"Brother Ma, please!" The Third Prince extended his hand, inviting someone from behind.
Everyone turned to look and saw a young man in black, around thirty years old, with an unremarkable appearance. However, what caught their attention was the badge of a second-grade alchemist proudly displayed on his chest.
"A second-grade alchemist."
The Crown Prince's expression changed slightly. Second-grade alchemists were rare, and he hadn't expected the Third Prince to bring one, and they seemed to be quite close.
The Third Prince smiled and said, "Let me introduce you. This is Brother Ma Rongtian, a second-grade alchemist. And that's not all; he's a member of the Heavenly Elixir Hall and a disciple of Grandmaster Huang."
At this, everyone present finally showed signs of shock.
A disciple of Grandmaster Huang from the Heavenly Elixir Hall!
It's known that there are only a handful of third-grade Alchemy Grandmasters in Anyang City, countable on one hand.
And this Ma Rongtian was a disciple of one of them. Although it was just the disciple who was close to the Third Prince, disciples often represented their master's inclinations. Could it be that the Third Prince had a good relationship with Grandmaster Huang?
The Crown Prince felt a pang in his heart, immediately tasting bitterness. He knew the Third Prince had come with ill intentions, and it seemed he was going to succeed.
The Third Prince's good relationship with Grandmaster Huang was a clear signal to everyone, because there were only two Grandmasters in the Heavenly Elixir Hall. If the Third Prince was close to one, did that mean he was close to the Heavenly Elixir Hall itself?
If so, many present would need to reconsider their positions. The Heavenly Elixir Hall was a significant force in Anyang City, and any of its actions could influence the entire city's situation.
Even Marquis Anyang had to show respect to the Heavenly Elixir Hall. So, if the Hall showed clear favor towards a prince, it practically meant that prince's claim to the throne was almost certain.
Of course, just Ma Rongtian alone wasn't enough to represent the stance of the Heavenly Elixir Hall.
However, Ma Rongtian's presence inevitably made everyone reconsider their allegiances. After all, the fact that the Third Prince could associate with a disciple of Grandmaster Huang showed he had some capabilities.
For the Crown Prince, Ma Rongtian's appearance was a significant blow.
At this moment, the Crown Prince was extremely frustrated, but in front of everyone, he couldn't show any anger, nor could he drive the Third Prince and Ma Rongtian away.
If he did, the next day, the streets of Anyang City would be filled with gossip about his narrow-mindedness. A prince with such a reputation would have no chance at the throne.
Ma Rongtian was very arrogant, merely snorting through his nose at the Crown Prince, without any intention of showing respect.
He had the backing to do so, being part of the Heavenly Elixir Hall, which was beyond the mundane world. Not bowing to a prince wasn't a big deal.
"Brother Ma, please take a seat."
The Crown Prince, though displeased, spoke politely.
Ma Rongtian's gaze swept over all the seats in the room, and coincidentally, his eyes landed on Terra Su's seat.
Perhaps it was because Terra Su's seat seemed the best in the room, or perhaps it was because he noticed Gu Qianyin beside Terra Su—whatever the reason, Ma Rongtian swaggered over to Terra Su's seat and said directly, "Get lost, this seat is mine!"
Such arrogance was only possible because his master was Grandmaster Huang.
"What did you say?"
Terra Su smiled faintly, seemingly unbothered by Ma Rongtian's rudeness.
But only Gu Qianyin knew that Terra Su was indeed angry, very angry, and Ma Rongtian was about to be in big trouble.
"I said, get lost!"
Ma Rongtian repeated impatiently.
A cold light flashed in Terra Su's eyes. Before anyone could see clearly, he was already standing, swiftly moving in front of Ma Rongtian, and grabbed his throat with one hand.
Then, with a forceful push, he pressed Ma Rongtian's face into a bowl of hot soup on the table.
Muffled cries—
Ma Rongtian immediately let out a pained sound, but with his face submerged in hot soup, he couldn't make a sound, only flailing his arms desperately to escape Terra Su's grip, but to no avail.
Everyone present was dumbfounded.
Terra Su was too bold, daring to hit someone from the Heavenly Elixir Hall. Was he not afraid of dying?
The Third Prince was furious at this sight, not expecting that someone from the Heavenly Elixir Hall would be beaten.
With this, the Third Prince's plan to make trouble was almost successful, but this unexpected incident not only embarrassed Ma Rongtian but also put the Third Prince in an awkward position, completely contrary to his original intention.
"How dare you! Let go of Brother Ma!"
The Third Prince shouted as he approached Terra Su.
However, at this moment, the Crown Prince quickly blocked the Third Prince's path, subtly using his body to obstruct him from all angles, while saying, "Brother Terra Su, Brother Ma, whatever misunderstanding you have, talk it out, don't resort to violence."
Seeing Ma Rongtian's face still pressed into the soup, the Third Prince was almost jumping with anxiety, but he couldn't directly push the Crown Prince aside. It was clear to everyone that the Crown Prince was deliberately hindering the Third Prince from helping Ma Rongtian.
"Get lost."
Terra Su casually waved his hand, throwing Ma Rongtian into a nearby table.
With a crash, food and wine spilled everywhere, and Ma Rongtian's face was scalded red by the hot soup, covered in broth, egg flowers, and a few vegetables, looking utterly miserable.
"You brat, you have a death wish!" Ma Rongtian, furious, wiped his face and got up, charging at Terra Su. As a member of the Heavenly Elixir Hall and a disciple of Grandmaster Huang, he was always treated with respect. This was the first time he had been so humiliated.
He was furious, almost wanting to fight Terra Su to the death.
"If you want to die, come on." Terra Su said calmly, least afraid of dealing with alchemists.
As Ma Rongtian rushed at Terra Su, Terra Su once again grabbed his throat and flung him out forcefully.
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