Ling Han was moved in his heart, but there was no hint of change in his expression. How could he so easily wear his heart on his sleeve after two whole lifetimes 1 ? He asked, “Your Imperial Highness does not seem to have cultivated this Mystical Power?”
Otherwise, he may not take it out as a bargaining chip.
The Eldest Imperial Prince shook his head and said, “The Eye of Truth has a very special condition for inheritance. It is hidden in an eyeball, and one must somehow gain its acceptance and acknowledgement before it would directly enter into one’s consciousness. Otherwise, it is only a piece of scrap.”
Ling Han gave an ‘oh’ at this. No wonder he had not managed to find the Mystical Power ‘Swallow the Heavens and Devour the Earth’. So this kind of inheritance was completely different from cultivation techniques and martial arts, and was not depicted in mere words or pictures.
Intriguing.
He smiled and said, “When Your Imperial Highness can bring that eyeball to me, we can continue to discuss our cooperation. But, as for now, let’s just be friends, all right?”
The Eldest Imperial Prince knew very well that empty promises would not be able to move Ling Han—whatever he could promise, so could the Third Imperial Prince, which meant he had no advantage over the latter. However, he had at least managed to befriend Ling Han, so other matters could be advanced slowly.
“Young Master Han, there will be an auction at the Spirit Treasures Pavilion the day after tomorrow, and it is rumored that there will even be an incomparably precious Foundation Building Pill up for auction. Are you interested to go take a look?” the Eldest Imperial Prince earnestly inquired him.
Ling Han could not help but put on a strange expression. This Foundation Building Pill was naturally his, but he had never thought that it would actually become the most precious of auction items. He was just about to shake his head in refusal, but then reconsidered. Rain Country’s overall level was too low. Who knows if there may be some treasures that may not be recognized for their worth.
“I don’t mind going for a look.” He changed his mind.
“Hahahaha, then I shall come receive you personally the day after tomorrow.” The Eldest Imperial Prince was very satisfied. If he appeared in public with Ling Han, then that would definitely create an image that he had a very close relationship with Ling Han. By that time, those middle-class clans would have to reconsider their decisions.
Ling Han nodded and took his leave. He still had to go and visit Li Hao and Zhu Xue Yi.
Chapter 181
Translator: _Dark_Angel_ Editor: Kurisu
He was not sure if the Eldest Imperial Prince would be able to find the secret Feng Yan was hiding, but based on his estimation, odds were low.
That was because the Third Imperial Prince had already taken action a few days ago, yet because of the appearance and interference of Lian Guang Zu, the imperial guards the Third Imperial Prince had sent were easily chased out of the Academy. After such an incident, the Third Imperial Prince would definitely have begun his own investigation on Feng Yan.
If the Third Imperial Prince had discovered anything, then he would definitely have come to inform Ling Han. Unfortunately, there was no news at all from the Third Imperial Prince even by now, so it was evident that he had not managed to find anything out.
When Ling Han arrived at Heaven’s Medicine Pavilion, Ling Han first comforted Li Hao and Zhu Xue Yi. For the moment, Li Hao would definitely be unable to return to the Academy, but for Li Hao, this was definitely a blessing in disguise.
What kind of place was the Heaven’s Medicine Pavilion?
A place that sold medicines!
There may be nothing else here, but if one were talking about alchemical pills, perhaps at least about one third of the supply of alchemical pills in the whole of Rain Country could be found here. And if you were talking about high grade alchemical pills, then these pills were basically all distributed from this place to other parts of Rain Country.
Ling Han now took Li Hao as a real friend, so he naturally would request Yuanchu to provide an unlimited supply of alchemical pills for Li Hao while he himself would also guide Li Hao a bit on his path of cultivation.
Just think, he had both an endless supply of alchemical pills, as well as someone who used to be an elite of Heaven Tier to guide him in his cultivation. If Li Hao’s prowess was still unable to improve drastically, then he really should find a piece of tofu and knock himself to death.
Li Hao and Zhu Xue Yi naturally understood this logic, so they could not help becoming even more grateful towards Ling Han. They both secretly decided that they would definitely do something for Ling Han in the future to repay him.
After leaving Heaven’s Medicine Pavilion, Ling Han had yet to return to the Academy when he was stopped midway and invited over by the Third Imperial Prince.
“Brother Ling!” The Third Imperial Prince was still exuding his signature dominating aura, though there was an added sliver of concern on his face. “I heard that my Eldest Brother went to see you today?”
“Since Your Imperial Highness is already aware, then why do you need to ask a question that you already know the answer to?” Ling Han said directly. He was not the slightest bit interested in the competition between these two brothers, and did not have the slightest intention to get himself involved in such a troublesome issue.
“Hehe!” The Third Imperial Prince laughed. “I trust that Brother Ling would not be so easily moved by my Eldest Brother’s flowery words.”
Ling Han could not help but smile, and said, “That may not be.” He recited the conditions that the Eldest Imperial Prince had set out, and the expression on the Third Imperial Prince’s face constantly changed as he heard Ling Han’s words, secretly thinking that the Eldest Imperial Prince was indeed ruthless that he would even dare promise to name Ling Han as a King and assist him to break through to Flower Blossoming Tier.
One had to understand that even if the current Rain Emperor wanted to name someone not of the Qi Family as a King, he would still encounter much objection from the members of the imperial court. There were too many high stakes involved in this matter, and it was definitely not something so simple that merely granting a title would be able to resolve it.
…If one were to be named King, then he should definitely have a piece of land to build his own kingdom. However, Rain Country had already been established for a few thousand years and all the land under the administration of the Empire had already long been divided amongst the nobility, so where would Ling Han’s land come from? Unless Ling Han were to lead the army out to war and occupy the land belonging to the neighboring nations?
And using the power of the nation to help Ling Han break through to Flower Blossoming Tier was even more nonsense. If it was as easy as that, then why was there only a single person in Flower Blossoming Tier in the whole of Rain Country?
“I know that Brother Ling is extremely loyal, and would definitely not betray me!” The Third Imperial Prince laughed loudly, seeming to be very happy. However, Ling Han noticed the dark tone underlining his laughter.
In a struggle for the throne, who would not be cold-blooded and cruel? Even blood and flesh brothers would be able to stab each other.
Ling Han laughed, and said, “That may not be. If there was enough benefit in the game, then anything can be discussed.”
“Pu!”
The Third Imperial Prince instantly choked, feeling as if someone had delivered a punch to his face. His expression was indescribably awkward. His face twitched and he forced out a smile, and said, “Brother Ling is indeed a good joker.”
Ling Han shook his head and said, “I am not joking here. For example, if I were able to cultivate the Eye of Truth, then I will definitely become good friends with Your Imperial Highness.”
“Eye of Truth!” The expression on the Third Imperial Prince’s face changed drastically, and he finally understood that the Eldest Imperial Prince had revealed the existence of
this precious treasure to Ling Han. However, when compared with naming him as a King, or using power of the nation to help him break through to Flower Blossoming Tier, this Mystical Power was a much smaller bargaining chip. If it was not the fact that it was locked within the inner chamber, he would not mind taking it out and handing it over to Ling Han. After all, it was only a support-type Mystical Power, and after so many years, there was no one who had been able to obtain the inheritance from within, so he believed that Ling Han would not be an exception either.
Trading a practically useless item for a powerful support—how could a genius like the Third Imperial Prince not want to make such a profitable bargain? But the problem was that he indeed did not have the right to enter into the inner chamber.
Hold on!
The Third Imperial Prince tapped his finger, and said, “After another two months, it would be my Imperial Father’s sixtieth birthday and the whole nation would be in celebration. At that time, my Imperial Father would definitely host a grand banquet for the guests, and draw out some treasures from the National Treasury for everyone to admire, so there would be a chance to enter into the National Treasury. However, the lock to the inner chamber is the Heaven and Earth United Lock, and unless one has the key, there is no way that it can be unlocked! Ai!”
However, Ling Han’s eyes lit up at this. He had the Blood Sucking Origin Gold in his possession which could change shape following his will and would be able to open any lock on this world, so this was nothing difficult for him. He said, “Then I really would like to enter into the National Treasury for a look.”
The Third Imperial Prince was a smart man, so he immediately looked at Ling Han in shock and said, “Brother Ling has a way to unlock the Heaven and Earth United Lock?”
“Haha, I learnt a few tricks of lock-picking.” Ling Han would naturally not reveal the existence of the Blood Sucking Origin Gold, so he simply used an excuse for cover.
The Third Imperial Prince considered for a moment, then said, “All right, when I manage to win over the position to organize this event, I will bring Brother Ling into the National Treasury. However, Brother Ling, let me say this first. There are a lot of extremely valuable treasures in the inner chamber, and they are extremely important, so you must definitely not take any of them. Otherwise, not just you, but even I will have to suffer the consequences.”
“Don’t worry. I am not interested in any other items,” Ling Han said with a smile.
The Third Imperial Prince could not help but roll his eyes at this. He naturally would not believe Ling Han’s words, but for the sake of obtaining Ling Han’s support, he could not worry about these things. Moreover, he would be standing at one side to observe then, so he would definitely not let Ling Han do as he liked.
There were risks, but the risk level was under control.
“Then I shall take my leave first, and quietly wait for good news from Your Imperial Highness,” Ling Han said, smiling.
“Brother Ling, please.” The Third Imperial Prince nodded.
Ling Han cast a look at Zi Yan. The girl seemed to have changed into a completely different person and had become reticent with a colder attitude. He did not pay too much attention to this though. It was none of his business, after all.
When he returned to his own courtyard in the Academy, he saw that Liu Yu Tong and Li Si Chan were both there. Both of them had come to express their concerns.
“Afterwards, Master purposely went to visit Master Lian, but Master Lian said he had his own difficulties. He would unconditionally support whatever Feng Yan decided to do,” Li Si Chan said.
Liu Yu Tong said, “I used the power of my Clan to investigate Feng Yan, but I was not able to find out anything. Just like you, he seems to have suddenly become powerful overnight.”
Ling Han revealed a pensive expression. So Lian Guang Zu had actually said that he would unconditionally support whatever Feng Yan decided to do… That was a shocking promise. And the bigger the power in Feng Yan’s hands, the more disadvantageous things would be for Ling Han.
Of course, he himself had the Heaven’s Medicine Pavilion as well as the Alchemy Department behind him, and these two parties were definitely not beneath the Martial Arts Department in terms of power. If it really came to a full-on clash, then it would definitely draw the Imperial Family of Rain Country, as well as the Eight Great Clans, into this conflict.
…The Rain Emperor would definitely not allow this kind of internal conflict to ensue.
It was strange. He was able to subdue Fu Yuan Sheng, Wu Song Lin and the other alchemists because of his alchemy ability from his last life, but it most likely was not to the level that they would obey his every command.
“Feng Yan had risen up so suddenly and in such a strange manner. The Imperial Family of Rain Country must have done their own investigation on him. If even the power of a whole nation is unable to find anything out, then you should not waste your time worrying about this manner,” Ling Han said to Liu Yu Tong.
“Don’t forget yourself!” Li Si Chan pointed out. “Isn’t your rising very sudden and strange as well?”
Chapter 182
Translator: _Dark_Angel_ Editor: Kurisu
Ling Han was stunned for a moment before breaking out in laughter.
That’s right. He forgot about himself. He had been the Alchemy Emperor in his last life, so he naturally took the way that all alchemists respected him and held him in great reverence to be something very normal. However, he had forgotten that he was only seventeen years old now.
In the eyes of the politically powerful, he was also an unstable variable and an existence that could affect the stability of the reign of the Qi Family, and if things came to a head, he could even be easily eliminated!
“If they knew that I was the one who had concocted the nine Foundation Building Pills, they would be even more astonished, wouldn’t they?” Ling Han murmured to himself as he supported his chin with one hand. The Foundation Building Pills were “divine medicine” that could really affect the current delicate power balance in Rain Country, and if there appeared another ten plus Spiritual Pedestal Tier elites, then things would definitely become a complete mess.
That was because the cake was only so big, and if there was someone new added to the mix who wanted to get his own share, then that would definitely mean that those who already had their own share would have to let go of a portion of their own share for the newcomer.
Who would want to let go of what they already had in their possession?
‘I did not think things through far enough, it seems.’ Ling Han reflected on his life since the moment that he had been reborn. It was still fine in Gray Cloud Town and Da Yuan City, but after entering into the Imperial City, it seems that he had been a bit too brash.
‘But so what if I am a bit brash? With the identity of a Black Grade high level alchemist, not even the Rain Emperor would easily take action against me.’ Ling Han tapped his fingers in thought, as light flashed in his eyes. ‘However, the issue about obtaining the Eye of Truth would have to be reconsidered.’
‘Though I have never seen the Rain Emperor before, it is rumored that this Emperor is extremely intelligent and very capable at maintaining control. Those two sons of his keep planning and scheming here and there right in this Imperial City… how could he not notice at all?
Who knows, there may be Rain Emperor’s spies planted right at the side of those two Imperial Princes.
If, at the moment I open up the inner chamber and retrieve the Eye of Truth, and was so ‘coincidentally’ caught red-handed, then even the status of an alchemist would not be able to protect me. My only fate would be being executed for my crime. Otherwise, I would be imprisoned for life to keep concocting alchemical pills for the Qi Family for the rest of my days.’
A sliver of a smile flickered at the corners of Ling Han’s lips, and he thought, ‘I was too strong and powerful in my last life, so no one dared to use underhanded schemes against me. However, afte
r my rebirth, I have been a bit careless. Who knows, I may meet with unexpected failure in what seems to be something very easy for me.
My priority now should be breaking through to Gushing Spring Tier, and discovering the real secrets of the black tower!
This is the most precious of all treasures in this world. I can’t pick up the sesame seed and instead lose sight of the watermelon.’
When they saw his thoughts stray, both Liu Yu Tong and Li Si Chan asked at the same time, “What are you thinking about?” Right after their words fell, they both glared at each other. ‘Why did she say the same thing as me again? How hateful.’
“It’s nothing. I just broke through, so I need to stabilize my cultivation first,” Ling Han said, smiling.
“Ninth layer of Element Gathering Tier!” Liu Yu Tong suddenly screamed.
“What?!” Li Si Chan was also shocked, because Ling Han was very obviously still in the seventh layer of Element Gathering Tier just the day before.
He actually managed to break through two cultivation layers in a single day. Could he be even more outrageous than that?
“It’s nothing to make a fuss about.” Ling Han smiled calmly. In his last life, he had reached the formidable height of Heaven Tier, so how could such a small breakthrough in Element Gathering Tier cause him to feel ecstatic about?
“What a poser!” Both girls gave him a look of disdain.
‘When did I pose?’
Ling Han felt very wronged, but he did not want to bother himself to argue with the two girls, and instead continued to ponder over his sword arts as he wanted to form the seventh flash of Sword Qi.
Once he managed to form the seventh flash of Sword Qi, his battle prowess would be able to rise to another level. More importantly, that would mean that he was one more step closer to Sword Ray.
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