Chapter 476, Entering the Alchemy Manor

Translator: Silavin

 

[Some people are destined to remain unknown. Some people are destined to be remembered. If one stops advancing when the path ahead is filled with thorns, then one is destined to remain ordinary and unaccomplished. When facing difficulties head-on, perhaps there will have to bleed, but as long as I have the courage, this first step means that I have already transcended mediocrity.]

 

…

 

The Ten Corner Alchemy Manor was situated in the central area of the Ten Corner Ancient City, standing like a city within a city. Massive, towering walls separated the inside from the outside world.

 

On the bustling streets, gazes would occasionally be cast towards the Alchemy Masters entering and exiting the manor. Those gazes would be filled with admiration and reverence.

 

Over thousands of years, countless exceptional Alchemy Masters had emerged from the Ten Corner Alchemy Manor.

 

Over the long passage of time, the Ten Corner Alchemy Manor had accumulated numerous Pill Formulas and Spiritual Energy Cultivation Techniques that made Alchemy Masters envious. Unfortunately, the conditions for admission to the Ten Corner Alchemy Manor were too strict, leaving many to only sigh with longing.

 

Tian Liang and Qin Yichen quickly arrived before the Ten Corner Alchemy Manor.

 

Looking at the gateway before him, which resembled a city gate, Tian Liang’s expression became somewhat conflicted, and his eyes were filled with confusion.

 

Although he had lived in Ten Corner City all his life, he could not remember how many years it had been since he last visited this place.

 

It was not that he lacked the qualifications to enter, but rather because various factions intertwined within the Ten Corner Alchemy Manor. As an Elder with a damaged Knowledge Sea, entering would only invite more ridicule.

 

“Sir, this is where you belong.” Said Qin Yichen firmly as Tian Liang was lost in thought.

 

Hearing these words, Tian Liang’s body trembled, and a piercing light flashed in his eyes, though it disappeared in an instant.

 

“Let’s go.” Tian Liang said with a bitter smile, then walked towards the gate, and Qin Yichen quickly followed after glancing around.

 

As soon as they entered the gate’s vicinity, Qin Yichen noticed numerous gazes directed at him and Tian Liang, though most of these gazes carried contempt and mockery.

 

Fortunately, Tian Liang had endured more than enough insults to last a lifetime. Facing these strange looks, he proceeded as if unaware, walking straight through the gate towards a tall building.

 

Initially, he had worried that Qin Yichen might cause trouble due to being unable to tolerate such gazes from others. However, upon seeing Qin Yichen’s expression, which was even more composed than his own, he realised his concerns were unnecessary.

 

This young man was truly unfathomable to him. From how easily he had defeated so many Eastern Overcast Sect disciples earlier, it was clear that Qin Yichen was far from weak.

 

For someone with such strength to remain completely unperturbed when faced with so many strange gazes was quite surprising to Tian Liang.

 

[To think a young man would be so composed!] Seeing Qin Yichen’s attitude, Tian Liang unconsciously placed even more hope in him.

 

Tian Liang finally stopped before a magnificent, imposing building.

 

Qin Yichen also halted, gazing at the massive structure before him. Its design was unique; its overall shape resembled a Pill Furnace enlarged hundreds of times. The building had many windows like ventilation ports, and at the very top, the roof, it resembled a Pill Furnace cover.

 

Finally, Qin Yichen’s gaze fell on the large jade plaque above the building’s main entrance, where three ancient characters emitted subtle fluctuations.

 

“Ten Corner Pavilion!” Qin Yichen murmured. This was the place where all who wished to enter the Ten Corner Alchemy Manor must undergo an assessment. Whether for recommendations, assessments, or future tasks from the Ten Corner Alchemy Manor, they were all conducted here.

 

The appearance of Tian Liang and Qin Yichen attracted quite a few surprised looks. After taking a deep breath, Tian Liang ignored those gazes and strode inside.

 

The hall of the Ten Corner Pavilion was extremely spacious. Despite having nearly a hundred people inside, it did not feel crowded at all.

 

Seeming to hear some unusual commotion at the entrance, some people turned their gazes in that direction. Upon seeing Tian Liang dressed as a beggar, their eyes showed surprise and mockery. Then, they lowered their heads and returned to their business, while whispers gradually arose.

 

“Isn’t that Tian Liang? Hasn’t he stayed away since offending the Eastern Overcast Sect? Why has he come today?”

 

“Don’t know. But seeing him bring in a young man, could he be here to make a recommendation?”

 

“Pfft! A recommendation? How could anyone dare accept his recommendation!?”

 

Tian Liang’s fall from grace was no secret within the Ten Corner Alchemy Manor; almost everyone knew about it. They were curious about how he still had the face to come here.

 

Could it really be as the whispers suggested, that he was here to recommend someone to enter the Ten Corner Alchemy Manor?

 

However, these people knew that although the latter had fallen on hard times, the Alchemy Manor had not revoked his status as an Elder. Within the Alchemy Manor, the hierarchy of status was extremely important, so they did not dare come forward to inquire.

 

Regarding these whispers and mocking gazes, Tian Liang had naturally heard and felt them clearly. He shook his head inwardly and led Qin Yichen directly to one side of the hall.

 

Seeing Tian Liang approach, two staff members managing recommendations put away the contemptuous expressions on their faces.

 

“Name, age?” Asked a middle-aged man behind the desk lazily.

 

“Qin Yichen, eighteen years old.” Qin Yichen replied, unbothered by the other’s attitude.

 

“Eighteen?” Hearing this age, the middle-aged man’s eyes flashed with surprise.

 

However, after glancing at Tian Liang beside Qin Yichen, he chuckled, casually took a piece of paper to register the information, then pointed to a staircase at the side of the hall, indicating they should go to the second floor for the assessment.

 

Tian Liang nodded to Qin Yichen, and the two of them walked towards the assessment area on the second floor, followed by many strange gazes.

 

“Is Elder Tian Liang deliberately harming that youth?”

 

“Hehe, I don’t know how he managed to persuade Elder Tian to return, but regardless of whether he passes the assessment or not, I’m afraid he won’t have any good outcome.”

 

“Hmm, but why does the name Qin Yichen sound somewhat familiar?”

 

Regarding the discussions below, Tian Liang looked at Qin Yichen somewhat embarrassedly. Those associated with him had never fared well.

 

In response, Qin Yichen merely shrugged his shoulders. Having already provoked the Northern Depths Sect, one of the region’s top Forces, why would he fear another? Eastern Overcast Sect, what made them no different from the Northern Depths Sect?