Nine Evolutions of the True Spirit
chapter-268

“It’s him?” Li Xiu-Zhu said with surprise, “How can Brother Lu be sure of that? Did he use a mystic instrument to disguise his appearance back then?”

Lu Ping naturally wouldn’t reveal his infiltration into the nameless island, so he only said, “I saw his true face by chance, so I recognized him.”

The Li father and daughter certainly knew the implications if the alchemist was really from Crystal Palace—the Wang Clan and Crystal Palace had not severed their relationship as they appeared to be.

The usher suddenly raised his voice, “Violet Charm Pavilion, Enlightened Master Yu Hai and disciples, have come to observe the conference!”

Lu Ping looked over and saw a pale-faced cultivator leading several Blood Condensation Realm disciples behind him. Several cultivators walked up to greet and welcome Enlightened Master Yu Hai, who responded smoothly and with great charm as he laughed along with the cultivators.

Lu Ping didn’t know who this Enlightened Master Yu Hai was and so asked, “He seems to be very popular.”

Li Mao-Lin looked at Lu Ping with a strange gaze, then answered enviously, “This is why you alchemists are powerful. No matter where you go, everyone is eager to curry favor with you. He comes from one of the five major sects in the East Ocean, but more importantly, he is a Master Alchemist.”

Lu Ping nodded thoughtfully, and heard the usher announce, “Thunderous Wind Island, Enlightened Master Feng Lian-Ying and disciples, have come to observe the conference.”

The crowd exchanged a few more flattering pleasantries, while Lu Ping turned towards Li Mao-Lin to ask, “Another Master Alchemist?”

Li Mao-Lin nodded silently, and they both looked out the door at the same time. Sure enough, a moment later, the usher said, “Sky Cleaving Sword Sect, Enlightened Master Ji Ya-Kong and disciples, have come to observe the conference.”

This time, not only Lu Ping and Li Mao-Lin, the other cultivators had realized that something was strange about this Alchemy Conference. Why would the major sects of the East Ocean suddenly send their famous Master Alchemists to observe the conference?

“Crystal Palace, Enlightened Master Kun Shan and disciples, have come to observe the conference.”

Enlightened Master Kun Shan’s arrival was obviously not as well-received as the other three. It wasn’t from a lack of cultivators willing to curry favor with him, but because the Northern League and Crystal Palace were in a state of limbo due to the spirit stone mine on nameless island. No one would dare fawn over Crystal Palace and risk offending the Northern League.

Enlightened Master Kun Shan did not take this to heart. He nodded to some those nearby, then led his disciples to settle at the top of the hall with the other three major sects.

The hall was abuzz with cultivators discussing the appearance of these major sects when suddenly an inexplicable aura filled the hall. It was first noticed by the Enlightened Masters, followed by elite alchemists such as Lu Ping, then the rest of the common cultivators.

They were immersed in the aura which transported everyone into a paradoxical realm filled with wonders of life and death. A vision appeared in their minds, of a field of golden crops full of life, grown on blood-soaked soil. It was a season of harvest but also of death.

A few moments later, the fantastical vision suddenly disappeared, Lu Ping opened his eyes and saw a common-looking old man casually walking into the hall with his hands behind him. A noble gentleman who was clearly an Enlightened Master accompanied him on his left, while a young cultivator of similar age to Lu Ping walked on his right.

The young man looked excited, his eyes filled with fervor as he gazed provocatively at the other alchemists. Many were forced to look away from his sharp gaze; the few who dared to meet his eyes were filled with wariness.

The cultivator curled his mouth with disdain at their reactions. However, when he saw Lu Ping, he was surprised to see the latter nod slightly at him. Lu Ping’s aura remained unaffected by his scrutiny, like a rock falling into a bottomless abyss.

The young cultivator grew more excited—he nodded back happily towards Lu Ping with eyes full of anticipation.

The Enlightened Master on the left also noticed the situation. He looked at the young cultivator, then at Lu Ping, but Lu Ping had already lowered his head to drink the spirit tea. The old man was still walking unconcernedly to the master seat at the top of the hall.

The three of them were calm, with only the young man looking around with his excited gaze to search for interesting opponents. Although he didn’t mean to offend them, it still provoked the alchemists. He indifferently ignored their angry stares.

After the old man walked to the top of the hall and sat down on the master seat, the cultivators finally realized that the three were actually from the Northern League’s Qian Yuan Mountain. With that, all five major sects in the East Ocean had arrived in the hall.

Together, the Crystal Palace’s Enlightened Master Kun Shan, Violet Charm Pavilion’s Enlightened Master Yu Hai, Thunderous Wind Island’s Enlightened Master Feng Lian-Ying, and Sky Cleaving Sword Sect’s Enlightened Master Ji Ya-Kong, all stood up and bowed at the same time.

They raised their voice and greeted, “Greetings to Great Ancestor Hong Ye!”

Great Ancestor!

An Avatar Realm Great Ancestor!

Most of all, Great Ancestor Hong Ye, the only Grandmaster Alchemist in the Northern League!

Everyone in the hall was shocked and at a loss for words. Great Ancestor Hong Ye’s name and reputation was widely known, but not many had personally seen him before. Who would have thought he would look like an unattractive old fisherman?

The cultivators quickly stood up to greet Great Ancestor Hong Ye from all directions, their voices rising up to a veritable cacophony.

Lu Ping too, could not hide his excitement. He, along with Li Mao-Lin and the others, got up and greeted Great Ancestor Hong Ye respectfully.

“Oh, spare the formalities, there’s no need for that!”

A calm and warm voice sounded in Lu Ping’s ears.

This was his first time seeing an Avatar Realm Great Ancestor in person. It was truly an amazing experience.

Before this, he had only indirectly perceived the strengths of the Great Ancestors before, such as Zhen Ling Sect’s Immortals of Wind and Snow who froze the sea, and Great Ancestor Jiang Tian-Lin’s vortex of spiritual energy on Tian Ling Mountain. Lu Ping could only express his highest admiration and worship for their individual strength.

“Initially, the ceremony was left to Nephew Qin Xu to host, but the arrival of Master Alchemists was too alarming for him, so he turned to me. I had no choice but leave the mountain top.”

The Enlightened Master beside him looked slightly abashed, and he smiled apologetically towards the cultivators in the hall.

However, the Master Alchemists from the four major sects were of no less importance than him, hence, he could only ask the Northern League’s only Grandmaster Alchemist, Great Ancestor Hong Ye, to come down from the mountain top to help him host the ceremony.

Enlightened Master Kun Shan stood up and said, “We are only happy that Brother Qin has invited the Great Ancestor here—we might even owe Brother Qin a great favor if the Great Ancestor can give a few words of guidance to us!”

The other Master Alchemists also echoed the same sentiment. Great Ancestor Hong Ye’s appearance obviously surprised these Master Alchemists but also delighted them.

The Great Ancestor pointed at the four Master Alchemists, saying with a smile, “You four are quite restless, I know what little thoughts you have in your minds!”

His words clearly meant more than that, and the Master Alchemists also perceived what they signified. They could only smile stiffly. Some astute cultivators in the hall noticed that something unusual was going to happen in the Alchemy Conference this time.