against it, capable of severing her soul from her body with a single strike at any moment!
She was like a chick awaiting slaughter, a fish on the chopping block; her fate completely in someone else's hands.
"Hehe, Miss Cao is magnanimous. I surrender."
When Cao Ying heard Xiao Yan's voice, her soul suddenly trembled. Her world returned to normal, sounds from the surrounding crowd began reaching her ears again, and her vision gradually recovered. The first thing that entered her sight was Xiao Yan looking at her with a smile.
But what shocked her was that Xiao Yan's voice should have come from behind her!
Elder Sheng sighed with relief upon hearing Xiao Yan's surrender. He nodded to himself, feeling deep admiration for these two young people. "Cao Ying, you performed well. You understand when to advance and when to retreat, demonstrating great magnanimity. Though you won, you benefited from the Cao Clan's resources to cultivate Soul Skills, which was indeed unfair to Xiao Yan."
"Xiao Yan, you needn't be discouraged. If you're interested in that Spiritual Seal, once you join the Pill Tower, cultivating it won't be a problem."
Xiao Yan revealed a meaningful smile and nodded. "Thank you for the guidance, Elder. However, I'd prefer even higher-grade Soul Skills. I wonder if such things are available?"
Elder Sheng shot this greedy fellow a glance. "Soul Skills are not only rare but extremely difficult to cultivate. Even with Cao Ying's talent, it took her ten years to cultivate the Spiritual Seal to major mastery. Moreover, regarding Soul Skills... I advise you not to be too greedy. The Hall of Souls guards them very tightly."
Xiao Yan nodded. "I understand."
"Mm, it's good that you understand. With your talent, it's very easy to be targeted by the Hall of Souls. If you don't want their attention, joining the Pill Tower is the best solution."
Xiao Yan touched his nose. He knew an even better solution.
Then, he looked toward Cao Ying. When his gaze fell upon her, she shivered and looked back at him, feeling a mixture of fear and confusion. For a moment, she couldn't comprehend what had just happened!
Had she suffered cultivation deviation from the spiritual collision? Had Xiao Yan unleashed some illusory technique? Or had she simply been dreaming, exhausted?
Xiao Yan approached her with a sunny smile. Seeing him draw near, for some inexplicable reason she instinctively stepped back half a pace. This unconscious retreat left even her confused.
"Your Soul Skill cultivation is excellent." Xiao Yan extended his hand and said in a refined and gentle manner.
Cao Ying's delicate brows furrowed slightly as she regained some of her usual cold pride. She was somewhat reluctant to touch an unfamiliar man's hand.
But after careful consideration, she still extended her jade hand and lightly shook hands with him.
The various great clans in the hall burst into vigorous applause upon seeing this scene.
"Excellent! Neither winner nor loser shows arrogance or impetuousness, and they're even willing to reconcile. And Cao Ying, clearly knowing she would win, was still willing to hold back from attacking. Such magnanimity is truly rare."
"This reminds me of the friendship between the Three Great Heads of the Pill Tower."
"Indeed! What the younger generation lacks today is precisely such broad-mindedness. True kindred spirits are hard to find!"
"I don't know why, but I'm somewhat moved."
Waves of applause instantly rang out from below the stage. Even Ye Zhong's old eyes misted slightly. Grandmaster Xiao Yan remained NO.1 in his heart!
Xiao Yan was the first to walk off the stage. He said to Ye Zhong, "Let's go. The Pill Gathering is next."
Ye Zhong hurriedly went forward and comforted him: "I believe in terms of alchemy, Grandmaster Xiao Yan is definitely stronger than that Cao Ying. She merely had the advantage of Soul Skills in this spiritual confrontation."
Xiao Yan smiled without speaking and walked out of the hall first.
Watching his departing figure, Dan Chen tilted her head, her eyes full of confusion.
"Cousin Dan Chen? What's wrong?"
Dan Chen blinked her eyes. With a trace of uncertain timidity in her tone, she said in a very soft voice, "Just now... Mister Xiao Yan clearly won. Why did he surrender?"
!!!?
Cao Ying slowly walked off the stage. She herself hadn't even noticed that her black dress was already soaked with sweat.