After this incident, the alchemy exchange meeting naturally couldn't continue. Alchemists who arrived later, upon hearing about the previous competition, hurriedly went to pay their respects.

They were respectful, without the slightest hint of negligence.

Even though Ye Qingchen's alchemy skills might not yet surpass theirs, with his talent and the guidance of the Imperial Tutor, it was only a matter of time.

"He will surely become a master renowned in the world of alchemy in the future!"

Countless people thought to themselves.

Meanwhile,

Zhu Tao and Dongfang Yu had already pathetically fled Bishui Manor.

Dongfang Yu looked back, gazing at the manor lit by starry lights, watching Ye Qingchen being praised by everyone. He thought there was no greater joke in the world.

A martial artist from the bronze list had transformed into an unparalleled alchemy genius.

Moreover, he had trampled him underfoot.

Beside him, Zhu Tao's face was extremely grim. This night at Bishui Manor might become his lifelong humiliation. He coldly recalled Ye Qingchen's alchemy process, unable to utter a single word.

Suddenly,

He seemed to think of something and burst into laughter.

"Master?" Dongfang Yu asked in surprise.

"What a perfect combination of alchemy and martial prowess!" Zhu Tao's face turned cold, "The limitless path of alchemy is not something a mere martial artist can comprehend."

Bear in mind,

the supreme alchemy path is complex and mysterious.

Which alchemist hasn't trained diligently for decades? Talent is important, but persistence is also indispensable. No matter how gifted Ye Qingchen is, he still pursues martial arts and is destined to achieve nothing in alchemy.

"Let's go!" Zhu Tao no longer looked at the Bishui Manor and walked away with big strides. "From today on, you will be my personal disciple! I won't return to Celestial Peak Country until I surpass Ye Qingchen!"

...

The alchemy exchange meeting lasted until midnight.

Only then did the many alchemists leave one after another.

That night,

Ye Qingchen became the most watched figure, even overshadowing his master, Kong Shun. It was impossible not to be amazed by Ye Qingchen's talent, which exceeded everyone's expectations.

However, Kong Shun had no dissatisfaction. He felt honored by Ye Qingchen's acknowledgment.

For a moment,

the alchemy circle in the Imperial Capital was like a stone thrown into a thousand waves.

Almost all alchemists had heard of this young genius who's a master of both alchemy and martial arts.

However,

many people, having not witnessed it firsthand, remained skeptical.

"How could someone be a master of both alchemy and martial arts?"

"Indeed, both alchemy and martial arts are incredibly profound. Someone who can climb the bronze list must dedicate most of their energy to cultivation; how could they have time to delve into the infinite path of alchemy?"

Nonetheless,

the alchemy circle is quite small; even if it spreads, it remains within a limited scope.

Many who heard about it merely thought it a joke.

As for Ye Qingchen, who stirred up all the controversy, he didn't pay attention to the rumors. Instead, he focused on studying the "Jinghong Sword" in his small courtyard.

As the qualifications for the Qingzhou Sword Fighting Conference approached, people expected more challenges for Ye Qingchen's bronze list position. Yet strangely enough, the following days were increasingly calm.

Only Ye Qingchen knew,

this was only the calm before the storm.

On that day,

the bronze list rankings would likely be dramatically reshuffled as Qin Wentian predicted.

On that day,

If one is not strong enough, they will be completely knocked off the bronze list, no longer eligible for the Qingzhou Sword Fighting Conference.

With each passing day,

disciples from the eight sects eagerly awaited the excitement of this qualification competition.

Celestial Essence Sword Sect.

Clang!

A sword light shot straight into the sky.

When the Sword Qi formed, it soared upwards.

However,

The shocking thing was that this Sword Qi burst forth from a young man.

This young man was none other than Lu Changsheng!

Seen there,

Lu Changsheng stood with his hands behind his back, silent and still, yet he resembled a majestic peak piercing the void, like a Supreme Divine Sword unsheathed, sharp and unrivaled.

Merely standing there, he gave an overwhelming sense of suffocation.

"Lu Changsheng, you stand out! This time, you will surely secure a place on the bronze list!"

The Celestial Essence Sword Sect Leader spoke with a smile.

However,

Lu Changsheng slowly shook his head, "Three years of dormancy, only to make a stunning appearance. My concern is beyond just securing a place on the bronze list. What I desire is to top the Qingzhou Sword Fighting Conference!"

Lu Changsheng's eyes sparkled with pride, exuding a powerful aura.

Upon hearing this, the Celestial Essence Sword Sect Leader smiled even more.

What difference does it make if they miss one genius?

They know,

at Celestial Essence Sword Sect, they never lack for geniuses!

As for Ye Qingchen, he did not even mention him. For when the qualification day comes, with Ye Qingchen's strength, trying to hold his position on the bronze list would be like a withered twig facing a raging storm.

How could it be easy?

...

Xingluo Sect.

Above Celestial Sea Lake.

Originally tonight,

the stars would be bright in the rare cloudless night. But above this lake, a torrential downpour broke out. The calm Celestial Sea Lake surged like a raging sea.

It's almost impossible for ordinary people to approach the lake.

Yet at this moment,

in the center of the lake spun a massive tornado, towering over a hundred feet high. More shocking, a young man in green stood atop the tornado, untouched by the vast rain covering the world, dry as if he emerged from the desert.

"Rise!"

He swung his hand upward,

the lake surface suddenly exploded, countless water pillars shot into the sky, converging like ten thousand swords into one behind him, forming a vast water sword.

This water sword, dozens of feet long, formed with sword energy sky-high, shredding even the downpour above.

"Screech!"

He raised the sword and struck,

a blade of light rapidly extended from his feet outward. In that instant, the enormous lake split in two under that sword, revealing the muddy lakebed and water plants, showing a deep sword gash.

"Excellent!"

The Xingluo Sect Leader nodded in satisfaction, viewing the spectacular scene as the lake flooded back. "The power of this sword is no less than that of a Profound Pill Realm master. With your capability, you'll easily claim the top spot on the bronze list!"

On the tornado, the young man in green, Gu Shentong, stood triumphantly, his eyes surveying the world.

"Sect Leader!" Gu Shentong said calmly, with indifference, "The top of the bronze list is nothing to me, easily within my grasp. I aim to be the champion of the Qingzhou Sword Fighting Conference! As for others, they're merely ants to me!"

"Indeed, mere ants!"

The Xingluo Sect Leader nodded slightly.

Tomorrow,

their Xingluo Sect will cleanse itself of all past humiliations!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.