CHAPTER 113: CHAPTER 113 CONFLICT_1

Back at the Elixir Palace, Qin Feiyang and Fatty were summoned to Luo Xiong’s private courtyard.

Luo Xiong, Feng Cheng, and Elder Mo were seated at a stone table in the courtyard.

"Greetings, Hall Master."

"Greetings, respected Elders."

The two walked over and bowed.

Luo Xiong said, "We’re about to head to the Elixir King Palace. There’s not much more to say, just one thing: don’t embarrass us. Especially you, Fatty. Stop being so lazy and shirking your duties."

"When have I ever been like that?" Fatty pouted, feeling rather wronged.

Luo Xiong barked, "Still talking back?

"Let me tell you, the Elixir King Palace is not the Elixir Palace.

"If you want to survive in the Elixir King Palace, petty tricks are useless!

"The only way is to strive to prove your own worth; otherwise, you’ll be ruthlessly eliminated!

"Until, in the end, you’re abandoned!"

Seeing Luo Xiong’s anger, Fatty quickly promised, "Disciple will remember your words and will definitely change."

Luo Xiong glared at him, then took a silk pouch from his robes, tossed it to Qin Feiyang, and said with a smile, "Wait until you’ve left Black Bear City to open it. I guarantee it’ll be a pleasant surprise."

"Yes, sir," Qin Feiyang replied, tucking the silk pouch into his robes.

"Hall Master, what about mine?" Seeing Qin Feiyang receive a gift, Fatty immediately felt left out, looking expectantly at Luo Xiong.

Luo Xiong didn’t bother wasting any more words on him and simply ignored him.

At that moment, Lin Chen and Lu Hong walked into the courtyard.

After nodding to Qin Feiyang, Lin Chen turned to Luo Xiong, cupped his fist, and said with a smile, "Hall Master Luo, it’s getting late. We should be going."

"Mm," Luo Xiong nodded, a hint of reluctance in his eyes.

Feng Cheng and Elder Mo felt the same. Who would willingly give away a disciple capable of refining Top Grade elixirs to someone else? But they had no choice; keeping him in the Elixir Palace would only hinder his future.

Feng Cheng waved his hand. "Go on, go on. It’s vexing to watch."

"Farewell!" Lin Chen cupped his fist again, then turned and walked out of the courtyard.

Fatty and Lu Hong also performed a deep bow before turning to follow.

Qin Feiyang glanced at the three elders, then bowed a full ninety degrees. "Hall Master, Old Feng, Elder Mo, thank you for your care these past few days. If fate allows, disciple will surely repay your kindness in the future."

He had never been one to respect heaven or earth, but these three individuals before him had earned his deep respect. As for the future, that was a matter for another time.

The three of them smiled. Their earnest efforts had not been in vain.

Feng Cheng chuckled. "If you encounter any difficulties in Yan City, go find Ling’er. I’ve already spoken to her; she will help you."

"Uh!" Qin Feiyang was taken aback. That was the last thing he wanted. Regarding this woman, his only thought was to keep a wide berth.

Seeing his reaction, Feng Cheng frowned. "Is my granddaughter so unlikable to you?"

Qin Feiyang hurriedly said, "Not at all, not at all! It’s just that disciple fears he is not worthy of her."

"Hmph! Stop putting on an act in front of me. How hypocritical!" Feng Cheng snorted. He glanced at the departing Lin Chen, then stepped closer to Qin Feiyang and whispered, "There’s something I want you to do for me."

"What is it?" Qin Feiyang asked.

"Help me keep an eye on Ling’er," Feng Cheng said. "Don’t let her get too close to Lin Chen."

"This..." Qin Feiyang felt a bitter taste in his mouth. Isn’t he deliberately making things difficult for me?

Feng Cheng’s face instantly darkened. "What? I’ve helped you so much, and you’re unwilling to do even this small favor for me?"

"Of course, I’m willing. Disciple will do his best," Qin Feiyang nodded.

Hearing this, Feng Cheng’s old face immediately crinkled into a smile. "That’s more like it. Go on now, and remember to come back and visit often."

"Yes," Qin Feiyang nodded. After bidding farewell to the three elders, he hurried after Fatty and the others.

「The West City Gate!」

Two young men and two young women stood before the city gate. Their striking demeanors and fine clothes made them stand out like cranes among chickens, drawing considerable attention. Two of them were none other than the masked woman and Ling Yunfei. The other two appeared to be around sixteen or seventeen years old. The girl had shoulder-length hair, and her clothes fluttered in the breeze; she possessed a fair amount of charm. The young man was about 1.75 meters tall, his expression cold, his gaze sharp, exuding an icy aloofness that kept others at a distance. These two were also disciples of the Martial Palace, heading to the Martial King Palace.

As for the masked woman, she was still dressed in a tight-fitting combat suit that accentuated her perfect figure, giving her a heroic, capable, and sharp demeanor. She leaned against the city wall with her arms crossed, her eyes glinting thoughtfully, and no one knew what was on her mind.

A moment later, Qin Feiyang’s group of four emerged from the city gate.

Ling Yunfei went up to them with a smile. "You guys finally made it."

"Why are you here?" Qin Feiyang frowned.

Ling Yunfei said, "Take a look for yourself."

Qin Feiyang glanced around. When his eyes fell upon the masked woman, he felt a bitterness as if he had swallowed a bitter pill. Just as he’d feared, she was there.

"Ling’er, I knew you’d be waiting for me!" Lin Chen, overjoyed, hurried towards the masked woman.

But the masked woman paid him no attention. Instead, she glanced up at Qin Feiyang and said coolly, "Let’s go!"

With that, she took the lead, heading towards the mountain range in the distance.

Lin Chen hastily scampered after her. Lu Hong also quickly followed.

Fatty sidled up to Qin Feiyang and whispered, "See that? Now *that’s* what I call being a shameless sycophant."

"Watch your mouth, or you’ll invite trouble," Qin Feiyang glared at him.

"Brother Haotian, we’ll be relying on your care during our journey!" The woman from the Martial Palace walked over, smiling warmly.

Ling Yunfei introduced them, "This is Elder Sister Chen Ying, and this cold handsome guy is Elder Brother Xu Jian. They are both Five Star Martial Masters, the two strongest disciples in the Martial Palace."

Chen Ying shot Ling Yunfei an exasperated look, then said to Qin Feiyang, "Don’t listen to our little junior brother’s nonsense."

Xu Jian coldly added, "That’s right, he’s just spouting rubbish."

The masked woman glanced back at them and snapped, "What are you still dawdling for? Do you not want to go anymore?"

Ling Yunfei and the other two stiffened and hurriedly turned to catch up.

"Tigress," Qin Feiyang muttered.

Fatty chuckled. "It’s not very nice to talk about your fiancée like that!"

"I told you, it’s all a misunderstanding," Qin Feiyang said helplessly.

"Who’d believe that?" Fatty sneered. He clapped Qin Feiyang on the shoulder and gave him a thumbs-up. "Watching your fiancée being chased by another man and still acting indifferent... I have to say, you’re really something else!"

Qin Feiyang’s expression darkened. "Are you looking for a beating?"

Fatty replied, "Don’t be ungrateful. Master Fatty is looking out for you. If this goes on, who knows, one day you might find a green hat on your head."

Veins throbbed on Qin Feiyang’s temples. He fiercely kicked Fatty’s rear, sending him sprawling face-first onto the ground.

"You bastard!" Fatty scrambled up, yelling at Qin Feiyang, "Fine, Master Fatty will mind his own damn business then! When you’re wearing that green hat, don’t come crying to Master Fatty for comfort!" With that, he fled for his life.

Qin Feiyang shook his head with a wry smile and chased after the group. It seems clearing up this misunderstanding is already impossible. He had no one to blame but himself for this self-inflicted trouble.

Suddenly, he remembered the silk pouch Luo Xiong had given him. He took it out, opened it, and found a neatly folded piece of paper inside.

"What’s that?" Fatty, having circled back, peered at it curiously.

"Can you stop tailing me like a shadow?" Qin Feiyang frowned.

"Master Fatty enjoys it. What business is it of yours?" Fatty huffed.

Qin Feiyang felt utterly helpless when it came to this Fatty. He took out the folded paper, opened it, and his eyes immediately lit up.

It was the Elixir Formula for the Vermilion Glazed Pill!

Fatty exclaimed angrily, "Damn it! The Hall Master is too biased, isn’t he?"

Qin Feiyang was secretly overjoyed. So the Elixir Palace truly possessed the Elixir Formula for the Vermilion Glazed Pill! He just hadn’t expected Luo Xiong to give it to him in this manner.

He let out a long breath, carefully put away the Elixir Formula, and looked back towards Black Bear City, murmuring, "Thank you."

"Jian Haotian, Fatty, hurry and catch up!" Lin Chen called from ahead.

"Coming!" Qin Feiyang responded and quickly caught up.

Fatty grumbled non-stop along the way.

Soon, the group of eight had journeyed far from Black Bear City. Gradually, they entered a deep mountain range. The number of ferocious beasts they encountered along the way steadily increased. However, thus far, they hadn’t encountered any foes they couldn’t handle.

Chen Ying asked in confusion, "Elder Sister Ling’er, why aren’t we taking the main road? Or riding horses to Yan City?"

The masked woman replied coldly, "Don’t forget, you are now a disciple of the Martial King Palace, not some pampered young lady. If you find this too strenuous, it’s not too late for you to return to Black Bear City now."

Chen Ying stiffened, lowered her head, and dared not speak further.

Fatty’s eyes darted around before he asked, "Elder Brother Lin Chen, as Alchemists, surely we don’t need to suffer along with them, do we?"

Lin Chen smiled. "Enduring some hardship is good."

Fatty cursed inwardly, Damn this sycophant! He’s just a waste of perfectly good air! Everyone present could see Lin Chen’s motive – he was obviously trying to curry favor with the masked woman – but no one voiced it aloud.

"We’re about to reach Eagle Claw Peak! Everyone, focus and stay vigilant! Pay close attention to your surroundings!" the masked woman commanded sharply.

"Eagle Claw Peak!" Fatty’s body trembled, his eyes filling with unadulterated terror. Ling Yunfei, Chen Ying, Xu Jian, and Lu Hong also wore grave expressions.

Seeing this, Qin Feiyang frowned. Could Eagle Claw Peak be some sort of perilous land?

After passing through a dense forest and crossing a mountain ridge, a vast and magnificent mountain range came into view. Ranges of mountains stretched one after another, imposing and lofty. One colossal peak, in particular, was the most spectacular!

The colossal peak covered an area several thousand meters across and rose to a height of over ten thousand feet, piercing the heavens. An imposing, majestic aura washed over them, striking their very souls! But at the edge of its summit, five more peaks stood sentinel! Each rose to a height of a thousand feet and was distinctly curved. Viewed from afar, the formation truly resembled a gigantic eagle’s claw, planted between the earth and the sky. It was truly a marvel of nature, as if sculpted by gods!

Gazing at Eagle Claw Peak, the terror in Fatty’s eyes intensified. He said anxiously, "Elder Brother Lin Chen, let’s take a detour!"

Lin Chen smiled. "On this journey, we’ll follow Ling’er’s lead in everything."

"Damn it!" The moment Fatty heard this, he flew into a rage, roaring, "You want to woo that girl, Master Fatty isn’t stopping you! But shouldn’t there be a limit? You listen to her in everything! Are you even a damn man?"

"Oh?" Lin Chen’s smile froze. He turned to Fatty, a cold glint flickering in his eyes.

Fatty immediately shrank back, hiding behind Qin Feiyang, and stammered, "Did Master Fatty say something wrong?"

Seeing this, a flash of disdain crossed Lin Chen’s eyes. He said lightly, "You need to understand something clearly. I am leading this team, not you. Therefore, you have no say in the matter. We go where I decide. Understood?"