Chapter 4001 Rules

“Elder, what you said is wrong,” Mo Chongba stepped forward. “Fan Dongping and Kong Xifeng’s actions were indeed inappropriate, but as members of the Alchemist Guild, it is only natural that we punish them ourselves; it’s not for others to lecture us.

If this matter spreads, how will others view us, how will they view the Alchemist Guild, and where will our reputation stand?”

Luo Rong added, “That’s right, without rules, nothing can be accomplished. Our Alchemist Guild has a Legacy of tens of thousands of years, and it relies on strict guild regulations.

Grand Elder, Fan Dongping turned a blind eye to Kong Xifeng’s actions, causing our Alchemist Guild’s reputation to suffer. He is no longer suitable to serve as the Deputy Hall Master of the Enforcement Hall. I suggest he be dismissed and punished.

As for Kong Xifeng, his reckless behavior of collecting tolls from other Alchemists has damaged the prestige of our Alchemist Guild. According to the rules, I suggest his cultivation be abolished and he be expelled from the Alchemist Guild.

As for Young Master Ye, although he received unfair treatment, he should have appealed through proper channels to our Alchemist Guild, instead of taking matters into his own hands privately.

Therefore, rules are rules. There should be no differential treatment just because he is the Grand Elder’s benefactor.

According to the rules, I suggest he be blacklisted, and all Immortal Pill Masters of the guild are not allowed to perform Alchemy for him, nor is he allowed to step foot into the Alchemist Guild, nor is he allowed to obtain any badges.”

After the old fellow finished speaking, everyone present’s expressions changed, and Kong Lingyuan’s face turned even paler.

He had ultimately underestimated Luo Rong’s ruthlessness. Just moments ago, he was offering to marry his disciple to his Grandson, but in a blink of an eye, he turned his back.

To deal with Ye Bufan, he was willing to sacrifice Kong Xifeng, abolishing his cultivation and expelling him from the Alchemist Guild, which was even more unbearable than killing him.

He was furious, but there was nothing he could say about such a matter, as the other party stood on the moral high ground.

He spoke of rules constantly, and everything he said seemed to be from the perspective of the Alchemist Guild.

Not only him, but even Zhuge Qingyang was speechless.

From an emotional standpoint, he naturally sided with Ye Bufan.

While he was in a coma, his subordinates acted recklessly, and it was reasonable for Ye Bufan to teach the two of them a lesson.

But he was, after all, the Guild Master, and everything had to be based on rules. If he protected Ye Bufan this time, how could he lead the Alchemist Guild in the future?

However, if he followed what Grand Elder Luo said, it would be too heartless.

Someone had just saved him and quelled the internal strife of the Alchemist Guild, and now he was turning around and blacklisting them.

His conscience wouldn’t allow it, and it wouldn’t sound good if word got out. By then, his reputation would be ruined.

He now understood that the Grand Elder was taking advantage of the situation to put him in a difficult position, leaving him unable to advance or retreat, completely stuck.

Wu Zheng and others also saw it clearly, but it was truly difficult to speak on such a matter, as Ye Bufan had indeed beaten Fan Dongping and Kong Xifeng.

Taking in everyone’s reactions, Luo Rong felt increasingly smug.

In terms of schemes and tricks, he was no match for Mo Chongba, but in terms of cunning, he was superior. With a few words, he forced Zhuge Qingyang into a corner.

However, he was not satisfied with this and looked towards Hua Qiqi.

“Fairy Qi Qi, you are now the Guild Master’s successor. How do you think this matter should be handled? Do my words make sense? Is Young Master Ye not qualified to obtain a badge from our Alchemist Guild?”

He saw that Hua Qiqi and Ye Bufan had an unusual relationship, and she had just taken the position of Guild Master’s successor.

That’s why he asked this question, aiming to gain an advantage and leave the other party speechless and in a dilemma.

In his mind, Hua Qiqi would surely be like Zhuge Qingyang, speechless at this moment, as it would be an extremely difficult choice for anyone.

But unexpectedly, as soon as he finished speaking, Hua Qiqi nodded.

“Grand Elder is right, without rules, nothing can be accomplished. According to our guild’s rules, Young Master Ye indeed cannot take the Alchemist badge assessment here!”

Her words surprised everyone. Zhuge Qingyang also looked at her with astonishment, and Wu Zheng and others were dumbfounded.

Normally, Ye Bufan was the person Hua Qiqi brought, so at this moment, she should have stood by him no matter what. Why did she suddenly change direction and stand with Luo Rong?

Could it be that her nature changed after becoming the guild’s successor, resorting to any means for her goals and power?

After a slight surprise, Luo Rong burst into laughter: “Fairy Qi Qi is truly worthy of being the Guild Master’s chosen successor. Such selflessness is truly admirable.”

Ye Bufan had been standing quietly by the side, his expression unchanged.

He and Hua Qiqi were comrades in life and death, and he had a basic level of trust in her.

He believed that this woman would not change her stance just because of a Guild Master’s successor position. There must be a reason he didn’t know about.

Indeed, Hua Qiqi turned around and smiled sweetly at him.

“Young Master Ye, according to the rules, the Alchemist Guild will bar you, but you have another way to obtain the badge.”

Not wanting others to know too much, she changed her address, not calling him teacher, but calling him Young Master Ye like everyone else.

“That’s impossible!” Luo Rong said, “In the Upper Heaven Domain, only our Alchemist Guild has the authority to issue Alchemist badges. Since we have already barred him, how could there be a second way?”

Everyone else also looked surprised and confused.

Hua Qiqi sneered, “Elder, you constantly speak of rules, yet you don’t seem to have a complete grasp of our Alchemist Guild’s rules.”

Luo Rong frowned. He seemed to sense something was wrong, but he couldn’t pinpoint where the problem was.

He had already gone to great lengths to bar Ye Bufan, even offending Kong Lingyuan and sacrificing Fan Dongping. How could the other party possibly have a second path?

“What does that mean? Why don’t I understand?”

Hua Qiqi said, “Elder, have you forgotten? To avoid barring Alchemy Geniuses, our Alchemist Guild has another rule, which is to challenge the Hall!”

“Challenge the Hall?”

Upon hearing these two words, everyone present was stunned. They searched their memories for the term, and then their expressions became incredibly strange.

Zhuge Qingyang frowned, “Qi Qi, are you serious? Are you not joking?”

Hua Qiqi’s expression was calm: “Guild Master, I am certainly serious. Since it’s impossible to obtain an Alchemist badge through normal assessment according to the rules, then challenging the Hall is the only path left.”

Wu Zheng waved his hands repeatedly: “No, absolutely not, the consequences are too severe!”

Nangang Lie also followed, saying, “The Alchemist Guild has been established for so many years, and no one has ever succeeded in challenging the Hall. To be precise, it’s a dead end, so it’s better not to take it.”

While they were dissuading him, Luo Rong and the others were full of mockery, standing by as if watching a show.

As everyone spoke one after another, Ye Bufan’s interest was piqued. “Fairy Qi Qi, what exactly is this ‘Challenge the Hall’ about?”