"Master Li Yun has appeared!"
No one knew exactly who shouted it, but the entire main hall of the Danxin Palace immediately descended into a commotion.
From the inner chambers of Danxin Palace, an elegant, white-haired elder with an air of immortal grace walked out. He wore a well-fitted brocade robe embroidered with a cauldron from which flames seemed to leap and soar, as if alive. Everyone felt as if they could sense the heat of those burning flames.
This elder in the brocade robe was precisely Master Li Yun.
His appearance instantly plunged the already bustling Danxin Palace hall into further uproar. All eyes turned towards Master Li Yun with fervent intensity, especially drawn to the two stars and cauldron emblem on his chest.
Two stars represented a Two-Star Alchemist.
Such a Two-Star Alchemist was a truly prestigious figure. Even within the entire Xia Feng Kingdom, they could be counted on one hand—no more than five. Only the First Chief Alchemist residing permanently in the royal palace could surpass any other alchemist.
"It's Master Li Yun! He's finally appeared. We've been waiting for him for a long time."
"Indeed! Master Li Yun broke through to Two-Star Alchemist some days ago. Our Xia Feng Kingdom now has another Two-Star Alchemist. Truly something to celebrate."
"A Two-Star Alchemist. There are only five alchemists of this level in the entire kingdom, and Master Li Yun is one of them. Just being able to see him is an honor."
In the hall, many people whispered and discussed. Most were nobles from the royal capital, yet their gazes towards Master Li Yun were filled with respect.
The status of a Two-Star Alchemist could indeed command everyone's attention, making him the center of focus.
Even the royal family held him in extremely high regard, treating him as a distinguished guest.
Moreover, the current Master Li Yun could be considered one of the masters of Danxin Palace. Given Danxin Palace's influence within the Xia Feng Kingdom, countless factions had to show deference. The intangible authority he wielded was immense. No one dared offend this master alchemist.
Master Li Yun walked slowly forward, nodding with a smile to everyone, appearing approachable and winning considerable goodwill.
Ye Chen watched Master Li Yun from afar and couldn't help but shake his head with a smile. Originally, he had wanted to seek him out. He hadn't expected the other to appear on his own, saving him some trouble.
"It's my teacher! He actually appeared." Master Gu De was also very happy.
Since Li Yun had attained the rank of Two-Star Alchemist, he enjoyed even greater authority and could be considered a master who had attained the Way. He rarely showed himself in public. Although Gu De was Li Yun's disciple, he also had few opportunities to meet Li Yun directly. Seeing Li Yun appear today was truly a fortunate event.
Master Gu De immediately turned and hurried straight towards Master Li Yun. Arriving before him, he performed a respectful bow with utmost seriousness. "Disciple Gu De pays his respects to Teacher."
Seeing the newcomer, Master Li Yun smiled and nodded. "Gu De, you're here too."
"Reporting to Teacher, Gu De came specifically to welcome you," Gu De's voice was filled with reverence, though his words clearly contained an element of flattery. Li Yun's appearance had been a spontaneous decision; no one knew about it in advance. There was no 'specifically' about it.
Naturally, Li Yun knew Gu De was buttering him up but didn't expose it. He chuckled, "Gu De, enough with the flattery. Tell me, what brings you running here for no reason?"
Gu De quickly replied, "Reporting to Teacher, today this disciple received a request from someone to refine pills. I came out specifically to discuss the corresponding rewards. However, in the middle of the discussion, an unexpected troublemaker appeared and disrupted your disciple's transaction. I was just about to teach that person a lesson."
"Oh? Someone dares interrupt your transaction? The alchemists within Danxin Palace shouldn't do that. Who is it?" Li Yun asked with interest.
Although Danxin Palace gathered nearly all the kingdom's alchemists, alchemists themselves were extremely rare—only a few dozen at most. Under normal circumstances, each had a steady stream of people seeking their services daily and were too busy to steal business from each other.
Gu De shook his head. "Teacher, you needn't worry. It's just an ignorant youngster. He seems to look down on us alchemists, even claiming he can also refine the Huaqing Pill. In a moment, this disciple will teach him a lesson."
Li Yun's interest grew. "Oh? There's actually someone arrogant enough to claim they can refine pills without being an alchemist? That's rather interesting. This teacher will accompany you to see just where this arrogant youngster comes from."
Gu De's face immediately lit up with joy as he agreed. If he performed well, Li Yun's impression of him would deepen. In the future, he might receive more guidance and perhaps even have a chance to break through to Two-Star Alchemist himself one day.
Watching from afar as Li Yun followed Gu De over, Vivian and the others paled, especially Vivian, whose lovely face lost all color. She pushed Ye Chen with her small hands, urgently saying, "Young Master, please leave immediately. Don't linger here any longer. There will be big trouble."
"Why?" Ye Chen asked.
"Master Li Yun is about to come over. He is Gu De's teacher. If Gu De complains that you called him by name earlier, Master Li Yun will surely be displeased. That won't be good for you." Vivian explained while pushing Ye Chen, urging him to leave quickly.
Alchemists were often the worst type of people to offend, especially a Two-Star Alchemist and one of the masters of Danxin Palace like Master Li Yun. The consequences would be severe.
Yet Ye Chen stood firm as a mountain, unmoving. He suddenly laughed, looking quite expectant. "Isn't it better that Li Yun is coming? I happen to have something to discuss with him."
Seeing him still call Master Li Yun by name, Vivian knew it was bad. But it was already too late, for at that moment, Gu De had led Master Li Yun over.
"Teacher, this youngster is the arrogant one I mentioned..." Gu De pointed at Ye Chen, but he didn't see that the moment Li Yun laid eyes on Ye Chen, his entire body trembled, and an uncontrollable joy surfaced on his face.
"It's you! You've come..." Li Yun said with pleasant surprise.
Ye Chen smiled and nodded. However, Vivian, thinking Master Li Yun intended to cause trouble for Ye Chen, stepped forward to block him, spreading her arms. Her expression held a trace of determination. "Master Li Yun, my friend didn't mean to offend you. Please be magnanimous and don't hold it against my friend. If there's any issue, I will bear the responsibility for him."
"Vivian, you mustn't!" Hua Shaoyang and the other Yang family members were greatly alarmed. That was Master Li Yun, a Two-Star Alchemist with immense influence.
Currently, the entire Yang family was already in a precarious situation. Offending Master Li Yun would have severe, unimaginable consequences.
Gu De, however, snorted coldly. "Now it's too late for everything. Teacher, not only is this youngster arrogant, but he also dared to call you by name in public. This shows disrespect and irreverence towards you."
Ye Chen smiled, a brilliant smile. He first glanced at Gu De, making the latter's heart inexplicably shudder. For some reason, a bad premonition was about to come true. Then Ye Chen turned to Li Yun. "Li Yun, what do you think?"
The crowd's expressions changed. This youngster, even now, dared to call Master Li Yun by name? Was he truly not afraid of death?
Many in the hall looked at Ye Chen with pity in their eyes. Daring to call Master Li Yun by name—he really had a death wish.
But at this moment, the bad premonition in Gu De's heart grew even stronger, making him very uneasy. Why was he feeling this way? Especially after seeing Ye Chen's increasingly brilliant smile, it was even more so.
He hurriedly said to Li Yun, "Teacher, you see? This youngster is arrogant. He dares to call you by name openly. This is great disrespect. Please punish him severely, Teacher, so he understands that we alchemists deserve everyone's respect."
However, Li Yun merely gave his disciple a faint glance, his expression rather indifferent. Then, turning to Ye Chen, he revealed a warm smile and chuckled. "It's fine. If it's you, or rather, Sir Qian, I don't mind at all."
Stunned! Everyone was stunned!
What on earth was happening? Everyone in the hall felt their brains were insufficient, utterly bewildered.
Vivian also widened her beautiful eyes, looking at Ye Chen, then at Master Li Yun, her expression completely dumbfounded.
Li Yun glanced at Vivian. "So it's the little girl from the Yang family. Indeed, not bad. Is she your friend? Or your..."
The implied meaning was clear. Ye Chen smiled, neither confirming nor denying. Then he looked at Gu De. "Let's not talk about that for now. However, Li Yun, I am very displeased with this disciple of yours. He dared to harbor ill intentions towards my friend. How do you think he should be dealt with?"
Instantly, countless gazes fell upon Gu De, filled with pity. They knew this guy was in for it!
Cold sweat drenched Gu De's back. He looked pleadingly at Li Yun. "Teacher, please don't!"
As if not seeing his plea, Li Yun didn't even glance at him, his face indifferent. "As long as you're satisfied, he is at your disposal. Do with him as you wish!"
"Good!" Ye Chen's gaze fell upon Gu De, filled with cold intent!