Chapter 530

Refused!

When Lin Chen refused a second time, Jiang Chen was stunned, momentarily speechless.

Clearly, even Jiang Chen hadn’t expected Lin Chen to refuse.

“Brother Xiao, Yun Ding Pavilion is reserved by the Thousand Mechanism Sect for our most honored guests—only sect leaders of the great super-sects or elders of the Ten Thousand Phenomena Realm qualify. This woman hasn’t exaggerated.”

Jiang Chen whispered to Lin Chen, fearing he might think the residents of Yun Ding Pavilion were merely ordinary guests.

Hong Luan now stared wide-eyed, as if hearing something unbelievable.

This Xiao Yan dares to refuse the Young Master’s summons?

“Thank you, Brother Jiang, but right now I’d rather examine the Nine Revolutions Mixture Scripture and the Tai Yi Qing Ling Record immediately.”

Lin Chen knew Jiang Chen’s whisper came from goodwill—he feared Lin Chen might offend this noble Young Master.

Hearing Lin Chen’s explanation, Jiang Chen understood: Xiao Yan was eager to claim his reward.

This was the difference in conduct brought by status.

If I had won first place, I would have gone to meet that Young Master—after all, the reward wouldn’t vanish—but Xiao Yan isn’t a Thousand Mechanism Sect disciple; his hesitation is understandable.

“Miss, Brother Xiao is eager to study the scriptures. Perhaps he may visit your Young Master after he finishes his examination.”

Jiang Chen spoke to smooth things over, but Hong Luan showed no gratitude: “Do you know how many seek an audience with my Young Master and fail? To meet him offers far greater fortune than studying these two scriptures—don’t be ungrateful.”

Lin Chen smiled, saying nothing—his meaning was clear.

“Fine. Don’t regret this!”

Seeing Lin Chen’s firm resolve, Hong Luan fell silent, turned with a dark face, and left.

She had spoken a second time only because she sensed her Young Master was interested in this Xiao Yan; otherwise, she would have left the moment he refused.

Countless warriors crave following my Young Master, yet Xiao Yan, so foolish and arrogant, has no idea what opportunity he just lost.

“Brother Xiao, let’s go.”

Seeing Hong Luan depart, Jiang Chen sighed softly. Her interruption had killed his desire to introduce Lin Chen to the Elixir Pavilion—he led Lin Chen straight to their destination.

…

Yun Ding Pavilion.

Yang Rongtian was sipping tea with the Thousand Mechanism Sect’s sect master, when Hong Luan appeared from the rainbow and landed in a courtyard—Yang Rongtian saw it all.

“Master Xuan, I’ve heard the Eastern Young Master is here at your sect?”

Master Xuan squinted his aged eyes: “Master Yang, you’re remarkably well-informed.”

“He hasn’t hidden himself at all—I happened to learn of his presence. Could you kindly introduce me?”

Yang Rongtian laughed heartily, but Master Xuan gave him a knowing look: “If Master Yang wishes to meet him, I’m happy to arrange it. The Eastern Young Master resides in Yun Ding Pavilion—I’ll take you there.”

Mayor of Qian Duan City, the supreme forging master of the Flame Emperor Dynasty.

Master Xuan believed the Eastern Young Master’s nature would never reject Yang Rongtian’s visit.

…

Yun Ding Pavilion, Courtyard One.

Dongfang Canglang listened to Hong Luan’s report and smiled—but his smile held bottomless coldness.

How very well indeed…

Of the two men I recently sought to recruit, one ignored me entirely, the other outright refused.

Lin Chen’s silence was understandable—Hong Luan never revealed my identity; he’s a supreme prodigy of Canglan Sect. But this Xiao Yan is brazen beyond measure.

Originally, I planned to discard Jiang Yaoyan as useless trash—but now, perhaps I should keep him.

As for this Xiao Yan…

Dongfang Canglang’s eyes brimmed with killing intent—just as he opened his mouth, his gaze suddenly shifted to the courtyard gate.

“Eastern Young Master, I, Master Xuan, have come with Mayor Yang of Qian Duan City to pay our respects.”

Hearing Master Xuan’s voice outside the gate, Dongfang Canglang’s killing intent vanished—he instantly resumed his refined, gentle nobleman’s demeanor.

“Master Xuan, please enter.”

At the gate, seeing Yang Rongtian enter with Master Xuan, Dongfang Canglang’s eyes brightened slightly: “I’ve long heard of your great name, Mayor Yang—the Flame Emperor Dynasty’s foremost forging master. Even my father speaks highly of your forging art.”

“Your Young Master flatters me—I cannot accept such praise.”

Yang Rongtian quickly replied: “I heard of your arrival at the Thousand Mechanism Sect and dared to trouble Master Xuan to arrange this meeting. I apologize for disturbing your rest.”

“Mayor Yang, you’re too modest.”

Dongfang Canglang smiled: “Hong Luan, serve tea.”

After Master Xuan and Yang Rongtian sat, Hong Luan stood quietly to the side, her eyes occasionally glancing at her Young Master.

In her view, her Young Master had clearly intended to act against Xiao Yan—had he moved, even within Thousand Mechanism City, no one could have saved Xiao Yan.

Yet now, he conversed warmly with Yang Rongtian, never mentioning Xiao Yan again.

Dongfang Canglang hadn’t forgotten Xiao Yan—he simply set the matter aside the moment he saw Yang Rongtian.

Compared to the weight of this Qian Duan City mayor, Xiao Yan meant nothing.

If I could win Yang Rongtian’s allegiance, this trip to the Thousand Mechanism Region would be worth it—even more so than Jiang Yaoyan winning first place.

…

…

Elixir Pavilion Main Hall.

Gu Yunfeng did not sit in the seat of honor—he stood, while a young man stood to one side of the hall.

“Master, Xiao Yan has been brought.”

“Hmm. You may leave.”

Jiang Chen watched his master standing before the steps, puzzled—by his master’s nature, he should be seated, not standing.

And who was that young man? He looked unfamiliar—wasn’t one of their Elixir Pavilion senior brothers?

Since his master didn’t introduce him, Jiang Chen bowed respectfully and stepped back.

“Xiao Yan, you won first place in this alchemy contest. By protocol, I now grant you access to the Nine Revolutions Mixture Scripture and the Tai Yi Qing Ling Record—but you have only one hour. After that, both scriptures will burn themselves to ash.”

Gu Yunfeng was blunt—he didn’t praise Lin Chen at all, nor did he ask if Lin Chen wished to join the Thousand Mechanism Sect.