Chapter 1034: Kan Qingzi

But that was just their opinion.

At Zuo Qing's level, one would understand the vast gap between a初级丹帝 and an高级丹帝.

It had taken him three hundred years to break through from初级丹帝 to高级丹帝. And now, Ji Qingyun had only just entered the realm of丹帝.

That meant Ye Yuan had been standing still for three hundred years.

If Zuo Qing, after three hundred years of bitter cultivation, couldn't even surpass Ji Qingyun, who had stagnated, he might as well go find a piece of tofu to smash his head against.

He said all this just to lift Ye Yuan high, and then, in front of everyone—slay the god!

As long as he could defeat Ji Qingyun, he would reap countless fame and status. And of course, endless resources.

Qingyunzi, on his lofty pedestal, was now far more esteemed than when he first became a丹帝 three hundred years ago!

His rampage in Yungaocheng was nothing but a minor skirmish.

But three hundred years later, Qingyunzi was a true pinnacle figure.

To pull Ji Qingyun down at this moment carried far more significance than it would have back then.

Though it might be a somewhat dishonorable victory, who told Ji Qingyun to swagger into Yungaocheng?

Ye Yuan smiled, a smile that made Zuo Qing uneasy.

For Zuo Qing, Ji Qingyun was a nightmare he could never shake off.

After that battle, Ji Qingyun's career soared, and in a very short time, he reached the pinnacle of the divine alchemy world.

As for Zuo Qing, though he hadn't faded into obscurity, after all these years, he still couldn't break through to the realm of巅峰丹帝.

That step was far too difficult.

"Three hundred years, and you're still a piece of mud that won't stick to the wall! Are you sure you want to compete with me in alchemy?" Ye Yuan stood with his hands behind his back, smiling faintly.

Seeing Ye Yuan's composed demeanor, Zuo Qing couldn't help but feel a flutter of doubt.

Qingyunzi's reputation was too formidable, built through one crushing victory after another.

But thinking of Ye Yuan's current level, Zuo Qing felt reassured.

This guy must be bluffing!

"Listen to you! To receive guidance from Lord Qingyunzi, I, Zuo, am truly honored!" Zuo Qing laughed.

Ye Yuan nodded and said, "Alright, as you wish! To be honest, coming to Yungaocheng does bring back some nostalgic feelings!"

Listening to the exchange between Ye Yuan and Zuo Qing, Gu Yue wished he could find a rock to smash his head on!

He had actually acted cocky in front of Lord Qingyunzi! He really had!

Who gave him the nerve to act cocky in front of Lord Qingyunzi?

Gu Yue had once been inflated with confidence, thinking he could surpass Qingyunzi.

But he couldn't even beat Lord Qingyunzi's disciple...

"Master, he... he's really Lord Qingyunzi?" Gu Yue tugged at Xiao Ruyan, putting on a fawning face.

Xiao Ruyan shook him off and laughed, "Otherwise, what did you think?"

"Slap! Slap!"

Gu Yue slapped himself hard twice and said, "You blind fool! You arrogant fool! Master, you must take me as your disciple! I, Gu Yue, must become your apprentice!"

"That's not for me to decide; I haven't even graduated myself!" Xiao Ruyan said coolly.

...

"Haha, I knew Lord Qingyunzi wouldn't fall so easily!"

"Lord Qingyunzi's fall was a great loss to the divine alchemy world. I regretted it for a long time! I never thought he would be reborn through possession!"

"Lord Qingyunzi has been the goal of my life. When I heard the news of his fall, I was almost devastated! I never thought, never thought he really wasn't dead!"

Many alchemists, especially the young ones, were as excited as if they'd been injected with adrenaline.

When they learned that Ye Yuan was Ji Qingyun, they were truly thrilled.

In the alchemy world, Ye Yuan was an absolute benchmark. Unlike those old-timer巅峰丹帝s, he had reached the peak at a very young age.

And back then, young and reckless, he had rampaged through Yungaocheng, becoming the greatest in a hundred thousand years, making him an idol for countless genius alchemists.

The surge of emotion at regaining such an idol was unimaginable to ordinary people.

Seeing the crowd's excitement, Ao Qian and the others were also astonished.

They were from an older generation and had seen too much. But they had never seen anyone in the divine realm with such influence!

Even Ao Qian, an old monster who had lived forty thousand years, felt his eyes opened wide today.

As for Zuo Qing, he sneered inwardly.

When I trample your idol underfoot, I'd love to see the look on your faces!

The Ye Yuan now was no longer the Ji Qingyun of old!

Thinking this, Zuo Qing spoke again, "Lord Qingyunzi, how about we play that little game from back then?"

Ye Yuan was taken aback, then laughed, "Your status is quite different now. Wouldn't it be improper to do something so embarrassing?"

"Heh, just for a bit of fun," Zuo Qing said confidently.

"Alright, since you're willing to embarrass yourself, so be it. But if you and I are to compete in alchemy, who will be the judge?" Ye Yuan said noncommittally.

Zuo Qing was startled; he hadn't thought of that.

Given their statuses, an ordinary person couldn't serve as judge.

"I wonder if this old man is qualified to be the judge?" Just then, an aged voice suddenly rang out from the crowd.

Everyone looked and saw a white-haired old man with a sage-like demeanor standing among them.

Zuo Qing's eyes narrowed, and he said in surprise, "So it's Lord Kan Qingzi! You... of course you are qualified!"

Kan Qingzi was a wandering alchemist without a sect. But he was known for his impartiality and had great prestige in the alchemy world.

He was naturally the most suitable judge.

Seeing Kan Qingzi, Ye Yuan laughed, "You old coot with one foot in the grave, you've come to join the fun too!"

Kan Qingzi slowly ascended the arena and laughed, "With the grand opening of the Ten Thousand Herbs Garden, which alchemist wouldn't be tempted? I just didn't expect you to be back!"

Ye Yuan smiled, "I'm back. There are things I must do. I didn't think you'd want to get involved in this minor squabble, or that you'd stoop to this level."

Kan Qingzi laughed heartily, "Look at the expressions of the crowd below. Do you still think this is a minor squabble? Besides, after so many years, I'm curious whether your alchemy skills have really regressed."

Ye Yuan shrugged, "Alright, after thinking it over, you're the most suitable. Let's begin."

Kan Qingzi and Ye Yuan chatted amiably, completely ignoring the deputy city lord of Yungaocheng, which annoyed Zuo Qing to no end.

But he knew that no matter how chummy Kan Qingzi and Ye Yuan seemed, when it came to judging, he would never show favoritism.