Chapter 103 Deliberate Difficulties

Ye Qingchen watched as the competing disciples ascended the high stage one by one. As the start of the competition drew nearer, even someone with his composure couldn’t help but grow anxious.

The Inner Sect Disciple in charge of verifying identities occasionally glanced at Ye Qingchen, his eyes filled with contempt and mockery.

Hmph. Daring to offend the Young Sect Master and still expecting to get by in the Qingyun Sect? He’s truly courting death,

the Inner Sect Disciple thought resentfully. It turned out he had already received instructions from Li Zongrui to deliberately make things difficult for Ye Qingchen.

What this Inner Sect Disciple did not anticipate, however, was that Ye Qingchen, who possessed the Double Pupils, had heard his thoughts loud and clear.

So it’s Li Zongrui’s doing again,

Ye Qingchen thought, now understanding the gist of the situation. He was sure he had registered correctly; the fact that there was no spot for him now was most likely Li Zongrui’s scheme. It seemed the Young Sect Master really didn’t want him to become an Inner Sect Disciple, otherwise, he wouldn’t have tried to sabotage him time and time again.

"Hey, kid! The assembly is about to start. Hurry up and find a good seat to watch from," the Inner Sect Disciple said disdainfully. Only then did Ye Qingchen notice that all the participating disciples who had been queuing had already ascended the high stage.

The competition was about to begin. Just then, the Qingyun Sect’s Sect Master, Li Qingfeng, arrived under the watchful eyes of the entire crowd, ready to announce the official start of the Alchemist Certification Assembly.

"Wait a moment!" Ye Qingchen shouted toward the stage with all his might. He couldn’t bear to wait another year. Xiao Xiao’s cultivation speed was so fast; if he was delayed by a year, he would be left far behind.

Ye Qingchen’s voice caught Li Qingfeng’s attention, and the Sect Master looked at him with some confusion.

Ever since Ye Qingchen had obtained the Divine-Level Cultivation Technique, Li Qingfeng had paid close attention to his every move, even though they had never met. Therefore, Li Qingfeng was aware that Ye Qingchen had accepted Spiritual Medicine Purification tasks at the Mission Hall. Earning over ten thousand contribution points in a single day was proof enough of Ye Qingchen’s talent in the Alchemy Dao.

Li Qingfeng had just been wondering why he hadn’t seen Ye Qingchen at the assembly, and now here he was below the stage, looking frantic.

"Sect Master, let’s not delay the assembly for one person!" Elder Liu Qin spoke up, receiving unanimous agreement from the other elders.

Elder Liu Qin was Li Susu’s master. After hearing Li Susu’s tearful complaints, she had come to see Ye Qingchen as nothing but a scoundrel. So, upon seeing it was him, she didn’t hesitate to remind Li Qingfeng to start the assembly.

Although Li Qingfeng held Ye Qingchen in high regard, the boy was still just an Outer Sect Disciple. If he delayed the Alchemist Certification Assembly for an Outer Sect Disciple, those with ulterior motives might notice his special treatment, which would not be good for Ye Qingchen’s development.

Therefore, Li Qingfeng could only reluctantly announce the official commencement of the Alchemist Certification Assembly.

At that moment, Li Zongrui descended from the stage with a smirk.

"Ye Qingchen, the Alchemist Certification Assembly is a grand event for the Qingyun Sect. How dare you disrupt the order of the assembly? Such audacity is a punishable offense!" Li Zongrui said with a wicked smile. To him, causing Ye Qingchen to suffer a setback was the most satisfying thing in the world.

Facing Li Zongrui’s accusation, Ye Qingchen spoke, neither servile nor overbearing, "Young Sect Master, I clearly registered for the Alchemist Certification Assembly, so why is there no spot for me?"

Just then, the Inner Sect Disciple responsible for verification respectfully approached Li Zongrui and said in a fawning tone, "Young Sect Master, this kid is just trying to cause trouble. I’ve checked several times. His Disciple Token only emits a white light, which means he didn’t register at all!"

Li Zongrui nodded at the Inner Sect Disciple in approval, then looked down on Ye Qingchen. "Ye Qingchen, the verification tokens were personally forged by my father. Are you doubting my father? First, you committed the crime of disrupting the assembly, and now you want to add blasphemy against the Sect Master! Believe me, I can have you expelled from the Qingyun Sect right this instant!"

Ye Qingchen snorted coldly and continued to argue his case. "Li Zongrui, I think you know perfectly well what happened to my spot! The Sect Master is here at the assembly, and I believe he will ensure justice is done."

The conviction in Ye Qingchen’s voice made Li Zongrui’s heart pound with panic.

Could this kid really know that I erased his name from the register?

Then, he shook his head.

Even if he knows I did it, so what? He has no proof. Would Father really believe the one-sided story of an Outer Sect Disciple?

At this thought, Li Zongrui’s arrogant demeanor returned. "I’m not going to stoop to your level. You have two choices: either go quietly to the stands and watch, and I can forgive your transgression today, or continue to make a scene, and I’ll have the Disciplinary Elders deal with you according to Sect rules!"

At that moment, Wang Qiang finally returned with Steward Wang.

Upon seeing Li Zongrui, Steward Wang gave him a subtle nod, while Wang Qiang respectfully saluted him.

Li Zongrui sneered inwardly.

As the Young Sect Master, I can crush an insignificant Outer Sect Disciple and leave him with no way out with a mere flick of my finger!

Seeing Steward Wang, Ye Qingchen bowed with clasped hands. "Steward Wang, you were the one who helped me register that day. Do you still remember?"

Steward Wang looked at Ye Qingchen with a blank expression and shook his head. "So many people registered. How could I possibly remember them all? Besides, the Sect Master specially forged the verification tokens. Everything should be decided by them."

Ye Qingchen stared intently at Steward Wang, refusing to believe the man had forgotten him. Based on the steward’s attitude that day, Ye Qingchen could tell he had held him in high regard.

With that in mind, Ye Qingchen silently activated his Double Pupils to probe Steward Wang’s thoughts.

Ye Qingchen, oh Ye Qingchen... of all the people to offend, you had to pick the Young Sect Master. Now, despite your exceptional talent, you’ll find it impossible to advance in the Qingyun Sect. You can’t blame me for deliberately erasing your name. I had no choice!

Ye Qingchen heard Steward Wang’s inner thoughts as clear as day.