Zheng Hongtu took a glance from atop the Cloud Couch and asked, "Who is that?"

Immediately, a serving disciple stepped forward and replied, "This is Lin Yue, of Madam Lin's lineage."

Zheng Hongtu nodded and said, "To summon twelve Yin Yang copper fish out of thin air, this must be a Seventh-grade Elixir Formation."

For the Yin Yang copper fish, those in the Lower Three Grades of Elixir Formation can only manage at most twelve; the Middle Three Grades can handle thirty-six, while the Top Three Grades exceed one hundred and eight.

Lin Yue managed twelve, which was already his limit. For the rest of his life, he would likely never surpass it.

Sitting to Zheng Hongtu's left was Du Ruoyu, leader of the Du Family. He sighed and said, "Though diligent, it is a pity."

Those who achieve the Lower Three Grades of Elixir Formation lack further hope on the Great Dao. Even at the Seventh Grade, they are relegated to nurturing elixirs, refining magic artifacts, gathering Evil Qi, distilling Five Essences, or guarding disciples—merely performing various menial tasks.

Zheng Hongtu instructed a serving disciple, "It may be rare for him, so do not let his heart grow cold. Go, reward him with a cup of True Sand."

Lin Yue, aware that his Elixir Formation was of poor grade and unworthy of much recognition, had come forward first only due to someone's arrangement, merely to set the stage for the great family disciples who would follow. He originally planned to fulfill the formality and leave, but never expected to be rewarded with a cup of True Sand. Overjoyed, he repeatedly bowed in gratitude.

As he left in jubilance, amid envious stares, the cold-faced Daoist standing atop the protruding boulder called out again, "Who else wants to come?"

At this moment, the black-faced Daoist seated within a Flying Tower had a flicker of expression. Thinking that his Sixth-grade Elixir Formation would likely make him next in line, he leapt up without hesitation and flew toward the cliff.

However, at the same time, another person also rose into the air. Both landed before the cliff almost simultaneously, exchanging glances in surprise, neither expecting the other to act concurrently.

The younger cultivator had a bright and refined demeanor, fair-skinned and with graceful brows. Smiling, he said, "Junior Brother Kou, would you allow this Senior Brother to try first?"

The black-faced Daoist sighed and replied, "Senior Brother Xu's elixir power surpasses mine. If you go first, how could I find the face to follow? Let me go first."

Though Senior Brother Xu coveted the Source Separation Essence Jade, he was aware it wouldn't be his turn regardless. The only consolation was to leave a reputable impression among the clans.

But hearing that Junior Brother Kou had been diligently cultivating lately, likely improving his elixir power, Xu couldn't help but worry that Kou might overshadow him if he went first, leaving him humiliated. Thus, he was unwilling to back down so easily.

Seated below Zheng Hongtu's right hand was Feng Haiqing, leader of the Feng Clan. With a goatee, a lean face, white hair, and white eyebrows, he appeared to be a man in his seventies. Seeing the two unwilling to yield, he asked with a faint smile, "And who might these two be?"

A serving disciple slightly bowed and pointed below, saying, "Returning to the True Master, the black-faced one is Kou Yangchen of the Kou Clan, and the fair-skinned one is Xu Zhongliu of the Xu Family."

Feng Haiqing chuckled, "Since they cannot resolve their dispute, why not proceed by family rank, with the lower-ranked going first? What does Brother Zheng think?"

Zheng Hongtu was indifferent and said, "Agreed."

As soon as the words were spoken, someone immediately conveyed the decision below.

By convention, the family rankings among the Twelve Great Families correlate to their power, with stronger factions ranking higher. However, the Kou and Xu Families were ranked ninth and tenth respectively, their positions closely matched, with negligible difference in strength.

Yet, as the Xu Family ranked above the Kou Clan, the decision fell to the black-faced Daoist to go first.

The black-faced Daoist clasped his hands together and said with a smile, "I must thank Senior Brother Xu for this favor."

Xu Zhongliu shook his head with a resigned smile and stepped back.

Kou Yangchen first bowed respectfully toward the heavens, then tucked his robes and ascended into the air, hovering on the wind before landing atop a boulder. He fixed his gaze on several looming shadows beneath the ocean waves.

The observing disciples immediately grew excited.

Du Ruoyu stroked his beard and smiled, "Oh? Is he attempting to suppress the Dragon Whales?"

Though copper fish are heavy, they are inanimate. Dragon Whales, on the other hand, are living creatures, massive in size, capable of stirring up tremendous waves in the water. The sheer disparity in the challenge is obvious at a glance.

Only cultivators with Top Three Grade Elixir Formation typically test their elixir power against Dragon Whales in such a manner.

The black-faced Daoist inhaled sharply amidst the sea breeze and shouted toward the powerful warriors on the shore, "Release four!"

Hearing his call, Xu Zhongliu beside him was instantly startled. He widened his eyes, watching intently.

The muscular, bare-chested warriors had no hesitation. They operated the winches and released the Cloud Golden Locks.

It was a rare spectacle, and tens of thousands of disciples craned their necks to watch with rapt attention.

As the chains loosened, the waves below began to churn violently. The black-faced Daoist wasted no time, letting out a loud roar as he released his Qi of Elixir Evil.

But instead of pressing down one whale at a time as he had before, he split the Evil Qi into four columns at once, directing them toward the four Dragon Whales.

Just as the shadows emerged beneath the waves, they were struck by the smokelike Qi, met with several muffled booms, and were forcibly pinned to the seabed, unable to move. The audience erupted into cheers and applause.

The black-faced Daoist held out for a moment, his face turning red and his limbs trembling. The Review Daoist stepped forward to inspect and gave him a nod.

Relieved, the black-faced Daoist stumbled back a few paces, nearly collapsing to the ground. Pulling out a silk cloth, he wiped the sweat from his forehead, exhaling deeply in relief.

While he appeared to suppress four Dragon Whales at once, seeming far stronger than before, he had seized an advantage. He did not wait for the whales to recover their blood vitality and strength before acting. Thus, his elixir power technically lacked the capacity to truly suppress the four whales. However, given his unimpressive grade, no one pointed out the discrepancy, and the True Masters cared little for such details.

Du Ruoyu applauded, "Well done! A Sixth-grade Elixir Formation able to suppress four Dragon Whales is indeed rare. His daily diligence speaks volumes. If he continues with this tenacity, there may be a day when he succeeds in the Dao."

He glanced at Zheng Hongtu and smiled, "Since Senior Brother has given a reward earlier, it would not do for me to fall behind. Bring the Dharma Sword I once used and bestow it upon him."

Immediately, a disciple complied, bringing down a Dharma Sword adorned with pale yellow tassels.

The black-faced Daoist was overjoyed upon receiving the sword and quickly bowed in thanks, "Many thanks to True Master Du for the generous reward!"

Once he stepped down, it was Xu Zhongliu's turn, and the Elixir Tasting Daoist directed his gaze toward him.

Xu Zhongliu surveyed the cliff, pondered for a moment, then shook his head and said to the Elixir Tasting Daoist, "Even if I use all my strength, I would not surpass Junior Brother Kou. Going up would only bring ridicule—I choose not to attempt."

The black-faced Daoist was stunned upon hearing this and looked down, an embarrassed expression on his face. "Senior Brother Xu, I..."

Xu Zhongliu smiled, walked over, and patted him on the shoulder before departing with a graceful air.

Feng Haiqing, leader of the Feng Clan, nodded approvingly, "Such is the nature of our noble family disciples—willing to act with dignity and self-awareness."

Though his voice was low, it reached the ears of Elder Gong on the other side, who twitched the corners of his mouth and let out a quiet snort.

Feng Haiqing paid him no mind but instead turned to Zhang Yan, suddenly saying, "Zhang Yan, our noble family disciples have already stepped forward. Why not test your own elixir power as well?"

His voice resonated like rolling thunder, instantly drawing everyone's attention back to Zhang Yan.

Zhang Yan smiled and cupped his hands, responding neither arrogantly nor humbly, "True Master Feng, I fear the time is not yet right."

Feng Haiqing, recalling the words of the Du and Zheng families that Zhang Yan might have a grade of Sixth or higher in Elixir Formation, considered that the lower grades might be beneath him for now. Smiling to himself, he let it go, saying, "Very well, I shall await eagerly."

…

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