Chapter 1915: Unexpected

Ye Liuyun politely replied to Mu Lianqing, "Ye Liuyun, a member of the Lin family!"

"So you're a Lin family member! Then why haven't I met you before, brother?"

Mu Lianqing continued to probe Ye Liuyun's information.

"I just returned from the Alien Battlefield; this is only my second visit to the Royal City."

Ye Liuyun explained.

At the same time, he found an excuse to pretend not to know Mu Lianqing.

Mu Lianqing thought to himself, "No wonder this kid is a Lin family member yet doesn't know me! He's just a country bumpkin who's never been to the Royal City. If he's unsophisticated, even better; I can spend a little money and deal with him!"

So he immediately said, "So Brother Ye just came back from the Alien Battlefield! Xi Yao should be giving you a welcome, right? A chance meeting is better than a formal greeting; let me treat you today, and that'll count as us brothers getting acquainted!"

"Mu Young Master, you're being overly polite.

I still have important matters to attend to first."

Ye Liuyun politely declined.

Although he wanted to go, if the chance arose he would even consider planting a Slave Seal on Mu Lianqing.

But he could not appear overly eager now, lest Mu Lianqing become suspicious.

"Brother Ye just returned from the Alien Battlefield, perhaps you don't know yet, Xi Yao and I are about to get engaged.

So I'm not an outsider either.

Xi Yao is your friend; I'm treating you on her behalf, welcoming you, which is only proper!"

Mu Lianqing, without showing any emotion, told Ye Liuyun about his upcoming engagement to Lin Xi Yao.

Ye Liuyun also pretended not to know, feigning surprise as he congratulated them, "Congratulations, Miss Lin, such a happy event—how come you didn't tell me at all?"

"What's there to congratulate?"

It's not like I want to marry him!"

Lin Xi Yao snapped, then stopped Mu Lianqing.

"Mu Lianqing, my friend and I have business; don't follow us, please be on your way!"

This time, Lin Xi Yao began to directly chase Mu Lianqing away.

Mu Lianqing's complexion changed, but he quickly softened and said, "Alright then, you be busy; I'll visit another day. Farewell, Brother Ye!"

When he left, he didn't forget to greet Ye Liuyun.

But as he turned, his expression instantly soured, a clenched‑tooth grimace.

Ye Liuyun thought to himself, "Both are princes, but this fellow's scheming is far deeper than He Lian's!"

"Let's go!"

Lin Xi Yao called out to Ye Liuyun, but gave no reply to Mu Lianqing.

Ye Liuyun said nothing, merely followed Lin Xi Yao silently.

After they entered the Grand Hall, Lin Xi Yao finally asked Ye Liuyun, "Aren't you curious about my marriage to him?"

Ye Liuyun gave a faint smile, "What's there to be curious about.

Your attitude shows it—it's just the Lin family's arrangement!"

Lin Xi Yao sighed, helplessly nodding.

"It was arranged by my master!"

She told Ye Liuyun.

Ye Liuyun had not the slightest good impression of her master Lin Luoyi.

"Your master pulling off something like this isn't surprising at all!"

Ye Liuyun replied.

"Alas! Let's not mention her.

I'll take you to apply for Alchemist qualification, and later give you a proper welcome!"

Lin Xi Yao also thought speaking ill of her master behind his back was improper, and immediately changed the subject.

"Alright, then I'll thank you first!"

Ye Liuyun promptly agreed.

He hadn't expected to meet Lin Xi Yao here.

Now that Lin Xi Yao is here, whether I take the Alchemist exam or not is no longer that important.

As long as he stays with Lin Xi Yao, Mu Lianqing will surely come after him again.

Ye Liuyun doesn't intend to use Lin Xi Yao; he only wants to quickly restrain Mu Lianqing and learn Prince Nanfu's movements.

As for Lin Xi Yao's family matters, he is even less inclined to get involved.

The official in charge of the Alchemist assessment is himself a blue‑robe elder, a Fifth‑rank Alchemist.

Lin Xi Yao knows him.

"Yao Alchemist, this is a friend of mine, Ye Liuyun, who wishes to obtain Alchemist qualification; I'll be trouble you further!"

Ye Liuyun hurriedly bowed and paid his respects to the Alchemist.

"Alchemist Xi Yao, huh?

No trouble, no trouble.

Now Alchemists are clearly in short supply; anyone who can join our Alchemist Alliance is welcome—how could one find it troublesome!

But even if you're my friend, I won't lower the difficulty of the assessment!"

Yao Alchemist nodded at Ye Liuyun, then smiled and said to Lin Xi Yao.

Lin Xi Yao also laughed, "Sir, just conduct the normal assessment; he can already refine Fourth‑rank pills, so the test won't scare him."

"Oh?"

"Is that so?"

The old man also looked toward Ye Liuyun with surprise.

"Please, senior, teach me!"

Ye Liuyun said courteously.

"Ha ha, good, good, you're so promising! Now the world belongs to you youngsters! Come with me!"

Alchemist Yao also happily led the two of them to the assessment site.

Lin Xiyao stood at a distance, not affecting their assessment.

"Have you ever passed the Alchemist qualification before?"

Alchemist Yao asked Ye Liuyun with a smiling face.

"No!"

Ye Liuyun answered truthfully.

"Then who was your master?"

Alchemist Yao asked again.

"I, as a junior, come from the Mortal Realm and have not taken a master in the Divine Realm!"

Ye Liuyun said directly.

"Mortal Realm?"

"Those from the Mortal Realm can directly refine fourth‑rank pills?"

Alchemist Yao was somewhat skeptical, but he still said, "Since you have not been assessed before, we will follow the regulations."

"I will strictly obey your instructions, senior!"

Ye Liuyun also said respectfully.

Alchemist Yao was quite pleased with his humble attitude.

Many fourth‑rank Alchemists do not speak as politely as Ye Liuyun.

"The Alchemist assessment is divided into four parts: identifying ingredients, theoretical knowledge, alchemy fire control, and pill refinement..." Alchemist Yao explained to Ye Liuyun, who listened attentively.

Then the first‑rank Alchemist assessment began.

Alchemist Yao presented three ingredients used for Qi‑refining Pills, asked Ye Liuyun to name them, and then moved to the second part, asking Ye Liuyun to describe their properties.

These naturally did not stump Ye Liuyun.

He had already memorized the Herbal Compendium back in the Mortal Realm, and moreover he had personally tried these ingredients while refining pills.

Then alchemy fire control and pill refinement proceeded together; Alchemist Yao first had Ye Liuyun fuse the ingredients, then refine a first‑rank Qi‑refining Pill.

Ye Liuyun naturally produced a first‑rank, nine‑grade pill, fully passing the test.

Alchemist Yao was also very satisfied.

Next, the assessments for second‑rank and third‑rank Alchemists began.

The subsequent pills he had never refined before, but after reviewing the pill formulas he could still produce them.

"Not bad, not bad!"

Alchemist Yao was also very pleased with Ye Liuyun's performance.

Moreover, Ye Liuyun's attitude was good, without any hint of impatience, which made Alchemist Yao admire him even more.

"Next is the fourth‑rank Alchemist assessment; you wait a moment while I go find the Hall Master."

Alchemist Yao said so and left immediately.

Ye Liuyun looked at Lin Xiyao, puzzled.

Lin Xiyao explained, "For Alchemists above the fourth rank, a Hall Master must be present as witness; for fifth‑rank Alchemists, two Hall Masters are required as witnesses."

"What about sixth‑rank Alchemists?"

Ye Liuyun asked casually.

"Sixth‑rank Alchemists must go to the Central Region's Alchemist Alliance for assessment."

Lin Xiyao said.