Chapter 574: Chapter 444: Third Place on the Qing Province Elixir Ranking
After leaving the Imperial Palace, Ye Lingyue returned to the Lan Residence.
Having been bestowed the title of Yue Marquis, Xiahou Qi gifted her a new Marquis Mansion, which was somewhat larger than the original Hong Residence. Considering she would leave the Xia Capital after resigning her official post, she gave the new mansion to her mother and Nie Fengxing as a wedding present, choosing to continue living in the Lan Residence.
Feng Xun’s words from earlier still echoed in her ears.
"What am I to do with you, Feng Xun?" Ye Lingyue sighed.
It seemed she might have fallen for Feng Xun, but she was not yet ready to marry him.
Her head felt heavy and muddled, all thanks to Feng Xun, giving her a bit of a headache.
Was it her imagination or had Feng Xun changed from before? The old Feng Xun was gentle and considerate, but in the imperial study earlier, the fierce look he gave Xiahou Qi made her shiver with cold.
Exactly what was different?
Ye Lingyue pondered this.
"Ling Yue, the new Qing Province Elixir Ranking is out! You’re ranked third!" Just as she reached the mansion’s gate, she saw a figure dart out.
Lan Cai’er’s cheeks were flushed red as she excitedly waved a booklet in her hand.
During these days back in the Xia Capital, Ye Lingyue had been busy dealing with the affairs of the Ghost Sect and had not paid attention to changes in the Qing Province Elixir Ranking.
Months ago, she briefly disappeared under mysterious circumstances in the Beiqing Star Cave, which led to her removal from the Qing Province Elixir Ranking. However, after she defeated Hong Mingyue, her rank rocketed up the list, all the way to third place.
"Ye Lingyue, female, 14 years old. Daxia’s first female marquis, Elixir Realm Martial Artist, Alchemist. Achievements: refined the Five-Colored Reincarnation Elixir, defeated the previous third-ranked Hong Mingyue of the Alchemy List at the Daxia Imperial Competition, renowned for the Martial Arts skill Little Infinite Finger."
Ye Lingyue saw her detailed information written on the Qing Province Elixir Ranking.
With the prowess of Tongtian Pavilion, they must have witnessed her disguised as Hong Shisan and defeating Hong Mingyue in one move.
Thankfully, the Qing Province Elixir Ranking only mentioned Ye Lingyue’s level as Elixir Realm. Presumably, since the Chaos Heaven and Earth Tribulation was a legacy from the Ancient Times, even Tongtian Pavilion would not be aware of it.
Ranking third on the Qing Province Elixir Ranking was in fact on par with Hong Mingyue’s past achievement.
"But if you’re this formidable, why are you only third? Who knows what superhuman monsters rank first and second? You are Ye Lingyue who defeated Hong Mingyue in one move." Lan Cai’er was excited but also somewhat unsatisfied.
Her own sister was this powerful; as her elder sister, she felt very proud.
Though third place was excellent, it was still not first place.
Especially considering that Ye Lingyue had defeated Hong Mingyue, who had broken through to the Reincarnation Second Realm, her strength comparable to an average fighter of the Reincarnation Second or Third Realm, and yet she was only third?
"Sister, on that day, I only managed to defeat Hong Mingyue because I caught her off-guard. If it had been any other time, I might not have been able to defeat her so easily."
Hearing Lan Cai’er’s words, Ye Lingyue also paid attention to the first and second ranks on the Qing Province Elixir Ranking.
The second-ranked was named Bai Haoran, a disciple of one of the Nine Sects.
The first-ranked was called Xue Yi, hailing from the Central Plains Demon Sect.
Ye Lingyue glanced over the names of the two individuals, not taking them to heart – fame and wealth were not important to her.
People fear fame like pigs fear fattening; the higher her rank on the Qing Province Elixir Ranking, the more trouble it would bring her.
Just as Ye Lingyue had anticipated, after the new Qing Province Elixir Ranking was released, some petty thieves would try to intrude into the Lan Residence in the dead of night, aiming to challenge Ye Lingyue. They were all promptly driven out by General Lan.
Meanwhile, inside the Beiqing Pill Palace.
Chen Hongru, Xue Pianran, the old alchemist, and others also received the news that Ye Lingyue had suddenly appeared in Daxia.
"What, you’re saying Ye Lingyue is not dead? Impossible, didn’t she perish alongside the Sky Demon Bei?" Xue Pianran couldn’t help raising her voice.
Xingxiu Cave had been sealed for months; how could someone have escaped from it?
Such a thing had never happened before.
"It’s absolutely true. Ye Lingyue participated in the Daxia Imperial Competition and defeated Hong Mingyue, who was third on the Qing Province List, with a single move," reported a spy from the Dan Palace.
"Could it be that Ye Lingyue had a fortuitous encounter in Xingxiu Cave and made a breakthrough in the Elixir Realm?" The old alchemist was also full of surprise.
"Ye Lingyue is still in the Elixir Realm to this day." Xue Pianran flipped through the Qing Province Elixir Ranking; Ye Lingyue’s name was clearly listed. "But when did she become a disciple of the Buddhist Sect?"
The Little Infinite Finger was the martial art of the Buddhist Sect.
Among the Three Sects and Nine Schools, the Buddhist Sect was one of the nine schools and was one of the oldest sects. Although the Buddhist Sect was no longer as prosperous as in the past, its martial arts were vast and profound.
Unless one was a disciple of the Buddhist Sect, it was impossible to learn the Little Infinite Finger.
"This matter will likely arouse more curiosity in the Buddhist Sect than us. Becoming too notable attracts trouble; Ye Lingyue is making waves recently and will surely attract a lot of complications. Pianran, is it true that you volunteered to accompany Princess Qing Bi to Daxia to learn the Daxia court etiquette?" Chen Hongru glanced at the Qing Province Elixir Ranking with a somewhat strange expression but quickly concealed it.
The most anxious person in Beiqing upon hearing Ye Lingyue was still alive was none other than Princess Qing Bi.
Her marriage to Xiahou Qi was something she had eagerly pursued, with the wedding date set for six months later. She feared that with Ye Lingyue’s return, Xiahou Qi might have a change of heart, so she used learning Daxia’s court etiquette as an excuse to head to Daxia in advance.
"Yes, Palace Master. Pianran heard that Master Long Yu of Daxia is quite knowledgeable in the refinement of Alchemy Beasts, an admiration I’ve long held. Qing Bi Palace Master also needed a female companion; therefore, I agreed to accompany her to Daxia," Xue Pianran replied appropriately.
However, anyone with clear eyes knew why Xue Pianran was going to Daxia.
Chen Hongru pondered silently, thinking that while Ye Lingyue was away, Feng Xun’s heart was not with Xue Pianran. Now that Ye Lingyue had returned, even if Xue Pianran went, what purpose would it serve?
After Xue Pianran and the old alchemist left,
Chen Hongru’s expression darkened.
"Ye Lingyue, I’ve underestimated you. To think that it was you who stole the Chaos Heaven and Earth Array!"
Chen Hongru had expended so much manpower and resources to search within the Beiqing Realm for the person who fled from Xingxiu Cave that day.
He never imagined that person would be Ye Lingyue.
Ye Lingyue had obtained the Yi God’s Void-breaking Bow and was even able to defeat Hong Mingyue of the Reincarnation Second Realm with her Elixir Realm cultivation; there was only one possibility—she had broken through the Reincarnation Tribulation.
Few knew that Yi God, the owner of the Yi God’s Void-breaking Bow, was the creator of the Chaos Heaven and Earth Array.
However, why could a mere Seven Rank Alchemist take the Chaos Heaven and Earth Array with her? She had also avoided his Nine-star Soul Control Technique before. Who exactly is Ye Lingyue?
Chen Hongru’s thoughts were complex; it’s a pity Ye Lingyue was a Daxia person...
Suddenly, thoughts of someone flashed through Chen Hongru’s mind. Noble Princess Consort Luo of Daxia had once mentioned that she had bribed Hong Fang, the Imperial Tutor of Daxia—perhaps he could be of use.
Bonus Chapter 19~ Only 41 votes away from the tenth place in the monthly ticket ranking, Da Fu has never entered the top ten before. Sharpen your claws, and continue to seek support! Thanks to the two squad leaders for their rewards today, there will be bonus Chapters tomorrow. These past few days have been expensive for everyone—thank you~