Top-tier Unruly Master

Sun Hua didn't expect that Ding Lin was still cultivating during the two-day break of the Great Alchemy Competition, and from the looks of it, he seemed to be making a breakthrough. This was surprising to Sun Hua, as every alchemist in the competition would normally pay utmost attention to it. Yet, Ding Lin was still breaking through, almost seeming to disregard the competition!

However, such a seemingly distracted alchemist managed to refine a Supreme Quality Medicine Pill in less than half an hour. This was too abnormal! For a moment, Sun Hua couldn't help but take Ding Lin a bit more seriously. It was clear that Ding Lin was not as simple as he appeared. But Sun Hua knew that no matter how extraordinary Ding Lin was, he wouldn't escape death today!

It's worth mentioning that Elder Zhao, who was invited by Sun Hua, was a cultivator who had just entered the Spirit Severing period, making him an expert among experts. After all, he was at the Spirit Severing period, while Ding Lin was merely at the Nascent Soul Initial Stage. Even if he was at the Late Nascent Soul Stage, he would still be doomed today!

At this moment, He Qianyao felt a bit nervous looking at the three people in front of her. She truly had not expected that someone would dare intrude into this inn, which was the designated residence for the invited alchemists of Dancheng. However, the other party came in so presumptuously, and He Qianyao observed that there was no trace of tension or unease on their faces, they were extremely composed.

From this, He Qianyao could see that their identity was unquestionably not simple within Dancheng. Furthermore, when she saw the scar-faced middle-aged man, she realized they were from the City Lord's Mansion. It wasn't surprising then. He Qianyao suspected it was likely due to matters involving the scar-faced middle-aged man that they had come to give Ding Fan trouble.

However, Ding Fan was currently at a critical moment of breakthrough, and their arrival at this time was clearly not a good thing. Hence, He Qianyao felt a bit tense looking at the three people, and then she coldly asked:

"What are you here for?"

The skinny elder, upon hearing the question, couldn't help but laugh silently and said:

"What for? To take your heads!"

He Qianyao was momentarily stunned upon hearing this, evidently not expecting that they had come to kill both of them. At this time, He Qianyao understood very well that Ding Fan was at the critical moment of breakthrough. All she had to do was buy more time for Ding Fan, because she believed that after this breakthrough, Ding Fan's strength would soar. Even though she didn't know if Ding Fan could be a match for this elder, she was certain he could escape.

In her heart, He Qianyao was prepared to die. She knew that if it weren't for Ding Fan, she would already be dead. Her life was given by Ding Fan. Distinctly, Ding Fan needed her most at this time, and she couldn't retreat. She also knew that the other side had come prepared, being from the City Lord's Mansion, this was certainly not going to end well.

He Qianyao had already made her choice to protect Ding Fan to make his final breakthrough at the cost of her life, otherwise, she would truly have no qualification to be anyone's protector!

"You must be from the City Lord's Mansion, right? You should know that we are the alchemists participating in this Great Alchemy Competition! Are you jealous that we won the first place in the competition and therefore you want to harm us?"

Having an idea in mind, He Qianyao spoke with great meaning to the three people opposite her, clearly with the simple intent to delay for time. He Qianyao was prepared to die, especially since Ding Fan was in the midst of a breakthrough and had no ability to handle them whatsoever. Besides, He Qianyao, being at the Nascent Soul Initial Stage, clearly understood the aura coming from the elder, knowing it's not that of an ordinary cultivator; the aura had a resemblance to her late father's. He could possibly be at the Spirit Severing period.

This was He Qianyao's conservative estimation about the elder. Facing a cultivator at the Spirit Severing period, not even Ding Fan would be a match for him. Although He Qianyao knew some of Ding Fan's secrets, despite his cultivation appearing to be of just the Nascent Soul Initial Stage, at best it was only comparable to the Late Nascent Soul Stage. Although Ding Fan was a divine warrior, his cultivation was just that.

Clearly, Ding Fan would absolutely not be a match for this Spirit Severing Elder. At this moment, He Qianyao could only hope that Ding Fan would complete his breakthrough quickly, then successfully escape, and later avenge her, her father, and the Dayang Sect!

This was He Qianyao's sole concern at this moment.

The scar-faced middle-aged man, upon hearing He Qianyao's words, couldn't help but roar with anger:

"And so what if you are alchemists in the competition? We are here to show you that those who offend our Young Master Sun have only one outcome, and that is death!"

He Qianyao snorted coldly upon hearing this, then replied sarcastically:

"Offend you? What, you try to rob a child's alchemy cauldron to keep for yourselves, and we shouldn't get involved? If that's what you call offending you, then we're not sorry! It's hard to believe how many cultivators wouldn't offend you!"

The scar-faced middle-aged man felt a pang of anxiety when he heard He Qianyao's reply, not expecting her to reveal the incident. He knew that at the time, Sun Hua had sent them to buy that alchemy cauldron, though they offered a measly amount. Clearly, this scar-faced middle-aged man and several others wanted to pocket the rest, so they outright robbed the alchemy cauldron.

At this moment, the young man Sun Hua's face turned cold, his gaze extremely icy as he looked at the middle-aged scar-faced man. With just a look, he had already frightened the soul out of the middle-aged man. This was clearly something Sun Hua hadn't anticipated; he hadn't expected that it was his own subordinate who interfered, making him feel somewhat used. At this moment, Sun Hua couldn't help but be extremely angry, obviously hating being framed like this more than anything else.

The scar-faced man obviously noticed the change in Sun Hua's expression and couldn't help but tremble inside. Clearly, Young Master Sun was already extremely angry. Immediately, the scar-faced man fawningly moved to Sun Hua's side, pleading pitifully:

"Young Master, this matter was my mistake from the start, but their attitude was simply too arrogant..."

Smack!

A loud slap instantly rang out, as Sun Hua was obviously already consumed by rage. Without waiting for the scar-faced man to finish speaking, Sun Hua directly slapped him across the face. Clearly, he could no longer endure. Sun Hua knew in his heart that if the scar-faced man had informed him earlier, he wouldn't have been so angry, but the incident was brought to his attention only at the end, which was unbearable.

If not for the fact that he counted the other as a competent subordinate, Sun Hua would have wanted to kill him outright. Immediately, Sun Hua spoke coldly:

"This lets you off, but if anything like this happens again, you won't be breathing so happily!"

At this moment, the scar-faced man heard Sun Hua's words, feeling thoroughly embarrassed inside, but he still cautiously said:

"I understand, I understand, this will never happen again!"

He Qianyao saw this scene and felt quite proud, as her few words had already caused discord among them, and nothing could be more satisfying. Additionally, He Qianyao felt slightly relieved; she hadn't expected there to be some underlying conflicts. After all, the earlier scene showed that the so-called Young Master was unaware of the true situation. Now that he's informed, might he ask for a retreat?

Although He Qianyao knew in her heart that this chance was slim, she was determined to hold off until Ding Fan finished breaking through. After all, with Ding Fan, everything might become simpler. Yet, He Qianyao's resolve to protect Ding Fan remained unchanged.

"Since there is a misunderstanding here, I think we might not necessarily have to resort to violence. We can negotiate?"

At this point, He Qianyao saw the other's demeanor and felt confident, knowing she could still stall for more time.

Sun Hua heard her words and couldn't help but let out a cold laugh, then said disdainfully:

"How do you want to negotiate? Perhaps you just want to sleep with me? Maybe that's the only negotiation that would work now!"

He Qianyao, hearing his words, couldn't help but feel extremely angry, not expecting him to be no gentleman. Clearly, reconciliation with him was impossible. However, despite her anger, He Qianyao kept a calm face, knowing that tearing open hostility with him now would not grant her any advantage.

After all, they had an elder supporting them, and even if Ding Fan completed his breakthrough, he wouldn't be their match. Thus, He Qianyao calmly said:

"To be honest, you just want our alchemy cauldron. We can give it to you! Then our grudges would be resolved. If you feel it's not enough, we can compensate with some spirit stones, but you must remember that alchemy cauldron was bought with quite a few spirit stones, clearly giving it to you, we want nothing in return."

At this moment, He Qianyao spoke calmly, completely in the tone of a diplomatic negotiation. She was indeed treating a dead horse like a live one, hoping to solve her life-threatening predicament if they step back with this proposal. Regarding the cauldron, He Qianyao knew it belonged to Ding Fan, but she believed Ding Fan was clever enough to know which is more important, his life or the cauldron.

Sun Hua, hearing her words, couldn't help but be stunned, not expecting she could say such a thing, and felt greatly shocked. He hesitated in his heart, knowing if they were willing to give up the cauldron and some spirit stones, this would indeed be a favorable deal. Particularly because they were secretly in the City Lord's inn, a place beyond the capabilities of a Vice City Lord's son. Clearly, they had sneaked in.

And they needed swift resolution, as if too many knew they secretly entered to kill the alchemist, even his father wouldn't tolerate such a low-level mistake, and by then, his father might not be able to protect him.