Alchemy Emperor of the Divine Dao c1-1294
Page 107
The conflict between Feng Yan and Ling Han caused huge waves at the Academy, because even the two Headmasters appeared at the end of the conflict.
Ling Han was still fine because Wu Song Lin did not say much. That was why the majority thought that he had just coincidentally passed by and decided to uphold the justice. Feng Yan was a different story. The theory about him being Lian Guang Zu’s illegitimate son gave rise to a tremendous clamor, and the majority thought that was practically confirmed.
Of course, there were still some who managed to look deeper into things. Lian Guang Zu’s attitude towards Feng Yan was not as if the latter was his illegitimate son, but rather more like a relationship between an old servant and his young master. However, this old servant had a very firm backbone, and the young master was still too weak. Thus, the relationship was not very distinct yet.
Whatever the case was, Feng Yan had already become a very popular and mighty figure in the eyes of the Academy. However, the fact that his younger brother had his arms sliced off by Ling Han, and he still was unable to do anything to Ling Han in vengeance, was still a hit to his image.
Feng Yan had already announced that Ling Han was his foe, and he would definitely kill Ling Han within three months. If anyone dared to befriend Ling Han, then they would not be able to escape a similar fate.
After these words were announced, the whole Academy was in an uproar as they all thought that Feng Yan was much too arrogant.
Putting aside the possibility that Feng Yan may be Lian Guang Zu’s “illegitimate son”, even if he was Lian Guang Zu’s old man, he still did not have the right to rage so publically in the Imperial City and announce his intention to commit murder. After all, this was the land of the Qi Family, and not the Lian Clan.
Unexpectedly, the Imperial Family did not display any reaction about this matter. No one knew if they were only pretending that they had not heard of any such thing, or thought that Feng Yan was too young and so decided not to call him to account for the sake of Lian Guang Zu.
However, the new auction of the Spirit Treasures Pavilion was right around the corner. Because there were nine Foundation Building Pills up for auction this time around, this caused incredible excitement to rise up among the Great Clans and the other middle-class clans. Even the Imperial Family would not be able to maintain their composure.
After all, there was only one person in Flower Blossoming Tier in the whole of Rain Country, and he had not appeared for many years, so it was unknown whether he was still alive or already dead. In Rain Country, the Spiritual Pedestal Tier was doubtlessly the strongest cultivation tier, and those in this cultivation level would be able to do as they liked and practically disregard the laws of the Empire. These people were really the elite of the elite.
The Foundation Building Pill could greatly increase the chances of a martial artist to break through to Spiritual Pedestal Tier, so this naturally attracted the excitement of every known party. Who would not want a few more such extremely powerful people to provide additional security for their own power base?
In the world of martial artists, everything was gained through power.
The middle-class clans wanted to obtain a Foundation Building Pill in order to ascend to the level of a Great Clan, while the Eight Great Clans and the Imperial Family hoped to have a few more elites of Spiritual Pedestal Tier to strengthen the power of their own Clans and further secure their own position in the power balance.
This was destined to be a very fierce competition.
Ling Han was completely unbothered. Money was only something he needed to buy more medicinal ingredients and concoct more alchemical pills. Even if he had more of it, it was not of much use to him.
When the day of the auction arrived, the Eldest Imperial Prince had indeed arrived very early and earnestly extended an invitation to Ling Han. Liu Yu Tong and Li Si Chan were long aware of the auction, and so had naturally come early. Thus, Ling Han would have to bring along the both of them, as well as Hu Niu.
“Hahaha, so Young Master Han has already plucked the two most beautiful flowers of the Imperial City. I was still feeling a bit strange previously about the fact that Young Master Han did not have any beauties by his side, especially when you are so outstanding and elegant.” The Eldest Imperial Prince laughed loudly, looking as if he had found a kindred spirit.
Liu Yu Tong and Li Si Chan both blushed, but did not argue. It was unknown whether it was because they were a bit subdued by the Eldest Imperial Prince’s power, or had just simply chosen to admit indirectly.
Meanwhile, Ling Han rolled his eyes. So this guy had previously thought that he had some kind of problem there … or perhaps thought that he liked men? He laughed and said, “Yu Tong and Si Chan are my good friends.”
“Good friends, I get it! I get it!” The Eldest Imperial Prince’s smile became even more suggestive.
Damn, this guy of impure thoughts.
Ling Han changed the topic and asked, “Does Your Imperial Highness also want the Foundation Building Pill?”
“Though I have not yet broken through to Spiritual Ocean Tier, my current cultivation level would at most continue to trouble me for one more year!” the Eldest Imperial Prince said confidently. “If I manage to obtain a Foundation Building Pill, then I would have higher odds when I attempt breaking through to Spiritual Pedestal Tier in the future. Unfortunately, I am limited in my financial resources. Otherwise, I will definitely try to obtain all nine Foundation Building Pills. That way, my breakthrough to Spiritual Pedestal Tier would be practically definite.”
Liu Yu Tong and Li Si Chan could not help but look towards Ling Han. This guy very casually produced those nine Foundation Building Pills. If you manage to cling to him, then that would really ensure that you can successfully break through.
Chapter 183
Translator: _Dark_Angel_ Editor: Kurisu
Ling Han laughed and said, “A few **** 1 ago, I was having lunch at a restaurant and coincidentally encountered a pair of assassins. Moreover, three members of the Black Cloud Army even died.”
The Eldest Imperial Prince was stunned for a second, then asked, “Young Master Han was also at the scene on that day?”
“En.” Ling Han nodded and said, “That woman seems to be a member of the Imperial Family, right? From the looks of her, she has yet to reach thirty years old, and yet has already stepped into Spiritual Ocean Tier. Her accomplishment is really something awe-inspiring.”
The face of the Eldest Imperial Prince instantly darkened. He kept his silence for a moment, then said, “This woman’s name is Xu Ke Xin, she had entered the court just a few years ago. My Imperial Father named her as Consort Yun, and dotes on her very much. Since Young Master Han knows that the power of the nation can help one to break through to Flower Blossoming Tier, then you should know that it can also help to speed up one’s cultivation rate. However, the power of the nation is still limited, yet my Imperial Father actually used a large portion of it on a woman. Heng!”
The last words of the Eldest Imperial Prince were already extremely traitorous as he dared to actually criticize the actions of the current Emperor. However, it was also very obvious from his tone that the Eldest Imperial Prince was very displeased with this Xu Ke Xin.
Ling Han thought back on the naturally seductive appearance of Xu Ke Xin, and could not help but think that it was no wonder that even the Rain Emperor would be head over heels over her. She was indeed a captivating beauty. It was evident how much the Emperor doted on her just from the fact that she could leave the palace with the Black Cloud Army as her guards. If she did not have the Emperor’s favor, then, as an Imperial Consort, how could she so casually leave the Imperial Palace?
“Does this Consort Yun have any children?” Ling Han asked casually.
“Thankfully, no.” The Eldest Imperial Prince shook his head. Otherwise, based on the way the Rain Emperor doted on her, neither himself nor the Third Imperial Prince would need to waste their time to compete for t
he throne.
As they conversed, time passed and they had arrived at the Spirit Treasures Pavilion. Right when they had just disembarked from their carriage, they saw a young man approach them and say, “This Sun Zi Yan greets Your Imperial Highness!”
Sun Zi Yan?
A thought flashed through Ling Han’s head. He turned to look at this young man. The latter was average in terms of looks and was quite tall and slender. He should have just stepped into Gushing Spring Tier as his aura was still not very stable.
“Spare the niceties, Zi Yan.” The Eldest Imperial Prince raised his hand slightly, naturally exuding the aura of a ruler.
The most powerful and greatest clan in Rain Country was naturally the Qi Family, which held control over the political court and had power that spread to all corners of their Empire.
However, the Sun Clan was only slightly beneath the Qi Family in status, so Sun Zi Yan was not really afraid of the Eldest Imperial Prince. After paying his greetings, he turned to look at Ling Han and said, “Brother Ling, we have finally met.”
Looks like Sun Zi Yan was deliberately waiting for him here.
“Sun Zi Yan, what do you want?” Liu Yu Tong asked coldly. As a good female attendant, she naturally had to stand at the front lines.
A stunned and envious expression appeared on Sun Zi Yan’s face. Liu Yu Tong and Li Si Chan were known as the Twin Pearls of the Imperial City, and the number of men that were interested in them was enough to surround the whole Imperial City a few times. He himself was also one of the admirers.
Unfortunately, it seemed as if these two beautiful flowers were actually plucked by the same man. This was really something that would attract envy, jealousy, and hatred!
…If Ling Han had any idea of his current thoughts, he would definitely scream out loudly that he was innocent. The gods know that he really hadn’t done anything. He was as pure as a little white flower.
Sun Zi Yan smiled and said, “I only wanted to settle a little conflict between myself and Brother Ling.”
“Oh, there is such an issue?” the Eldest Imperial Prince interrupted.
“It’s just a little misunderstanding,” Sun Zi Yan said in an understatement.
“Oh?” Ling Han’s eyes turned cold. “Are you talking about how that father-in-law of yours coveted my two little sisters, and when he did not succeed in tricking and kidnapping them, he sent people to snatch them from me? So that was a misunderstanding, tsk, tsk!”
Fury flashed through Sun Zi Yan’s face, but he forced it down and said, “Brother Ling, aren’t those two little sisters of yours unscathed and completely unharmed? I am here to represent my father-in-law to offer up an apology, and will also deliver a gift as thanks for accepting our apology, so please forget about this matter, Brother Ling, and not continue doing something that will only damage both sides.”
The Eldest Imperial Prince nodded, and said with a smile, “Since Zi Yan is so sincere, why won’t Brother Ling give me some face and forgive Zi Yan and forget the whole matter?”
Liu Yu Tong looked on with a little worry. She knew Ling Han’s personality very well and feared that Ling Han would come into a direct conflict with the Eldest Imperial Prince.
Ling Han laughed loudly. When Sun Zi Yan and the Eldest Imperial Prince saw this, they both laughed as well, thinking that the “misunderstanding” was settled.
“No!” Right at this moment, Ling Han suddenly declared.
“Cough! Cough!”
Both the Eldest Imperial Prince and Sun Zi Yan did not manage to get their breath back and broke out into coughs. Their faces were darkened as they looked at Ling Han. Since you are not agreeing to resolving things peacefully, then why were you laughing so happily?
“Brother Ling, I am being very sincere here!” Sun Zi Yan’s tone deepened considerably as well, a hint of threat underlining his words.
Ling Han smiled calmly and said, “I am also very sincerely telling you that there is no way that this matter will be resolved peacefully! That old father-in-law of yours is a complete scum, and continuing to allow him to live in this world would only be a waste of food.”
“Brother Ling, are you intending to declare war with the Sun Clan with this?” Sun Zi Yan asked darkly.
“Hehe, Zi Yan, you are being too harsh in your words, aren’t you?” the Eldest Imperial Prince stepped out as mediator. He did not want to first form an enmity with the Sun Clan when he had yet to obtain the support that would come with an amiable relationship with Ling Han.
Ling Han smiled and asked, “Sun Zi, Yan, can you really represent the Sun Clan?”
“You dare to insult me?” Sun Zi Yan glared at him. This guy must have been deliberate, pausing while saying his name in such a way that Sun Zi came first, then followed by Yan.
“Yi, isn’t Sun Zi Yan your name? So does that mean calling your name is equivalent to insulting you? What a weird fellow.” Ling Han shook his head.
“Heng, it would be all right if you call my name in a normal way, but the way you called my name just now must have been deliberate!” Sun Zi Yan declared harshly.
Ling Han revealed a very innocent expression, and asked, “How did I call you just now, again?”
“Sun Zi, Yan!” Sun Zi Yan did not suspect anything and repeated his name the way Ling Han had called his name just now. But just after the words left his mouth, he finally realized his blunder and flew into a great rage as he shouted, “Ling Han, you dare to trick me!”
“With an intelligence level like yours, ai!” Ling Han shook his head. “You really only deserve to be a grandson!”
“You’re looking for death!” Sun Zi Yan was furious and aimed a harsh punch towards Ling Han.
Ting!
Liu Yu Tong stepped out and blocked Sun Zi Yan’s fist with the hilt of her sword. She said coldly, “Sun Zi Yan, don’t force me to draw my sword.
Sun Zi Yan took one step back and looked at Liu Yu Tong with caution. He was not able to detect her real cultivation level, which made it evident that she had superior cultivation to his—he needed to be extremely cautious when facing her.
“Haha, both of you are important subjects of our nation, so please avoid coming into conflict,” the Eldest Imperial Prince interrupted, standing between the two of them.
The two of them were both members of the Eight Great Clans. It was all right if it was just a spar, but if there was any loss of life, then even an Imperial Prince like himself would have to bear the blame. At such an important time in the battle for the throne, even the slightest mistake could cause him to lose all hope of his dreams of inheriting the throne.
“When you return, let Chen Yun Xiang clean his neck properly, as I will personally send him to the executioner’s block,” Ling Han said calmly, but there was an extremely determined tone underlining his words.
Sun Zi Yan regained his composure, and asked, “Ling Han, must you do something that will hurt both sides?”
“What do you mean by hurting both sides?” Ling Han asked, smiling.
“Heng, since that is so, then don’t blame me for taking action!” Sun Zi Yan said coldly. “Let me give you a piece of helpful advice. You should be more careful with those stores of yours. The Imperial City is too big, so it is unavoidable that some rogues would come to make trouble!”
Ling Han sighed, and said, “Then I would have to eliminate another Clan then.”
His words were spoken very lightly, but the Eldest Imperial Prince had still vaguely heard them and his expression instantly changed.
Chapter 184
Translator: _Dark_Angel_ Editor: Kurisu
Elimininate another Clan? The Sun Clan?
The Eldest Imperial Prince could not help but turn to look at Ling Han. Though he looked very highly upon Ling Han, not even all the alchemists of Rain Country standing behind Ling Han would be able to eliminate the Sun Clan. That was because the Eight Great Clans were the pillars of support of the nation, and if things really proceeded to that step, then not only would
the Rain Emperor take action, even the Elder of the Qi Family that usually stood behind the scenes would spring out into the open.
But from the extremely calm and composed, practically cold look on Ling Han’s face, this did not seem like words of anger he had said simply in the heat of the moment. The hidden depths within his eyes even caused an icy feeling to rise up in the heart of the Eldest Imperial Prince.
How could that be!
He was in the ninth layer of Gushing Spring Tier and had one foot into the door of Spiritual Ocean Tier. Moreover, he was the Eldest Imperial Prince of the Empire, yet he would actually feel a bit of fear just from looking at the eyes of a young man.
“Heng, I hope you will not be so foolish!” Sun Zi Yan did not hear Ling Han’s murmur. The flick of his sleeves was proof enough of his extreme displeasure.
That was natural. He had thought that he only needed to step out as a mediator and the conflict between Ling Han and Chen Yun Xiang would be resolved with a few words from him. He had not thought that Ling Han would not give him the slightest bit of face.
The Eldest Imperial Prince did not speak any more words of advice. Ling Han’s words previously were obviously spoken just loud enough for him to be able to hear. If he continued to advise Ling Han, would Ling Han speak even more shocking words, and declare his intention to “eliminate another clan”?
Then that would really be considered treason.
Sun Zi Yan turned and left. When he arrived at the entrance to the Spirit Treasures Pavilion, an old man came up to receive him and said, “Zi Yan, what did that brat say?” It was Chen Yun Xiang.
A sliver of displeasure flickered across Sun Zi Yan’s face. Though he did not care about the lives of a few commoners, he still felt very disgusted with this old man that had that kind of perverted fetish. Still, what could he do? This was his father-in-law, after all.
“He refused to let it go!” He shook his head.
Chen Yun Xiang was stunned at first before immediately saying angrily, “This brat actually refused to give face even to you, Zi Yan, just because he has the protection of the princess of the Liu Clan!”