Night gradually fell as the bright moon hung high in the sky, with stars dotting the heavens.
On this continent where Fighting Qi has flourished to its Peak, there is no pollution caused by a magical era of steampunk. Therefore, even though this is the most prosperous Holy City in the entire Jia Ma Empire, the starry sky remains breathtakingly beautiful.
Tonight, the Nalan Family was exceptionally lively.
Fa Ma was organizing a gathering for many young Alchemists in the front courtyard. The presidents of the Alchemist Guilds from various cities, along with Chemir, the vice president of the Alchemist Guild in the capital, were responsible for answering the questions of some young Alchemists.
Most of the Alchemists gathered around Princess Yao Yue and Liu Ling, the Disciple of Gu He, as their core, creating a very lively atmosphere.
After Chen Yang and the others entered, Fa Ma caught sight of him. Just as he was about to step forward to greet him, he saw Chen Yang walking over and hurried to meet him: "Great Master!"
Ever since learning that Chen Yang was a Sixth-Rank Alchemist—and one who could easily refine a Huangji Pill at that—Fa Ma had completely become a fanboy of Chen Yang.
"President Fa Ma!" Chen Yang looked at Fa Ma with a lukewarm attitude, giving him some Face, but not much.
"Today's grand event has only become interesting because of Great Master's arrival!" Fa Ma said with a smile.
"President Fa Ma is too kind. Please carry on with your work; I have a few words to say to Great Master Frank and the others!" Chen Yang nodded and then walked toward Frank, with Xiao Yan naturally following behind.
Fa Ma looked at Frank and the others with envy, but when he saw Xiao Zhan, his eyes lit up and he approached to start a conversation with him.
Ya Fei had already spoken with Chen Yang, and at this moment, she followed Nalan Yanran to the back courtyard. Today, she was not only Chen Yang's companion but also represented the Mittel Family.
Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin remained where they were, each holding a little lion, curiously observing these young people.
In the distance, a flash of amazement crossed Liu Ling's eyes when he saw Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin. However, his goal was clear—it had always been Nalan Yanran—so other girls were merely good-looking in his eyes. One could see he didn't even show any favor to Princess Yao Yue by his side!
After Chen Yang finished exchanging pleasantries with Frank and the others, he prepared to head to the back courtyard. Since he was already here, he might as well look around; perhaps he would encounter something good.
"Clan Leader Xiao, you've raised a fine son! This time, Xiao Yan is competing on behalf of our Jia Ma Empire and will surely take the championship in one fell swoop!"
Just as Chen Yang and Xiao Yan walked out of the crowd, they heard Fa Ma bragging to Xiao Zhan.
"President Fa Ma, Xiao Yan won't be participating in the competition this time!"
Chen Yang smiled and suddenly spoke.
"Ah???"
Fa Ma was stunned upon hearing this. He had spoken with Xiao Yan before, and Xiao Yan was supposed to represent the Blackrock City Alchemist Guild in the competition!
Why was he suddenly not participating?
"Xiao Yan already refined a fifth-grade pill two days ago. Wouldn't participating in the competition be bullying these children?"
"Let these young kids show off their own talents. Xiao Yan and I will just serve as judges this time!"
Chen Yang said with a smile.
*Gulp...*
Fa Ma swallowed hard upon hearing this. He stiffly turned his gaze toward Xiao Yan, and seeing Xiao Yan's action of rubbing his nose, he immediately understood.
"Haha... Truly... talents emerge in every generation!"
"This old man really can't understand the young people of today!"
Fa Ma had a bitter smile on his Face. He had wasted half his life, and it was only due to the guidance of that Old Mister back then that he had made it to where he was today, becoming a Peak Fifth-Grade Alchemist. However, limited by his talent, he was never able to take that step to become a Sixth-Rank Alchemist.
And what about Xiao Yan?
Half a year ago, he had only just tested for his fourth-grade badge, and half a year later, he was already fifth-grade?
"Very well. According to this year's data, the Alchemists from other Empires aren't overly outstanding either. The Princess and Liu Ling are enough to steadily reach the finals!" Fa Ma nodded helplessly. Since Chen Yang had already decided, even if he wanted to object, it would be futile.
Meanwhile, Xiao Zhan looked at Xiao Yan with a Face full of surprise and pride. His son, at only eighteen years old, was already a Fifth-Grade Alchemist!!!
"Let's go!"
Chen Yang smiled, reached out to take Xiao Yi Xian's hand, and headed toward the back courtyard.
At this moment, there weren't many people in the back courtyard.
It was mainly the spokespeople and Core Disciples of the major powers in the capital. Among them, Jia Xingtian had brought his grandson, the Emperor of Jia Ma, and his great-granddaughter Yao Ye. Mu Chen of the Mu Family led his grandson Mu Zhan. The Mittel Family was only represented by Ya Fei. Including the Nalan Family and those who hadn't arrived, there were only about a dozen people in total.
Currently, the juniors in the courtyard were gathered together in silence, with no one speaking.
Mu Zhan looked at Ya Fei somewhat timidly. He hadn't expected that after only two years away from the capital, Ya Fei would be with a man who was a Dou Zong and a Sixth-Rank Alchemist.
From the moment he returned to the Family, his grandfather Mu Chen had given him a beating and then a stern warning.
Now, Mu Zhan could only steal glances at Ya Fei... *Tap, tap, tap!*
A series of light footsteps came from the corridor. Jia Xingtian and the others hurriedly stopped talking and turned to look.
Upon seeing the green-robed youth leading the way, Jia Xingtian and the others quickly stood up to greet him and gave a respectful bow: "Great Master!"
Thanks to Chen Yang's status as a Sixth-Rank Alchemist, these elderly men didn't have to address him directly as Senior.
"Chen Yang greets everyone!" Chen Yang slightly cupped his hands and said with a smile.
"Great Master, allow me to introduce them to you. This is Nalan Jie of the Nalan Family, the Empire's Lionheart Marshal. This is Clan Chief Mu Chen of the Mu Family..." Fa Ma stepped forward and introduced them to Chen Yang with a smile. Chen Yang listened while nodding, matching their Faces to the identities he knew.
After Fa Ma finished the introductions, Xiao Yan stepped forward and introduced Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin. As for the two Amethyst Winged Lion Kings and the Sky Swallowing Python perched on Chen Yang's shoulder, Xiao Yan didn't mention them.
However, Jia Xingtian was a Peak Dou Huang after all. Although the three Demonic Beasts around Chen Yang were small and looked like ordinary animals, he could tell that even the weakest among them was Rank 5. The one held by the girl named Xiao Yi Xian even gave off an aura that threatened him.
"Xian'er, you and Qing Lin go sit with Nalan Yanran and the others. I'll chat with them!" Chen Yang patted Xiao Yi Xian's slender hand and said softly.
"Mhm!" Xiao Yi Xian nodded and led Qing Lin toward Nalan Yanran and the others, while Xiao Yan was brought by Chen Yang into the group of adults.
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