Chapter 102: Not Registered?

In the Qingyun Sect’s martial training grounds, a stage nearly ten thousand square meters in size had already been erected. Over a thousand Alchemy Furnaces were arrayed upon it, clearly prepared for the contestants.

At the very top of the stage were seats arranged for the Qingyun Sect’s high-ranking officials who would preside over the event, with the central position being particularly conspicuous. It was said that the Qingyun Sect’s Sect Master, Li Qingfeng, would also attend in person.

When Ye Qingchen and his two companions arrived at the square, it was already swarming with people.

Xiao Xiao, who rarely went out, grew curious at the sight of such a crowd. She turned to Ye Ying and asked, "Does the Qingyun Sect really have so many Alchemists? So many people have come for an Aspiring Alchemist Tournament."

Ye Ying shook his head and explained, "These people are just here to watch. I heard that over a thousand aspiring alchemists are participating this time. There must be over ten thousand people in this square by now."

Ye Qingchen nodded in agreement. "Although Alchemists may not be strong in combat, Spirit Pills are an indispensable resource on a cultivator’s journey. As a result, the status of Alchemists naturally rises.

"Among the spectators, some are here purely for the excitement. Of course, many have also come specifically to take this opportunity to form good relationships with these aspiring alchemists. After all, befriending an Alchemist before they become renowned is far less costly than fawning over one who is already famous."

It had to be said that although Ye Qingchen was only seventeen, the various tribulations he had experienced in his youth had made him far more clear-headed and composed than his peers.

At this point, the aspiring alchemists began to ascend the stage one by one. The occasional appearance of a star contestant elicited waves of cheers from the onlookers.

Ye Qingchen nodded to Ye Ying and Xiao Xiao, then headed toward the stage. He struggled to part the crowd and reach the front. There were simply too many spectators, and they had taken up most of the path reserved for the contestants.

Two Inner Sect Disciples stood guard at the base of the stairs leading to the stage, mechanically checking each competitor’s identity. "Show your Disciple Token for verification."

The participants handed over their Disciple Tokens. Upon contact with a special token held by the Sect, the contestant’s token would emit a red light, confirming their identity and granting them passage.

Ye Qingchen, waiting at the end of the line, advanced calmly with the queue. From a distance, he spotted a familiar face among the two Inner Sect Disciples in charge of verification—Wang Qiang.

When it was Ye Qingchen’s turn, Wang Qiang warmly took his Disciple Token. "Junior Brother Ye, by participating in this Aspiring Alchemist Tournament, you’ll surely amaze everyone and win the championship."

Ye Qingchen smiled and nodded. He and Wang Qiang had explored a Secret Realm together, where Wang Qiang had witnessed his alchemical prowess firsthand. Thus, his words were not mere flattery but a sincere expression of trust.

"Hmph, an Outer Sect Disciple who just joined the Sect dreams of winning the championship?" the other Inner Sect Disciple sneered, his tone dripping with disdain. "Many of our own Inner Sect Disciples are participating. Even if this guy is exceptional, making it into the top ten would be a miracle."

Wang Qiang wanted to speak up for Ye Qingchen, but Ye Qingchen simply smiled and shook his head. Rather than engage in a war of words with such people, it was better to demonstrate his strength later and leave them speechless.

Knowing Ye Qingchen’s low-profile nature, Wang Qiang decided not to argue. He took out the verification token and lightly touched it to Ye Qingchen’s Disciple Token.

To his surprise, Ye Qingchen’s token emitted a burst of white light, which meant he was not qualified to participate in the Aspiring Alchemist Tournament.

"What’s going on? Junior Brother Ye, didn’t you register?" Wang Qiang asked, bewildered. Unwilling to accept it, he tried verifying the token again, but the result was the same—it glowed with white light.

Ye Qingchen frowned.

I clearly registered, so why won’t my token pass verification?

"Hmph, if you didn’t register, why are you here causing trouble?" the other disciple said, looking at Ye Qingchen with contempt. "Leave now and don’t hold up the other competitors."

Ye Qingchen ignored him and turned to Wang Qiang. "Senior Brother Wang, I definitely registered. Why is this happening?"

Wang Qiang looked at the token in his hand, equally puzzled. "Logically, any disciple who registered should get a red light, but yours is white, Junior Brother. Could there be a mistake somewhere?"

"This verification token was personally refined by the Sect Master; how could it be mistaken?" the other Inner Sect Disciple retorted impatiently. "I think he’s just trying to bluff his way in. He clearly didn’t register and is just here to cause a scene."

Wang Qiang shook his head. Having interacted with Ye Qingchen several times, he knew his junior brother’s meticulousness was far beyond his peers. He would not make such a basic error.

"Junior Brother Ye, wait here a moment. I’ll go get Deacon Wang and see what’s going on," Wang Qiang said before turning and heading up onto the stage.

A sense of foreboding grew in Ye Qingchen’s heart, but he still replied, "Then I’ll have to trouble you, Senior Brother Wang."

Ye Qingchen’s delay had already drawn the ire of the people queuing behind him. "What’s the holdup at the front? Why is it so slow?"

"Exactly! The Aspiring Alchemist Tournament is about to start. Stop wasting everyone’s time!"

"Hey, brat! If you keep me from competing, I’ll make you regret it!"

As the complaints reached his ears, the Inner Sect Disciple verifying identities grew even more impatient. "If you didn’t register, stop wasting time! Step aside; others still need to be verified."

Ye Qingchen frowned but still took a few steps to the side, clearing the way for the people behind him.

One by one, the competitors had their identities verified and ascended the stage. There was now less than half an hour before the Aspiring Alchemist Tournament began.

Wang Qiang still had not returned, and Ye Qingchen couldn’t help but feel anxious.

This is my only chance to become an Inner Sect Disciple. If something goes wrong, I’ll have to wait another whole year!