Martial Master

Saying this, Xiao Ya paused for a moment and continued, “In addition, there are several elders. Although they are not as powerful as Master and Elder Jin Yuan, they also have some real authority and are people that both Master and Elder Jin Yuan seek to win over.”

“When Master was well, the vast majority of those elders supported him, which was also the reason why Senior Brother was so confident in letting us participate in the Hundred Dynasties Competition. However, after Master fell ill, Elder Jin Yuan gained power, and among them, two elders have now sided with Elder Jin Yuan. Otherwise, Master’s situation wouldn’t be so dire now, and even Senior Brother wouldn’t be confined.”

Xiao Ya’s expression was extremely ugly; the thought of Senior Brother being confined was something she wouldn’t even dare to imagine when Master was in power.

Qin Chen remained silent. It seemed that the situation at the Alchemy Pavilion was worse than he had imagined. With so many people scheming against each other and vying for power and profit, it was strange that a mere Alchemy Pavilion could become strong.

“We’ve arrived.”

Just as Qin Chen was pondering, Xiao Ya suddenly spoke up, raising her head, and what appeared before Qin Chen was a refining room of the Alchemy Pavilion, clearly one of the more advanced types.

“Master is dedicated to alchemy, hence he has always resided in the refining room of the Alchemy Pavilion. In the Imperial City, he doesn’t even have a dedicated residence. During these days of illness, he has been staying here, with just a few of us disciples taking care of him.”

Xiao Ya spoke, her tone full of bitterness.

Qin Chen nodded. In his past life, he had visited the Alchemy Pavilion too many times. Many alchemists were entirely focused on their craft, spending almost all their time in the Alchemy Pavilion.

Elders at the level of Xu Bo had special advanced refining rooms provided in the Alchemy Pavilion. These refining rooms included not only spaces for refining but also lounges, reception rooms, and even living quarters to facilitate the elders' focus on alchemy.

Many elders who devoted themselves to refining would reside here.

However, elders like Xu Bo, who, after falling ill, still lived in the Alchemy Pavilion without their own residence, were extremely rare.

“Xiao Ya, what are you doing here? You are not welcome here.”

Just as Xiao Ya led Qin Chen into the refining room, a young man suddenly walked out. Upon seeing Xiao Ya, his expression instantly soured, and he coldly said.

“Second Senior Brother.” Xiao Ya awkwardly called out, “I came to see Master.”

“See Master?” The young man’s eyes filled with anger, “Do you still have the face to see Master? If it weren’t for you insisting on recommending some people from the Five Nations to replace us in participating in the Hundred Dynasties Competition, would Master have angered so many elders? Leading to our current predicament where even Senior Brother has been confined, what do you still want to do? You are not welcome here; you should go back!”

The young man's tone was icy, almost pushing Xiao Ya out.

Xiao Ya’s earlier recommendation of Qin Chen had brought Xu Bo a lot of trouble. After all, in the eyes of the vast majority of alchemists from the Dawi Dynasty, they looked down on the alchemists from the Five Nations. The Alchemy Pavilions of the Five Nations were merely subordinate branches of the Alchemy Pavilion of the Dawi Dynasty.

Even elders like Xiao Ya could take on the position of a national pavilion master, showing how low their status was.

Therefore, when Xu Bo believed Xiao Ya and strongly recommended Qin Chen, he offended many people within the Alchemy Pavilion, as one spot involved the interests of many.

When Xu Bo was powerful, it was bearable, but once he fell ill, he attracted a lot of criticism.

Many under Xu Bo pushed the responsibility onto Xiao Ya, including this Second Senior Brother Wang Zhong.

Xiao Ya’s face showed a hint of shame as she bitterly said, “Second Senior Brother, I know Master’s current state is largely related to me, but we have important matters to discuss with Master this time. I hope Second Senior Brother can be lenient and allow me to see Master.”