"Just test me for as many grades as you can." Goku waved his hand casually, his tone indifferent.
To the onlookers, however, his demeanor came across as deliberately putting on a show.
Everyone in the hall sneered, their gazes filled with ridicule as they looked at him.
The white-haired elder hesitated for a moment before speaking, "The highest I can test is mid-seventh tier…"
"Then mid-seventh tier it is," Goku replied nonchalantly.
The mocking expressions froze instantly. But after a brief silence of stunned disbelief, the sneers returned, laced with scorn.
Even Bai Wei and the others turned their ridiculing eyes toward Goku. To them, a man without even an alchemist badge claiming to test for a mid-seventh tier badge was nothing but an attention-seeking act.
"Ye Zhong, I didn't expect your Ye family to have fallen this far. But must you stoop to cheap tricks? This is the Pill Tower's testing ground. Clearly, you've come to the wrong place," the gray-robed old woman was the first to sneer coldly.
"You lot couldn't do it—that doesn't mean I can't!" Goku's expression darkened, his patience fraying after repeated ridicule. Though he normally wouldn't lower himself to bicker with ants, his voice grew cold as he looked at the gray-robed crone. "And let me warn you—if you keep showing that disgusting face, don't blame me for being rude."
"You little bastard! What are you, to speak to me like that?!" The old woman's expression turned icy. How dare a junior address her this way?
With that, her figure blurred like lightning. Her sharp nails gleamed like blades as she slashed mercilessly toward Goku's throat!
"Stop!"
The white-haired elder appeared instantly, intercepting her attack. His voice was stern: "This is the Pill Tower's branch, not the Bai family! Show some restraint!"
The gray-robed woman's face shifted slightly. She retreated two steps, her eyes brimming with venom as she glared at Goku. Just as she opened her mouth to speak again, her throat suddenly tightened.
She froze.
Goku had already appeared in front of her without her even noticing. With one hand, he clamped her throat and lifted her effortlessly into the air. His face remained utterly indifferent, but the chilling killing intent that spread through the hall plunged everyone into an icy abyss. Fear gripped them, leaving them paralyzed.
"An ant dares to speak to me that way? Truly… ignorance is fearlessness."
His cold words echoed in the hall.
Then—crack!
The crisp sound of bones snapping rang out. The gray-robed woman's sinister expression froze, her head drooping at an unnatural angle.
Inside the hall, everyone except Ye Zhong stared in shock. Bai Wei's face paled, her beauty marred by sheer terror.
A Dou Ancestor powerhouse—slain without warning, without resistance.
---
Goku tossed the corpse aside like trash. Everyone present felt a chill run down their spines.
That had been a genuine Dou Ancestor expert—yet she died without even the chance to fight back. The sight was horrifying.
The white-haired elder's face was grim, his heart filled with unease. After all, Goku had killed someone in front of him. But Goku's terrifying display of power forced him to swallow his anger. Casting a glance at Ye Zhong, he sighed.
"Ye Zhong, the man you brought here… he's a bit too impulsive. That woman was an elder of the Bai family."
"It's fine." Ye Zhong bowed politely, his voice calm. Goku's strength had given him unshakable confidence—such minor trouble was beneath concern. Though Goku seemed reckless, he had the power to back it up.
"Take them and get out of my sight." Goku looked coldly at the three Bai family youths. Because of the gray-robed woman, his impression of the Bai family had soured completely. Still, he wasn't one to slaughter the innocent. As long as they knew their place, he wouldn't pursue it further. If not… erasing the Bai family from the continent would be nothing more than a thought.
Terrified, Bai Wei and the others dared not speak. They quickly gathered the corpse and fled in disgrace.
"Now, let's begin the test." Goku turned toward the white-haired elder, his tone calm.
"There's no need. For someone of your caliber, testing is pointless." The elder smiled faintly and produced a badge from his ring—the insignia of a mid-seventh tier alchemist. He handed it to Goku, then leaned toward Ye Zhong and whispered with genuine admiration, "It seems your Ye family has gained quite the figure this year."
Ye Zhong chuckled modestly. "All thanks to Xin Lan. Without her, he wouldn't even have bothered to look at us." Yet the pride shining in his eyes was unmistakable.
After staying a short while at the testing site, Goku and Ye Zhong departed.
When Zi Yan was about to stir up trouble in the Holy Pill City, Goku intercepted her in time, pulling her along with Xin Lan instead. The three strolled through the lively city together, while Ye Zhong wisely took his leave.
Holy Pill City was bustling, day and night. Even under the cover of darkness, its streets roared with noise and life.
That day passed peacefully, without the Bai family seeking revenge—no doubt cowed by Goku's strength. Until they learned more about him, they dared not act rashly.
The next morning, Goku and his companions headed for the Five Families' testing grounds. Yesterday had been only the preliminary test for qualification. Today, the real examination would begin.
Ye Zhong led them to the grand testing hall, its vast expanse already crowded with people. Groups of notable figures pushed past the guards at the entrance, entering the hall in waves.
"Let's go."
Looking at the hall, Ye Zhong's fists trembled slightly inside his sleeves. Every past assessment here had left scars of humiliation. But today would be different. His spine straightened with determination.
Catching the scornful looks around them, Goku glanced at him and remarked, "Didn't expect your Ye family to be living this badly."
Ye Zhong could only offer a bitter smile. "I've made you laugh at our misfortune."
Inside the hall, Goku and the others immediately spotted the Dan, Bai, and Qiu families. As one of the Five Great Clans, they were easy to recognize. The Bai family's leader this time was an old man, not the previous elders. When Bai Wei and her companions saw Goku, fear flashed in their eyes, though the old man's gaze glinted with cold light.
Sweeping his eyes over the Dan family, Goku soon noticed a petite figure he recognized—the strange young girl he had once bumped into during the branch tower test.
Sensing his gaze, the girl turned, her eyes meeting his for an instant before quickly darting away. Her timid, delicate manner made Goku smile softly. Unconsciously, he touched his face, just as she sneaked another glance at him. Caught in the act, her pale cheeks flushed with a charming crimson.
"That girl seems unfamiliar, but judging by her demeanor, her status in the Dan family must be high," Ye Zhong observed. "But beside her stands Dan Xuan. He should be the Dan family's candidate for this contest. Despite his young age, his alchemy talent is extraordinary. Only the so-called witch of the Cao family might rival him."
"The Cao family's witch?" Goku's curiosity piqued. The name rang faintly familiar.
"Yes—Cao Ying. She was born with a terrifyingly powerful soul force. When she came into the world, that force nearly killed her own mother…"
"Cao family, enter!"
A commanding voice echoed.
The grand doors slowly swung open, and from within the shadows emerged a graceful figure, stepping forward with elegance.
The instant she stepped into the light, the hall fell into a stunned hush.
Her slender frame was clad in a black dress that radiated a cold, proud aura. Her skin was as fair as snow, her long dark hair draping loosely over her shoulders. Her features were delicate and refined, like porcelain—impossibly exquisite, impossible to look away from.
Standing at the entrance, her languid eyes exuded charm and allure. Many in the hall found themselves entranced.
Then, her lips curved into the faintest of smiles.
In that subtle smile, her already enchanting features transformed, suffused with an intoxicating demonic beauty.
This was Cao Ying—the Cao family's witch. A future contender for leadership of the Pill Tower itself. One glance, and she proved her reputation well-earned.
Her gaze swept the hall before locking onto the Ye family's seats. Her smile deepened when it lingered on Goku.
---
With a sultry smile, Cao Ying approached gracefully, stopping before Goku. "So, you are the one called Goku? …I must thank you for taking care of my useless little brother." Her soft, bewitching voice carried a faint edge of hostility—clearly, she had not come with goodwill.
"Heh, no need for thanks. It was nothing," Goku replied with a faint smile, his tone equally 'polite.'
"Oh?" Cao Ying's languid eyes narrowed, her charm intensifying. "You really are an interesting one. I'm Cao Ying. A pleasure to meet you."
Without waiting for his response, she turned away, her gaze settling on the delicate Dan family girl. Her lips curved as she called sweetly, "Sister Dan Chen, it's been so long."
Dan Chen nodded slightly in return, offering no further words.
"Didn't expect you here too. Seems the Dan family is determined this time. To send even you… looks like they want the championship for themselves." Cao Ying's laughter rang softly, laced with provocation.
___
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