Jiang Chen swept a helpless glance over everyone, and finally it was his turn to speak. "I am Jiang Chen, precisely that ’clueless’ Pill Master Senior mentioned."

Mu Linqing’s expression shifted slightly, and he let out an awkward laugh. "Well... Mr Jiang, you’re being too modest, hehe, too modest. Mr Jiang’s talent is astounding, your Alchemy Dao is unmatched, so your Array Dao must surely be the same."

"Senior Mu, you really do need to pay attention to what I just said!"

Jiang Chen spoke softly. "Judging from your aura, you should have broken straight through from Late Virtual Refinement Realm to early Unity Realm Stage. Forcing your way up too many levels has made your foundation extremely unstable. At best your combat strength is only at Virtual Refinement Realm Peak, perhaps even just Late Virtual Refinement Realm. If you don’t calm down and polish your foundation, I’m afraid it’ll be very difficult for you to advance any further in the future."

"Hehe, I know, I know!"

Mu Linqing replied with an embarrassed chuckle.

"Does Senior Mu have any other business?"

Jiang Chen asked in a low voice.

"N-no, nothing..."

Mu Linqing was almost scared silly. Every one of these factions was stronger than the one backing him. Although his power was based in Canglan City, it was only a bottom-tier force. This Jiang Chen was really...

Huh? Jiang Chen?

Mu Linqing suddenly froze, staring at Jiang Chen in surprise. "Mr Jiang, you’re Jiang Chen? That Jiang Chen who expelled himself from Changling Academy?"

"That’s me."

Jiang Chen gave a light nod.

"Ah, we’re family, we’re family!"

Mu Linqing burst out laughing as he walked into the pavilion, cupping his fists to Hu Yiqiu and the others, then plopped himself down right beside Jiang Chen, grinning from ear to ear. "Mr Jiang, we’re one family!"

"What family?"

Jiang Chen looked at Mu Linqing in astonishment, and Hu Yiqiu and the others were also utterly baffled.

"Mr Jiang, that’s where you’re in the wrong. You and my Wanqiu are mutually in love; that’s nothing shameful. Why won’t you admit it?"

Mu Linqing put on an exaggeratedly reproachful tone.

"What?"

Jiang Chen was stunned for a moment, then recalled what had happened in the Abandoned Town. A look of understanding flashed in his eyes. "Senior is talking about Mu Wanqiu of the Royal Mansions? I think Senior has misunderstood. I’ve only met Mu Wanqiu once. We’re not even friends, let alone ’mutual love’."

"You... no, you two aren’t mutually in love?"

Mu Linqing was honestly surprised. He blinked, then chuckled slyly. "No matter, no matter. Mr Jiang will certainly go to Canglan City, right? You’ve met once already. When you go to Canglan City this time and meet again, won’t you become friends then?"

Hu Yiqiu and the others all looked at Mu Linqing with amused expressions. So this fellow had seen how powerful Jiang Chen’s background was and rushed over to curry favor?

Jiang Chen also froze for a moment, then thought of something and gently furrowed his brows. "My apologies, Senior Mu. I have no intention of getting involved in the struggles between the Royal Mansions. I hope you can understand."

Hearing this, Hu Yiqiu and the others all came to a realization, and the looks they gave Mu Linqing now carried open ridicule.

Mu Linqing’s face stiffened, then he forced another laugh. "Hehe, it’s fine, it’s fine, no need to get involved. It’s just that my Wanqiu is about ready for marriage. I see Mr Jiang is handsome and talented..."

"Senior Mu, my apologies. I already have a fiancée."

Jiang Chen cut Mu Linqing off.

"That’s fine. It’s just a fiancée. Cancel the engagement. How could she be worthy of you? Cancel it, and then..."

Mu Linqing looked as if he hadn’t understood at all.

"Senior Mu!"

Jiang Chen’s face suddenly turned cold as he barked, "Please watch your mouth. This is the resting place the seniors of the Su Family have provided for my master and me. Please leave!"

Mu Linqing jumped in fright. In that instant, he felt as if a bloodthirsty ferocious beast had locked onto him.

Ye Jingyi was Jiang Chen’s Nether Scale. He would not allow anyone to speak ill of Ye Jingyi. Mu Linqing’s words had already touched his bottom line.

Gulp.

Mu Linqing swallowed hard. He could clearly feel that if he said one more word, this young man before him might actually make a move on him then and there!

"Brother Mu, please leave."

Seeing things going badly, Su Lieyang hurried forward and grabbed Mu Linqing, pulling him toward the door.

Mu Linqing did not resist and allowed himself to be dragged out of the pavilion.

"That Mu Linqing really is quite the schemer."

Su Chengfeng gave a faint smile. "Mr Jiang’s affairs have already spread throughout Canglan Domain; there’s no way he didn’t know you were all here. Pretending to barge in recklessly to build ties—he probably also had a gambler’s mindset. The situation in the Royal Mansions is indeed very unfavorable right now."

As he spoke, Su Chengfeng quietly observed Jiang Chen’s expression.

Since they had invited Mu Linqing over, there had to be some connection. They likely had their own ideas about the Royal Mansions’ situation as well. If Jiang Chen and the others were willing to lend a hand, their chances would increase a lot.

And he had seen it clearly: don’t be fooled by the fact that Jiang Chen’s group had two Saint Monarch Strong Ones and one at Saint Realm. The one with the most say was probably this young man who was only at Divine Infant Realm Peak.

"I have no interest in the Royal Mansions’ affairs."

Jiang Chen understood what Su Chengfeng was hinting at and replied indifferently.

Hearing this, Su Chengfeng and Su Bichen exchanged a glance, a trace of helplessness in their eyes.

Hu Yiqiu opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but when he saw the icy look on Jiang Chen’s face, he closed it again.

"Jiang Chen, I’ve always heard you have a fiancée, but I’ve never met her. When will you let us meet? I want to see what kind of fairy could capture a young talent like you."

Feeling the mood turn heavy, Su Qingluan chuckled lightly and shifted the topic.

Jiang Chen glanced at Su Qingluan, a hint of tenderness and longing flashing through his eyes. "I want to find her too. Unfortunately, without strength, I can’t even look for her."

The members of the Su Family were stunned at his words. Hu Yiqiu and Yun Tao knew a little and both revealed a trace of sorrow—they couldn’t help much either.

"Then... is there anything Mr Jiang needs help with?"

Su Chengfeng asked softly.

"Thank you, Senior. This matter is a bit complicated. I’ll handle it myself; I won’t trouble you."

Jiang Chen shook his head lightly.

"Very well. If there’s ever anything you need from my Su Family, Mr Jiang need only speak."

Su Chengfeng nodded.

"Alright."

Jiang Chen agreed, but didn’t say more.

Su Chengfeng was being this courteous mostly because of Zhu Tianming, Jin Ang, and the others. A mere Divine Infant Realm Peak wasn’t enough for a Saint to treat so politely—Jiang Chen understood this clearly.

"Then we won’t disturb your rest any longer. There are still some matters to take care of. Qingluan, explain the details of the grand competition to Mr Jiang. The two of us old fellows will take our leave first."

Seeing Jiang Chen in low spirits, Su Chengfeng didn’t press further. He rose and took his leave.

After the Su father and son left and the elders like Hu Yiqiu went upstairs, only Jiang Chen, Su Qingluan, Lei Ling’er, Yun Tao, and Su Qingpeng—the five juniors—were left in the hall.