"Master Li Yun has appeared!"
Who exactly shouted that, no one knew, but the hall of the Danxin Palace was instantly thrown into chaos.
An elegant elderly man with white hair emerged from the inner hall of the Danxin Palace, exuding an aura that seemed both otherworldly and profoundly wise. He wore a beautifully crafted long robe, embroidered with a Pill Ding, from which flames seemed to leap and come to life. All around felt as if the flames were truly blazing.
The man in the embroidered robe was Master Li Yun.
The moment he appeared, the already lively hall of the Danxin Palace was plunged into further disarray. Everyone’s eyes were fervently fixed on Master Li Yun, especially drawn to the two-star and Pill Ding embroidered on his chest badge.
The two stars signified a Second Star Alchemist.
Such a Second Star Alchemist was truly a figure of great prestige, who, even within the entirety of Xiafeng Country, could be counted among the rare few, no more than five in total. Only the First Chief Alchemist who always resided within the Royal Family could surpass any alchemist.
"It’s Master Li Yun, he has finally appeared. We’ve been waiting for him for a long time."
"Isn’t that so? Master Li Yun had recently advanced to a Second Star Alchemist. Our Xiafeng Country has gained another Second Star Alchemist, and that is indeed worth celebrating."
"A Second Star Alchemist, there are only five such level alchemists throughout the country. It’s an honor just to see Master Li Yun."
Many in the hall were whispering among themselves, most of them powerful figures from the Royal Capital. Yet their looks towards Master Li Yun were filled with reverence.
The status of a Second Star Alchemist indeed captured everyone’s attention and made him the focus of all eyes.
Even the Royal Family regarded him with the utmost importance, treating him as a distinguished guest.
Furthermore, as of today, Master Li Yun could be considered one of the proprietors of the Danxin Palace. Given the Danxin Palace’s influence within Xiafeng Country, countless powers revered it, and the power he wielded was even more substantial, making him an alchemist that no one dared to offend.
Master Li Yun walked slowly forward, nodding and smiling at the people, appearing approachable and earning considerable favor.
Ye Chen watched Master Li Yun from afar, and couldn’t help but shake his head with a smile. He had intended to seek out the other party, but since his appearance was proactive, it saved him quite a bit of effort.
"It’s Teacher, he actually appeared," Master Gude also expressed his happiness.
Since ascending to a Second Star Alchemist, Master Li Yun held even greater power and was truly considered an accomplished figure. He seldom appeared before the public. Even though he was Master Li Yun’s disciple, direct encounters with Li Yun were rare, so seeing him today was indeed fortunate.
Master Gude did not hesitate and rushed directly to Master Li Yun, then performed a deeply respectful bow in front of him, saying, "Disciple Gude greets Teacher."
Upon seeing the newcomer, Master Li Yun nodded with a smile, "Gude, you’re here too."
"Responding to Teacher’s words, Gude has specifically come to welcome you," Gude’s tone was filled with deference, but his words clearly smacked of flattery since Master Li Yun’s appearance had been a sudden decision, unknown to others.
Naturally, Master Li Yun knew Gude was flattering him, yet he did not expose him and chuckled, "Gude, stop with the flattery. Tell me, what brings you here?"
Gude swiftly replied, "Reporting to Teacher, today Gude had received a request for alchemy and had specially rushed here to negotiate the corresponding rewards. But a Cheng Yaojin interrupted the deal mid-discussion, and I was about to teach that person a lesson."
"Oh? Someone dared to interrupt your transaction? Alchemists from the Danxin Palace shouldn’t behave this way, who exactly is it?" Master Li Yun asked with interest.
Although the Danxin Palace gathered nearly the entire country’s alchemists, alchemists were so rare that there were only a numbered few. Because of this, every day a large number of people sought their pills, and they were usually too busy to poach business.
Gude shook his head, "Not to worry, Teacher. It was just an ignorant youngster. He seemed to disregard us alchemists, brazenly claiming that he could also make a Huqing Pill. I was about to teach him a lesson."
Master Li Yun’s interest was piqued, "Oh? There’s actually someone so arrogant? Not every alchemist wants to create pills. Interesting, I’ll accompany you to see who this arrogant youngster is."
Gude’s face immediately lit up with joy as he agreed, knowing that performing well would deepen Master Li Yun’s impression of him, and in the future, receive more guidance. Maybe one day he too could break through to a Second Star Alchemist.
From afar, Vivian and the others’ expressions changed drastically upon seeing Li Yun walking with Gude, especially Vivian, whose face turned pale. She pushed Ye Chen lightly and urged anxiously, "Young master, please leave immediately. Don’t stay here any longer; there will be big trouble."
"Why?" asked Ye Chen.
"Master Li Yun is about to arrive, and he is Gude’s teacher. If Gude complains that you called him by name earlier, Master Li Yun will surely be displeased, and it will be no good for you," Vivian explained while pushing Ye Chen urging him to leave quickly.
Alchemists are often the worst people to offend, especially someone like Master Li Yun, a Second Star Alchemist and one of the leaders of Danxin Palace, where consequences can be dire.
Yet, Ye Chen remained as immovable as a mountain, suddenly smiling with anticipation, "Isn’t it better if Li Yun comes? I actually wanted to find him for a matter."
Seeing that he was still calling Master Li Yun by name, Vivian knew things had turned bad, but it was already too late as by that time, Gude was already leading Master Li Yun over.
"Teacher, this is the arrogant lad that disciple mentioned..." Gude pointed at Ye Chen saying, yet he did not see Li Yun’s body tremble in the moment he saw Ye Chen, an uncontrollable joy emerging.
"It’s you, you’ve come..." said Li Yun, delightfully surprised.
Ye Chen nodded with a smile, but Vivian, thinking that Master Li Yun was intentionally looking for trouble with Ye Chen, stepped in front of Ye Chen with her arms spread wide, her expression firm, "Master Li Yun, my friend did not mean to offend you. I beseech you to forgive his minor offenses and not blame my friend. If there is anything, let me bear it."
"Vivian, this can’t be!" Hua Shaoyang and the others from the Yangg Family were greatly shocked, since Master Li Yun, a Second Star Alchemist, held immense power.
Now, with the Yangg Family already in turbulent times, offending Master Li Yun could lead to unthinkable consequences.
Gude snorted coldly, "It’s all too late now, teacher. This lad is not only arrogant but also dared to call your name openly in public. This is disrespectful toward you."
Ye Chen laughed brightly, first glancing at Gude, who felt inexplicably uneasy inside, as if fearing that something ominous was about to happen. Then Ye Chen turned to Li Yun and asked, "Li Yun, what do you think?"
The crowd was stunned; this lad still dared to call Master Li Yun by his name after all that had happened, was he not afraid of dying?
Many in the hall looked at Ye Chen with pity, thinking that someone who dared to address Master Li Yun by name was truly tired of living.
At that moment, Gude’s bad premonition grew stronger, making him extremely uneasy, especially after seeing Ye Chen’s increasingly bright smile.
He hurriedly said to Li Yun, "Teacher, look, this lad is arrogant, daring to openly call your name. This is an utmost disrespect. Please punish him severely to let him know that we alchemists require respect from everyone."
But Li Yun merely glanced blandly at his disciple, looking quite indifferent, and then turned to Ye Chen with a warm smile, chuckling, "Never mind, as long as it involves you and Mr. Qian, I really don’t mind."
Everyone was stunned!
What exactly had happened? Everyone in the hall felt their minds spinning, dumbfounded.
Vivian’s beautiful eyes widened too, looking between Ye Chen and Master Li Yun, completely shocked.
Li Yun glanced at Vivian, "So, she’s from the Yangg Family, not bad. Is she your friend? Or your..."
The implication behind his words was clear. Ye Chen smiled, neither confirming nor denying, then looked at Gude and said, "Let’s not talk about those matters now. But Li Yun, I am very displeased with this disciple of yours who dared to harbor ill intentions towards my friend. What do you think should be done with him?"
In an instant, countless gazes fell on Gude, filled with pity, knowing this guy was in trouble!
Gude, his back slick with cold sweat, looked pleadingly at Li Yun, "Teacher, no!"
As if not seeing his plea, Li Yun did not even glance at him and said indifferently, "As long as you like, you may deal with him as you see fit!"
"Good!" Ye Chen’s eyes landed on Gude, filled with a cold light!