Chu Donghai thought this in his heart.
In fact, Chu Tiange had not yet had time to tell Chu Donghai the news that Ling Fan was the Ling Qingyun who had destroyed the Dark Martial Hall and killed its master.
Otherwise, Chu Donghai would have been even more shocked.
For now, he could still maintain a semblance of composure.
But for such an unparalleled prodigy, even he had to show sufficient respect.
He straightened his posture, leaned forward slightly, and said, "As expected, heroes emerge from youth. I have long heard of Young Master Ling's deeds from my son. I apologize for my lack of foresight, Young Master Ling. Please, have a seat!"
Liu Miaoshou, Liu Qingshi, Master Qian, and the others were stunned!
They were astonished by the grand reception Chu Donghai gave to Ling Fan.
What was going on!
It was one thing for Chu Tiange to be respectful and deferential to Ling Fan.
But why was even Chu Donghai, the foremost figure in Tianchu Province, being so polite to Ling Fan!
This was not logical.
Not only was it illogical, it was utterly abnormal.
When abnormality occurs, there is usually a reason.
Did this young man truly possess some incredible quality they were unaware of!
Yet, they could not discern anything special about him.
He seemed like an ordinary person.
Liu Qingshi, with the gaze of someone looking at a monster, re-examined Ling Fan.
Master Qian and the others did the same.
But no matter how they looked, they found nothing.
Their doubts and curiosity grew stronger!
They were so eager that they wished they could cut Ling Fan open.
They wanted to see what made him so important to Chu Tiange and Chu Donghai.
Just then.
A messenger announced from outside.
"Master Chang Lüyun, a Profound Tier Alchemist from the Flowing Cloud Kingdom's Alchemy Alliance, has arrived with his disciples!"
"Master Chang has arrived!"
Chu Donghai's eyes shone with unprecedented brilliance, and he stood up to greet them.
When Liu Miaoshou, the head of the Alchemy Pavilion, had arrived earlier, Chu Donghai had merely bowed slightly to show a modicum of respect.
And when Ling Fan arrived.
Although he had shown great respect to this prodigious talent, he had ultimately remained seated.
But when this great alchemist from the Flowing Cloud Kingdom arrived.
He stood up to welcome him.
He treated Master Chang as a truly important figure, someone who could stand on equal footing with him.
This clearly showed his differing attitudes towards various parties.
However, this was understandable.
After all, a Profound Tier Alchemist held a status and position no less than that of a Heaven Origin Realm martial arts grandmaster.
At times, it was even superior.
Furthermore, Chu Donghai now had a request for him.
It was entirely appropriate to show respect in his demeanor.
Master Qian and the others, however, felt a sense of injustice.
Why!
Their own pavilion master was also a quasi-Profound Tier Alchemist. Although he was slightly inferior to this Master Chang, the difference was not that significant.
Why the differential treatment!
Under the displeased gazes of Master Qian and the others.
Chu Tiankuang, the third son of the Governor, and Chu Tianlong, the sixth son, respectfully escorted several people into the reception hall.
The person at the forefront was portly, with his nostrils tilted upwards, exuding an arrogant demeanor.
He appeared to be in his forties.
This must be the so-called Profound Tier Alchemist from the Flowing Cloud Kingdom's Alchemy Alliance, Chang Lüyun.
Behind Chang Lüyun followed several disciples, who were as haughty as Master Chang.
"Master Chang! I have long admired your name! I never expected you to grace our Tianchu City with your presence. It is truly the fortune of Tianchu City, and my fortune, Chu Donghai!"
Chu Donghai suppressed his excitement as he spoke to Master Chang.
His hidden injuries had troubled him for over ten years.
Today, his third and sixth sons had gone to great lengths to invite a Profound Tier Alchemist from the Flowing Cloud Kingdom for him.
This gave him hope of resolving his chronic ailment, so how could he not be excited, how could he not be overjoyed.
"Governor Chu, I have long admired you!"
Master Chang nodded arrogantly towards Chu Donghai, as if acknowledging him. His attitude was somewhat perfunctory.
Chu Donghai did not take offense.
Master Chang was a Profound Tier Alchemist from the Flowing Cloud Kingdom, so a slightly arrogant attitude was understandable.
After all, coming from the Flowing Cloud Kingdom, his horizons were vastly different from those of a mere province.
A Heaven Origin Realm martial arts grandmaster, who was revered like a deity in Tianchu Province.
When placed in the context of the Flowing Cloud Kingdom.
He was merely ordinary!
Therefore, Chu Donghai adopted a humble posture and very politely invited Master Chang and his entourage to the honored seats.
"Hmph, what a grand air!"
Master Qian muttered discontentedly.
He was utterly unconvinced!
Master Chang's arrogant gaze swept over him.
He recognized the alchemy pavilion attire on Master Qian, Liu Miaoshou, and Liu Qingshi.
After all, the Alchemy Pavilion was a subordinate branch of their Flowing Cloud Kingdom's Alchemy Alliance.
How could he not know this.
Yet, he pretended not to recognize them and deliberately asked, "Governor Chu, who are these people?"
Chu Donghai carefully chose his words and said, "Master Chang, allow me to introduce you. This is Liu Miaoshou, the head of the Tianchu City Alchemy Pavilion, and also the only quasi-Profound Tier Alchemist in Tianchu Province."
"This is the niece of Alchemist Liu, and this is Master Qian from the Alchemy Pavilion."
"Speaking of which, Alchemist Liu and his group are from the same lineage as you, Master Chang."
Master Chang sneered and remained silent.
One of his disciples, Liu Qiyong, spoke with extreme arrogance, "The mere Tianchu City Alchemy Pavilion is merely a subordinate to our Alchemy Alliance. The Alchemy Alliance is the Alchemy Alliance, and the Tianchu City Alchemy Pavilion is the Tianchu City Alchemy Pavilion. They cannot be conflated!"
Being so belittled and humiliated, Liu Qingshi, Master Qian, and the others glared with anger.
Even the usually amiable Liu Miaoshou felt his face flush.
Chu Donghai was embarrassed and tried to smooth things over, "Heh, all alchemists are colleagues. You can discuss this later."
However, Liu Qiyong did not intend to let it go. "Governor Chu, what are these people from the Alchemy Pavilion here for? Are they also here to refine pills for you! Hmph, you have already invited my master, and now you are calling a bunch of nobodies to refine pills. Are you not showing enough respect to my master!"
"Do you think my master's alchemy skills are inferior to the alchemists in this small place like Tianchu City! If so, I must advise my master to return to the Flowing Cloud Kingdom!"
Liu Qiyong stood with his hands on his hips, his arrogance reaching its peak.
Master Chang remained impassive, his eyes on his nose and his nose on his heart. He did not stop his disciple, a faint smile playing on his lips.
As the saying goes, even a clay figurine has some temper.
No matter how good Liu Miaoshou's temper was, being so utterly disrespected by a junior alchemist from the Flowing Cloud Kingdom's Alchemy Alliance was unbearable!
He suppressed his anger and said, "Every person has their strengths and weaknesses! The rank of an alchemist does not represent everything. Otherwise, alchemists would only compete based on their ranks, and there would be no need for alchemy competitions!"
"Although I, Liu Miaoshou, admit I am not as skilled as Master Chang, as a person of Tianchu City, I wish to contribute my humble efforts for Governor Chu!"
"Having been subjected to such humiliation today, even if I had no desire for competition, I must now challenge you! Master Chang, please enlighten me!"
Liu Miaoshou's words were powerful and neither subservient nor overbearing.
Ling Fan listened and nodded inwardly, gaining a new appreciation for Liu Miaoshou.
This old man was quite interesting.
The young man named Liu Qiyong seemed somewhat flustered by the retort and began to back down.
Master Chang, however, sneered dismissively, "Since Pavilion Master Liu has the courage to challenge me, I shall indeed enlighten you! This will also show the alchemists of small places like yours how alchemists from the Flowing Cloud Kingdom's Alchemy Alliance refine pills!"
The atmosphere suddenly became tense.
At this moment.
The third son, Liu Qiyong, and Master Chang finally noticed that besides Liu Miaoshou, Liu Qingshi, and Master Qian, there was also a plain-looking, grey-haired young man in the reception hall.
Since they had entered, this young man had not moved from his seat.
Even when everyone stood up to welcome Master Chang.
He remained seated!
What immense arrogance.
Who was this person?