Chapter 433

Hearing Cao Ying's words, the entire hall fell silent for a moment, then erupted into a clamor.

Because everyone knew that at this point, the examination was pointless—this year's Five Families examination was the most absurd in history.

Although the Ye Family claimed during their application that Xiao Yan was closely tied to them, everyone with eyes could see he was openly hiring an outside expert.

Fine, they hired him—but finding a Seventh-Rank Alchemist under thirty was already a great fortune; yet Xiao Yan was Eighth-Rank, utterly overpowering the other four families.

This made the entire examination one-sided.

Now, Cao Ying spoke this way—clearly meant for Xiao Yan's ears, or perhaps she wanted to challenge him directly.

Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures that enhance Soul Force are rare, but for the vast Cao Family, raising Cao Ying's Soul Force to the Spirit Realm was certainly not impossible.

"Wow, Cao Ying is stepping down to compete!"

"Are we going to see a battle between two Eighth-Rank Alchemists today!?"

All eyes shifted between her and Xiao Yan, eager to see what would happen next.

"Little girl, everyone who challenges me ends up badly." Xiao Yan glanced up at Cao Ying; her eyes burned with fierce Battle Intention as she stared back at him.

Though Cao Ying always appeared smiling, her heart was cold and proud; her sudden challenge was mostly meant to break Xiao Yan's momentum.

The Pill Gathering was imminent, about to begin; as one of the top contenders for Champion, she aimed to become a Pill Giant, and this year's Pill Gathering Champion was hers to claim.

"Giggles, then will I be Master Xiao Yan's first defeat?" Cao Ying covered her mouth with a light laugh, her words already implying she would beat Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan couldn't help but recall Feng Qing'er—he rubbed his nose. She'd ended up badly too.

"Cough, cough." Elder Sheng cleared his throat twice, then turned to Xiao Yan and explained: "As the winner of last year's examination, the Cao Family is entitled to substitute a competitor mid-event."

For an ordinary junior, he wouldn't have bothered to explain—but Xiao Yan was different! He wasn't just any junior; he might win the Pill Gathering and become a Pill Giant candidate—potentially his own superior!

Hearing Elder Sheng's explanation, Xiao Yan nodded, indicating he didn't care.

As soon as he finished speaking, Cao Ying lightly tapped the table with her Jade Hand, her figure fluttering out like a butterfly, landing gracefully in the arena; she flicked her long hair aside, turned her beautiful eyes toward Cao Xiu, and said softly: "Brother Cao Xiu, let me have a little fun."

Cao Xiu sighed helplessly and left the hall; Cao Ying held extremely high status in the Cao Family—even the Clan Leader and Ancestor took her words seriously, and since no elder from the Cao Family had come along, she was leading the delegation.

Elder Sheng said nothing more, pointing to a red circle on the ground: "Since there are no objections, enter the arena."

Upon hearing this, Dan Xuan—who had been ready to withdraw—paused, thought for a moment, then stepped in as well; he wanted to know just how great the gap was between himself and the two most gifted Alchemists of this generation.

The five of them took positions at the five points of the red circle, then sat cross-legged; this was a contest of Soul Power, not Battle Qi—those at their level could project their Soul Force to attack without moving their bodies.

After reaching Common Realm peak, even without training Soul Shock, one could still perform similar soul attacks; Soul Shock was merely a Yellow-class Advanced Soul Technique—nothing technically impressive.

Elder Sheng looked at the five, especially Cao Ying and Xiao Yan; seeing they were ready, he intoned: "Examination begins!"

The instant Elder Sheng finished speaking, Xiao Yan and Cao Ying opened their eyes simultaneously—a Soul Power so terrifying it made even him tremble erupted, and with a boom, the arena floor was ripped apart by the violent shockwave.

With a tearing sound, the floor split open like paper between Xiao Yan and Cao Ying, and a visible Soul Storm erupted.

Puff! Puff! Puff!!! Dan Xuan and the other two were the worst off—just the faint residual shockwaves from the Spirit Realm Soul collision sent them flying backward, vomiting blood like kites with severed strings.

Dan Chen flicked her hand gently; a soft Soul Force caught Dan Xuan, and she asked anxiously: "Brother Dan Xuan, are you alright?"

Dan Xuan coughed twice, staring at the two in the arena and laughing bitterly—this was the Spirit Realm every Alchemist dreamed of. He had reached Seventh-Rank Advanced Alchemist, his Soul Force at Common Realm peak, just one step away from the Spirit Realm and Eighth-Rank Alchemist.

But that one step showed him what true Heaven-and-Earth difference meant—if not for being born into the Dan Family, he'd never reach it in a lifetime.

"I'm fine." Dan Xuan looked at his timid little cousin—she too was a Spirit Realm Soul user.

The terrifying Soul Power pressed down, and the leaders of every family were immobilized; those below Seventh-Rank collapsed onto the ground, bodies trembling uncontrollably.

In their perception, it felt as if an invisible giant hand had clamped down on their crown, pinning them utterly—lifting their heads was excruciatingly difficult.

But the storm soon began to fade.

"My god, a Spirit Realm collision!"

"This is the power of an Eighth-Rank Alchemist!?"

"Who will win!?"

"Indeed, not simple." Cao Ying brushed aside a strand of black hair blown across her forehead by the Soul Storm; her alluring face smiled even more seductively—since birth, she had never met a man whose Soul Force could truly match hers in combat.

Her eyes narrowed; her Jade Hand subtly formed a hand seal, then snapped shut.

As the seal solidified, the vast Soul Power swirling around her instantly condensed, transforming in an instant into a Soul Phoenix; its wings flapped, warping space violently, faint black cracks of Space stretching outward.

Cao Ying's slender finger tapped Space; a clear, resonant phoenix cry rang out through the hall, and the Soul Phoenix flared its wings, unleashing a gale as it shot toward Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow—this was a Soul Dou Technique!

Even in the Ice River Valley's Treasure Vault, Xiao Yan had found no Soul Dou Technique or Soul Cultivation Method; along his journey, he'd never seen any Faction besides the Soul Hall possess a Soul Dou Technique.

The only places with Soul Dou Techniques, besides the Soul Hall, were the Dan Tower—the very faction opposing the Soul Hall.

As one of the Five Families and a Dan Tower branch, the Cao Family naturally had Soul Dou Techniques; but Cao Ying's technique, though flashy, was surely no higher than Arcane-Rank Low-Level.

Seeing the Soul Phoenix charge, Xiao Yan smiled calmly, his Soul Force forming a blade—he thought: "Cut."

Snap! The Soul Phoenix split cleanly in half one meter from Xiao Yan, dissolving into the air.

Seeing Xiao Yan so easily shatter her Soul Phoenix, Cao Ying's eyes widened slightly: "You're truly strong—you've been in the Spirit Realm for quite some time, haven't you?"

Xiao Yan shrugged, as if to say: Guess.

Cao Ying slowly rose, stretching her long Jade Arm in a languid yawn; her supple, snake-like figure stirred lustful thoughts in many men.

Xiao Yan's expression didn't change—he knew the woman before him, though beautiful, was a man-eating beauty snake; and most importantly, he'd seen even more beautiful women—he had some resistance.

"You came from beyond Zhong Zhou; I shouldn't rely on the Cao Family's ancestral glory. I have a Soul Dou Technique of Arcane-Rank High-Level—I think you, as a Dou Zong, understand the gap between having a Dou Technique and not having one. Even if you withdraw now, first place is still yours." Cao Ying smiled sweetly, but her words dripped with provocation.

Hearing this, Xiao Yan slowly stood, brushing dust from his robe—he wanted to say: I've trained an Earth Rank Advanced Grade Soul Dou Technique myself.

But obviously, Xiao Yan could never reveal the Demon Slash Soul Art in public.

Once exposed, even fools would know Xiao Yan's origins were illegitimate—because even the Cao Family or Dan Tower only possessed Arcane-Rank High-Level Soul Dou Techniques; perhaps the entire Dan Tower didn't even have an Earth Rank Advanced Grade Soul Dou Technique.

If anyone discovered he possessed an Earth Rank Advanced Grade Soul Technique, there was no need to ask—he must have come from the Soul Hall.

That meant Xiao Yan had to fight bare-handed, without a Soul Dou Technique, and endure Cao Ying's Arcane-Rank High-Level Soul Dou Technique.

And Cao Ying's Soul Force was Spirit Realm—her Soul Dou Technique's power would be formidable.

But! How could the Flame Sovereign say no!

"Come on." Xiao Yan extended his hand, making a "come" gesture, and taunted: "I don't like women who dawdle."

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Cao Ying's eyes curved slightly, like a fox who had just pulled off a trick; her smile grew even more alluring as she giggled behind her hand: "Hehe, I like men who are this hard."

The soft laughter faded, and Cao Ying's gaze sharpened, revealing a flash of ferocity. Her long, pale jade hand slowly reached out, then formed a peculiar hand seal. As the seal took shape, Xiao Yan suddenly realized a vast, boundless Soul Power was rapidly coalescing in her palm—within the warped space, a faint, flickering hand seal could be glimpsed.

Everyone present, seeing Cao Ying form the seal and sensing the terrifying concentration of Soul Power, were stunned!

"It's the Cao Family's signature Soul Dou Technique—Soul Seal!"

"Cao Ying is even using Soul Seal! Xiao Yan is definitely defeated this time!"

"That's right! Just like Dou Qi—having a Dou Technique versus not having one is completely incomparable!"

Everyone could clearly feel that the Soul Power gathered in Cao Ying's soul hand seal was no stronger than the previous Soul Phoenix—but the difference in power between the two was enormous!

This soul hand seal must have reached the threshold of Earth-Rank, and Cao Ying has already perfected it!

"In ancient times, Alchemists could maximize the power of their Soul Power, even rivaling the Dou Techniques of powerful cultivators. This method was called Soul Dou Technique by ancient Alchemists." Cao Ying maintained the peculiar hand seal, smiled at Xiao Yan, and said softly: "But now, Soul Dou Techniques have all vanished. What I'm using, however, is one that never disappeared—so its power is not weak. Be careful."

Xiao Yan glanced at Cao Ying, who was explaining to him, and thought: "I don't need you to explain."

"Soul Seal!" Cao Ying softly cried out. The vast Soul Power on her jade hand instantly solidified. A hand seal matching her palm shot forth like lightning, tearing a black fissure through the space before her.

This power was equivalent to a Dou Zong unleashing an Earth-Rank Dou Technique! Even a Nine-Star Dou Zong, if struck, would likely have their Spiritual Soul scattered!

Xiao Yan's Soul Force took shape, forming a soul wall before him—but the wall was extremely crude, like a poorly made work, riddled with flaws.

Boom! The invisible soul hand seal slammed hard into the soul wall. At the moment of impact, the entire hall shook uncontrollably.

"What's going on?!"

Those waiting outside were bewildered—was this a battle inside? Why was the hall shaking?!

Although Xiao Yan's Soul Force was powerful, without a Soul Technique, all his strength was wasted. The crude soul wall shattered under the blow, half of it destroyed instantly.

Seeing that one palm strike had shattered half the wall, Cao Ying smiled faintly, then formed the seal again: "Second Seal."

A larger palm print descended from above.

Boom! Xiao Yan's soul wall shattered completely. The remaining Soul Power exploded against Xiao Yan, shattering the ground beneath him and kicking up a cloud of dust.

"Hehe, Master Xiao Yan, it seems I've won. Final Seal." Cao Ying laughed triumphantly, rapidly changing her seal. Instantly, a Soul Storm erupted around her.

Without doubt, this final seal's power had reached Earth-Rank Low-Level—even a Spirit Realm Soul Power might not withstand it.

Just as Cao Ying believed she had won, an unexpected change occurred!

The instant Cao Ying raised her hand, two streaks of red light flashed through the dust—two streaks like eyes, visible only to Cao Ying herself.

Cao Ying's entire body froze, as if hesitating whether to attack. But only she knew: she wasn't hesitating—she couldn't move!

At this moment, Cao Ying's vision turned dark. The surroundings vanished as if erased. Her Spiritual Soul felt dragged into an endless Shen Yuan.

She wanted to move, but could not. Her limbs felt bound by Spiritual Energy Sealing Chains.

She wanted to scream, but could not. Her throat felt as if a giant hand had clamped down from behind.

Her neck grew cold—as if a soul blade had been laid against it, ready to sever her Spiritual Soul in an instant.

Like a chicken awaiting slaughter, a fish on the chopping block—her fate entirely in another's hands.

"Hehe, Miss Cao, you're magnanimous. I surrender."

When Cao Ying heard Xiao Yan's voice, her Spiritual Soul jolted violently. Her world returned. The surrounding voices of the crowd began to reach her ears. Her vision slowly cleared—and the first thing she saw was Xiao Yan, smiling at her.

But what stunned Cao Ying was: Xiao Yan's voice should have come from behind her!

Hearing Xiao Yan's surrender, Elder Sheng also exhaled in relief, nodding inwardly with admiration for the two young people: "Cao Ying, you've done well—knowing when to advance and retreat, magnanimous. Though you won, you benefited from the Cao Family's prestige to cultivate this Soul Dou Technique. It's truly unfair to Xiao Yan."

"Xiao Yan, don't be discouraged. If you're interested in that Soul Seal, once you join the Dan Tower, learning it won't be a problem."

Hearing Elder Sheng's words, Xiao Yan gave a knowing smile and nodded: "Thank you for the advice, Elder. But I seek a higher-level Soul Dou Technique. Do any exist?"

Elder Sheng gave Xiao Yan a disapproving look: "Soul Dou Techniques are not only rare, they're extremely difficult to cultivate. Even with Cao Ying's talent, it took her ten years to perfect Soul Seal. And as for Soul Dou Techniques—I advise you not to be greedy. The Hun Sect guards them tightly."

Xiao Yan nodded: "I know."

"Good. You understand. With your talent, the Hun Sect will surely notice you. The best way to avoid their attention is to join the Dan Tower."

Xiao Yan rubbed his nose. He knew a better way.

At this moment, Xiao Yan looked at Cao Ying. As soon as he gazed at her, Cao Ying shuddered, staring at him with fear and confusion—she couldn't even comprehend what had just happened!

Had she suffered a spiritual deviation from soul collision? Or had Xiao Yan used some illusionary Dou Technique? Or had she simply dreamed, exhausted?

Xiao Yan walked toward Cao Ying with a sunny smile. Seeing him approach, Cao Ying instinctively stepped back half a pace—this unconscious retreat left her herself bewildered.

"Your Soul Dou Technique is well cultivated," Xiao Yan said, extending his hand gently and elegantly.

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Cao Ying furrowed her delicate brows, regaining a trace of her usual cold pride, reluctant to touch a stranger's hand.

But after careful thought, Cao Ying still extended her jade hand and lightly shook his.

Seeing this, the various families in the hall burst into loud applause.

"Excellent! Neither side is arrogant or discouraged—even willing to reconcile! And Cao Ying, though clearly winning, chose to stop attacking—such magnanimity is rare!"

"This reminds me of the friendship among the Pill Tower Three Giants."

"Indeed. The Young Generation today lacks such broad-mindedness. True comrades are hard to find."

"For some reason, I'm moved."

Thunderous applause erupted from below. Even Ye Zhong's old eyes glistened with tears—he still regarded Master Xiao Yan as his #1!

Xiao Yan stepped down first and said to Ye Zhong: "Let's go. Next is the Pill Gathering."

Seeing Xiao Yan approach, Ye Zhong hurried forward to comfort him: "I believe in Alchemy, Master Xiao Yan, you're far stronger than Cao Ying. In this soul confrontation, she only had the advantage of her Soul Dou Technique."

Hearing Ye Zhong's words, Xiao Yan smiled but said nothing, stepping ahead out of the hall.

Watching Xiao Yan's retreating figure, Dan Chen tilted her head, her eyes filled with confusion.

"Cousin Dan Chen? What's wrong?"

Dan Chen blinked, her voice barely a whisper, tinged with hesitant uncertainty: "Just now… Xiao Yan-sir clearly won. Why did he surrender?"

!!!?

Cao Ying walked slowly down from the stage, unaware that her black dress was already soaked with sweat.

(End of Chapter)