With just a single swipe, Ye Chen's Purple Pattern Gold Card instantly gained one hundred thousand gold coins. This was an enormous sum of wealth; even if you added up all the Ye family's various properties in Luo Feng City, their combined annual income would likely only be roughly equivalent at most.
Truly befitting an alchemist—wealthy and influential, with riches so abundant it incited envy and jealousy in others.
On the other hand, the others were also envious of Ye Chen, who had obtained one hundred thousand gold coins in the blink of an eye. Moreover, the Purple Pattern Gold Card itself could already be overdrawn by one hundred thousand gold coins. Combined, it amounted to a staggering two hundred thousand gold coins—a sum that could be called astronomical.
If they knew the Purple Pattern Gold Card originally contained seventy thousand gold coins, they would probably be even more jealous.
Faced with such an astronomical amount of wealth, Ye Chen merely nodded slightly, showing none of the overwhelming joy an ordinary person would display. This composure made Li Yun view him even more highly.
Staring dumbfounded at all this, Ye Ao couldn't help but step forward and ask, "Master Li Yun, may I ask who this Master Qian is?"
Even the three elders behind him and the other clansmen were extremely curious. Who exactly was this mysterious Master Qian?
Master Li Yun shook his head. "My apologies, I am not entirely sure either. Perhaps Young Friend Ye Chen knows more clearly than this old man. The only thing I can say for certain is that this Master Qian is an alchemist of Two-Star rank or above."
An alchemist of Two-Star rank or above...!
Just this title alone was enough to make everyone feel a sense of pressure. The Master Li Yun before them was merely a One-Star Alchemist, yet he was highly respected by all factions and possessed immense wealth. If he were a Two-Star Alchemist, wouldn't he be even more powerful and influential?
Thinking this, even the Grand Elder couldn't help but cautiously ask, "Ye Chen, this Master Qian is..."
Not to mention the other clansmen, even Li Yun himself was quite curious about the true identity of the mysterious Master Qian. And among those present, it was likely only Ye Chen who knew best.
Ye Chen swept a cold glance over the Grand Elder and the others, sneering, "My apologies, my master's identity cannot be disclosed."
Hearing this, everyone nodded as if it were only natural, but the looks they cast at Ye Chen held an additional layer of astonishment and a faint trace of reverence.
Alchemists were revered and noble figures no matter where they went, as could be seen from Master Li Yun. A mere One-Star Alchemist commanded such respect in Luo Feng City, while a Two-Star Alchemist was a figure even the royal family would actively try to win over and honor.
Since he was an alchemist, he must possess many mysterious methods. Thus, Ye Chen's recent extraordinary performances could be explained. No wonder he had reached this level in such a short time.
In this world, aside from alchemists, there was probably no one else with such capabilities.
And a disciple of a Two-Star Alchemist...
Just the thought was enough to inspire awe. Who would dare provoke him lightly? This status commanded even more reverence than that of a One-Star Alchemist.
The three elders sighed silently, their gazes toward Ye Chen filled with complexity. Perhaps from now on, Ye Chen would return to his former glory.
The others looked at Ye Chen with envy and jealousy. As a disciple of a Two-Star Alchemist, even if Ye Chen were a good-for-nothing, with a Two-Star Alchemist as his backing, he could soar to great heights from now on. Even Xiantian experts wouldn't dare to provoke him casually.
Ye Ao, Xia Wei, Huan'er, Ye Zimei, and the others, while feeling shocked, were even more genuinely happy for Ye Chen from the bottom of their hearts.
Only Ye Zhengyang looked at Ye Chen with eyes full of jealous resentment, his fists clenched tightly...
Why!
Why would a good-for-nothing like Ye Chen gain the appreciation of a Two-Star Alchemist, while he, Ye Zhengyang, never had such an opportunity? In every aspect, he was countless times better than that waste Ye Chen. The choice should have been him!
Watching Ye Chen, who remained as calm and natural as ever despite the sudden looks of reverence from the crowd, Master Li Yun couldn't help but sigh inwardly. This young man's temperament was far too extraordinary; he was no ordinary creature confined to a pond. Once he encountered the right winds and clouds, he would surely transform into a dragon!
Subsequently, Li Yun looked at the three elders and said, "Three Elders, Young Friend Ye Chen is Master Qian's disciple. I wonder if you could, for this old man's sake, refrain from punishing Young Friend Ye Chen?"
The three elders were immediately startled and hurriedly waved their hands. "Master Li Yun, you jest. How would we dare to punish Young Friend Ye Chen?"
What a joke! Not to mention that Master Li Yun himself had personally spoken up to plead for Ye Chen, which they had to take seriously. Just the mysterious Two-Star Alchemist Master Qian behind Ye Chen was far beyond their ability to offend.
That was a top-tier, supremely noble figure even within the entire Xia Feng Kingdom. They might be able to wield considerable influence in a small border city like Luo Feng City, but facing a Two-Star Alchemist, they wouldn't dare offend him no matter what—unless they had a death wish.
Master Li Yun nodded. "That is very good. Li thanks the three elders."
"We wouldn't dare, we wouldn't dare!" The three elders were also breaking out in a cold sweat. Their gazes toward Ye Chen held even more reverence. They exchanged glances, seeing helplessness in each other's eyes. It seemed that from now on, not only could they not target Ye Ao's branch, but they even had to get closer to them.
Before leaving, Master Li Yun originally intended to hand a note to Ye Chen to pass on to the mysterious Master Qian. It contained some doubts he had about alchemy, hoping Master Qian could trouble himself to answer them.
But Ye Chen directly told Li Yun that if he had questions, he could just ask him. Generally speaking, he could answer them.
Initially, Master Li Yun was skeptical of Ye Chen and didn't believe the other party had the ability to answer. After all, no matter how talented he was, Ye Chen was just a sixteen-year-old youth still wet behind the ears. How much alchemy experience could he possibly have? However, due to Master Qian's influence, Li Yun felt embarrassed to refuse. He could only pose one of his more difficult questions.
If Ye Chen couldn't answer, he could say it was difficult—even an old-timer like himself who had practiced alchemy for many years couldn't figure it out. This would give Ye Chen a way out and also earn his goodwill.
But to his astonishment, Ye Chen actually answered it. Moreover, his explanation was logical, well-founded, simple, easy to understand, hitting the nail on the head, and illuminating the point immediately. It left this old-timer who had practiced alchemy for decades utterly shocked.
Unable to help himself, he asked several more alchemy-related questions in succession. Similarly, Ye Chen answered each one in detail. Li Yun first felt shock, then amazement as he looked at Ye Chen. This young man was too extraordinary. At such a young age, the alchemical knowledge he possessed far surpassed that of an old-timer like himself. Those simple, easy-to-understand questions and answers were like those of a true alchemy master; nothing seemed to stump him.
Afterward, he felt even more reverence for the mysterious Master Qian. If a disciple already possessed such knowledge and insight, then as the master, Master Qian must be even more formidable.
For the first time, Master Li Yun truly believed that the mysterious Master Qian must be an alchemy master of Three-Star rank or above. Otherwise, a disciple couldn't possibly possess such astonishing knowledge and insight.
As for the others in the hall, they watched the old and young pair—Li Yun and Ye Chen—discussing alchemy matters. As outsiders to the Dao, it was like listening to a heavenly scripture to them. Because there had been too many surprises today, they had become somewhat numb.
Only after a long while did Li Yun feel satisfied and then exclaimed in amazement, "Young Friend Ye Chen, at such a young age, you have already reached this level in the Dao of Alchemy. It is truly astonishing. This old man admits he is far inferior."
Ye Chen smiled modestly. "Li Yun, don't feel inferior. All of this is because I encountered a good teacher. If not for my teacher's guidance, I wouldn't have reached this step either."
"It's just that this old man also wishes to encounter a good teacher like Master Qian." Master Li Yun sounded somewhat regretful. Then, he cupped his hands toward Ye Chen, Ye Ao, and the others. "Young Friend Ye Chen, City Lord Ye, Three Elders, it is getting late. Today, Li has matters requiring him to return to the royal capital. For now, I will not be in Luo Feng City. If you ever come to the royal capital in the future, you can come find Li. I will certainly receive you well."
"Master Li Yun, you are too kind. If we come to the royal capital, we will certainly seek you out." Ye Ao and the three elders all nodded in agreement.
After bidding farewell, Master Li Yun left the Ye Manor with an air of ease, leaving behind a silent crowd in the hall. Almost all eyes fell on Ye Chen, who was currently packing up the three jade boxes. Their gazes held envy, jealousy, reverence, and pleasant surprise.
The three elders now looked at Ye Chen with amiable expressions, even carrying a trace of reverence as they said, "Ye Chen, if you have matters to attend to, you may leave for now."
"Oh? No more family trial for me?" Ye Chen looked up and swept a glance over the three elders, his tone seemingly casual.
These words immediately made their faces burn with embarrassment. They hurriedly shook their heads. "No, no more."
"Grandfather—" Ye Zhengyang urgently said.
"Silence!"
The one who spoke was none other than his own grandfather, the Grand Elder, who stopped his grandson at this moment, his expression displeased.
This unfilial grandson! Didn't he understand Ye Chen's current status yet? A disciple of a Two-Star Alchemist was no longer someone they could afford to offend. They should be worshipping and kowtowing to him, not the other way around.
Ye Zhengyang's face changed colors repeatedly. Furious, he flicked his sleeves and turned to leave. Today, he had lost all face.