Goodwill from All Sides

With the assessment results finalized, the Ye Family escaped a desperate situation and retained their crucial Elder Seat. All of this was thanks to the young man in blue robes who appeared out of nowhere and created a miracle with absolute dominance.

Lin Ming remained remarkably calm amidst the countless gazes around him, a mixture of awe, curiosity, jealousy, and even scrutiny. He lightly cracked his neck, producing a crisp sound, and said in a relaxed tone:

"Now that the assessment is over, let's go back."

At this moment, Lin Ming only wanted to return to Ye Courtyard as soon as possible to carefully study that Ancient Soul Cultivation Method.

However, no sooner had he finished speaking than two voices rang out behind him simultaneously.

"Young friend Lin Ming, please wait a moment."

"Lin Ming, wait a moment."

Lin Ming turned his head with some confusion, only to see Elder Sheng with a warm smile and Cao Ying, the radiant and powerful Cao Family Demoness, walking quickly toward him one after the other.

Elder Sheng, needless to say, is the master of this place and Pill Tower Giant. Cao Ying's initiative to approach instantly ignited countless gazes around them, filled with curiosity and gossip.

"Elder Sheng, is there anything else you need?" Lin Ming dared not be negligent towards this Pill Tower Elder, who held a high position and had just shown him great goodwill. He stopped, clasped his hands, and smiled.

Elder Sheng chuckled, but his gaze first turned to Cao Ying, who had followed him, and he said quite politely, "Cao Ying, it seems you also have something to discuss with young friend Lin Ming. Why don't you speak first?"

Cao Ying nodded slightly to Elder Sheng as a sign of greeting, and then her captivating, narrow eyes fell unabashedly on Lin Ming.

She looked Lin Ming up and down, her eyes no longer showing the initial shock and scrutiny, but instead a curious gleam, as if she had discovered a new continent.

Her red lips parted slightly, her voice still carrying that unique languidness and magnetism, but with less of a condescending tone and more of an egalitarian one. "Lin Ming, hello. Let me formally introduce myself, my name is Cao Ying."

As she spoke, she unexpectedly extended a slender, jade-like hand that was as white and smooth as jade.

This action made the hearts of everyone secretly watching the situation inside the hall leap!

Cao Ying, the Cao Family Demoness, is so proud and arrogant that ordinary men find it difficult to even get close to her, let alone take the initiative to befriend her! This Lin Ming is truly remarkable!

Seeing this, Lin Ming was slightly taken aback, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. He had no connection with this woman, and in fact, because of Cao Dan, they had some indirect grudges. What was her intention in taking the initiative to be friendly now?

Thoughts raced through his mind, but Lin Ming remained outwardly calm. After a slight hesitation, he extended his hand and lightly shook hands with Cao Ying's delicate hand, leaving without the slightest lingering affection. His attitude was indifferent and natural. "Hello, Miss Cao. I am Lin Ming."

His swift and abrupt departure, as if it were merely a perfunctory gesture, left the young men around him, who were itching to take his place and kiss him, speechless with astonishment. They then secretly admired him, thinking, "No wonder he's the one who created such a terrifying record! Even with a peerless beauty like Cao Ying taking the initiative to approach him, he can remain so calm. His composure is truly extraordinary!"

Cao Ying's eyes flickered with a hint of surprise at Lin Ming's indifferent reaction, but then the alluring curve of her lips became even more pronounced, as if she were becoming more interested in Lin Ming.

She withdrew her hand, her gaze shifting to the Cao Family's seats. Her voice suddenly turned cold, carrying an undeniable authority. "Cao Dan! Come here now!"

Cao Dan, whose name was called, trembled violently, his face turning deathly pale. Under Cao Ying's icy gaze, he dared not disobey in the slightest. He could only grit his teeth and, under the watchful eyes of countless others, lower his head and shuffle over like a defeated rooster.

"What are you standing there for? Do I need to teach you how to do it?" Cao Ying frowned slightly as she looked at Cao Dan, who was walking closer but still keeping his head down and not saying a word. The coldness in her voice deepened.

Cao Dan felt the piercing gazes around him, especially Lin Ming's calm yet incredibly oppressive stare. His face flushed and paled alternately, and finally, all his humiliation and resentment turned into a deep sense of powerlessness.

He gritted his teeth, bowed deeply to Lin Ming, his voice hoarse and filled with deep resentment:

"Lin... Lin Ming, I'm sorry! I was blind and offended you repeatedly. I was reckless! Please... please be magnanimous and don't hold it against me!"

Faced with the absolute authority of the family and the vast difference in strength, this young master of the Cao Family had no choice but to lower his proud head.

Seeing this scene, Ye Zhong and the others felt a surge of triumphant joy. The surrounding crowd also sighed inwardly, realizing that the supremacy of strength was vividly demonstrated in this Dou Qi Continent.

Lin Ming looked at Cao Dan, who was bowing and apologizing, without much smugness on his face. He simply said, "Heh, no need for an apology. I have no deep-seated hatred for your Cao Family. In the future, as long as your Cao Family, especially you, doesn't provoke me, I naturally have no interest in you."

His words were calm, yet carried an undeniable confidence and detachment. The meaning was clear: let's keep to ourselves and live in peace. But if you cause trouble again, don't blame him for being impolite.

Upon hearing this, Cao Dan's face turned even uglier, but he dared not refute it. He could only give a sullen reply and step aside.

Seeing that the Cao and Ye families had at least superficially reconciled, Elder Sheng stroked his beard with a smile, appearing quite satisfied.

He first looked at Ye Zhong, who was still excited, and said with a hint of emotion, "Ye Zhong, congratulations! You finally made it through the ordeal and secured the title of one of the Five Great Families of the Ye Family. It wasn't easy..."

Ye Zhong bowed deeply, his face filled with gratitude. "Elder Sheng, you flatter me! The Ye Family is only able to catch its breath today thanks to Mr. Lin Ming's efforts in turning the tide! Of course, we also have to thank Elder Sheng for your secret mediation and protection over the years. The entire Ye Family will always remember this great kindness in our time of need!"

These words came from the bottom of their hearts. If it weren't for Elder Sheng's consideration for their past relationship, the Ye Family probably wouldn't even have had the chance to participate in this final assessment.

Elder Sheng waved his hand dismissively, then turned his gaze to Lin Ming, his smile becoming even more gentle and eager, "However, your Ye Family has truly found a remarkable helper this time... Little fellow, your name is Lin Ming, right?"

"Junior Lin Ming greets Elder Sheng." Lin Ming cupped his hands again, his attitude humble.

"Hmm, Lin Ming..." Elder Sheng murmured, as if trying to memorize the name, then suddenly First Revolution the subject and asked, "Besides helping the Ye Family, your main purpose in coming to the Pill Region this time should also be for the upcoming Pill Gathering, right?"

Lin Ming had no reason to hide this, and readily nodded. "Elder Sheng, you are wise. This junior has indeed come for the Pill Gathering."

"Just as I thought." Elder Sheng stroked his beard and nodded, a glint of light flashing in his eyes. Then his tone became serious. "There are still a few days before the Pill Gathering begins. Before then, I would like to invite you to accompany me to the Pill Tower Headquarters. Perhaps... it will be of some unexpected help to you."

Upon hearing this, Lin Ming was taken aback, a hint of hesitation appearing on his face. "To the Pill Tower?"

Lin Ming naturally felt a great longing and curiosity for the Pill Tower, which stood in the center of Sacred Pill City and symbolized the holy Pill Tower of Alchemist on the Dou Qi Dou Qi Continent. It was a place where the continent's top Alchemist gathered and where countless precious pill formulas and classic texts were collected, making it a hall that all Alchemist dreamed of.

"Hehe, not bad."

Elder Sheng noticed the interest in Lin Ming's eyes and immediately raised his stakes, saying solemnly, "I think the president and the others... might be quite interested in you. Meeting them will definitely not do you any harm. You might even get some guidance."

"President?!"

Lin Ming's heart skipped a beat, and a look of shock instantly flashed in his eyes! Who else could be the person that Elder Sheng, one of the Eight Great Elders of the Pill Tower, would address as "Chairman" with such respect, besides those three elusive Pill Tower Giant of the Alchemist on the continent?

That's a true Peak Dou Venerate, even Half Sage level existence! A behemoth that even the Soul Hall greatly fears! They actually want to see me?

This invitation carries immense weight!

Seeing the undisguised shock on Lin Ming's face, Elder Sheng knew the matter was settled. His smile widened, and he decisively said, "Hehe, it's settled then! You should return to Ye Courtyard for a couple of days to rest and adjust your condition. Once I've made the arrangements, I will personally go to Ye Courtyard to fetch you to the Pill Tower. Rest assured, this is an immense opportunity for you."

Having said that, Lin Ming naturally wouldn't refuse. Suppressing his inner turmoil, he solemnly bowed to Elder Sheng, saying, "Since that's the case, then this junior will respectfully accept! Thank you for your guidance Elder Sheng!"

"Haha, no problem, no problem!" Elder Sheng laughed heartily.

After exchanging a few more polite words with Elder Sheng and agreeing on their contact information, Lin Ming, along with Ye Zhong, Xin Lan, and the others who were still filled with excitement, left the Pill Martial Hall, which had just witnessed the birth of a miracle, under the watchful eyes of many.

Watching Lin Ming's departing figure, Elder Sheng's smile slowly faded, replaced by a deep and solemn expression. His gaze drifted into the distance, seemingly piercing through layers of palaces, fixed on a certain direction in Sacred Pill City, as he murmured softly:

"At such a young age, a soul at the High-Grade Spirit Realm... truly astonishing. From what the Pill Gathering Master and the others have vaguely mentioned, those persistent bastards from the Soul Hall will likely send someone to disrupt this Pill Gathering. They're determined to obtain the Three Thousand Burning Flame... Such a rare and Heavenly Flames must not fall into the Soul Hall's hands again. Therefore, we can only try our best to find some capable, promising, and trustworthy young talents to compete with them... This Lin Ming might be an unexpected trump card..."