Testing

Lin Yu remained calm under the old man's pressure, but Yao Chen felt as though an invisible sledgehammer had lightly struck his chest. Once that fleeting tremor passed, an even sharper glint ignited in his eyes.

Feng Xian, standing nearby, was clearly unable to withstand the force. His Adam's apple bobbed almost imperceptibly, and as though an invisible power had shoved him, he staggered back two steps before steadying himself when his back struck the stone wall behind him.

"Oh, not bad."

The old man stroked his grizzled beard, and a trace of surprise flashed through those eyes that had seen countless people.

That glare of his had contained the pressure of his soul. Anyone without an exceptionally resilient will and soul would have had their knees buckle and fallen to their knees on the spot.

He had assumed these three young men were disciples his junior brother had taken in outside, so he had intended to give them a warning first, to make them understand that the Holy Tower's rules and prestige were nothing like those outside. It had been well-intentioned.

But now, it seemed that was not the case at all. None of the people his junior brother had brought back were simple.

Lin Yu's expression remained calm. He cupped his hands slightly but said nothing more.

Yao Chen, meanwhile, observed the courtesy due from a junior. Cupping his hands and bowing, he said respectfully, "I am Yao Chen. Greetings, Senior."

"Hehe, a fine seedling indeed." The old man sized Yao Chen up and down, growing more satisfied the longer he looked. "What? You want to enter the Holy Tower to study as well?"

The old man had seen many geniuses like Yao Chen who came seeking instruction.

The Pill Tower was the sacred land in the hearts of alchemists throughout the world. Every year, countless self-assured young people traveled thousands of miles to come here, hoping to make a name for themselves.

But business was business. At first, he had thought Yao Chen was his junior brother's disciple. Since he was not, they would follow the rules and handle the matter as it should be handled.

"Senior Brother, do me a favor." Tiger Minister stepped forward and scratched the back of his head, a trace of subtle embarrassment in his voice. "Ahem, this Yao Chen is... sort of my disciple."

The old man's eyes widened at once, and he snapped, "He either is or he isn't. What do you mean, 'sort of'? Taking a disciple is such a serious matter—how can you brush it off with 'sort of'?"

"Senior Brother, a word in private." Tiger Minister grinned as he approached. Without caring whether the old man agreed, he pulled him toward a corner of the hall, and the two began whispering with their heads close together.

The old man was initially impatient, but as he listened, his body suddenly stiffened. He stood rooted to the spot as if someone had cast a binding spell on him.

At last, seemingly having reached some understanding with Tiger Minister, they returned one after the other.

"I am Jian Chengzhang. You may call me Uncle Jian."

The old man's attitude had clearly softened, and his tone became noticeably friendlier. "All right. Go to that room and test your rank."

As he spoke, he pointed at one of the four doors behind him.

Following the direction of his finger, Yao Chen saw an ancient-looking character for "Yellow" carved above that door.

The other three doors bore the characters "Heaven," "Earth," and "Mysterious," respectively. Together, they formed the phrase "Heaven, Earth, Mysterious, Yellow."

Dan Huchen had briefly explained these doors on the way here. Tests for alchemists below the sixth tier were conducted through the Yellow Character Gate, while sixth-tier tests were conducted through the Mysterious Character Gate.

Yao Chen nodded and was about to head toward the Yellow Character Gate.

Just then, another set of footsteps sounded from the other end of the corridor, and several figures strolled in at an unhurried pace.

At their head was a middle-aged man with a short blue-black beard and fair skin. He waved a folding fan in his hand, his lips curved in a smile that was not quite a smile.

The moment he entered, his gaze locked precisely onto Dan Huchen. With a snap, he closed his fan, producing a crisp sound. Then he pointed it from afar at Tiger Minister and mocked openly, "Well, well, well! Isn't this Dan Huchen? What's this? You're back? And you even brought disciples?"

"Bai Wei!" Tiger Minister's gaze sharpened, and the smile on his face vanished in an instant, replaced by icy coldness.

"Even you managed to rise to power? Looks like the Bai Family is truly out of people." Tiger Minister sneered, his eyes nearly spitting fire. "A rat borrowing a tiger's might, you pale-faced fox!"

Bai Wei's expression shifted slightly, but he quickly resumed his leisurely demeanor. He reopened his folding fan and gave it two unhurried waves.

He seemed to greatly enjoy seeing Tiger Minister so enraged.

Neither Lin Yu nor Yao Chen had any interest in this sudden war of words.

They exchanged a glance, then turned and headed toward their respective destinations.

Lin Yu walked directly toward the Mysterious Character Gate, while Yao Chen pushed open the Yellow Character Gate and entered.

Bai Wei had been waving his fan with the air of someone watching a show, but when he caught sight of Lin Yu heading toward the Mysterious Character Gate, his wrist paused involuntarily. The fan froze in midair, and a flicker of astonishment crossed his eyes.

By then, Yao Chen had already pushed open the Yellow Character Gate and gone inside.

The smile on Bai Wei's face immediately turned smug, and his folding fan whistled through the air as he waved it. "Look at you. What kind of disciple did you take in? He actually went to the Yellow Character Gate. I'm dying of laughter! Come on, you two. Go take your tests."

"Yes, Master." Two young men strode out from behind him.

Both were tall and handsome, carrying an innate air of arrogance as they walked.

They stopped before Jian Chengzhang, cupped their hands in greeting, and proceeded through the testing formalities according to the rules.

Jian Chengzhang glanced at them and asked routinely, "What rank are you testing for?"

"Sixth tier."

The two answered in unison, their voices loud and their expressions exceedingly smug.

Jian Chengzhang paused slightly, then nodded without objection. Pointing toward the Mysterious Character Gate, he said blandly, "Go in."

Before he could finish speaking, a sharp gust suddenly howled through the corridor.

Everyone's vision blurred. A black shadow drifted rapidly in from the corridor, moving so fast that they could barely make out the newcomer's outline.

Flames surged around the black shadow, radiating scorching and powerful energy. Wave after wave of heat spread in all directions.

The flames and heat distorted the newcomer's face and figure until they were indistinct. All they could vaguely discern was the outline of a woman within the shadow.

"Martial Aunt!" Jian Chengzhang jolted when he recognized her and hastily bowed in greeting.

"Enough. I came here earlier and left something in the Yellow Character room. I'll retrieve it myself. You carry on with your work."

Her voice emerged from the flames, cool and crisp, without a single wasted word.

Before her words had even faded, her figure had already swept to the Yellow Character Gate. She shoved the door open and rushed inside.

"This... yes." Jian Chengzhang gave a bitter smile as he looked at the Yellow Character Gate, which was still swaying slightly, his face full of helplessness.

This Martial Aunt did whatever she pleased even at the Pill Tower's headquarters and had never been bound by any rules, much less at a mere branch tower.

How could he possibly have the standing to stop her? All he could do was nod and accept it.