A Twelve-Year-Old Fourth-Grade Alchemist!

Fourth-grade! Fourth-grade!

In some remote places, that was enough to be called a master alchemist!

The highest grade in the entire assessment had appeared in the youngest participant so far!

The entire hall was shocked. The entire hall fell silent!

At that moment, the children even began to question their lives. How could they be taking the same assessment as such a monster?

Only a handful showed no change in expression. Elder Qiu, who had sensed it long ago, revealed a satisfied smile and waved for the proceedings to continue.

The members of the Five Great Families were indeed more composed. Though they had already expected Cao Ying's strength, they still handled it far better than the ordinary people who had been shocked speechless.

"Dan Xuan, thirteen years old, third-grade!"

This direct descendant of the Dan Family was also a fairly talented genius. Then the girl behind Dan Xuan, whom Xiao Yan had been watching, spoke up:

"Dan Chen, ten years old, f-first-grade..."

Cries of surprise rang out again. Even Elder Qiu showed some surprise, clearly not having expected her. A first-grade alchemist ordinarily did not meet the requirements, but coupled with her age of ten, the Pill Tower's higher-ups would surely not refuse her. On the contrary, they would likely be eager to take this child as a disciple!

For the first time since entering, Cao Ying showed interest. She turned back to look at little Dan Chen.

With such talent, reaching fourth-grade within two years would not be too difficult for a ten-year-old first-grade alchemist. Dan Chen could be considered a rival on par with her.

"The Dan Family? Hehe, interesting."

No one heard Cao Ying's murmur. Dan Chen was timid around strangers, and seeing everyone staring at her, she hurriedly hid behind the helpless-looking Dan Xuan, not daring to poke her little head out at all.

The Dan Family had only two participants, but their overall quality did not lose to the Cao Family. Soon, it was the turn of the Qiu, Bai, and Ye Clans behind them.

The Qiu and Bai Clans' participants were decent enough. They could be called geniuses, but with Cao Ying and Dan Chen setting the standard, they did not even compare to Cao Dan, the weakest of the Cao Family. There was naturally nothing worth mentioning.

Soon, it was the Ye Clan's turn.

Being the finale put a great deal of pressure on Xin Lan. Yet for the Ye Clan's honor, the girl gathered her courage and called out:

"Ye Xin Lan, twelve years old, second-grade!"

This was the usual standard of the Five Great Families. That was what the spectators thought, but Elder Qiu on the stage saw things differently.

With Elder Qiu's soul strength, even if he refrained from probing the juniors out of courtesy, he could naturally distinguish finer details. Ye Xin Lan sounded equal to Cao Dan of the Cao Family, but there was actually quite a large gap between them. Cao Dan should already have been capable of refining third-grade medicinal pills, though his success rate was low. Ye Xin Lan, meanwhile, had clearly only just entered second-grade. Elder Qiu could already guess the results of their upcoming tests.

"Ye Zhong should know as well. If it isn't this Ye Xin Lan, then it should be—"

At this point, Xiao Yan leisurely spoke:

"Xiao Yan, twelve years old, fourth-grade."

Yes, fourth-grade. Xiao Yan had cultivated painstakingly in the Ye Clan for half a year. Although he had not undergone a test, Aunt Xue had personally told him that he already possessed the strength of a Fourth-Grade Alchemist!

Without this talent and effort, how could Xiao Yan have won over the picky Aunt Xue to the point that she adored him so much she could hardly bear to let him go?

The silence lasted for an instant before the uproar nearly blew the roof off the building!

They had all heard Cao Ying's great name to some extent, but could anyone tell them where this utterly unknown Xiao Yan had come from?

Naturally, the one least willing to accept this was the old woman who had been waiting to see the Ye Clan make fools of themselves. She nearly coughed up blood in rage.

"Ye Zhong! Has your Ye Clan fallen so low that you need such a trick to draw attention? Who is he? How dare he make up such nonsense? Did you put him up to it?"

Ye Zhong could not be bothered to respond to the old woman, who was nearly mad with rage. Why should he explain himself to her and lower his own standing for nothing?

Elder Qiu quickly brought the situation under control. After sensing Xiao Yan slightly just now, he knew the youth had not lied. Logically, he should not have said anything more, but he could not help asking, "Elder Ye, who is this?"

Ye Zhong could ignore the old woman, but he naturally did not dare neglect Elder Qiu. He also understood Elder Qiu's surprise. The Pill Tower had records of every family's younger generation, so Xiao Yan's sudden appearance was bound to stand out.

Ye Zhong immediately answered:

"Elder Qiu, he is the student of an old friend of mine, entrusted to my care. He wishes to participate in the assessment through my Ye Clan's channel. That should be within the rules, correct?"

Elder Qiu came to a sudden realization. "So that is the case. Elder Ye, you jest. The Five Great Families naturally have the right to recommend candidates. Not only is there nothing wrong with this, but since the Ye Clan has brought such a fine seedling to the Pill Tower this time, the Pill Tower will naturally reward you."

Seeing that Elder Qiu did not question Xiao Yan's words, everyone present naturally understood that Xiao Yan had not been lying. The discussion they had only just managed to suppress immediately broke out again.

Cao Ying and Dan Chen, who had previously performed most brilliantly, both looked toward Xiao Yan. Naturally, Xiao Yan was also paying the closest attention to those two.

The moment Dan Chen's gaze met Xiao Yan's, she shrank back. Moreover, the gap between her and Xiao Yan was too great, so he did not pay her much attention.

However, when his eyes met Cao Ying's, blazing fighting intent appeared in Xiao Yan's gaze. Cao Ying was momentarily stunned, then the corners of her lips curled into a dangerous arc.

"So it was you who was watching me just now!"

After committing Xiao Yan's appearance to memory, Cao Ying even began humming a little tune. She had thought this would be an ordinary assessment, but interesting people kept appearing one after another.

The elders of the Five Great Families also came to their senses. None who had cultivated to their level were fools. The moment the Ye Clan brought out Xiao Yan, they immediately thought of the test ten years from now, and every one of their expressions changed drastically.

No matter what attitude they held toward the Ye Clan, whether or not the Ye Clan withdrew from the elders' council would be a major event affecting their clans' futures! Xiao Yan's appearance had undoubtedly added an enormous variable to the matter!

A centipede did not die even when crushed!

Having grasped the implication, the old woman was furious beyond measure. Her gaze swept repeatedly between Xiao Yan and Ye Zhong, as though she wished to kill them both with her eyes. Her teeth were nearly shattered from gritting them, yet she could do nothing!

The Ye Clan was not someone she could touch. She was no match for Ye Zhong, and Xiao Yan would soon become a disciple of the Pill Tower. Could she really dare to ambush Xiao Yan?

Leaving aside the tacit understanding among the Five Great Families in this regard, just the matter of assassinating a Pill Tower disciple in Saint Pill City...

What, could you cackle like a demon too?

Elder Qiu also knew it would be difficult to stop their discussions, so he simply moved on to the next stage. With a wave of his hand, two gates of light appeared out of thin air beside him. This sight subdued the noisy crowd, and Elder Qiu then directed them.

"Those of second-grade, enter the left gate. Those of third-grade, enter the right gate. Quickly begin your assessments!"

Only then did everyone remember that there was still an assessment to take. They hurriedly split into two groups and headed toward the gates of light.

"Great Elder, Senior Brother Xiao, Xin Lan is going in too." Xin Lan greeted the two of them before following the crowd into the gate of light.

Elder Qiu's move truly settled the situation quickly. As the children entered to take their assessments one after another, aside from the few old-timers, only Cao Ying, Dan Chen, and Xiao Yan remained.

Clearly, the three of them could pass this so-called assessment without even taking it. That was even simpler than Xiao Yan had expected.

But Cao Ying gave a soft laugh. "Elder Qiu, why not arrange an assessment for me as well? Perhaps the strength I reported just now was not entirely accurate."

Cao Ying's meaning was far too obvious. Xiao Yan raised his brows and thought, Oh? Is she calling me out?

However, he said nothing. If he truly had the chance to compete with Cao Ying, the so-called "demoness," Xiao Yan would be more than happy to accept.

Unfortunately...

"Hehe, little girl of the Cao Family, why are you in such a hurry? There will be plenty of opportunities for you to spar in the future. Let these old bones of mine rest today."

Elder Qiu naturally understood Cao Ying's intention, but he had no interest in having the two compete now. Safely completing this assessment was the proper course. As for Xiao Yan, who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere, the Pill Tower's giants could deal with him later.

Both Xiao Yan and Cao Ying felt a little disappointed, but as their gazes met, the scent of gunpowder between them grew even stronger.

Though the two had never met before, their exchanged looks conveyed a similar message:

"Just you wait!"