by Feng Yise
Ye Yuan already used his strength to conquer everyone!
They knew that they did not have the qualifications to be jealous!
Ye Yuan bowed slightly and said, "Lord Star Abyss!"
Star Abyss nodded his head slightly and said, "Are you willing to acknowledge this old man as your master?"
If it were somebody else, they would likely be so agitated that they would jump up.
But to Ye Yuan, this was rather laughable.
After musing for a brief moment, Ye Yuan said coolly, "Junior is willing."
Star Abyss naturally had no qualifications to be his master. Ye Yuan obviously did not wish to acknowledge him as master either. But Ye Yuan's current situation was very special.
Within this capital, one might say that he had enemies everywhere.
Once someone discovered his identity, he would face certain death.
In the capital, forget about Divine Traversing Realm powerhouses, Soul Sea Realm experts were simply as many as oxen fur. Any one of them randomly pops out, and he could die without a burial ground.
Although he could use a divine soul mystic art to cover up his divine soul, his appearance could not be changed at all. If he was recognized by the Lan Family Tribe members, he would be dead for sure.
Finding a backer such as Star Abyss, his safety would increase dramatically. Wanting to rescue people would also be way more convenient.
Star Abyss nodded with a smile, clearly very pleased with this disciple.
And at this time, Ye Yuan's weight in everyone's eyes naturally became different.
People from factions all around hurriedly encircled around.
"Congratulations to Little Brother Ji for acknowledging a famed master! Your future prospects are limitless!"
"Congratulations to Little Brother Ji Qing. I'm the boss of the Dehua Hall. In future, if Little Brother Ji has any needs, you just have to instruct. What my Dehua Hall can take out, I'll absolutely do it without demur."
. . . . . .
For a moment, Ye Yuan was totally swarmed.
This process lasted roughly an hour before everyone gradually dispersed.
At this time, the people in the hall were already pretty much all gone. Even the seven great Alchemy King elders and Sovereign Star Abyss had already left.
Only now did Xiao Changfeng come forward and bowed deeply to Ye Yuan. "I represent the Xiao Family to give thanks to Little Brother Ji's great kindness! This grace is the same as giving my Xiao Family a new lease on life! Originally, this Xiao was planning on giving Little Brother the position of Xiao Family's guest retainer elder. Little Brother could demand the Xiao Family's resources limitlessly. But since Little Brother became Sovereign Star Abyss's brilliant pupil, I'm afraid you will turn your nose up in contempt at this tiny bit of reward. If Little Brother has any areas where you have use of this Xiao for, feel free to speak. This Xiao will not shrink from death to accomplish it!"
Ye Yuan said nonchalantly, "Family Head don't need to be courteous. I have no request for the Xiao Family. If Family Head really wants to thank, help me thank Miss Ruyan then. If not for her, this Ji would probably have flicked my sleeves and left already."
But these words sounded rather ambiguous. Xiao Ruyan who was behind Xiao Changfeng flushed red.
Xiao Changfeng felt anguished in his heart. His actions previously indeed still infuriated this little ancestor.
But he was also secretly rejoicing that this little ancestor seemed to have taken a fancy to his own daughter.
Except that . . . the Xiao Family was going to hold the spouse finding martial competition very soon. The Xue and Huang two families were already glaring like a tiger with covetous eyes. Now, there was an additional Ji Qing. How should this be done?
Xiao Changfeng felt a headache.
He fished out a token from his body and passed it to Ye Yuan, saying, "Little Brother Ji, this is my Xiao Family's highest level token. If you have any needs, you just have to bring this token to any business under the Xiao Family's name, and they will collaborate with you."
Ye Yuan nodded and was not courteous this time. This was what he deserved.
In truth, if not because he was afraid that this old fox would become suspicious, Ye Yuan even wanted to directly open his mouth to ask for that two slaves from him.
But Ye Yuan also knew that his origin was unknown. Even if he kept things as vague as possible, it would also be hard to prevent Xiao Changfeng becoming suspicious.
How to approach those two people without leaving a trace would probably still have to be set about through Xiao Ruyan. That was why he deliberately mentioned Xiao Ruyan and not to show Xiao Changfeng any attitude.
"Since that's the case, then this Ji thanks Family Head." Ye Yuan extended his hand to receive the token.
Seeing Ye Yuan accept the token, Xiao Changfeng also heaved a long sigh in relief.
After today, Ye Yuan's status would be extraordinary.
Sovereign Star Abyss's brilliant pupil and his own strength stood head and shoulders above all others too. Such a figure did not need long before he would be known to all in the capital.
To be on friendly terms with him was absolutely beneficial to the Xiao Family.
Xiao Changfeng chuckled and said, "Little Brother is too polite! That . . . You youngsters have common topics. I, this old fellow, won't mingle together. This Xiao takes my leave first. Ruyan, you and Little Brother Ji interact together more. If Little Brother Ji has any requests, you do your best to agree to it. Rufeng's old injuries relapsed and still needs to return to have a good rest to recuperate. He'll be going back together with me."
After Xiao Changfeng left, Xiao Ruyan finally loosened up a little. She said with a slightly flushed face, "Ji Qing, this time . . . it's really all thanks to you!"
But at this time, Ji Qing suddenly put on a teasing smile and said, "I thought that you would say something like 'unable to repay the kindness and can only offer myself in marriage.' That way, I can just conveniently accept it."
At this, Xiao Ruyan's face blushed scarlet red, and she could not help saying disdainfully, "You! Why are you always not serious?"
"Haha, a fair maiden is a gentleman's good match! How is it not serious? I'm very serious right now!" While he verbally said serious, his face was not serious at all.
If it were before, Xiao Ruyan would definitely have stomped off already.
But this was not her first day coming into contact with Ye Yuan anymore. She knew that he was joking. Although it was quite unbearably embarrassing, she also forcefully endured it and did not cover her face and run.
But Ye Yuan did not expect that Xiao Ruyan's expression suddenly became downcast and she said, "A fair maiden is a gentleman's good match? But I don't have command over myself!"
Ye Yuan asked curiously, "Now that the Xiao Family's crisis is averted, this matter of martial competition to find a spouse still has to continue?"
Xiao Ruyan shook her head dejectedly and said, "Martial reigns supreme in the Fierce Gale World. Apart from the Alchemist Association being able to isolate and safeguard themselves, alchemy families are all vassal existences. If not, with the Xiao Family and Tong Family's financial power, we would have long ranked among first-rate families. In the capital, the truly powerful ones are still the first-rate families like the Huang Family, Xue Family, as well as the Shangguan Family!"
Chapter 390 - Where His Confidence Lies!
Ye Yuan came to a realization. Turned out that alchemy skills were not thought highly of at all in the Fierce Gale World.
The Fierce Gale World martial artists mostly relied on their own talent and hard work to cultivate. Their reliance on medicinal pills was not as great as the Endless World.
Of course, this was only comparatively speaking.
Those large families, as well as the forces under the Wind Emperor's command, would naturally enjoy more resources. Their cultivation would naturally be faster too.
But to them, medicinal pills were just
adding flowers to embroidery and not delivering fuel in the snow.
Actually, Ye Yuan could tell that while the Fierce Gale World was deficient in resources, the environment itself was actually their most valuable resource.
Fierce Gale World martial artists could be said to have a natural affinity with the concept of wind. Their cultivation along this path would also be quicker.
If Ye Yuan's conjectures were right, there were no shortage of martial artists who comprehended true intent in the Fierce Gale World.
The moment Ye Yuan entered the city, he came into contact with the alchemy world influences. He still did not have a direct understanding of the other forces.
Looking at it now, the two Xiao and Tong families actually had a good deal of things that they had no control over.
"Like that huh. Since you aren't willing to marry, find a guy to beat those two fellows down and wouldn't it be settled?" Ye Yuan said.
Xiao Ruyan smiled bitterly and said, "Where is the Xiao Family going to find such a character? The Huang Family's Huang Wenqiu and the Xue Family's Xue Zaihe are the number two experts among the capital's junior generation. Their strength is on par with each other. Wanting to find someone stronger than them, and still have to meet the age requirement? Easier said than done."
"Oh? Number two experts? Then who's the number one expert?" Ye Yuan asked curiously.
"The number one expert is similarly two people. They are the His Highness, the Seventh Prince, and the Shangguan Family's Shangguan Lingyun!" When she spoke of these two people, Xiao Ruyan's face also revealed solemnness.
"Oh . . . So impressive huh. Then that's a little hard to deal with. Why not I help you beat them off, and then you promise me one thing? How about that?" Ye Yuan said with a grin.
Xiao Ruyan's eyes lit up but immediately dimmed again. "I know that you're incredibly powerful in the Alchemy Path. But in terms of martial strength, you can't possibly beat those two people. Furthermore, if you need me to do anything, Father also had said earlier; you just have to speak freely."
Ye Yuan snickered and said, "Really? Even wanting you is okay too?"
Xiao Ruyan was already completely numbed. She said, "Of course you can. The prerequisite is that you can take me away."
However, these words made Ye Yuan jump in fright. He gave a perfunctory laugh and said, "Just making a joke. I don't want to be hunted down by the Huang and Xue, two great first-rate families."
In truth, Ye Yuan really wanted to ask about the matter of the slaves. But he was unable to fully trust Xiao Ruyan, so he forcefully swallowed his words back down.
The matter of Endless World's slaves was too s.e.n.s.i.t.i.v.e. He just had to open his mouth, and it would draw people's suspicions.
Xiao Ruyan was extremely intelligent. It was impossible to not have any notions at all.
Even if he helped out the Xiao Family tremendously this time, on the matter involving the war between the two worlds, which side Xiao Ruyan would ultimately choose to stand on was really hard to say.
As for Xiao Changfeng, Ye Yuan was even less hopeful of him. That old fox would definitely take him down immediately and deliver him in front of the Wind Emperor to claim credit.
At this time, a youth walked into the hall slowly, heading straight for Ye Yuan.
"Junior Apprentice Brother Ji, I'm master's first disciple, Shi Haoran. Master asks you to go see him with me after you finished settling the stuff over here,"said the youth to Ye Yuan.
This Shi Haoran was shockingly an Alchemy King expert!
This person looked young, but his age was probably no longer that young.
The aging of martial artists' appearance would gradually slow down following the continuous increase in strength.
This Shi Haoran was at most a hundred years old but had already stepped into the Soul Sea Realm and advanced to Alchemy King. In the Lower Realms, this was absolutely a prodigious talent!
Furthermore, Ye Yuan could feel that Shi Haoran's gaze was restrained and had quite the air of someone broad-minded. He was totally different from Tong Wenchang; it was such a contrast.
Tong Wenchang's title of Quasi-Alchemy King sounded scary, but actually his foundation was superficial. It was entirely in order to race against time that he forcefully broke through to the Soul Sea Realm.
To alchemists, the greatest taboo was this point.
Unstable foundation. The further back, the harder to break through!
In spite of Tong Wenchang breaking through to Quasi-Alchemy King very early, if he wanted to break through to Alchemy King Realm, without one or two hundred years of acc.u.mulation, it simply could not be attained.
But this Shi Haoran's soul force was pure; it was clearly tempered out through severe training. Only by experiencing countless times of pill refinement could one refine their soul force to this sort of degree.
This point, others could not tell, but Ye Yuan was perfectly clear.
But what made Ye Yuan surprised was why did Star Abyss send his first disciple over to fetch him?
Even if it was taking in a new disciple, wasn't this too solemn?
At Star Abyss's place, he was but a newcomer. Making his first disciple fetch him, how great of a face was that?!
"I've seen Alchemy King Shi!" Xiao Ruyan gave a bow to Shi Haoran, and then she said to Ye Yuan, "Ruyan dare not delay Lord Star Abyss's affairs and will take my leave here. Today's matter, Ruyan thanks Mister Ji on behalf of the Xiao Family!"
Ye Yuan smiled and said, "Miss Ruyan don't need to mind. Take care."
Looking at Xiao Ruyan's supple back view, Shi Haoran smiled and said, "Miss Ruyan and the Shangguan Family's Shangguan Lingxue are named the capital's two beauties together. Till today, nobody can capture their hearts. To think that Junior Apprentice Brother Ji has only entered the Xiao Family for a few days, and Miss Ruyan's heart is already secretly pledged. Indeed formidable!"
Ye Yuan was stunned. Originally, he thought that this Shi Haoran was someone who was serious in speech and manner. Who knew that he would crack this sort of joke at first sight?
"Haha, Eldest Senior Apprentice Brother is overthinking. Miss Ruyan just has feelings of gratitude towards me. How can a proud person like her take fancy upon an inexperienced greenhorn like me?" Ye Yuan said self-mockingly.
But Shi Haoran thought otherwise and said with a smile, "I'm somebody who has been through this. I won't misjudge! What you said is right. Miss Ruyan is indeed a proud person. But that's because she hasn't encountered a man deserving of her to fall in love with. And today, Junior Apprentice Brother Ji's performance has already thoroughly subjugated her arrogance! Moreover . . . Junior Apprentice Brother Ji is already under Master's tutelage. How can you call yourself an inexperienced greenhorn? As long as Junior Apprentice Brother is willing, ask Master to come out and intercede for you. How can the Huang and Xue families dare to say a single word of objection?
When Ye Yuan listened, he thought to himself, shit!
This Shi Haoran did not seem to be joking. Could it be that Xiao Ruyan really fell for him?
But he and Xiao Ruyan are people from two different worlds and would surely become foes in the future. When the time came, how should they face each other?
Cough, cough, thinking too much.
Now was not the time to be thinking about this matter. Rescuing his fellow apprentices was the first order in this matter!
Ye Yuan laughed perfunctorily and said, "Eldest Senior Apprentice Brother, don't make fun of this Junior. Aren't I still young? I haven't considered this matter yet, so I won't trouble Master to grace his presence."
Shi Haoran burst into laughter and said, "Junior Apprentice Brother is really a strange person! In the capital, which man doesn't wish to hold these two beauties in their embrace? Yet, you have this strength and opportunity but make excuses to decline. Fine as well. As long as Miss Ruyan has yet to wed, you have plenty of chances. Even if the spouse finding martial competition determined her spouse, as long as she is still of a c
haste body, you can still marry her over! This . . . is where the confidence of those under Sovereign Star Abyss lies!"
Ye Yuan's eyes flickered. This Shi Haoran . . . was to his liking.
Chapter 391 - Hopeless Situation
The dojo of Sovereign Star Abyss, Qixia Mountain.
Ye Yuan and Shi Haoran were walking side by side.
"Master Star Abyss took in a total of seven disciples. You're the eighth person. But you're the one with the greatest talent," Shi Haoran said.
Ye Yuan smiled and said, "Senior's tone when saying this is like two different people from earlier, without that sort of aura that disdained all beneath the heaven."
Along the way, Ye Yuan and Shi Haoran chatted until now and felt that this person quite matched his disposition. Different from the seriousness in speech and manner, and solemn and m.a.t.u.r.e eldest senior apprentice brother in his impression, Shi Haoran was with some hint of being quick to settle grudges and favor.
Shi Haoran laughed and said, "Inferior means inferior. That has nothing to do with disdaining the world. Legendary Realm, forget about me, even master he can't do it either. Just based on this point, I'm inferior to you."
"Just luck."
But Shi Haoran did not think so. "Luck is also a part of strength. Swap any middle-rank Alchemy Grandmaster over; they can't win Tong Wenchang. At least, when I was at your level, I can't do it."
As they were talking, the two people already arrived at the summit of the mountain. A magnificent great hall entered their sights.
"Go in then. Master is already waiting for us," Shi Haoran said.
Following Shi Haoran into the main hall, Star Abyss was already waiting for him.
"Haoran, you take your leave first. I'll talk alone with Ji Qing," Star Abyss said.
Shi Haoran bowed and withdrew. Star Abyss slowly opened his eyes and sized Ye Yuan up. But Ye Yuan also measured Star Abyss with his eyes without any care.
"Legendary Realm. Pretty good! To be able to reach such a realm at this young age, you're bound to surpass me on the Alchemy Path in the future," Star Abyss suddenly said.
Ye Yuan was a little perplexed and did not know what these words from Star Abyss meant. He could only say, "Lord Star Abyss is too kind. Ji Qing is embarrassed by undeserved praises."