Alchemist Tower Test, Startling the World with a Single Feat

Xiao Chen effortlessly calmed Dan Chen's soul disorder. This scene not only filled Cao Ying's beautiful eyes with wonder, but also secretly alarmed quite a few knowledgeable alchemists nearby. To resolve Dan Chen's peculiar soul problem so swiftly and gently, this man's attainments in Soul Power were certainly no small matter.

After timidly thanking Xiao Chen once more, Dan Chen was taken away by the Dan Family Members who had hurried over. Before leaving, her large, watery eyes secretly glanced at Xiao Chen again, carrying gratitude and a trace of curiosity.

"Young Master Xiao truly hides his abilities well." Cao Ying swayed gracefully forward, a captivating gleam flowing through her peach-blossom eyes. The smile on her red lips grew even more alluring. "It seems that at this Pill Gathering, Young Master Xiao will surely shine brilliantly."

Xiao Chen remained calm. "Miss Cao flatters me. I came here only to broaden my horizons, not to compete."

"Oh? Not to compete?" A trace of surprise flashed through Cao Ying's eyes before understanding dawned on her. "That makes sense. With your strength, perhaps you have little interest in contests among the younger generation. Still, since you have come to Sacred Pill City, would it not be a pity not to have your alchemist rank certified at the Alchemist Tower? The Alchemist Tower's certification is recognized throughout the entire continent."

Her words carried a hint of probing. She also wanted to see just how far Xiao Chen's alchemy had truly reached.

Han Yue, standing beside them, also looked toward Xiao Chen and said softly, "Young Master Xiao, Sister Cao Ying is right. Having an alchemist identity certified by the Alchemist Tower will make it much more convenient to travel through the Central Plains."

Xiao Chen pondered briefly, then nodded. "Very well."

Certifying his alchemist rank would indeed save him quite a bit of trouble. It would also allow him to approach the Alchemist Tower's upper ranks more naturally, and perhaps learn something about rare medicinal ingredients capable of repairing souls.

Seeing Xiao Chen agree, the smile in Cao Ying's eyes deepened. "As it happens, I am returning to the Alchemist Tower as well. I shall take Young Master Xiao there for certification, so that those below will not be ignorant enough to neglect you."

There was a hint of intimacy in her words, and they also displayed her standing within the Alchemist Tower.

Xiao Chen neither accepted nor declined, silently acquiescing.

Thus, the group followed Cao Ying through the bustling crowds toward the tallest giant tower at Sacred Pill City Center, a structure radiating vast soul pressure—there stood the Alchemist Tower Headquarters!

The Alchemist Tower Entrance was crowded with people, all of them alchemists with extraordinary auras. Upon seeing Cao Ying, whether guards or passing alchemists, they all respectfully saluted her and addressed her as "Master Cao Ying." When their gazes swept over Xiao Chen and Han Yue beside her, they were filled with curiosity and scrutiny.

With Cao Ying leading the way, everything naturally proceeded without obstruction. They went directly to the hall specially used for certifying alchemist ranks.

The hall was extremely spacious, with several different certification areas arranged within it, corresponding to different grades from low to high. Quite a few alchemists were already undergoing certification or waiting their turn. The air was filled with various Medicinal Fragrances and soul fluctuations.

Cao Ying's arrival immediately caused quite a commotion. This enchantress of the Cao Family enjoyed immense prestige among the Alchemist Tower's younger generation.

"Senior Sister Cao Ying!"

"Master Cao Ying!"

Greetings rang out without end.

Cao Ying merely nodded slightly and led Xiao Chen straight toward the area responsible for high-grade alchemist certification. The person in charge was a white-haired elder with a vigorous spirit, wearing a Sixth-grade Alchemist Badge on his chest.

"Elder Lin, this is Young Master Xiao Chen. He wishes to certify his alchemist rank," Cao Ying said to the elder.

Hearing this, Elder Lin raised his eyelids and scrutinized Xiao Chen. Sensing the unfathomable aura around him, his expression became more solemn. Anyone personally introduced by Cao Ying could not be ordinary.

"What grade does Young Master Xiao wish to certify?" Elder Lin asked politely.

Xiao Chen considered it. He did not wish to attract too much attention, so he said, "Let us begin with sixth grade."

A Sixth-grade Alchemist was already considered an important figure in the Central Plains, yet would not draw as much attention as a seventh-grade one.

"Sixth grade?" Elder Lin nodded. "For sixth-grade certification, you must successfully refine a Sixth-Grade Mid-Level Pill. You must provide your own materials; the Alchemist Tower will provide the Medicine Cauldron and Earth Fire. Please follow me, Young Master Xiao."

He led Xiao Chen toward a Private Alchemy Room. Cao Ying and Han Yue remained outside to wait. They too wished to know just what level this mysterious Young Master Xiao had reached in alchemy.

Inside the alchemy room, Xiao Chen swept his gaze over the Standard Medicine Cauldron and Earth Fire provided by the Alchemist Tower, then shook his head slightly. The cauldron was of average quality, and the Earth Fire was far less pure than Heavenly Flames. However, he did not request a replacement. To him, such external things made little difference.

Elder Lin offered Xiao Chen several formulas for Sixth-Grade Mid-Level Pills to choose from. Xiao Chen casually selected one called the Imperial Pill. This pill could help a Dou Huang expert raise their strength by one star, and was considered moderately difficult among sixth-grade pills.

Once the formula was confirmed, the certification began.

Xiao Chen did not immediately make a move. Instead, he stood quietly for a moment, seemingly deducing the entire refining process in his mind. Then, with a sweep of his sleeve, dozens of medicinal ingredients floated before him.

He did not use the Alchemist Tower's Earth Fire. Instead, he turned his palm over, and a wisp of Chaos-Colored Flame silently rose! The moment it appeared, the room's temperature did not sharply rise, yet the Medicine Cauldron let out a joyous hum, as though it had encountered its sovereign!

"Is that... a Heavenly Flame?!" Elder Lin saw the Chaos-Colored Flame through the crystal wall, and his pupils suddenly constricted as he cried out in shock! Moreover, he had never sensed the aura of this Heavenly Flame before. It seemed even more mysterious and powerful than many known Heavenly Flames!

An astonishing light also burst from Cao Ying's beautiful eyes, her red lips parting slightly. "As expected... he possesses a Heavenly Flame!" And the quality of this Heavenly Flame seemed exceptionally high!

Inside the alchemy room, Xiao Chen began his smooth, flowing operations.

Purification, fusion, pill formation... every movement he made was precise to the extreme, as though tempered through countless trials, carrying a unique aesthetic beauty. The Chaos Flame was incomparably docile in his hands. His control over the heat was exquisite down to the finest detail, and the essences of every medicinal ingredient were perfectly extracted without the slightest waste.

What shocked Elder Lin and Cao Ying even more was that throughout the entire process, Xiao Chen barely revealed any powerful soul fluctuations. Everything seemed so effortless and controlled. It was as though refining this sixth-grade pill was as simple to him as eating and drinking.

After only one hour, while the other candidates were still struggling bitterly, the Medicine Cauldron before Xiao Chen let out a clear cry!

The cauldron lid opened, and three golden pills the size of longans shot out. Round and full, they radiated dense energy fluctuations before Xiao Chen collected them into a Jade Bottle.

Pill Formed in Three Colors, with superb quality!

"One hour... three pills, all top-grade..." Elder Lin stared at the three Imperial Pills, his voice trembling slightly. Even many veteran alchemists who had immersed themselves in sixth-grade alchemy for years found it difficult to achieve such efficiency and quality!

Xiao Chen emerged from the alchemy room holding the Jade Bottle and handed it to the still-stunned Elder Lin.

Elder Lin hurriedly accepted it. After carefully examining the pills, he took a deep breath and solemnly cupped his fists toward Xiao Chen. "Master Xiao's alchemy is superb. This old man truly admires you! You fully deserve this Sixth-Grade Alchemist Badge!"

He immediately took out a Silver Badge carved with six ripples and respectfully presented it to Xiao Chen.

Xiao Chen casually accepted it and pinned it to his chest.

"Young Master Xiao is truly astonishing." Cao Ying stepped forward, wonder rippling through her peach-blossom eyes as though she wished to see straight through Xiao Chen. "With your ability, refining seventh-grade pills is likely no difficult matter, is it? Why not certify seventh grade directly?"

Her voice was not loud, yet her words clearly reached the ears of many people nearby.

At once, countless shocked gazes focused on Xiao Chen again.

Such a young Seventh-grade Alchemy Grandmaster? Was that possible?

Xiao Chen glanced at Cao Ying, naturally understanding that she had done it deliberately, hoping to probe further into his background. He smiled faintly without answering, then turned to Han Yue. "Miss Han, let us go."

Seeing that Xiao Chen had no intention of continuing the certification, Cao Ying did not press him. She merely watched his departing back, the curve of her red lips growing increasingly intrigued.

"Xiao Chen... just how many secrets are you still hiding? How... very interesting."

News that Xiao Chen had certified as a Sixth-grade Alchemist and was suspected of possessing a high-grade Heavenly Flame spread through Sacred Pill City's circles of alchemists like a whirlwind. A mysterious and powerful young alchemist had entered the sight of every major faction.