Wind Lightning first approached Zhao Li as someone seeking pills, but was exposed by the two who arrived shortly after. He offered Zhao Li a word of encouragement.
Hearing this, Zhao Li simply nodded and didn't argue.
Immediately, Spirit Pearl continued:
"I am Spirit Pearl, also one of the Giants. Elder Han said you are from the Northwestern Region. At such a young age, you've achieved so much. May I ask who your Master is?"
Hearing this, Zhao Li's eyebrows raised slightly, somewhat surprised by the title "Spirit Pearl," but he still bowed respectfully and said:
"Greetings, Senior Spirit Pearl. My apologies, my Master instructed me not to publicize him outside."
Regarding his lineage, Zhao Li thought for a moment and decided not to reveal it.
With the size of the Pill Tower, it wouldn't be difficult to find out about his Master. If any mistakes were made then, it would only bring trouble upon himself.
He still had the Soul Hall as a major enemy.
Seeing that Zhao Li was unwilling to speak, Spirit Pearl nodded and didn't press further. The Dou Qi Continent was vast, and there were plenty of people with strange temperaments.
Afterward, the two had Elder Han handle the registration procedures for Zhao Li, telling him to study at the Pill Tower with peace of mind and strive to reach the Seventh Grade before the Pill Convention arrived. Then they left.
Spirit Pearl sighed:
"I wonder how that Little Guy Yao Chen is doing. It's a pity; he is indeed a bit young. If the Pill Convention were a few years later, he would definitely shine brightly. Zhang Li is quite good; there's hope he can reach the Eighth Grade before the Pill Convention starts, bringing glory to our Pill Tower."
Hearing this, Wind Lightning said faintly:
"Perhaps, he is already capable of refining Eighth Grade Pills."
Hearing this, Spirit Pearl turned his head and looked at Zhao Li in disbelief.
He knew that his old friend wouldn't speak without reason.
But after looking and looking, he still didn't find anything special and asked somewhat doubtfully:
"What did you discover just now?"
Seeing his expression, Wind Lightning couldn't help but feel happy. The frustration from losing their earlier spar vanished, and he laughed wickedly:
"Want to know? I won't tell you."
Saying this, he flashed away.
Wind Lightning was equally shocked. Earlier, Zhao Li had only released a wisp of Soul Power and finished reading the Pill Formula.
When he took back the Pill Formula, he sensed a spiritual quality, an aura unique to a Spirit Realm Soul.
He was shocked and deliberately asked after his identity was revealed.
From Zhao Li's calm demeanor, he vaguely sensed an attitude of complete indifference.
It was an extreme confidence, as if saying that Eighth Grade was nothing difficult, and he could easily achieve it.
He had a feeling that Zhao Li was likely another figure like the Little Tower Master.
Seeing Wind Lightning's wicked expression, Spirit Pearl was quite speechless. He shook his head and stopped thinking about it. Regardless, with Zhao Li staying at the Pill Tower, he had plenty of time to observe.
...
"Little Zhang, with this Badge, you can enter and exit the Pill Tower to study. Be sure to keep it safe. There are also residences specially prepared for Alchemists recommended to study at the Pill Tower, from the fiftieth floor to the eightieth floor. You can choose one yourself. If you don't want to live inside the tower, outside is also fine; you can arrange it yourself."
After completing the procedures, Elder Han handed Zhao Li a special Badge and instructed him.
Taking the Badge, it resembled an Alchemist's Badge, but it lacked the Golden Stars representing rank.
Putting the Badge away, Zhao Li said solemnly:
"Thank you, Elder. I understand."
Han Zichuan nodded and said:
"You can make your own arrangements from now on. It's quite free within the tower. There will be Alchemist Symposium Exchanges from time to time, and even Rank 8 Alchemists will participate. Pay attention yourself."
After speaking, he left.
Zhao Li pondered. There were still four or five years until the Pill Convention began. Zhao Li didn't want to live inside the Pill Tower the whole time, so he left the Pill Tower and wandered around the City, first looking for a good place to stay.
Merging into the crowd, Zhao Li felt even more感慨.
As expected of the top force in the Central Plains, the relatively slow pace of life in Holy Pill City was quite pleasant.
Suddenly, there was a commotion from the crowd ahead. Zhao Li's Soul Power extended, and in the distance, a handsome White Crane elegantly flew towards the Inner Domain of Holy Pill City. Four people were seated on its back: one old and three young.
"Hmm? Flying so brazenly above the Pill Domain, which force is that?"
Zhao Li was somewhat curious about the identity of the newcomers.
Soon, someone recognized the owner of the carriage; it was the Bai Clan, one of the Five Great Clans of the Pill Tower's Elder Council.
"So it's the assessment for the Five Great Clans? I can go take a look. Perhaps I can gauge the level of the younger generation in the Pill Tower from the assessment."
From the exclamations and discussions of the crowd, Zhao Li learned the identity of the newcomers and their purpose for being there.
The Five Great Clans of the Pill Tower's Elder Council received protection from the Pill Tower due to the favor of their ancestors, but they had to undergo an assessment by the Pill Tower every so often.
If they passed, they would remain. If they didn't, they wouldn't be directly removed from their seats. They would have another chance, and as long as they could rank in the top three in future assessments, they could keep their seats.
"I wonder what level the Ye Clan is at this time?"
Zhao Li remembered the Ye Clan failing twice and only keeping their seat because Xiao Yan intervened. This made him even more curious.
After a brief inquiry, he arrived at the grand hall specifically designated for the assessment of the major clans.
The Pill Tower also placed great importance on the assessment of the Five Great Clans, setting up a dedicated testing ground where all previous assessments had taken place.
The assessment was not conducted in private but was semi-public.
Many people were eyeing these seats covetously.
Everyone knew this was a shortcut to the upper echelons of the Pill Tower. As long as one attached themselves to this towering tree that was the Pill Tower, even the major powers treated them with courtesy.
This semi-public assessment not only motivated and urged the major clans to focus on cultivating their younger generation but also allowed other families aspiring to join the Pill Tower to understand the gap and know their targets for improvement through the assessments.
When Zhao Li arrived, the extremely vast square in front of the grand hall was already filled with people. Looking around, he could only see a dense mass of heads. Occasionally, a few groups of people who seemed to be of considerable standing pushed through the crowd and entered the hall.
Zhao Li clicked his tongue. This was just the assessment for the Five Great Clans, and it was already this lively. He couldn't imagine how grand the Pill Convention would be.
Thinking of the scene with ten thousand fires rising and himself outshining everyone, Zhao Li's heart also grew somewhat fervent.
Regaining his composure, he showed the guard his special Pill Tower badge. Zhao Li walked into the grand hall under the envious gazes of the crowd.
Inside the grand hall, it was slightly less crowded than outside. Most of the people here were from families likely to compete for the seats.
Zhao Li also saw two familiar faces: Xuan Yi and Elder Han Zichuan.
Xuan Yi was chatting and laughing with a woman from the Dan Clan who was around her age, presumably her friend.
Elder Han, however, was sitting quietly in the grand hall, seemingly presiding over this assessment.
Zhao Li suddenly understood. No wonder Elder Han had seemed a bit rushed earlier; it turned out he had to come here to oversee the assessment matters.
Zhao Li didn't disturb them. He found a spot and watched quietly.
Not long after, a loud voice came from outside the grand hall:
"The Ye Clan has arrived!"
Immediately, the heavy doors of the grand hall slowly opened again, and four figures walked out from the shadows. Similarly, there was one elder and three younger individuals.
As the group entered the grand hall, the leading elderly woman cupped her fists and said:
"Everyone, thank you for waiting."
Everyone waved their hands, not minding at all. At this time, the Ye Clan was still in its prime, and its position was unshakable.
With everyone present, Han Zichuan opened his eyes. He scanned the crowd and, seeing Zhao Li in the spectator area, showed a slight surprise. He nodded slightly in greeting before saying:
"Since the Five Great Clans have all arrived, the assessment will now begin. I will still be presiding. Does anyone have any objections?"
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