Alchemy Master

Chapter 519, The Wild Lion, Xing Yuhuan

Translator: Silavin

Compared to Qin Yichen’s calmness, Gongshu Zhiyi and Lu Xiaoguan were astounded by the enormous structure before them.

The city wall, reaching hundreds of metres in height, soared into the clouds. Its black colour was as if the whole thing had been casted from metal, creating a visual impression of true indestructibility.

“Was this truly created by sheer Human effort?” Lu Xiaoguan murmured, staring at the wall that extended to unknown distances on both sides.

“Hehe…” Qin Yichen chuckled softly.

This was, after all, the Imperial Capital!

“Let’s go.” He said, taking a deep breath before leading the two towards the city.

With the Alchemy Manor Summit approaching, the city gates were constantly crowded despite having seven entrances. Amidst the surging crowds, shouts, cries, and arguments were endless.

However, the central entrance had very few people, often remaining completely empty for extended periods.

Despite this, nobody from the surrounding crowd dared to cross over, even leaving a spacious path in the middle.

“Brother Yichen, why aren’t we entering through there?” Gongshu Zhiyi pouted with dissatisfaction as Qin Yichen pulled her into a queue.

*Roar!*

Just as Qin Yichen was about to answer her, a Lion’s roar echoed, and the crowd saw the image of a Golden Lion rapidly approaching from the distance, reaching the city gate in an instant.

This Lion stood over two metres tall, its four giant paws like iron pillars striking the ground with tremendous impact. Most remarkably, the giant Lion’s fur was golden, appearing as if engulfed in golden flames. It was a truly impressive sight.

Moreover, this Golden Lion emanated an extremely fierce aura, causing even Martial Kings to hold their breath.

Yet, what drew the most attention was not the Golden Lion, but the figure seated upon it.

It was a young figure, definitely not over thirty, with sword-like eyebrows and star-bright eyes. The entire person exuded a domineering aura that could be felt even from a great distance.

“The Wild Lion… Xing Yuhuan!” someone identified the person, followed by countless exclamations from the crowd.

Xing Yuhuan, nicknamed the Wild Lion, was one of the most outstanding youths in the Heavenly Dragon Imperial Dynasty.

Though not yet thirty, it was said that four years ago, he had already reached the Peak Martial King Realm.

Reportedly, he had left to gain experience four years ago and had not appeared since.

Now, the Wild Lion has returned!

Evidently, he had made tremendous progress.

“I heard the Xing Family has had some troubles…”

“Shh, don’t speak carelessly!”

Within the crowd, some whispered, but were quickly silenced by those beside them, as if touching upon some taboo.

“Xing Yuhuan, huh? Interesting.” Qin Yichen narrowed his eyes, looking at the figure on the Golden Lion, a faint smile curving his lips.

He certainly had a profound impression of Xing Yuhuan. Because when he arrived at this city in the past, Xing Yuhuan was already the Patriarch of the Xing Family.

The Xing Family was an extraordinary power, wielding unimaginable influence within the Imperial City. Moreover, he possessed a hereditary Duke Title from the Imperial Dynasty!

Hereditary Duke!

This alone demonstrated the Xing Family’s power, to the extent that even the Imperial Royal Family needed to bind them with a hereditary title of Duke.

However, Xing Yuhuan… had a rather special identity, one that had never been fully accepted by the Xing Family.

He was the Illegitimate Child of the current Xing Family Patriarch.

It was said that Xing Yuhuan’s Birth Mother was merely a farmer. Originally, the Xing Family Patriarch had been campaigning for the Imperial Dynasty, and after being injured, had hidden in a farmstead where he met Xing Yuhuan’s Mother, resulting in Xing Yuhuan’s birth. However, his Mother died in childbirth.

Due to his identity, Xing Yuhuan’s path had been incredibly difficult. Even now, despite his excellence, the Xing Family still had not formally acknowledged his status.

In the eyes of all Nobles, an Illegitimate Child remained just that, a spawn of disgust!

[Calculating the time, it seems the Xing Family Patriarch will fall within these few years. No wonder Xing Yuhuan has returned to the Imperial City at this time…] Qin Yichen concluded. [This is an opportunity!]

He knew very well how much influence the Xing Family held within the Imperial City. And now, Xing Yuhuan did not have much power of his own. If, at this moment, he could lend Xing Yuhuan a helping hand…

As if sensing something, Xing Yuhuan, who had already reached the city gate through the central path, suddenly turned back, looking towards a certain spot in the crowd.

There, a youth even younger than himself was giving him a faint smile.

His face revealed no particular expression; he merely glanced once before riding his Golden Lion into the Imperial City.

“Why can he enter through there?” Gongshu Zhiyi became even more displeased watching someone use the empty path.

Qin Yichen could only smile bitterly while pinching his brow.

[This girl. Isn’t it obvious? That entrance is reserved for the Imperial City’s Nobility! More specifically, for those of the Duke rank or higher. Without special permission, even Earls and Viscounts can only pass through the side entrances…]

Though Xing Yuhuan had not obtained the Duke title, his talent and achievements had earned multiple commendations from the Imperial Royal Family, granting him this privilege.

However, in Gongshu Zhiyi’s eyes, the concept of Nobility did not exist—only strength and weakness mattered.

Despite the little girl’s dissatisfaction, she could only accompany Qin Yichen and continue queuing.

Fortunately, entering the city was not a complicated affair. After paying the entrance fee, one could enter without identity verification or other procedures. Thus, after only about half an hour, Qin Yichen’s group of three entered the Imperial City.

Upon entering, they were immediately confronted with various advertisements.

“Come see the auction! Come to our Blue Spirit Auction House tomorrow, featuring various High Grade Pills, Spirit Weapons, and mysterious treasures…”

“Our Myriad Gold Auction House will feature High Grade Pills crafted by Grandmaster Sun Zheng…”

All kinds of advertisements, mostly for auction houses.

Clearly, with the Alchemy Manor Summit approaching, this was absolutely the busiest time in the Imperial City. However, it was also when competition among the major auction houses was most intense.

Once could not underestimate the outsiders.

After all, treasures that could attract the Imperial City’s Major Forces were already few. But outsiders were different.

Obviously, the Pills, weapons, and any items from the Imperial City were far superior to those from other regions. Many people travelled long distances just to obtain a single Pill or blade, willing to spend all their savings for it.

Just as Qin Yichen planned to find accommodation, a call caught his attention.

“North Dipper Auction House will auction …Spiritual Pills and treasures, Shooting Star Spirit Crystals… and other items.”

What attracted Qin Yichen was not the listed Spiritual Pills and treasures, but those… Shooting Star Spirit Crystals.