The Sword God of the Universe

Chapter 524: Chapter 524: Nursing a Grievance

After Alchemist Jing Yan publicly refined seven First-class Zhu Ying Pills, Qiu Fang had the idea of asking Jing Yan for advice on Alchemy. However, since he was ultimately a disciple of Ximang, seeking guidance in Alchemy from other Pill Masters was not just about him, but also about his mentor Ximang. Therefore, it was necessary to have Ximang’s permission for this matter.

He did not request an audience with Jing Yan immediately, but waited until the council meeting was over and he was alone with Ximang before he sought his mentor’s approval.

Now that his mentor Ximang had agreed, he was naturally very happy.

”Thank you, master! Thank you, master!” Qiu Fang repeatedly exclaimed.

”Go ahead,” Ximang waved his hand.

After Qiu Fang left the room, Ximang sighed to himself, feeling somewhat dejected.

Jing Yan’s living quarters.

”Mr. Jing Yan, Alchemist Qiu Fang wishes to see you,” announced the Youhai Commerce guard, bowing deeply after entering the room.

”Qiu Fang?” Jing Yan’s brows lightly furrowed.

With a flicker of thought, he roughly guessed the reason for Qiu Fang’s visit.

Jing Yan let out a light laugh.

He had not known Qiu Fang before and there were no connections between them. If Qiu Fang sought to consult about Alchemy, Jing Yan had no obligation to help him.

Although Jing Yan had no intention of holding a grudge against Ximang and his disciple, it was impossible for him to completely let go of the thorn in his heart. Just now, in the Great Hall, Ximang’s demeanor had been quite offensive.

”Please inform Alchemist Qiu Fang that I am currently unavailable,” Jing Yan said after a pause and then gestured with a wave of his hand.

The guard complied and left.

”Alchemist Qiu Fang, Mr. Jing Yan is presently busy and may not have time to meet with you,” the guard relayed diplomatically to Qiu Fang.

”Not available?” Qiu Fang’s face turned slightly pale.

”It’s alright; I’ll just wait here for when Alchemist Jing Yan finds the time to perhaps meet with me,” Qiu Fang said somberly.

The guard shook his head but said no more.

Several days later.

Zhou Shangyun came to see Jing Yan.

”Jing Yan, are you getting used to living here?” Zhou Shangyun asked with a smile.

”Yes, it’s fine; I’m not uncomfortable at all,” Jing Yan nodded.

”That’s good! Hehe, President Qing Ru has mentioned you several times over the past few days, worried that you’re uncomfortable staying at Youhai Commerce; she’s very concerned it might upset you,” Zhou Shangyun said, squinting his eyes.

”President Qing Ru is certainly attentive, but she worries too much; I’m quite comfortable here, and she needn’t be concerned for me,” Jing Yan responded with a smile.

”That’s good,” Zhou Shangyun said before frowning suddenly, ”By the way, Jing Yan, what’s with that Alchemist Qiu Fang outside your room? He seems to have been standing out there for days. Does he want to see you?”

Zhou Shangyun looked somewhat puzzled.

”Oh?” Jing Yan was momentarily startled.

He remembered that a guard had indeed come in to tell him a few days ago that Qiu Fang wished to see him, but he had refused. What was the situation now? Was this Qiu Fang still standing outside, waiting?

”You didn’t know?” Zhou Shangyun widened his eyes when he saw Jing Yan’s expression.

”A few days ago the guard told me Qiu Fang wanted to see me, but I refused. I truly didn’t expect him to be waiting outside all this time,” Jing Yan said with a self-deprecating chuckle.

Jing Yan had not left his room, so had it not been for Zhou Shangyun bringing it up unexpectedly, he would have had no idea that Qiu Fang was still standing outside, waiting for an audience.

”If you don’t want to see him, just tell him to get lost; it’s bothering to have him standing out there!” Zhou Shangyun remarked casually.

Clearly, he also had no good feelings toward Ximang and his disciple.

”Let it be! It seems Alchemist Qiu Fang is quite a persistent person, and since he’s willing to wait outside for several days, I’ll meet with him to see what he wants,” said Jing Yan, stopping Zhou Shangyun’s motion.

”Then it’s your call. I’ll be off,” Zhou Shangyun said as he shook his head.

Upon receiving the news that he could see Jing Yan, Qiu Fang’s body jolted and he quickly stepped into Jing Yan’s room.

”Greetings, Alchemist Jing Yan!” Upon entering, Qiu Fang bowed deeply with great humility, not daring to lift his head.

”You need not be so formal, Alchemist Qiu Fang,” Jing Yan waved his hand and looked at Qiu Fang, then asked, ”May I know why Alchemist Qiu Fang wishes to see me?”

”Alchemist Jing Yan, I would like to ask you some questions about the Alchemy Dao. I know my request is presumptuous, and I hope Alchemist Jing Yan can forgive my impertinence,” Qiu Fang remained bowed, barely daring to raise his head.

In fact, Qiu Fang did not hold much hope.

He wanted Jing Yan to teach him Alchemy, but he was not in any way related to Jing Yan; what reason would Jing Yan have to guide him in the Alchemy Dao?

Regardless of whether they were strangers who had only met twice, even a master might not necessarily be willing to give too many directions in the Alchemy Dao to a disciple. Thus, Qiu Fang understood that the likelihood of Jing Yan being willing to guide him was low, but he did not want to miss the opportunity. Even if there was the slightest chance, he had to try. Such opportunities were rare and not to be missed.

”You may ask whatever you want; don’t be shy,” Jing Yan readily agreed, much to Qiu Fang’s surprise.

Qiu Fang lifted his head, looking at Jing Yan in disbelief, momentarily unable to respond.

In fact, when Jing Yan agreed to see him, he had already made a decision. If Jing Yan were unwilling to advise him, he would not have agreed to meet him and would have simply told him to leave.

”Alchemist Qiu Fang, what’s wrong?” Jing Yan asked with a smile as he noticed Qiu Fang’s dazed expression.

”Ahem...” Qiu Fang finally came back to his senses and hastily bowed deeply to Jing Yan.

On the Alchemy Dao, Qiu Fang was nowhere near the same level as Jing Yan. Thus, the difficulties Qiu Fang faced were relatively simple to Jing Yan, who could provide answers instantly to any question Qiu Fang asked.

As Qiu Fang found answers to the issues that had troubled him, his admiration for Jing Yan grew stronger. Alchemist Jing Yan’s capabilities on the Alchemy Dao might even surpass his own master, Ximang.

...

Golden Sparrow Commerce!

Inside the room where President Bai Lan resided, Bai Lan was talking with one of the commerce’s directors.

”Have all the Pill Masters who will endorse our commerce been confirmed?” Bai Lan inquired.

”Yes, a total of nine Pill Masters will endorse our Golden Sparrow Commerce,” the elderly director nodded in response.

”Good! It really is a joy to have Alchemist Rong Jie endorse our commerce,” Bai Lan remarked with a smile.

”That’s true! Although it cost a great deal to have Alchemist Rong Jie’s endorsement, it is well worth it. If it weren’t for the favor Alchemist Rong Jie once owed our Golden Sparrow Commerce, he probably wouldn’t have agreed to endorse us this time. I heard other commerces also wanted to invite Alchemist Rong Jie to represent them,” the director said with gravity.

”Hm!” Bai Lan nodded.

”Now, what about that Alchemist Jing Yan we saw last time?” Bai Lan suddenly remembered Jing Yan who was introduced by Li Xingjiu.

Back then, Jing Yan and Zhou Shangyun had walked away dismissively, which had left Bai Lan quite displeased, a memory that still rankled.