Emperor's Reckoning

Ning of Red Lotus. The woman had arrived on the sacred seventh floor with a bit of scorn on her face. 

"Ah, Miss Ning, it is nice to meet you again," said the black alchemist that was attending the seventh floor as he pranced to her. His eyebrows rose as he noticed her blatant emotion. He lowered his tone to a concern and said, "Is something the matter, Miss Ning?"

Ning furrowed her brows before she pointed at him, "You should take better care of your students! How dare a nobody like him, just approached me like that?! Who does he think he is?"

"Uh..." the alchemist was taken back before his face contour changed, "What audacity! What is his name? I will set him right."

"Umm...." Ning glanced to the side— looking unsure of herself before she raised her chin, "Why should I know, hmph!"

The alchemist smiled wryly albeit inwardly. He couldn't possibly find the alchemist that did it now, none of them would admit doing it even if he was adamant in his search. 

"His name is Lyon," a bassy tone was heard before the alchemist noticed who it was.

"Young master Azleid! Nice to meet you," said the alchemist as he rubbed his hands like a dirty merchant. 

Azleid snorted, "There is no reason for you to act up in front of me, alchemist."

"A-Ah haha," the alchemist scratched the back of his head but he seemed to get used to this kind of treatment.

"Oh? Azleid, you know that small fry's name?" said Ning as she raised his brows.

"I do, Miss Ning," Azleid nodded.

Ning squinted her eyes (Why does he know that guy's name?).

"Lyon, eh?" the alchemist pondered as he muttered. He didn't seem to recall that name. "Hmm, it seems so familiar."

Azleid snorted before he went past him. "He hunts kunpeng for a living."

"What?" Ning muttered.

"Oh! But wait, he is not an alchemist, he is just a hunter," said the alchemist. 

"No! He wore your azure cloak," said Ning as she further berated him.

The alchemist backed down with his palms showed near his chest. He nervously nodded, "I-I will look further into this matter, I can assure you that Miss Ning."

"You better be!" said Ning before she snorted herself away.

"Ah Azleid, come sit down with me," said a young cultivator who seemed to be roughly the same age as him. He had starking short deeper blue hair and his figure was slightly leaner than Azleid's. His face was vibrant and full of energy but his eyes were thin, one couldn't see his eyes whenever he smiled.

"Mavis of the Sky Clan," Azleid muttered as he frowned.

"Oh c'mon, no need to furrow your eyebrows like that, hahaha!" Mavis pranced his way toward him before patting his shoulders a few times.

Azleid grabbed his waist as he glared. The atmosphere between the two young men brought even Ning to slightly furrowed her brows.

"Oh? Wanna fight?" Mavis smiled. 

The previous alchemist immediately pranced forward. He was palpitating as he begged, "P-Please young masters! Don't do it here."

Azleid threw his hand away before he snorted and chose a vacant seat.

"Oof," Mavis stretched his limp wrist with a smile, then he proceeded to grab the alchemist's shoulder. "We are just joking haha, why are you so nervous."

(Of course, I am!) said the alchemist inwardly. The problem with Ning's situation was already occupying his head, a fight between the two young masters would explode it.

"Ning!" Mavis called out as he waved his hand.

"Mavis..." Ning muttered as she pouted.

"Hmm? Do you seem to be so upset? What's wrong?" asked Mavis with a smile.

She turned, "Why do you want to know?"

"Well, I don't actually, I want to know why the others are not coming," said Mavis as he sighed. "I'm looking forward to seeing them."

(This dull bastard!) thought Ning as she cursed inwardly. "I don't know, don't ask me."

She left Mavis alone and choose a vacant seat in the first row.

"Ah, jeez!" Mavis sighed before he shook his head. "Of all people, I stuck with these two."

Mavis turned and looked around. There were not many people that were attending the auction today. He was bound to get some items but he missed the festive. "Maybe the item is not that good."

He went back to his seat before he smiled at Azleid, "Oi, Azleid, do you have an item in mind?"

Azleid ignored him and crossed his legs.

Mavis smiled wryly before he looked to the other side where Ning was at, "Ning, do you have an item in mind?"

"Hmph!" she scowled.

Mavis sighed. "Well, I've tried to raise up the atmosphere." He sat down and made himself comfortable.

Meanwhile, the alchemist was still questioning Lyon's status. "I've never known that he is an alchemist of ours, oh well, if he disturbed Miss Ning then he must be corrected accordingly."

Mavis let out a breath before his eyes snapped open, "Huh?"

His shoulders stiffened before he stood up and turned. His eyebrows furrowed as he looked at the entrance.

Ning and Azleid looked at him before both of them raised their brows. They stood at the same time and looked at the entrance.

Their heart raced. Something was approaching. Their goosebumps rose as if they were electrocuted. 

(What presence!) Mavis gulped before he made a wry smile. "A-Azleid, do you have any idea who it is?"

"Is it Yuri?" muttered Azleid.

"Nah, I doubt it, his presence is not this strong," said Mavis. "Is it an old powerhouse?"

The top of the head started to rose as one ascended the stairs. Slowly but surely, his figure was revealed.

"Huh? Who is he?" asked Mavis with his brows rose before he looked at Ning whose eyes shrunk as if she was seeing a ghost. Mavis frowned before he glanced at Azleid who did the same. "Hmm? He averted his glance back to the young man smirking behind the barrier.

"Lyon!" the alchemist uttered in disbelief.