Translator: Silavin
Northern Region Alchemy Tower.
The aftermath of the Alchemy World Summit, even after nearly a month, showed no signs of cooling down. The entire Alchemy Tower was filled with an atmosphere of excitement and jubilation.
The top echelons of the Alchemy Tower did not stop the celebrations and cheering among the Apprentices. Rather, they let it continue. In fact, some of them even joined in to celebrate the joy.
Winning three first place seats at the summit was an achievement that the Northern Region Alchemy Tower had not seen since its peak many years ago.
After years of being beaten, they had finally regained their pride.
The news quickly spread from the Alchemy Towers…
…
Inside Central Province City.
Obviously, the entire city had undergone some subtle changes. The An Family, naturally, was in a miserable state.
Even the mighty Huyuan Family had become docile, frequently sending people to the Heavenly Unicorn Dynasty.
Everyone knew why they were going to Heavenly Unicorn Dynasty.
Naturally, it was to improve relations with people connected to Qin Yichen, as this was the only way to ease the tension between them.
Of course, the hatred between the Huyuan Family and Qin Yichen was not actually that deep. Unlike with the An Family, where the hatred was almost irreparable.
The Huyuan Family, worthy of being a Millennial Family in the Central Province, had sensed the unusual atmosphere and begun seeking solutions, showing their ability to be flexible.
By sending people to the Heavenly Unicorn Dynasty to apologize, given the Huyuan Family’s status, the people of Heavenly Unicorn Dynasty would at least put in a good word with Qin Yichen. If not for them, then for their position.
This was exactly the effect the Huyuan Family wanted.
While no Force dared to provoke the Huyuan Family, the An Family had been suffering greatly during this period.
Many Forces had long coveted the position of being a Millennial Family, and with this opportunity, the top Forces of the Northern Region certainly would not let it slip by.
As a result, the An Family faced extreme ostracism and suppression in every industry. The pressure was so great that the An Family Patriarch had lost count of how many valuable porcelains he had smashed in the main hall.
Of course, some were thriving, like the Bian Family.
Now, everyone in the Bian Family, from the Patriarch to the Elders, was grateful for their previous decision. Although it seemed like they had given Qin Yichen some advantages, the benefits they received in return were enormous.
Especially now, many outside Forces discussing about the Yuan Healing Pill with the Bian Family.
After all, Qin Yichen had stated that in Central Province City, only the Bian Family had the right to sell Yuan Healing Pills.
Just the gifts from these outside Forces had exceeded a million silver coins in value.
Of course, the Bian Family did not keep these benefits for themselves but instead sent several kilograms of Heavenly Lightning Yuan Stones to Qin Yichen.
As for the Zhao Family, their position remained as stable as ever.
Zhao Ritian’s friendship with Qin Yichen was an unexpected blessing for the Zhao Family.
The Zhao Family had done nothing yet had already established good relations with Qin Yichen, making them even more secure. As a result, the Zhao Family Patriarch’s smile had not left his face recently. Even when servants made mistakes, he not only forgave them but sometimes even rewarded them on a whim.
Getting rewards for making mistakes showed just how good the Zhao Family Patriarch’s mood was.
…
Heavenly Unicorn Dynasty.
Inside the Royal Palace, the atmosphere remained very tense.
Especially after Lin Miaohan’s incident, everyone walked carefully even within the Royal Palace.
Of course, there was one person who was never affected by any of this – Little Ling’er.
These days have not been easy for the Heavenly Unicorn Dynasty. Although the An Family had not directly moved against the Heavenly Unicorn Dynasty again, some Forces affiliated with the An Family had caused them plenty of trouble.
In a short time, the Heavenly Unicorn Dynasty’s territory had shrunk by one-third. This included a Withered Frost Grass Production Area.
However, after occupying it, those Forces paid no attention to the Withered Frost Grass. Their occupation of the Heavenly Unicorn Dynasty’s territory was purely to show their allegiance to the An Family.
The Heavenly Unicorn Royal Family could only choose to retreat step by step.
If Zhou Xiaocang had not intervened several times, the territory loss would have been even more severe. Only with a Spirit Realm expert’s intervention did those Forces stop their offensive.
The citizens of Heavenly Unicorn Dynasty also felt the approaching storm, and almost everyone feared for their safety.
It was under these circumstances that the Huyuan Family’s people arrived at Heavenly Unicorn City.
The visitor was Huyuan Liquan, the Younger Brother of the Huyuan Family Patriarch and an Elder of the Huyuan Family.
A procession of carriages grandly arrived at the Royal Palace gates.
Seeing this, the guards at the palace gates immediately became tense, almost raising the alarm.
“Please announce that Huyuan Liquan of the Huyuan Family has come to visit the Lu Family of the Heavenly Unicorn Dynasty.” Huyuan Liquan descended from his carriage and spoke to the nervous guards with a kind smile.
His attitude clearly startled the guards.
Being stationed at these gates, the guards had some discernment. For instance, they could tell that the guards accompanying the caravan and even the carriage drivers all had extraordinary auras. From these various aspects, they could tell the visitors were not ordinary people.
They had even thought the An Family had come to attack again.
Only after Huyuan Liquan reminded them a second time did the guards snap out of it and quickly send someone to report to the main hall.
“The Huyuan Family?!” Lu Heze thought he had misheard when the guard had first reported this.
As the monarch, and a branch member of the Lu Family, he naturally understood the Huyuan Family’s position in Central Province. It was a position that even the Lu Family of Central Province could not match.
And now, the Huyuan Family had sent someone to the Heavenly Unicorn Dynasty, and for a ‘visit’ at that?
It should be known that given the Huyuan Family’s status, even summoning Lu Heze would be giving him face, let alone coming in person.
“Huyuan Liquan, this name sounds familiar…” Beside him, Lu Heshang muttered.
He had been to Central Province many times and actually knew more about Central Province’s affairs and figures than Lu Heze.
As the current Huyuan Family Patriarch’s Younger Brother, Lu Heshang had naturally heard of Huyuan Liquan before.
“We should still meet them. Huyuan Liquan seems to be some important figure in the Huyuan Family, though I can’t remember exactly who he is.” Lu Heshang suggested to Lu Heze.
“Then let them in.” Lu Heze said to the guard after a brief hesitation.
If the Huyuan Family truly wanted to deal with the Heavenly Unicorn Dynasty, they would not be able to resist. Moreover, judging from the guard’s tone, they did not seem to come here with bad intentions.
“I should go welcome them personally,” Lu Heze stood up just as the guard was about to leave the main hall.
If the Huyuan Family truly came for a visit, it would not be right if he did not personally welcome them.
Now, he could not afford to make any more enemies, especially a behemoth like the Huyuan Family.