CHAPTER 50: CHAPTER 50 I FEEL DIZZY_1

Facing everyone’s admiring gaze, Qin Feiyang didn’t feel the slightest bit of complacency.

He knew very well that the conflict between the Mu Family Head and the Jiang Family Head had little to do with him.

The two great families had been overtly and covertly competing for many years, with deep-seated resentment. Today’s incident was merely a fuse that provided an outlet for the hatred and anger that the Family Heads had harbored in their hearts.

Therefore, it had nothing to do with whether he was intelligent or not.

After asking someone for the location of the Elixir Palace, he briskly walked away.

Although he was not short of Gold Coins, he still wanted to test whether his spiritual power was up to par.

After all, auctioning Martial Arts Techniques isn’t a long-term plan. The Way of Alchemy, that is the true path forward.

The Elixir Palace, located in the East City district, occupied around a thousand zhang of land.

The numerous halls were extraordinarily impressive!

This Elixir Palace also had a stone staircase. The purpose of this staircase was simply to deter ordinary people. After all, small cities like Black Bear City were mostly inhabited by ordinary people. If everyone were to participate in the assessment, wouldn’t the Elixir Palace be overwhelmed?

Therefore, the Elixir Palace devised a method using nine hundred and ninety-nine stone steps as the first test, prompting ordinary people to retreat from the daunting challenge. If an ordinary person managed to reach the summit, even without talent for alchemy, they would be considered a cultivation prodigy worth nurturing.

The summer heat was intense. On the lengthy stone steps, many people were climbing. They were all ordinary people with dreams. As long as they reached the peak, they could change their fate and soar high.

However, sadly, reality was very cruel. Many had already collapsed from exhaustion before even reaching the halfway point.

Only Martial Artists held hope.

Qin Feiyang moved as swiftly as if on wings, surpassing one person after another. Under numerous admiring gazes, he quickly reached the summit.

At the summit sat an old man in white. Feeling someone approaching, he opened his eyes, looked at Qin Feiyang for a moment, and asked, "Are you Jian Haotian?"

"Indeed, it is I," Qin Feiyang nodded.

The old man in white said, "Young man, you are quite impressive. However, here you must adopt a humble attitude, because becoming an Alchemist is not merely a matter of intellect."

"This junior takes your words to heart," Qin Feiyang said, cupping his hands respectfully.

"Follow me." The old man in white rose, pushed open the grand doors of the hall, beckoned Qin Feiyang, and then strode inside.

The exterior of the hall was resplendent and magnificent, but the interior decoration was surprisingly simple. Other than a few chairs, there was only one altar.

On the altar rested a Crystal Stone, the size of a palm, with distinct edges and corners. Sunlight shone through the transparent tiles on the ceiling, and the Crystal Stone refracted rays of dazzling light.

The old man in white stood next to the altar, looking at Qin Feiyang, and said, "Place your hand on the Crystal Stone. Don’t use your True Qi or exert too much force; just close your eyes and meditate. The Crystal Stone will automatically absorb your spiritual power."

"Okay." Qin Feiyang nodded, extended his hand to press on the Crystal Stone, and immediately felt an icy sensation in his palm.

He closed his eyes, his mind as still as water, and entered a meditative state.

Gradually, the Crystal Stone began to emit a faint glow. But this was quite common. Even ordinary people would cause the Crystal Stone to emit light by touching it because everyone possesses spiritual power; the only difference lies in its strength or weakness.

After about a dozen breaths, HUM! The Crystal Stone suddenly trembled, radiating intense light!

"Level one spiritual power!" The old man in white’s eyes focused, a hint of anticipation flickering within them.

In reality, level one spiritual power was enough to qualify one for alchemy. However, their potential achievements would be limited.

But now, the Crystal Stone’s glow continued to intensify, suggesting that Qin Feiyang’s spiritual power was more than just level one.

Another ten breaths passed. HUM! The Crystal Stone trembled once more, its light even stronger than before!

"level two spiritual power!" The old man in white’s eyes lit up, anticipation growing stronger in his heart.

Not long after, HUM! The Crystal Stone shook for the third time, its light intensifying greatly!

"Not bad, not bad." The old man in white nodded repeatedly in approval.

But not long after, the Crystal Stone quivered once again! This was the fourth time!

The old man in white could no longer remain calm; his aged eyes sparkled brightly. Even in the entire Black Bear City Elixir Palace, there were only a dozen or so people with level four spiritual power. In terms of spiritual power alone, this young man was already outstanding.

WHOOSH! Before the thought even dissipated, the Crystal Stone trembled again, its radiant light illuminating the whole hall!

Level five spiritual power!

The old man in white’s body trembled slightly, his fists tightly clenched. His gaze grew heated. Could it be that I’ve encountered an alchemy prodigy this time?

Qin Feiyang was also quite thrilled. Although his eyes were closed, he could still clearly sense it. He knew a little about spiritual power tests: the more times the Crystal Stone trembled and the more brilliantly it shone, the greater the intensity of the spiritual power it indicated.

He had never imagined his spiritual power could reach Level Five! More critically, he didn’t feel the slightest bit of exhaustion. In other words, his spiritual power was far stronger than this!

The Crystal Stone continued to draw in his spiritual power.

WHOOSH! Quickly, the Crystal Stone shook for the sixth time!

"Level Six spiritual power!" The old man in white’s body trembled as he muttered, "In Black Bear City’s Elixir Palace, only one person has Level Six spiritual power. It seems I’ve truly stumbled upon a gem this time!"

He hastily closed the main door, hurried back to Qin Feiyang’s side, and stared intently at the Crystal Stone.

HUM! The seventh tremor took place!

At this moment, the old man in white felt as if his heart would jump out of his chest. Level seven spiritual power! Even in Yan City, one with such power would be considered outstanding!

He’s a treasure, I must notify the Hall Master at once! Suppressing his exhilaration, he took out a crystal the size of a chicken egg. As he poured in his True Qi, a brilliant light shot forth, and soon, an apparition emerged.

It was a middle-aged man, about seven feet tall, with sword-like eyebrows and sharp eyes. His temples were streaked with white, and his weathered face carried an air of commanding authority! This man was Luo Xiong, the Hall Master of the Black Bear City Elixir Palace!

Luo Xiong asked, "Old Feng, what do you need me for?"

The old man in white hurriedly responded, "Come to the testing hall immediately!"

"Why?" Luo Xiong was puzzled.

"Stop wasting words, hurry up!" After the old man in white spoke, he waved his hand, and the apparition quickly dispersed.

BUZZ! At this very moment, the Crystal Stone vibrated for the eighth time!

The radiance it emitted was so brilliant it made it almost impossible to open one’s eyes!

"Level eight spiritual power!"

"How is this possible?"

"Even in the entire Yan Province, there is only one such person!"

The old man in white was completely beside himself with excitement. He even felt the urge to grab Qin Feiyang in an embrace and plant a few kisses on him!

Similarly, Qin Feiyang’s heart was also in turmoil. Level eight spiritual power! Even in the Imperial Capital, this would classify him as a genius in the Way of Alchemy! What excited him the most was that his spiritual power hadn’t yet shown signs of exhaustion. This meant the intensity of his spiritual power was far beyond level eight!

No! I didn’t plan to join the Elixir Palace. I can’t continue, or I’ll surely be pestered by the people from the Elixir Palace.

With that thought, pretending his spiritual power was overdrawn, Qin Feiyang’s body swayed violently. He withdrew his hand, clutched his head, and feigned utter exhaustion.

However, just as he retracted his hand, the Crystal Stone vibrated once again!

"Damn it!" Qin Feiyang cursed inwardly. Is this some kind of joke? He had already withdrawn his hand, yet it still trembled one more time. It was truly impossible to keep a low profile!

He looked at the old man in white.

As expected! The expression on the old man in white was extremely exaggerated; his eyes looked as if they were about to pop out of their sockets. This boy actually possesses Ninth Level spiritual power! Inconceivable. Truly inconceivable!

Now’s the chance, time to escape! Qin Feiyang quietly turned and began sneaking towards the entrance.

"Hold it there!"

But at this moment, the old man in white suddenly roared, turning to look at him, a sharp glint in his aged eyes.

Qin Feiyang froze, instantly knowing he was in deep trouble. This old man wouldn’t let him go easily today.

"Ahem!" Qin Feiyang gave a dry cough and an embarrassed grin, saying, "Senior, the Crystal Stone must be malfunctioning. So, please don’t take what you just saw seriously. This junior will take his leave now."

With that, he bolted towards the main gate as if running for his life.

SQUEAK! But suddenly, the main gate was pushed open.

Luo Xiong stood outside the main entrance. Upon seeing Qin Feiyang rushing out, his brows furrowed.

"Just in time!" Qin Feiyang was overjoyed. He took a step through the doorway, on the verge of making a clean getaway.

"Hall Master, stop him!" But at that moment, the old man in white suddenly shouted loudly.

"Humph!" Luo Xiong snorted coldly, reached out, and grabbed Qin Feiyang by the back of his clothes. With a forceful throw, he hurled Qin Feiyang back into the hall. Qin Feiyang tumbled like a rubber ball, rolling to a stop in front of the old man in white.

Luo Xiong followed him into the hall, closed the door, and eyed Qin Feiyang with an unfriendly expression, about to ask the old man in white for an explanation.

"Hall Master, I just asked you to stop him, not to throw him!" However, the old man in white glared angrily at him and then quickly helped Qin Feiyang up, asking with concern, "Young friend, are you alright? Our Hall Master here just has a short fuse; please don’t mind him."

"What?" Luo Xiong was stunned, looking utterly bewildered.

"No, no, I’m fine." Qin Feiyang waved his hand, chuckled, and quickly added, "Senior, I have other matters to attend to, could I please..."

"No!" Before he could finish, the old man in white decisively shook his head. He said in a very serious and earnest tone, "You possess Ninth Level spiritual power. Only by joining the Elixir Palace will your talent not be wasted."

"Ninth Level spiritual power?" Luo Xiong was shocked.

Qin Feiyang glanced at Luo Xiong, his heart bitter, and said to the old man in white, "Senior, I’ve already said, it must be the Crystal Stone that’s malfunctioning. If you don’t believe me, we can try again."

The old man in white frowned. He really couldn’t understand why this young man would deny his own talent.

After a moment of contemplation, he nodded. "Alright, I will satisfy your request. We’ll use a different Crystal Stone and try again. However, if it is indeed Ninth Level spiritual power, you must remain in the Elixir Palace."

"Yes, yes, yes." Qin Feiyang nodded enthusiastically.

The old man in white took a pristine Crystal Stone from his Qiankun Bag, signaling Qin Feiyang to press his hand on it.

As soon as Qin Feiyang put his hand on it, the Crystal Stone soon trembled once.

Qin Feiyang smirked inwardly, immediately withdrew his hand, and rubbed his head, exclaiming, "Oh, Senior, I can’t go on! My head is so dizzy!"

"What?" The old man in white was taken aback. Could the Crystal Stone really be malfunctioning?

"Senior, can I leave now?" Qin Feiyang asked.

Still lost in confusion, the old man in white instinctively nodded.

Instantly, as if granted amnesty, Qin Feiyang dashed to the main door, gave Luo Xiong a quick smile, pushed open the door, and scrambled rapidly down the stone staircase.