Chapter 377: A Slight Show of Strength

"What?! Did she shatter the current senior record so effortlessly? And not only that, she increased it by more than three times! This Cao Ying truly deserves the title of the witch of the Cao Clan!"

The spectators were in a state of absolute shock as they witnessed the four-digit number. Although Cao Ying was a disciple of Xuan Kong Zi, one of the three giants of the Pill Tower, the result shouldn't have been that astonishing, right?

'Is it really possible to achieve such a value in the Mortal Realm? Or perhaps...'

As this terrifying thought began to take hold in the minds of the crowd, Xiao Ming, who had been silent, smiled and spoke up, "I didn't tell you before. Congratulations on your breakthrough to the Spirit Realm, Miss Cao Ying."

Despite Cao Ying concealing her aura, for someone in the Heaven Realm like him, detecting the spirituality in her soul was a piece of cake.

At the same time, he finally understood why Xuan Kong Zi had requested Spirit Nourishment Powder a few months ago - it was for Cao Ying's breakthrough.

In the original story, Cao Ying's Soul Value in this competition was 976. Although it was unclear whether this improvement was solely due to the effect of the Spirit Nourishment Powder, it was evident that the powder had an enormous effect on alchemists, particularly highly talented ones like her.

Cao Ying warmly smiled at him and patiently awaited Elder Sheng's comments.

Meanwhile, the crowd, who had already harbored suspicions, had their theories confirmed by Xiao Ming's words, and their excitement grew.

"Spirit Realm! Did I hear that correctly?"

"No wonder! I was just thinking it was impossible for someone in the Mortal Realm to achieve such a value. In the Spirit Realm, one can already start refining eighth-tier pills!"

"If we exclude Elder Xiao Ming, Cao Ying would undoubtedly be the most promising young alchemist in the Pill Tower..."

Even Elder Sheng was taken aback. He wasn't in the Heaven Realm like Xiao Ming and hadn't noticed the change in Cao Ying's soul until she decided to reveal it. This was why this result was beyond his expectations.

However, this was excellent news for the Pill Tower, so he nodded with a bright smile and declared, "Cao Ying passes. The next person, please step forward."

Dan Chen snapped out of her shock and glanced at Xiao Ming, who seemed like he wouldn't make a move yet. After a brief moment of contemplation, she bit her pink lips and took the initiative to step forward.

She and Cao Ying had always been in competition.

With a graceful bow to Elder Sheng and under his encouraging gaze, Dan Chen approached the stone tablet and delicately placed her fair hand upon it.

In comparison to the massive stone tablet, Dan Chen's petite and delicate figure appeared even more fragile. However, in the next instant...

An extraordinarily immense and terrifying soul pressure emanated from Dan Chen, spreading outwards from her center.

Xiao Ming's expression remained unchanged as he silently observed the blood-red numbers continuously flickering on the mirror-like surface. The members of the Bai and Qiu Clan exchanged glances, their faces filled with bitterness. If the others were already this strong, how could they possibly compete?

"1400!"

The number was still impressive, but it was overshadowed by Cao Ying's result. Nonetheless, the crowd was still somewhat surprised; after all, it came from the gentle and delicate young lady from the Dan Clan, giving people a dreamlike feeling.

Dan Chen's eyes moistened as she pouted in defeat. Unlike Cao Ying, her soul was still in the Mortal Realm, and the difference between the two was minimal, only needing to cross that barrier. But as long as she didn't cross it, the difference would remain significant.

Elder Sheng chuckled lightly and nodded with a smile. This achievement was still impressive and had already reached the highest point that a Mortal Soul Realm could attain.

"The Dan Clan passes. The next one!"

Bai Yang's gaze swept over the remaining two individuals, his expression freezing as he quickly stepped forward to the stone tablet. With a frown, he let out a deep shout and a powerful surge of soul power rushed towards the stone tablet.

As Bai Yang continued to release his soul power, the blood-red numbers on the mirror-like surface rapidly soared. In just a few seconds, it reached six hundred and settled at a value of 608.

Previously, a number like 608 would have been considered impressive, but now it seemed rather insignificant. Fortunately, everyone present understood the testing situation, so no one mocked. Regardless of the result, they had all passed the assessment, right?

"The next one," Elder Sheng announced, breaking the brief silence in the square.

The member of the Qiu Clan took a deep breath and voluntarily stepped forward. After bowing to Elder Sheng, he stood directly in front of the stone tablet.

Without saying much, the person from the Qiu Clan raised his hand and gently placed it on the stone tablet. With a frown and a deep shout, a powerful surge of soul power erupted from him, sweeping towards the stone tablet.

Beep, beep, beep.

"601! The Qiu Clan passes. The next person, please." Elder Sheng declared directly, as there was nothing more to say about this result.

Upon hearing this, Ye Zhong and Ye Xin Lan felt a slight tension and uneasiness in their hearts. The outcome was already predetermined, but they couldn't help but feel nervous. The rest of the onlookers wore expressions of curiosity, eager to see how much Xiao Ming could surpass the second-place contender.

Amidst the attention of the crowd, Xiao Ming, who always wore a faint smile, finally approached the stone tablet. The stone tablet felt cold, like a block of ice. As his palm rested on it, he felt a slight tingling sensation that reached deep into his soul, making him somewhat uncomfortable.

Instead of immediately unleashing his soul power, Xiao Ming recalled the moment when Cao Ying released hers. Then, with a muffled sound, a low rumble erupted from around Xiao Ming.

A soul pressure far exceeding Dan Chen's and at least twice as powerful as Cao Ying's surged forth, causing Elder Sheng's expression to change dramatically as he felt the pressure.

If Elder Sheng felt it, then it was needless to say about the others. Cao Ying and Dan Chen were relatively unaffected because Xiao Ming controlled his soul power to minimize the impact on them. By releasing their own soul power, they could counteract the effects of Xiao Ming's soul pressure, but it was still a struggle.

The members of the Bai and Qiu Clans were the most uneasy. Cold sweat beaded on their brows, and their faces flushed with shock and even fear. Their knees shook as they felt compelled to kneel. This was the intense pressure brought on by the soul level. Simply put, if Xiao Ming became serious, he could defeat everyone present with his soul power alone.

The five great clans, as well as the spectators in the audience seats, were all staring at the young man in the center of the square, shocked, excited, and reverent.

"The Ye Clan is truly fortunate to have established a relationship with Elder Xiao Ming..."

"If only Elder Xiao Ming had chosen my clan back then..."

"Sigh..."

The raging soul pressure gradually subsided after about a minute. The rapidly rising number finally came to a halt within the trembling stone tablet, on the shiny mirror-like surface.

"4830!"

Seeing this number, the people in the stands were both surprised and disappointed. Although the number was indeed high, they felt it was too low. How could it be only twice as much as Cao Ying's? It was completely unreasonable! He must have deliberately held back!

However, Ye Zhong and Ye Xin Lan reacted differently than the others. They were filled with excitement, and their eyes shimmered with joy. With the dust settled, the heavy burden in their hearts finally lifted.

The members of the other four great clans gazed at the shining figure in the field, feeling deep admiration. It was only natural to lose when compared to this person!

Elder Sheng breathed a sigh of relief. He knew very well how much Xiao Ming had held back with this number. If Xiao Ming had truly tried, he could have easily surpassed a hundred thousand and shattered the stone tablet.

"Hehe, the result is clear. The first place in this Soul Testing is Elder Xiao Ming, representing the Ye Clan. He has broken Cao Ying's newly set record and established a new one. I believe this record will be hard to surpass in the future."

Elder Sheng sighed inwardly. Not to mention the value of 4830, Cao Ying's soul value of 2400 could only be achieved when one reached the Spirit Realm. Among the younger generation of the Five Great Clans, who could surpass that?

Cao Ying paid no mind to the crowd's doubts. Her phoenix eyes remained fixed on Xiao Ming, devoid of any disappointment. Her gaze was that of an ordinary girl watching her beloved shine.

Dan Chen also watched Xiao Ming with curiosity in her eyes. Her talent was already considered strong, but it paled in comparison to Xiao Ming. Sometimes, she wondered how this young boy of her own age could achieve such heights.

"The next test is called Spiritual Control…" Elder Sheng smiled as he looked at Xiao Ming and the other four candidates. After which, he took out a dark-black metal bead from his storage ring. The surface of the metal bead was extremely smooth. Moreover, it did not contain the slightest luster. The complete-black color gave it a kind of heaviness.