The Zhan people have a history of over a thousand years since their ancestors founded the tribe, and have experienced the rise and fall of several dynasties.
A century ago, with the help of the Zhan clan, the Ding Dynasty came into being. However, this also damaged the foundation of the Zhan clan, and some of their industries were gradually swallowed up by the royal family and other families.
As time went by, the Zhan clan became increasingly sparsely populated, and few exceptionally talented individuals emerged. In the current generation, only the two sisters, Zhan Qingqi and Zhan Qingyue, remain in the direct line.
However, the younger sister, Zhan Qingqi, possesses a five-star martial spirit, the Holy Cold Water Carp King, which cannot condense true fire. At the age of twenty-two, her strength is at the fourth level of the Awakening Realm. The older sister, Zhan Qingyue, possesses a six-star martial spirit, the Crimson Flame Ice Crystal Butterfly. Although she can condense true fire, her soul perception is not very high, and her alchemy talent is mediocre. At the age of twenty-six, she is only a second-grade alchemist, but her strength has already reached the sixth level of the Qi Sea Realm.
During their conversation, Qin Xin also gained some understanding of the current situation of the Zhan clan in Dading City.
"Since you are Qingqi's junior brother, we will not stand on ceremony."
"I implore you, young friend, to help the Zhan clan overcome this current predicament!"
Led by the First Elder, the three elders behind him also bowed slightly to Qin Xin.
"Elder Zhan Yun, please rise. This is too much of a compliment for a junior like me."
Qin Xin, who was originally sitting in his seat, suddenly stood up and returned the greeting to the elderly men in front of him.
"Who knows if that third-grade alchemist badge is real or fake! Elders, don't be fooled by this kid."
Sitting on a chair to the side, Zhan Qingyue crossed her long, snow-white legs, looking at Qin Xin with some wariness.
"Sister, I believe Junior Brother Qin Xin isn't that kind of person..."
Seeing her sister speak so bluntly, Zhan Qingqi leaned on her shoulder and acted coquettishly, just like a girl next door, completely unlike the arrogance and indifference she had at the Eastern Wilderness Academy.
Looking at the two women in front of him, who were somewhat similar in appearance, one was like a cold and aloof older sister, making it impossible for anyone to get close to her, while the other, although also somewhat cold in demeanor, had a delicate voice that aroused the man's protective instincts.
For a moment, Qin Xin dared not look directly at the two of them.
“Sister… alright, but if you want to participate in the Alchemy Conference, you still need to pass the retest at the Pill Tower of Dading City. If you pass, then you can represent my Zhan Clan.”
Sensing Zhan Qingqi's coquettishness, Zhan Qingyue's aloofness faded considerably.
"Qin Xin, don't mind her, that's just my sister's personality, but she's a very nice person."
Seeing her sister's reaction, Zhan Qingqi said somewhat embarrassedly to Qin Xin, "After all, representing the Zhan clan at the alchemy conference requires you to act as my sister's fiancé."
What?! Her fiancé?!
Upon hearing this, Qin Xin spat out the tea in his mouth, his face showing some fear.
"Elders, please go and rest."
Seeing Qin Xin's performance, Zhan Qingyue's expression changed slightly, and she dismissed the elders from the council hall.
"What, do you have a problem with that?"
After the others left, Zhan Qingyue stared directly at Qin Xin, her words carrying a hint of coldness.
"Fine, fiancé it is. Consider it repayment for rescuing me from the Dead Leaf Forest."
Qin Xin pursed his lips. Anyway, he wouldn't be at a disadvantage being someone's fiancé. He reluctantly agreed. Besides, he wanted to participate in the alchemy competition anyway, and he was very interested in the Soul-Nourishing Spirit Tree. He wondered if it would be helpful to Danqing's spiritual body.
"If you are unwilling, I can find them again. Even if you are a third-grade alchemist, you cannot guarantee that you will be in the top four."
"I said in a cold voice."
“Sister, in the entire Ding Dynasty, there are very few people under the age of thirty who can reach the third grade of alchemy. With Qin Xin here, our Zhan clan can also have some hope.”
Zhan Qingqi, standing to the side, seemed to disagree with her sister's words.
"Qingqi!"
When Zhan Qingyue heard her sister say this, her eyebrows drooped slightly, and her eyes revealed displeasure.
"The current royal family's most outstanding member is 29 years old, a mid-level fourth-grade alchemist, and his strength is at the seventh level of the Qi Sea Realm; Lin Yan of the Lin Clan is 27 years old, a low-level fourth-grade alchemist; Yan Lan of the Yan Clan is 26 years old, a low-level fourth-grade alchemist; Jiang Xingchen of the Jiang Clan is 24 years old, also a low-level alchemist. Some middle-ranking and lower-ranking families will send some third-grade alchemists to participate in this alchemy conference."
"The royal family's decision to award the Soul-Nourishing Spirit Tree as a prize for this alchemy competition is likely aimed at the Zhan clan."
Zhan Qingqi said somewhat indignantly.
How could Zhan Qingyue not know this?
However, their parents died early, and their grandfather suffered a backlash several years ago for trying to force his way into the sixth-grade alchemist realm. This is why the already struggling Zhan clan was targeted by some hungry wolves.
"I'm not confident about getting into the top four. It wouldn't be a good choice to put all our hopes on myself." Qin Xin knew the situation the Zhan clan was facing, and he didn't want to ruin the entire Zhan clan because of his failure. He helplessly shrugged and said.
“It’s alright, Junior Brother Qin Xin. Anyway, our Zhan clan is destined to be driven out of Dading City. Rather than surrendering, we might as well fight back.”
Zhan Qingqi trusted Qin Xin completely.
The two sisters looked at each other, their eyes filled with sadness.
"Since that's the case, I can only do my best."
Seeing the two women's expressions, Qin Xin felt a pang of pity and could only agree.
"We won't treat you unfairly. Whether you succeed or not, after the alchemy competition, my Zhan clan will present you with a generous gift." Zhan Qingyue glanced at Qin Xin with her beautiful eyes and said softly.
"Sister, that thing?"
When Zhan Qingqi heard her sister mention the generous gift, surprise was evident in her eyes.
"If it weren't for this thing, my Zhan clan wouldn't have attracted the covetous eyes of so many other clans."
Zhan Qingyue deliberately lowered her voice, as if worried about being overheard by outsiders.
"What is that generous gift?"
Qin Xin asked with some confusion after hearing this.
"This is not the place to talk. Come to my room at midnight tonight and we'll discuss this in detail," Zhan Qingyue said softly.
However, as soon as she said those words, seeing the strange smile on Qin Xin's face, she began to regret it.
"A man and a woman alone together, this might damage the young lady's reputation," Qin Xin said with a smile.
"What are you thinking! I live with my sister."
Zhan Qingqi's words interrupted Qin Xin's somewhat strange thoughts.
After speaking, Qin Xin was led by some servants to a guest room not far from the two sisters' house to rest.
Upon entering the room, Qin Xin's first task was to quickly wash up. Due to being struck by lightning and traversing the Dead Leaf Forest, Qin Xin now resembled a beggar, dressed in tattered clothes.
After a quick wash, Qin Xin's originally youthful face now had a touch of maturity.
I sat cross-legged on the bed, breathing in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.
The true qi in the true meridian quickly filled up. As the meridians recovered, the true qi in the three true acupoints beside the true meridian also slowly gathered, and faint purple currents appeared. It was unknown whether this was due to being struck by lightning.
As his body gradually recovered, Qin Xin's blood and qi became even more vigorous.
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