Chapter 117 - 118: Trouble Comes Knocking

"Ye Qingchen is going to participate in the Qingzhou Sword Fighting Conference?"

Upon learning that the group was heading to the Imperial Capital.

Kong Shun was extremely surprised.

"What, you don’t agree?" Qin Wentian glanced at Kong Shun, "I’ve already agreed to let Ye Qingchen follow you for Alchemy. Are you going to stop him from participating in the Qingzhou Sword Fighting Conference too?"

"It’s a complete waste of time!" Kong Shun huffed angrily, "With that time, he might as well spend more time memorizing the ’Compendium of Plants and Creatures’! Instead of going to the Imperial Capital to let those people gang up on him!"

In his view.

It was already no small feat for Ye Qingchen to make it to the Bronze List, proving he had genius potential in cultivation. But wanting to participate in the Qingzhou Sword Fighting Conference was still too early.

Furthermore.

Ye Qingchen would surely become a renowned Alchemy Grandmaster in the future, so he naturally didn’t want Ye Qingchen to go out and make a fool of himself.

Ye Qingchen bitterly smiled.

Ever since Kong Shun came to Taotian Palace, he often bickered with Qin Wentian, neither backing down, both refusing to yield.

"Elder Kong, as for the Qingzhou Sword Fighting Conference, I have the confidence to gain a challenge qualification! If I fail, I swear not to mention the Qingzhou Sword Fighting Conference again!"

"Are you serious?"

Kong Shun’s eyes lit up.

"Of course!"

Ye Qingchen assured.

"Good!"

Kong Shun nodded heavily.

Although.

He had stayed at Taotian Palace for these three months, he was well aware of the Bronze List matters in the Imperial Capital. The disciples of the eight major sects had reached a fever pitch to compete for the Bronze List.

As soon as Ye Qingchen appeared, he would certainly be besieged by many.

This would both give him a setback and allow him to focus on Alchemy—a perfect two-fold strategy.

Set off!

Immediately, the group grandly set out for the Imperial Capital.

On the road, Qin Wentian also informed Ye Qingchen about some matters concerning the Qingzhou Sword Fighting Conference.

"The Qingzhou Sword Fighting Conference involves thirteen countries. Each country only has seven participants, meaning the strongest seven have to be selected from the Bronze List. With your strength, you might have a chance if you fight hard."

"Even if you fail, don’t be discouraged! After all, disciples from the eight major sects have cultivated many more years than you... and you only need to remain stable on the Bronze List!"

This time, even Qin Wentian was a bit anxious.

Given that.

Every Qingzhou Sword Fighting Conference attracts countless strong fighters, all relentlessly charging the Bronze List to win a spot. And Ye Qingchen, with the weakest foundation and lowest cultivation, would inevitably become their target.

He might not even be able to keep his rank on the Bronze List.

"Understood!"

Ye Qingchen nodded emphatically.

The group arrived at the Imperial Capital and momentarily parted ways.

Kong Shun took Chu Yao back to the Imperial Tutor’s Mansion.

Ye Qing, Hong Man, Qin Wentian, and Jiang Churan stayed with Ye Qingchen in a separate courtyard.

However.

The moment Ye Qingchen appeared in the Imperial Capital, he was immediately noticed.

"Ye Qingchen is back!"

"Which Ye Qingchen?"

"Who else could it be? Of course, it’s the one who defeated Lin Fan, sitting at rank seventy-two on the Bronze List!"

"Wasn’t he hiding like a coward? Does he really dare to show up? He’s been laying low for so long, almost made us forget about him... now that he’s back, he certainly won’t be able to hold onto that spot!"

In an instant.

The news of Ye Qingchen’s appearance spread like wildfire.

At this moment.

In a tavern, Lin Fan was chatting and laughing with a group of young people.

Suddenly, a disciple rushed in anxiously.

"Senior Brother Lin Fan, I’ve heard Ye Qingchen is back!"

Instantly.

The lively tavern suddenly fell silent.

"Ye Qingchen!" Lin Fan’s previously smiling face turned cold, "Is this news true or false? Are you sure?"

The disciple nodded, "Absolutely certain, someone saw Ye Qingchen enter the Imperial Capital. Besides him, Hong Man, Jiang Churan, and Ye Qing have all returned. Some suspect he might come to participate in the Qingzhou Sword Fighting Conference!"

A cold glint flashed in Lin Fan’s eyes as he stood up abruptly.

Before anyone could react.

They saw Lin Fan, without saying a word, walk straight out of the tavern.

Everyone exchanged glances, then exploded into discussion.

"Ye Qingchen dares to come back?"

"Lin Fan wants nothing more than to tear that kid apart!"

"Come, let’s go see!"

Keep in mind.

Being defeated by Ye Qingchen publicly last time made even some old disciples doubt his strength. Though Lin Fan never mentioned it, he regarded it as a great humiliation.

But since that battle, Ye Qingchen went back to Taotian Palace, never showing his face again, so Lin Fan had no opportunity to retaliate.

Now that Ye Qingchen showed himself, how could he be willing to let it slide?

A group vigorously left the tavern, heading directly to Ye Qingchen’s courtyard.

...

On the other side.

Ye Qingchen and the others were busy in the yard.

After all.

No one had lived in the courtyard for three months, and thick layers of dust had accumulated on the floors and beds.

"Finally done!"

Half an hour later, the courtyard was finally clean.

Seeing the clean and fresh courtyard, everyone couldn’t help but cheer.

"Alright, let’s go out and have a feast!"

Hong Man proposed.

"Elder Qin, will you join us?" Ye Qingchen turned, looking at Qin Wentian, who was lying leisurely on a deck chair.

"You young folks go ahead, this old man won’t join in the commotion." Qin Wentian waved his hand, "But you must be careful when you go out. Now, I’m afraid a lot of people already know you’re back in the Imperial Capital, eager to challenge you!"

"These people will stop at nothing to surpass you and seize your Bronze List ranking! As for those higher on the Bronze List, you needn’t worry, they won’t attack you for no reason!"

"Really?"

Ye Qingchen raised an eyebrow.

Then he chuckled coldly, shaking his head.

He’s now several times stronger than three months ago. Even if they come, he’s not afraid.

Besides.

He also had his own reasons for wanting to join the Qingzhou Sword Fighting Conference.

The conference would be held in Daqian Country, which happened to be where Dragon-Clutching Mountain was located, and there might be clues to his father’s disappearance. So this was the perfect opportunity to go have a look.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Just then, a heavy knocking sounded at the door.

Ye Qingchen frowned.

This was more than just knocking—whoever was here was practically pounding on the door, and the force was enough to nearly break it down.

At the same time.

Loud, clamorous shouts kept echoing:

"Ye Qingchen, get out here!"

"Ye Qingchen, don’t be a coward, you don’t deserve to be on the Bronze List. Dare to fight me?"

"Ye Qingchen, come out now!"

Hearing these voices, Ye Qingchen squinted his eyes.

These people came fast indeed!

He hadn’t expected them to come so soon.

Ye Qingchen sneered, stepping forward.