The Extreme Alchemist of the Mighty Cauldron

Chapter 446: Chapter 446: Li Guanxin

The grand martial arts competition among the three countries was not being held within any of them, as each nation had animosity toward the others. Whichever two countries ventured into the third would always be wary.

Therefore, long ago, it was determined that the competition would be held within the ruins of an ancient sect.

The ruins of the ancient sect, set amidst a range of mountains, although it had already vanished with time, still stood majestic and broad. Even only with its ruins, remnants of ancient arrays remained, enduring through tens of thousands of years.

Based on ancient records found within the ruins, this ancient sect was known as the Virtual Sky Sect. If placed in the present, it would be a top tier sect, but in the distant past with countless formidable practitioners, it would have been just an ordinary sect.

Previous competitions among the three nations were all held within these ruins of the Virtual Sky Sect, and this time would be no exception. After all, this location was deemed the most suitable. Holding it anywhere else would lead to more or less some issue.

The martial arts competition among the three countries was the grandest event in the Lower Three Kingdoms, attracting even more attention than the Pill Refiners’ Conference. After all, in this era, martial arts still held dominance, and the number of martial artists vastly outnumbered pill refiners.

Furthermore, the competition between the three countries was a test of each nation’s strength, and the contest would be extremely intense.

Several days before the competition began, many martial artists from the three countries had already flocked to the ruins of the Virtual Sky Sect, eagerly waiting for the curtain to rise on this grand event.

At this moment, within the imperial capital of the Qian Country, a golden flying boat was already prepared. As soon as the members of the Purple Mist Sect and the Li Family arrived, they would set off for the ruins of the Virtual Sky Sect.

“Your majesty, Sect Master Han has arrived.” Someone reported this, and the Emperor of Daqian, Yang Jianye, immediately went forward to greet him.

Han Luoyun arrived, along with Fang Lin and several elders and disciples from the Purple Mist Sect.

Fang Lin was not a newcomer to the imperial capital. With one glance, he could see Yang Xuanfeng, who was standing behind Yang Jianye.

Yang Xuanfeng also glanced at Fang Lin but continued to scan the Purple Mist Sect crowd for something else.

“Brother Yang, stop looking. Miss Han Xiaoxing did not come with us,” Fang Lin informed Yang Xuanfeng.

Upon hearing this, Yang Xuanfeng and many royal members expressed puzzled looks. Yang Jianye also furrowed his brow, turning his gaze onto Han Luoyun.

“Why didn’t Xiaoxing come?” Yang Jianye asked.

Han Luoyun smiled mildly, “She will be arriving a little later. We will go ahead first. But with Fang Lin here, it doesn’t matter whether Xiaoxing comes or not.”

These words were met with rolled eyes from the royal members. How could it not matter? Han Xiaoxing was a critical participant in this contest. If she didn’t come, wouldn’t they be missing a key player?

Were they planning to really let Fang Lin compete? Although many in the royal family recognized Fang Lin’s strength, they still deemed him far weaker than Yang Xuanfeng or Han Xiaoxing. He wouldn’t stand a chance against other top young experts from the Meng Kingdom and Yun Country.

However, Yang Xuanfeng looked at Fang Lin and discovered to his surprise that Fang Lin had already reached the Ninth Layer of the Earth Element Realm.

Yang Jianye also gave Fang Lin a deep look, nodding, “Since Fang Lin has already broken through to the Ninth Layer of the Earth Element, it should not be a problem for him to replace Xiaoxing in the competition.”

Fang Lin was quite upset. Was he really so weak that they all held such low expectations for him?

However, it was understandable. To most people, Fang Lin was still primarily a pill refiner; his martial arts didn’t stand out. His sparring session with Yang Xuanfeng was only a struggle to stay afloat after fifteen rounds.

Hence, to many, Fang Lin was considered notably weaker than Yang Xuanfeng.

Of course, they had no idea how powerful Fang Lin was at present; they were judging him based on his past performance.

At this moment, the Li Family members also arrived. The head of the Li Family, Li Zhendong, led the group, accompanied by numerous descendants and elite fighters. Their presence was rather impressive.

With the arrival of the Li Family, the atmosphere instantly became awkward and heavy. All members of the Li Family wore hostile expressions, their gazes fixed on the members of the Purple Mist Sect.

For the Li Family, the Purple Mist Sect was their top enemy, even surpassing the Daqian royal family.

“Hmph, you’re really early,” Li Zhendong said without a trace of friendliness, glancing coldly at Han Luoyun.

Han Luoyun gave a faint smile, “The Head of the Li Family is not late; we haven’t boarded the flying boat yet.”

Li Zhendong huffed and turned his attention away from Han Luoyun. As his gaze swept over the members of the Purple Mist Sect, he realized that Han Xiaoxing was not among them, which puzzled him.

His attention soon fell onto Fang Lin, and his eyes revealed a clear murderous intent.

Fang Lin did not try to hide his disgust. Even though he had already poisoned a branch of the Li Family, his dislike for the Li Family remained as strong as ever.

“Hehe, you must be Fang Lin, right?” a young man in white clothes standing behind Li Zhendong asked with a laugh.

This man, extremely handsome with fair and gentle features, was the very definition of handsome and attractive.

Fang Lin looked at him and asked indifferently, “Who are you?”

“We are meeting for the first time today, so naturally, you wouldn’t know me. My name is Li Guanxin. You probably have heard of me,” the young man in white said mildly. This was Li Guanxin, the strongest young warrior of the Li Family.

Fang Lin had already guessed it was him, and his expression didn’t waver as he simply responded with an ‘Oh.’

Li Guanxin was a little disturbed. Fang Lin was clearly looking down on him.

“I heard that you are the substitute this time. In my opinion, you don’t have the qualifications. Actually, you won’t have a chance to compete. It would be best if you just stay here and not follow us to the competition,” Li Guanxin said with a smile. His demeanor seemed harmless, but his words incensed members of the Purple Mist Sect.

The royal family members looked back and forth between Li Guanxin and Fang Lin. Would there be a conflict before they even set out for the ruins of the Virtual Sky Sect?

Yang Xuanfeng stepped forward, intending to say something, but Emperor Yang Jianye stopped him and shook his head.

Fang Lin’s face remained expressionless, “Whether I go or not, what does it have to do with you? Just mind your own business.”

Li Guanxin smiled faintly, his eyes filled with scorn as he looked at Fang Lin, “It’s not that I look down upon you. It’s just that you’re too weak. I can’t acknowledge you. It’s as simple as that. But if you want to go, you can, just stay put and be a spectator.”

Upon hearing this, many of the Purple Mist Sect members couldn’t hold back their anger anymore and all began to lash back, their gazes filled with hostility towards Li Guanxin.

Members of the Li Family were not to be outdone. They confronted the Purple Mist Sect, making it hard to control the situation.

Fang Lin looked at Li Guanxin coldly, a smile curling his lips, “I don’t think you’re worthy of the selected spot. Why don’t you give it to me? You can stay here, and cheer for us.”