Myriad Dragon Divine Sovereign

”Wen Qingye!?” Zhou Long gave Wen Qingye a deep look, saying in astonishment, ”I originally thought Young Master Wen was a genius of the Martial Dao, but to think your Alchemy Dao is this impressive as well. I wonder, what grade of Pill Master are you now?”

Wen Qingye just smiled and said nothing.

At that moment, Jie Jiachun stepped out from the crowd and stood beside Wen Qingye. He stated calmly, ”My Young Master’s skill in the Alchemy Dao is far beyond what you can possibly imagine.”

”Jie Jiachun?” Zhang Ya exclaimed upon seeing him. ”I’d heard you broke through to become a Seventh-Grade Alchemist, and I didn’t believe it at first. But when you sent me that Seventh-grade Cloud-Lowering Pill the other day, I was completely convinced.”

Jie Jiachun replied humbly, ”I’ve only been following the Young Master for two months. All I’ve learned is a mere fraction of his knowledge... No, not even a fraction.”

”What!?” Zhou Long’s gaze snapped from Jie Jiachun to Wen Qingye, his eyes filled with utter shock. The expressions of everyone else around were no different from his.

”Is this for real? You went from a Fifth-Grade Alchemist to a Seventh-Grade Alchemist in just two short months? How is that possible?” Wan Yu muttered.

In truth, a portion of the credit belonged to Jie Jiachun himself. His foundation had always been exceptionally solid. Now, with Wen Qingye pointing out and resolving his difficulties, his progress in the Alchemy Dao had naturally accelerated by leaps and bounds.

The way the surrounding Pill Masters looked at Wen Qingye changed instantly. ’Could this Wen Qingye truly be an Alchemy Master? Why have we never heard of him before?’

Zhou Long and Wan Yu looked at Wen Qingye. Based on his earlier words, as well as the behavior of Xiaxia and Jie Jiachun, they both realized that this Wen Qingye was no simple character. His Alchemy Dao had to be at least Ninth Grade.

At this thought, the two of them exchanged a look, a wry smile on both their faces. For such a young Ninth-Grade Alchemist, reaching King Grade in the future was a near certainty.

”The Eighth Prince arrives! The National Master arrives!”

A sudden, booming voice rang out, and everyone instinctively rose to their feet, looking toward the front. Beneath the dappled shade of several verdant trees, two rows of peach trees were in vibrant bloom.

Two men slowly emerged from behind a screen. On the left was Liu Ying, and on the right, Ling Xiao.

Three men followed behind Liu Ying: the current Crown Prince, the Third Prince—one of the Emperor’s most beloved sons—and finally, Wen Tongyu.

Following behind Ling Xiao was a woman, none other than Ling Wei.

Ling Wei’s gaze fell on Wen Qingye instantly. She gave him a smile and a nod before slowly following Ling Xiao to take her seat.

Wen Qingye walked over to the group from Qig Mountain Academy, with Xiaxia following close behind him.

”Everyone, be seated!”

The Crown Prince stepped forward, surveying the crowd before speaking slowly.

Everyone nodded and prepared to sit.

”Wait!”

The Crown Prince suddenly raised an eyebrow, his gaze landing on Wen Qingye. ”And who are you? Why have I never seen you before?”

Nie Qinglan hurriedly stepped forward, smiling. ”Your Highness, this is a student from our Qig Mountain Academy. He is one of the key candidates chosen to go to the Thousand Rivers Secret Land.”

”Him?” The Crown Prince looked at Wen Qingye, a trace of disdain in his eyes. ”What’s his name?”

Nie Qinglan’s heart sank. ’It’s obvious the Crown Prince wants to make things difficult for Wen Qingye.’ She said, ”His name is Wen Qingye.”

The Crown Prince nodded. ”Wen Qingye. I’ve heard the name. The live-in son-in-law of the Zhang Family of Phoenix City. A man who abandoned his clan, disowned his own parents, and even committed the outrageous act of striking down his own elder. This banquet at Spring Garden is a gathering for the great prodigies of our Celestial Martial Country. Someone of his standing... doesn’t seem to belong, does he?”

The Crown Prince looked down at Wen Qingye, his tone laced with scorn.

Wen Tongyu watched on, a cold smirk playing on his lips.

Seeing this, Ling Xiao frowned slightly. He glanced at Liu Ying, who was beside him with his eyes closed in rest, and a flicker of understanding dawned on him.

The Third Prince at his side had long heard of Wen Qingye—in fact, the name had been ringing in his ears like thunder for the past few days. Seeing the Crown Prince giving Wen Qingye a hard time, he simply stood by and watched quietly, not saying a word.

Wen Qingye’s gaze remained tranquil. He calmly looked up at the Crown Prince and smiled. ”Are you saying that I’m not welcome here today?”

The Crown Prince looked at Wen Qingye and mused for a moment. ”Although your character is flawed, your talent is indeed impressive. You may remain, but stand off to the side.”

The Crown Prince’s words were casual, but they carried an intriguing, deeper meaning.

Everyone could feel the Crown Prince’s intent to humiliate Wen Qingye. Some frowned in disapproval, while others were secretly delighted.

”Father entrusted the National Master to host the gathering at Spring Garden. I don’t believe you have the authority to interfere,” Ling Wei said with a smile, stepping forward at that moment.

The Crown Prince frowned at the sight of Ling Wei. He lowered his voice and said, ”Little Sister, stay out of this. Don’t say another word. You know who this man is—he’s Wen Tongyu’s enemy.”

Ling Wei gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her smile never fading. ”Besides, a person’s character isn’t something you can judge with a single sentence, is it... Big Brother?”

”You!” The Crown Prince’s face turned livid as he stared at Ling Wei.

Wen Tongyu’s expression darkened as well. He had never expected Ling Wei to speak up for Wen Qingye. ’What is she doing?’

When the Third Prince saw Ling Wei appear, something seemed to click in his mind. ’Big Brother, you really are devious,’ he thought to himself. ’Trying to suppress Wen Qingye to get on Wen Tongyu’s good side. Such a clever little scheme.’

At that, Ling Xiao stepped forward and announced in a clear voice, ”There is no precedent for making a genius bound for the Thousand Rivers Secret Land stand during the Spring Garden banquet. Ling Qi, stand down.”

Ling Qi was the Crown Prince’s name. He hadn’t expected even Ling Xiao to step up and speak for Wen Qingye. He frowned, now hesitant and uncertain.

Liu Ying’s eyes suddenly snapped open. He looked at Ling Xiao and smiled. ”Eighth Prince, the Emperor only instructed us to *assist* the Crown Prince in hosting this Spring Garden banquet. It would be best for us not to overstep our bounds in certain matters.”

Ling Xiao’s heart sank upon hearing Liu Ying’s words. ’It seems those two are dead set on this.’ Liu Ying was the National Master, a man deeply trusted by the Emperor. As an expert from the Royal Family, Ling Xiao himself was not in a position to interfere in too many affairs, especially those related to the struggle for succession. To do so would only invite suspicion upon himself.

Seeing Ling Xiao back down, the Crown Prince was inwardly delighted. He shot Wen Qingye a cold look and was just about to speak when—

”It seems this Spring Garden banquet does not welcome me. I suppose it would be best for me to leave now,” Wen Qingye said with a light chuckle and a dismissive shake of his head.

Having said his piece, Wen Qingye turned and walked away, disappearing into the depths of the surrounding peach grove.

Wen Tongyu sneered and lifted his chin. ’Wen Qingye, trying to compete with me on backing? You’re still far too lacking.’

Ling Wei shook her head, a flash of cold anger in her eyes. ”Ling Qi, you are far too arrogant. If this is how it will be, then it’s better the Spring Garden banquet not be held at all this year.”

With that, she turned and walked in the direction of Wen Qingye’s retreating figure.

Everyone was stunned. ’Why was Ling Wei protecting Wen Qingye so fiercely?’ At the thought, all eyes instinctively turned to Wen Tongyu. At that moment, however, his face was a blank mask, showing no change in expression.

But his heart was another story entirely. By then, it was already surging with killing intent.

Wen Tongyu’s fingernails dug into his palms, and blood began to drip to the ground, though very few people noticed.

’Wait.’ Seeing Wen Qingye’s retreating figure, the Third Prince was startled. ’Why does that back look so familiar... It’s him!’ A jolt went through the Third Prince as he suddenly remembered. ’The Blood-clothed Swordsman!’