After being afflicted with Lingxiao’s enhanced White Blood Toxin, the fact that Xiao Zhan did not die was already a testament to his considerable strength.
If it had been a Celestial Human realm warrior, they would probably have bled out from every orifice and perished by now.
“Hmph. At least you know what’s good for you.”
Sun Ran said no more. After all, he was a senior and a prominent figure. Continuing to chatter endlessly would only lower his own standing.
“Ah—!”
The moment Sun Ran fell silent, Xiao Zhan directly used a hand blade to sever his own right arm. Then, in front of everyone, he apologised to Lingxiao.
Though extremely unwilling in his heart, Xiao Zhan did not dare utter a single word to offend Lingxiao now.
Because only Lingxiao could save his life.
“Seeing that you’re quite sincere, I’ll give you one chance.”
Lingxiao glanced faintly at Xiao Zhan, then walked up to him and directly absorbed the White Blood Toxin back into his own body.
“You’re fine now.”
“Thank you!”
Xiao Zhan checked his body and confirmed there were no issues left. Suddenly excited, he looked at Lingxiao and knelt on one knee as he spoke.
However, in that instant, a sharp weapon shot out from behind his neck, aimed straight at Lingxiao’s throat.
“Careful!”
“No!”
Princess Yun Ya and Fengming Piaoxue shouted almost simultaneously.
A ferocious grin appeared on Xiao Zhan’s face.
He had never been one to suffer losses. Having endured such great humiliation from Lingxiao, how could he possibly let it go?
Since the White Blood Toxin was resolved, there was no need to keep Lingxiao alive.
At such close range, he did not believe Lingxiao could dodge the sneak attack.
Old Ancestor Changle wanted to intervene, but there was no opportunity.
A cold smile appeared on Medicine King Sun Ran’s face.
This Xiao Zhan truly understood his intentions. If Lingxiao did not die, how could Sun Ran save face?
“Sigh. Isn’t it better to stay alive?”
A soft sigh escaped Lingxiao’s lips. His figure actually vanished from the spot.
Lingxiao never trusted enemies, especially one who had previously sought his life.
He had only treated him as a show, to let the world know that he, Lingxiao, had no intention of taking Xiao Zhan’s life.
It was Xiao Zhan himself who courted death!
The instant Lingxiao disappeared, Princess Yun Ya’s delicate hand struck down on Xiao Zhan’s head.
Her icy expression was as cold as frost.
“Shameless scoundrel. You deserve death!”
She had nearly made a grave mistake. If Lingxiao had died here, not only would their plans collapse entirely.
But the prestige he had just established within the Heavenly Dragon Trading Company would also vanish completely.
Seeing this scene, the Corpse Granny, who had intended to ambush Lingxiao, was frightened and hurriedly withdrew her Shadow Demon.
Princess Yun Ya had actually struck to kill one of the Thirteen Divine Generals of the Divine Phoenix Empire, the Blazing Fire General, for Lingxiao’s sake. She would certainly act against her too.
And clearly, Ji Qing supported Princess Yun Ya.
Old Ancestor Changle also wanted to protect Lingxiao.
She did not wish to die yet.
Lingxiao’s figure reappeared. He glanced faintly at Medicine King Sun Ran without saying anything.
He felt that this sneak attack by Xiao Zhan was likely related to Medicine King Sun Ran. Though Xiao Zhan himself must have thought of it too.
But without Sun Ran’s instigation, he probably would not have gone this far.
This grudge was now firmly tied.
“Alright, everyone, do not let this unpleasant scene spoil the mood. Brother Sun, I suggest you have someone clean up the site. Who would have thought the renowned Blazing Fire General could be so despicable and shameless. What a pity.”
Ji Qing said calmly.
“Someone, clean the site. Continue the banquet.”
Sun Ran gritted his teeth. Xiao Zhan’s sneak attack had failed, and his plan fell short. But it was fine. There was still tomorrow’s alchemy conference. He refused to believe Lingxiao could escape his grasp.
Soon, people cleared the bloody scene, and then everyone resumed drinking and chatting somewhat absent-mindedly.
Clearly, what had just happened was not something everyone could easily put behind them.
“Ji Qing, why are you protecting that young fellow? He created the Heavenly Empire himself and did not revive your Ji family’s Sacred Dynasty.”
After sitting down, Medicine King Sun Ran asked Ji Qing with some puzzlement.
If Ji Qing had not been there, he would certainly have made Lingxiao pay today.
“The Heavenly Empire is merely child’s play. The Sacred Dynasty will eventually be revived, and this Lingxiao is the key to that revival.”
Ji Qing said calmly.
He had made it very clear. He would not let go of such an excellent talent as Lingxiao. This was a warning to Sun Ran not to act against him.
Sun Ran smiled and said, “Brother Ji, have you not seen that boy’s character? He is completely unyielding. If things turn sour, he recognises no one. Do you really think you can make him abandon the Heavenly Empire to revive the Sacred Dynasty?”
“This matter need not concern Brother Sun. But this person, I, Ji, will protect!”
Ji Qing said calmly.
Sun Ran’s somewhat weathered cheeks twitched fiercely, but he said nothing. Someone Ji Qing wanted to protect, he could not possibly act against openly.
But striking in secret was not impossible.
The dull banquet had not yet ended when Lingxiao left with Yun Ya.
However, this banquet allowed Lingxiao to see Medicine King Sun Ran’s true nature.
Once, he had greatly admired this man and even thought of becoming intergenerational friends with him.
But now, he was thoroughly disappointed in him.
That night passed without incident.
Though someone prowled near Princess Yun Ya’s residence in the evening, attempting to steal the Imperial Seal, they were scared off by Leng Mei and Princess Yun Ya.
The Moon Maiden did not even need to act.
The next day, the sky was clear for thousands of miles, blue and washed clean. It was truly fine weather.
Holding an alchemy conference on such a day was excellent for both alchemists and spectators.
Sin City, this place regarded as ownerless, had attracted many prominent figures precisely for this alchemy conference hosted by Evergreen Immortal Island.
Though alchemy conferences had been held a few times before, compared to this one, they were inferior in both scale and quality.
When the first ray of light appeared in the fish-belly white of the horizon, the entire city, permeated with darkness and gloom, seemed to gain a touch of warmth.
On the long streets, among the coming and going crowds, figures wearing special uniforms appeared.
These uniforms were specially prepared by Evergreen Immortal Island for the alchemists participating in the conference.
For men, they were moon white. For women, powder pink. Not only fashionable in design, but also very distinctive.
This was also to allow ordinary people to clearly identify these alchemists.
In the Profound World, alchemists were a noble profession, greatly respected and trusted by warriors.
To warriors, alchemists were exalted beings who could grant them a second life.
They were not only noble, but mysterious.
After all, most alchemists preferred to focus on researching pill refining and medicine making. They rarely gathered for grand events.
Yet today, in this Sin City, thousands upon thousands of alchemists emerged from various places and headed together towards the venue of the alchemy conference: Evergreen Square.
