"Chairman, have we overestimated that guy?"

After discovering this fact, a complicated light flashed in the Great Elder's eyes. Yun Xing's performance today was entirely different from three days ago. Was it really a fleeting moment of brilliance?

"Is that so?"

In fact, the assessment inside the Refining Tower is random, so even Lu Liancheng didn't know what the first layer test Yun Xing experienced was.

But no matter what it was, staying on the first layer for a whole seven days could only mean that his Meridian Refining Technique encountered a genuine challenge, aside from the possibility of an accidental death.

Even though Lu Liancheng didn't know what Yun Xing faced on the first layer, with his understanding of the Refining Tower, the first layer's test would not be too harsh. The difficulty generally escalates layer by layer.

"Even if he clears the first layer test now, it's definitely too late. He absolutely won't get one of the final three spots!"

The Great Elder held the jade token, first grazing over the light point on the lowest layer, then estimating the progress of the other Meridian Refining Masters. He murmured to himself, in such a situation, the probability of a comeback was almost zero.

Because besides those two light points that had reached the sixth layer, several other light points had also arrived at the fifth layer. Even if Yun Xing made a strong comeback, he could not make it to the top three positions.

Moreover, given Yun Xing's speed on the first layer, he would definitely be slower on the subsequent layers. It was certain he wouldn't make the top three; the likelihood of ending up last was nearly tenfold.

"Let's see the final result!"

For some reason, Lu Liancheng couldn't fully confirm the Great Elder's judgment. After all, the impression left by that guy named Yun Xing was too profound. This time, the Refining Tower test clearly had some anomalies.

"Alright!"

The Great Elder was somewhat dismissive. Was there any room for surprise with such a clear-cut outcome? Given the Refining Tower's test gets harder layer by layer, even delaying seven days on the first layer means wouldn't the subsequent layers take a month?

......

Unaware of the speculations by the elders outside the Refining Tower, Yun Xiao naturally didn't know. He had already calmed down, understanding that abandoning Little Dragon wasn't an option, and excessive anxiety was useless.

Swish!

However, just as Yun Xiao was about to close his eyes and continue cultivating, a soft sound reached his ears. Immediately, he saw Little Dragon finally retracting his arm, and an expression of joy appeared on his face.

"Finally transformed!"

Little Dragon exhaled a long breath after retracting his arm, then turned his head and innocently asked, "Daddy, I didn't delay you too much, did I?"

"This little rascal..."

Yun Xiao really wanted to pick up Little Dragon and give his behind a good pat. Was this kid deliberately teasing him with such words? This had delayed him for seven days and nights; how could that not be enough?

But seeing Little Dragon's innocent face, Yun Xiao finally just pinched his cheek and said, "As long as you're happy!"

In fact, with such an adorable child as Little Dragon, not to mention Yun Xiao as his "father," even a stranger wouldn't get too angry. Besides, the matter had reached this point, so what use was getting angry?

"Have you already completed the transformation? Why hasn't your cultivation improved?"

Yun Xiao withdrew his gaze from the now withered leaf in the green light shield, looking at Little Dragon with slight confusion. Something seemed strange.

For Little Dragon at this moment was no different from before; the Demon Meridian Qi still at the Spirit Vein Realm Early Stage. Wasn't it said that after absorbing and refining the energy of the Dragon Summoning Tree Leaf, there would be a significant improvement?

"I just converted the energy of the Dragon Summoning Tree Leaf into my body. To completely refine it will take some time!"

Little Dragon patted his chest, and upon mentioning "will take some time," Yun Xiao's mouth visibly twitched. By now, he wouldn't believe at all that "some time" actually meant "some time."

"Daddy, during this period, I might be consumed with refining the Dragon Summoning Tree Leaf, and not able to worry about other things, take care of yourself!"

Little Dragon's sincere words, reminiscent of a small adult, warmed Yun Xiao's heart, quickly dispelling any previous frustration.

"You just focus on refining. When did Daddy ever need a little rascal like you to protect?"

Yun Xiao gently patted Little Dragon's head. Then, with a flash of light, the little child disappeared from his sight, returning to the Waist Storage.

"Tsk, weren't those two old guys taken care of by me?"

Returning inside the Waist Storage, the voice of the Little Dragon didn't stop. After it spoke, even Yun Xiao couldn't refute, as indeed, Liang Li and Wu Jia died due to the Little Dragon's One Thought to Transform Myriad Poisons, which was beyond doubt.

The Little Dragon is, after all, a Strange Spirit, so their cultivation method is vastly different from ordinary humans. Moreover, their cultivation speed is much slower compared to humans and Vein Demons, even though he is a naturally gifted Dragon Guiding Tree Spirit. This time, refining the Dragon Summoning Tree Leaf might really take more than just 'a little' time.

Since the matters here had come to an end, Yun Xiao had no intention of staying. He stepped forward, recognized the few medicinal herbs on the last shelf, and then felt himself being enveloped by a force of space.

Swoosh!

His mind suddenly blurred, and Yun Xiao found himself in a place with no wooden racks left. Not far in front of him was a wooden platform, covered by a white cloth, under which lay a pale figure, making Yun Xiao immediately realize what the second level's test was.

Clearly, this was a special patient projected by the Refining Tower. Performing a rescue on such a patient posed no risk whatsoever. At most, failure would only result in yet another opportunity to display one's methods.

This time, the test of the Refining Tower didn't involve elimination upon failure. The test would only end once the final three slots were determined.

Some, upon encountering this test of treating and healing, knowing there's no chance to heal the patient in front of them, might randomly take actions, hoping to be given a new patient and thus a new opportunity.

However, these ailments from the Tenglong Continent posed no challenge to Yun Xiao. Just by lifting the white cloth and taking a glance, he extended the five fingers of his right hand.

Pop, pop, pop...

A dozen or so acupoints were precisely targeted by Yun Xiao. Immediately, a special connection formed between these acupoints, creating a Meridian Array that emitted a special aura.

In about fifteen minutes, an intense aura emerged from the shadow on the figure, and even their pale complexion vanished in an instant.

Swoosh!

An invisible wave flashed by, and Yun Xiao's figure disappeared from the second level of the Refining Tower, being transported to the third level.

"Refining elixirs?"

As Yun Xiao regained his clarity, the first thing he saw was a Medicine Tripod not far away. This made him guess the nature of the third level's test, causing his expression to turn somewhat solemn.

After all, although alchemy was not particularly challenging for Yun Xiao, it was the most time-consuming meridian refining technique. For example, refining herbal materials and condensing their essence had to be done step by step, with no room for shortcuts.

But given the stage he had reached, Yun Xiao knew he had no other choice regardless of the outcome. He immediately took two steps to the Medicine Tripod.

"Earth Rank Low Level Elixir: Earth Surge Pill!"

Picking up a pill recipe next to the Medicine Tripod, Yun Xiao nodded. He was quite familiar with the Earth Surge Pill, but it was the first time he attempted to refine it after his rebirth, with no guaranteed success.

The pill recipe and herbal materials were prepared, leading Yun Xiao to deduce that the Refining Tower's test likely tailored its standards according to the entering Meridian Refining Master's own power.

For instance, this Earth Rank Low Level Earth Surge Pill wasn't something those only at the Spiritual Rank level could refine, indicating the Refining Tower's evaluation standards varied from person to person.

If an average Earth Rank Low Level Meridian Refining Master attempted to produce this Earth Surge Pill, it would probably take at least one or two days, without a definite assurance of success in a single attempt.

But Yun Xiao, the reincarnation of Long Xiao Battle God, though limited to Earth Rank Low Level due to the Power of Soul, probably had no equal on the Tenglong Continent in this alchemy experience and technique.

Thus, what an ordinary Meridian Refining Master might need one or two days to complete, Yun Xiao succeeded in half a day.

This was not only thanks to Yun Xiao's past experience and techniques as Long Xiao Battle God but also his powerful Ancestral Vein Fire, saving a vast amount of time in the melding and condensation of herbal materials.

Once a round and grayish-green elixir was placed into a Jade Bottle by Yun Xiao, he was already surrounded by a trace of special spatial fluctuation, signaling he was about to be transported to the fourth level.

......

Outside the Refining Tower!

On the eighth day, the Great Elder hardly paid attention to the person still on the first level. His gaze only occasionally flicked to the two light spots on the sixth level, surmising the first slot for the Meridian Refining Master would soon appear.

"Hmm?"

However, on the morning of the eighth day, as the Great Elder routinely glanced at the Jade Token, he suddenly noticed something amiss, shifting his gaze downwards, and immediately exclaimed in surprise.

"How is that possible?"

The Great Elder's exclamation startled the Elders meditating nearby. Including Chairman Lu Liancheng, they all immediately turned their eyes toward the Great Elder, eager to see what astonishing matter this usually composed Great Elder had discovered.