Chapter 483: The Yan Clan's Huo Zhi
It was due to Xiao Ze's grand gesture that the majority of the Ancient Clan elders currently held an ambiguous attitude towards him. Or rather, they were in a state of tacit approval!
They were merely waiting for the clan leader's nod. Once he agreed, they would immediately recognize the relationship between Xiao Ze and their young lady. After all, a young ninth-tier alchemy grandmaster... even they found it tempting!
Getting closer to Xiao Ze might lead to him helping them refine a ninth-tier pill, allowing their stagnant Dou Qi realms to break through once again.
The white-bearded elder stroked his beard and shook his head. Ultimately, the young lady's marriage had to be decided by the clan leader. While the elders' opinions carried some weight, they were not decisive. Only with the clan leader's consent could these elders comfortably associate with Xiao Ze.
Even though Xiao Ze was now a ninth-tier alchemy grandmaster, his relationship with the Ancient Clan hadn't been formally established. Once Xiao Ze's relationship with Xun'er was confirmed, he would be the clan leader's son-in-law. Only then would these stubborn old men be willing to put aside their pride and interact with him.
Xiao Ze was unaware of the turmoil his parting gift to Xun'er had caused among the elders of the Ancient Clan. The difference between an eighth-tier alchemist and a ninth-tier grandmaster was enormous. In the original story, Xiao Yan had reached the eighth tier and won the championship of the Pill Tower's competition. However, to the Dou Saint-level elders of the Ancient Clan, this was not very impactful. What truly moved them was a grandmaster capable of refining ninth-tier pills. This alone heavily tipped the scales in Xiao Ze's favor.
If Gu Yuan had not yet expressed any opinion or attitude, this major factor remained unsettled, preventing the elders from taking action.
Xiao Ze stretched lazily and said to Qing Lin and Xiao Yi Xian, "It seems we've received preferential treatment from the Ancient Clan. They've arranged a separate courtyard for us in the Ancient Sacred City, away from the general guest manor. That place seems lively. Should we go have a look? I heard there's a competition happening."
"Sounds good. We don't know when the Ancient Realm will open, and it's pointless to get interrupted during cultivation. Let's go out and explore," Xiao Yi Xian said, her interest piqued as she smoothed her hair.
"Young Master Xiao Ze, the invited guests should all be at that manor in the Ancient Sacred City, right?" Qing Lin asked curiously. "Even the other ancient clans? Why are we receiving such preferential treatment?"
Xiao Ze shook his head and glanced towards the core area of the Ancient Sacred City. "We might as well enjoy the courtyard we've been given. It's quite nice here."
Led by Xiao Ze, they quickly arrived at a large manor. Within the manor, a mixture of powerful auras could be sensed. These strong individuals represented various forces and gathered here for various reasons, making the atmosphere lively and complex. Xiao Ze shook his head, withdrawing his soul perception to avoid the chaotic mix of emotions.
As they walked, they occasionally saw conflicts, but these were swiftly stopped by the Hei Yan Army. The manor had designated areas for sparring and prohibited random fighting to avoid damage.
Following the crowd, they entered a large tavern within the manor. Inside the tavern, there was a stone platform designated for sparring, where two individuals were currently engaged in a fierce battle.
As soon as Xiao Ze and his companions entered the tavern, a pretty maid approached and led them to their seats.
"What would you like to order, my lords?"
"Bring us some of your tavern's signature dishes and some tea," Xiao Ze said with a smile.
"Yes, my lords. Please wait a moment." The maid bowed respectfully and quickly left.
Their gazes turned to the stone platform where the fight was intense and brutal, suggesting a personal grudge or a conflict between their respective forces. The spectators cheered, enjoying the show.
In another corner of the tavern, four individuals sat at a table, their auras subtle yet powerful. They exuded a faint heat, and each had a flame mark on their foreheads.
A burly middle-aged man with thick eyebrows glanced cautiously at Xiao Ze's group. "So, that's the new Pill Tower chairman. His strength is indeed unfathomable."
"There are rumors that this Pill Tower chairman might have some connection with the Ancient Clan's young lady," said a young man with a teasing smile.
"It's best not to believe such gossip. Notice that none of the Ancient Clan's younger generation are troubling him. It shows that the rumor hasn't been confirmed," a white-robed man with a gentle smile replied.
The young man shrugged. "True. After all, she's the cherished jewel of the Ancient Clan, the most outstanding among the younger generation, with countless suitors. Many haven't even had a proper conversation with her."
A woman sitting with them, uninterested in their gossip, had calm, clear eyes and wore a veil. Despite the veil, her beautiful and charming face could still be faintly seen.
"Huo Zhi, aren't you interested?" the teasing young man asked.
Huo Zhi shook her head slightly. "I'm not interested in such matters. But..." She paused, her voice filled with curiosity. "It's said that the Pill Tower chairman possesses a terrifying, unknown flame. I'm curious to see how it compares to my Red Lotus Karma Flame."
The three men smiled. Huo Zhi was indifferent to everything except for a keen interest in different flames. Her Red Lotus Karma Flame, the Yan Clan's inherited flame, ranked eighth on the Heavenly Flame List.
"Thank you," Xiao Ze said to the maid, then began sampling the dishes with Qing Lin and Xiao Yi Xian while watching the fight. He paid little attention to the various gazes directed at him, though one fiery gaze stood out. Without using his soul perception, Xiao Ze could sense this gaze was intensely interested in him. A brief check revealed it came from a member of the Yan Clan, likely curious about his flame.
(Chapter end)
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