Chapter 499: "Civil Selection and Old Vendetta's "
Regarding the origin of the Star Cave, it was not always what it was today. According to legend, it's said to be the home of a powerful senior alchemist from ancient times. Then after this amazing individual ascended to a higher plain, that's when the location got turned into what it was today - a cave filled with treasures ready for the taking.
Furthermore, unlike in recent years where one must be able to refine a reincarnation pill, in the past one only needed permission from the Dan Palace. So why the sudden change? It's because of Master Chen Hong Ru.
From rumors, this lord and master of this famed alchemic organization wasn't always what he was today, he too was your average alchemist seeking glory and power. Then through sheer luck or coincidence, the man had a chance encounter inside the Star Cave during his youth and gained an unprecented gift, thus propelling his status and ability higher than any other within North Qing.
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"You don't have to be discouraged Ling Yue, I have inquired about it already. This time the Star Cave Venture is different from previous years. Unlike in the past, there are other ways of getting inside: the official team and the commoners' team. Although we couldn't join Da Xia's delegation party but that doesn't mean we couldn't join the common folk's selection process. So long as we rank in the top three then we can go inside." After paying a hefty price yesterday, Lan Caier finally made some gains for once.
Due to the special regulations of the king and Master Chen Hong Ru of the Dan Palace this time, in addition to the delegations of various countries, many common folks and large families are also permitted to actively take part assuming they are able to refine a reincarnation pill on their own.
Therefore, this was an undoubtedly some unexpected good news for the girls.
Sure, to be able to participate on behalf of one's nation would most warrant glory, but in that case it would mean the final share from the treasures obtained would also likewise greatly reduce in retrospect. That's why a lot of powerful families and sects would rather choose to send their own people and represent themselves, it's to obtain a greater share for themselves versus the nation.
"I need think on this carefully." Originally Ling Yue was quite reluctant to disclose the fact that she could refine the reincarnation Dan pills. However, if it meant that's the only solution then there's no other way around it.
"What else do you need to consider? Oh Ling Yue, I've already signed you up, here!" Graciously popping out her dainty hand, a neat little registration paper immediately appears before Lan Caier's palm.
I knew it, Sister is always the pre-emptive type, blinking her eyes, Ling Yue didn't know what to say about this.
"There is one more thing, Ling Yue, guess who I saw at the Dan Palace while looking around? It was Chen Minzhi!" Lan Caier and Little Crow also encountered the people of the Kai Jiang Manor yesterday, hence the reason why she was able to see the man that should've been dead at the registration desk.
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"Chen Minzhi is not dead?" Ling Yue's complexion instantly darkens into a gloom.
She clearly saw it with her own eyes the man breathing his last, and even went the extra mile to personally check up on the corpse. According to her findings, there's no sign of life back then, nor would her miraculous spirit smoke help either in that case.
"The Chen Minzhi you girls are talking about, is it he the second young lord of the Kai Jiang Manor?" Feng Shen asks, suddenly interrupting the conversation with his inquiry.
"That's right, that's him. This person had some friction with us back at the ancient forest. We killed him during the encounter so this is really freaky." This was also one of the main reasons Lan Caier came back so quickly with Little Crow, it's too important not to notify Ling Yue.
The dead coming back to life, such occurrences have always been the most incredulous thing to ever occur. However, this wasn't the case for Ye Ling Yue herself. She too had stepped through death's door once. Though there are suspicions in her heart, but unless she sees the man in person, all this discussion would just amount to empty talk.
Days later.
Due to how sensational the news of the Star Cave Venture also being opened to the civil population, it didn't take much for this piece of information to reach the majority of the citizens in North Qing. As such, the Dan Palace was overcrowded with people when the girls arrived at its doorstep.
But overcrowding aside, Ling Yue was more concerned with the nasty set of eyes peeking her way from the front when she dismounted from the carriage.
"Ye Ling Yue, you really do not give up. How dare you have the nerve to come participate in the civil selection contest. You think your third-rate alchemic skill would be able to overcome my grandfather? Dream on!" The ridiculing voices were coming from none other than the Hong family's three siblings, whom were also standing outside the Dan Palace to attend the event.
Of course, the three hateful youngsters already held a spot thanks to stealing Ling Yue's credit, but that didn't apply to their grandfather Zhu Ge Yi, aka Zhu Ge Rou's father who was from the Sky Armor Sect.
For the nine great sects and three main schools, something like the Star Cave Venture would most certainly not attract their attention. But for a second-rate power like the Sky Armor Sect, it's very different, hence the reason why Zhu Ge Rou's father would go out of his way to attend.
After all, not everyone could be like Bo Qing who could be littered with precious treasures across his body. The lad had the backing of his parents from the Heartless Sect, plus his natural gift to attract treasures, the enchanting boy was an oddball compared to the rest of the world.
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But sarcasm and ridicule aside, the gloating didn't last long for the members of the Hong House after they got a clearer look of Ling Yue's renewed face. In particular was Hong Yu Ying, the older sister. Her eyes were literally spewing fire from envy!
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"Your face!" The girl exclaims like a cat having its tail stepped on.
That's right, the hateful bitch had wanted to use this opportunity to make fun of the girl after learning she's been facially ruined. But now, things were the polar opposite. What scarred beyond recognition? What burned beyond saving? That face looked better than ever before and even superseded even her younger sister Hong Ming Yue!
Without question, the ice beauty wouldn't miss this drastic change as well. Showing shock in her iris, the hand holding that Three Life Flute inexplicably tightens itself after noticing the strange look her companion Luo Song was making.
As for the Zhu Ge Yi, the only adult in their group, this grandpa was likewise showing a very dissatisfied frown upon comparison. He's always held Hong Ming Yue as the golden standard for grading others, but Ling Yue's beauty was almost surreal to the point of it being unrealistic.
So this is that Ye Ling Yue, the daughter of Ye Huang Yu.
There's no way this father wouldn't know about his daughter's current predicament with her husband. After that outlandish incident in the palace, Hong Feng's original love and care was long gone. The only thing remains of the couple's bond was nothing more than a title, not love from the past.
That's why, in order to salvage what little hope there was of Zhu Ge Rou's marriage, this grandpa and father intends to do everything in his power to secure a victory today because it appears the power of the Sky Armor Sect no longer holds sway over Hong Feng, meaning a new source must be acquired.