The Eternal Sacred Land's entrance examination operated under a strict set of standards. Even though Jiang Chen had been recommended by Zi Che Min, no exceptions were made — he would have to take the examination like everyone else.
After a full month of intensive training, Yan Qingsang's cultivation had improved remarkably. He had even begun to perceive the profound mysteries of heaven and earth's laws, showing signs that he might break through to the Celestial realm at any moment.
Yan Qingsang had originally been at the peak of the Emperor realm, and he had made no progress whatsoever in comprehending the Celestial realm. But over the past month, through Jiang Chen's deliberate and subtle reworking of his approach, Yan Qingsang had received a thorough refinement in the finer details of martial cultivation. This had compensated for the shortcomings in his martial foundation and, at last, opened a pathway in his understanding of heaven and earth's laws.
This breakthrough felt to Yan Qingsang like a sudden epiphany — as if a blindfold had been torn from his eyes.
With this, Yan Qingsang had achieved his optimal state, ready to face the coming examination.
On the eve of the test, Zi Che Min's mood was somewhat complicated.
Zi Che Min's standing within the Eternal Sacred Land was actually quite elevated. He held the position of Senior Elder in the Elder Hall, and moreover was one of the ten most senior among them.
In truth, within the Eternal Sacred Land, only the Supreme Sacred Ancestor and the three Great Sacred Masters ranked above him.
However, his recommendation of young outsiders to enter the Eternal Sacred Land had still brought a measure of pressure upon him. Shao Yuan was more tolerable — everyone acknowledged his extraordinary talent in alchemy. But Yan Qingsang, who was seen as mere filler — that was the focus of everyone's mockery toward Zi Che Min.
They felt that a mere second- or third-rate young disciple of the Yan family entering the Eternal Sacred Land was a joke, an insult to the Sacred Land itself.
They believed that Zi Che Min should never have set such a precedent. Once this kind of poor example was established, the Eternal Sacred Land would only descend further into disorder.
Zi Che Min offered no defense. He knew perfectly well that by bringing Yan Qingsang along, he had given those who opposed him a convenient excuse to attack.
Still, Zi Che Min was not particularly worried. With his mastery of alchemy, even the three Great Sacred Masters treated him with courtesy within the Eternal Sacred Land.
As for his fellow elders who were his equals in rank — whatever they said, Zi Che Min did not care.
"Elder Zi Che, tomorrow is the examination. Our Eternal Sacred Land has its own rules and standards. If that little Yan family brat can't pass the review, he'll have to be shown the door."
"Heh, not just the Yan family brat — that Shao Yuan or whatever, if he can't pass the examination, the rules say he shouldn't be allowed to stay either."
Zi Che Min had always conducted himself with a steady hand in the Eternal Sacred Land, and his reputation was quite favorable. But inevitably, there were those whose relationships with him were strained.
Now, the handful of elders with poor relations to him naturally seized the opportunity to make him uncomfortable.
Zi Che Min smiled. "Rest assured, everyone. I won't make any guarantees about Yan Qingsang, but Shao Yuan — he will absolutely pass the examination. There is no suspense whatsoever. Unless —"
He paused deliberately, then continued: "Unless someone deliberately interferes and tampers with the examination."
"Who would dare do such a thing? The examination rules are recognized by the entire Sacred Land. Anyone who dares to interfere is openly defying the Sacred Land's regulations. No matter how high their position, they will face judgment."
"Exactly, Elder Zi Che — that's nothing you need to worry about. As long as they are genuine talents, the Sacred Land would welcome them with open arms. Why would anyone use underhanded tactics? No, no."
Zi Che Min had conducted himself well over the years, and many who were on good terms with him spoke up in support, putting his mind at ease.
Zi Che Min smiled serenely. "Fellow Daoists, I am fully confident that Shao Yuan will pass. You'll see. I also believe that Shao Yuan will one day become a figure of immense influence within the Eternal Sacred Land — someone who can command the winds and rain with a flip of his hand."
"Heh, it seems Daoist Zi Che has very high hopes for this Shao Yuan."
"No matter how great his alchemical talent, surely he can't reach the level of commanding winds and rain with a flip of his hand?"
"Perhaps Daoist Zi Che regards this Shao Yuan as his eventual successor and heir?"
"Haha, if the Eternal Sacred Land produced another Daoist Zi Che, that would certainly be a fine tale."
"Indeed, the Sacred Land still has far too few grandmasters of alchemy."
"You all seem to be underestimating this Shao Yuan's talent. I did not bring him into the Eternal Sacred Land to turn him into the next me. Given time, his achievements in alchemy will surpass mine by tenfold. Sweeping across the alchemy domain of all Ten Great Divine Kingdoms — that is entirely possible."
These words from Zi Che Min were, in truth, a heartfelt sentiment. But to those listening, they sounded like the most absurd joke imaginable.
Achievements surpassing Zi Che Min by tenfold?
What would that even mean?
Zi Che Min's accomplishments in alchemy, even if not the absolute pinnacle among the Ten Great Divine Kingdoms, placed him firmly within the top echelon — among the most elite few dozen practitioners.
Surpassing his achievements by tenfold was simply beyond imagination. And sweeping across the alchemy domain of all Ten Great Divine Kingdoms — there was no question about it whatsoever.
For a moment, even the elder closest to Zi Che Min merely chuckled and said nothing. They clearly felt that Zi Che Min's claims were somewhat exaggerated.
"Haha, sweeping across the Ten Great Divine Kingdoms — easier said than done. Daoist Zi Che, I think your eagerness to praise talent has gotten the better of you."
"Conquering the alchemy domain of the Ten Great Divine Kingdoms? One hardly dares to imagine it. The Ten Great Divine Kingdoms are teeming with hidden masters and concealed dragons. It's simply inconceivable. Daoist Zi Che, you really do think highly of this Shao Yuan."
Zi Che Min said nothing more.
Facts spoke louder than argument. No amount of talk would convince these people right now.
As a veteran grandmaster of alchemy, Zi Che Min had an extremely keen sensitivity for the art. And from Jiang Chen, he had felt precisely what it meant to be a true alchemical genius.
The so-called alchemical prodigies of the Eternal Sacred Land, compared to this young man called Shao Yuan, were like children playing at make-believe — not worth a second thought.
Zi Che Min was well aware that some of these elders doubted Shao Yuan because they had their own sons and grandsons — young people who held prominent positions in the Eternal Sacred Land's alchemy community.
Naturally, none of them wanted a newcomer with even greater alchemical talent and even more dazzling potential to arrive on the scene. If that happened, the alchemical talents in their own circles would inevitably feel as though their gifts were going unrecognized.