Some wanted to rebuke him right at that moment, but they recalled Ling Han’s monstrous ability and how he was a Black Grade high alchemist who could actually concoct Foundation Building Pills that were close to Earth Grade, which meant that he already had half a foot into the ranks of Earth Grade alchemists.
Thus, any ordinary Earth Grade alchemist really did not have the right to issue any commands to Ling Han.
“This…” Fu Yuan Sheng wiped off the sweat covering his forehead. In his opinion, being able to visit the Star Brilliance Palace Hall was the stuff of dreams for every alchemist. But in Ling Han’s case, not only was he completely uninterested, he instead wanted the extremely noble Grandmaster Alchemists to pay him a personal visit.
Ling Han gave a wave of his hand and said, “Let’s just put this matter aside for the moment. There is another matter that I would like to request your help on.”
“You need only say the word, Young Master Han,” Fu Yuan Sheng hurriedly said with a bow, looking as if Ling Han was honoring him by simply requesting for his help.
Ling Han nodded, and asked, “The Liu Clan is planning to marry off their daughter three days from now. Are you aware of this matter?”
“Yes.” Fu Yuan Sheng took a look at Ling Han and hesitated slightly, but still continued, “According to the information that has spread out from the Liu Clan, Feng Yue is already a disciple of the Winter Moon Sect, and is a Core Disciple. That’s why the Liu Clan has agreed to this marriage.”
Nonsense!
Ling Han shook his head. Even if it was Feng Yan who wanted to marry Liu Yu Tong, the Liu Clan might not agree either. Because although the Winter Moon Sect was powerful, there were still two Black Grade high level alchemists standing behind Ling Han, so he too had his powerful backers.
On the other hand, what benefits would the clan obtain from having their daughter marry a disciple of the Winter Moon Sect? Once a daughter has married out of the clan, that was equivalent to water that has been poured out. An alliance by marriage would usually only have symbolic meaning.
For example, how many princesses of the Imperial Family have been married out all these years? Most of them had been married into the Eight Great Clans, but the Eight Great Clans were still the Eight Great Clans, and none of them had gotten any closer to the Imperial Family. On the other hand, the Eight Great Clans were still united together for additional security, opposing the Imperial Family both on the surface and secretly.
The Winter Moon Sect was not located in the Nine Nations of the Desolate North. If they really abruptly extended their hands into this area, it would first engender the displeasure of the Imperial Family. The Imperial Family would naturally not dare to actually oppose the Winter Moon Sect publicly, but how could they not make life difficult for the Liu Clan?
Thus, even if the Liu Clan married Liu Yu Tong off to Feng Yan, that would only be a symbolic union, what more when the groom was Feng Ming.
According to Ling Han’s deductions, Feng Yan must have given some kind of benefit to the Liu Clan, and this benefit was great enough to cause the Liu Clan to agree to sacrificing a talented elite who was their daughter.
“Young Master Han, the Winter Moon Sect has a powerful elite of Spiritual Infant Tier in their ranks. Unless the few Grandmasters of the Star Brilliance Palace Hall appeared… this would not be easily resolved!” He knew that the matter that Ling Han wanted his help on was definitely related to Liu Yu Tong’s wedding.
Ling Han smiled and said, “It does not have to be so troublesome. It is merely one Feng Yan. By that time, you only need to bring some people to keep up appearances for me. There would be no need to take action.”
Fu Yuan Sheng quickly nodded. Merely helping keep up appearances was of course no issue. He was one of the two Great Bosses of alchemy in Rain Country. Even the Liu Clan would not dare to say anything against him. Moreover, he still had the colossal entity that was the Alchemist Society behind him. Even the Winter Moon Sect would not dare to really do anything to him.
En, Ling Han was also a Black Grade high level alchemist, and was one that had a foot into the ranks of Earth Grade. Even the higher ranks of the Winter Moon Sect would have to treat such a person politely, what more when Feng Yan was only the disciple of one of their lower ranks.
With such thoughts, Fu Yuan Sheng dismissed his worries. Whether Ling Han was able to snatch back Liu Yu Tong was another issue, but at least he himself would not be facing any danger.
However, would Ling Han really be able to snatch Liu Yu Tong back?
The Liu Clan was marrying off one of their daughters. No matter how much of a piece of trash she was being married off to, for the sake of the Liu Clan’s reputation and pride, they would definitely not stand idly by and just watch Ling Han take away the bride. Putting aside their most powerful member at Spiritual Pedestal Tier, merely a few Spiritual Ocean Tier martial artists standing out would be enough to take care of Ling Han.
What was Ling Han really intending to do?
Fu Yuan Sheng was very curious, but Ling Han did not say anything further, and after excusing himself, left quickly.
In the next two days, Feng Yan kept up an especially high profile. He challenged the Third Imperial Prince, Can Ye, and Zhao Huan, the three Core Disciples, one after another, and emerged victorious by completely dominating his opponents.
As this was not the Challenge Competition that would be held at the end of the year, thus even if he had won, he could not become a Core Disciple. However, everyone knew by now that Feng Yan had become a True Disciple of the Winter Moon Sect, and this identity was above the identity of a Core Disicple of Hu Yang Academy by who knows how many times.
Feng Yan was definitely going to leave Rain Country. Thus, he was obviously showing off his might, wanting to really make his name known before he left, stepping on all the geniuses of Rain Country on his way up.
According to those who had watched the battles, Feng Yan had already reached the ninth layer of the Gushing Spring Tier by now. If he could still take one further step into the Spiritual Ocean Tier, then with his current age, he could be considered to have made history in Rain Country—as the youngest ever Spiritual Ocean Tier martial artist.
Compared to Feng Yan’s high profile, Ling Han kept up an extremely low profile. He sat all day inside his courtyard, being extremely patient.
Qi Yong Ye and the others had all paid him a visit, wanting to comfort him. It was obvious that Feng Yan had laid out a trap for Ling Han and was waiting for him to step right into this trap on the day of the wedding. At that time, both the Liu Clan and Feng Yan would have enough reason to kill Ling Han on the spot.
“Yi, how have you broken through to the Gushing Spring Tier already!?” They had yet to begin comforting him when they experienced a tremendous shock as they realized what cultivation level Ling Han was currently at.
Chapter 252
Translator: _Dark_Angel_ Editor: Kurisu
Ling Han smiled slightly and said, “I have only just broken through to the Gushing Spring Tier. What need is there for you to be so surprised?”
What need was there for them to be so surprised?
You had to understand that out of this group of people, the earliest among them who reached the ninth layer of the Element Gathering Tier had managed to do so in two years ago, yet they were still at the ninth layer of the Element Gathering Tier even now! And what about him? A few months ago, he was only in the fourth layer of the Element Gathering Tier, yet now he’d left them far behind and stepped into the Gushing Spring Tier.
And this was still not enough to astonish them!? This was practically a fatal shock!
“Ling Han, you’re stimulating universal anger with this! Just take a look at how many miserable people here are still stuck at the peak of the Element Gathering Tier?” Qi Yong Ye immediately shouted. Even Baili Teng Yun was nodding repeatedly in agreement. He too was in the ninth layer of the Element Gathering Tier and now possessed the qualifications to attempt bre
aking through to the Gushing Spring Tier.
However, there was a deep moat that separated being qualified to attempt breaking through and having actually broken through, and this moat required who knows how much time to fill. If one was fortunate enough, he might be able to fill this moat before he reached twenty five years old.
But Ling Han wasn’t even eighteen yet!
In the field of martial arts, these few years could not be ignored. If one was unable to break through to the Flower Blossoming Tier, every martial artist was still mortal and could possess a lifespan of merely a hundred years.
“That’s right!” Everyone was both jealous, and at the same time, happy for Ling Han.
“You’re already in the Gushing Spring Tier even before you’ve reached eighteen. In the history of Rain Country, you could probably be counted amongst the top ten, right?” Li Dong Yue asked ruefully.
Ling Han merely smiled. If these people were to find out that Hu Niu was already in the ninth layer of the Element Gathering Tier, who knows how extremely shocked they would become. However, Hu Niu had a particular ability that could conceal her aura, and if it was not for the fact that he still had a sliver of divine sense left behind from Heaven Tier, he would not have been able to sense her aura, either.
…Not even Guang Yuan was aware that the little girl had already reached the ninth layer of the Element Gathering Tier, and only thought her to be a slightly stranger child than most since she was always so energetic, as well as such a humongous glutton. Moreover, she was extraordinarily strong.
“Ling Han, will you be attending tomorrow’s wedding?” The others finally came to the main topic.
“Why not?” Ling Han countered.
“That’s the Liu Clan!” Qi Yong Ye said with a frown.
“So what if it is the Liu Clan?” Ling Han asked with a smile.
After being countered consecutively by Ling Han for two times straight, the others did not know what else they could say. It was obvious that Ling Han did not take the Liu Clan seriously at all.
“Big Brother Ling, I’ll go with you tomorrow!” Li Hao forced out through gritted teeth. After being helped out by Ling Han so many times, it was now time for him to repay some of his debts.
“Me too!” Jin Wuji said in a deep voice.
Meanwhile, Zhu Wu Jiu merely smacked the hilt of his sword lightly, and gazed at him with sharp eyes that were filled with determination.
Qi Yong Ye and the others all sighed. A few months ago, Jin Wuji and Ling Han were still enemies, but now he was willing to risk everything for Ling Han’s sake. Similarly, a few months ago, Ling Han and the Feng Clan were enemies, but not only had their enmity not been resolved, but their relations had degraded into something that would not end without one side being wiped out completely. Life was indeed full of mysteries.
Ling Han waved his hand and said, “You should all go and watch the excitement tomorrow. However, I will not allow any of you to make a move!”
When Qi Yong Ye, Li Dong Yue and the others heard Ling Han inviting them to go with him, they could not help but become anxious. They did not have the courage to oppose the Liu Clan, but when they heard Ling Han’s last few words, they could not help but flush.
Even if Ling Han needed help, it would definitely not fall onto them who were still in the Element Gathering Tier. They really had much too high an opinion of themselves.
Ling Han’s eyes swept over Zhu Wu Jiu and the other two. His strict gaze caused the three of them to nod subconsciously, not daring to say anything further.
“Hehe, then I too have no need to make a move, right?” Guang Yuan said with a laugh.
Ling Han laughed, and said, “If no one battles me, then there is naturally no need for Big Brother Guang to act, but if there are really any powerful elites, then Big Brother Guang, as my bodyguard, should naturally display your usefulness. With your ability and reputation, Big Brother Guang, you would at least be able to battle ten opponents on your own!”
“I say, Brat Ling, are you trying to cause trouble for me?” Instantly, Guang Yuan looked miserable.
Ling Han merely smiled. If Guang Yuan did not retreat tomorrow, then he would not mind giving a hand to Guang Yuan, and in the future, not just the Spiritual Pedestal Tier, it was definitely not impossible for Guang Yuan to reach the Flower Blossoming Tier or even the Spiritual Infant Tier.
However, he was not a good Samaritan, so how could he simply give out such a big favor for no price at all?
If one wanted to get him to train them, then one needed to prove that they were qualified to become his friend and earn his trust.
As of now, Li Hao and Zhu Wu Jiu had passed, whereas Jin Wuji had to be observed for a while longer. Qi Yong Ye, Baili Teng Yun and the others, meanwhile, could only pass as casual friends.
Qi Yong Ye and the others continued to persuade him for a while longer, but when they saw Ling Han was completely unmoved, they could only leave helplessly.
The Third Imperial Prince arrived quietly not long after.
“I had never thought that Feng Yan has actually become a disciple of the Winter Moon Sect, and has even been taken in as a disciple by a powerful elite of the Spiritual Infant Tier!” The Third Imperial Prince said as soon as he had stepped through the doors. His face was filled with envy, as well as defiance.
At first, he was the strongest young genius of his age range, and the leader of the three Core Disciples of Hu Yang Academy, but yesterday, he was challenged by Feng Yan and completely defeated. This had to be because Feng Yan had obtained the secret inheritance of the Winter Moon Sect, and also the reason why he had been able to surpass him in cultivation and defeat him easily.
What gave him the right?
Feng Yan was merely a True Disciple of Hu Yang Academy, whereas he was an Imperial Prince of Rain Country and a Core Disciple! Why had the Winter Moon Sect chosen Feng Yan instead of him?
This caused the Third Imperial Prince to feel both envy and hatred.
Ling Han smiled faintly. The Third Imperial Prince’s flustered and exasperated display caused his opinion of the former to instantly fall quite considerably, and he could not even bother with the latter’s resentful complaints and merely pretended as if he had not heard a single word.
“Ling Han, what are your plans tomorrow?” the Third Imperial Prince asked seriously. This was his real purpose for coming.
Ling Han looked at the Third Imperial Prince and asked, “What plans does Your Imperial Highness want me to have tomorrow?”
The Third Imperial Prince could not help but smile. In his eyes, Ling Han was merely a stepping stone for him on his way to ascend the throne and he had never considered Ling Han as a friend, so everything had to be done for his benefit first and foremost. He said, “Feng Yan is currently very powerful, but not long after, he will leave Rain Country, so I am hoping you can bear with it for the moment.”
“What Your Imperial Highness means is that I should stay here tomorrow?” Ling Han asked calmly.
“I know that girl from the Liu Clan is an outstanding beauty, but how could we who do great things be troubled by personal considerations? If you face off with Feng Yan now, you would be killed by him and my Imperial Father would only turn a blind eye to the matter. Thus, bear with it for the moment to exchange for a clear and boundless sky in the future,” the Third Imperial Prince advised.
From his mouth, Ling Han was made aware of the attitude of the Imperial Family—no matter how much of a fuss he and Feng Yan created with their personal enmity, the Imperial Family would not interfere. Just like how when he was attacked by Feng Yan in the middle of the street at midnight, when not a single Imperial Guard had appeared, and when he had crippled Feng Luo’s arms, the Imperial Family too did not take any action; even when Feng Luo died by his hand, when he returned, he did not see the Imperial Family pursue the matter either.
Needless to say, as Feng Yan had entered the Winter Moon Sect, the Imperial Family would naturally not dare to take action ag
ainst him. As for Ling Han, he had the two Big Bosses of alchemy to back him up now at first, and now he himself had become a Big Boss like them, so the Imperial Family similarly dared not make a move against him.
…Unless Ling Han did something that would weaken the authority of the Imperial Family.
Thus, just battle it out as much as the two of you liked, as it was a personal enmity anyways.
However, the backers on both sides could not act. Whether it was Fu Yuan Sheng killing off Feng Yan, or some elite of the Winter Moon Sect killing Ling Han, the Imperial Family would be unable to give a good explanation to the other side. If the backers on either side made a move, then the Imperial Family would be forced to interfere.
Ling Han smiled. Since he was now aware of the Imperial Family’s bottom line, he could take advantage to turn the battle in his favor.
“I am going to attend tomorrow’s wedding!” he said.
“You!” the Third Imperial Prince could not help but become furious.
Chapter 253
Translator: _Dark_Angel_ Editor: Kurisu
The Third Imperial Prince had thought at first that his earnest and well-meaning advice would have successfully persuaded Ling Han, but never thought that the latter would completely disregard his words. Thus, he could not help but be angry.
If it had been anyone else, he would have definitely rebuked him harshly, or even possibly thrown a harsh slap at him. But when he recalled that there were the two Big Bosses of alchemy standing behind Ling Han, he could only suppress the flames of rage burning in his heart and say, “Ling Han, what capability do you have to oppose Feng Yan? Putting aside the fact that you are not strong enough to oppose him, the Liu Clan would only have to send out a Spiritual Ocean clansman, and that would be enough to prevent you from even stepping in through their doors!”
Ling Han smiled and said, “I never thought that Your Imperial Highness would be so worried about me!”
The Third Imperial Prince of course knew that this was sarcasm, and instantly, his face darkened as he said, “Ling Han, don’t lose your senses because of women. Don’t forget, we are men who have great goals to aspire to!”
Alchemy Emperor of the Divine Dao c1-1294 Page 141