Zhao Li left the Pill Tower, planning to find a place to stay first.
However, he happened to learn about the assessment for the five great families on the Pill Tower's Elder Council. Zhao Li's heart stirred, and he wanted to go take a look.
Coincidentally, this assessment was presided over by Elder Han Zichuan.
Hearing Han Zichuan's words, Xuan Yi, who was in the audience, couldn't help but retort:
"Grandpa Han, what are you saying? With your status and position, how could anyone possibly dare to question you?"
She still wanted to finish the assessment early so she could ask Dan Xiaoxiao to go out and stroll around.
Han Zichuan listened to Xuan Yi's words, shook his head, and chuckled:
"You girl, why do you make this old man sound like a bandit?"
His doting tone made many people curious about Xuan Yi's identity.
Elder Han didn't know what everyone was thinking. Since no one raised any objections, he didn't say anything more and stated straightforwardly:
"Those from each family participating in the assessment, please enter. If anyone else wishes to try, they may also enter together, and their results will be calculated separately."
As he spoke, he looked at Zhao Li, his words implying something.
Although there were many people in the audience, only two or three families truly had the strength to compete with the five great families.
Elder Han's words surprised them. In previous assessments, while spectating was allowed, this was the first time people outside the five great families were allowed to participate in the assessment together.
But they quickly reacted and were somewhat moved.
Naturally, they wouldn't miss such an opportunity. They wanted to see just how big the gap was between themselves and others.
However, each family had a clear understanding of their own capabilities. While they coveted that seat, they also knew that their younger generation was indeed more than a little lacking.
Upon inquiry, only two young people were willing to undergo the assessment together with the five great families.
Zhao Li felt Han Zichuan's gaze and gently shook his head. He had no intention of showing off.
Since breaking through to Dou Venerate, he truly had no interest in these minor matters.
Right now, he only wanted to focus on developing Pill Formulas, accumulating experience until he could create an Eighth Grade Pill Formula himself and become a true Alchemy Grandmaster.
Seeing that Zhao Li had no intention of participating, Elder Han didn't think much of it.
Although he really wanted to know Zhao Li's specific strength, the Alchemist assessment for the five great families mostly just required a pass, and they rarely sent their most talented younger generation.
Moreover, the difficulty of the assessment was subtly less than the High Grade Alchemist assessment Zhao Li had taken.
The assessment wouldn't stop for anyone. Including the two new entrants, the seven young Alchemists were all ready.
Elder Han's gaze swept over the young people and nodded. They were quite good.
Then he once again asked in a clear voice:
"Is there anyone else who wants to compete with their peers and see if they can surpass them?"
No one answered. Elder Han gestured to the seven people and said:
"Since that's the case, then everyone, please enter."
The seven walked up to Elder Han. Dan Xiaoxiao respectfully bowed to Han Zichuan; she was the one who had just been speaking with Xuan Yi.
"Dan Clan's Dan Xiaoxiao, greets Elder Han."
"Cao Family's Cao Dahua..."
"Bai Clan's Bai Gujing..."
"Qiu Family's Qiu Qiutang..."
"Ye Clan's Ye Xingchen..."
"Gao Family's Gao Qiqiang..."
"Li Family's Li Hongwei..."
After Dan Xiaoxiao, the others followed suit, each respectfully bowing.
With Han Zichuan's status and position, he was already one of the true high-level figures in the Pill Tower. No one present dared to show him the slightest disrespect.
Elder Han nodded slightly in response:
"Since there are no issues, then this assessment shall begin."
After speaking, he gently flicked his sleeve, lifting the black cloth beside him. Covered by the black cloth was a strange Stone Tablet, completely transparent, like crystal.
Elder Han's gaze swept over everyone and he slowly said:
"This assessment, as always, is divided into three parts. What we are doing now is the first part of the assessment, Soul Testing."
He paused slightly, then spoke again, his voice a little low:
"Soul Power is one of the fundamentals of an Alchemist. Whether it's refining Medicinal Liquid, condensing Pills, or even the most basic reading of a Pill Formula, Soul Power is required. Only with sufficiently strong Soul Power to manipulate and perceive can one refine good Pills."
As he spoke, Elder Han pointed to the crystal-like Stone Tablet beside him and said:
"This Stone Tablet was created by a Pill Tower giant and has been passed down for a long time. You only need to input your Soul Power into it, and it can determine the strength of the Soul Power you output, converting it into a specific value. As long as the value is above four hundred, it is considered qualified. The higher the value, the better the result. Who wants to go first?"
After Elder Han finished speaking, the few people exchanged glances. For a moment, no one stepped forward.
While they considered themselves geniuses, none of the people present were simple individuals. Naturally, they didn't want to be the first to step forward like a target. If they went up confidently and arrogantly, only to end up with a terrible score, it would be incredibly embarrassing.
The scene fell silent. Seeing this, Zhao Li's lips curved slightly upward. He remembered the past; whenever there was an exam, even if he felt he had studied decently, he would still feel a bit nervous when actually facing the test, just like now.
Elder Han didn't rush them. The assessment wasn't urgent.
With just these few youngsters, the assessment would be over in a moment.
After a while, Dan Xiaoxiao saw that no one was stepping forward and, feeling a little helpless, walked up and said in a clear voice:
"I'll go first."
Saying this, she extended her slender hand and placed it on the center of the Stone Tablet.
Then she closed her eyes, and Soul Power flowed from her jade-like palm into the Stone Tablet.
Suddenly, an invisible force stirred up a gentle breeze in the area, making her dress flutter and giving her a spirited look.
"Drip, drip, drip..."
A series of dripping sounds came from within the Stone Tablet. Immediately, a thin beam of light shot up, then slowly decelerated until it stopped.
At the same time, a number appeared on the mirror-like disc in the center of the Stone Tablet.
Dan Xiaoxiao opened her beautiful eyes, saw the value, and let out a sigh of relief. She lightly moved her feet, giving up her spot.
"899, that's a very good score, excellent. Next, step up."
Elder Han nodded, his tone carrying a hint of praise. Then he looked at the remaining few, gesturing for them to come forward.
Seeing Dan Xiaoxiao's score, the others suddenly looked like defeated roosters. This kind of score was considered top-tier in previous assessments.
Immediately, Cao Dahua stepped forward. Before, he had wanted to amaze everyone, but now he just wanted to pass the assessment calmly.
Similarly, he placed his palm on the disc and input his Soul Power. After a series of dripping sounds, a value appeared.
"777, not bad. Next."
Elder Han announced the score again. Cao Dahua sighed inwardly, not expecting such a large gap. He walked down dejectedly.
"Normally, I consider myself a genius. Today, I really want to see how I compare to everyone else."
Li Hongwei strode forward. Soon, he retreated dejectedly. He only scored 599.
Seeing Li Hongwei's score, Gao Qiqiang couldn't help but laugh.
The Gao Family and Li Family had always had some friction, and he and Li Hongwei also had some conflicts. They didn't see eye to eye, so he was naturally happy to see him stumble.
Seeing Li Hongwei looking like a deflated fish, Gao Qiqiang said in a sarcastic tone:
"Oh, isn't this Young Master Li? Why are you so weak?"
Li Hongwei gave him a cold look and clicked his tongue:
"Gao Qiqiang, I'm telling you, you're just a stinky medicine peddler. Come on, if you think you're so great, go ahead. I'll just watch from here and see if you can still laugh later."
Elder Han didn't care about the disharmonious atmosphere between the two. He was already used to such things.
As long as they didn't act wildly in front of him, he would let them be.
However, when Gao Qiqiang heard Li Hongwei's provocation, he wasn't intimidated at all. He walked up confidently, closed his eyes to focus, and unleashed his Soul Power.
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