A deep, mechanical voice suddenly echoed across the sky.
"Welcome to the Soul Palace. Next is the assessment. Those who pass will receive corresponding rewards."
"This assessment is a test of your soul's talent. There is a sphere in front of you. Place your hands on it. The colors are red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, purple, and gold."
"Rewards will be given for reaching the cyan level or above. The better the talent, the higher the reward. Those below the cyan level will be directly eliminated and will not receive any rewards."
"You may begin now."
As the words faded, a crystal ball appeared in front of each person.
A crystal ball was also floating before Xiao Tian.
"This looks a lot like that thing that tests attributes. I'd like to see how good my soul talent is." He knew he would at least reach gold, as he was mainly a soul cultivator.
Xiao Tian studied the crystal ball for a moment, then smiled faintly. Without rushing, he glanced around at the others. Many had already begun testing, and in an instant, multicolored light filled the Palace, painting the space in dazzling hues.
After about five breaths, most crystal balls dimmed, settling into their final colors. Except for ten people who failed to reach cyan, the rest were at least cyan.
The youth in black and the youth in purple robes both reached deep purple, while Xuan Qingying's crystal shone purple tinged with gold.
"Why don't you test it?"
Xuan Qingying's clear, gentle voice carried a hint of doubt.
The young man in black heard her words, and hostility flashed in his eyes. He and she were fellow disciples, yet she had never spoken in such a tone before.
"Young man, is there something you're worried about? If you're not talented, there's no need to fret. Perhaps something will change in the future." His expression was gentle, but sarcasm and disdain lingered at the corners of his mouth.
Xuan Qingying frowned. She sensed the hostility in his tone and gave Xiao Tian an apologetic look. Her impression of the black-robed youth dropped sharply.
Xiao Tian smiled slightly, showing he didn't mind. He already knew who the man was and didn't take him seriously.
"My talent is not something you need to worry about, brother."
Xiao Tian placed his hand on the crystal ball. Instantly, a force swept over his body. The ball flared, shifting from red to purple in less than a breath, then surging into gold.
A few breaths later, the crystal turned completely golden — and then burst into rainbow light.
"Snap!"
A faint crack split the crystal. Xiao Tian calmly withdrew his hand, rainbow light shining across his composed face as if this outcome was expected.
The others stared wide-eyed, disbelief etched across their faces.
"How is this possible? I've never seen such talent before."
"This is terrifying… the heaven-defying rainbow legend!"
All eyes fixed on Xiao Tian.
"No wonder your soul is so powerful. Your talent is terrifying."
Xuan Qingying was stunned, then took a deep breath and smiled.
"I never expected you to be so talented. I truly admire and envy you."
Looking at Xiao Tian, she sighed inwardly: he had everything — top looks, top talent, even a Heavenly Flame. Comparing oneself to him was maddening.
The purple-robed youth looked relieved, thankful he hadn't spoken rashly. The black-robed youth's face darkened, realizing his earlier behavior had displeased her. He clenched his fists inside his sleeves.
"I didn't expect you to be so talented, young man."
"You flatter me. My talent is just so-so. Perhaps something will come along to make me better." Xiao Tian's calm reply carried a subtle edge.
She secretly rolled her eyes at the black-robed youth, thinking: he's so petty, always seeking revenge.
The mechanical voice returned.
"Those who do not meet the standards will be eliminated."
At once, those below cyan vanished from the Palace.
Clusters of light descended upon the successful. Most stored them away quickly, wary of attracting greed.
Xiao Tian reached out and took his ball of light. It was a scroll containing a seventh-grade medicine prescription. Without a glance, he tossed it into his Yellow Spring Demon Ring.
As everyone accepted their rewards, the space distorted, and they reappeared outside the building.
Just as the assessment ended, a vortex-like portal appeared before them.
"Little sister, do you want to come out with me? I was so scared when I couldn't find you."
Though the purple-robed youth was her elder brother, his family status was far inferior to hers. She was the apple of the family's eye; he was the donkey being whipped.
She ignored his words, looking instead at Xiao Tian.
"What are your plans? This is the final test here. You can leave anytime now, or wait until the deadline. Do you want to come with me?"
The black-robed youth stood aside, his face growing ashen as jealousy gnawed at him.
"I don't have any plans. I still have plenty of time, so I'll search for medicinal herbs. Now that you've found your family, we'll take our leave." Xiao Tian's smile was calm, his gaze resolute.
"Alright then. Remember to come find me if you need anything."
She lowered her head in disappointment, quickly concealing her emotions, and nodded gently.
"Okay then… goodbye."
In that moment, a light descended and carried Xuan Qingying and the other alchemists away.
Before vanishing, Xuan Qingying turned her head one last time.
"If you ever come to the Pill Tower, you can come to meet me."
Her voice lingered softly in the air as she disappeared into the portal.
Now, only Xiao Tian remained in the vast Palace, his figure standing alone beneath the fading rainbow glow.
The next day.
Xiao Tian, who had been cultivating and healing, opened his eyes. A wisp of flame shot from his body and instantly pierced the cave wall, boring a bottomless hole into the stone.
"I did not expect to break through to Seven-Star Dou King."
Xiao Tian exhaled deeply, expelling every trace of turbid air from his body. He rose to his feet and stretched his limbs, stiff from sitting for so long. As he twisted his body, his bones emitted a series of satisfying cracks.
He glanced down at his clothes, now little more than tattered rags, then stepped out of the cave and found a pond to wash himself clean. After changing into fresh garments, he left the pond behind.
Xiao Tian spent the remainder of the day scouring many areas, collecting a wealth of medicinal herbs and rare treasures.
During this time, he clashed repeatedly with magical beasts, steadily sharpening his combat experience.
"It is time to leave. There is nothing worthwhile left here."
Xiao Tian activated the World Needle. A spatial portal unfurled before him.
He stepped directly into it. His vision blurred, and in the next instant, he found himself in a familiar and beautiful place—his Eternal Dream Realm. He stood at the very spot from which he had originally departed.
"Xiao Tian! Young Master! Little Brother Xiao Tian! You are finally back!"
In a flash, four women and a single Seven-Colored Little Snake materialized before him. They rushed to his side, their faces alight with joy. Four soft, boneless hands roamed ceaselessly over his body, checking every inch of him.
"Are you hurt?"
"Do not worry. I am perfectly fine. Not a single problem at all." Xiao Tian patted his chest, assuring them he was entirely unharmed.
Relieved, the four women wrapped themselves around him, completely enveloping him in their embrace. Even the Seven-Colored Little Snake coiled itself directly atop his head.
When Xiao Tian lifted his face, it was covered in crimson lipstick marks.
"We missed you so much. Although only seven days have passed, it felt like seven years." The four women spoke in unison, their voices thick with affection.
"I missed you all as well. The moment the secret realm ended, I came straight out to find you." Xiao Tian then recounted to the four women and the Seven-Colored Little Snake the various events that had transpired within the secret realm. Naturally, he omitted the part about seeing her body in order to save her. He also glossed over the final battle to keep them from worrying.
"It seems you hooked up with yet another girl inside there." Yun Yun fixed him with a dangerous gaze, her eyes plainly saying, *You are in trouble now.*
"Not at all! The name she gave was fake, and we were merely temporary partners. We are completely innocent now." Xiao Tian made his declaration with a solemn face brimming with sincerity.
"You pass this time. From now on, we shall have to keep a closer eye on you. You are such a playboy. If we do not watch you closely, one day this place might not be large enough to hold everyone." Ya Fei huffed twice, her face a portrait of jealousy.
Seeing her like this, Xiao Tian immediately pressed a kiss to her beautiful red lips.
After a deep, lingering kiss, the jealousy melted from her face and was replaced by pure joy. Xiao Tian did not show favoritism. He bestowed the same upon the other three as well.
Finally, Xiao Tian tossed the Seven-Colored Little Snake gently to the ground and vanished into his palace with the four women.
What followed was a magnificent concert, playing out the symphony of fate.
The Seven-Colored Little Snake, left upon the floor, had a look of deep resentment flickering in her eyes. She then transformed into an alluring and noble woman garbed in a red dress.
Gnashing her teeth, she glared at Xiao Tian's palace.
"What a shameless and despicable scoundrel. Daring to throw me onto the ground!"