Chapter 504 - Chapter 504: 504

Chapter 504: 504

Zhou Yishui’s words seem to belittle Pill Refiners, sparking discontent among some of the genius Pill Refiners present.

Even if you are the Crown Prince of Xuan Country, such denigration towards Pill Refiners is overly excessive.

Dugu Nian, displeased, retorted, “Your Highness, there are strong individuals among Pill Refiners too. It’s just that I’m not one of them.”

“Hehe, is that so?” Zhou Yishui didn’t take Dugu Nian’s rebuttal to heart, only responding with an indifferent chuckle.

Dugu Nian, alongside other alchemy prodigies, fell silent. Despite Zhou Yishui’s belittlement of Pill Refiners, they dared not speak out. They feared provoking the Crown Prince of Xuan Country.

“This friend, you’re Fang Lin from the Lower Three Kingdoms, correct?” Zhou Yishui turned to Fang Lin, asking with a calm tone. However, Fang Lin detected the arrogance behind his gaze.

Well, Zhou Yishui, being the Crown Prince of Xuan Country and among the best of its young warriors, naturally regarded Fang Lin, who hailed from the Lower Three Kingdoms, with disdain.

“Correct, Fang Lin pays his respects to Your Highness.” Fang Lin kept his stance humble, bowing in salute to Zhou Yishui, despite his personal distaste.

Zhou Yishui nodding his head acknowledged, “It is indeed exceptional for the Lower Three Kingdoms to produce a genius like you.”

Fang Ling responded in a grave tone, “Your Highness flatters me.”

As Zhou Yishui inspected Fang Lin, he suddenly suggested with a smile, “I’ve heard that you’ve mastered several Ancient Alchemy Skills. Why not give us all a demonstration and liven up this banquet of geniuses?”

At his statement, Fang Lin’s expression darkened slightly, while many others smirked at Fang Lin.

They were treating Fang Lin like a monkey to be toyed with. Everyone knew that Pill Refiners wouldn’t lightly showcase their unique skills unless they chose to. Others couldn’t coerce them.

However, Zhou Yishui was requesting Fang Lin to display his Alchemy in public. This was clearly intended to embarrass Fang Lin while asserting his superiority.

Such demand would be unacceptable to any Pill Refiner.

Dugu Nian, indignant, responded, “Your Highness, asking Fang Lin to demonstrate his Alchemy in public is disrespectful to Pill Refiners!”

With a puzzled look, Zhou Yishui replied, “I merely asked Fang Lin to showcase his Alchemy to add some fun, without insulting or belittling him. How is that considered disrespectful to Pill Refiners?”

Dugu Nian responded through clenched teeth, while other Alchemy prodigies wanted to speak but remained silent out of respect for Zhou Yishui’s authority.

“Hehe, if His Highness asked you to demonstrate, then why not show us?” Qin Tianchuan sneered.

“Exactly, His Highness asking you to demonstrate is a sign of respect to you. Are you not happy about it?” Lu Yunfei added fuel to the fire.

Gongsun Xiao stepped forward, bowing to the Crown Prince, “Your Highness, Pill Refiners have their own pride and dignity. Asking them to display their Alchemy in public is disrespectful to them. I hope Your Highness can reconsider.”

Fang Lin did not speak, maintaining a calm expression. However, inwardly, he was anything but calm.

He was acutely aware that Zhou Yishui was deliberately targeting him. Even though Fang Lin had no idea what grievances he had with the Crown Prince, he was still holding back based on his principle of ‘if you don’t offend me, I won’t offend you’.

“Gongsun Xiao, what are you saying? How dare you accuse His Highness!” Qin Tianchuan immediately berated Gongsun Xiao.

Gongsun Xiao frowned, “I am not accusing His Highness. I’m merely stating that Fang Lin, as a Pill Refiner of the Pill Alliance, would naturally demonstrate his Alchemy if he wished. However, if he does not wish to do so, I hope His Highness will not force him.”

Gongsun Xiao’s words referenced the Pill Alliance, indicating to Zhou Yishui that although Fang Lin hailed from the Lower Three Kingdoms, he was still part of the Pill Alliance and not without backing.

The smile on Zhou Yishui’s face disappeared, replaced by an icy look.

“If that’s the case, then let’s drop the matter,” Zhou Yishui said coldly.

However, everyone could infer his dissatisfaction from his tone. Many people looked at Fang Lin sympathetically, knowing that those who offended Crown Prince Zhou Yishui of Xuan Country never ended well. As a newcomer with no connections, Fang Lin probably has a hard time ahead of him.

Fang Lin secretly clenched his fists. He yearned to thrash Zhou Yishui but could merely fantasize about it.

Even if Zhou Yishui personally slapped him here, he couldn’t retaliate. Otherwise, he’d probably be slain on the spot by the local experts of the Crown Prince’s Estate before he could even leave.

“Fang Lin, I suddenly feel like visiting the Pill Alliance. Would you accompany me?” Immediately, Dugu Nian looked eagerly at Fang Lin.

Fang Lin gave a small smile, touched by Dugu Nian’s gesture. She clearly wanted to spare him embarrassment and was providing him a dignified exit from the situation.

“The banquet hasn’t started yet, Miss Dugu. How can you leave? Are you not considering my feelings?” Zhou Yishui’s voice rang out, his eyes casting a cold look at Fang Lin.

Dugu Nian was boiling with rage and about to retort, but Fang Lin stopped her.

“Your Highness is right. The banquet hasn’t started yet. How can we leave?” Fang Lin responded, his jovial tone betraying no hint of his irritation.

Some were surprised by his demeanor. Despite the mistreatment and insult, Fang Lin still managed to put up a smile.

Just this alone proved that he was not ordinary. At least in terms of restraint, he surpassed many others.

Dugu Nian felt a pang of distress. The Fang Lin she knew was incredibly proud. Yet here, he was forced to put on a smiling facade.

In that moment, she was possessed by a desire to leave this detestable Crown Prince Mansion and the corrupt Xuan City with Fang Lin.

However, upon remembering her family’s situation, Dugu Nian was filled with sorrow. Currently, she was embroiled in a vortex of problems, and she couldn’t drag Fang Lin into it as well.

“You shouldn’t have come here,” Dugu Nian whispered into Fang Lin’s ear.

Fang Lin smiled faintly. His eyes, though, held a glint of cool determination.

“If you provoke me, I’ll turn the vast Xuan Country upside down,” he silently vowed.

The banquet began in the garden, with delicious delicacies and beautiful dancing girls enlivening the occasion. While everyone was chatting and laughing, only Fang Lin, apart from Gongsun Xiao and Dugu Nian, was not involved in any conversation.

“It is my honor to have you all here in my mansion. I would like to propose a toast to you all,” Zhou Yishui raised his cup to everyone and exclaimed.