The black-clad girl’s languid eyes slowly swept through the hall. Anyone who was met by her gaze couldn’t help but feel a mix of fiery passion and fear. This woman’s allure was truly mesmerizing, but beneath that allure, there lingered a bone-deep wariness. Almost no one present had not heard of her name: Cao Clan’s enchantress, Yaphira, one of the future candidates for the position of alchemical giant in the Dan Pagoda. While the former title might not be too impressive, the latter was enough to make countless people regard her as a deity. The position of alchemical giant in the Dan Pagoda, with its immense authority, was something anyone sitting there would fully comprehend. The Dan Pagoda, a holy land in the hearts of all alchemists on the continent, could even be boldly said to be the spiritual leader in the hearts of countless alchemists. The appeal of the Dan Pagoda was unquestionable, and this appeal was entirely dependent on the will of the alchemical giants.
Yaphira, the most outstanding genius in the history of the Cao Clan, and a direct disciple of one of the three alchemical giants, based on her current development trend, she has a high possibility of becoming a candidate for the alchemical giant within a hundred years. And perhaps, given the right opportunity, she could even secure the position, making her the first female alchemical giant since the establishment of the Dan Pagoda.
For a woman of such high achievement, the brilliant aura above her head was indeed enough to make everyone in the hall look up to her. As the black-clad girl’s gaze swept the hall, it did not linger on others, but instead stopped on the seat of the Dan Clan. Of course, her gaze was not directed at the gentle and refined Dan Xuan, but at the timid and weak girl beside him…
Feeling Yaphira’s gaze, the girl’s delicate eyebrows knitted slightly, and her eyes met Yaphira’s briefly before she looked away. Seeing this, a charming smile appeared on Yaphira’s face. She moved gracefully towards the Cao Clan’s seat. Following her, a group from the Cao Clan walked close behind. Among them, Xiao Yan finally caught sight of a familiar face, Cao Shan. At the moment, Cao Shan was closely following Yaphira, occasionally glancing at her enticing figure with eyes that concealed deep desire. Xiao Yan’s gaze lingered on Cao Shan for a while before shifting to another man beside him, who was somewhat stout. His stern face and thick eyebrows gave off an extremely austere feeling. He was the only one standing behind Yaphira without feeling any pressure.
“Presumably, this must be Cao Xiu.” Xiao Yan slowly retracted his gaze. These three represented the top young talents of the Cao Clan. Of course, with someone like Yaphira, even some of the old monsters in the Cao Clan would be overshadowed. Such a woman of extraordinary allure was truly unmatchable by human means.
Yaphira led the Cao Clan, walking under the many watchful eyes toward their seat. When passing by the Dan Clan’s seat, she paused momentarily, turning her head and fixing her eyes on the timid girl, smiling sweetly. “Sister Dan Chen, it’s been a long time.”
In response to Yaphira’s greeting, the girl named Dan Chen lightly nodded, not saying much.
“I didn’t expect you to come this time, I guess it’s because of the Alchemy Conference. Haha, the Dan Clan has really invested a lot this time, are they trying to win the championship?” Yaphira giggled, covering her mouth.
In the presence of Yaphira’s cold and arrogant demeanor, Dan Chen seemed like a little girl, not daring to retort.
“Miss Yaphira, you’re joking. The champion of this Alchemy Conference will probably be you, others don’t have such qualifications…” Dan Xuan, in front of Dan Chen, smiled and took over the conversation.
“You know how to flatter, but don’t think it will make me let my guard down…” Yaphira responded noncommittally, her beautiful eyes fixed on Dan Chen. “But I’m also very curious, after two years, how much stronger have you become? I wonder if you’ve fully entered that realm.”
When mentioning alchemy, Dan Chen lost her timidity and, like a different person, met Yaphira’s gaze steadily. “I also want to know.”
Yaphira wasn’t surprised by Dan Chen’s sudden change. Instead, she smiled and nodded, then waved her sleeve and turned toward the Cao Clan’s seat. Passing by the Ye Clan’s seat, she did not pause but walked straight to the forefront, taking her seat leisurely.
Although Yaphira ignored the Ye Clan, Cao Shan suddenly stopped and flashed a cold smile at Xiao Yan. “I didn’t expect you to still interfere in this matter.”
Xiao Yan raised his eyes and smiled but did not respond.
Seeing Xiao Yan’s indifferent attitude, a coldness flashed in Cao Shan’s eyes. Just as he was about to shout, the stout man beside him reached out to stop him. He glanced at Xiao Yan and said, “Let’s go, shouting here is not appropriate.”
Hearing this, Cao Shan, although somewhat unwilling, nodded and snorted, walking to the Cao Clan’s seat.
“Are you Xiao Yan? I’ve heard about you from Cao Shan.” The man stared at Xiao Yan, speaking indifferently.
Xiao Yan looked at the burly man in front of him. It was hard to tell from his appearance that he was also a highly skilled alchemist. But as Ye Chong had said, compared to Cao Shan, he was more mature and steady.
“Cao Xiu, one of the three greatest geniuses of the Cao Clan, well-known…” Xiao Yan smiled.
“Genius… that’s not a word for someone like me…” Cao Xiu stared at Xiao Yan, then glanced at Ye Chong and the others. “Your skills are good, but saving the Ye Clan will be difficult. I hope you don’t get yourself into a mess…”
“Thanks for the advice,” Xiao Yan smiled.
Cao Xiu nodded, not wanting to say more, and turned to walk to the Cao Clan’s seat.
“This guy is indeed not like Cao Shan, who is simple-minded and impulsive,” Xiao Yan said, stretching lazily, watching Cao Xiu’s back.
“Although Cao Xiu’s alchemical talent isn’t as good as Cao Shan’s, his achievements are greater,” Ye Chong nodded and sighed. “He has great perseverance. With him and Yaphira, the Cao Clan is indeed lucky.”
“Big brother, what’s there to talk about with that guy? You have to take revenge for me this time, and make sure that boy doesn’t enter the top three, or the Ye Clan will be doomed…” Cao Shan said, somewhat displeased, looking at Cao Xiu sitting beside him.
Cao Xiu glanced at him indifferently. “This person is not simple. I’m not surprised you were defeated. He might even enter the top three this time…”
“Also a seventh-rank intermediate alchemist… reaching this level at such a young age, and without the arrogance of youth, clearly he has a good temperament… if he can enter the top three, it wouldn’t be surprising,” Yaphira, sitting in her seat, toyed with a smooth jade bead as she listened to their conversation. She did not turn around but spoke casually.
Hearing this, Cao Shan became even more upset, seemingly unhappy with them having such a high opinion of Xiao Yan, but he did not dare to say anything to Yaphira, so he swallowed his words sullenly.
After the Cao Clan members took their seats, the ground in the hall began to vibrate slowly. The seats of the five major clans moved back like moving tiles, and soon, a spacious square appeared in the center of the hall.
As the square appeared, a spirited white-haired elder stepped out, pausing in the center of the square. He scanned the crowd, smiled, and said, “Since all five clans are present, I won’t waste your time. This assessment will be conducted by me, and I trust there are no objections?”
“Ha ha, Elder Sheng, with your status in the Dan Pagoda, who would dare question you?” Yaphira was the only one in the hall to respond with a giggle, her identity being too high for most present.
“Old Sheng Yao is one of the eight elders of the Dan Pagoda, with considerable influence. He can be considered a true high-ranking member,” Ye Chong whispered to Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan nodded slightly. When the white-haired elder appeared, he felt a vague pressure, stemming from the depths of his soul. Thus, he understood that this white-haired elder was no ordinary person.
“You naughty girl… flattery won’t work on me, these old bones can’t handle it…” The white-haired elder smiled and turned to the crowd. “It’s time. Candidates from the five clans, please step forward.”
As the elder spoke, the murmurs in the hall quieted down. Xiao Yan took a deep breath, his fists clenched under his sleeves, and turned to see the tension and anticipation in the eyes of Ye Chong and Xin Lan.
“Big brother Xiao Yan, do your best!” Looking at Xin Lan’s nervous face, Xiao Yan smiled, a surge of courage rising in his heart. Under the gaze of the entire hall, he rose to his feet.
“Finally, it begins…” The fate of the sinking ship of the Ye Clan, whether Xiao Yan could save it with his strength, would be decided today!
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