Chapter 588, Gongshu Zhiyi

Translator: Silavin

 

If the two great pillars of the Alchemy Council, Dan Xuan and Chen Yun, represented the pinnacle of the Heavenly Dragon Imperial Dynasty’s World of Alchemy, then Qian Zhengchen was undoubtedly the pinnacle among the younger generation.

 

This was something that absolutely everyone in the Heavenly Dragon Imperial City knew without exception!

 

From the moment Qian Zhengchen first revealed his identity as an Alchemy Master, the halos surrounding him were truly numerous beyond count. Countless halos that people would spend their entire lives looking up to were all crowned upon him.

 

Although Qin Yichen had demonstrated strength no less than that of an ordinary Spiritual Rupture Realm Alchemy Master, no one believed that the final result of this Alchemy Manor Summit would change in any way.

 

“The Summit continues!”

 

Following a proclamation, the temporarily suspended Alchemy Manor Summit resumed once again.

 

However, this time, the crowds of people shoulder to shoulder beneath Qin Yichen’s stone platform began to slowly depart. After Qin Yichen had displayed that astounding strength, no longer were there any blind fools who would foolishly regard him as a soft persimmon to squeeze.

 

More people now gathered beneath the several stone platforms occupied by the used to be ‘Free Participants’. For a time, challenges continued unceasingly, proving quite intense.

 

In this first round, four stone platforms originally possessed by the Alchemy Manor had forcibly changed hands. This demonstrated that the excellent Alchemy Masters within the Heavenly Dragon Imperial Dynasty were truly not to be underestimated!

 

However, the platforms where those from the Major Families remained unchanged. Firstly, this was because they possessed formidable strength; secondly, those who wished to challenge them had to consider the powerful Forces backing these individuals.

 

After nearly another hour had passed, this round of battles for stone platforms finally began to slowly draw to a close.

 

However, just when everyone believed the positions for the next round had been determined, a tremendous commotion suddenly erupted from one particular stone platform.

 

As countless gazes swept towards it, everyone could see that the platform originally occupied by Ouyang Wensu was now claimed by a petite and graceful figure.

 

Ouyang Wensu, who had previously held nearly a hundred percent certainty of advancing to the final round, now stood beneath the platform with a pale complexion and a gloomy expression!

 

“What!? Ouyang Wensu!? He was actually defeated!!”

 

“What… What on earth happened?!”

 

Looking at Ouyang Wensu’s gloomy expression and extremely disordered Spiritual Energy, countless people exchanged bewildered glances.

 

Among the remaining Alchemy Masters, Ouyang Wensu’s strength could absolutely rank within the top ten!

 

Just when everyone thought the first round was about to conclude, he had actually been defeated by an unknown little girl?!

 

Gazing at the little girl standing on the stone platform that should have belonged to Ouyang Wensu, wearing an innocent smile that could harm neither man nor beast, everyone inexplicably felt a chill rise in their hearts.

 

“That… that little girl!”

 

“Which one?”

 

“The one who was at the Water Moon Crystal House. She was following behind Qin Yichen, together with Shen Ling!”

 

“What!? That’s her?!”

 

Suddenly, from somewhere came a cry of alarm, immediately causing another wave of gasps to ripple through the crowd.

 

It was said that at the Water Moon Crystal House, Ouyang Wensu had wanted to snatch the two women from Qin Yichen’s side. In a way, one could take it as this girl coming for revenge. It was just that the level of strength she had shown was too shocking and unprecedented!

 

Ouyang Wensu was a figure of long-established fame. Even among the younger generation of the Heavenly Dragon Imperial Dynasty, he could absolutely be considered amongst the elite. Yet under this little girl’s hand, everyone had not even seen clearly what had happened before he had already been defeated!

 

“Chairman, that little girl’s records only show that she’s called Gongshu Zhiyi, with no other information…”

 

Behind Dan Xuan, an elderly man quickly located the records bearing Gongshu Zhiyi’s name and respectfully addressed the two Chairmans.

 

“Gongshu Zhiyi?” Murmuring this name he had never heard before, Dan Xuan inexplicably felt a sense of Familiarity.

 

“Gongshu Zhiyi? Could she be…?”

 

Suddenly, Dan Xuan’s body trembled, as if he had thought of something extremely shocking. On his ancient and placid face, a trace of astonishment flashed.

 

He had occasionally read some ancient records, amongst which this surname seemed to have been mentioned. However, the Clan which possessed this surname had long since withdrawn from the world, and no one could even confirm whether they still existed.

 

“Chairman, what’s wrong? Shall I have someone collect more information about her?”

 

Sensing Dan Xuan’s body trembling, the elderly man behind him hurriedly spoke, fearing that these minor oversights in their work might provoke this important figure’s anger.

 

“No need. The Summit proceeds as usual. Also, no one is to investigate her affairs. Destroy her records as well.”

 

Just as the elderly man was hurriedly preparing to investigate, Dan Xuan’s voice suddenly resonated in his mind.

 

“Yes!” While marvelling at Dan Xuan’s strength, the elderly man also hurriedly nodded in agreement.

 

In his hands, that single sheet containing Gongshu Zhiyi’s information spontaneously combusted without flame, silently turning into a pile of ashes that dispersed with the wind.

 

“That guy… like I thought, not a single person beside him is normal!”

 

Below the platform, Shen Ling gazed in astonishment at Gongshu Zhiyi, who had originally said she was just going to have some fun. Shen Ling’s whole face was completely frozen in stupefaction.

 

“Sister Shen Ling, didn’t you also want to come here to play? Quickly come challenge me.”

 

Just as Shen Ling remained astonished, Gongshu Zhiyi’s voice reached her ears once more.

 

“Forget it… I am not strong enough…”

 

Shen Ling shook her head with a bitter smile.

 

Even Ouyang Wensu had been defeated by this little girl’s hand; how could she possibly defeat Gongshu Zhiyi?

 

“Hehe, Sister Shen Ling, I’m not joking. I don’t know how to refine Pills, so I’ll leave the rest to you.”

 

Gongshu Zhiyi’s eyes narrowed into crescents as she addressed Shen Ling.

 

Hearing these words, Shen Ling was once again stunned. [She doesn’t know how to refine Pills? She’s someone capable of defeating a Peak Spiritual Rupture Realm expert. Yet, she actually claims she doesn’t know how to refine Pills? Then what is her Spiritual Energy cultivation for? Display? Self-defence?]

 

Shen Ling felt utterly speechless. Naturally, she had no way of knowing that Spiritual Energy was not merely as simple as Pill refining. The Dao of Crafting also primarily cultivated Spiritual Energy!

 

Finally, just as the Alchemy Council staff were about to announce the end of the first round, Shen Ling replaced Gongshu Zhiyi’s on the stone platform. Thus, for the first time, the Ten Corner Alchemy Manor had two people qualified to compete for the final stone platform!

 

“You’ve done well, very well indeed!” Ouyang Wensu walked out with a gloomy expression, head lowered. No one could see that in his downcast eyes, frenzied malice continuously flickered.

 

As Ouyang Wensu passed by, on several stone platforms beside him, numerous figures nodded darkly, mysterious colours surging in their eyes as well.

 

“Hehe, Brother Yichen, I’ll wait for you to claim the championship from the audience seats!” When Gongshu Zhiyi passed by Qin Yichen’s side, she spoke with light laughter as if no one else existed. That pleasant voice reached the ears of quite a few sharp-eared individuals.

 

“This girl!” Qin Yichen smiled wryly and nodded indulgently.