The City Lord's Daughter

President Song had not been exaggerating—the delicacies at this restaurant were even better than those at Miaoyi Tower back in Lingtai Prefecture's capital.

The Lingfish, steamed with Mystic Ice, boasted tender flesh that melted on the tongue with a sweet, delicate finish. The stewed Xiangzhen soup was crystal clear and aromatic; a single sip refreshed the spirit and set one's spiritual energy surging.

There was also Nine Azure Lotus Sweet Soup, simmered from Nine Azure Lotuses and the essence of a hundred herbs. Fragrant and refreshing, every bite sent a soothing chill straight to the heart, cooling the entire body. Since Shi Yu's spiritual meridian was fire-attributed, her body ran naturally hot, making this dish her absolute favorite.

Seeing how much she enjoyed it, President Song chuckled and called the waiter over to order two extra bowls specifically for her. “Eat up, eat up! You've had a rough time these past few weeks, Girl Yu.”

During her month of travel on the cloud boat, conditions had been inconvenient, so meals were kept as simple as possible. With Qingzhou having left halfway through, Shi Yu had often just boiled some spiritual grain to get by, or, if she felt particularly lazy, simply popped a few Fasting Pills she had refined herself.

Now that she was finally enjoying a proper feast, she felt thoroughly contented.

Her spoon never stopped moving as she spared a grateful glance toward President Song.

The others were no different. Even though several elders and the president had long reached Foundation Establishment and no longer needed food, they could not resist indulging themselves, clinking glasses and enjoying the feast.

Only after eating and drinking to their hearts' content did they gradually turn their attention back to business, chatting about the Alchemy Exchange Conference taking place in a few days.

“What are this year's rewards like? Since this is a major grand competition compared to the minor ones in previous years, they ought to be even more lavish, right?”

“Quick, let's see if there are any changes to the top ten rewards.”

In previous years, no one from the Lingtai Prefecture Alchemist Association had ever made it into the top ten, so nobody had bothered to care about the rewards.

But this year was different... Everyone kept glancing at Shi Yu, who was buried in her meal, their eyes brimming with smiles.

With Shi Yu here this year, given the sheer quality of her pills, the association was guaranteed at least a top ten spot. The only question was where exactly she would place.

“Let me see if there's a brochure around here,” Master Ji said, thoroughly enjoying his drink as he pushed back his chair and stood up to search the private room.

Hengze Prefecture had begun promoting such a grand event long ago. Posters were plastered outside every major building in the city, and restaurants had plenty of promotional booklets available for guests to browse.

After a quick search, Master Ji indeed found several promotional booklets on a display stand in the corner of the room, bringing a few copies back to distribute to everyone.

Shi Yu took a thin booklet as well. Inside were details regarding registration requirements and rank rewards for the upcoming Alchemy Exchange Conference.

Registration required a fee of one thousand low-grade spirit stones and a bone-age test, restricting participation to alchemists under fifty years old. Having already known this, she skipped ahead to the rewards.

As the central prefecture capital of Changyuan Prefecture, Hengze Prefecture naturally offered magnificent rewards for an event meant to showcase its prestige.

President Song raised an eyebrow. “The grand prize for the champion includes an extra technique jade slip this year.”

Shi Yu looked down. First place rewarded a complete Tier-4 Technique Jade Slip, three rare spiritual plants, one hundred medium-grade spirit stones... and one month of observation time inside the Yanyang Spiritual Realm.

She clicked her tongue in quiet admiration. A complete Tier-4 technique jade slip—without a single missing chapter or flaw—was extraordinarily rare. Putting it up in an auction house would fetch tens of thousands of spirit stones at minimum.

Then there were the three rare spiritual plants. Though unspecified, they were bound to be extraordinary. Combined with one hundred medium-grade spirit stones—which converted to ten thousand low-grade ones at a rate of one to a hundred—it added up to a sizeable fortune.

A grand competition held once every decade was indeed lavish.

President Song let out a cold laugh. “I bet that reward was tailored specifically for Yin Wenzhou. Putting it up saves face, and after a round in the ring, it goes right back to their association anyway—no waste at all.”

Whenever Yin Wenzhou and the Hengze Prefecture Alchemist Association came up, President Song never looked pleased. Last year, they had used age as an excuse to viciously mock the alchemists from his own association. Even now, thinking about it made his chest tighten with annoyance.

Master Ji sighed. “Yin Wenzhou has entered the Yanyang Spiritual Realm multiple times and reaped immense benefits. It truly is difficult for anyone to compete with him.”

“Second to fifth place each receive a complete Tier-3 technique jade slip as well.” Shaking his head, Master Ji scanned further down before turning to Shi Yu. “Girl Yu, aim for a top five finish. A complete technique jade slip will be of immense benefit to you.”

He didn't dare dream that Shi Yu could claim the Tier-4 technique meant for the champion.

Shi Yu nodded. “I will do my best.”

Still, as long as one had enough spirit stones, such items could always be bought eventually. What truly piqued interest was the Yanyang Spiritual Realm.

Gaining insights into the Laws of Fire and the Intent of Fire was an opportunity with profound and far-reaching benefits.

First place could stay in the Yanyang Spiritual Realm for a full month to observe the Yanyang Xuancang Flame. Each lower rank reduced the time granted, down to tenth place, which only allowed five days.

Shi Yu mused silently to herself, I wonder how much Yin Wenzhou's alchemy skills have improved after a year...

Last year, Yin Wenzhou had won the championship with a batch of low-grade Tier-3 Heart-Clearing Pills. However, it was unclear whether he had hidden his true strength, and... whether his alchemy had advanced even further over the past year.

Recalling her brief encounter with him earlier, Shi Yu lowered her eyelids.

To the side, President Song suppressed his anger, set down the booklet, and encouraged the other participating alchemists. “This is a great chance to exchange insights with your peers. Do your best; as long as you gain some insights, this trip won't be in vain.”

The alchemists bowed together in agreement.

Master Ji smiled from the side. He keenly sensed that these alchemists were in a different state of mind compared to previous years. Instead of being tense and rigid, they seemed far more relaxed and composed.

Knowing this was because of Shi Yu's presence, he thought to himself, Perhaps without the pressure this year, they might actually gain more than before.

Fairly speaking, though these alchemists weren't brilliantly gifted, they had spent decades diligently studying alchemy. Their foundations were solid and their temperaments steady. Unburdened by pressure, they might not walk away empty-handed like in previous years—they might even pull off a pleasant surprise.

Seeing that their meal was coming to an end, the restaurant waiter attentively brought over palate-cleansing spirit fruits and tea.

Shi Yu rinsed her mouth with tea just as a sudden commotion erupted outside the restaurant.

President Song, seated near the window, glanced outside and suddenly let out a gloating chuckle. “Though... this conference seems to have a plot twist. Yin Wenzhou's hold on the championship might not be so secure after all.”

Confused, Shi Yu followed his gaze and looked out the window.

The crowd on the street outside was buzzing in excitement as a grand beast-drawn carriage passed through.

The carriage was opulent and elegant, pulled by two massive spirit beasts with silky, silver-white fur and blue flames swirling around their hooves, radiating an imposing aura. Golden embroidered curtains fluttered gracefully at the carriage windows, faintly revealing the delicate figure inside.

Riding spirit beasts was forbidden on the city's main thoroughfare, requiring the use of designated beast pathways instead, but there were always distinguished individuals in the city who enjoyed an exemption. Carved onto the carriage was the distinct crest of the City Lord's Mansion.

A gust of wind lifted the veil, revealing the woman inside to the surrounding crowd. She had striking, gorgeous features and wore a long purple robe, her brows imbued with a naturally noble air.

“It's the City Lord's daughter. She just graduated and returned from Shiyan Academy this year.”

“I heard she's a Tier-3 alchemist as well.”