Chapter 561 - 559: The Statue of Zheng Tiangong

A bustling crowd milled about in front of the Alchemist Guild, a lively scene of people coming and going, shoulder to shoulder.

However, most people could only stop at the main gate, as entry was forbidden without an invitation.

Only a select few—the powerful magnates, nobles, and royal relatives of Gambling City—were allowed inside.

Jiang Chen and Mr. Qiu Shui presented their invitations and entered the Alchemist Guild without issue.

Mr. Qiu Shui glanced around, a wave of emotion washing over him.

His appearance had changed drastically—he looked much younger now. As a result, even members of the Alchemist Guild wouldn’t be able to recognize him. He saw no need to hide, since no one would know who he was anyway.

Meanwhile, in the Vice President’s Hall of the Alchemist Guild, a figure rushed in just as Jiang Chen and Mr. Qiu Shui were entering the building.

"Reporting to the Vice Presidents! That Jiang Chen has appeared. He’s already entered our Alchemist Guild."

Chang Mao, Wenzhu, and Wen Shixuan were seated inside. Hearing the news of Jiang Chen’s arrival, they were overjoyed.

Wen Shixuan said with delight, "My two masters, he really came."

Chang Mao waved his hand. "Don’t worry, apprentice. Since he’s here, I’ll make sure he never leaves."

A vicious glint flashed in the eyes of all three.

"Who is with Jiang Chen?"

Wenzhu asked the guard who had delivered the report.

The guard hurriedly replied, "A stranger. I’ve never seen him before."

She frowned slightly. After all, they already knew who was in Jiang Chen’s circle. The appearance of an unknown person was quite a surprise.

But Wenzhu simply waved her hand. "Be that as it may, keep a close watch on Jiang Chen."

The guard withdrew.

The trio of masters and apprentice exchanged a look.

Chang Mao said, "To deal with a mere Martial King like Jiang Chen, we don’t need to go to any great trouble. I can handle it myself. That will be more than enough to eliminate him."

Wenzhu suddenly interjected, "Senior Brother, don’t forget Mr. Qiu Shui. Although we injured him, he might show up and cause trouble."

"To be safe, we should prepare a few extra measures. That way, even if Mr. Qiu Shui does come, we can make sure he doesn’t leave either."

At that, a triumphant look flashed across Chang Mao’s face.

He laughed heartily. "Don’t worry, Junior Sister. I’ve already prepared for that."

"We’ve already gained control over the divine statue. Forget Mr. Qiu Shui—we’ll see him put to death if he shows up. Even if a Martial Emperor Expert were to come, we could still crush them."

Wenzhu nodded. "In that case, I can rest easy."

"It’s just that we can only call upon a sliver of the statue’s power. If we could fully mobilize it, its strength would be enough to kill any Martial Emperor Expert."

Wen Shixuan listened, his face flushed with excitement.

He knew that their Alchemist Guild possessed a divine statue, one that had existed for many years.

Legend had it that the statue was left behind by an ancient predecessor of the Alchemist Guild, specifically to protect it.

For all these years, no one had been able to wield the statue’s power.

He never expected that his two masters would actually be able to mobilize its power now.

"Congratulations, my two masters."

Wen Shixuan hurriedly offered his congratulations to Chang Mao and Wenzhu.

Chang Mao let out a laugh. "Don’t worry, apprentice. When the time comes, I will pass on the method to control the divine statue to you."

"Back when Mr. Qiu Shui was in charge, he tried everything but could never tap into the statue’s power. Now he’s nothing but a stray dog, while we are the ones who can command its strength. This proves that the position of President of the Alchemist Guild was always meant to be ours."

Within the Alchemist Guild was a massive plaza.

At this moment, many people were gathered there.

Jiang Chen and Mr. Qiu Shui also appeared at the edge of the plaza.

Jiang Chen’s eyes swept over the area.

Soon, a figure caught his attention.

At the same time, that person also noticed Jiang Chen and immediately started walking over from the crowd.

"Jiang Chen, we meet again."

A fragrant scent wafted over. It was Murong Xiangming, dressed in a snow-white long dress, looking as beautiful as a celestial maiden.

In that instant, almost every gaze in the plaza was fixed on Murong Xiangming.

Jiang Chen nodded and smiled. "Yes, we meet again. Have you been well recently, Miss Murong?"

During his time at the Third Prince’s Hall, Jiang Chen hadn’t visited the Treasure Elephant Pavilion himself, but he would still send people to purchase Elixir Materials from there when he needed them.

Looking at Jiang Chen, Murong Xiangming seemed rather pleased.

Jiang Chen, on the other hand, noticed that Murong Xiangming’s Cultivation seemed to have improved significantly again.

’This young lady of the Treasure Elephant Pavilion is truly remarkable,’ he thought.

Jiang Chen, however, didn’t pry into her private affairs.

The two of them had shared some flirtatious encounters in the past.

Fortunately, however, both were able to maintain a calm demeanor.

"And this is?"

Murong Xiangming’s eyes fell on Mr. Qiu Shui standing beside Jiang Chen, and she looked a little surprised.

She had just tried to probe Mr. Qiu Shui’s Cultivation, only to find that it was completely unfathomable.

When her Divine Thought swept over Mr. Qiu Shui, it felt like plunging into a bottomless abyss.

This indicated that his Cultivation was exceptionally powerful.

Mr. Qiu Shui introduced himself, "Call me Qiu Shui."

Although he knew Murong Xiangming, he pretended not to recognize her.

Murong Xiangming studied Mr. Qiu Shui and remarked, whether intentionally or not, "Qiu Shui... that name sounds quite a bit like Mr. Qiu Shui, the President of the Alchemist Guild."

Mr. Qiu Shui froze, looking deeply at Murong Xiangming.

To be honest, even he had never been able to figure Murong Xiangming out.

For her to say such a thing meant she had seen through his identity as Mr. Qiu Shui.

He immediately offered a slight smile. "You jest, miss. I don’t know any Mr. Qiu Shui."

"I have only just started following my young master. As a newcomer, I hope you’ll offer your guidance."

Jiang Chen was also surprised. Murong Xiangming’s perception was indeed incredibly sharp.

Shaking his head slightly, he quickly changed the subject with Murong Xiangming.

As he chatted with Murong Xiangming, Jiang Chen’s gaze continued to scan the surroundings.

He suddenly noticed a statue standing at the edge of the plaza.

"Hm?"

’This statue?’

He studied the statue closely, a feeling of familiarity washing over him.

"What is it? Is there something special about that statue?"

Murong Xiangming asked from his side.

Jiang Chen shook his head but didn’t say anything more.

Inside, however, he was extremely surprised.

’This statue... it’s a statue of Zheng Tiangong, an Elder of the Alchemist Guild and a Ninth-Grade Alchemist!’

Once Jiang Chen saw it clearly, he was hit by a sudden realization.

In his past life, Zheng Tiangong had been one of the founding elders who established the Alchemist Guild alongside Jiang Chen.

He was a full-fledged Ninth-Grade Alchemist, one of a handful of Alchemists second only to Jiang Chen himself. In that past life, their relationship had been excellent.

’I remember now. He’s the one who came from the Lower Realm, from the Bright Moon Continent.’

And right now, Jiang Chen was in the Fire Sparrow Kingdom of the Divine Wind Empire, on this very same Bright Moon Continent.

Jiang Chen felt a surge of emotion. Anyone who could ascend from the Lower Realm to the Seven Realms, and then all the way to the Nine Desolates, was bound to be a person of extraordinary talent.

And back in his day, Zheng Tiangong had clearly been a monstrously talented Martial Cultivator on the Bright Moon Continent.

And a genius Alchemist, to boot.

Calculating the time, hundreds of thousands of years had passed since Zheng Tiangong left the Bright Moon Continent to eventually become an Elder of the Alchemist Guild.