CHAPTER 497: CHAPTER 497 HUMAN EVAPORATION_1

Facing Qin Feiyang’s gaze, Fatty gradually started to feel guilty. He even began to sweat profusely.

Finally, Qin Feiyang withdrew his gaze, shook his head, and said, "I think I’ll forgo the visit to Yun State. As for the Elixir Fire, we can figure it out slowly once we get to the Imperial Capital."

"Boss..." Fatty said hastily, but before he could finish, Qin Feiyang vanished.

What should I do now? Fatty paused for a moment, his brows furrowing.

「Outside!」

Qin Feiyang opened a teleportation gate and walked into it.

He was certain Fatty was hiding something. Perhaps, for some reason, Fatty found it difficult to articulate. Honestly, he was a little angry. Their relationship had reached this point; what couldn’t be said openly? Besides, he had already revealed his true identity to everyone. What reason did Fatty have to keep secrets? He didn’t want to press him either. He was waiting for Fatty to tell him himself. If Fatty was really in trouble, a trip to Yun State wouldn’t be an issue. However, he really couldn’t understand what connection Fatty could possibly have with Yun State.

WHOOSH!

「Holy Temple.」

Above the Elixir Fire Palace, Qin Feiyang appeared out of thin air.

"It’s Senior Brother Qin!"

"He disappeared for half a year, and now he’s back!"

"His aura is as unfathomable as the ocean now. I wonder what level his cultivation has reached!"

The disciples milling about in the plaza below looked up when they sensed Qin Feiyang’s aura, discussing fervently.

WHOOSH!

Qin Feiyang dived, landing in the plaza. The surrounding disciples immediately backed away, their eyes filled with awe.

Qin Feiyang walked up to Elder Di and another elder, cupped his hands, and said, "Greetings, Elders."

"Good, good, good." The two elders nodded repeatedly, laughing heartily, their faces full of satisfaction. They had, in a way, watched Qin Feiyang grow up. They were genuinely happy that the Holy Temple could produce such a prodigy.

Qin Feiyang smiled. "I’d like to borrow an Alchemy Chamber. I hope the Elders will allow it."

Elder Di chuckled. "Why be so polite? This is your home. Come whenever you wish."

"Thank you, Elder. I’ll go in then," Qin Feiyang said.

Elder Di replied, "Go on. And visit the Holy Temple more often when you’re free. Many new disciples greatly admire you."

"Okay." Qin Feiyang nodded, turned, and entered the Elixir Fire Palace.

"Is he Qin Feiyang?"

Just then, a few teenagers, about fourteen or fifteen years old, curiously asked the older disciples near them.

An older disciple retorted angrily, "Who gave you the nerve to address Senior Brother Qin by his full name?"

"Is it that serious? We can’t even say his name?" The teenagers looked disdainful.

"It’s not an exaggeration at all," an older disciple said. "Senior Brother Qin spends most of his time in the inner sanctum and rarely appears in the State City or the Holy Temple.

"Even when he does appear, he only interacts with influential figures like Steward Yin. So, not many people talk about his deeds anymore.

"But let me tell you, his methods, his strength, and his intellect are enough to make anyone tremble in fear.

"You know about the Lu Family and the Dong Family, right? They offended Senior Brother Qin, and he drove them out of the State City.

"If you haven’t heard of the Lu and Dong Families, then you must know Shao Hong and Shao Jian!

"Those two used to be Senior Brother Qin’s sworn enemies. Now, when they see him, they’re like mice seeing a cat.

"And then there was the last Holy Temple Grand Competition. Senior Brother Qin returned domineeringly and single-handedly challenged all the prodigies of the Holy Temple.

"Among them were talents like Shao Jian, Dongfang Yue, and Xiang Shaolong.

"Do you know what the outcome was? Senior Brother Qin was completely victorious and even forcefully crippled Dong Qing, who was an inner sanctum disciple at the time!

"Furthermore, Senior Brother Qin became an inner sanctum disciple in just two or three short years. Such talent is arguably unprecedented in the Spirit State.

"Now, do you still dare to address Senior Brother Qin by his full name?"

A group of older disciples sneered. These newcomers are indeed like newborn calves, unafraid of tigers. Not only did they address Senior Brother Qin by his full name, but they also showed disdain. They’re simply courting death.

Upon learning these things, the eyes of the new disciples shone with fervent admiration.

Not only in the plaza, but even in the corridors of the Elixir Fire Palace, a large group of people followed Qin Feiyang, discussing animatedly. Qin Feiyang didn’t put on any airs; if someone greeted him, he would smile and nod in return.

「Tenth Floor.」

「Alchemy Chamber Number One!」

A sharp-featured, monkey-faced young man in white robes ran breathlessly to the alchemy chamber door, knocking hard.

BOOM!

Soon after, the stone door opened. Shao Hong emerged, frowning. "What’s all the panic about?"

The young man in white said, "Senior Brother Shao, bad news! Qin Feiyang is here."

"What?" Shao Hong’s expression changed. He exclaimed in shock and anger, "What is that jinx doing here again?"

The young man in white shook his head.

Shao Hong gritted his teeth. "Bastard! Sooner or later, I’ll slaughter him!"

"Who are you planning to slaughter?" Suddenly, an indifferent voice sounded.

WHOOSH!

Then, with a sound of rushing air, Qin Feiyang landed on the tenth floor.

Shao Hong’s eyes flickered. He hurried forward and said with a fawning smile, "Senior Brother Qin, please don’t misunderstand. I wasn’t talking about you; I was talking about him."

Shao Hong pointed to the sharp-featured, monkey-faced youth in white robes. The youth also nodded eagerly, saying obsequiously, "Yes, yes, Senior Brother Shao Hong was talking about me."

Qin Feiyang glanced at the two of them but said nothing more. At his current level, people like Shao Hong were mere buffoons, not worth his attention.

Qin Feiyang said, "I need to borrow your alchemy chamber. Is that alright?"

"Of course, of course! Please, come in!" Shao Hong stepped aside, bowing and scraping. His demeanor left the new disciples watching from below completely dumbfounded.

Was this the Shao Hong they knew? He was acting like a complete servant!

Qin Feiyang entered the alchemy chamber. Shao Hong made to follow, but Qin Feiyang suddenly stopped and turned to look at him.

Shao Hong froze for a moment, then comprehension dawned. He nodded repeatedly. "I understand, I understand. I’ll wait right outside."

Qin Feiyang smiled, and with a wave of his hand, the stone door slammed shut with a BANG.

"Damn it!" Shao Hong clenched his fists, so furious he felt like steam was rising from his head.

"Shao Hong is so arrogant with us, but in front of Senior Brother Qin, he’s like a little puppy. Truly amazing!" someone below whispered.

Shao Hong whirled around, stepped to the railing, and looked down at the crowd. "Who’s running their mouth down there? Get out here, now!" he roared.

All the disciples lowered their heads, not daring to meet his gaze. But in their hearts, they grumbled, ’You only dare to act tough in front of us. Why don’t you try that with Senior Brother Qin?’

However, they would never dare to say such things aloud. While Qin Feiyang didn’t fear Shao Hong, they certainly did.

Firstly, because of Shao Hong’s own strength. As an Eight-star War King, his power was sufficient to be considered dominant among the Holy Temple disciples of his generation.

Secondly, because of the Shao Family backing him. The Shao Family was a major power in the State City; ordinary people simply couldn’t afford to provoke them.

「Several hundred breaths later.」

The stone door finally opened. Shao Hong immediately rushed to greet him, his earlier arrogance completely gone. He asked cheerfully, "Senior Brother Qin, are you finished already?"

"Why?" Qin Feiyang asked with a hearty laugh. "Can’t bear for me to leave? Then perhaps I’ll just stay here for a while."

"No, no, please don’t!" Shao Hong’s expression changed drastically. Are you kidding me? If this jinx stayed here, my life would be hell!

"Oh? I can’t?" Qin Feiyang frowned.

Shao Hong forced a smile. "It’s not that you can’t, Senior Brother. It’s just... this humble place is too small to accommodate a great personage like yourself."

Qin Feiyang chuckled, shaking his head. "I was just joking with you. Don’t take it so seriously."

WHOOSH!

As he finished speaking, he waved his hand, opened a teleportation gate, and strode in.

Once the teleportation gate vanished, Shao Hong couldn’t help but wipe the cold sweat from his brow. That nearly scared me to death. Years have passed, and while Qin Feiyang’s appearance hasn’t changed much, his aura has grown increasingly powerful, and the pressure he exudes is immense.

「Treasure Pavilion.」

「The Lounge!」

Qin Feiyang appeared out of thin air. Yin Yuanming was sitting at a desk, engrossed in an account book.

Seeing Qin Feiyang, he immediately put down the book, stood up to greet him, and chuckled, "You’ve only just returned, and before even resting, you’ve come to deliver elixirs. I feel quite bad!"

Qin Feiyang’s face twitched. "In that case, I’ll head back to the inner sanctum and bring them over after I’ve rested."

"No, no, no!" Yin Yuanming hastily grabbed Qin Feiyang’s arm, laughing. "You’re already here, why go back? Besides, wouldn’t going back and forth be a waste of a teleportation gate?"

"Oh, spare me!" Qin Feiyang rolled his eyes, took out a jade box, and tossed it to Yin Yuanming. "Twelve Potential Elixirs, twenty-four Vermilion Glazed Pills. Count them."

"No need, no need at all." Yin Yuanming waved his hands dismissively, but despite his words, he opened the jade box and began to count.

Such a hypocrite, Qin Feiyang thought, glancing at him disdainfully. He walked over to the tea table, sat down, and unceremoniously picked up a teacup, poured some tea, and began to drink.

After confirming the count, Yin Yuanming put away the jade box, sat down next to Qin Feiyang, and chuckled. "So, where have you been off enjoying yourself these past six months?"

"Enjoying myself?" Qin Feiyang stiffened, put down his teacup, and gave a bitter smile. "I barely crawled back from the gates of hell."

"Hmm?" Yin Yuanming looked startled and suspicious.

Qin Feiyang said, "Let’s not dwell on that. I wanted to ask, do you know the coordinates for Yun State?"

"Yun State?" Yin Yuanming was surprised. "What are you planning to do?"

"Just curious," Qin Feiyang replied with a faint smile.

Yin Yuanming said, "I’ve never been to Yun State. I estimate that throughout the entire Spirit State, the Prefect Lord is likely the only one who has. If you want the coordinates, you’ll have to ask him."

Qin Feiyang’s eyes flickered. After a moment, he looked up at Yin Yuanming. "Have there been any major incidents in the State City these past six months?"

Yin Yuanming thought for a moment, then shook his head. "No major incidents, but there is one thing I still can’t figure out."

"What is it?" Qin Feiyang asked.

Yin Yuanming said, "Half a year ago, the Dong Family was wiped out by Zhao He, wasn’t it?"

Qin Feiyang nodded.

Yin Yuanming continued, "At the time, many house servants and Dong Family disciples survived. But after Dong Qing took them away, they were never seen again."

Qin Feiyang frowned. "Could they be in other cities?"

Yin Yuanming shook his head. "I made specific inquiries. Not a single member of the Dong Family has been seen in any of the hundreds of cities, large or small, within the Spirit State. It’s as if they’ve vanished into thin air. It’s quite bizarre."