Chapter 56: Chapter 56: Liu Qingcheng’s Surprise
"Who I associate with, who I offend, is none of your concern."
Ji Chen sneered, "Besides, there is no relationship between us, so stop speaking to me in this elder’s tone. I don’t think you have the right."
"Considering Lingyun Sect once had a good relationship with my Purple Cloud Sect, I only offer advice out of kindness. Whether you listen or not is up to you."
Ji Chen remained silent, only meeting her gaze. A moment later, he smiled again, "Just don’t forget about our bet, Liu Qingcheng. One day, you’ll realize that everything you pride yourself on is laughable to me."
"Eldest Princess, forgive me for taking my leave."
He turned, cupped his fist lightly toward Qu Luoning, and after leaving those words, he strode away under the watchful eyes of everyone present.
"This wastrel is truly arrogant and ignorant!"
"Just a fop. Who does he think he is to speak to Senior Sister like that!"
Watching his departing figure, several disciples of the Purple Cloud Sect couldn’t help but sneer.
Clearly aware of the bet, they had never taken it seriously.
Because everyone knew this was a bet with a foregone conclusion.
Hoping that Lingyun Sect will surpass Purple Cloud Sect within ten years?
How is that possible?
Even in a hundred years, it would be impossible!
"Luoning Sister, how did you come to know him?"
Ignoring those disciples’ words, Liu Qingcheng turned her gaze to Qu Luoning, "Someone like him, you should avoid as much as possible. You are, after all, the Eldest Princess of Chu Kingdom. With your status and position, you don’t have to bother with him."
Clearly, Liu Qingcheng was showing concern for Qu Luoning.
Close to vermilion, one is red; close to ink, one is black.
He didn’t want Qu Luoning to have too much association with a wastrel like Ji Chen.
"We met... during the Pill Master assessment." Qu Luoning said with a bitter smile. Standing between the two earlier, she felt a bit awkward and embarrassed.
"Pill Master assessment?" Liu Qingcheng was taken aback by the words.
Clearly, her impression of Ji Chen was still from months ago.
"You didn’t know?"
Qu Luoning was also momentarily surprised, then briefly explained how Ji Chen had passed the Second Grade assessment of the Alchemy Master Alliance.
This was no secret anymore.
"Second Grade Alchemist?"
As expected, an expression of extreme surprise appeared on Liu Qingcheng’s face as she turned her gaze toward the exit of the Forest Park, but Ji Chen’s figure had already vanished.
"How is that possible..."
This completely exceeded Liu Qingcheng’s expectations.
No matter what, she never imagined that the notorious wastrel Young Sect Leader could one day become a Second Grade Alchemist!
Moreover, how old is Ji Chen?
To have such achievements as a Second Grade Alchemist at such a young age!
Undoubtedly, this was something that left Liu Qingcheng utterly amazed.
"In recent times, many things have happened in the Chu Kingdom, almost all related to Lingyun Sect. I thought that with Purple Cloud Sect’s extensive network across the Profound Domain, you would know of these events." Qu Luoning remarked.
To her, it was Liu Qingcheng’s ignorance of Ji Chen’s transformation that was truly peculiar.
Only hearing Liu Qingcheng say, "I’ve been in seclusion for the past two months and just came out recently. Besides, Lingyun Sect’s scale isn’t substantial enough to warrant much attention from Purple Cloud Sect..."
"The current Ji Chen is no longer the Ji Chen of the past. There are things I can’t disclose, but if Qingcheng wishes to investigate, with Purple Cloud Sect’s abilities, you should find out."
...
The conversation that took place here was something Ji Chen was obviously unaware of.
At this moment, he arrived at a teahouse and sat down, planning to stay overnight.
As the Ye Emperor’s Ancient Ruins opened, the Holy City was already overcrowded, with inns completely full. Many, like Ji Chen, had no choice but to spend the night in city’s teahouses and taverns.
The Holy City, also known as the City That Never Sleeps.
Due to the immense crowd, the teahouses and taverns here almost operate 24/7, never closing.
And after the encounter in the Forest Park, Liu Qingcheng immediately ordered an investigation into the events involving Lingyun Sect over the past few months.
Upon learning all the details, Liu Qingcheng was naturally taken aback.
Celestial Profound Sect was removed, and now Lingyun Sect had become the strongest sect in the Chu Kingdom; Ji Chen had participated in the Alchemy Master Alliance assessment and became a Second Grade Alchemist.
These events were clearly beyond Liu Qingcheng’s expectations.
Most importantly, the intelligence she received highlighted several suspicions.
The former great elder Song An of Celestial Profound Sect and steward elder Bai Yongnian, these two Spirit Transformation Realm experts, were suspected to have been killed by Ji Chen!
This was the most shocking thing to Liu Qingcheng!
She could hardly imagine what Ji Chen had experienced in the short span of a few months.
From a notorious wastrel Young Sect Leader, he had turned into a Second Grade Alchemist, and even possessed the strength to slay Spirit Transformation Realm experts!
"Although your transformation indeed surprises me, even so, in my eyes, and in Purple Cloud Sect’s eyes, you’re still insignificant."
In some part of the city, after casually tossing the gathered intelligence onto the table, Liu Qingcheng gazed out the window at the sky, her face once again showing her usual pride and confidence.
...
In the blink of an eye, three days passed.
Early this day, Ji Chen left the Holy City alone.
He traveled south, and along the way, many cultivators headed in the same direction.
Who knows how long passed.
Finally, outside a valley, Ji Chen arrived here.
Looking around, the place was now crowded with countless figures, impossible to count, all cultivators from across the Profound Domain.
Ordinarily rare Returning Ruins Realm experts were also appearing here.
And behind these Returning Ruins Realm experts stood many young figures, all elite disciples selected by various forces for this exploration of the Ancient Ruins.
"So many people..."
Ji Chen was slightly surprised, surveying the scene. Youngsters occupied the majority, no less than tens of thousands.
This time, with the opening of Ye Emperor’s Ancient Ruins, tens of thousands were entering it.
However, compared to the vastness of Ye Emperor’s Ancient Ruins, even placing ten thousand within it was barely a drop in the ocean.
It’s said that the expanse of Ye Emperor’s Ancient Ruins, for ten thousand years, has yet to be completely explored.
It’s a unique space created by a Saint’s great methods, a world of its own, virtually without boundaries.