505: Chapter 505 Facing the Third Prince

A three-story white jade mobile palace emitted a faint, gentle white light.

Like the White Jade Capital in the heavens, it was holy yet imposed an overwhelming pressure that was hard to resist.

Cultivators continuously emerged from the courtyard, each using their own methods to leave this "place of trouble" and find a suitable distance and angle to silently watch the show unfold.

It wasn't just these Cultivators; others were also paying close attention to this matter.

Some Cultivators exchanged messages via secret Qi transmissions.

“The Third Prince has been suffering setbacks in the Imperial City lately and wanted to find a Breakthrough with Jiang Ning. Unfortunately, he's been hitting a wall. Looking at it now, the Third Prince's situation is dire; he's already started resorting to these semi-threatening tactics.”

“Jiang Ning is just an Alchemist with no background or roots. He's been hiding and refusing to come out, but can he really hide for a lifetime? A prince is a prince, after all; he has plenty of means.”

“When the Third Prince was gentle, it was like 'visiting the thatched cottage thrice.' Now that the Third Prince doesn't want to be gentle anymore, this is the true power of a prince!”

“I wonder how Jiang Ning will respond.”

“How else can he respond? The Third Prince is forcing Jiang Ning to pick a side. Facing the prince directly, if he agrees, he joins the Third Prince's camp. If he refuses and damages the prince's Face, the Third Prince won't let Jiang Ning off easily.”

“If I were Jiang Ning, I'd agree to the Third Prince. Never mind if the Third Prince is sincere or not, just grab the benefits first. It's better than learning the hard way!”

Inside the small courtyard.

Jiang Ning shook his head after hearing Qing Dai's words.

“It still won't work. If I temporarily agree to the Third Prince, I might get some immediate benefits, but what about the future? Right now, I'm in close contact with Elixir Patrol.”

“My joining would definitely impact Spirit Pill Hall. If I offend Alchemists for these temporary benefits, my future will be constrained at every turn.”

“Moreover, the Sixth Princess's side would also be affected to some extent because of me.”

“But if Master doesn't agree, won't you offend the Third Prince right now?” Qing Dai's voice was filled with worry. “Offending the Third Prince now, especially when he's at the center of a storm...”

“It would be very easy for him to use us as an example to vent his anger.”

Jiang Ning thought for a moment. He didn't go out immediately but instead sent a Qi transmission to Elixir Patrol of the Spirit Pill Hall and also notified Zhao Mianshuang.

Finally, he walked out of the courtyard gate.

This was the first time Jiang Ning faced the Third Prince directly.

Atop the three-story mobile palace, a man dressed in white robes, as refined as jade, stood behind the railing, looking down at Jiang Ning.

This was the Third Prince, Zhao Chongan.

He first nodded to Jiang Ning, then took a step forward, instantly appearing right in front of him.

Jiang Ning couldn't sense the Third Prince's Realm; he only knew that the man gave him a very dangerous feeling.

According to the information provided by Zhao Mianshuang, the Third Prince Zhao Chongan had entered the Body Integration Realm long ago. Exactly what stage of the Integration Realm he was in remained unknown.

These princes and princesses kept their cultivation Realms quite well-hidden.

The Third Prince opened his folding fan and nodded slightly to Jiang Ning. “I have long heard that an Alchemy Prodigy from the outer domains has come to our Great Qian Imperial City. It is hard to imagine that there is a young Alchemist in the outer domains who can crush the Prodigies of my Great Qian.”

“I feel great admiration in my heart and wish to befriend you.”

“Master Jiang, I have visited many times before, but you were always in seclusion. Now that we meet, why not come to my mobile palace for a chat?”

Jiang Ning smiled and said, “I am just a Cultivator from the outer domains. I don't understand the situation in Great Qian, nor do I care for it. I only wish to pursue greater strength and a better Dao of Alchemy.”

“Forgive my rudeness, but I will not be going to the mobile palace with Your Highness.”

“I do not wish to be involved in the disputes of Great Qian. I hope Your Highness can forgive me.”

Shen Jinhuan and the others hid behind the door of the house, quietly listening to the commotion outside.

Jiang Ning hadn't let them come out, fearing they would have unnecessary entanglements with the Third Prince.

The Third Prince was displeased by Jiang Ning's words, but his Face remained as warm as a spring breeze.

“My birth is not something I can control. How about this: don't treat me as a prince, just treat me as an ordinary Cultivator. We were destined to meet, and seeing Master Jiang makes me happy.”

“Surely ordinary Cultivators can still drink tea and discuss the Dao together?”

Jiang Ning had a headache.

He hated this kind of royal official-speak the most, especially phrases like 'don't treat me as a prince.' What was the difference between that and a boss saying 'don't treat me like your boss'?

If you really didn't treat a prince as a prince or a boss as a boss...

What did these people even amount to?

Jiang Ning sneered inwardly.

If he didn't treat Zhao Chongan as a prince, he wouldn't give this Third Prince the time of day.

“Your Highness must be joking.”

The Third Prince shook his head. “I never joke.”

He stepped aside slightly. “Please...”

Jiang Ning waved his hand. “I'd still rather not. I came out this time precisely because I didn't want Your Highness to wait any longer and waste Your Highness's time. Please forgive me.”

This was a direct rejection of the Third Prince.

The smile on the Third Prince's Face vanished as he said seriously, “Jiang Ning, you know that no one has ever rejected me, and I do not like being rejected. The rumors about me outside are just a case of 'three people making a tiger'.”

“You will only know what kind of person I am once we interact.”

“Even toward the Pill Minister, who is inferior to you, I have treated him with courtesy. I truly hold goodwill and sincerity toward Alchemists, especially a Genius Alchemist like Master Jiang.”

“If Your Highness truly holds goodwill toward Alchemists, why not admit your past mistakes?”

As they were speaking, someone suddenly interrupted.

The Third Prince was about to flare up when he realized the person who arrived was actually the current Hall Master of Spirit Pill Hall, Elixir Patrol.

Elixir Patrol had rushed over immediately after receiving Jiang Ning's message.

He stood before the Third Prince. “Your Highness, Spirit Pill Hall has always been neutral and will not help any member of the Imperial Family. We also won't refuse the Third Prince coming to refine or purchase Medicinal Pills.”

“So, please do not make things difficult for this Disciple of mine, Third Prince.”

The Third Prince glanced at Jiang Ning and asked Elixir Patrol, “When did Master Elixir Patrol take Jiang Ning as a Disciple? I was unaware.”

Elixir Patrol said, “How could I dare to truly have such a Prodigy perform the formal apprenticeship rites? It's just that I cherish talent, and I'm thick-skinned enough to take a bit of advantage of Jiang Ning because of my age.”

“If a seed like Jiang Ning inherits the spirit of Spirit Pill Hall and remains neutral, he can continuously progress in the path of Alchemy. Naturally, I must protect him; we cannot let the Alchemy world of Great Qian lose such a fine talent!”

The Third Prince knew in his heart.

With Elixir Patrol here, it would be very difficult to persuade Jiang Ning and take him away today.

He gave a cold snort and stopped speaking to Elixir Patrol.

Instead, he stared at Jiang Ning.

“Master Jiang, I wonder what your intention is?”

Jiang Ning cupped his hands. “Although I have not formally taken Elder Dan as my master, Elder Dan is no different from an elder of my own family in my heart.”

Since things had been said to this extent...

The Third Prince said no more and vanished in an instant, taking that massive mobile palace with him.