Chapter 171: Ye Ping Returns, The Great War Begins
Jin Nation Academy.
Ye Ping looked at everything around him and couldn’t help but slowly sigh in relief.
When he first left, he left an array formation mark so that he would be able to come back anytime within a month.
Besides, due to the fact that he had suffered a loss the first time, Ye Ping was much more conscientious this time.
There would be huge trouble if something went wrong again.
Looking at the clean Spirit Stones, Ye Ping also suddenly recalled something.
‘It’s time to get some Spirit Stones.’
‘Yes, get some Spirit Stones.’
Since he didn’t have any array artifacts, he would need a large number of Spirit Stones.
If he had Spirit Stones, he would be able to teleport directly whenever he encountered danger in the future.
Ye Ping initially wanted to borrow some from Li Yue, but after thinking about it, he decided to drop the idea. Borrowing once was fine but not if he borrowed too many times.
He wanted to get Spirit Stones.
Yes, Ye Ping had confirmed his next goal, and that was to get more Spirit Stones, regardless of whether he was going to set up array formations or buy array artifacts.
For the time being, Ye Ping had yet to think of a way to get Spirit Stones.
Creak!
After pushing open the door of the room, Ye Ping walked out.
He was going to look for Elder Xu Chang to talk about the matter of the non-poisonous pill.
However, after leaving the residence, various pairs of eyes were cast on him.
“Senior Brother Ye!”
“Senior Brother Ye, are you back?”
“Look guys, is that Senior Brother Ye?”
“It’s really Senior Brother Ye.”
“Senior Brother Ye is back! Senior Brother Ye is back!”
“Senior Brother Ye, you’ve finally returned.”
At this moment, the group of newly matriculated disciples were overwhelmed with excitement when they saw Ye Ping because they felt as if they had seen their savior.
They swarmed over to surround Ye Ping.
“What happened?”
Seeing how excited they were, Ye Ping was at a loss for what to do. He did not understand what he had just seen.
“Senior Brother Ye, let me tell you. The genius of Nan Nation, Huangfu Tianlong, has come to the Jin Nation Academy, and no one except for you can suppress him.”
Li Yue was the first to speak up and inform Ye Ping of this matter.
During this period of time, the entire Jin Nation Academy could be considered to have suffered.
The fact that Huangfu Tianlong defeated the geniuses of the Jin Nation was not something to be ashamed of. After all, the Ten Nations had lost and it was normal for the Jin Nation Academy to lose too.
However, on that day, there was a demand for Ye Ping to show up, and once that demand was made, everyone was waiting.
Some were rational enough to think that since the Jin Nation Academy dared to say so, they were definitely confident.
However, most people were still irrational and thought that there were no geniuses in Jin Nation Academy at all, and that they were just forcefully making up a person.
In the beginning, the disciples of the Jin Nation Academy were unaffected as they did not care at all about such comments.
However, as more and more cultivators gathered around, some people discovered Ye Ping’s origin.
All of a sudden, the incident at the Qingzhou Sword Dao Meet was revealed.
They said that Ye Ping resorted to some sordid means to rise to fame, and they even said that the Jin Nation Academy could not afford to lose. How could the disciples of the Jin Nation Academy tolerate it?
They wanted to go out and dispute those rumors, but Huangfu Tianlong was standing right at the entrance of the academy so if they did, they would lose.
Thus, the students of the Jin Nation Academy were all feeling extremely upset in the past few days.
Now that Ye Ping had returned, how could they not be excited?
Everyone surrounded Ye Ping and made comments one after another. They basically stated clearly everything that happened.
“Senior Brother Ye, Huangfu Tianlong is really too arrogant. If you don’t go out to suppress him, he might really think that we don’t have a genius.”
“Yeah, Senior Brother Ye, we must teach him a lesson.”
“Senior Brother Ye, Huangfu Tianlong is extremely prestigious now and if you can defeat him, I’m afraid you’d rise to fame in the Ten Nations.”
“It will be far beyond the Ten Nations Academy. If you first beat the best expert in the Ten Nations, you might be the fastest disciple in the Ten Nations to enter the Ten Nations Academy.”
“Senior Brother Ye, you’re about to soar high.”
The disciples spoke up one after another, and their words were getting more and more outrageous.
‘Genius of the Nan Nation?’
‘Huangfu Tianlong?’
Standing among the crowd, Ye Ping frowned. He had heard about the genius of Nan Nation. After all, the latter had caused a storm and word about him spread throughout the Ten Nations. So how could Ye Ping be unaware?
However, Ye Ping did not expect that he would come to the Jin Nation so soon.
The distance between the Ten Nations was massive, and even if there was a Teleportation Array, it definitely wouldn’t be so quick.
Unless Huangfu Tianlong was very powerful and managed to dominate across, it would be impossible to reach the Jin Nation so soon.
“Is he still outside the academy now?”
Ye Ping could not help but ask about it.
Ye Ping knew some stuff about Huangfu Tianlong but he did not have a thorough understanding.
“Yes, Senior Brother Ye, he’s been waiting for you.”
Someone said.
“Waiting for me?”
Ye Ping was even more curious.
“Senior Brother Ye, everyone knows about your Blood and Qi Furnace, and there are also rumors that Huangfu Tianlong cultivates the Great Dragon and Elephant Ancient Technique. You’re the only one who can contend with him.”
The disciples spoke up and informed him of what happened.
Unfortunately, Ye Ping shook his head.
“I still have important matters to talk to Elder Xu Chang about, there’s no need for me to fight with him.”
Ye Ping shook his head. He wasn’t afraid of Huangfu Tianlong, but rather, he had not only condensed the Blood and Qi Furnace, but also the Qi and Blood True Dragon.
In terms of strength and abilities, Ye Ping did not know which level of the Great Dragon and Elephant Ancient Technique Huangfu Tianlong had to cultivate to but the sixth was definitely not enough.
“Huh? Senior Brother Ye, the pride of the Jin Nation Academy is dependent on you. If you don’t fight him, we’ll really be embarrassed.”
“Yes, Senior Brother Ye, do you have any concerns?”
“Senior Brother Ye, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Now that the Ten Nations Grand Tournament is right around the corner, the geniuses from all the major academies and some mighty figures are resting in Jin Nation, you’d definitely rise to fame in the Ten Nations Grand Tournament if you can defeat Huangfu Tianlong.”
The disciples spoke up. They did not know why Ye Ping refuted and wondered if he was scared.
However, they would rather still believe that Ye Ping had something else going on and not because he was scared to fight.
However, they were just stating facts. The Ten Nations Grand Tournament was just around the corner, and the venue of the Ten Nations Grand Tournament this year was in the capital of Wei Nation.
The Jin Nation was near the Wei Nation, and for the elite powerhouses, they could make it there in a few hours.
Hence, they naturally went to the Jin Nation Academy to see if they could witness a great battle after finding out that Huangfu Tianlong was there.
Even though many powerhouses had come over, they were disappointed that there was no great war.
However, before Ye Ping could answer, someone with a loud voice spoke up.
“My name is Huangfu Tianlong and I would like to implore Ye Ping to come out for a battle.”
It was Huangfu Tianlong.
His voice was like heavenly thunder that spread throughout the entire academy.
After Ye Ping appeared, someone couldn’t help but go outside the academy and spread the news.
Huangfu Tianlong, who was outside the academy, was extremely agitated after finding out that Ye Ping had returned. Hence, he took the initiative to ask.
All the cultivators of the Jin Nation Academy heard him.
Even outside the academy, many cultivators also instantly rushed over.
During this period of time, the students of the Jin Nation Academy had constantly bragged about Ye Ping, making them curious about who Ye Ping was.
Although some people found out what Ye Ping had done, there were still some who were curious about him.
After all, there had to be geniuses in the Jin Nation Academy.
Now that Ye Ping had returned and it was less than two days to go before the Ten Nations Grand Tournament, everyone couldn’t help but guess if Ye Ping had suddenly returned to fight Huangfu Tianlong.
All of a sudden, various figures appeared outside the Jin Nation Academy.
There were quite a few geniuses from the Ten Nations who were camping there and anticipating a battle between geniuses.
Huangfu Tianlong was too invincible.
With his individual strength, he dominated the Ten Nations and now had a great reputation too.
If anyone could defeat Huangfu Tianlong, it would be a piece of extremely shocking news for the Ten Nations.
There were also some who guessed that there were supreme elites who could fight Huangfu Tianlong in the three top academies of the Ten Nations, namely Li Nation, Chen Nation, and Jing Nation.
However, they weren’t sent to fight him because they wanted them to put up an impressive performance during the Ten Nations Grand Tournament.
There were all sorts of rumors and guesses. This time, the Ten Nations Grand Tournament was extremely lively and it also attracted the attention of countless people.
Now that Ye Ping had appeared, countless cultivators came to spectate
There were already lots of people outside the Jin Nation Academy, and if not for the fact that flying was prohibited in the Jin Nation, there would be many who spectated from above using Sword Kinesis Flight.
In the academy.
When Ye Ping heard Huangfu Tianlong’s voice, he was energized.
Ye Ping could tell from Huangfu Tianlong’s voice that he was very powerful.
If he hadn’t condensed the Qi and Blood True Dragon, he might really not be able to defeat him.
However, now that he had, the difference between the two was huge, and he was confident that he could defeat Huangfu Tianlong. However, now he did have other things to do.
However, before Ye Ping could say something, Huangfu Tianlong spoke again.
“I am Huangfu Tianlong. Fellow Daoist Ye Ping, please defeat me.”
However, this time, the meaning of his words was completely different.
He wanted Ye Ping to defeat him.
Not to teach him.
Huangfu Tianlong sounded like he was putting Ye Ping on a pedestal but he was actually full of confidence.
His words were too aggressive.
However, at this moment, Xu Chang appeared.
“Ye Ping.”
After Elder Xu Chang heard Huangfu Tianlong’s voice, he hurried over immediately.
To him, Huangfu Tianlong’s challenge was irrelevant, and it didn’t even matter if it was a disgrace to the Jin Nation Academy.
The non-poisonous pill was of utmost importance.
“Greetings, Elder Xu.”
Ye Ping immediately saluted and bowed to Xu Chang when he saw him.
“Don’t say much, come with me.”
Elder Xu Chang seemed extremely excited to see Ye Ping.
He suppressed the excitement within him and then tried to pull Ye Ping to a quiet place to talk in detail.
However, at that moment, Huangfu Tianlong spoke again.
“I’m Huangfu Tianlong and I once again request you to defeat me, Senior Brother Ye Ping.”
This was the third time Huangfu Tianlong made the request.
This time, his battle intent was exhibited.
He wanted to fight and would not leave without doing so.
However, after requesting thrice but to no avail, the disciples of the Jin Nation Academy were a little embarrassed.
Outside the academy, some people started discussing too.
“He requested thrice and anyone who has a thirst for battle would have come out to fight. Is he scared?”
“If that was the case, they shouldn’t have boasted. Trust them to have the cheek to use the word genius.”
“The Jin Nation Academy has really embarrassed themselves this time. Why aren’t they coming out to fight yet?”
“It seems that the rumors are true. If I had known earlier, I might as well not say that Ye Ping has returned because we can at least still avoid a battle.”
“Ah, they wasted so much of Huangfu Tianlong’s time. If the Jin Nation Academy can’t make it, they should have said so earlier.”
“Huangfu Tianlong is young and invincible among the younger generation, and he has cultivated to the sixth level of the Great Dragon and Elephant Ancient Technique. Even if Ye Ping has condensed the Blood and Qi Furnace, he probably can’t defeat him, and avoiding the battle would be the best way to maintain his reputation. Unfortunately, they have already boasted. If they don’t fight, they’ll be making a joke out of themselves.”
Everyone was discussing and most people seemed rather disdainful as they felt that the rumors were true.
A small number of people were more rational and thought that there should be a genius in the Jin Nation Academy, but they also felt that he was inferior to Huangfu Tianlong, which was the reason he chose to avoid the battle. However, the disciples of the Jin Nation Academy were not convinced and continued to create clout.
Now that the clout had been created, Ye Ping still did not attack and that resulted in their reputation getting ruined.
In the academy.
The disciples were a little upset.
If Ye Ping really chose to sit out, the reputation of the Jin Nation Academy would be tarnished.
At the thought of this, someone wanted to beg Ye Ping to fight.
However, before they could make a sound, Ye Ping spoke indifferently.
“I’m Ye Ping, I will fight you in the morning and the outcome will be decided then.”
He did not want to fight, but when Huangfu Tianlong said those words thrice in a row, Ye Ping knew that he had to fight.
It was not just for the sake of Jin Nation, but also for himself.
His voice was like a bell that spread throughout the academy.
All of a sudden, everyone got into an uproar.
Ye Ping agreed to the battle.
That was beyond their expectations.
Outside the academy, Huangfu Tianlong froze after hearing his words and then seemed overjoyed.
As a physical cultivator, he naturally knew how terrifying Ye Ping’s voice was, and he knew very well that Ye Ping’s strength would definitely not be lower than him.
Thinking of this, Huangfu Tianlong was abnormally excited.
However, he did not say anything and simply closed his eyes to adjust his mental state.
He wanted to fight Ye Ping in his best state of mind.
The surrounding voices were endless too.
“He actually agreed to the fight?”
“Seems like he has been forced into desperation.”
“He’s anxious.”
“Yeah, otherwise, why would he have agreed?”
“Can you guys not have double standards? When he chose to avoid, you said that he’s scared, and now that he has agreed, you said that he’s anxious. Even if Ye Ping really loses to Huangfu Tianlong, he is still a hundred times better than us.”
“Yes, is it that difficult to admit that others are impressive?”
Some liked to gloat while some liked being sarcastic.
However, the noises did not affect Huangfu Tianlong.
In the academy, all the disciples also rushed to the entrance, as curious as cats. In particular, the second generation disciples also rushed to the entrance of the academy despite being injured, all in a bid to see who Ye Ping was.
However, at this moment, Ye Ping was in the middle of the hall and chatting secretly with Elder Xu Chang about some things.
“Ye Ping, what did your Senior Brother say about the non-poisonous pill formula?”
Elder Xu Chang was extremely nervous, afraid of hearing bad news.
“Elder Xu, my Senior Brother said that he can give you the pill formula on the condition that the academy agrees to three of his requests.”
Ye Ping cut straight to the chase without beating about the bush.
“Okay, even if there are ten requirements, we will definitely agree as long as it’s within our means to.”
Hearing that the other party was willing to contribute, Elder Xu Chang was immediately overjoyed.
“Elder, you’d better listen to what the requests are before agreeing.”
Ye Ping told Elder Xu Chang not to get too excited yet.
He then revealed Xu Luochen’s prerequisites.
After hearing his words, Elder agreed almost without hesitation.
“That’s no problem at all. I will directly agree, on behalf of Jin Nation, to these three requests of Senior Luochen.”
Elder Xu Chang said.
“Okay then, I’ll tell you the rest of the requests.”
However, Ye Ping had presumptuously changed the third request to 30,000 superior-grade Spirit Stones plus a superior-grade pill furnace. The superiority was up to his discretion.
The 30,000 superior-grade Spirit Stones were about the same as 30,000 taels of gold to him.
Indeed, once the three requests were revealed,
Elder Xu Chang froze in shock.
To be honest, before Ye Ping revealed them, he thought that Xu Luochen would definitely be greedy and ask for a lot.
However, he did not expect…
‘Just with this?’
‘This is considered a condition too?’
The first condition was to modify the rules of the Jin Nation alchemy assessment, and the gist of it was to respect every candidate, which he felt was not an issue at all.
The second request for him to conduct a thorough investigation of the Jin Nation alchemy assessment examiners was not an issue either. The Jin Nation Alchemy Hall would be thoroughly investigated once every ten years even without needing Xu Luochen’s request.
As for the third condition, Xu Chang found it unbelievable because 30,000 superior-grade Spirit Stones was not a huge amount to him but a small one that even an ancient city lord could afford. As for the superior-grade pill furnace, that was no problem at all. Although superior-grade pill furnaces were expensive, they were not that valuable compared to the non-poisonous pill formula.
At the thought of this, Xu Chang couldn’t help but look at Ye Ping.
“Ye Ping, did your Senior Brother really just make these three requests? There aren’t any other ones?”
Elder Xu Chang asked.
He just didn’t believe it.
He couldn’t believe it at all.
“Elder Xu, you think that these three requests are insignificant, right?”
Ye Ping asked.
“Yes.”
Elder Xu Chang nodded and said, not hiding anything at all.
“Elder Xu, I was just as shocked when I heard the requests at first, but after I heard his explanation, I understood why he is a peerless alchemist.”
Ye Ping nodded, and he then restated what Xu Luochen had said to him.
Five minutes later, Elder Xu Chang froze in shock.
At this moment, the shock in his heart was greater than when he heard the three requests.
“I never thought that there would be such a magnanimous person in the Jin Nation. I had always felt that I serve the country and the people, but now it seems that I’m really insignificant compared to your Senior Brother.”
“Ye Ping, I would like to thank your Senior Brother on behalf of the people of the world.”
Xu Luochen was astonished especially after learning the real reason why Xu Luochen made those three requests.
Hence, he knelt down and bowed to Ye Ping with great admiration for Xu Luochen.
“You’re being too serious, Elder.”
“In this case, I’ll give the non-poisonous pill formula to you tomorrow, Elder.”
Ye Ping bowed and said.
He had to modify the non-poisonous pill formula and leave some secrets.
“Okay, thank you, Ye Ping.”
Elder Xu Chang nodded.
Ye Ping turned around to leave without saying much.
Outside the hall.
Many disciples had gathered outside and were waiting for Ye Ping to come out.
There was only one hour to go.
They were looking forward to watching Ye Ping fight.
However, at this moment, Su Changyu’s voice sounded again.
The door of the main hall opened.
Rays of sunlight cast in and shone on Ye Ping.
His unparalleled aura and stunning looks suddenly became the focus of the disciples.
“Greetings, Senior Brother Ye.”
At this moment, hundreds of disciples spoke in unison as they bowed to Ye Ping with cupped fists.
Ye Ping walked out of the Jin Nation Academy quietly.
Ye Ping was not very fast.
He was wearing a long robe.
Under the sunlight, he looked extraordinarily handsome.
Finally, about eighteen minutes passed.
Ye Ping arrived outside the Jin Nation Academy.
The tens of thousands of cultivators formed a human wall.
Outside the academy, a golden-haired young man was staring right at him.
However, the moment Ye Ping appeared, a few of them looked extremely shocked.
They were Fang Lei and the others.