Space ships streaked across the dark sky like meteors, then rushed into the enormous silver light circle as if they were fish darting into the ocean… The black space ship that Xiao Yan and his companions were in also followed the swarm, withstanding the intense spatial fluctuations, and entered the light circle, disappearing from sight. When they entered the silver light circle, the fierce spatial turbulence caused the entire space ship to shake violently. However, this shaking only lasted for less than ten seconds before it gradually subsided. The silver light that filled Xiao Yan and his companions’ vision also faded, and after a short while, the silver light suddenly burst forth, blinding them and causing Xiao Yan and the others to instinctively squint their eyes…
As Xiao Yan and his group closed their eyes, a soft, gentle breeze caressed their faces. The soothing touch made them, who had been tense due to their journey, gradually relax. Yet, just as they began to relax, a piercing, noise-like racket surged into their ears, instantly making Xiao Yan and the others feel dizzy and disoriented…
Slowly opening his eyes, Xiao Yan found himself facing a vast square entirely constructed of crimson-red rock. The boundaries of this square were out of sight, and the only thing he could see was a red line that stretched to the visible end. From its appearance, it seemed to be at least thousands of meters wide. Xiao Yan and his group stood there like tiny, insignificant ants.
At this moment, the crimson-red square was brimming with people. Crowds upon crowds generated a deafening buzz that rose to the heavens, even causing the clouds in the sky to pale in comparison. “Is this the Holy Pill City?” Gazing at the endless expanse of the square, Xiao Yan couldn’t help but draw a deep breath. Behind him, the space was constantly rippling with severe distortions as space ships continually emerged from it, rapidly shrinking until the figures within rained down from the sky. Clearly, this was an exit point for a spatial wormhole…
“This is just one of the outer domain’s spatial points in the Holy Pill City. There are eight such spatial squares in the outer domain…” Ye Zhong glanced around, his eyes showing a complex expression. Since the decline of the Ye family, they seldom came here. Even when they came for the Five Clans’ assessment, they would come in shame and leave in disgrace after being humiliated…
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan’s lips quivered slightly. This square alone was likely close to one-tenth the size of Ye City, and yet the Holy Pill City had eight of them? “Haha, don’t be surprised. The Holy Pill City is divided into the outer and inner domains. We are currently in the outer domain, while the Pill Tower is in the inner domain. Of course, both the outer and inner domains are the territory of the Pill Tower…” Seeing Xiao Yan’s stunned expression, Ye Zhong smiled, “Although the Holy Pill City is called a city, it is far from an ordinary one. In terms of area alone, dozens of Ye Cities wouldn’t match it.”
Xiao Yan wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. This wasn’t just a city; it was a vast, expansive region! According to Xiao Yan’s guess, this so-called Holy Pill City might not be much smaller than the Black-Corner Region. An expert of the Battle Sect rank would need almost half a day to fly from the north to the south of this place.
“The current flow of people isn’t at its peak yet. A month before the Pill Meeting begins, that will be the terrifying rush. Hehe, no matter how large the Holy Pill City is, it will still feel crowded then.” Ye Zhong smiled, “Don’t underestimate the appeal of the Pill Meeting.”
Xiao Yan shook his head with a wry smile. Coming to the Holy Pill City, he finally understood what it meant to be a country bumpkin. This huge city was certainly an eye-opener for him… “Where should we go now?”
After adjusting their moods, Xiao Yan and Little Healer Immortal looked towards Ye Zhong. This was the first time Xiao Yan and his group had come to the Holy Pill City, and they were completely unfamiliar with the place. Everything would have to rely on the old hand, Ye Zhong…
“In a few days, the Five Clans’ assessment will be here. We’ve been traveling all day, so let’s find a place to rest. Tomorrow, I’ll take you to a testing site at the Pill Tower. You need to obtain an Alchemist Rank Badge certified by the Pill Tower.”
“Alchemist Rank Badge?” Xiao Yan blinked, “Do I need something like that?”
Xiao Yan had only obtained one Alchemist Rank Badge once, back when he was training in the Jia Ma Empire and got a Grade Three Alchemist Rank Badge. After that, he never bothered to get another one…
“Haha, the certification of the Pill Tower is not like any other place. It’s renowned for its strictness, which is why its badges are universally recognized across the continent. They hold absolute sway wherever you go. To participate in the Pill Meeting, a rank badge is mandatory; otherwise, you won’t be allowed to participate.”
Xiao Yan nodded slightly, not having much resistance to this idea. However, he was genuinely curious about such a ranking test after so many years of not participating in one…
Seeing Xiao Yan’s nod, Ye Zhong smiled and oriented himself. Just as he was about to lead the group to a resting place, a sudden, intense spatial fluctuation appeared in the sky behind them. A white carriage, borne by several brilliant silver flying horses, appeared in the air.
The sudden appearance of the white carriage immediately drew countless gazes, and gasps of surprise echoed through the area. “Actually, Void Sky Horses! Who could this be, to have such a grand display?”
“Void Sky Horses!” Hearing the exclamations below, Xiao Yan’s eyebrows raised, and he gazed in amazement at the white carriage. Though he knew that these beasts were only of the sixth grade, they were extremely rare, capable of flight in the void. They were not only more comfortable than space ships but also significantly faster. Many people wanted a Void Sky Horse, but due to their rarity, they always remained unobtainable, even at auctions. However, today, the mysterious white carriage appeared, borne by several Void Sky Horses—such a show of wealth was not to be underestimated.
Ye Zhong’s gaze also fixed on the white carriage, but his brow furrowed a moment later…
“Elder Ye, do you know who the owner of that carriage is?”
Curious, Xiao Yan asked, “Do you see that pill-shaped clan emblem on the carriage? It’s the special symbol of the Dan Clan. If my guess is correct, the people in the carriage must be the Dan Clan’s participants in the upcoming assessment or the Pill Meeting…”
Ye Zhong nodded. Following his gaze, Xiao Yan indeed saw a golden, circular clan emblem on the carriage, looking like a pill…
“The Dan Clan…”
Muttering to himself, Xiao Yan slowly nodded. The five major families of the Pill Realm were the Dan, Cao, Bai, Qiu, and Ye. Currently, the Dan Clan was always the most low-profile, but their strength was undeniable. The Cao Clan was the most influential, the Bai Clan was also a prominent force in the Pill Realm, the Qiu Clan was slightly inferior, but they fared better than the Ye Clan.
In summary, the five major families were now in a state where the Ye Clan was the most pitiful. Even the least influential Qiu Clan maintained a stable position in the Pill Tower.
“Since the Dan Clan is here, the other three major families should be arriving soon…” Ye Zhong mused, “I wonder who from the Dan Clan will be participating in the assessment this year?”
“Does the Dan Clan have someone as talented as Cao Ying from the Cao Clan?” Xiao Yan rubbed his chin.
“It’s hard to say. The Dan Clan has always been discreet, but they have a natural talent for alchemy. In their glory days, they occupied three seats in the Pill Tower Elder Council,” Ye Zhong said somewhat awkwardly.
“But according to convention, they wouldn’t send their strongest young members for the assessment because it’s not difficult for them to pass, and this could be our chance. Our chances of placing in the top three would increase significantly.”
Xiao Yan nodded slightly. He knew how crucial this assessment was for the Ye Clan. Without his help, the younger generation of the Ye Clan wouldn’t even be able to secure a pass, let alone vie for the top three.
As they spoke, the white carriage, borne by several Void Sky Horses, disappeared into the distant horizon with a crisp clatter.
“Let’s go, find a place to rest. Tomorrow, we’ll go to the Pill Tower for the assessment and get a rank badge. Then, we’ll consider the next steps for the assessment.”
Ye Zhong smiled, confident in Xiao Yan’s strength, though he worried that the other four major families might send stronger young members this year. After all, the Pill Meeting was approaching, and the young ones who could come were surely no ordinary talents.
With that, Ye Zhong turned and flew towards the edge of the red square, closely followed by Xiao Yan, Little Healer Immortal, and the others.
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