Chapter 199: Chapter 199: The Miserable Shen Qiang_1
The next morning.
Qin Feiyang walked out of the ancient castle.
Having unlocked the second layer of the Door of Potential, no longer copying the Six-Character Mantra, and refining only Top Grade Qi Gathering Pills, his cultivation speed had greatly increased. Just overnight, his cultivation had significantly improved.
He walked out of the pavilion, took several deep breaths of fresh air, then turned his head toward the balcony next door and smiled, "Elder Shi, good morning!"
Even though all dangers were now resolved, Yan Nanshan still had Shi Zheng continue to protect him.
"Morning." Shi Zheng grinned.
Qin Feiyang said with a smile, "Elder, I will have to trouble you to take us to the Treasure Pavilion in a while."
"Alright." Elder Shi nodded.
"Brother Feiyang."
At this point, Lin Yiyi briskly walked out from the pavilion. She was wearing a long white dress, her cheeks glowing, looking youthful and energetic.
"Did you sleep well last night?" Qin Feiyang walked over to her and asked with a smile.
Lin Yiyi nodded and naturally hooked her arm around Qin Feiyang’s.
Fatty and Lu Hong, following them out, couldn’t help but feel their hearts tighten upon seeing Lin Yiyi’s dependence on Qin Feiyang.
Qin Feiyang turned his head to look at the beaming Lin Yiyi. He felt a bit wistful.
He took out a Potential Elixir and two Flame Phoenixes, handed them to Lu Hong, and instructed, "Give these to Ling Yunfei and Feng Ling’er."
"Alright." Lu Hong nodded.
Next, Qin Feiyang took out a Shape-shifting Pill, told Lin Yiyi to take it, casually changed her appearance, then lifted his head to look at Shi Zheng, smiling. "Elder Shi, we’re in your hands."
Shi Zheng stood up, jumped off the balcony, and sped out with Qin Feiyang and Lin Yiyi.
"Brother Feiyang, where are we going?" Lin Yiyi asked, confused.
"To the Treasure Pavilion." Qin Feiyang smiled but offered no further explanation.
Not long after the three of them left the Martial King Palace, Lin Chang arrived at its gate.
Elder Qu blocked his way, frowning. "What are you doing here?"
Lin Chang was, by now, a notorious figure in Yan City.
Lin Chang bowed. "I want to see my daughter. Please, sir, allow me to pass."
"Your daughter is not at the Martial King Palace. Get lost!" Elder Qu stated expressionlessly.
"Impossible! My daughter is with Qin Feiyang. If she’s not in the Martial King Palace, where else could she be? Is Qin Feiyang playing tricks?" Lin Chang exclaimed angrily.
"Qin Feiyang is not only a top-grade Alchemist but also a martial arts prodigy who has unlocked his Potential Mark. His future is boundless. With just a word from him, everyone in Yan City would be after you. Does he even need to resort to tricks? Scram! Or don’t blame me for being impolite!" Elder Qu shouted sternly.
Lin Chang shuddered, cast a resentful gaze into the depths of the Martial King Palace, then turned and strode away.
Before long, Shen Qiang arrived. He, too, was stopped by Elder Qu at the entrance.
Shen Qiang’s face hardened. "Elder Qu, what is the meaning of this?"
Elder Qu said coldly, "Last night, the Hall Master himself issued an order to expel you from the Martial King Palace. Therefore, you are no longer a disciple of the Martial King Palace, nor are you qualified to enter it again."
"Why? Is it just because I didn’t team up with Qin Feiyang and the others in the competition?" Shen Qiang trembled from head to toe, roaring in anger.
He had originally planned to enter the Martial King Palace to inquire about Lin Yiyi’s whereabouts, but he hadn’t expected to be met with such terrible news.
"The First Prince even gave you the Tyrant Fist. What more do you have to argue about? Scram! The Martial King Palace has no place for a treacherous cur like you. Oh, and hand over your Identity Token," Elder Qu said indifferently.
Shen Qiang took out his Identity Token, clenched his fist, and crushed it. He shot a venomous glance at the Martial King Palace, then turned and left without looking back.
「In a small alley.」
Seeing Shen Qiang enter, Lin Chang hurriedly asked, "How did it go? Did you find out anything?"
Shen Qiang said grimly, "I’ve been expelled from the Martial King Palace."
"Then what do we do? We only have three days!" Lin Chang was frantic.
"Don’t worry. I have a Shape-shifting Pill. I’ll disguise myself as another disciple and sneak into the Martial King Palace. You wait here," Shen Qiang said. He took out a Shape-shifting Pill, tossed it into his mouth, transformed into a strapping young man, gave a cold sneer, and headed back toward the Martial King Palace.
However, as he entered the main gate, Elder Qu appeared again, shouting, "Stop right there! Show me your Identity Token."
"Huh?" Shen Qiang froze. He turned to Elder Qu and smiled. "Elder, it’s me, Li Fei."
Elder Qu chuckled softly. "I know it’s you, Li Fei, but I still need to see your Identity Token for verification. The Hall Master has ordered that starting today, everyone entering the Martial King Palace must be rigorously checked."
Shen Qiang frowned. "Why the sudden strictness?"
"It’s to prevent anyone from disguising themselves as one of our people and sneaking in to harm Qin Feiyang," Elder Qu shook his head and smiled bitterly. This Qin Feiyang has become the apple of the Hall Master’s eye; he’s being protected as if he’d melt if held in the mouth or break if held in the hand.
"Ah, I see." Shen Qiang feigned understanding, then frowned again. "Is that really necessary? Who would dare to harm Qin Feiyang now?"
"It’s always better to be cautious. After all, Qin Feiyang has offended many influential figures, especially those from the Elixir King Palace," Elder Qu said with a casual smile.
Shen Qiang’s heart sank. He said with feigned difficulty, "Elder Qu, I left my Identity Token in my cultivation chamber. I forgot to bring it. Could you perhaps make an exception?"
"Forgot to bring it?" Elder Qu exclaimed angrily. "When new disciples join, I always instruct them to carry their Identity Token at all times! You’ve been in the Martial King Palace for several years now. How can you still forget this?"
"Elder, I didn’t mean to. I was just in too much of a hurry and forgot," Shen Qiang said, lowering his head.
"In that case, we’ll use the Eye of Heaven Stone to test you. This is the Hall Master’s order, and I dare not be negligent," Elder Qu said, taking out an Eye of Heaven Stone.
"What!" Shen Qiang was shocked. He even brought out the Eye of Heaven Stone! What am I supposed to do now?
"Elder, I just remembered I have some unfinished business. I need to step out for a moment," he quickly blurted out an excuse and turned to leave.
"Hmm?" Elder Qu furrowed his brow. This person seems a bit off today.
"Stop right there!" he suddenly roared.
Actually, he was just testing him.
Panicking, Shen Qiang immediately tried to bolt, fleeing frantically.
"Just as I suspected!" Elder Qu’s gaze turned cold. His Battle Intent surged, and in a few strides, he caught up with Shen Qiang, grabbing his arm and pressing it onto the Eye of Heaven Stone.
BUZZ!
The Eye of Heaven Stone immediately burst forth with a brilliant radiance!
In the next moment, Shen Qiang reverted to his true appearance.
He panicked and quickly knelt on the ground, pleading, "Elder, spare me! I just wanted to go in and retrieve my belongings. I had no other intentions."
"Humph!" Elder Qu snorted coldly, picked up Shen Qiang as if he were a little chick, and headed towards the reception hall.
Lin Chang, hiding in the alley, immediately fled in a panic.
「Meanwhile!」
In the Treasure Pavilion’s VIP room, Chief Li and Jiang Zhengyi were present.
Jiang Zhengyi laughed. "Coming to see us so early, what’s the matter?"
Qin Feiyang asked, "Where are Qingzhu and Shuang’er?"
Jiang Zhengyi responded, "They are at the auction site. Do you want to go and have a look?"
"No, thank you." Qin Feiyang shook his head with a smile, then turned to Lin Yiyi and said gently, "I have some matters to discuss with these two seniors. You go and spend some time with them. Elder Shi, could you please accompany her?"
Shi Zheng nodded.
Lin Yiyi looked at Qin Feiyang quizzically but didn’t ask further. She curtsied to Jiang Zhengyi and Chief Li, then left the VIP room with Shi Zheng.
After closing the door, Qin Feiyang walked to the tea table, cupped his hands towards Jiang Zhengyi, and said, "Senior, I have a favor to ask of you."
"Go ahead!" Jiang Zhengyi said.
Qin Feiyang said, "I want Qingzhu and the others to take Yiyi to the Martial King Palace in Star Moon City."
"Why?" Jiang Zhengyi and Chief Li exchanged glances, both looking at him with confusion. Isn’t the Martial King Palace in Yan City better? And with this young man’s achievements, Yan Nanshan would surely agree if he asked.
Qin Feiyang forced a smile and cupped his hands again. "This is a personal matter, seniors. Please don’t ask further."
Jiang Zhengyi shook his head, exasperated. "Other young men are all trying to woo pretty girls, yet you’re pushing them away. I really don’t know what goes on in that head of yours. Alright, I’m heading to Star Moon City later anyway, so I’ll take Lin Yiyi along. But I have one condition."
"What condition?" Qin Feiyang was overjoyed. With Jiang Zhengyi accompanying them, there definitely won’t be any problems on the journey.
Jiang Zhengyi paused for a moment, then smiled. "Your relationship with Qianxue seems to be quite special. If you get the chance, put in a good word for me. If you can persuade her to forgive me, I guarantee you’ll be well rewarded."
"Uh!" Qin Feiyang was stunned, never having expected Jiang Zhengyi to propose such a condition.
Just as he was about to ask for the reason, Jiang Zhengyi shook his head. "This is also my personal privacy. You shouldn’t ask either."
"Alright, I’ll do my best," Qin Feiyang nodded.
"I like straightforward young people!" Jiang Zhengyi laughed heartily, then asked curiously, "Kid, tell me, what’s the name of that elixir you and the Wolf King took? I’ve never seen it before."
Qin Feiyang smiled. "It’s called the Potential Elixir. You’ve seen its effect; it unlocks the Door of Potential."
Chief Li’s eyes gleamed as he asked, "Was it refined from the Nine Suns Flower and those other medicinal materials?"
"If I said yes, wouldn’t you immediately raise the price?" Qin Feiyang scoffed.
Chief Li looked displeased and retorted angrily, "Am I that kind of person? Don’t worry, even if it’s those medicinal materials, I’ll still give them to you at the same price as last time!"
Qin Feiyang glanced at him. "Yes, it was those thirty-three medicinal materials."
"I knew it!" Chief Li slapped his thigh, his face full of annoyance. If he had known these medicinal materials could refine such an astonishing elixir, would he have sold them to Qin Feiyang for forty million? Not a chance! This damned brat was truly cunning, keeping it a secret all this time and reaping such a huge advantage.
"Alright." Jiang Zhengyi stood up and looked at Chief Li. "I’ll leave matters in Yan City to you; it’ll be hard work. If anything comes up, send me a message."
"You’re leaving now?" Chief Li was taken aback.
"Yes." Jiang Zhengyi nodded, then looked at Qin Feiyang. "If you plan to sell Potential Elixirs, they must go through my Treasure Pavilion. Otherwise, if you want medicinal materials from us in the future, you can forget about it."
"Understood." Qin Feiyang gave a wry smile.
Although Jiang Zhengyi was being assertive, he indeed had the standing to do so. Without the Treasure Pavilion’s help, forget about large quantities of medicinal materials; he probably wouldn’t even be able to gather a single batch.