Immortal Martial Emperor

"Young friend Hong Yu, my sincerest apologies, but there’s been a slight hiccup!"

Master Hu looked at Hong Yu, embarrassed.

Over the past few days, in addition to arranging for Hong Yu to compete for the position of Elder in the Spiritual Craftsman Guild, he had also been studying the snippet of the *Divine Medicine Scripture* that Hong Yu had shared.

As his research deepened, Master Hu became completely engrossed. He discovered that many problems that had plagued him for over a century were being solved with ease.

This filled Master Hu with even greater admiration for Hong Yu.

Consequently, he had put a great deal of effort into this matter.

But the outcome was less than ideal...

Hong Yu smiled. "Master Hu, whatever the difficulty is, please just tell me."

Master Hu said with frustration, "The good news is, I’ve secured your qualification to compete for the Elder position. This is the assessment certificate. You just need to bring it to the Spiritual Craftsman Guild and participate in the Elder assessment tonight!"

As he spoke, he pulled a golden card from his robes.

Engraved on it were a Pill Cauldron and a Heavy Hammer.

It was the symbol of the Spiritual Craftsman Guild.

Hong Yu tucked it away and asked with a smile, "Then what’s the bad news?"

Master Hu looked even more awkward. He rubbed his nose and gave a wry smile. "The bad news is... I mentioned to the Chairman that you could refine the Nine-Transformation Body Moisturizing Powder. Our Chairman is a Tier Five Junior Spirit Craft Master. However, he has Mastery in Artifact Refining, while I was once the foremost expert in Alchemy. The two of us often bicker, and he doesn’t believe you can refine a Fifth-Grade Spirit Pill, so..."

"Does your Chairman want to assess me personally?" Hong Yu asked.

Master Hu shook his head. "Not only that, he... that old scoundrel also said that unless you can truly refine a Fifth-Grade Spirit Pill, and also best him in the art of Artifact Refining, he will absolutely not allow you to take the position of Elder."

"Sigh, young friend Hong Yu, this is all my fault. My big mouth has caused you trouble!" Master Hu said, vexed.

But Hong Yu just laughed. "Master Hu, you worry too much. I’m already very satisfied that you were able to get this qualification for me!"

"So the assessment is tonight?"

Hong Yu asked.

Master Hu nodded. "Tonight happens to be the Spiritual Craftsman Guild’s annual gala. The Chairman’s intention is for you to be assessed during the gala banquet!"

"In that case, I will be sure to arrive at the Spiritual Craftsman Guild on time tonight!"

Hong Yu nodded.

...

The night was hazy under a bright moon and a smattering of stars.

Tonight, Frozen City was already filled with a lively, festive atmosphere. The Ice Sealing Festival was a grand celebration for every powerhouse and common citizen in the Ice Kingdom.

Smiles adorned every face amid a sea of lanterns and colorful decorations.

But the most bustling place of all was the Spiritual Craftsman Guild.

Tonight, the Spiritual Craftsman Guild was brightly lit and filled with a celebratory air, for today was the day of the Ice Kingdom Spiritual Craftsman Guild’s annual gala.

Hong Yu sat in the luxurious carriage prepared by the Xu Family, slowly making his way toward the Spiritual Craftsman Guild.

Along the way, Xu Wudi, Xu Wanrong, and Xu Rongchang all sat quietly in the carriage, not saying a word, afraid of disturbing the young man who was meditating in silence.

They all understood that tonight was the key to whether Hong Yu could enter the Ice Tower.

Xu Wudi was not one to sit still.

It was torture for her to remain motionless, but she was worried about disturbing Hong Yu. She could only glance at him from time to time with a hint of concern in her eyes.

When Xu Wanrong and Xu Rongchang saw this, they exchanged a knowing smile.

The carriage gradually rolled to a stop, finally arriving at the Spiritual Craftsman Guild.

Hong Yu opened his eyes, his gaze meeting Xu Wudi’s. He said teasingly, "Why are you staring at me like that?"

"Get lost! I’d rather look at a beggar than at you! Who wants to stare at you?" Xu Wudi feigned anger to hide her embarrassment and awkwardness.

"Huh? I was talking about Patriarch Xu. Why are you getting so worked up?"

Hong Yu laughed heartily.

Xu Wudi was instantly mortified. She angrily flung open the carriage curtain and leaped out.

Laughter from Hong Yu, Xu Rongchang, and Xu Wanruo filled the carriage.

This only made Xu Wudi even more frustrated and annoyed.

"Second Miss Xu, is Master Hong Yu in the carriage?" Hu Jun, dressed in the robes of a Tier Two Spiritual Craftsman, asked with a sycophantic smile.

He now had the disposition of a loyal lackey.

He had once been arrogant and conceited, but ever since witnessing Hong Yu’s Alchemy skills, his attitude had undergone a complete transformation.

He no longer looked down on everyone.

Furthermore, the glimpse of the *Divine Medicine Scripture* that Hong Yu had revealed gave Hu Jun a deeper understanding of the path of a Spiritual Craftsman. He was now confident he could advance to a Tier Three Spiritual Craftsman within three years, so naturally, his respect and admiration for Hong Yu grew. He even reined in the little crush he had on Xu Wudi.

After all, in his eyes, the relationship between Hong Yu and Xu Wudi was anything but ordinary!

Xu Wudi was already in a foul mood, and Hu Jun’s words made her even more furious. She snapped, "Get lost! I don’t know any Hong Yu or whoever his name is!"

"Uh..."

Hu Jun looked completely baffled.

Fortunately, Hong Yu stepped down from the carriage just then. Hu Jun hurriedly put on a fawning smile. "Master Hong Yu, my master is inside arranging matters for the annual gala, so he sent me to welcome you!"

"Thank you for your trouble," Hong Yu replied politely.

Hu Jun quickly shook his head and respectfully led Hong Yu and his group into the Spiritual Craftsman Guild.

This scene was witnessed by the experts from the Cheng and Tang Families, who had just arrived.

The two families tacitly gathered together.

Patriarch Cheng, Cheng Zhen, said with a dark expression, "That Hong Yu is indeed close to the Xu Family. What’s more, I’ve received news that he seems to be preparing to take the Spiritual Craftsman Guild’s assessment to become an Elder."

"Become an Elder? He most likely wants a chance to enter the Ice Tower."

The Tang Family Head, Tang Zhan, mused, "Our previous plan was for our two families to join forces and eliminate Xu Wudi from the Ice Tower as quickly as possible. That way, the prodigies from our families can obtain the powerful Treasures and even legacies within. Once they have a legacy from the Ice Tower, they will surely surpass Xu Wudi. At that point, we can move against the Xu Family without holding back."

"This Hong Yu is very strong. I’m afraid only Xu Wudi and that person from the Blood Demon Palace can suppress him. If the Xu Family has his help, our plan will be put on the back foot!" said Cheng Zhen.

Tang Zhan nodded. "Our plan cannot afford to fail. We have invested too much and planned for too long to suppress the Xu Family. If we fail, both our families will suffer heavy losses."

"Then what should we do?" Cheng Zhen asked. "Should we ally with the Blood Demon Palace?"

"The people from the Blood Demon Palace are a bunch of greedy fiends. We shouldn’t cooperate with them unless it’s absolutely necessary."

A cold glint flashed in Tang Zhan’s eyes. "Doesn’t your Cheng Family have a kinsman serving as an Elder in the Spiritual Craftsman Guild?"

"You mean Chengyun Long?"

Cheng Zhen was taken aback.

Tang Zhan nodded. "Don’t forget, every new Elder’s assessment requires the approval of more than half of the existing Elders. With Chengyun Long’s status as a Tier Four Junior Spirit Craft Master, he should be able to win over more than half of the Elders, right?"

"I understand!"

A sinister, cold sneer appeared on Cheng Zhen’s face.

...

Inside the Spiritual Craftsman Guild.

The vast hall could easily accommodate fifty thousand people, and even with over a thousand round tables set up, it didn’t feel crowded.

Hu Jun led Hong Yu’s group to Table Two.

Table One was reserved for the Chairman and Elders of the Spiritual Craftsman Guild, as well as members of the Royal Family. The Three Great Families, the Blood Demon Palace, and other major powers were seated at Table Two.

At this moment...

The experts from the Tang Family, Cheng Family, Blood Demon Palace, and Xu Family were all seated. Everyone knew each other, and there was no shortage of glaring.

The tension was especially palpable between the Tang, Cheng, and Xu Families, with sharp glances flashing between them.

The representative from the Blood Demon Palace this time was Liang Hunran.

He, however, wore a placid expression and didn’t even spare Hong Yu a glance.

This, paradoxically, put Hong Yu on high alert. ’The dogs that are quietest are the ones that bite. A person like this is too calculating. It’s easy to dodge an open attack, but hard to guard against a hidden one. I must be careful.’

Before long, Tang Zhan and Cheng Zhen also arrived one after another.

Their gazes swept past Xu Rongchang and landed on Hong Yu, their lips curling into cold, mocking smirks.

Hong Yu felt a headache coming on.

’How did I become such a trouble magnet? I make a whole bunch of enemies wherever I go.’

Frustrated, he rubbed his nose and decided to simply ignore them.

The many guests arrived one by one. Of course, the last to arrive was the host of this grand event: the Chairman of the Ice Kingdom’s Spiritual Craftsman Guild, the Imperial Uncle to the King of the Ice Kingdom, Lantian Dou!

Lantian Dou was an old man with graying hair, but he moved with a Dragon Walk and Tiger Stride, his physique exceptionally robust. He was accompanied by Crown Prince Landy.

The moment Lantian Dou appeared, all the experts in the hall rose to their feet to welcome him.

Lantian Dou let out a hearty laugh, his voice like thunder. "Sit, everyone, sit! No need to be so polite or formal in front of me!"

With just a simple sentence, the solemn atmosphere of the hall shifted. His skill in commanding a room was truly formidable!

Everyone then took their seats. After a round of pleasant conversation, the banquet naturally began.

During the banquet, people were either toasting each other or engaging in open and hidden struggles.

Before long...

The banquet was reaching its climax when Master Hu stood up. After a light cough, he said, "Everyone, today is the annual gala of our Ice Kingdom’s Spiritual Craftsman Guild. On this occasion, I happen to have an important matter to announce!"

"Master Hu, if you have something to say, just say it!"

"Haha, Master Hu, don’t tell me you’re about to have a breakthrough?"

Master Hu had long been famous in the Ice Kingdom, so naturally, many people knew him.

In the crowd, upon hearing this, Tang Zhan and Cheng Zhen exchanged a look. Cheng Zhen glanced toward Table One.

A man sitting further down from Master Hu gave him an imperceptible nod.

Master Hu smiled. "If I were to have a breakthrough, I would definitely host a grand banquet for everyone! But today is about another matter. I’m sure you all know that our Spiritual Craftsman Guild has ten reserved Elder seats. However, the Ninth Elder died unexpectedly some time ago, leaving one vacancy. Today, Master Hong Yu will be challenging for this Elder position!"

"Oh? Master Hong Yu? And who might that be?"

"Huh? I’ve never heard that name before!"

Amidst the confused murmurs of the crowd, Hong Yu slowly stood up and gave a slight nod to the assembly.

"Damn, he’s so young?"

"Is this a joke?"

"My son is older than him, and all he knows is partying and drinking. And the Spiritual Craftsman Guild is actually allowing this kid to be assessed for an Elder position?"

Master Hu held up a hand. "There’s no need to be surprised, everyone," he said calmly. "I have witnessed Master Hong Yu’s abilities with my own eyes and have absolute confidence in him. Please be patient. In a moment, we will announce the content of the assessment..."

Before he could finish, the black-robed old man who had been sitting silently beside him stood up and said indifferently...

"Elder Hu, I don’t think Hong Yu is qualified to participate in the Elder assessment. Let’s put this matter aside for now!"