Chapter 375: Seeing Cao Ying Again

For Xiao Ming, this Five Great Clans assessment was indeed like child's play. With his status and strength, he could easily oversee this assessment.

If it weren't for the Pill Tower's strict adherence to rules and the inability to exempt the assessment, Xiao Ming would have directly exempted the Ye Clan from the assessment, and his visit this time would have been a mere formality.

...

As Xiao Ming and Ye Xin Lan followed Ye Zhong to the vast and majestic assessment hall, they found it already packed with a sea of people. Occasionally, groups of seemingly influential individuals would pass through the tightly guarded entrance of the hall and successfully enter inside.

Xiao Ming whispered as he observed the scene, "There are more people here than when I participated in the Eight Great Elders Selection Assessment."

"These past years haven't been favorable for the Ye Clan. They are probably here just to witness the spectacle," Ye Zhong sighed lightly. The positions of the Five Great Clans were constantly coveted by countless people, but among them, the Ye Clan was in a precarious situation.

"Although Xin Lan's alchemy skills are still not comparable to the other clans, her improvement speed is still impressive. There should be no problem for the Ye Clan to pass the next assessment," Xiao Ming glanced at the somewhat dejected Ye Xin Lan and consoled her.

Xiao Ming was speaking the truth. Xin Lan's talent was indeed commendable, but it seemed that the educational resources available to the Ye Clan were limited, resulting in her relatively lower level. Under Xiao Ming's guidance, Xin Lan's progress had been quite impressive.

Ye Xin Lan admired Xiao Ming, who had achieved extraordinary accomplishments at such a young age and was willing to help their Ye Clan. Upon hearing Xiao Ming's praise, she cast aside her disappointment, and her eyes curved into a crescent shape, reflecting her happiness.

Ye Zhong also smiled joyfully upon hearing this.

"Hmm. Master Xiao Ming, please lead the way!"

The sudden appearance of Xiao Ming's group naturally attracted the attention of the surrounding crowd. They first noticed the emblem representing the Ye Clan on Ye Zhong's chest, and mocking voices soon reached their ears.

"Look, the Ye Clan is here again. If the Ye Clan fails two more times, they will be expelled from the Five Great Clans."

"Hehe, the Ye Clan was once so glorious, but now they've fallen to such a state. Without the status of one of the Five Great Clans, they will completely fade into obscurity."

"..."

"Wait, who is this?!"

Finally, some sharp-eyed individuals noticed Xiao Ming in the Ye Clan's group - the master alchemist who had made a name for himself in the Central Plains in recent years.

Even though many people hadn't seen him in person, they had seen portraits of Xiao Ming. Regardless of their attitude, anyone who mingled in the Pill Region should be familiar with one of the Eight Great Elders of the Pill Tower.

"Ah! Why is this person appearing among the Ye Clan?! Could it be... that participating in the assessment on behalf of them?"

"Well, judging from the confident expression on Ye Zhong's face, I'm afraid Elder Xiao Ming is indeed participating in the assessment on behalf of the Ye Clan. I've heard rumors about the close relationship between the Ye Clan and Xiao Ming, and it seems to be true..."

"It's impossible, absolutely impossible! How could the fallen Ye Clan afford to invite someone like him? This is cheating, blatant cheating!"

"You fool, do you think the Pill Tower would cheat in such matters? It is said that Elder Xiao Ming participated in the Eight Great Elders Competition with the backing of the Ye Clan!"

"..."

Hearing these voices, Ye Zhong felt both angry and amused. These people were eagerly awaiting the downfall of the Ye Clan so they could take their place.

With Xiao Ming's appearance, as long as he took action, their ulterior motives, their covetous gazes, everything would turn to nothingness.

Xiao Ming calmly accepted the various gazes around him, considering it a minor scene. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Xiao Ming and his group arrived outside the hall, where the guards showed a respectful expression - not towards Ye Zhong, but towards Xiao Ming.

As guards of the Pill Tower, they were certainly familiar with Xiao Ming, one of the Eight Great Elders. They immediately saluted respectfully upon seeing him.

"Elder Xiao Ming!"

Upon seeing Xiao Ming nod, they made way for them and announced towards the hall, "The Ye Clan has arrived!"

Ye Zhong breathed a sigh of relief. In the past, when they came to participate in the assessment, the guards were not so respectful. Although they didn't cause trouble, their facial expressions and glances of contempt and disdain deeply wounded Ye Zhong's heart.

This time, with Xiao Ming among them, everything changed. The respect in their eyes was genuine, but Ye Zhong knew it wasn't directed at the Ye Clan, but at Xiao Ming.

'To earn respect, one must have strength. Fortunately, I have allowed Xin Lan to learn from Elder Xiao Ming. In the future, my Ye Clan will surely regain vitality, return to its peak, and be genuinely respected!'

Under the gaze of countless eyes, Ye Zhong and Xiao Ming entered the hall, leaving behind pairs of regretful, frustrated, and dejected gazes.

Inside the hall, soft lighting spilled down, and Xiao Ming could feel various meaningful gazes directed at him. Raising his eyes, Xiao Ming scanned the hall and noticed that the people occupying the seats had decent strength, indicating they were from reputable sects or clans.

Gradually, the meaning behind these gazes became uncertain. Some Dou Ancestor-level experts even rubbed their eyes as if they couldn't believe what they were seeing.

What did they see? Among the Ye Clan's group, there was a young man whose face seemed somewhat familiar. This was... one of the Eight Great Elders, the number one alchemist among the younger generation - Xiao Ming!

Ye Zhong smiled and said, "These people are here to observe, just like during the Eight Great Elder Selection Competition. Pay them no mind, let's go sit in the front."

Following his gaze, Xiao Ming looked over and indeed saw five seats in the front. Perhaps due to the early hour, only one seat was occupied, leaving four seats vacant.

"Let's go."

The group went over and took their seats, and after that, Ye Zhong didn't mention anything about the assessment to Xiao Ming. It wasn't that Ye Zhong didn't want to talk, but considering Xiao Ming's terrifying strength, the Ye Clan would pass this assessment no matter what.

The championship was already within their grasp. Why bother saying so much? Moreover, Xiao Ming was also an Elder of the Pill Tower and should be aware of the distinct phases of the assessment.

Since Ye Zhong remained silent, Xiao Ming also enjoyed the peace and closed his eyes to rest. It wasn't until he heard a familiar and charming giggle that he slowly opened his eyes, only to find a young lady in a black dress standing before him, exuding a calm temperament with a seductive and lovely face.

"Hehe, I knew you'd come to represent the Ye Clan this time, Xiao Ming."

"Ying'er... Hmm?" Xiao Ming noticed a subtle change in Cao Ying as he spoke, causing him to pause momentarily before his smile returned.

"You have no idea how much I was looking forward to seeing you again," Cao Ying continued, her lips curving into a warm smile, her eyes twinkling with delight.

"Oh, you flatter me, it's wonderful to see you too. Please have a seat," Xiao Ming replied, not mentioning his earlier observation, and gestured for her to sit beside him. Meanwhile, Ye Xin Lan had consciously moved to a seat further to the side.

Cao Ying gracefully accepted the invitation, exchanging greetings with the members of the Ye Clan before settling beside Xiao Ming. From that moment on, the two of them engaged in conversations about various topics, seemingly unrelated to the upcoming assessment. It felt more like they were on a casual outing rather than in the midst of a tense and competitive assessment.

Over the past year, Xiao Ming had grown acquainted with Cao Ying, partly due to their frequent interactions, but mostly because of Cao Ying's own initiative. She actively participated in the Pill Tower's internal affairs in addition to her alchemy studies under Association Head Xuan Kong Zi. As a result, she became the bridge between Xiao Ming and the tower, responsible for relaying information and assigning routine tasks corresponding to Xiao Ming's position as a Great Elder. Of course, for matters of great importance or secrecy, Xiao Ming still had to report directly to headquarters.

Xiao Ming was particularly grateful to Cao Ying for her assistance in guiding Xiao Yi Xian's alchemy training during his periods of seclusion, enabling her to make rapid progress.

Although Cao Ying's alchemy level couldn't compare to Xiao Ming's, as a seventh-tier alchemist, a high-grade one at that, she had no trouble guiding a novice like Xiao Yi Xian. Moreover, her demeanor was also quite calm, and her speech was well-trained. This undoubtedly led to the two women becoming quite close.

Listening to the whispers and giggles on the side, Ye Xin Lan couldn't help but be amazed and a little envious. Despite having received guidance from Xiao Ming for over a year and having a good relationship with him, their relationship was primarily that of a teacher and student. It paled in comparison to the connection Cao Ying shared with him.

When speaking with one another privately, neither Xiao Ming nor Cao Ying used formal honorifics anymore. From this, it could be seen that the two were quite close. While Ye Xin Lan could be considered Xiao Ming's half-disciple, and he addressed her by her name, she wouldn't dare to address him in the same way.

It was worth noting that numerous beauties from various backgrounds had appeared at Xiao Ming's door in the previous year, but with the exception of Ye Xin Lan, Cao Ying, and the young miss from the Dan Clan, they had all been sent back by the same route by which they had arrived.

After continuing their conversation for a while longer, Cao Ying's gaze shifted towards two approaching young men. Her expression turned reluctant, and with a sigh, she stood up, turned around, and said to Xiao Ming with a smile, "Well, it's time for me to return to my clan's seats. The assessment is about to begin. It seems that all eyes will be focused on the Ye Clan this time, making the rest of us seem irrelevant."