Chapter 580

Translator: Silavin

 

Not long after the bell rang out, a series of *whooshing* sounds suddenly arose. Then, the space above that stone platform twisted slightly, and several figures slowly emerged into view…

 

Qin Yichen’s gaze swept across those silhouettes before pausing upon the two central figures. These two stood there, yet one could not sense the slightest trace of their presence!

 

The figure on the left was an Elder, his skin appearing somewhat unnaturally pale, his cheeks tightly drawn with an austere, humourless severity. His piercing eyes seemed to stab painfully into one’s very Soul.

 

The figure on the right rather surprised Qin Yichen, for it was a beautiful woman dressed in an qipao. Though Qin Yichen was certain her age could not be less than the Elder beside her, her appearance resembled that of a woman around thirty years old. Her expression was serene, with a subtle charm accumulated through the passage of years.

 

“That Elder and beautiful woman are the two titans of the Alchemy Council… Dan Xuan and Chen Yun!”

 

At Qin Yichen’s side, Shen Fangu provided the introduction.

 

The moment these two appeared, the entire world became much quieter. The endless sea of people, countless gazes filled with reverence and admiration, all converged upon these two individuals.

 

The two titans of the Alchemy Council—not only in Heavenly Dragon Imperial City, but even across the various Imperial Dynasties, they could be considered truly renowned figures!

 

These two normally remained as elusive as Dragons, showing their heads but not their tails. Only during grand gatherings like the Alchemy Manor Summit would they appear before the public!

 

Gazing upon these two, Qin Yichen felt deeply moved.

 

These two great figures from the Alchemy Council had also shown him guidance and favour. However, after he became famous and returned to this place, both had already passed away.

 

To see them both again stirred something within Qin Yichen’s heart.

 

Birth, aging, sickness, and death—this was the cycle of the Heavenly Way, which no one could prevent.

 

Even becoming an Alchemy Saint did not allow him to escape the cycle of life and death; after countless years, one would still become nothing but a cup of yellow earth.

 

Legend spoke that only by breaking through the Alchemy Saint Realm could one break free from the shackles of life and death.

 

Unfortunately, even the former Qin Yichen had fallen just one step short…

 

His body had been too weak!

 

It simply could not withstand such tremendous power.

 

Therefore, in this lifetime, Qin Yichen had always placed great emphasis on his Martial Arts Cultivation. He understood clearly what he was lacking.

 

Perhaps sensing his gaze, Dan Xuan glanced in his direction, seemingly discovering nothing before withdrawing his attention.

 

“All Alchemy Manors, take your positions.”

 

After Dan Xuan took his stance, he spoke directly, his voice resonating throughout the venue.

 

“Go.” Shen Fangu said to Qin Yichen.

 

“En.” Qin Yichen nodded and walked towards the platform where Ten Corner Alchemy Manor was located.

 

Watching such a lively scene around her, Gongshu Zhiyi was also eager to try. Rolling her eyes, she whispered to Lu Xiaoguan beside her, “How about we give it a go too?”

 

They were all Lu Ban’s Descendants. Though not from an Alchemy Family, their primary cultivation focused on Spiritual Energy.

 

“Not interested.” Lu Xiaoguan pursed his lips, glancing at Qin Yichen’s retreating figure.

 

He had no desire to present himself before so many people only to be humiliated by Qin Yichen.

 

He was proud. He had no masochistic tendencies!

 

“What a blockhead, so boring.”

 

Gongshu Zhiyi chided him, then turned her gaze to Shen Ling. “Sister Shen Ling, shall we go have some fun?”

 

“Fun?” Shen Ling didn’t know what to say.

 

Every Alchemy Master participating in this Alchemy Manor Summit was without exception an elite from their respective regions, all possessing formidable abilities.

 

[Fun? This isn’t something just anyone could afford to play with.]

 

Shen Ling had never participated before, but during her time at Ten Corner Alchemy Manor, she knew that in the previous Alchemy Manor Summit, Ten Corner Alchemy Manor’s representative had lost to an ordinary participant.

 

This demonstrated just how powerful these participants were.

 

However, at this moment, Shen Ling felt somewhat tempted.

 

Originally, if Qin Yichen had not appeared, she would certainly have been the one representing Ten Corner Alchemy Manor.

 

“Go ahead, but don’t be reckless.” When her gaze turned to Shen Fangu, he smiled at her and offered this advice without attempting to stop her.

 

Without formidable opponents, where would the motivation to advance come from?

 

Flowers in a greenhouse could never grow strong.

 

Having received permission, the two women cheered and walked hand in hand towards the registration area.

 

…

 

Soon, representatives from the major Alchemy Manors had more or less taken their positions.

 

Naturally, everyone’s attention was focused on the highest stone platforms.

 

The order of the stone platforms was arranged according to the strength of the Alchemy Manors.

 

Moreover, the rules of the Alchemy Manor Summit required challenging one step at a time upwards, ultimately claiming the final ten seats.

 

At this moment, ordinary participants had not yet taken their positions. Below the stone platform where Qin Yichen stood, not a single figure could be seen…

 

This demonstrated that Ten Corner Alchemy Manor was at the very bottom among the numerous Alchemy Manors of the Heavenly Dragon Imperial Dynasty.

 

Qin Yichen felt no surprise at this, and his gaze looked upward.

 

What drew everyone’s attention most, naturally, were the figures on the twenty-odd stone platforms below the top ten seats.

 

Basically, every seat was claimed by people from these twenty-odd stone platforms.

 

Upset victories simply did not occur in the Dao of Alchemy.

 

Because in the Dao of Alchemy, while talent was certainly important, what mattered most was having a good Master.

 

People of equal talent—if cultivated within the Imperial City Alchemy Council, could become a Peak Human Grade Alchemy Master by the age of twenty. But in a place like the Ten Corner Alchemy Manor, becoming a Human Grade Alchemy Master was already considered to be quite good.

 

This was the disparity.

 

Therefore, even if occasional unexpected situations arose, it would not be through defeats by people from weaker Alchemy Manors, but rather… Disciples from hidden Families coming out for training.

 

“That’s Luo Xiujie from First Gathering Alchemy Manor. It’s said that five years ago he had already reached the Spiritual Rupture Realm, and now his cultivation is unfathomable!”

 

“Isn’t that Zhu Jingxing? Last time when ruins opened in the Surface Sun Region, rumour has it he obtained the Inheritance from those ruins…”

 

“Bai Caizhe has actually come too. It seems this Alchemy Manor Summit is destined to be a battle between Dragons and Tigers…”

 

Every person standing on that highest platform could be named by someone in the crowd. Each had some amazing accomplishments, each was extraordinary.

 

One could see that those elevated positions drew attention precisely because not just anyone could stand there.

 

However, at this moment, several positions in the middle of those twenty-odd stone platforms remained empty.

 

Those were exclusive positions for Imperial City’s Top Tier Families!

 

Only after representatives from the Major Alchemy Manors had more or less assembled did several figures slowly emerge from the VIP seating area.

 

And with their appearance, numerous gazes shifted over to follow them…

 

They met these admiring, reverent looks with pride, coldness, or smiles, walking step by step towards the stone platforms.