Chapter 489, Just Curious

Translator: Silavin

At this moment, Qin Yichen finally squeezed through the crowd. From his position, he could clearly see the bluestone platform. On the platform stood two young men, with intense heat emanating from the Pill Furnaces before them.

Evidently, the two had been refining for some time already.

One of these individuals was quite familiar to Qin Yichen — it was Duan Zihai!

Opposite Duan Zihai stood a young man of approximately twenty-five or twenty-six years old. Just from his expression, one could tell he was undoubtedly a proud and arrogant character.

However, at this moment, the young man’s face was extremely solemn.

A subtle fluctuation continuously rippled through the space between them. Clearly, this was no simple Alchemy demonstration, but an Alchemy Duel!

Although Alchemy Duels were extremely dangerous affairs, within the Alchemy Manor, such occurrences were quite commonplace, as evidenced by previous assessments and this Pill Conference.

As long as one did not deliberately destroy the opponent’s Divine Soul Bead during the Alchemy Duel, generally there would be no repercussions. Of course, Tian Liang’s situation was an exception, as he was independent, whilst his opponent was an Elder recruited by the Eastern Overcast Sect!

It was precisely this audacious atmosphere that kept everyone in the Alchemy Manor mentally vigilant. Their pill-refining abilities and Spiritual Energy control had improved tremendously under such pressure.

*Hmph…* Following a muffled sound, the young man opposite Duan Zihai stumbled backward, retreating several steps before steadying himself.

*Chiiiii…* As he retreated, smoke billowed from the Pill Furnace before him, clearly indicating that his Pill refinement had failed!

At this moment, the young man’s face was quite pale, and his Spiritual Energy was somewhat chaotic, evidently having suffered losses in the Alchemy Duel.

“Senior Brother Lin Hong, thanks for letting me win!”

With a pat, a Pill exuding fragrance shot out from the Pill Furnace and was caught by Duan Zihai, who simultaneously spoke to the young man opposite him.

The latter’s expression was very unpleasant, but he did not say much. With a flick of his sleeve, he descended from the platform.

“Lin Hong ranks among the top ten of the younger generation in our Alchemy Manor, I didn’t expect him to be defeated by a newcomer!”

“Indeed… but who is that guy who managed to put Lin Hong at such a disadvantage?”

“He was recommended by Elder Duan Quan, I believe he’s called Duan Zihai.”

“So, he’s someone recommended by Elder Duan. No wonder. To think he is a Human Grade Alchemy Master at such a young age!”

When a powerful individual who ranked in the top ten among the younger generation of the Alchemy Manor was defeated shortly after the commencement of the Pill Conference, a chorus of discussions immediately erupted below.

Qin Yichen shook his head disinterestedly. What was there to see in this kind of deliberately restrained, non-fatal Alchemy Duel?

Subsequently, he turned his gaze towards a higher platform.

The numerous Elders on the platform were now smiling at Duan Zihai on the platform, clearly amazed by his earlier performance.

However, one gaze met directly with Qin Yichen’s. That gaze belonged to none other than Duan Quan!

“Damn brat, you finally dare to show yourself?” Looking at Qin Yichen in the crowd, a ferocious glint flashed in Duan Quan’s eyes.

Faced with Duan Quan’s gaze, Qin Yichen shrugged his shoulders, the corners of his mouth lifting into a smile, without the slightest trace of fear.

“You insolent brat, you dare to provoke me when death is imminent!?” Seeing Qin Yichen’s gesture, Duan Quan’s face immediately darkened.

Duan Quan’s unusual reaction on the high platform was noticed by many observant individuals. Following Duan Quan’s line of sight and seeing Qin Yichen’s unfamiliar face, many were puzzled.

[Could this young man have some grievances with Elder Duan Quan?]

“That young man is the one recommended by Elder Tian Liang!”

“*Hmph!* So he is the one recommended by that useless Elder. The one who cheated during the assessment?”

Soon, Qin Yichen was recognised, and immediately, a wave of sneering voices arose. Those beside Qin Yichen, fearing involvement, fled as if avoiding a plague.

Within moments, in the crowded square, a space of about two meters appeared, with only Qin Yichen standing within it, appearing extremely peculiar.

With such a conspicuous space emerging, Qin Yichen was immediately noticed by the numerous Elders on the platform.

“Oh, is that the young man?” Grand Adviser Dong Yang, representing the Eastern Overcast Sect, frowned slightly and murmured.

“Reporting to the Grand Adviser, that boy is indeed the one recommended by that useless Tian Liang!” Upon hearing Dong Yang’s murmur, Duan Quan hastily responded.

“I see…” Dong Yang narrowed his eyes slightly, scanning Qin Yichen up and down, but he could not detect any Spiritual Energy fluctuations from him that would surprise him.

Finally, Dong Yang shook his head slightly and withdrew his gaze. A cold voice also emerged faintly from his mouth. “Find an opportunity and make him disappear along with Tian Liang.”

“Yes!” A gleam of light burst forth in Duan Quan’s eyes as he promptly nodded in response.

He had wanted to eliminate Tian Liang for a long time, but due to the Grand Adviser not having spoken, he could not act against an Elder of the Alchemy Manor. But now, it was different.

Even Dong Yang had given the word, so dealing with a disgraced Elder would be a simple task for him, as easy as lifting a finger.

When the time came, even if the Manor Master found out, he probably would not reprimand a Grand Adviser for the sake of an Elder who existed in name only!

Within the Alchemy Manor, the Manor Master had not been managing affairs for a long time, and the majority of matters were handled by the two Grand Advisers.

[Want to deal with me? Come then.] Qin Yichen narrowed his eyes, the corners of his mouth curling into a mysterious smile.

“Oh, I thought you wouldn’t attend the Pill Conference.” Suddenly, a pleasant voice sounded beside Qin Yichen. When he turned to look, a beautiful figure had somehow appeared beside him without him noticing.

This beautiful figure was none other than the woman who had previously dispersed the many troublemakers in front of his room!

When this woman appeared, Qin Yichen keenly noticed that all eyes seemed to glance in this direction, only to be withdrawn somewhat sheepishly.

“I’m just curious, that’s all.” Qin Yichen shrugged his shoulders, not intending to deepen his acquaintance with her. He was currently a dangerous entity; whoever got close to him would only suffer.

However, as if this woman was unaware of Qin Yichen’s special status, or perhaps she simply did not care about it, she rather generously patted his shoulder and said. “I heard that during the assessment, you left that boy there several streets behind. So, go up there and blast him off. I just don’t like seeing someone so cocky.”

Hearing those bold words, Qin Yichen could not help but twitch the corners of his lip. [What does ‘blast him off’ even mean?]