Sword Elder's arrogance is evident; let's start by giving this kid three thousand pills as a treat!

Staring at the elderly man before him, whose body was semi-transparent and floated in mid-air like a specter.

Ye Hao reflexively shuddered all over, his feet instinctively retreating half a step.

This... in broad daylight, how could something like this float out?

Although he had already become a Cultivator and accepted many bizarre settings,

seeing a "ghost" suddenly standing before him still sent a shiver of instinctive fear down his spine.

However, when he saw that Lin Xiyue, Li Zhanjun, and the other big shots around him all had calm expressions, even showing considerable respect towards this old man,

the panic in his heart gradually subsided.

Since the big shots aren't afraid, then this must be... one of our own?

Er, no... our own ghost!

"Don't be nervous."

As if sensing Ye Hao's awkwardness, Lin Xiyue stepped forward with a smile, pointed at the floating Senior Jian, and introduced him in a solemn tone:

"Let me introduce you."

"This is the supreme foundation of our Taibai Academy and Great Xia!"

"You may address him as Senior Jian!"

"The foundation of Taibai Academy?!"

Hearing these two words, Ye Hao was completely stunned, his eyes filled with astonishment.

He had thought this old man might be some special spirit or artifact spirit.

But he never expected Fairy Xiyue to use the word "foundation" to describe him!

That carried immense weight!

Could it be that this "ghostly" old man who looked like a gust of wind could scatter him was actually a hidden, peerless powerhouse?

"Ye Hao, stop standing there dumbfounded!"

Just as Ye Hao was still in a daze, Li Zhanjun walked over from the side,

slapped him hard on the back with such force it nearly knocked him off balance.

Then Li Zhanjun pointed at Senior Jian and said with a serious face:

"Hurry up and pay your respects!"

"Let me tell you, this old Senior's background is so terrifying it could scare someone to death!"

"Didn't you see the large plaque hanging over the academy's mountain gate?"

"What did you think of the four characters 'Taibai Academy' on it? Impressive, right?"

"Those four characters were personally inscribed by Senior Jian!"

"Ah?!"

"So that's how it is?!"

Upon hearing this, Ye Hao's heart was instantly struck by a tidal wave of shock, and he felt profound respect!

He certainly remembered that plaque vividly!

Back when the assessment ended, he had also spent a long time contemplating beneath that plaque.

Although he wasn't a Prodigy like Bai Ziyu, who directly attained enlightenment of Sword Intent,

the vast Concept contained within those four characters, that majestic aura that seemed capable of suppressing all evil in the heavens and earth, had deeply shaken his mind!

But he never imagined that the plaque possessing such divine charm, even capable of inducing enlightenment,

was actually the work of this mysterious old man before him?

Just how high must this old man's Realm be?!

"Student Ye Hao, greets Senior Jian!"

Setting aside his scattered thoughts, Ye Hao dared not show the slightest neglect.

He hurriedly straightened his clothes and bowed deeply to Senior Jian, his attitude reaching the utmost level of respect.

If even Fairy Xiyue and the others addressed him as Senior, then he, a mere rookie who just joined, must behave with even greater reverence.

"Tsk, no need for such formalities."

Seeing Ye Hao's respectful demeanor, Senior Jian stroked his illusory beard, a kindly smile appearing on his face.

"I am actually not unfamiliar with you."

"I witnessed your performance in the Heart Questioning Array back then."

"Holding firm to your true heart, unmoved by external things, even able to outwit the Heart Demon..."

"I must say, kid, you're really not bad."

"You have potential!"

This was extremely high praise.

One must know, Senior Jian was a former Saint, with a keen and discerning eye.

To catch his attention and earn a "not bad" was something countless Prodigies in the Cangxuan Great Realm wouldn't dare dream of.

"Ah, this..."

"Th... thank you for your praise, Senior!"

Ye Hao clearly hadn't expected his previous performance to have been noticed by such a mysterious big shot, and he felt somewhat overwhelmed by the unexpected honor.

"Alright, kid, enough pleasantries."

Senior Jian waved his hand, his expression gradually turning serious.

"I have some guesses about your physical condition."

"Or rather... I noticed some clues earlier when you were climbing the mountain."

"Hmm?!"

Hearing this, Li Fan's eyes lit up beside them.

"So, Senior Jian, you know the reason for the abnormality on Ye Hao's body?"

Upon hearing this, everyone perked up their ears,

eager to hear what Senior Jian would say.

"Hmm..."

Senior Jian pondered for a moment, not giving a direct answer but instead creating some suspense.

"Let's not discuss the specifics yet, to avoid getting hopes up prematurely."

"I still need to conduct a final test to verify my conjecture."

At this point, he turned to look at Lin Xiyue and made a request.

"Girl Lin, get some more of those Crimson Blood Bone Forging Pills from earlier."

"Get a lot more!"

"The more, the better!"

"No problem!"

Although Lin Xiyue didn't know what Senior Jian was scheming, since Old Grandfather had spoken, there must be a reason.

"I'll have Daoist Master Qingfeng send them over right away!"

With that, she immediately took out a communication device and contacted Zhang Qingfeng, who was still busy in the pill workshop.

Not long after.

A series of hurried footsteps approached.

They saw Zhang Qingfeng pulling several specially made carts piled high with densely packed small porcelain bottles, rushing over in a great hurry.

"Little Ancestor, the pills have been delivered!"

Zhang Qingfeng pointed at the carts of pills and said:

"There are three hundred bottles here in total, all freshly made Crimson Blood Bone Forging Pills!"

"Are we planning some big move?"

He looked at everyone curiously. Mobilizing so many Grade 2 Pills at once—were they going to distribute benefits to the entire academy?

"Nothing major, just a special experiment."

"Daoist Master Qingfeng, you'll understand by watching from the side."

Lin Xiyue smiled, then turned her gaze to Senior Jian.

"Old Grandfather, is this enough?"

Senior Jian floated over to the small carts, scanned the mountain of pill bottles, and nodded with satisfaction.

"Hmm, not bad."

"Although the grade is a bit low, the quantity makes up for it. The combined Qi and blood energy should be considerable."

"It should... barely be enough."

Barely enough?

Hearing these four words, everyone couldn't help but twitch at the corners of their mouths.

Three hundred bottles of Grade 2 Pills!

If given to an ordinary Cultivator, they'd burst before finishing them all!

Yet in Senior Jian's words, it was only barely enough?

"Come on, kid!"

Senior Jian stopped wasting words, turned to look at the utterly bewildered Ye Hao, waved his hand grandly, and said with heroic spirit:

"Don't just stand there!"

"Eat!"

"Eat to your heart's content for me!"

"Take all these pills... and eat every single one of them!"

"Ah?!"

Upon hearing this, Ye Hao was almost scared into sitting on the ground, completely dumbfounded!

His eyes widened, pointing at the small mountain of pill bottles, then at his own stomach, his voice trembling.

"Se... Senior Jian..."

"Are... are you serious?!"

"Three hundred bottles!"

"That's a full three thousand pills at ten per bottle!"

"If I stuff all that into my stomach..."

"Wo... wouldn't I just explode?!"

Although he had eaten quite a few before without issue, that was only a dozen or so bottles!

Now it was twenty times that amount!

All medicine has some toxicity; even if they were candy beans, eating this many could kill someone from overeating, right?

This wasn't eating pills!

This was clearly gambling with his life!

"Don't worry, kid."

Facing Ye Hao's terror, Senior Jian remained unperturbed, even revealing a hint of a teasing smile.

"You just go ahead and eat."

"With me watching over you, I guarantee nothing will go wrong."

"Besides..."

Senior Jian gave Ye Hao a deep, meaningful look and said:

"If it really is as I suspect..."

"This amount of pills..."

"might not even be enough to fill the gaps between your teeth!"