Battle Through the Heavens: Marry Cao Ying, Reward is Devouring Ancestral Symbol

StormShen Wen handed the jade bottle containing the ”yi shi pill” to Xuan Yi. Xuan Yi took it, her fingertips touching the warm residual heat on the bottle’s body, her eyes flickering slightly.

She did not open it, only probing it lightly with her Soul power before nodding and handing it to Xuan Kongzi beside her.

Xuan Kongzi, Tian Leizi, and two Elders who had come from the Little Pill Tower inspected it in turn.

The Medicinal Pill was round and pearly white, with deep pill veins and latent spirituality; it was indeed of Grade 8 Intermediate quality without a doubt.

”The pill has formed five colors, and its spiritual charm is full.” A Little Pill Tower Elder spoke slowly, his tone carrying unconcealed admiration. ”What’s even more rare is... the technique of ’Spirit Ascension’ you started during the Fusion of the medicinal liquids; even I cannot fully see through it.”

The other Elder also nodded slightly: ”It seemed risky, but in fact, every step was precise and error-free. Your control over Soul power has already reached the Transcendent level. The youth are to be feared.”

The five of them had already reached a conclusion in their hearts as soon as the five-colored Pill Lightning took shape.

Confirming it with their own eyes now was more about exploring and marveling at Shen Wen’s unconventional Alchemy techniques.

The crowd below the stage held their breath as they looked at the high platform, waiting for the final verdict.

Xuan Kongzi stood up; his stature was not tall, yet he carried an innate majesty as deep as an abyss and as steady as a mountain.

As the public president of the Pill Tower and a member of the Little Pill Tower, it was most appropriate for him to announce the result at this moment.

”After inspection, the quality of the ’yi shi pill’ has reached Grade 8 Intermediate.” Xuan Kongzi’s voice spread clearly across the square. ”The assessment is successful. Shen Wen, from this day forward, you are officially a Grade 8 Alchemist.”

As his voice fell, a deacon who had been prepared stepped forward quickly, carrying a jade tray covered with brocade.

In the center of the jade tray lay a badge quietly.

In the center of the badge was a small relief of a Medicine Cauldron, ancient in style and almost identical to the ones worn by Xuan Kongzi, Xuan Yi, and the others on their chests.

The only difference was that the center of the Medicine Cauldron was not inlaid with complex patterns, but rather a slightly ancient Roman numeral—”Ⅷ”—refracted in dark gold by the light.

Its overall luster was slightly dimmer compared to the badges of the giants.

This badge represented the officially certified Grade 8 status of the Pill Tower.

It symbolized that one’s Alchemy had entered the truly top-tier halls of the continent, holding a Venerable status.

Xuan Kongzi picked up the badge personally and faced Shen Wen.

Shen Wen bowed slightly.

”I hope you will study the Dao of medicine diligently in the future and not fail the weight of this badge.” Xuan Kongzi handed over the badge.

Shen Wen took it with both hands.

The badge felt slightly heavy and cool to the touch; it seemed to contain some special Formation fluctuations, which could be used for identity verification and even passage into certain internal areas of the Pill Tower.

”This Junior will keep it in mind,” Shen Wen responded calmly, pinning the badge to his chest.

On the black robe, the dark gold ”Ⅷ” shimmered slightly.

Warm applause and cheers erupted instantly from below the stage.

Countless gazes focused on that brand-new Grade 8 badge, filled with envy, respect, and yearning.

A twenty-year-old Grade 8 Alchemist—this badge was not only an acknowledgment of his current strength but also carried an infinitely possible future.

In the crowd, Cao Ying looked at the splash of dark gold on Shen Wen’s chest, the corners of her lips curving in a proud arc.

A soft light also flashed in Cai Lin’s purple eyes.

Watching him pin the badge, the complex waves in Xuan Yi’s heart gradually calmed, turning into a trace of gratification.

She took a light breath, her gaze turning to sweep across several spots below the stage, her eyes returning to their usual cold clarity.

The matter of the medicinal herb shortage was due for a reckoning.

In the seats of the Bai Family and the Qiu Family, several leaders’ faces were stiff as they reluctantly raised their hands to join the applause, though their eyes were dark and uncertain.

They knew that from this moment on, Shen Wen’s status in the Pill Tower was completely different.

And their previous actions would likely soon face a backlash... Several days had passed since Shen Wen passed the Grade 8 Alchemist assessment.

Yet the disturbance stirred up within the Pill Tower because of it had not subsided; on the contrary, it grew more intense.

The birth of a Grade 8 Alchemist was no small matter, even in a place like the Pill Tower. A Seventh-Rank Alchemist’s status was already comparable to or even slightly higher than an ordinary Dou Zong.

And a Grade 8 Alchemist was an existence that even Dou Zun powerhouses would need to treat with courtesy and be willing to serve.

Moreover, Shen Wen was so young.

In the past few days, the courtyard where Shen Wen resided was almost like a bustling marketplace.

An endless stream of visitors came. Some sought Medicinal Pills, showing respectful attitudes and bringing heavy gifts.

There were Loose Cultivators or representatives of small to medium-sized forces at the Dou Zong and Dou Zun levels, their words hinting at seeking protection or cooperation.

Shen Wen mostly left it to Cao Ying to handle them, either declining politely or taking notes for the time being, maintaining a peaceful but distant attitude.

On this day, after Cao Ying saw off a Dou Zun messenger from a major Sect in the Central Plains, she returned to the study.

Shen Wen was currently perusing some ancient books regarding spatial Formations, without even looking up.

”Husband,” Cao Ying approached and whispered, ”the Bai Family and the Qiu Family... have sent people again.

This time, two Elders with significant weight in their clans have come in person. Their words were earnest, saying that some people in their clans had done foolish things and hoping to apologize in person to seek forgiveness.”

She paused and looked at Shen Wen: ”Will you see them?”

Shen Wen turned a page of the scroll, the corner of his mouth curling into a cold arc.

”No.”

His voice was calm.

”They don’t know they’re wrong; they know they’re going to die.” Shen Wen closed the book and looked out the window.

Xiao Yi Xian, who was standing by, had a flash of doubt in her eyes upon hearing this and whispered, ”Even if husband succeeded this time, it might be inevitable for those two families to lose some face and pay some price, but... is ’going to die’ an exaggeration?

After all, they are two of the Five Great Families of the Pill Tower; their Foundation shouldn’t be so fragile.”

Cao Ying took over the conversation, shaking her head with a hint of sarcasm and understanding in her tone.

”The Bai Family is a rising star and seems prominent, but in a place like the Pill Tower that values Legacy and Foundation, their Foundation is far less stable than that of the Cao and Dan families.

A single major strategic error is enough to alienate many allies who were originally on the sidelines and give opponents an excuse to attack.”

She paused and continued, ”As for the Qiu Family... because of the matter regarding the Venerable Yao Chen back then, they already suffered a great loss of Origin Qi, and their influence within the Pill Tower is nowhere near what it used to be.

Elder seats are actual power and authority within the Pill Tower.

If one becomes vacant, who knows how many forces would be envious.

If the Qiu Family loses another seat due to the crime of framing an examinee and interfering with the Pill Tower’s major affairs, they will likely find it difficult to recover their Origin Qi for decades to come.”

Cao Ying looked at Shen Wen, her gaze slightly focused: ”More importantly, husband’s future is now bright.

Anyone with eyes can see that there will definitely be a place for husband in the Pill Tower’s upper echelons in the future, or perhaps... even higher.

Offending husband to death at this time is equivalent to cutting themselves off from the Pill Tower’s future core power circle.

Under such shifting tides, for them, isn’t it the same as ’slowly waiting to die’?

”I am curious, though, what on earth were they thinking to make such a foolish move back then.”

Shen Wen said indifferently, ”Where you sit determines how you think; it was just a case of being blinded by greed.”

”Since they did it, they must bear the consequences. There should be progress in Elder Xuan Yi’s investigation.”

Just as he finished speaking, a maid announced from outside the courtyard, ”Elder Xuan Yi has arrived for a visit.”