Chapter 1042: Competing for Wormhole
Xiao Yan and Lin Yan were walking toward the city when a majestic city wall, that carried a foreboding aura, appeared in front of them. Humans were coming and going under the towering city gate. The entire placed was filled with a noisy atmosphere.
The two of them smoothly entered the city. They looked at the spacious road and at the endless shops and buildings on both sides of the road. The black mass of human heads and the noise they created on the street transformed into a large sound wave that spread apart, charging to the clouds.
“Tianhuang City is really exuberant. It can likely even be compared with the few most prosperous cities within the Black-Corner Region.” Xiao Yan involuntarily clicked his tongue and praised as he looked over the mighty city and the human traffic.
“This is the Middle Region of the Central Plains, the entire continent’s central area. Although the Black-Corner Region is also quite strong, how could it compare with this place?” Lin Yan laughed. He immediately identified their route and led Xiao Yan to the location of the Liu clan’s home. He had once stayed in this place for a period of time. Hence, he was quite familiar with Tianhuang City.
Xiao Yan followed behind Lin Yan. They walked down a couple of long roads and took a couple of turns before an extremely spacious manor appeared in front of their eyes.
This manor was extremely large. Moreover, there were a couple of guards with weapons in their hands currently outside of the manor. Their alert gazes swept all around them.
Xiao Yan was startled when he saw the tight defenses of the manor. He said with surprise, “Is there a need for so many guards in broad daylight?”
Lin Yan was also stunned. A moment later, he frowned and softly said, “There seems to be something wrong. The Liu clan did not post so many guards in the past. Wait for a moment…” Once Lin Yan said this, his eyes wandered before he stopped a man who was hastily walking by. He cupped his hands together and smiled as he asked, “Friend, may I know what has happened in this Tianhuang City? Why is the Liu clan acting like this?”
The person whom Lin Yan had stopped glanced at him doubtfully before asking. “Have you come from somewhere else? Currently, the Liu clan and the Cheng clan are fighting for the management rights of the Wormhole. The two clans have led quite a number of people to the open area in the middle of the city. Everyone in the city has run over to watch the show.”
Lin Yan once again knit his brows when he heard this. He cupped his hands to the person in front of him before turning around and walking to Xiao Yan’s side. In a soft voice, he whispered, “Sorry, I remember that it should be the Liu clan’s turn to own the management rights of the Wormhole this year. Why has a fight occurred?”
Xiao Yan had also heard what that person had said earlier. He immediately grinned and said, “Won’t we know if we head to the middle of the city and take a look?”
Lin Yan nodded. He immediately laughed, “Looks like Liu Qing isn’t having an easy time being clan head. Follow me, such a fight is uncommon…”
After saying this, Lin Yan turned around and led the way. He swiftly walked to the middle of the city. Xiao Yan also smiled and followed close behind.
………….
In the middle of Tianhuang city was an extremely spacious area made of green rock. A stone platform was located in the center of the open ground. On it was an enormous dark-black Wormhole that was slowly rotating. A shocking spatial ripple was spreading from it.
Currently, the area around the open ground was occupied by a dense sea of people. The noise from it was like a demon’s voice, causing one’s eardrum to feel some pain. A countless number of curious eyes were watching the middle of the open ground. There were two groups of people facing off against each other in that spot.
“Chen Yao, the Wormhole should be managed by my Liu clan this year. What do you mean by your actions today?”
The one leading the group on the left side was a well-built man. He was frowning and there was an aura of power even without anger. This kind of face was somewhat familiar. If one were to look carefully, one would realize that that person could not be anyone other than Liu Qing.
The current Liu Qing no longer possessed the spirit he had back then. Replacing that spirit was a kind of calmness. After all, the Liu clan needed a qualified clan head, not a young and impulsive boy.
There were two white-haired old men behind Liu Qing. These two people were standing randomly, but they possessed a majestic aura that quietly rippled. No one dared to underestimate them as a result. Additionally, there was a voluminous, beautiful figure standing by the side. This lady was wearing red clothes. Her face was peach-blossom-like and was filled with an allure. Any man who saw her would feel attracted. This face was also familiar. She possessed an alluring name, Liu Fei. Back then, she had a small conflict with Xiao Yan in the Inner Academy.
However, after a few years, the current Liu Qing appeared even more alluring. She was just like matured peach that caused the eyes of quite a number of men to involuntarily drift toward her.
“Hee hee, Liu Qing, if we were to talk about it, you are one generation younger than me. You should not be speaking in such a disrespectful manner to a senior.”
There was a similar large group of people with fierce looks opposite Liu Qing’s group. Their leader was a middle-aged man. His eyes glanced at Liu Qing in a sinister manner before he strangely laughed.
Liu Qing’s face revealed a cold smile when he heard this. He was just about to say something when an elderly voice sounded in the open ground.
“This is the newest order from my Burning Flame Valley.”
A countless number of gazes instantly turned when they heard this voice. All they saw was a crimson-robed, old man standing with his hands behind him. There were quite a number of red-colored speckles on his old face.
“Elder Chi Huo from the Burning Flame Valley?”
The open ground emitted numerous exclamations when the people saw this old man. The expressions of Liu Qing and the two old men behind him slightly changed. Immediately, they cupped their hands and said in a courteous manner, “It is actually Elder Chi Huo. May I know what is the reason of this new order? According to the rules of the past, now is not the time for the handing over of the Wormhole management rights.”
“The Valley Chief has given the order. He requires some high tier alchemists to head to the Burning Flame Valley to help his elderly self refine a medicinal pill. However, he has yet to find any suitable person until now. Hence, he has issued this order. Any clan who can find a high tier alchemist will obtain the management rights of the Wormhole. This will be effective for three years.” The old man who was called Elder Chi Huo spoke in a faint voice.
“The Cheng clan has found a tier 6 alchemist who has been acknowledged by the Pill Tower. If your Liu clan can also find one and invite him to follow me to the Burning Flame Valley, this Wormhole will be handed to you. Moreover, the rights will be extended from one year to three years.” Elder Chi Huo pointed in the direction of the Cheng clan. There was an old man in a purple-colored alchemist robe, who was standing with his hands behind him.
“A tier 6 alchemist?” Liu Qing’s expression changed when he heard this. Their Liu clan did indeed also possess an alchemist. However, the best was only a tier 5 alchemist. They had never owned a tier 6 alchemist. After all, an alchemist at that tier would be able to obtain good treatment from a faction like the Burning Flame Valley. Who would come to their clan, which was neither large nor small?
“Elder Chi Huo, this matter has occurred too suddenly. Can you give our Liu clan a couple of days. We will definitely go all out to find a tier 6 alchemist.” Liu Qing’s expression changed rapidly before he spoke in this manner.
Elder Chi Huo shook his head. His tone was his usual monotonous one. “This is an order personally given by the Valley Chief. Who dares to delay? Forget about your Liu clan, even the old me does not have that ability. If your Liu clan fails to invite a tier 6 alchemist today, you will hand the management rights of the Wormhole to the Cheng clan.”
Liu Qing’s expression was quite ugly when he heard Elder Chi Huo not giving them the slightest amount of face. He clenched his hand. Where would he go and find a tier 6 alchemist within a day? Did they really think that a tier 6 alchemist was as common as cabbage? An alchemist at such a tier was a strength that was near the top even within the Pill Tower.
“This old fellow, who will not die, has definitely been bribed by the Cheng clan!” Liu Fei grit her silver teeth behind Liu Qing as she spoke with great displeasure.
“Shut up!” Liu Qing’s expression sank. When she heard him, Liu Fei could only stomp her feet while feeling wronged. She ceased speaking after that.
“What should we do, Elders?” Liu Qing turned his head, looked at the two old man behind him, and sighed.
The two old men could only bitterly laugh when they heard this. They said, “We have also vaguely heard information about the Burning Flame Valley searching for a high tier alchemist. However, we did not pay much attention to it. Unexpectedly… Fei-er is likely right. Someone must have informed the Cheng clan beforehand. I have also heard of this tier 6 alchemist. It is rumored that he is a high rank alchemist who advanced to the tier 6 level a long time ago. It is likely very difficult to find someone who is of a higher tier within Tianhuang City.”
Liu Qing’s heart sank when he heard the two of them speak in such a manner. His fist was clenched tightly until it emitted a cracking sound. The Wormhole was too important to the Liu clan. This was an extremely large source of income for them. Only with this income as a foundation would their Liu clan be able to hire even more capable people to expand their faction. However, if it were to be snatched by the Cheng clan, their development rate would end up slowing if not stopping.
“Ke ke, nephew Liu, you should not continue to have a bee in your bonnet. Just calmly hand over the management rights of the Wormhole. If I am happy in the future, I might distribute some small profits for the Liu clan to enjoy.” The middle-aged man called Cheng Yao involuntarily laughed in a strange manner when he saw Liu Qing’s change in expression.
Liu Qing’s face had turned much greener when he heard this quiet ridicule from the other party. However, he was currently the head of the Liu clan. Every single action of his needed to take in the consideration of the entire clan. He immediately suppressed the fury in his heart and clenched his teeth with great unwillingness. After which, he spoke in a deep, dark voice, “Cheng Yao, you can consider yourself ruthless! Let’s go!”
After saying this, Liu Qing could only wave his hand with a green face before turning around to leave.
“Hee hee, Liu Qing, this is unlike you. Are you going to just give up in this manner.” A figure suddenly rushed over from outside of the open ground and laughed at Liu Qing when he had just turned his body.
“Lin Yan?”
Liu Qing was startled when he saw the person who had arrived. He immediately sighed as he said with a bitter smile, “Forget it. Let’s leave. You are not a tier 6 alchemist and cannot help me.”
Hearing this, Lin Yan chuckled in a strange manner. He said, “I might not be able to help you, but someone can help you.” After saying these words, he turned his head, and shouted to the sky, “How long do you intend to stay up there?”
Liu Qing, Liu Fei, and the others were startled when they saw Lin Yan’s actions. They immediately raised their heads, only to see a young man walking through the air, heading over. Immediately, the young man landed gently on the ground.
“Walking through the air, an elite Dou Zong?”
The hearts of Liu Qing’s group felt a chill upon seeing this scene. He was just about to cup his hands and say some courteous words when a familiar laugh, that he could not forget, suddenly sounded. This laughter caused his body to abruptly stiffened.
“Liu Qing, it has been a few years since we have last met. Are you well?”