Free Web NovelChapter 200: Chapter 199: Spring Garden (Part 1)
By the time Wen Qingye returned to Yiyun Pavilion, the sky had already darkened. He went back to his room, sat cross-legged, and entered a state of cultivation.
The days passed one by one, and the opening of the Thousand Rivers Secret Land drew ever closer.
The Celestial Martial Country had provided the three major academies with a vast amount of cultivation resources, all in preparation for this trial. The chosen geniuses from these academies, regardless of whether they succeeded in the Thousand Rivers Secret Land, were considered the elites and future pillars of the Celestial Martial Country—so long as they survived. freewebnoveℓ.com
Thus, the Royal Family of the Celestial Martial Country placed exceptional importance on those who were about to participate in the Thousand Rivers Secret Land trial. This was especially true for the princes vying for the Monarch Position, who did everything in their power to win over these chosen geniuses.
On behalf of the Celestial Martial Country, the National Master was hosting a final, grand banquet in the Spring Garden, inviting members from all three academies. Naturally, Wen Qingye of Qig Mountain Academy was among those invited.
In the Spring Garden.
It was the height of spring, and the flowers were in full bloom. The Spring Garden was a riot of vibrant purples and reds.
"National Master, about this Wen Qingye..." a young man in a python-patterned robe said, his brow tightly furrowed as he looked at Liu Ying.
This man was none other than the current Crown Prince of the Celestial Martial Country.
Liu Ying spoke slowly. "I know what you’re thinking, but a choice must be made. Wen Tongyu and Wen Qingye are like fire and water; they will never coexist. The way I see it, you can only choose one of them."
The Crown Prince shook his head, saying with some regret, "This is truly a difficult situation. This Wen Qingye’s talent is also astonishing. Given time, his achievements are bound to be extraordinary. Why don’t we prepare for both outcomes? We can first try to win over Wen Tongyu. If Third Brother manages to get him on his side, we can then go after Wen Qingye. What do you think, National Master?"
"No." Liu Ying shook his head. "Ambiguity will only cause you to lose too many opportunities. Decisiveness and resolve are indispensable qualities for the powerful."
The Crown Prince fell into deep thought. After a long moment, he said, "So, what you mean is...?"
Liu Ying closed his eyes and said faintly, "As long as you understand. What you do now is up to you."
.......
Nie Qinglan led Wen Qingye, Yann Chuxue, and the rest of the Qig Mountain Academy contingent to the entrance of the Spring Garden.
The imperial court had always been a place of strict, numerous rules, and this banquet held by the Royal Family was no exception.
Wen Qingye walked at the very back with a detached air, his gaze fixed ahead. Suddenly, the sound of several footsteps rang out.
A group of people approached. They were mostly elderly, with a few middle-aged individuals mixed in. Without saying a word, they gave the group from Qig Mountain Academy a detached glance before slowly walking into the Spring Garden.
Nie Qinglan said in a low voice, "Those are all alchemists. They are all renowned figures in our Celestial Martial Country. Some of them are so skilled that even our Vice Director, Yann Shanjun, can’t compare. Be sure not to offend any of them."
Wang Jie asked in confusion, "Why did the National Master invite these Pill Masters?"
Nie Qinglan smiled and said, "The division of power is an incredibly complex matter. You should know that the struggle for the throne naturally requires winning over people like them. Although most Pill Masters are aloof and proud, there’s no shortage of those who chase fame and fortune."
Everyone nodded in realization.
"Many people have already gone in. Let’s go in, too," Nie Qinglan said, then led the way inside.
The banquet hall was situated in the deepest part of the Spring Garden, a place that boasted the garden’s most beautiful scenery and was considered a wonder of the Celestial Martial Country. Even before arriving, a rich fragrance wafted out to greet them. Inside, small bridges arched over flowing streams, and soft music drifted through the air. It was the very picture of an Immortal Realm.
Over a hundred banquet tables were arranged in two long rows, stretching for more than a hundred meters. A bustling crowd had already taken their seats, each person beaming and engaged in spirited conversation.
At the very front were sixteen tables. Everyone seated there was either a top-tier prodigy of the Celestial Martial Country or a personage of extraordinary status. Behind these, several more seats were arranged, clearly intended for their entourages.
When the crowd saw the contingent from Qig Mountain Academy arrive, there wasn’t much of a reaction. The idea that only those from the Purple Sun Prefecture were the top geniuses of the Celestial Martial Country was deeply ingrained in their minds, so they naturally paid little attention to Qig Mountain Academy.
Wen Qingye scanned the people around him. The students from Celestial Academy had already arrived and were seated at one of the tables. Some people from Purple Sun Prefecture had arrived as well, though Wen Qingye only recognized Ling Quan and Wen Shibei among them. As for Wen Tongyu, he didn’t seem to have arrived yet.
Ling Jiao was standing off to one side. When she saw Wen Qingye, her gaze immediately shifted to him, and she paid no mind to the handsome young talent who was speaking to her.
"Young Master," Jie Jiachun said in a low voice, slowly walking to Wen Qingye’s side.
Wen Qingye nodded. Just then, he spotted a familiar figure. ’It’s her!’ A smile broke out on Wen Qingye’s face.
Xiaxia stood amidst a crowd, a faint smile on her face. Her lively eyes now held a new depth of composure and tranquility.
Xiaxia was chatting with the Pill Masters around her, apparently not having noticed Wen Qingye’s arrival.
Wen Qingye slowly drew closer, curious about what Xiaxia and the others were discussing.
Xiaxia was shaking her head, saying, "For the Wuyun Pill, when you add the Lan Gui, you only need three qian. This not only saves a considerable amount of ingredients but also maximally activates the medicinal properties. The five qian you mentioned is too much."
The old man’s brow furrowed. "Too much? How can that be? I succeed every time I refine the Wuyun Pill."
"That’s right, young lady! Don’t just spout nonsense. Elder Zhou is an Eighth-Grade Alchemist in our Celestial Martial Country!"
"Yeah, that’s right! You’re just a Fifth-Grade Alchemist. What would you know about the wonders of a Seventh-Grade Pill like the Wuyun Pill?"
The surrounding Pill Masters couldn’t help but chime in.
Xiaxia didn’t seem to mind. She shrugged. "And that’s why you’re all still just Sixth and Seventh-Grade Pill Masters."
"You!"
The crowd flared up in anger at her words. They were respected figures and had never been so blatantly belittled.
Zhou Long, the man they called Elder Zhou, spoke up. He looked at Xiaxia and said, "Your method and mine are not the same. As for who’s right and who’s wrong, it’s hard to say just by talking. How about this? After the banquet, we can refine it in person and see the result. What do you think?"
Zhou Long wasn’t angry like the others. He knew this young woman, Xiaxia, was far from simple. An eighteen-year-old Fifth Grade Alchemist... and from his interactions with her recently, Zhou Long knew her foundation was solid; she was certainly not some self-taught amateur. She had to have someone at or above the level of a King-grade Alchemist backing her. What he was truly curious about was her master. ’Just who is this revered figure?’
Xiaxia gave a slight nod. Just as she was about to speak, a white-haired old man stepped forward.
"You’re from the Xia Family of Feiyun City?" the old man asked, looking at Xiaxia.
Seeing the old man arrive, the surrounding crowd all put on expressions of people ready to watch a good show, their eyes filled with anticipation.
Xiaxia nodded and asked in confusion, "Yes? Do you have business with the Xia Family?"
"My name is Zhang Ya," the old man said in a heavy voice. frёeωebɳovel.com
Hearing this, Xiaxia’s delicate brows furrowed. ’So this is Zhang Ya. Is he here to cause trouble?’
"Rest assured, I’m not here to cause trouble for you," Zhang Ya said slowly. "I have already investigated the matter concerning my young disciple. I have already wiped out the Yue Family. As for Liu Qing’s matter, I will not pursue it further. After all, it was a competition he entered of his own accord."
Xiaxia breathed a sigh of relief and nodded without speaking. She knew that Zhang Ya probably had more to say.
