CHAPTER 555: CHAPTER 548: KNOCKING ON THE DOOR!_1

Ren Duxing took a long, deep look at Qin Feiyang, nodding. "If you really don’t want to get involved, I can’t force you, but I hope you’ll reconsider."

Qin Feiyang cupped his hands respectfully. "Thank you for your understanding, Uncle Ren. I will certainly think about it."

Ren Duxing smiled and waved. "Go on then. Work hard, and take care of Shuang’er for me."

"Of course."

Qin Feiyang nodded, opened a teleportation portal, and left.

"AH!"

As the portal disappeared, Ren Duxing couldn’t help but let out a long sigh, his brow furrowed with helplessness.

Being trapped here had always been a heavy burden on his heart. Because of this, even if he knew everything, he was powerless to change the course of events. But when he saw Qin Feiyang appear in the canyon, he immediately knew this was the right person. Whether it was his potential or intelligence, Qin Feiyang was undoubtedly the best choice. Unfortunately, the young man seemed hesitant. Ren Duxing didn’t know why Qin Feiyang was backing off. But he knew that Mu Tianyang’s resurgence was now unstoppable. He could only hope this young man would change his mind. Otherwise, the future of the Great Qin Empire would inevitably be plunged into a sea of blood and chaos. Even everything that exists now might change because of this.

Qin Feiyang returned to the inner palace. Instead of going to his alchemy room, he went straight to the ancient castle.

"Boss, are you really not going to get involved?" Master Fatty frowned.

"Honestly, I thought I’d feel relieved after Uncle Ren agreed," Qin Feiyang sighed. "But quite the contrary, my heart feels even heavier now. Perhaps this is my destiny."

"Destiny?" Master Fatty scoffed. "There’s no such thing as destiny in this world. Even though you talk a good game, Master Fatty can see you still can’t let go of the Great Qin Empire."

Lu Hong laughed. "There’s no need to hesitate. Some things are decreed by fate; we should just let nature take its course."

"Mmm." Qin Feiyang nodded. For now, this was all he could do.

He then walked over to the altar, looked at the jade box containing the Potential Pills and the Nine-Bend Yellow Dragon Pills, and fell into deep thought. A moment later, he opened the jade box, took out two Potential Pills and two Nine-Bend Yellow Dragon Pills, turned to Fatty, and said, "Go to the Sea of Despair."

"Huh?" Fatty was slightly taken aback. Looking at the pills in Qin Feiyang’s hand, he suddenly understood and grinned slyly. "Boss, this is something I can’t do for you. You have to go yourself."

"Enough talk," Qin Feiyang glared at him.

Fatty chuckled, stood up, took the pills, leaned in close to Qin Feiyang’s ear, and snickered, "If Yiyi finds out about Princess Mermaid, she’ll be heartbroken! You’d better think hard about how you’re going to explain it to her."

"You talk too much." Qin Feiyang rolled his eyes at him and then left the ancient castle with Fatty.

Soon after, Qin Feiyang sat down and prepared to cultivate.

Seeing this, Lu Hong looked puzzled and asked with a strange expression, "Aren’t you going to see the old man?"

"Well..." Qin Feiyang hesitated for a moment and laughed awkwardly. "Let’s deal with that later!"

"If you don’t go, who will help erase the Blood Covenant on that Elixir Fire? You know, the Hall Master of the Elixir Palace is a Three-Star War Ancestor. Uncle Yan and Fan Jian definitely won’t be able to help," Lu Hong said, a playful smile on her lips, as she pointed to the cluster of purple flame floating beside the Netherworld Demon Flame.

Qin Feiyang’s face twitched, and he replied helplessly, "Then I’ll wait until dawn."

Lu Hong suppressed a smile. "If you wait until dawn, there will be more people around. It might be even more embarrassing then."

The implication was clear: Qin Feiyang would surely get a beating if he went to see the old man.

Qin Feiyang couldn’t help but smile wryly. "You’re right. I’ll go now."

He sighed deeply, stood up, and left the ancient castle.

Lin Yiyi also opened her eyes and sighed softly, "Why is Brother Feiyang hiding things from me?"

Lo Qianxue patted her shoulder and comforted her, "Don’t worry. When the time comes, he will naturally tell you."

"Yeah." Lin Yiyi nodded, but a touch of unshakeable melancholy lingered on her face.

...

「Central District, the Lord Prefect’s Mansion!」

It was late at night, but the old man was still awake. He sat alone in the pavilion in the courtyard, gazing at the brilliant stars in the sky, his eyes filled with a touch of wistfulness.

SWISH!

Suddenly, a figure landed outside the courtyard.

It was Qin Feiyang.

The old man instantly sensed someone’s arrival but didn’t turn his head. Sounding displeased, he asked, "Running over to find this old man in the middle of the night, can’t you lot ever give it a rest?"

Qin Feiyang looked at the old man suspiciously, coughed drily, and said, "Junior has come to offer a sincere apology."

"That voice..."

The old man started, then turned to look at Qin Feiyang outside the courtyard, his old face flushing with anger. But almost immediately, the anger vanished, replaced by a broad smile. He looked at Qin Feiyang and said invitingly, "Come in."

Qin Feiyang felt a surge of guilt but could only brace himself and walk in.

As soon as he stood before the old man, the old man abruptly rose, his weathered hand shooting up, aiming a slap at Qin Feiyang.

Qin Feiyang had no time to dodge.

But just then, WHOOSH!

A black-armored guard descended from the sky, landing at the courtyard entrance. He reported respectfully, "Lord Prefect, someone requests an audience!"

"I’ll deal with you later." The old man’s arm froze mid-air. He glared fiercely at Qin Feiyang, then turned to the guard and asked, "Who is it?"

The black-armored guard said, "It’s a woman. Your subordinate doesn’t know her, but she says she’s an old friend of yours."

"An old friend?" The old man frowned. "Bring her in."

"No need, I’m already here," a hoarse voice suddenly rang out.

This voice... If I’m not mistaken, this is the Yun State Ruler. Why is she in Spirit State? Has this old witch already guessed my identity?

WHIZ!

As expected, a white-haired old woman cut through the night sky, landing outside the pavilion. The white-haired old woman glanced at Qin Feiyang, then looked at the old man and chuckled, "Old fellow, long time no see."

The black-armored guard immediately shouted, "Insolence! How dare you be disrespectful to the Lord Prefect!"

"Hmm?" The old woman turned to the guard, her old eyes flashing with a cold light.

"This is none of your concern. You may leave!" The old man waved his hand at the guard.

"Yes." The black-armored guard bowed, then turned and departed.

The old man also looked at the Yun State Ruler and said, "It has indeed been a long time. If possible, I’d prefer we never meet again." His tone was flat, clearly unwelcoming.

The white-haired old woman didn’t take offense and smiled. "Since we’ve finally met after so long, won’t you invite this old friend to sit down?"

The old man returned to his stone stool and said indifferently, "Apologies, my humble temple is too small to house a great Buddha like you. If you have business, state it. If it’s just hot air, then release it. If there’s no real business, then scram immediately."

Qin Feiyang’s face twitched. This old fellow really doesn’t pull any punches. Even someone with the best temper would be angered, let alone this old witch, who he doubted had a good temper to begin with.

Sure enough, the Yun State Ruler frowned and said, "It’s not that I wished to come to your place. I’m here because I must investigate a matter that has significant ties to your Spirit State."

"What a joke!" the old man sneered. "Yun State and my Spirit State are separated by a vast distance. What matter could possibly connect us? I’m warning you, don’t come looking for trouble. Otherwise, don’t blame this old man for not showing you any courtesy."

EH! Qin Feiyang was dumbfounded. It seems this old fellow hasn’t shown this old witch any courtesy from the very beginning!

The Yun State Ruler clenched her fists, suppressing her rising anger. "The Elixir Fire from the Elixir Fire Palace in Yun State was stolen. I suspect..."

"Hold on." The old man waved his hand, interrupting her. He frowned. "Your Elixir Fire was stolen, what are you doing running to my Spirit State for? Are you that bored you’ve got nothing better to do?"

"Nonsense! If I wasn’t in trouble, would I come looking for you, you old scoundrel?" The Yun State Ruler’s temper finally exploded. "Let me tell you, I now suspect it was your Spirit State’s Qin Feiyang who stole our Elixir Fire!"

Nearby, Qin Feiyang tensed. Indeed, she suspects me.

Hearing this, the old man immediately glanced at Qin Feiyang, his old eyes glinting sharply. But he seemed somewhat menacing!

"What are you looking at him for?" the Yun State Ruler demanded. "Bring Qin Feiyang here at once! I want to question him in your presence!"

The old man pointed at Qin Feiyang and said flatly, "That’s him. Question him."

"Hmm?" The Yun State Ruler was taken aback. She turned to Qin Feiyang, frowning. "You are him?"

Qin Feiyang cupped his hands. "Greetings, Senior. Junior is Qin Feiyang."

The Yun State Ruler scrutinized Qin Feiyang for a moment. "Do you know who I am?"

Qin Feiyang paused. "May I ask for Senior’s esteemed name?"

The Yun State Ruler sneered, "Stop feigning ignorance. You definitely know who I am. I’ll give you one chance: hand over the Elixir Fire immediately, and I will overlook what you did in Yun State."

Qin Feiyang asked with a puzzled expression, "Senior, what do you mean by that? When did I ever take your Elixir Fire?"

"Still pretending?" Fury burned within the Yun State Ruler. She said grimly, "Then let me ask you, are you capable of refining elixirs with three Elixir Patterns?"

"That’s something everyone knows," Qin Feiyang nodded.

The Yun State Ruler continued, "Let me ask you again, do you possess a combat skill that can reflect an opponent’s attack?"

"Indeed, I do," Qin Feiyang nodded again.

"Good. Listen to me carefully," the Yun State Ruler said angrily. "The person who stole Yun State’s Elixir Fire can also refine elixirs with three Elixir Patterns, and they also possess such a combat skill. And according to my knowledge, among the other major states, there is no one who simultaneously possesses both these capabilities. The evidence is irrefutable! Do you still dare say you didn’t do it?"

As a State Ruler, her intellect was indeed formidable. Although the Elixir Palace Hall Master hadn’t explicitly stated anything, she later pondered it carefully. Connecting all the clues with the rumors she had heard about Qin Feiyang, she had zeroed in on him. In fact, by the time Qin Feiyang went to meet Ren Duxing, she had already arrived in State City. She hadn’t gone directly to find the old man; instead, she went to a restaurant to verify Qin Feiyang’s situation. The results of her investigation matched the culprit who stole the Elixir Fire perfectly!