Obstruction

The day of Shen Wen's Grade 8 Alchemist assessment was approaching.

Over the past few days, as expected, the Bai Family and the Qiu Family had sent people to visit one after another. Their words, both subtle and overt, expressed a desire to form an alliance with Shen Wen and provide mutual support.

Following the prior agreement with Cao Ying, Shen Wen did not receive them personally, instead having Cao Ying step forward to politely decline them.

The refusal was phrased courteously, but the meaning was clear.

Soon, some rumors began to circulate quietly within the Pill Tower, saying that Shen Wen was arrogant because of his talent, looking down on everyone, and not even giving Face to established families like the Bai and Qiu Families.

Although people from the Cao Family's faction came forward to clarify, the rumors still somewhat suppressed Shen Wen's reputation.

The day before the assessment, Shen Wen was summoned by Xuan Yi.

Xuan Yi's expression was somewhat unnatural.

She looked at Shen Wen and spoke slowly, "Shen Wen, regarding the medicinal ingredients for the yi shi pill you need to refine for your assessment... a bit of a problem has arisen."

Shen Wen raised his eyes. "What problem?"

“The core main ingredient, the xuan yuan fetus spirit grass, only one portion was retrieved from the warehouse.” Xuan Yi paused. “Furthermore, for some of the supplementary materials required for the yi shi pill, we currently cannot gather enough for two portions.”

Shen Wen's brow immediately furrowed.

“According to the Pill Tower assessment rules, for refining an Eighth Grade Pill, at least two sets of ingredients should be prepared to prevent a first-time mistake by the Alchemist.”

His voice was calm yet carried a hint of questioning. “I formally applied half a month ago and clearly stated I would be assessed on the yi shi pill. Why have the ingredients not been fully prepared by now?”

A trace of embarrassment flickered across Xuan Yi's Face.

“The jade box storing the xuan yuan fetus spirit grass... was damaged at some unknown time. Its spirituality has leaked out severely, making it unusable. Now, only one usable portion remains.”

She explained, “As for those supplementary materials, there are many varieties. The Pill Tower's daily reserves are not always comprehensive in every aspect and often require temporary procurement from outside.

But this time... for some reason, the supply from those channels has been delayed.”

After listening, a cold sneer tugged at the corner of Shen Wen's mouth.

“A damaged jade box? Procurement issues?” His eyes turned slightly cold. “I'm afraid someone doesn't want me to succeed in the assessment.”

Xuan Yi remained silent.

How could she not know there was something fishy about this?

While the yi shi pill was not the most common Eighth Grade Pill, with the Pill Tower's foundation, how could they fail to gather even two sets of ingredients?

Especially when they had been prepared well in advance.

“I also didn't expect them to move so quickly.” Xuan Yi sighed, her tone carrying annoyance. “The Pill Tower gaining an additional Grade 8 Alchemist would inherently be a great boost for the Pill Tower.

But some people... only care about suppressing dissent and fighting for power and profit, ignoring the big picture entirely.”

She didn't say who 'they' were, but both understood perfectly.

It was none other than the Bai Family, the Qiu Family, and certain Elders within the Pill Tower who were closely related to these two families, or who simply found Shen Wen unpleasant and wanted to suppress this young man's sharp edge.

Shen Wen's expression, however, calmed down.

“If it's one portion, then one portion it is.”

After hearing Xuan Yi's explanation about the ingredient shortage, Shen Wen didn't show much surprise. Instead, he smiled and comforted her, “Aunt Xuan, there's no need to get angry with these people. It was within expectations.”

Cao Ying, standing to the side, chimed in upon hearing this, her voice clear and bright, “This isn't a problem. Although the ingredients for the yi shi pill are rare, my Cao Family and the Dan Family should be able to gather a few sets from our storehouses. If it's really not enough, the two families working together can always find them.”

Xuan Yi shook her head, her expression carrying a bit of embarrassment and helplessness. “According to the Pill Tower assessment rules, all materials used for refining must be provided uniformly by the Pill Tower.

This measure is to prevent anyone from tampering with their own ingredients beforehand, which would affect the fairness of the assessment. So... even if you can provide them, they cannot be used.”

Shen Wen nodded, his tone calm. “In that case, one portion is fine.”

Seeing him so steady, Xuan Yi felt slightly more at ease, and then a cold light flickered in her eyes. “Rest assured, I will definitely investigate this matter to the end.

Tampering with a Grade 8 assessment is not something an ordinary deacon would dare to do; there is certainly someone at the Elder level involved behind the scenes.

Once I find out who it is, I will not show leniency.”

“When the time comes, you might even be able to take that person's position.”

A faint light flashed in Shen Wen's eyes as he nodded. “I'll have to trouble Aunt Xuan then.”

Tampering with such an important matter as a Grade 8 assessment, if it was truly proven to be the work of a certain Elder, the culpability would be no small matter.

Being stripped of the Elder position would likely be unavoidable.

The seats in the Pill Tower's Elder Council were limited, and every vacancy became a focal point for various factions to fight over.

If he used this incident to push things along... and with Xuan Yi's assistance at his side...

This vacant Elder seat might not be impossible to fall into his own pocket.

Even if he became a Grade 8 Alchemist through the assessment, normally, wanting to enter the Elder Council or the Little Pill Tower would require tedious additional assessments and long-term accumulation.

If he could use this opportunity to get there in one step, it would undoubtedly save a vast amount of time, allowing him to quickly gain real influence within the Pill Tower's core layer.

Before this, apart from following the Old Ancestor Xuan Danzi to study the Spirit Ascension Method, almost all his other energy had been spent on deducing the 'yi shi pill'.

Choosing this pill as his assessment topic was, firstly, because its difficulty among Eighth Grade Pills was relatively high, enough to convince everyone that his strength was by no means a fluke.

Secondly, he also had a bit of an intention to 'take advantage'.

According to the rules, the finished pill from a successful assessment belonged to the Alchemist themselves, which was considered a benefit.

An Eighth Grade Pill was worth a fortune.

He just hadn't expected the Qiu and Bai Families to act so despicably, even trying to trip him up on such a difficult pill assessment.

“It seems they are truly desperate.” Shen Wen sneered inwardly, but his Face remained indifferent. He cupped his hands to Xuan Yi and said, “Since that's the case, for tomorrow's assessment, I will use that one portion of ingredients. Aunt Xuan, don't worry too much; the truth will eventually come to light.”

Seeing his composure, Xuan Yi felt admiration in her heart and nodded. “Prepare yourself well. Tomorrow, I'll be waiting to see you complete the pill.”

Shen Wen and Cao Ying took their leave.

Leaving Xuan Yi's residence, they walked slowly along the corridors of the Pill Tower's inner city. Cao Ying followed by Shen Wen's side.

After walking for a while, she suddenly turned her head, a half-smile playing on her lips.

“This Elder Xuan Yi takes quite good care of you.” She spoke leisurely, her eyes twinkling with a bit of playfulness.

“Among the Three Great Giants, Elder Xuan Yi manages internal affairs and some assessment matters; her power is not light.

If one of the powerful Giants could truly stand clearly on our side, it would be much more convenient to handle things in the Pill Tower in the future.

After all, most of the Elders in the Little Pill Tower are aloof and rarely get involved in these specific practical matters below.”

Hearing this, Shen Wen rubbed his brow, his tone carrying a bit of matter-of-fact helplessness. “It's difficult. Aunt Xuan is famous in the Pill Tower for her fairness in handling matters.

Since the Three Great Giants took their positions, they have always maintained a balance. I've never heard of her clearly favoring any one faction.”

Cao Ying didn't stop walking, but the smile on her Face deepened. She lowered her voice, sounding a bit mischievous. “Rules are dead, but people are living. Since the official path is hard to take, then... why doesn't my husband try another way?”

She looked sideways at Shen Wen, her eyes bright. “For example, how about using some of your charm as the Great Genius Shen? I've heard that Elder Xuan Yi has profound cultivation and a respected status, but to this day... she remains unmarried.”