Chapter 532, Tracking

Translator: Silavin

 

Qin Yichen’s lips curved into a faint smile as he slowly walked out of the auction venue. At the same time, he secretly breathed a long sigh of relief in his heart. Those Shooting Star Spirit Crystals that appeared as worthless scraps in others’ eyes had finally come into his possession!

 

Gongshu Zhiyi held onto Qin Yichen’s robes with one small hand while chattering away about the curious items they had purchased over the past few days, seemingly still discussing with Lu Xiaoguan where they should go shopping next.

 

It seemed as though they had completely forgotten the true purpose of their journey.

 

However, Qin Yichen was not particularly concerned about this. After all, while this continent was currently experiencing turbulent times, it remained relatively peaceful overall. Most conflicts primarily stem from internal disputes between Humans.

 

Just as they departed the auction house, Qin Yichen’s brow suddenly furrowed. He then whispered to Gongshu Zhiyi and the other, “Be careful. Someone is stalking us!”

 

Gongshu Zhiyi and Lu Xiaoguan’s steps hesitated slightly, though they did not make any unnaturally obvious movements and continued walking at their unhurried pace.

 

“It should be people from the Qian Family. We don’t need to concern ourselves with them for now. This is Heavenly Dragon Imperial City. They lack the courage to make a move here.” As Qin Yichen spoke, he surveyed the path ahead, hoping to find some side streets to shake off their pursuers.

 

After all, while he feared not the Qian Family within the Imperial City, having his every move watched day and night was hardly a comfortable situation.

 

However, after approximately a quarter of an hour, Qin Yichen helplessly discovered that their tracker’s familiarity with this area far exceeded his own!

 

Moreover, with Gongshu Zhiyi’s conspicuous presence, even after discreetly turning through several streets, they had failed to lose their pursuer.

 

“Qin Yichen!” Just as Qin Yichen was troubled by how to shake off their tracker, a familiar voice penetrated through the street’s clamour and reached his ears.

 

“Manor Master!?” Qin Yichen’s mind jolted as he turned to look sideways. On the street to his left, a middle-aged man accompanied by a young woman was approaching him with smiles on their faces.

 

The man was precisely the Ten Corner Alchemy Manor Master, while the young woman beside him was Shen Ling!

 

“Manor Master!” Qin Yichen bowed respectfully to the Manor Master with a smile, though he noticed that Shen Ling beside him seemed to avoid his gaze.

 

“Haha… I was still worried whether you would arrive here before the Summit.” Upon seeing Qin Yichen, relief flickered in the Manor Master’s eyes. Noticing the young woman beside him who was usually rather bold but now appeared somewhat bashful, he helplessly shook his head.

 

Subsequently, the Manor Master’s gaze fell upon Gongshu Zhiyi and Lu Xiaoguan. Although both appeared young, their Spiritual Energy was specially concealed through a Technique from the Lu Ban Sect. Even so, for someone in the Spiritual Rupture Realm, he could still vaguely sense something extraordinary about them.

 

Immediately, the Manor Master’s eyes narrowed slightly as he casually enquired, “Who might these two be?”

 

“My friends.” Qin Yichen nodded in response. Naturally, he did not elaborate on their identities.

 

“Oh, great. Come, let us go to my residence!” Seeing that Qin Yichen had no intention of providing details, the Alchemy Manor Master paid it no further mind. With a wave of his hand, he laughed as he spoke.

 

“Your residence?” Upon hearing this, Qin Yichen’s heart lifted with joy. In his recollection, Ten Corner Alchemy Manor Master, Shen Fangu, was backed by Heavenly Dragon Imperial City’s Shen Family.

 

The Shen Family ranked as a Second Tier Force within Heavenly Dragon Imperial City. Were it not so, Shen Fangu, who was in the Spiritual Rupture Realm, would not have condescended to becoming the Manor Master of Ten Corner Region’s Alchemy Manor, which ranked amongst the lowest in the Imperial Dynasty’s territories.

 

However, the Shen Family possessed its own reasons for establishing itself within the Imperial City, as the Shen Family constituted an Alchemist Family.

 

Though merely a Second Tier Force, the Shen Family remained highly regarded within the Imperial City. Even many First Tier Forces showed the Shen Family considerable deference.

 

The reason the Shen Family could not ascend to First Tier status was also clear to Qin Yichen. Their Family lacked Earth Grade Alchemy Masters. Even possessing several Human Grade Alchemy Masters at the Spiritual Rupture Peak Stage could not compensate for this shortcoming!

 

“Zhiyi, Xiaoguan, you two should accompany the Manor Master first.” Upon considering the Shen Residence, several thoughts rapidly flashed through Qin Yichen’s mind. He immediately addressed the group, “I have some matters to attend to. Manor Master, I shall look for you later!” After speaking, Qin Yichen waved his hand and, without waiting for their response, walked towards one end of the street.

 

“This guy…” Shen Fangu shook his head and could only let matters be.

 

“Big Sister, you are so pretty! Are you from Ten Corner Alchemy Manor?” Gongshu Zhiyi, however, paid no heed to Qin Yichen’s departure. She bounced over to Shen Ling, her large, bright eyes appraising the latter before exclaiming in admiration.

 

Witnessing Gongshu Zhiyi’s casualness, Lu Xiaoguan could not help but twitch his lips. [To think she actually possesses a side that flatters others!]

 

They both understood that Qin Yichen’s departure was certainly intended to draw away their pursuers. Still, as the Lu Ban Sect Master, they did not harbour the slightest concern for his safety.

 

After Qin Yichen’s departure, two dark shadows emerged from the street’s shadowy corners. After exchanging glances, one headed towards the city’s interior while the other shadow, like a swimming fish, skillfully wove through the streets, following behind Qin Yichen.

 

Atop a tower within Heavenly Dragon Imperial City, the Young Master who had previously clashed with Qin Yichen was embracing two beautiful women, his hands constantly roaming over their exquisite forms, eliciting waves of coquettish ‘protests’.

 

As knocking sounded at the door, the Young Master frowned, then waved his hand to dismiss the two beautiful women.

 

“Young Master, the young woman you fancied was walking together with the Shen Family’s Shen Fangu.”

 

Just as the two women withdrew, a figure swept into the room—one of the two shadows from before.

 

“Shen Family’s Shen Fangu? Did he not depart for Ten Corner Alchemy Manor?”

 

The Young Master’s brow furrowed. Though the Shen Family was inferior to their Qian Family, they had trade ties. So, this demanded his serious attention.

 

“It is likely due to the Alchemy Manor Summit. Though his Ten Corner Alchemy Manor has declined, it remains an Alchemy Manor after all.” The figure hastily explained.

 

“What of that young man? Did he take shelter within the Shen Family?” The Young Master’s brow creased as he enquired.

 

“He’s heading outside the Imperial City. Young Master, rest assured—I have sent my partners to follow him. He will not escape your grasp!”

 

“Excellent! I leave this matter to you. Before sunset, I wish to see his head!” Upon hearing this, the Young Master rose abruptly. He walked slowly to the tower’s window, his cold gaze fixed upon the direction of the city gates.