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Hearing this, although Cao Dan felt somewhat unwilling, he still did not dare to contradict the other. After letting out a cold snort, he immediately returned to the Cao Clan's seats.
As for that burly man, his calm gaze swept toward Lin Feng as he said, "So, you are Lin Feng? I've heard Cao Dan mention you before."
"Hehe, I'm just an insignificant nobody, how could I possibly be remembered by a genius of the great Cao Clan of alchemists."
Lin Feng chuckled lightly, then said calmly. As he spoke, his eyes swept over the man before him, whose figure was rather burly and imposing.
Compared to Cao Dan, this man appeared much more mature and steady. Judging by appearances, eight or nine times out of ten, the Cao Clan was grooming this person to eventually become the clan leader.
"A genius, that word isn't meant for someone like me."
Hearing this, the burly man glanced once at Xiao Yixian and Ye Zhong, then finally looked back at Lin Feng and said slowly, "Your talent in alchemy is indeed extraordinary, and you even once defeated the peak Two-Star Dou Zun Grand Elder of Burning Flame Valley across ranks. But members of my Cao Clan are not people you can casually trample upon."
"Oh, so you're here to get revenge for Cao Dan?"
Hearing that, Lin Feng turned his head toward the burly man and said calmly, "My strength may not be considered too great, but for various reasons, the number of Dou Zun experts I've killed is not small. Among them, there were even eighth-tier alchemists. If the only confidence your Cao Clan has rests on that old ancestor in the Small Pill Tower, then perhaps that's still a bit lacking."
After all, from the original story, aside from the Pill Tower's old ancestor and the Grand Elder of the Small Pill Tower, there were no other Dou Sheng within the tower.
Therefore, Lin Feng had no fear that the Cao Clan would suddenly produce a Dou Sheng. And as long as the opponent's strength did not exceed Dou Sheng, relying on his connection with the Ancient Void Dragon Clan, he could suppress them by force.
"Then I hope you really are as formidable as you claim to be!"
Saying that, the man was unwilling to speak further. He turned around and walked into the Cao Clan's seating area. Immediately after, he sat down not far from Cao Ying.
"Cao Xiu, why are you so impulsive today? Haven't the elders been grooming you well all this time?"
As he took his seat, Cao Ying rested one jade-like arm on the armrest, her fair slender fingers supporting her faintly charming cheek, her brows slightly furrowed as she asked.
"Maybe I'm just not in a good state today."
Hearing her question, the burly man named Cao Xiu could only smile bitterly and shake his head as he answered slowly.
He couldn't very well admit, "You were curious about him earlier and deliberately investigated his background, and I got jealous."
Hearing the perfunctory tone in his reply, Cao Ying's frown deepened further. But she didn't pursue the matter. Her slender white fingers tapped lightly against the armrest as she quietly waited. Behind them, an old crone only smiled silently.
She had long since seen through Cao Xiu's little thoughts. But they old folks were actually quite supportive of the matter between Cao Xiu and Cao Ying.
After all, a genius like Cao Ying was naturally meant to be absorbed within the clan. If she were to be married outside, wouldn't that mean the Cao Clan would suffer a huge loss?
Therefore, she didn't expose Cao Xiu.
"Elder Ping, that one named Lin Feng, how strong is his soul?"
At this moment, Cao Ying suddenly asked.
"Half-Step Spirit Realm, about the same as you, Ying'er."
After pondering for a moment, the old crone behind her slowly revealed Lin Feng's soul realm.
"Oh, it seems next year's Pill Gathering, aside from that girl Dan Chen, I'll have one more formidable rival. I must completely break through the barrier and step into the Spirit Realm before the gathering begins."
At that answer, Cao Ying's crimson eyes shifted swiftly toward Lin Feng once again. Her beautiful face carried a solemn look as she spoke.
"Hehe, with your talent, Ying'er, you will certainly be able to step into the Spirit Realm before the next Pill Gathering."
Hearing the seriousness in her tone, the old crone immediately smiled as she reassured.
At those words, Cao Ying's peerlessly beautiful face curved into a faint smile, but she didn't reply. Yet within that smile, there was also a dense confidence. Right after, she asked curiously, "Then about his background, do you know it clearly?"
"Hehe, back when Lin Feng first became famous, countless forces, out of curiosity, investigated his background. Our clan also dispatched people. According to the clues in our hands, this person comes from the Black-Corner Region of the Northwestern Region. And it seems his starting point was also rather low."
"Hmph, no wonder that guy acts so arrogant without knowing his limits. So he was actually born poor, and from such a backwater place no less."
Hearing that Lin Feng came from some remote continent, Cao Dan immediately sneered.
"For someone of humble origin to rise to this point, he definitely isn't simple. Compared to you, he's far stronger by who knows how much."
Seeing the disdain on Cao Dan's face, a trace of disgust flickered through Cao Ying's eyes, before she spoke indifferently.
If not for this guy having some talent in alchemy, how could she possibly allow him to remain in the clan core? She would have long since sent this fool to manage the clan industries for the rest of his life.
Hearing her say that, Cao Dan's face instantly showed a trace of displeasure. But toward Cao Ying, he naturally did not dare say anything more, and could only swallow down the words stuck in his throat.
As for Cao Xiu on the other side, a trace of jealousy also flashed in his eyes. Even though he knew clearly that Cao Ying's words weren't intentionally meant to defend Lin Feng, hearing the person he liked speak that way still left his heart feeling stifled.
Right at this moment, the floor of the great hall suddenly began to tremble slightly. The seats of the Five Great Clans shifted backward like moving tiles.
In the blink of an eye, an extremely spacious square appeared in the middle of the hall.
As the square appeared, a spirited white-haired elder slowly walked out, then stopped in the very center of the square.
His gaze swept across the crowd. Smiling faintly, the elder said, "Since the Five Great Clans have all arrived, this old man will not waste words. As usual, this year's assessment will still be presided over by me. None of you should have any objections, right?"
"Giggle, Elder Sheng, with your status and position in the Pill Tower, who would dare question you?"
To the white-haired elder's laughter, only Cao Ying replied sweetly, her delicate voice ringing out. For this man's identity, to many present, was simply far too exalted.
"Husband, this elder is called Sheng Yao. He is one of the eight Grand Elders of the Pill Tower, an alchemist capable of refining eighth-tier pills. Within the Pill Tower, he holds significant authority. In truth, he counts among the true high-ranking figures of the tower."
Seeing that elder, Ye Xinlan, worried Lin Feng didn't know, leaned to his ear and softly explained.
Hearing this, Lin Feng gave a slight nod. When this white-haired elder appeared, he had already sensed a faint, formless pressure. And this pressure came from the depths of his soul. Thus, he also understood that this white-haired elder was by no means an ordinary figure.
"You little girl, no need to flatter me. These old bones of mine cannot withstand that."
Hearing Cao Ying's words, the white-haired elder smiled faintly, then turned his gaze toward the hall, "Time is about right. The candidates from the Five Great Clans, please enter."
As his words fell, the whispers inside the hall immediately quieted down.
Lin Feng exhaled lightly, then slowly stood up. In Ye Zhong and Ye Xin Lan's eyes, there was only tension and expectation.
"Husband, from here on, it's all on you."
Ye Xin Lan also stood, giving him a light kiss at the corner of his lips, and whispered.
"Don't worry."
Lin Feng gently rubbed her pale-blue hair, offering comfort.
On the Cao Clan's side, Cao Ying suddenly stopped Cao Xiu, who was about to stand, then curved her pink lips into a smile, "This time you don't need to go. Let me see for myself whether Lin Feng truly has the ability to contend with me."
Saying this, under the astonished gazes of those in the hall, Cao Ying's graceful figure slowly rose to her feet.
Seeing that the Cao Clan had actually sent Cao Ying herself to take the clan assessment, Lin Feng also felt somewhat puzzled. He remembered in the original story, the one the Cao Clan sent out was that guy called Cao Xiu.
Logically, with the Cao Clan's current standing, even if they failed once or twice, there would be no risk of being expelled. What's more, even if they sent someone else, it was unlikely they would rank last.
However, though the Cao Clan's chosen candidate surprised everyone greatly, the remaining Dan, Bai, and Qiu Clans were all very normal.
The Dan Clan's candidate was the handsome blue-robed man who had been by Dan Chen's side all along.
The Bai Clan's candidate was none other than Bai Ying, the most outstanding of the Bai clan's younger generation, who had clashed with Lin Feng earlier.
As for the Qiu Clan, they sent out a somewhat short man.
Elder Sheng's gaze slowly swept over the five, lingering briefly on Lin Feng. For this young genius whose fame had recently risen sharply within Holy Pill City, he too had heard a few things.
"Representatives of the clans, step forward."
At Sheng Yao's calm words, Lin Feng and the others walked down slowly under the attention of the entire hall. Then, without prior arrangement, each stood apart at intervals, spaced across the square.
"Cao Clan's Cao Ying, greets Elder Sheng."
As her curvaceous figure landed, Cao Ying cupped her fists respectfully toward Elder Sheng.
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