The two females looked at the youth anxiously, and after only a while, the eyelids of the youth actually twitched!
“Shuang Shuang, did you see? Did you see?” Lady Yan asked in a trembling voice.
“Yes, Milady! I saw it!” Yun Shuang Shuang nodded quickly.
“Ten years! Ten years!” tears rolled down Lady Yan’s cheeks, “Tian’er can finally wake up!”
“Congratulations, Milady!” Yun Shuang Shuang smiled widely.
Chapter 155
Translator: _Dark_Angel_ Editor: Kurisu
“What do you girls think? Is Elder Brother Disciple Feng Yan really Master Lian’s illegitimate son?” inside the female hostel of Hu Yang Academy, a young girl with a freckled face asked the other three girls with her, a gossipy expression all over her face.
If Ling Han was here, he would definitely recognize that one of the girls here was Shen Zi Yan.
“I would assume so. If not, why would Master Lian be so protective over him? That would mean going against the Imperial Family!” a young girl whose hair was tied in two braids said.
“Maybe, but who knows if he might be the illegitimate son of his illegitimate son?” a green-clad young girl asked.
Shen Zi Yan did not say a word. She had been the most talented student in Gray Cloud Academy, which was something that had always given her great pride. But from the moment she entered Hu Yang Academy, she knew that she was only the frog at the bottom of a well. Anyone here was no weaker than her in terms of talent, and the majority was stronger than her.
Moreover, she came from a lowly background, and in this Academy that had gathered all the youths from noble backgrounds, she was naturally unable to raise her head. Within a short month, all her pride and arrogance had been rubbed out.
“What kind of enmity does Elder Brother Disciple Feng have with that Ling Han that he would let his brother collect evidence of Ling Han’s misdeeds, and would even promise a reward for information?” the braided girl asked curiously.
When Shen Zi Yan heard this, her eyes suddenly lit up.
“Younger Sister Disciple Shen, you came from Da Yuan City, and Elder Brother Disciple Feng and that Ling Han also came from there. Do you know what kind of grievances exist between them?” the freckled young girl asked Shen Zi Yan, suddenly recalling that the latter was also from Da Yuan City.
Shen Zi Yan’s expression darkened, and she said, “Ling Han is an ignorant, incompetent, despicable, and vulgar character! Do you all know how he managed to enroll into the Academy?”
“No!” the other three girls shook their heads.
“He begged his father who used his own life to trade for this opportunity to enroll in the Academy!” Shen Zi Yan declared, smiling coldly.
“What, how could someone like that exist?” the other three girls gasped in shock.
“Of course!” Shen Zi Yan continued to smear Ling Han’s name, “Have you ever heard of the Dark Demon Forest?”
“En, en, en. We’ve heard of it before. That is a very dangerous place that not even Spiritual Pedestal Tier elites would dare to enter!” the three girls nodded.
“I heard that more than a hundred years ago, a member of the Hu Yang Academy entered the Dark Demon Forest and lost an ultimate treasure inside, so Ling Han’s father managed to make a deal with the Academy. He would enter the Dark Demon Forest to retrieve that ultimate treasure, and Ling Han would be able to enter Hu Yang Academy,” Shen Zi Yan said.
“He’s really too despicable!”
“What an unfilial son!”
The freckled young girl and the other two girls all shook their heads at this. He was practically scum, actually asking his father to take such a great risk and endure formidable dangers just for himself to be able to enter the Academy.
Shen Zi Yan smirked coldly. Rumor had the highest demand, and within a few days, Ling Han would become a rat that everyone would want to throttle. She despised Ling Han—this despise had begun since the betrothal contract between Ling Han and herself had been set down. However, after Ling Han’s abrupt rise to power, this despise had transformed completely into hatred.
She absolutely did not want others to laugh at her behind her back, mocking her for being blind and missing out on the perfect husband. Thus, she wanted to utterly discredit Ling Han and for him to lose all standing and good reputation.
***
Ling Han advanced very quickly, and after a mere four days, he had broken through to the seventh layer of Element Gathering Tier.
But he was not the fastest. There was another that was even more of a monster than he was.
Hu Niu.
The little girl’s Spirit Base was not only very weird, it also possessed an ability to absorb Spiritual Qi that was no weaker than Ling Han. Moreover, after she had hatched out from the egg, she had somehow obtained a cultivation technique that was completely able to suit the rapid speed at which a Heaven Grade Spirit Base absorbed Spiritual Qi.
Merely from this aspect, she was definitely not any slower than Ling Han. More importantly, she could still eat.
Her ability of being able to transform any food that she had consumed into her own Origin Power had not disappeared after she had managed to awaken her Spirit Base. On the other hand, this ability had become even more powerful. Thus, after a mere five days, the little girl had reached the ninth layer of Body Refining Tier.
However, he did not know if the barrier separating the various major Tiers would be able to detain her for a while. After all, breaking through this barrier involved the comprehension and understanding of her cultivation level, and energy was not the only thing necessary to break through.
And yet, this was completely no issue for her.
After a day, Hu Niu quietly stepped into Element Gathering Tier, so smoothly as if it was as easy as drinking water for her.
Ling Han did not know what to say anymore. Could Hu Niu also be the reincarnation of a powerful, ultimate existence like him? That was not impossible. After all, the Spirit Base in the little girl’s Dantian was really too weird. It not only took the form of a magnificent beauty, it could even open its eyes and had almost obliterated Ling Han’s spirit.
And in the eyes of the Liu sisters, these two people, both big and small, were undoubtedly both monsters. They had watched as the cultivation levels of these two soared within a short few days’ time, making them feel that this was completely unreal.
Indeed, their cultivation levels were higher than Ling Han and Hu Niu. However, one had to know that this was possible only because they had used up all the resources of the Falling Flower Court, which allowed them to reach a high layer in Gushing Spring Tier below the age of twenty. However, their future advancement could only depend on their own efforts and talent.
But when they looked at the monstrous speed that these two were advancing with, it was obvious they could continue to advance in this manner even in the higher realms, and that was the really terrifying thing.
Ling Han wanted to use Hu Niu’s cultivation technique as a reference, but the little girl could not describe it clearly no matter how hard she tried. She could only express that it was as if this cultivation technique was something she knew instinctively, and naturally knew how to circulate this cultivation technique. She did not need to understand it, nor was she able to recite it out.
On the other side, because of Shen Zi Yan, Ling Han’s name as a ‘despicable son’ had spread throughout the Academy, and everyone thought that Ling Han had forced his father to sell his life to be able to enter into the Academy, causing them to be disgusted by his unfilial actions.
In this manner, Feng Luo became the representative of righteousness. The matter of Wei He Le’s expulsion had even been brought to the surface again, as some suggested for a retrial to take place. Who knew if Wei He Le had been wronged.
“What do we do now? Everyone is talking bad about you.” Liu Yu Tong came over and gritted her teeth naturally as she mentioned the rumors. Anyone who had come from Da Yuan C
ity would naturally know that Ling Han had entered the Academy because he had gotten the first place in the Tournament, but the mass spreading of rumors confused right from wrong, and no one would believe the truth.
“I know I am innocent, and if others want to wag their tongues, just let them be. But if they dare to say these things in front of me, I’ll punch out their whole mouth of teeth,” Ling Han said uncaringly. As someone who had once been an ultimate warrior of Heaven Tier, he would naturally not care about what others think of him.
When he displayed invincible martial arts ability, all rumors would be naturally destroyed.
Kou, kou, kou. A knock was heard from the door, and because the door was not closed, a beautiful face popped in and said, “Is Mr Ling here?”
Liu Yu Tong turned to look at her, and could not stop a strange expression from appearing on her. Ling Han’s luck with the ladies was really a bit too strong. He had just stepped into the Imperial City for a short time, and he had already gotten to know so many different beautiful girls?
Ling Han also looked at this visitor, and could not help but smile as he said, “Silly little girl, why are you looking for me?”
The beautiful girl was Yun Shuang Shuang. At first, she had been in a good mood, but when she heard Ling Han’s words, she immediately became furious, and said snappily, “Milady would like to invite you to the Cherishing Flower Pavilion so she can thank you personally!”
“Oh, when?” Ling Han asked.
“If Mr Ling does not have anything important going on, then please come over tonight.”
“All right!” Ling Han nodded. Indeed, he did not have anything pressing to do tonight.
Chapter 156
Translator: _Dark_Angel_ Editor: Kurisu
“I’ll go with you!” Liu Yu Tong immediately said. She would naturally know what kind of place the Cherishing Flower Pavilion was—a money squandering establishment for men. How could she let Ling Han go without worry?
It was only now that Yun Shuang Shuang turned to look at Liu Yu Tong, bowed faintly, and said, “So it is the princess of the Liu Clan. Shuang Shuang has been impolite.”
Liu Yu Tong looked a bit awkward at being addressed so because she did not know Yun Shuang Shuang. However, in her eyes, all girls who came from the Cherishing Flower Pavilion were unbearably filthy and not characters she would deign to know anyways. Moreover, Yun Shuang Shuang was intending to drag Ling Han to play at that kind of place, which would increase her antipathy even more.
Thus, she only gave a reserved nod, and did not even spare her a courteous reply.
Yun Shuang Shuang could not help but show an enraged expression. She was Lady Yan’s adopted daughter, and did not need to receive customers. Thus, she similarly had a high opinion of herself. However, in the eyes of a noble princess like Liu Yu Tong, she was indeed unable to escape the reality that she came from the red-light district. This was very upsetting to her.
“Lady Yan has made it clear. We are only inviting Mr Ling alone!” she did not clash with Liu Yu Tong head on, but simply used the name of Lady Yan to tactfully decline her.
“Niu, Niu go too!” Hu Niu scrambled out and clung onto Ling Han’s arm, completely looking like a spoiled child.
“That’s right. We’ll all go!” Liu Yu Tong emphasized. With Hu Niu there, even if Ling Han was driven wild by passion, he would have to behave himself.
“Just let them come with me.” Ling Han picked Hu Niu up, “The older one would still listen to me, but even I won’t be able to settle the younger one.”
“Xi xi!” Hu Niu’s eyes lit up, and said happily, “Meat! Meat! Meat!”
Yun Shuang Shuang did not mind if Hu Niu went. After all, the one who had incurred her displeasure was Liu Yu Tong, but since Ling Han had already spoken, she could only say, “Then, please come to the Cherishing Flower Pavilion tonight for a chat, all three of you. I shall take my leave for now.”
When she had finally left, Liu Yu Tong looked to be in a slightly better mood.
Ling Han could not help but grin, and asked, “My little female attendant, are you jealous?”
“Who, who’s jealous!” Liu Yu Tong’s beautiful face turned completely red instantly, as brightly splendid as a flower, becoming an extremely captivating picture.
Ling Han laughed loudly and, changing the subject, said, “How has the business of the clothing stores been?”
“Very good. We’ve already managed to take over most of the business of the Chen Clan. However, the Chen Clan would definitely not sit by quietly and wait for their end. Either a price war would follow, or they would send someone to create a disturbance at our stores.” Liu Yu Tong frowned slightly. After all, these stores did not have the symbol of the Liu Clan on them.
Ling Han smiled softly, and said, “If they decide to stimulate a price war, it’s fine. I was not planning to earn money from this business anyways. But if they dare to send someone to make a disturbance, hehe. That would give me the best excuse to pay them a visit and give them a thrashing!”
Liu Yu Tong finally understood. Indeed, if the stores were smashed, then as the owner, Ling Han would of course have a legitimate excuse to make a move. “But the Chen Clan would most likely not make a move themselves, but rather send over members of the Earth and Water Faction.”
“Earth and Water Faction!” a cold light flickered in Ling Han’s eyes. This faction would be willing to even do jobs like kidnapping little girls, which was evidence enough of the extent of filth in its inner workings. He had already thought of obliterating this faction.
“I deduce that the Chen Clan would not resort to force, but would rather induce a price war to see if we would back out on our own. I’ll take advantage of this period of time to first deal with the Earth and Water Faction then.”
Liu Yu Tong could not help but look worried at this, and said, “The Earth and Water Faction has relations with all Eight Great Clans. If you move against the Earth and Water Faction, the Eight Great Clans may interfere.”
Ling Han was very displeased. In his last life, when had he ever experienced having his hands tied up like this? But who asked him to be only in Element Gathering Tier now? Even in a small place like Rain Country, he was not able to have a large amount of influence.
“Let’s go to Heaven’s Medicine Pavilion first. I’ve been spending money like water these days, so I need to earn some money first,” he said after a moment of thought.
Going to Heaven’s Medicine Pavilion to earn money?
A strange expression came over Liu Yu Tong’s face. Who would not be spending money at Heaven’s Medicine Pavilion? But this guy was the exact opposite, actually thinking of earning money at Heaven’s Medicine Pavilion. However, when she recalled Ling Han’s terrifying ability at alchemy, earning money at Heaven’s Medicine Pavilion seemed a very natural thing for him to do.
“Let’s go. Since someone is treating us tonight, let’s just have lunch outside as well!” Ling Han stepped out the door, Hu Niu in his arms.
“What about the two girls in the house?” Liu Yu Tong caught up with him. She was of course referring to the Liu sisters.
“Oh, I was already kind enough to take the two of them in, and I still have to take care of their daily meals? Just let them cook for themselves,” Ling Han said with a laugh.
A captivating smile suddenly appeared on Liu Yu Tong’s face. It was obvious that Ling Han had completely zero interest in the Liu sisters. Otherwise, he would not act this way. This discovery made her very happy, and even she herself felt it was very peculiar that she would be so happy.
With two beauties as company, Ling Han arrived at the Heaven’s Medicine Pavilion.
“Young Master Han!” he had just stepped onto that long and wide flight of stairs when he saw an old man in his sixties also coincidentally descending the stairs. When the old man saw Ling Han, he hurriedly approached him and greeted him very respectfully.
There were four others behind this old man, and they were all his discipl
es. When they saw their master act this way, an expression of utter astonishment appeared on their faces.
This was Grandmaster Yuanchu Yuan they were talking about, a genuine Black Grade middle level alchemist, someone who was just one step away from being equal with the two biggest bosses of alchemy of Rain Country. But when they saw how Yuanchu could not help but bow deeply, his face filled with utter respect, it was obviously not faked. That was indeed a completely sincere display of reverence.
If Ling Han had been Wu Song Lin, or Fu Yuan Sheng, it would not be strange. Alchemy was the same as martial arts. The gap of different levels was like the gap between Heaven and Earth, but Ling Han was only a young brat. How could they not be completely dumbstruck?
They’ve seen a ghost. They’ve definitely seen a ghost. They all rubbed their eyes harshly, completely unable to believe this scene was real.
“You are…” Ling Han only recognized this person to be one of the alchemists who had observed his alchemy techniques that day, but he did not know who exactly he was.
“Pu!”
All of them felt like they were going to pass out. Just take a look, Grandmaster Yuanchu’s face was practically about to touch your shoes, and you f****** don’t even know who Grandmaster Yuanchu was? This really was… was… They didn’t even know what else they could say anymore.
“My name is Yuanchu, and I had the good fortune to witness Young Master Han concocting alchemical pills some time ago. I have benefited greatly from observing Young Master Han, but I was completely immersed in Young Master Han’s techniques that day and did not even know when you had left. I have committed a grave offense. Please forgive me, Young Master Han!” Yuanchu Yuan said in fear and trepidation. [1]
Hiss , everyone was once again shocked. With Grandmaster Yuanchu’s status, he was actually apologizing for not personally seeing Ling Han off. Who was this brat? He was absolutely terrifying.
Ling Han smiled, and said, “It’s all right.”
“Young Master Han, have you come to concoct alchemical pills again today?” Yuanchu asked, filled with great anticipation. He had an indescribable confidence that as long as he could watch Ling Han concoct alchemical pills a few more times, he would definitely be able to break through to become a Black Grade high level alchemist. Thus, he would of course be very proactive.
Alchemy Emperor of the Divine Dao c1-1294 Page 92