After all, this was the Alchemist Association. If he was discovered trespassing into the forbidden area, who knew how much trouble that would case? Just as Lin Bai was hesitating, a voice came from the side.
“Why are you here? Don’t you know that this is a forbidden area? You can’t trespass here without permission.”
Lin Bai turned his head and saw that it was law enforcement elder Zhou Zhengqing. His brows were tightly furrowed and his eagle-like gaze landed on his body, as if he was trying to find a hole.
“You are not allowed to enter within a radius of a hundred miles. Otherwise, you will be punished. How did you find this place?”
No wonder he did not see anyone on the road earlier. It turned out that they were already in the area of the forbidden land. Naturally, Lin Bai could not say that he had followed the treasure-hunting mouse here, “I could not find the direction, so I came here by accident. I did not know that this was a forbidden area.”
Zhou Zhengqing’s gaze was somewhat sizing him up, as if he was examining the authenticity of his words. After a moment, he said,
“Fortunately, you have not stepped into the forbidden area. Otherwise, I will not let you off easily. “His tone paused. “I will pretend that I did not see what happened today. Leave quickly. Do not let anyone else see you when you return.”
“Thank you, elder Zhou.”
Lin Bai didn’t say anything. He didn’t know if it was his misconception, but he felt that Zhou Zhengqing seemed to be taking care of him. After all, Zhou Zhengqing was the most impartial and cold-hearted person among the law enforcement elders.
If it were anyone else, they would have given Lin Bai at least a few beatings. However, Zhou Zhengqing let Lin Bai off so easily. Lin Bai couldn’t help but turn around.
However, he found Zhou Zhengqing still standing there. As they were too far away from each other, Lin Bai could not help but rub his chin. He did not know if he was looking at him or the forbidden area, “I keep feeling that this elder Zhou is a little strange. His attitude towards fool Li is also the same.”
When Lin Bai returned to the refining room, Chen Yan was standing at the door with an ashen face. Only then did he remember that it was a mess inside and that he had forgotten to clean it up.
“What’s going on in this room?” Seeing Lin Bai’s arrival, Chen Yan took a deep breath. The more he thought about it, the more he felt that he had made the wrong decision to bring Lin Bai to the Alchemist Association.
First, it was the herbal field, and now it was the refining room. Lin Bai hadn’t even started refining pills for the competition. Yet he had already caused so much trouble. Chen Yan didn’t know what would happen in the future.
Naturally, Lin Bai couldn’t tell him about the treasure-hunting mouse’s existence. “There was a small problem.”
Chen Yan thought of the scene when he pushed the door open and entered. He almost fainted. The green bricks on the ground were all rolled outside, not to mention the broken shelves, bottles, and jars. There were also traces of fire on the walls. In short, it was a terrible sight.
“You’re telling me that this is a small problem? People who didn’t know what’s going on would think that you’re blowing up the house. Even the ceiling was almost blown off.”
Lin Bai knew that he was in the wrong, so he did not say anything more. He just changed the topic and said, “Why are you here today?”
Chen Yan said unhappily, “I’m just here to see your progress. Who would have thought that you would give me such a big surprise before I could see your progress?”
At this moment, Zhong Haoran walked over with a group of people. Those who did not know would think that they were here to cause trouble.
“Yo, it’s quite lively. All of you are here.”
“What are you doing here?”
The door of the room was not closed. Seeing the messy scene inside, Zhong Haoran revealed a contemptuous smile. “I’m here to inform you that the competition will be brought forward. It will start tomorrow.”
Chen Yan said in disbelief, “Why should it be brought forward? There are still a few days left!”
Zhong Haoran’s smile was meaningful, “Didn’t you receive the news from the City Lord’s estate? You can wait but I can’t wait. The competition will be over in a few days. If you want to compete, then let’s compete tomorrow. Don’t waste my time. Otherwise, just admit defeat.”
“City Lord’s estate… could it be that it’s getting serious again?” Chen Yan muttered to himself, his expression was somewhat solemn. He suddenly raised his head and stared at Zhong Haoran with eyes like torches. “Why haven’t I received any news from the City Lord’s estate? What if you’re lying and trying to trick me?”
Zhong Haoran sneered and said, “I don’t have the leisure time. Your master is very busy right now. How could he have the time to tell you this? The news will reach the Alchemy Association as soon as tonight. By then, you’ll know whether I’m telling the truth or not.”
Chen Yan’s expression was a little solemn. “Even so, it’s impossible for me to admit defeat!”
Zhong Haoran said indifferently, “Then let’s start the competition tomorrow and add one more condition. The loser has to forfeit the chance to go to the City Lord’s estate.”
Chen Yan’s expression changed slightly. He didn’t expect Zhong Haoran to add one more condition to the bet. However, because he had something important to do, he didn’t have the time to check on Lin Bai. He also didn’t know how his studies were going.
Initially, he thought that he had a few more days and could make a dash for the final time. However, he did not expect Zhong Haoran to bring forward the competition. Moreover, there seemed to be some problems at the City Lord’s estate, so he had no way to make a move.
Zhong Haoran revealed a smug smile. “It’s still not too late to give up now. I can not increase the stakes. As long as you admit defeat, or else the competition will start tomorrow.”
Chen Yan clenched his fists so tightly that they creaked. Zhong Haoran had him in his sights. “Don’t go too far!”
“Too far? How am I going too far? If you don’t have the ability, don’t take on the job. I’m doing this for your own good. Even if you have the chance to enter the City Lord’s mansion, so what? You can’t match me without that strength.”
Having said that, Chen Yan immediately fell into a dilemma.
Lin Bai, who had not spoken, said at this moment, “Okay, tomorrow it is.”
“You!” Chen Yan was a little shocked. He was about to change his words, but Zhong Haoran did not give him the chance. He clapped and said, “Okay! I admire your attitude. It’s decided then.”
From the beginning to the end, Zhong Haoran’s disciple had an extremely silent attitude on his face. Even though he was one of the main characters of tomorrow, only when Lin Bai agreed did he gently lift his eyelids and look at him, then, he quickly shifted his gaze away.
When they were far away, Chen Yan frowned and said, “Why did you agree to them? Tomorrow’s time is too short and there’s no time at all. Maybe there’s still room for maneuver.”
However, Lin Bai had a different view. “They are coming aggressively. They will definitely not give up until they achieve their goal. We can either admit defeat or agree to the competition tomorrow. There are only these two choices.”
Chen Yan also knew this logic. He could not help but sigh. “You still don’t know the strength of that disciple of Zhong Haoran’s, but I’ve heard about it over the past few days.”
