The Sword God of the Universe

Chapter 526: Chapter 526 The Grand Ceremony Begins

Regarding President Qing Ru’s words, President Bai Lan was somewhat puzzled; he was unclear as to what Qing Ru was referring to. However, it wasn’t appropriate to ask too many questions in such a setting, so he chuckled awkwardly and changed the subject.

”That young person beside President Qing Ru looks very familiar,” Bai Lan said, focusing his gaze on Jing Yan.

”President, that person’s name is Jing Yan. He came to our Golden Sparrow Commerce two months ago wanting to be our spokesperson,” a director of Golden Sparrow Commerce said, squinting his eyes and chiming in.

”Ah, now I remember why he looks so familiar. It’s unexpected that Alchemist Jing Yan didn’t end up being a spokesperson for my Golden Sparrow Commerce, yet he ran off to become the spokesperson for your Youhai Commerce, President Qing Ru,” Bai Lan pretended to recall suddenly.

Qing Ru glanced at Bai Lan and thought to herself, you’re laughing merrily now, but I reckon you won’t be able to laugh after the Alchemy Conference.

”President Qing Ru, as Alchemist Jing Yan is the spokesperson for your Youhai Commerce, I wonder how much compensation you gave him?” Bai Lan then asked with another smile.

”President Bai Lan, it’s not quite proper for you to inquire about such matters. You should be aware that this is confidential information of the commerce guilds. However, since I’m so acquainted with you and you’re no stranger, it’s no harm telling you since you asked. Our Youhai Commerce hired Alchemist Jing Yan as our spokesperson, and the compensation is twenty million Spirit Stones,” Qing Ru revealed with a flash in her eyes.

”Hisss!”

Hearing this, the smiles on the faces of Bai Lan and the others instantly froze, their expressions filled with shock.

It was beyond their imagination that Youhai Commerce would offer Jing Yan such a hefty price of twenty million Spirit Stones to endorse them.

The reason Bai Lan had asked about the remuneration paid by Youhai Commerce to Jing Yan was actually to embarrass Jing Yan, but he hadn’t expected Jing Yan’s remuneration to be so high, completely off his radar.

If Bai Lan and others knew that the twenty million was only the lowest remuneration for Jing Yan, and that if Jing Yan could make it onto the Pill King List during the Alchemy Conference, Youhai Commerce would also need to pay him an additional twenty million Spirit Stones as compensation, they would be even more astounded.

At this moment, Alchemist Rong Jie, who was speaking, also finally turned his gaze to Jing Yan. Before, he had been very arrogant and hardly glanced at Jing Yan. But now that he heard about Jing Yan’s worth, almost equaling his own, he was quite puzzled and started to take Jing Yan more seriously. Seeing that Jing Yan had a somewhat unfamiliar face, it must be that he wasn’t from Pill Country. He wondered which Alchemy Dao Family this person belonged to, attracting Youhai Commerce to hire him.

”President Bai Lan, sorry, I must excuse myself for a moment.”

”Alchemist Jing Yan, let’s head over there. There are a few acquaintances I’d like to introduce you to,” Qing Ru first apologized to Bai Lan, then turned to Jing Yan.

Jing Yan naturally nodded.

Following President Qing Ru, Jing Yan and the others walked over to a group that had gathered not too far away. After introductions, Jing Yan realized that these individuals were all from various major commerce guilds in Pill Country. The presidents of several commerce guilds were also among the crowd.

As Qing Ru greeted them, they all politely responded. On the surface, it seemed everyone had a very harmonious relationship.

”President, do you think Qing Ru has taken the wrong medicine? She’s actually offering Jing Yan twenty million Spirit Stones as compensation?” a member of Golden Sparrow Commerce said, frowning.

”It’s indeed a bit odd!” Bai Lan said thoughtfully, ”Although Qing Ru is a woman, she’s very astute. Twenty million Spirit Stones is not a small sum!”

”President Bai Lan, who exactly is this Jing Yan? He can’t be a Pill Master from Pill Country, right? I would have no reason not to recognize any of the famous Pill Masters within a hundred years of age in Pill Country,” Alchemist Rong Jie asked, looking towards Bai Lan.

”It’s very normal for Alchemist Rong Jie not to know this person. He comes from Lanqu County. See that person next to the kiddo? That’s the Lanqu County Prince, I believe his name is Zhou Shangyun,” Bai Lan said to Rong Jie.

Rong Jie was slightly taken aback.

”Lanqu County?”

”I know of Lanqu County, but it seems to be merely a small commandery. I’ve never heard of any Alchemy Dao Families there!” Rong Jie said with a puzzled look.

”Of course, he’s not an Alchemy Dao genius from an Alchemy Dao Family. In my Golden Sparrow Commerce, there’s an alchemist from Lanqu County whose name is Li Xingjiu. Before coming to Pill Country, he was the president of the Alchemist Association in Lanqu County and a Sixth-level Alchemist. According to him, just a few years ago, this Jing Yan was merely a Third-level Alchemist,” Bai Lan shared.

”How is that possible? Then why would President Qing Ru pay him twenty million Spirit Stones as compensation?” Rong Jie grew more confused.

”Hehe, maybe President Qingu Ru has been deceived? Could a place like Lanqu County produce an exceptionally outstanding Pill Master?” Rong Jie then sneered.

”I’m not too certain about the specifics. Alchemist Rong Jie, let’s go over and greet the presidents of the other commerce guilds! President Li Lin of Dragon Soaring Commerce is also present,” Bai Lan shook his head and then suggested.

Dragon Soaring Commerce was the largest commerce guild in Pill Country.

The scale of Golden Sparrow Commerce wasn’t much different from the second-ranked Winter Sun Trading House. But compared to Dragon Soaring Commerce, it was leagues apart.

The scale of Dragon Soaring Commerce was roughly equivalent to the combined size of Winter Sun Trading House and Golden Sparrow Commerce. There were several Eighth-level Alchemists within Dragon Soaring Commerce, and its status in Pill Country was virtually unshakable. Additionally, the president himself, Li Lin, was one of Pill Spirit City Lord Hu Donghe’s most outstanding disciples and had achieved Eighth-level Alchemist status a long time ago.

Not much time passed!

The entire square, which had been quite chaotic, suddenly quieted down.

Gazes from all directions fell upon the square at the top of the staircase.

Jing Yan also looked over, seeing a group of figures appear atop that highest square, numbering around a hundred or so. These individuals arrived and gradually took their seats, with two particularly noticeable individuals seated at the most conspicuous spot—one was a white-browed elder, and the other was a middle-aged man dressed in a blue robe, his age indiscernible from his appearance.

”Alchemist Jing Yan, the one sitting on the left is Pill Spirit City Lord Hu Donghe. The one on the right must be the Special Envoy from the Holy City, representing the Holy Master,” Qing Ru whispered to Jing Yan.

Jing Yan nodded slightly.

For a grand event like the Pill Spirit Conference, it was normal for people from the Holy City to come. After all, Pill Country was the largest force on the continent, second only to the Holy City. And the Pill Spirit Conference, held once every hundred years, was also a focal point for the entire continent.

As Jing Yan surveyed the individuals on the Highest Staircase Square, a white-robed elder stepped to the forefront of the square, sweeping his gaze across the crowded throng below.

”The Pill Spirit Conference begins!”

”Next, we enter the first phase, the Alchemy Ceremony. Please, all alchemists participating in the ceremony, prepare yourselves and collect your number tags,” the old man’s voice resonated in everyone’s ears.