"Young man, I am Qianqian's grandfather. Thank you for encouraging her."
The grey-clothed elder addressed Ye Yunfei.
Earlier on the platform, everyone had witnessed that it was because of Ye Yunfei's encouragement that Lu Qianqian gained the confidence to continue the test, ultimately displaying astonishing results.
"No need for thanks. The main credit goes to Qianqian's own inherent alchemy talent.
I merely put the icing on the cake."
Ye Yunfei said indifferently.
"Mm, a young man who isn't arrogant or impatient. Very good."
The grey-clothed elder nodded.
In truth, he had only come over to thank Ye Yunfei out of courtesy.
In his eyes, an obscure nobody wasn't worth his attention.
Especially since Ye Yunfei's test results were far inferior to Lu Qianqian's.
"Qianqian, let's go over there. You should rest well and prepare for the second stage of the test."
The grey-clothed elder said to Lu Qianqian.
"No!
Grandfather, I want to talk with Big Brother for a while.
You go on ahead."
Lu Qianqian said.
"Qianqian, don't be willful. The Tongsheng Gate's Leader Huangfu Sheng currently thinks very highly of you.
From now on, you must be mindful of the impact of your words and actions."
The grey-clothed elder frowned as he spoke.
"Grandfather, I just want to talk with Big Brother!"
Lu Qianqian pouted stubbornly.
"Fine then."
The grey-clothed elder could only shake his head helplessly and walk away.
However, he had already decided in his heart that after the test concluded, he would find a way to prevent Lu Qianqian from continuing to associate with Ye Yunfei.
In his view, Ye Yunfei was merely a boy of ordinary background.
Lu Qianqian, having performed excellently in the earlier test, would undoubtedly receive focused cultivation once she joined Tongsheng Gate, with limitless prospects ahead.
How could he possibly allow Qianqian to get too close to a youth of common status?
"Big Brother, that test just now was really nerve-wracking. Thankfully you were there, otherwise I definitely wouldn't have passed."
Lu Qianqian leaned closer to Ye Yunfei, sticking out her small tongue impishly.
"Big Brother, you're really amazing."
Lu Qianqian gazed at Ye Yunfei, her large eyes filled with adoration.
During the earlier test, Ye Yunfei had imparted a set of Alchemy Techniques to her and personally guided her pill refining, enabling her to successfully refine five perfect-quality True Spirit Pills.
This made her regard Ye Yunfei with almost celestial awe, feeling admiration for him to the extreme.
"What happened is a secret between you and me. You must not tell anyone. Understood?"
Ye Yunfei said.
The Alchemy Techniques Ye Yunfei had imparted to Lu Qianqian surpassed the Eastern Region's current level of alchemy.
Once leaked, it would bring more harm than good to Lu Qianqian and also cause trouble for Ye Yunfei.
"Mm!
Big Brother, don't worry, I haven't even told Grandfather.
Because this is a secret between Big Brother and me."
Lu Qianqian nodded gravely.
Half a day later.
"Everyone, the second stage of the test begins now."
A Tongsheng Gate elder announced clearly.
As his voice faded...
*Swoosh swoosh…*
Huangfu Sheng and five Tongsheng Gate elders appeared in the air above the square.
Then, they simultaneously formed hand seals, murmuring incantations.
*Boom!*
A tremor emanated from the direction of the Tongsheng Gate Headquarters.
A streak of radiant light shot out from the depths of the headquarters, rising into the sky and instantly arriving above the square.
It was a small tower!
*Rumble rumble…*
The small tower expanded as if pushed by the wind, growing taller and larger continuously.
In moments, it transformed into a majestic, towering pagoda, resembling a great mountain suspended above the square. It cast a vast shadow, nearly covering the entire square, an extremely spectacular sight.
Next, the giant tower extended a stone staircase downwards, connecting the main gate of the tower to the square ground.
"Everyone, this is the Small Alchemy Tower.
The tower has nine levels.
For this test, anyone who can successfully ascend to the second level will be considered to have passed.
Very well, the test begins now.
Those youths who successfully passed the first stage, please enter the tower now."
The Tongsheng Gate elder announced loudly.
*Swoosh swoosh swoosh…*
Immediately, figures shot up the stone staircase, rapidly climbing upwards to arrive outside the giant tower's main gate.
"Big Brother, let's go up too."
Lu Qianqian said to Ye Yunfei.
"Alright."
Ye Yunfei nodded.
Thus, Ye Yunfei and Lu Qianqian also walked up the stone staircase, arriving before the main gate of the giant tower.
They saw candidates entering the tower one after another.
"Hmph!"
A cold snort sounded.
Then, Sima Xuan appeared nearby, his gaze venomous as he stared at Ye Yunfei and Lu Qianqian.
"You despicable pair actually dared to make a fool of me in public. Just wait.
I will never let this go!"
Sima Xuan ground his teeth in anger.
"Even if you two manage to scrape into Tongsheng Gate by sheer luck, I have ways to ultimately drive you out.
My master is a Tongsheng Gate recluse elder. My influence within Tongsheng Gate is beyond your imagination!"
Sima Xuan sneered coldly.
Then, without a backward glance, he strode into the tower.
Ye Yunfei gazed at Sima Xuan, a flash of cold light passing through his eyes.
"If you insist on courting death, don't blame me for not being merciful."
Ye Yunfei thought with an inward sneer.
He knew that with Sima Xuan's temperament, even if Lu Qianqian could enter Tongsheng Gate, she would likely face continuous suppression and various forms of trouble from Sima Xuan in the future.
"Big Brother, let's go in."
Lu Qianqian said.
"Alright."
Ye Yunfei nodded, bringing Lu Qianqian with him as he entered the tower.
*Rumble rumble…*
Immediately upon entering, an immense pressure of Soul Power washed over them, rolling forward like crashing waves.
"Ah…!"
Lu Qianqian, caught off guard, let out a startled cry and staggered back several steps before steadying herself.
Other youths who had entered the tower also paled, their movements slowing. Each step they took seemed incredibly arduous.
It was as if each of them was carrying a great mountain on their shoulders!
Some youths already had bulging veins and were sweating profusely, standing rooted in place, unable to lift their feet at all.
Sima Xuan was in a slightly better state. Although his movements had also slowed, he could still walk forward step by step.
"Big Brother, this place is full of pressure. It's scary," Lu Qianqian said to Ye Yunfei, her small face pale.
"This is Soul Power pressure, specifically meant to test Soul Power.
Don't be afraid.
Focus your spirit as one, safeguard your mind, relax your physical body, and release your Soul Power.
Use your Soul Power to oppose this pressure, and it will become much easier."
Ye Yunfei guided her slowly.
Lu Qianqian attempted according to Ye Yunfei's instructions.
"Big Brother, it's true, I do feel a bit lighter now!"
Lu Qianqian couldn't help but feel overjoyed.
"Don't be anxious. Walk slowly. With your talent, you have a chance of reaching the second level."
Ye Yunfei said.
"Mm.
Big Brother, I'll listen to you.
What you say is always right!"
Lu Qianqian nodded firmly once more. Ye Yunfei's words filled her with confidence.
"Haha, Small Alchemy Tower, it's been a while."
Just then, Huang Shang's laughter suddenly rang out in Ye Yunfei's mind.
"Huang Lao, in which location did you hide the Three Crow Dark Fire?"
Ye Yunfei asked silently.