Chapter 510: Chapter 511: Leaving Midway
The atmosphere was very tense, which even the slowest responders could feel.
Fang Lin was about to dominate Qin Tianchuan just moments ago, but Zhou Yishui intervened, saving Qin Tianchuan. Although Qin Tianchuan was defeated, he was not seriously injured.
Anyone put in the same position, being obstructed in such an overbearing manner, would find it hard to accept.
Now, Fang Lin was likely displeased with Crown Prince Zhou Yishui.
“What does Your Highness think of the move I used just now?” Fang Lin asked with a smile, seeming not to be angry at all.
Zhou Yishui put down his wine cup and responded indifferently, “Not bad.”
Two simple words that represented Zhou Yishui’s attitude. Although it was a compliment, Fang Lin could hear the contempt in his voice.
Fang Lin chuckled silently. His Finger of the Firmament was a powerful Martial Arts technique. If he were a little stronger, he could have crushed Qin Tianchuan into dust.
But, according to Zhou Yishui, it was merely ‘not bad’.
Dugu Nian had a worried look on her face. She knew that Fang Lin had a fiery temper and was afraid that he would say something disrespectful to Zhou Yishui in his anger, which could cause a lot of trouble.
Zhou Yishui, after all, was the respected Crown Prince of the Xuan Country, not tolerating the slightest offense. Even the numerous geniuses of Xuan Country present at the scene would act respectfully and show their courtesy to Zhou Yishui. Who would dare to disrespect him?
At this moment, Dugu Nian constantly signaled to Fang Lin, urging him to hold his tongue for the time being, so as not to cause any conflict with Zhou Yishui.
Fang Lin, of course, noticed Dugu Nian’s signals and understood her intentions. He didn’t intend to clash with Zhou Yishui either.
Even though Fang Lin was indeed dissatisfied with Zhou Yishui, he had no desire to clash with him at the moment due to his insufficient strength.
From the way Zhou Yishui casually negated his Finger of the Firmament earlier, Fang Lin deduced that Zhou Yishui, who was likely in the Heavenly Origin realm, was unfathomable. If Fang Lin were to fight him, there would be no chance of winning.
Moreover, this was the Crown Prince’s residence, teeming with skilled fighters. The moment Zhou Yishui issued an order, Fang Lin would probably not be able to escape this place.
Forced to swallow his anger, Fang Lin wasn’t willing, but he had no other choice under the circumstances.
Thereupon, Fang Lin didn’t say anything more and returned to Gongsun Xiao and Dugu Nian’s side.
At this moment, everyone was looking at Fang Lin, their eyes no longer filled with contempt.
Defeating Qin Tianchuan was enough to prove how formidable Fang Lin was. Among these geniuses here, not many would be able to defeat Qin Tianchuan easily.
A person of power would receive respect wherever he went. By defeating Qin Tianchuan, Fang Lin had also earned respect for himself.
Still, there was a group of geniuses who hadn’t started respecting Fang Lin because they noticed that Crown Prince Zhou Yishui showed no regard for him.
Any person Zhou Yishui disregards, even if they’re powerful, would inevitably remain unknown in the vast Xuan Country and eventually wouldn’t be able to stay.
At this moment, Qin Tianchuan stood up. Although he was badly injured, he was not in critical condition. However, his expression was extremely ugly. Losing to Fang Lin was a great humiliation for him.
Before he engaged in a fight with Fang Lin, he hadn’t considered the possibility of losing at all because Qin Tianchuan believed that as a member of the Five Elements Sect, he was far superior to Fang Lin.
But to his surprise, Fang Lin was incredibly strong. Qin Tianchuan’s defeat was not unjust, but he was still unwilling to accept it. Losing to a country bumpkin from the Lower Three Kingdoms was absolutely humiliating.
“Thank you, Your Highness, for your intervention. I would like to take my leave.” Qin Tianchuan said. He didn’t want to stay there any longer; he just wanted a hole to crawl into.
Zhou Yishui nodded in response. Qin Tianchuan shot a resentful glance at Fang Lin before hastily leaving the Crown Prince’s residence.
Some people laughed mockingly. Qin Tianchuan had made a fool of himself this time. Of all people to lose to, it had to be Fang Lin, causing the Five Elements Sect too to lose face.
“Fang Lin, let’s go.” Dugu Nian said.
Before Fang Lin could respond, Zhou Yishui spoke, “The banquet has only reached halfway. Miss Nian, you want to leave already? That’s quite disrespectful of me.”
Dugu Nian shook her head and replied, “I feel a bit stuffy here. I’d like to step out for a while, I hope Your Highness will understand.”
Commandery Princess Xiruo and Saintess Han Li wanted to persuade Dugu Nian to stay, but she was insistent on leaving.
Since Dugu Nian had made things clear, Zhou Yishui could only give his consent. If he continued to insist on her staying, it would make him appear ungracious.
Naturally, Fang Lin left with Dugu Nian. Watching their retreating figures, Zhou Yishui’s eyes flashed with a cold glint.
Gongsun Xiao hesitated a bit but decided to stay and continue attending the banquet. He was considering leaving, but one or two people leaving like this clearly indicated their disregard for Zhou Yishui. And even if Zhou Yishui didn’t say anything, he would surely feel uncomfortable.
Outside the Crown Prince’s residence, Fang Lin and Dugu Nian walked together, neither saying a word.
“It’s all my fault.” Upon passing a bustling street, Dugu Nian broke the silence, her tone filled with apology.
Fang Lin smiled, “What is there to blame you for?”
“If I hadn’t shown up, you wouldn’t have been targeted like this.” Dugu Nian said in a low voice, obviously feeling guilty.
Fang Lin laughed it off, “Even if you hadn’t appeared, I would still have been targeted because I’m a country bumpkin from the Lower Three Kingdoms.”
Upon hearing this, Dugu Nian laughed out, “Who speaks of themselves as a country bumpkin?”
Fang Lin with a nonchalant expression: “What’s wrong with that? Haven’t you heard all those people calling me a country bumpkin?”
Dugu Nian huffed, “I think they are the country bumpkins. Just because you’re from the Lower Three Kingdoms, so what? When it comes to Pill Refining, you’re streets ahead of them. As for fighting, I bet not many of them can beat you.”
Fang Lin laughed, “Why are you defending me all of a sudden? Didn’t you dislike me before?”
Dugu Nian turned her head away, “I’m not defending you, I just can’t stand their attitudes, that’s all.”
Fang Lin smiled faintly without saying much.
“By the way, I’ve heard that there are some issues with the Dugu Family?” Fang Lin asked. He had learned from Han Luoyun that the Dugu Family was facing some problems but didn’t know what they were.
Upon hearing Fang Lin’s question, Dugu Nian’s demeanor darkened, and she shook her head, staying silent.
Clearly, Dugu Nian didn’t want to share the family matters with Fang Lin, perhaps due to some taboo, or possibly for Fang Lin’s own good.
Upon seeing this, Fang Lin didn’t probe any further.
Once they were back in the Pill Alliance, quite a few people looked at Fang Lin, especially noticing that the treasured daughter of the Dugu Family was walking with him, which made them stare in surprise.