Cao Ying
"The Cao Family has arrived!"
Just as Lin Ming was sighing inwardly, lamenting the rise and fall of aristocratic families, an unusually loud and even deliberately arrogant shout suddenly came from outside the hall like a thunderclap. Then, the rolling sound waves resounded in every corner of the hall, instantly drowning out all the whispers!
The moment that shout rang out, the previously relaxed atmosphere in the hall suddenly tightened!
Many of the previously seated representatives of various factions hurriedly stood up as if their tails had been stepped on, their faces instantly plastered with almost obsequious smiles. The Cao Family's current power and status were enough to make them lower themselves and fawn over them.
Lin Ming also turned his head, his gaze filled with curiosity and amusement, looking towards the palace entrance that had once again become the focus of attention.
There, the heavy, tightly closed palace doors were slowly pushed open by two imposing guards, letting in light that cast long shadows on the ground. Then, under the focused gaze of countless eyes, a Man Miao beautiful figure, with graceful, delicate steps, emerged slowly from the shadows outside the doors...
When that Man Miao figure finally emerged from the shadows and was fully exposed to the soft light of the hall, the atmosphere in the entire hall seemed to freeze and become suffocating for a moment because of her appearance...
The woman had a slender and graceful figure, and her well-tailored black dress accentuated her breathtaking curves, while also exuding an innate aloofness and mysterious charm. Her skin was as white as snow, like the finest mutton fat jade, with a faint luster.
Her long, Black Silk cascaded down her shoulders like a waterfall, exuding an air of languid charm and ultimate allure.
Her face was slightly thin, with a pointed chin, but it was so exquisite that it resembled God's most perfect work of art. Every line was just right, giving one the illusion of being captivated and unable to put her down at first glance.
The woman stood quietly at the entrance of the main hall, gazing into the distance. Her long, slightly languid eyes were like two unfathomable pools, and as they moved, they revealed a captivating and alluring charm that was truly mesmerizing.
As many in the hall were captivated by her natural allure, their gazes fixed on her, a faint, mocking smile, tinged with a sense of looking down upon all living beings, slowly curved the corners of the woman's slender lips...
The moment that curve appeared, that originally slender and charming face instantly became bewitching! An aura, a mixture of extreme charm and danger, swept through the entire Pill Martial Hall like an invisible storm!
Lin Ming gazed at the black-clad figure who had instantly become the absolute center of attention, feeling the immense and tangible Soul Power that could be clearly sensed even from a distance. He understood immediately and couldn't help but sigh softly:
"It seems... this must be Cao Ying, the legendary Demoness of the Cao Family! This time, things will be a little less boring." Lin Ming's eyes also became slightly serious at this moment.
The arrival of the Cao Family was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly changing the atmosphere and structure of the hall.
Behind Cao Ying, the alluring and aloof woman in a black dress, followed closely by Cao Dan, whose face was gloomy and whose eyes darted around. At this moment, he was completely devoid of his usual arrogance, hanging his head like a quail, following closely behind Cao Ying. However, his lowered gaze would occasionally drift uncontrollably to the Man Miao and alluring figure in front of him, and deep in his eyes, there was a mixture of awe, longing, and unspeakable lust, but those emotions were compressed to the extreme under the invisible but powerful aura emanating from Cao Ying, and he dared not reveal them at all.
Cao Ying moved with light steps, leading the Cao Family members straight towards the magnificent seats belonging to the Cao Family at the very front, under the watchful eyes of countless people in the hall, some filled with awe, some with infatuation, and some with fear.
Her steps were unhurried, as if she were walking in her own backyard. Her confident and self-assured demeanor secretly impressed many powerful figures.
As she passed the Dan Family's seats, Cao Ying's seemingly indifferent steps finally paused slightly. She turned her head, her long, narrow, and charming eyes sweeping around before finally settling on the white-clad girl sitting quietly beside Dan Xuan, her temperament as delicate as a white flower.
"Dan Chen, it's been a long time." Cao Ying's voice had a unique magnetism, a lazy tone that conveyed a subtle intimacy, yet also seemed to be separated by an invisible distance.
In response to the infamous Cao Family Demoness's greeting, the girl known as Dan Chen merely raised her clear eyes, gently nodded her snow-white chin, and didn't say much. Her expression remained somewhat timid and weak, as if she were naive and innocent.
"I didn't expect the Dan Family to send out your 'secret weapon' this time. I suppose it's because of the upcoming Pill Gathering?" Cao Ying covered her mouth and chuckled softly.
Her laughter was like the tinkling of silver bells, yet it carried a hint of barely perceptible probing. "Hehe, the Dan Family has really gone all out this time. Could it be that they intend to snatch the championship of this year's Pill Gathering directly into their lap?"
Compared to Cao Ying's powerful aura, which blends arrogance and allure, Dan Chen seemed more like a Little Girl who needed protection. She had no fierce spirit to argue or compete with the other party, and simply sat there quietly, as if everything around her was irrelevant.
"Miss Cao Ying is joking."
Just as the atmosphere became slightly awkward, Dan Xuan, who was standing next to Dan Chen, smiled slightly and took over the conversation. His tone was gentle and refined, neither humble nor arrogant.
"This year's Pill Gathering is teeming with talent and hidden masters. The championship title won't be so easily coveted. In my opinion, this year's champion is undoubtedly Miss Cao Ying. As for the others, perhaps only Xiao Yan, the mysterious disciple of the Venerable Yao, has any real chance of competing with you. As for the rest..."
"Brother Dan Xuan certainly knows how to talk," Cao Ying smiled noncommittally at Dan Xuan's smooth words.
Her beautiful eyes remained fixed on Dan Chen, who remained silent with her head down. Her voice was soft, yet carried an invisible pressure. "But don't think you can make me lower my guard just because of that..."
She First Revolution, lowering her voice slightly, with a hint of genuine seriousness and curiosity. "However, I'm also very curious to know, in the two years since we last met, how much stronger have you become compared to back then? That 'realm' that countless Alchemist dream of... I wonder if you have... truly reached it now?"
Surprisingly, when Cao Ying mentioned "alchemy" and "realm", Dan Chen, who had always appeared weak and timid, suddenly changed her demeanor!
She abruptly raised her head, the timidity in her clear eyes vanishing instantly, replaced by a resolute light as firm as a rock, as if she had become a different person. Her eyes met Cao Ying's without hesitation, her clear voice carrying an undeniable certainty:
"I'd also like to know... where you are now."
Cao Ying showed no surprise at Dan Chen's sudden change; instead, she seemed to see a long-awaited scene, and the alluring curve of her lips became even more pronounced.
She nodded slightly, said no more, and with a gentle wave of her jade sleeve, turned around and led the Cao Family members back to their seats.
As she passed the relatively modest seats of the Ye Family, Cao Ying didn't even glance at them, nor did she pause in her steps. It was as if it were just an insignificant empty space. She walked straight into the Cao Family's seats and sat down gracefully in the main seat at the very front, a seat that symbolized status and power, like a dark queen descending to Mortal World.
Cao Ying ignored the Ye Family, but Cao Dan, who was at the end of the group, suddenly stopped when they passed the Ye Family's seats.
His gaze fixed menacingly on Lin Ming, his face revealing undisguised coldness and resentment. He lowered his voice and sneered, "Lin Ming! I didn't expect you to still be so persistent, wanting to interfere in the affairs of my Five Great Families! You really have a death wish!"
Lin Ming raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping indifferently over Cao Dan's face, which was slightly distorted by jealousy. The corners of his mouth merely curled into a half-smile, but he did not say anything or pay any attention. His posture was as if he were watching a clumsy performance that had nothing to do with him.
Faced with Lin Ming's utter disregard and contempt, Cao Dan's eyes flashed with an uncontrollable chill and rage. Just as he was about to raise his voice and shout, a thick, powerful hand reached out from the side and firmly pressed down on his shoulder, suppressing the Dou Qi that had already been raised.
The one who stepped in to stop them was Cao Xiu, a burly Cao Xiu with a calm demeanor. He glanced indifferently at the agitated Cao Dan, his voice steady yet carrying an undeniable authority. "Enough. Mind your manners. Shouting like this here is disrespectful and tarnishes the Cao Family's reputation."
Upon hearing this, Cao Dan was filled with resentment, his face turning red and then pale. However, he was clearly quite wary of this young master. He gritted his teeth and finally forced himself to suppress his anger. He glared at Lin Ming fiercely, then turned around and walked into the Cao Family's seat, sitting down in the position below Cao Ying.
After stopping Cao Dan, Cao Xiu's sharp, hawk-like gaze finally turned to Lin Ming. He looked him up and down and said calmly, "You, are you Lin Ming? I've heard Cao Dan mention you."
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a heavy, oppressive quality.
Lin Ming also stared at the burly man in front of him, whose physique seemed quite incongruous with his identity Alchemist.
This man wasn't exactly handsome, but he had strong features and a calm, reserved gaze. Just as Ye Zhong had said, he was much more mature and composed than a flamboyant young man like Cao Dan, like a rock that had been polished by wind and rain.
"Cao Xiu, one of the three great geniuses of the Cao Family, is a household name." Lin Ming smiled slightly, his tone polite, but his eyes remained calm and unwavering.
"A genius?" Cao Xiu shook his head, his face expressionless, but his gaze was fixed on Lin Ming as if it were a physical object. He slowly said, "That title doesn't apply to people like me who rely on perseverance and time to achieve their goals."
He First Revolution, glancing at Ye Zhong and the others beside Lin Ming, whose faces were tense. His tone was calm, as if stating a fact, yet it carried even more pressure. "Your skill level is indeed quite good. Making Cao Dan suffer repeated losses proves you have some ability. But..."
He paused slightly, looking directly into Lin Ming's eyes. "Trying to save the Ye Family, which is already beyond saving, all by yourself is probably... very difficult. The Pill Tower's assessment is no child's play. I hope you can recognize reality and not drag yourself into an inescapable quagmire because of momentary impulse. You may not be able to bear the price."
These words, seemingly admonitions, were in fact warnings, carrying the arrogance characteristic of the Cao Family.
Lin Ming's smile remained unchanged, as if he hadn't grasped the deeper meaning in the other person's words. He simply cupped his hands in a casual gesture and said, "Thank you for the advice."
Cao Xiu gave Lin Ming a deep look, as if trying to see something in his eyes, but in the end he only saw a bottomless calm. He said nothing more, nodded, turned around and walked briskly to the Cao Family's seat next to him, sitting down next to Cao Dan.
"This guy... is definitely not comparable to Cao Dan, who is simple-minded and impulsive." Lin Ming looked at Cao Xiu's steady, mountain-like back, stretched lightly, and whispered in a voice that only he and a few others could hear. This Cao Xiu is much more difficult to deal with than Cao Dan, not only in terms of strength, but also in terms of temperament.
"Yes," Ye Zhong in deep agreement, his aged face showing even more worry as he sighed.
"Cao Xiu's talent for alchemy was initially not much better than Cao Dan's, and he was even inferior in some aspects of Spirituality. However, his willpower far surpassed that of his peers. His achievements today are entirely due to his extraordinary perseverance and ruthlessness. The Cao Family is indeed... fortunate to have him and Cao Ying as two pillars, one active and one quiet, one talented and one persevering."
His tone was filled with envy for other people's geniuses and helplessness about his own family's decline.
At the Cao Family's table, Cao Dan looked at Cao Xiu, who was expressionless beside him, and couldn't help but lean closer. With a hint of dissatisfaction and urgency, he whispered, "Big brother! What's there to talk about with that bastard surnamed Lin? He's just some wild brat who popped up out of nowhere! You absolutely have to help me get revenge in this assessment! As long as we find a way to prevent him from making it into the top three and getting a high enough score, the Ye Family will be completely finished! Then, let's see how arrogant he can still be!"
His voice suppressed excitement and resentment, as if he could already see the desperate scene when Lin Ming failed the test and the Ye Family was expelled.
These minor incidents quickly dissipated with the arrival of the Cao Family, because everyone knew that with all the members of the Five Great Families present, the assessment was about to begin.