As they flew, Qin Xin finally understood why Hua Jin had warned him to be careful when leaving the inner courtyard. Even in the air, the terrifying roars of beasts all around him made him tremble with fear.

Fortunately, the Wind-Riding Eagle that Qin Xin was riding seemed to have undergone special training, and it instinctively avoided the territory of these powerful demonic beasts, speeding towards Black Dragon City at full speed.

After about half a day, Qin Xin finally saw the phantom of Black Dragon City.

Although many days have passed, Black Dragon City has not changed at all.

It still lay prostrate on the ground like a coiled dragon, with a magnificent aura. Martial artists continued to pour into the city, mainly because of the influence of the Eastern Wilderness Academy in this area.

The Wind-Riding Eagle landed not far from Black Dragon City, and after Qin Xin leaped down, the eagle took to the air again, soaring towards the inner courtyard.

After confirming the direction, Qin Xin headed towards Black Dragon City.

Upon reaching the city entrance, Qin Xin stepped inside again, only to be met with somewhat respectful gazes from the surrounding guards. This made him realize that in this world, only strength could earn the respect of others.

The Black Dragon City Pill Tower is very famous. Qin Xin had heard of it when he was in the outer courtyard. Although he was also an alchemist, he never had the opportunity to go there.

This was because Danqing felt that Qin Xin's alchemy skills would embarrass him, and firmly opposed Qin Xin going to the Pill Tower for certification. It wasn't until Qin Xin officially entered the third-grade alchemist class in the inner courtyard that Danqing allowed him to go.

In the middle of the most bustling street in Black Dragon City stands a gigantic building, covering a vast area, seemingly even larger than the Spirit Forging Tower in the outer courtyard, though shorter, with only five stories.

The entire Dan Tower looks black, as if it had been scorched by flames, exuding an ancient and weathered feel, yet also carrying a sense of desolation, as if it had been left by the passage of time.

It is said that the Pill Tower existed when the Eastern Wilderness Academy was first established.

"As expected of a gathering place for alchemists, this Pill Tower is indeed very spacious..."

Upon closer inspection, a plaque in front of the tower is crafted from a piece of jade, with the words "Dan Tower" cast entirely in gold. The jade is a single piece of ten-thousand-year-old cold jade, radiating a chilling aura. For alchemists, ten-thousand-year-old cold jade can suppress the fiery energy around them during the long process of refining pills, thus achieving a calming and tranquilizing effect. Of course, for martial artists, wearing it for a long time can also improve their physique.

The price of ten-thousand-year-old cold jade is quite high, and even some large sects are reluctant to use a whole piece of ten-thousand-year-old cold jade as a plaque.

"I'm here to take the alchemist level test."

"Come with me."

A woman wearing a long, slit dress led Qin Xin into the interior of the Pill Tower.

Inside the Pill Tower, the entire hall was like a circle, with pill furnaces placed in the eight directions around it, and many martial artists dressed in alchemist robes coming and going.

Qin Xin glanced at them and saw that these dozens of people all seemed to be first-grade alchemists, with ancient alchemy furnace patterns painted on their chests, and only a silver shimmering ripple flashing across them.

Qin Xin also understood that becoming an alchemist was basically possible as long as the requirements were met, but becoming a high-level alchemist required more than just strength; talent and opportunity were also very important.

"Manager Yang, this person needs to take the alchemist test."

A woman in a long, slit dress led Qin Xin to a steward whose face was somewhat aged, but whose physique appeared to be that of a middle-aged man.

"Take him over there to pay the spirit stones, and then come with me to the alchemy room for testing."

The manager surnamed Yang didn't even look up, just waved his hand and let the woman take him away. He seemed to think that Qin Xin was too young and that he was just some scion of a noble family trying to get the identity of an alchemist, so he didn't take him seriously.

"Do we have to pay spirit stones for the test?" Qin Xin, who was following behind the woman, asked in surprise.

"First-grade alchemist test, ten low-level spirit stones."

"Second-grade alchemist test, one mid-grade spirit stone."

"The test for alchemists of grade three and above is free."

"If you don't have any spirit stones, leave quickly. I have many people here who need to be tested."

When the manager surnamed Yang heard Qin Xin's question, he was clearly impatient, and his tone suggested that he wanted to drive Qin Xin away.

Qin Xin was aware of spirit stones. He had obtained a low-level spirit stone at the Wanbao Pavilion in Tianyuan City, but he gave it to Qin Xue.

These spirit stones are actually stones containing pure energy, which can be used by martial artists for cultivation. They are also indispensable for setting up formations. Generally, some precious spiritual herbs and pills can only be purchased with spirit stones.

Although gold coins are the common currency in the Eastern Wilderness, most transactions between martial artists are completed using spirit stones.

"I want to take the test for a third-grade alchemist."

Qin Xin didn't have any spirit stones, but his original purpose was to get certified as a third-grade alchemist, so he directly stated the level he wanted to be tested on.

"Kid, are you kidding me?!"

When the steward surnamed Yang heard that Qin Xin was going to take the third-grade alchemist test, anger immediately appeared on his face.

"What, do I look like I'm joking?" Qin Xin's face also showed a cold smile.

“Yang Feng, since this kid wants to be tested, the Pill Tower can’t refuse him, otherwise people will say that the Black Dragon City Pill Tower is wrong.”

Just as the steward surnamed Yang got up to drive Qin Xin away, a man dressed in an alchemist's robe slowly walked in, followed by two young women dressed as students. They had deep red hickeys on their necks, and on their chests was an ancient alchemy furnace pattern with three shimmering silver ripples. Their tone was undeniably arrogant as they spoke.

"So it's Young Master Kong Bai. It's been a long time since we've seen you in Black Dragon City."

Upon seeing the man before him, Yang Feng approached him with a fawning expression.

"I've been cultivating in the inner courtyard for a while now, so this is a good opportunity to take a break and take the fourth-grade alchemist exam."

Kong Bai narrowed his eyes slightly, seemingly enjoying the kneading sensation from the two women behind him.

"Young Master Kong Bai truly deserves Elder Huo Sheng's favor. I wish you success in advance," Yang Feng said respectfully.

"Being a fourth-grade alchemist is not so easy. It took me decades to become a third-grade alchemist."

As Kong Bai spoke, he deliberately glanced at Qin Xin, as if mocking him for being overconfident. "Kid, although the third-grade alchemist test is free, it still requires a lot of materials. If you pass the test, that's fine, but if some people try to cheat their way in, it will be a loss for the Pill Tower."

"You may want to test it, but if you fail, you will have to cripple your cultivation. How about that?"

Qin Xin glanced at Kong Bai, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes. Although it was their first meeting, he felt as if Kong Bai was targeting him.

"It's fine to cripple your own cultivation, but what if I succeed?" Qin Xin said with a sneer.

"If you succeed, I'll call you 'Father' in front of everyone," Kong Bai said with a loud laugh, and a group of people behind him echoed his sentiment with laughter.

"Alright, it's a deal then!"

Qin Xin readily agreed to Kong Bai's bet.