The sun and moon passed, and a new day arrived. The two women
, sleepless all night, rose early, washed, and went straight to Ran Qingchen to bid farewell.
After a reluctant farewell, Ran Qingchen personally escorted them out of the valley.
"Sister Qingchen, let's stop here. The Valley Master could wake up any minute now, so you should get some rest and don't overexert yourself."
"Well, then I won't see you off any longer. I have my contact information. If there's anything Yin Valley can do for you in the future, don't forget me."
"I will."
After they finished speaking, Chen Guan and Ran Qingchen nodded to each other. They didn't stay any longer, and led Yun Yun towards the nearest city.
...
There was no rush as when they arrived. Chen Guan intended to guide Yun Yun to familiarize herself with Zhongzhou, so the journey was leisurely. It took nearly twenty days before they finally reached Shengdan City.
"Let's go see the teacher first, then go to Yecheng,"
Chen Guan said as he emerged from the space wormhole and felt the oncoming crowd.
Yun Yun nodded, "You decide."
The two walked hand in hand. Because of their appearance, the bustling crowd often turned their heads.
However, few could recognize the young man they passed as the Chen Guan, the man who had been making so much noise a while ago.
Not long after, the two arrived at the base of the Dan Pagoda.
There, more and more people recognized Chen Guan, and seeing Yun Yun beside him also surprised many.
"I never thought Master Chen Guan already had a beautiful woman. I thought he'd be involved with that Cao family witch, but this one is a perfect match."
"Hehe, isn't this even better? We both have a chance."
"You're dreaming! Wait until you reach the Seventh Rank before you dream."
Yun Yun's pretty face heated up as she listened to the whispers along the way, and she also felt a mysterious pressure.
Chen Guan, on the other hand, remained calm, making no secret of his relationship with Yun Yun. When someone praised their pairing, he would smile, "You have good taste!"
This display of affection helped dispel much of Yun Yun's nervousness.
They soon arrived at Xuan Kongzi's study.
Chen Guan wanted to take Yun Yun and knock on the door, but he could hear a commotion through the door, suggesting a large gathering.
"Go ahead," Yun Yun said. "I'd also like to take a good look around this renowned alchemist's sanctuary," she said.
"Okay, I'll see you later,"
Chen Guan agreed. It was only natural to pay a visit to the teacher after returning, but with so many people, it wouldn't be appropriate to bring Yun Yun along.
After watching Yun Yun descend the stairs, Chen Guan finally knocked on the door.
Once he was allowed in, he noticed a solemn atmosphere within the study.
Not only was Xuan Yi there, but to his left stood an ethereal, elusive elder.
His skin was quite dark, his expression stern and unsmiling. His eyes, like lightning, pierced the soul as he glanced over.
Tian Leizi, one of the Three Great Masters of Danta!
This was his first time seeing him, but he had heard of him before, so Chen Guan was almost certain that this was the giant.
Besides the three giants, Cao Ying was also there, and beside her was a young man in white. He was handsome, but the unmistakable hostility in his gaze left Chen Guan perplexed.
Suppressing his subtle thoughts, Chen Guan bowed.
"Teacher, two senior uncles."
"Well, Chen Guan, you've returned just in time. Remember what I just said: at the Alchemy Conference in eight months, we must not let those rats from the Soul Palace win at any cost!"
Xuan Kongzi nodded, his voice grumbling.
Did something happen while he was gone?
Although puzzled, he nodded obediently.
"Everyone, go away first. I'll discuss strategy with your two senior uncles."
Xuan Kongzi waved his hand irritably, only to intensify Chen Guan's curiosity.
Without further ado, he left with Cao Ying and the other young man.
Emerging from the study, Chen Guan finally turned to Cao Ying.
Knowing what he was about to ask, Cao Ying gave a helpless smile and explained, "Something happened to Medicine Venerable. The day after you left, Medicine Venerable and Wind Venerable also bid farewell, returning to Xingyun Pavilion with Xiao Yan. On the way, however, they were ambushed by the Eighth and Ninth Celestial Venerables of the Soul Palace. If Senior Brother Xuanyi hadn't arrived in time, Medicine Venerable would have fallen into their hands."
"Although Teacher and Medicine Venerable often bicker, they have a very good relationship. Furthermore, before they left, the two Soul Palace Senior Brothers declared they would give us a surprise at the alchemy conference. Such provocations must have infuriated Teacher. Senior Brother Tianleizi even wanted to attack them directly."
Sure enough, it was Soul Palace again.
Yao Chen was quite proud to have attracted the simultaneous ambush of two of the Soul Palace's Senior Brothers.
"Are Xiao Yan and the others alright now?"
"Those two Soul Palace Celestial Venerables were both at the peak of the Eight-Star Dou Zun level. Senior-Master Xuanyi's efforts were unsuccessful, but Medicine Venerable and Wind Venerable did suffer some injuries,"
Cao Ying replied
, shaking her head. Chen Guan gave it no further thought.
For an alchemist of Yao Chen's rank, as long as they didn't die on the spot, it wasn't a big deal.
Without asking any further questions, Chen Guan looked up at the young man who had been glaring at him angrily while the two were talking.
"Who is this?"
"My name is Song Qing. I come from the Song family, one of the Five Great Families. I studied under the Great Elder of Danta. I'm a Seventh-Rank Senior Alchemist!"
Without waiting for Cao Ying's introduction, Song Qing took the initiative to step forward, his head held high as he spoke, appearing extremely proud.
Upon learning his identity, Chen Guan immediately understood his behavior.
Song Qing, after all, was Cao Ying's regular lapdog.
"Oh,"
he casually replied, and Chen Guan looked away, not wanting to engage in further conversation. He wasn't in the habit of currying favor with someone who didn't seem to care.
Such undisguised perfunctory attitude made Cao Ying, who was standing beside him, unable to suppress a chuckle.
Seeing Cao Ying's reaction, Song Qing instantly grew even more furious, and his hostility towards Chen Guan intensified.
"Hmph, I hope you can be so nonchalant at the alchemy conference."
With that, Song Qing walked away.
It seemed quite...
Looking at Cao Ying, who was chuckling beside him, Chen Guan was speechless.
"Senior Sister, are you calling this a beauty? We're innocent."
Perhaps, knowing Yun Yun existed, this wouldn't have happened.
Hearing this, Cao Ying rolled her eyes coquettishly.
"You're overthinking it. I'm only one reason why Song Qing is so hostile to you."
"Anything else?"
"Of course, you've only been a disciple for a short time, so you probably haven't thought about the top three positions yet. But besides you, every Danta disciple is striving for it, including me.
Before you came along, most people believed that Song Qing, Dan Chen, and I had the greatest future prospects. But now that you're here, one of us is bound to be threatened, and Song Qing's current level is the weakest among the three of us."
Cao Ying stated the truth with unwavering certainty.
She had always been very confident in her alchemy skills.
Chen Guan suddenly realized. As I'd said, simply being jealous seemed childish and clownish, but there was actually a deeper reason.
"I see. I hadn't originally thought about the Big Three position, but now, I suddenly have an idea."
"Hehe, I also think you're more suitable. He doesn't like you now, so you, little junior brother, will take the position he's always dreamed of, brewing... tea and giving him orders. Isn't that a fun thing?"
Cao Ying encouraged with a smile.
Chen Guan glanced at her more, feeling that this was not what she originally wanted to say.
(End of this chapter)