Xiao Yan's score was finally revealed amid everyone's anticipation.
"Seventy-four."
This result disappointed the vast majority of those present. After all, they had come here of their own accord hoping to see Xiao Yan charge toward a third perfect score.
A result that could not even rank among the top five in this trial naturally failed to satisfy these spectators who loved watching trouble unfold. For a moment, boos and doubts flooded the air.
Unlike them, Xiao Yan himself was satisfied with this score—he could even be said to be somewhat surprised. After all, he knew that the final product he had refined was not truly perfect. By his own fairest standards, it should have been worth around sixty-eight points.
What Xiao Yan did not know was that those extra points had come from his greatest opponent, Ling Zhuo. In order to demonstrate the absolute fairness of the Heavenly Secrets Tower's controlled events, Ling Zhuo had still given Xiao Yan a score above seventy even after his cauldron exploded.
Giving Xiao Yan such an advantage was precisely so that, when Xiao Yan's score was suppressed later on, everyone would have to shut up. In Ling Zhuo's eyes, Xiao Yan's current mistake was only temporary. As long as Xiao Yan could continue completing the trials smoothly, breaking eighty points in the end was inevitable. He had never intended to thoroughly crush Xiao Yan in this round; the trial overseen by Great-Grandmother was the safest option.
A result that benefited him was always a good thing. Xiao Yan did not dwell on it and left side by side with Xiao Yi Xian, who had been waiting nearby. The sky-full of doubts that saw them off was completely ignored by the two of them.
Only a small number of people noticed that although