Su Qi flew desperately towards the Dan Pavilion, which was located in the northern and western parts of Bright Moon Villa. He glanced at the time and felt relieved. It was still within the registration period, and he didn't want to miss the opportunity to participate in tomorrow's alchemy competition. He knew that proving his abilities in this era of competition was crucial for gaining a foothold.
As he approached the Dan Pavilion, Su Qi noticed that there were very few people present. He couldn't help but exclaim in worry, fearing that all the spots might already be taken.
"Oh no! It's over, it's all gone!" Su Qi cried out with a sad expression on his face.
"Where do you think you're going? This is not a place for you," the doorman stopped Su Qi, acting like a gatekeeper and aggressively preventing him from entering.
Su Qi looked at the doorman's posture and a hint of sarcasm curved on his lips. He thought to himself, "These arrogant snobs are everywhere."
Quickly, Su Qi took out some silver from his bag and smiled at the doorman. "Big brother, this is a token of respect from the younger brother. I'm here to register for the alchemy competition."
Although he wanted nothing more than to teach this snobby doorman a lesson, he had to maintain his composure and smile on the surface.
"Just you, little brat? You think you can participate in the alchemy competition? Dream on! But if you have money to spare, go ahead and enter!"
The doorman quickly snatched the silver from Su Qi's hand and felt complacent.
Su Qi gave him a disdainful look before hurrying inside. He searched for the registration area and saw four old men in white robes tidying up the tables, indicating that the registration had already ended.
"Elders, I am Su Qi, and I have come to register for the Alchemy Competition," Su Qi walked over and respectfully saluted the four elders.
The four elders stopped their movements and looked at Su Qi in surprise. Although they had seen many applicants, none were as young as Su Qi.
"You want to participate in the Alchemy Competition? How old are you?" The elder who spoke was Elder Liu Changqing, the pavilion master of the Dan Pavilion.
"I am five years old this year, Elder," Su Qi replied respectfully.
"Five years old?" Elder Liu Changqing shook his head slowly. "Do you realize that tomorrow's alchemy competition is not child's play? It's not something anyone can participate in."
"Elder, I understand the rules. Today, due to some delay, I arrived a little late. If the registration period hasn't ended, I kindly request Elder to give me a chance," Su Qi spoke respectfully and sincerely, winning the favor of the elders.
"Elder Liu, according to the time, there is still half an hour left before the registration ends. According to the regulations of the Dan Pavilion, he can still sign up. Although he looks young, our Haoyue Kingdom is full of talents. Let's give him a chance. It takes courage for him to sign up, and we should provide the younger generation with opportunities for growth," Elder Huang Minsu, who stood beside Elder Liu, said gently.
Liu Changqing looked at the other two elders, Qiu Leshan and Chen Wanqing. Both nodded in agreement.
"Alright then!" Elder Liu nodded. As long as the other three elders had no objections, he wouldn't say anything. As a representative of the Haoyue Kingdom, he had to consider all perspectives.
"Thank you, four elders!" Su Qi's hanging heart was finally relieved. He almost couldn't believe his luck.
"It's Su Qi, right?"
"Yes, Elder, I am called Su Qi."
"Good! We will make a note of it for you." Elder Liu opened the registration book and wrote down Su Qi's name.
Su Qi felt a sense of relief knowing that his name was officially registered, allowing him to participate in the alchemy competition tomorrow.
"I appreciate the elders' kindness. I will take my leave now," Su Qi bowed respectfully to them.
"Very well, go back and prepare for the competition! Good luck," Elder Liu smiled and nodded, impressed by Su Qi.
"Yes." Su Qi turned around, ran, and jumped out. His youthful face showed excitement about the events of the day.
Outside the gates of the Dan Pavilion, Su Qi looked around, contemplating whether to return to Bright Moon Villa or go to the Mo Mansion and see his grandmother. He thought it would be better to go to the Mo Mansion first and return with Grandma Mo so that his mother wouldn't suspect him.
Little did he know that his actions were already known to Su Zimo. Jinghuai, Mu Yunxuan's other personal guard, had observed the scene and coincidentally arrived at Bright Moon Villa with Qing Feng, who was trusted by Mu Yunxuan. They had been inspecting Mu Yunxuan's shop and had just returned today.
Meanwhile, Su Qi couldn't find his brother and had mentioned returning to Bright Moon Villa. Su Zimo was restless and had already sent someone to search for Su Qi.
"This little rascal, running off to who knows where. The Dan Pavilion is only two miles away. With his cultivation, he could make ten round trips easily," Su Zimo thought worriedly.
She knew her son had skills, but she couldn't help but feel concerned.
"Lady, with Qi'er's abilities, there won't be any trouble. Please sit down and rest for a while," one of the attendants reassured Su Zimo.
"Can everyone please be quiet? It's getting dark, and Su Qi is running around without any care. I have no idea where he might have gone."
Su Zimo glared at Mu Yunxuan with a frustrated expression.
"Mother, don't worry too much. Qi Er just loves to play. He'll be fine," Su Li reassured calmly. When he returned, he heard that the backyard of Fengyue Tower had been damaged, possibly by Qi Er. He had already sent Uncle Shaoyu and Uncle Tianji to investigate.
At that moment, Qing Feng entered the room along with Jinghuai.
Jinghuai's heart skipped a beat when he saw Su Li. Why is he here too? He looked at Su Li with a bewildered expression.
Su Li noticed Jinghuai's strange gaze, and his lips twitched slightly.
"I greet the Holy Lord and Lady," Jinghuai said respectfully. Qing Feng had already informed him about everything when he picked him up.
Mu Yunxuan nodded in acknowledgment.
Su Zimo felt a sense of displeasure towards that woman, but she couldn't openly refute her in front of her subordinates. It was just a title, and she didn't care much about it.
"He is Su Li, the eldest son of the Honza Family. In the future, you will be under his command," Mu Yunxuan said to Su Li. With Su Li's abilities, he could easily gain the trust of Qing Feng and Jinghuai.
"Jinghuai, you don't have to be so formal," Su Li replied coldly.
"Why were you staring at me when you came in?" Su Li wanted to ask if Jinghuai had seen him or Qi Er today. Otherwise, he wouldn't have looked at him in that peculiar manner.
"Master Su, Jinghuai was fortunate to witness your victory over a person at the peak of the Golden Xuan Period in the alley. It was a shocking sight, and I couldn't help but keep my gaze on you. I apologize for any disrespect," Jinghuai explained honestly.
Jinghuai didn't expect that the person he witnessed today was actually the son of the Holy Lord.
Upon hearing this, Mu Yunxuan furrowed his eyebrows slightly. Could it be Qi Er?
"It wasn't me you saw, but my brother, Su Zi," Su Li clarified rarely.
"Where did you see him?" Su Zimo couldn't sit still, feeling worried.
"Madam, in the Three Alleys, there were seven people above the fifth level of the Jin Xuan Period at the time. They were all killed by the Second Prince with a single sword strike. The Second Prince also seemed to have saved more than ten people, but I'm not sure where he took them," Jinghuai explained truthfully.
Upon hearing this, Mu Yunxuan's eyes narrowed slightly, feeling worried about his son. Qi Er had likely caused trouble again and would face punishment.
"Don't worry, Mother. After Qi Er saves the people, he should be sent to Grandma Mo's residence at the Mo Mansion. Grandma Mo will return to the village tonight, and Qi Er should come back with her," Su Li reassured, feeling relieved. With the current information, it was clear that Qi Er was responsible for the incident at Fengyue Tower, but he didn't want to worry his mother by sharing the details.
"Very well," Su Zimo nodded. The lives and deaths of others were not her concern. She simply wanted her son to be safe.
"Mom, has Qi Er not returned yet?" Murong Shaofeng walked in, having gone out and returned without seeing Su Qi. He was starting to worry.
As soon as Mu Yunxuan saw Murong Shaofeng, her face instantly displayed displeasure. This ghostly guy had actually moved to Mingyue Mountain Villa. Did he want to snatch the moon? Dream on!
"Shao Feng, there is news about Qi Er. You don't need to worry," Su Zimo explained softly.
"It's good to hear there's news!" Murong Shaofeng found a seat for himself. "Mom, when I was out, I overheard people on the street talking about how the backyard of Fengyue Tower was smashed by a child. The people from Fengyue Tower are searching for that child's whereabouts. I was worried it might be Qi Er."
Su Li glanced at Murong Shaofeng and wondered if the news had already spread throughout the streets.
"Fengyue Tower?" Su Zimo's brows furrowed beneath her mask. "How far is Fengyue Tower from Sanjia Alley?"