Contempt.
Other than Ya Fei, perhaps only Liu Xi understood the full extent of Xiao Yan's potential.
That was why the Miteer Family's Dou Ling Elders, Grand Elder Miteer Tangshan, and even Supreme Elder Hai Bodong, all revealed faint traces of disdain when they noticed that Xiao Yan was merely a 2nd Tier Alchemist.
Xiao Yan could feel those sharp, dismissive gazes cutting toward him. Rage flared in his chest, though he forced himself to keep a calm face.
'Hmph, there'll come a day when you'll all be the ones begging me!'
He knew when to swallow his pride. After years of tempering, he was no longer that impulsive youth.
Hai Bodong's smile faded, his tone taking on a stern weight. "You said you possess the pill recipe that could restore my strength. Let's hear it in detail."
The moment Xiao Yan entered, Liu Xi had already sensed a faint trace of spiritual probing. Now, as Hai Bodong spoke, Liu Xi narrowed his eyes slightly. His Spiritual Power—already at the peak of the Mortal Realm—spread out quietly like an invisible tide.
It swept around Xiao Yan, tracing the source of that earlier probing until it reached the black ring on his finger. When Liu Xi attempted to pierce it, his power was repelled by another force—a powerful, sentient soul aura, akin to Yao Tianhuo's, but more refined.
A flicker of surprise crossed Liu Xi's eyes. 'Well now… I was planning to find you myself, but it seems you've come to me instead.'
Meanwhile, Xiao Yan lifted his chin slightly, his tone confident.
"My teacher once passed down a pill recipe to me—the Spirit Recovery Purple Pill. It's a 5th Tier Pill that can restore strength lost through injury or sealed cultivation. With it, Senior Hai Bodong could surely regain his power."
He deliberately stressed the word teacher, making his backing clear. And it was true—over the past three years, Yao Lao had saved him countless times. His confidence in that old soul was absolute.
Hai Bodong and the Miteer Elders all froze in astonishment.
That pill… wasn't it exactly the same one Liu Xi had gifted him earlier?
Slowly, every head turned toward Liu Xi, eyes filled with confusion and suspicion—were these two somehow connected? But no, their demeanor didn't match.
When they looked back at Xiao Yan, their gazes carried a strange amusement.
Xiao Yan frowned inwardly, irritation flashing in his heart.
'Why are they looking at me like some kind of performing monkey? Shouldn't they be asking where I learned it, what ingredients I need, or how to invite my teacher? What's with this reaction!?'
Ya Fei, too, was baffled. She knew how badly the Supreme Elder wanted to recover his strength—so why was everyone acting so oddly now?
Keeping his tone calm, Xiao Yan continued, "Does Senior doubt my words? I admit that my current level isn't enough to refine such a pill—but my teacher absolutely can."
Hai Bodong chuckled, a knowing smile touching his lips. "Oh, I believe you. It's just that Master Liu Xi here already gave me a Spirit Recovery Purple Pill. I won't be troubling your teacher."
Xiao Yan's mind went blank.
He turned stiffly toward Liu Xi's calm, faintly smiling face, his cheeks burning.
So the clown… was him.
Even Yao Lao, within the ring, was silent for a long moment. The old spirit had sensed Liu Xi's extraordinary soul force—at the peak of the Mortal Realm, barely a breath away from entering the Spirit Realm proper.
And this pill, the Spirit Recovery Purple Pill—its recipe came from the flourishing central regions of the continent. For someone in this remote northwest to know it… was truly inconceivable.
'This young man… he's far from ordinary,' Yao Lao thought gravely. 'His soul strength, his composure—none of it fits this backwater region.'
Liu Xi's lips curved into a faint smile. "Haha, yes, that pill was my handiwork. Your teacher sounds intriguing—why not invite him out so we can exchange insights?"
Seeing Xiao Yan's stunned face, Liu Xi almost laughed aloud. 'If I hadn't refined that pill myself, he'd probably be trying to drag Hai Bodong off to the Yunlan Sect again.'
Xiao Yan's expression shifted rapidly. His teacher's alchemy was beyond question, but his current state was… inconvenient. A disembodied soul couldn't exactly appear in public.
Then, Yao Lao's voice echoed in his mind. 'Accept. Since he's already sensed me, there's no point hiding. I'm quite curious about him too.'
Regaining some composure, Xiao Yan nodded. "That's fine. However, my teacher prefers quiet. He dislikes noisy crowds. If Master Liu doesn't mind, we can find a more secluded place—he'll meet you there."
Hai Bodong and Miteer Tangshan exchanged sharp glances, their expressions darkening instantly. Several elders shot disapproving looks toward Ya Fei, whose heart skipped a beat.
This kid… does he even know who he's talking to!?
Ya Fei could only smile bitterly. 'Xiao Yan, you idiot. One careless word and you'll offend a Dou Huang Alchemist. If Liu Xi takes offense, we're finished.'
But Xiao Yan stood calmly, unshaken. He had already received Yao Lao's transmission and knew Liu Xi wouldn't refuse—the man was clearly intrigued.
And indeed, Liu Xi smiled faintly. "Very well. I'd like to meet your teacher too. Elder Hai, could you arrange a quiet courtyard for us?"
Hai Bodong hesitated, brows furrowing. "Little friend, this person's background is unclear, and his teacher hides behind secrecy. It may be dangerous. Allow me to accompany you."
Liu Xi waved a hand dismissively, confidence radiating from him. "Relax, Elder Hai. I'll be fine."
Seeing his firm gaze, Hai Bodong could only sigh.
"…Alright. I'll have a place prepared. But I'll stand guard outside."
He shot a final warning glare at Xiao Yan, silently telling him not to play any tricks, then barked orders to his men.
Soon, a quiet courtyard was arranged.
Liu Xi and Xiao Yan entered together, the door closing softly behind them.
Outside, Hai Bodong stood with the Miteer Elders, faces taut with worry.
'Master Liu Xi has shown me great kindness,' Hai Bodong thought grimly. 'If anything happens to him here, I'll never forgive myself.'
(End of Chapter)
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