Liu Xi's casual remark hit Yao Chen like a thunderbolt, shattering his composure completely. The old man's spectral form trembled violently, eyes wide with disbelief.
If there were two obsessions anchoring Yao Chen's soul to the mortal world, they were these—regaining a new life, and the betrayal of his disciple, Han Feng.
He had raised that child from a foundling in the ashes, teaching him alchemy, guiding him to brilliance—only to be repaid with poison and treachery, left to drift the world as a broken remnant of a soul.
"What did you say…? Han Feng… is dead?"
Yao Chen's translucent body rippled, flickering like a candle in the wind. Grief and fury warred upon his face. His voice, when it came, was hoarse and trembling.
Liu Xi did not immediately respond. Instead, he let his gaze sweep over the opened scroll in his hand, the corners of his lips curving upward. He closed it carefully and turned to Yao Tianhuo, who was studying the second scroll—the Body Refining Technique—with gleaming eyes.
"Elder Yao," Liu Xi asked with a faint smile, "does this technique meet your expectations?"
Yao Tianhuo's blazing spirit flickered with joy. "Excellent. With this, I could restore myself to my peak strength with relative ease."
Liu Xi nodded, accepting both scrolls and storing them back into his ring. Then, with a faint wave of his hand, he released another soul from within the ring—one pale and nearly transparent, its expression blank and mindless.
Han Feng.
Liu Xi had wrung every scrap of knowledge from this soul over the years. Now, it was time for the man's final usefulness.
"This one once schemed against me," Liu Xi said lightly. "He met his end by my hand. Oh, and before he died, he raved that you, Senior, held back his progress out of jealousy. That his defeat was your fault for denying him the full cultivation method he deserved."
Every word was delivered with solemn conviction—pure fabrication, of course. Telling Yao Chen the truth about Flame Mantra would only stir trouble.
When Yao Chen saw Han Feng's flickering spirit, his anger softened into something more complex—a mixture of sorrow, resentment, and weary pity. The betrayal had been too deep, the disappointment too heavy to fully hate.
As Liu Xi's calm explanation fell upon him, Yao Chen's eyes dimmed. 'Those are indeed the kinds of words that fool would have said…'
"Unfilial disciple… ungrateful beast…" he muttered bitterly.
Liu Xi stepped closer, placing a hand atop Han Feng's spectral head, smiling faintly. "He claimed the full technique you withheld was extraordinary. I must admit, I'm curious. Since you're his teacher, you must have the complete version. Why not let me see it? I can trade you… Han Feng's soul."
The words drew a sharp glint into Yao Chen's eyes. He understood immediately what Liu Xi meant—Flame Mantra.
For a long moment, he hesitated. Part of him wanted desperately to reclaim his disciple's soul—no matter how unworthy Han Feng was, he had still been his student. Even just to destroy him personally would bring closure.
But his gaze flicked toward Xiao Yan, standing quietly nearby, and his expression softened. Han Feng was the past. Xiao Yan was his future. His rebirth.
Yao Chen's eyes briefly swept over Yao Tianhuo as well. He felt a faint chill. If Liu Xi learned the true nature of Flame Mantra—that it was an evolving technique capable of devouring Heavenly Flames—he would never stop until he seized it.
No, better to lie.
After a pause, Yao Chen sighed. "That technique was destroyed when Han Feng betrayed me. Even I no longer possess a copy. However, I can offer you other high-tier pill recipes as compensation."
Liu Xi blinked, smiling wryly. 'You sly old fox. Do you really think I'll buy that?'
He didn't expose the lie. Instead, he simply chuckled, retrieving Han Feng's soul and returning it to his ring. "A pity. Still, I appreciate the offer. Perhaps I'll visit again when I need those pill recipes."
Yao Chen's expression tightened but he didn't protest. He could tell there was no more to be gained here.
"Well then," he said finally, voice calm again. "For you to meet me today must be fate. Should you ever face difficulties in alchemy, you may come seek my guidance."
Having said that, his spiritual form shimmered, retreating once more into the black ring. The ring floated back and slipped neatly onto Xiao Yan's finger.
'No matter what happens,' Yao Chen's thoughts echoed faintly, 'the Heavenly Flames and Flame Mantra must not be lost…'
---
Xiao Yan stood there, shoulders tense, a gloomy expression on his face. He felt as though ever since meeting Liu Xi, nothing had gone right.
He had once roamed freely, his path always blessed with good fortune. Now, every plan crumbled before it began.
He'd tried to win over Hai Bodong with the Spirit Recovery Purple Pill, only for Liu Xi to casually hand one over himself, ruining the effort. Then, his teacher's attempt to pull Liu Xi into alliance had backfired—losing two secret techniques in the process and nearly revealing Flame Mantra.
Xiao Yan exhaled in frustration. At this point, he just wanted distance.
He cupped his fists stiffly. "Senior Liu, I'll take my leave."
Without waiting for an answer, he turned and strode off.
Liu Xi watched him go, expression unreadable. His thoughts, however, were sharp and calculating.
'A pity I couldn't get Flame Mantra. That technique's potential is monstrous. Even with three Heavenly Flames, that brat would still have a way to overturn everything if I'm not careful.'
Still, he smirked faintly. 'With Yao Tianhuo by my side and the support of the Jia Ma Empire's Dou Huangs, even Yao Chen himself wouldn't escape unscathed. Flame Mantra will fall into my hands eventually.'
His gaze drifted toward the distant direction of the Sacred City. Hidden there, faint but distinct, was another Dou Huang aura—cold, sharp, and unfamiliar. So that's 'Gu Xun'er's protector… Ling Ying.'
'After Xiao Yan comes the Gu Clan's interference… and then, the Hall of Souls lurking in the dark. One step at a time.'
Liu Xi's lips curved into a calm, confident smile. 'Unless fate intervenes, Yunlan Mountain will be the perfect stage for an "accident." Let Yao Chen, cornered and desperate, offer me Flame Mantra himself.'
"Elder Yao," he called softly.
Yao Tianhuo chuckled. "Heh, understood." His form dissolved into flame and returned to Liu Xi's ring.
Liu Xi straightened his robes and walked out of the courtyard.
Outside, Hai Bodong, Miteer Tengshan, and the other elders were waiting anxiously.
"Young friend," Hai Bodong said, still unsettled, "that boy's teacher was strange indeed. I never even sensed when he appeared—or when he left."
"Master Liu," Miteer Tengshan added, eyes glinting coldly, "if that brat offended you, say the word. The Miteer Family will make sure he regrets it."
Liu Xi waved a hand dismissively, smiling faintly. "No need. We had a pleasant conversation. There's no need to make trouble for him."
Just then, Ya Fei slipped gracefully through the crowd, her voice soft, her eyes full of contrition. "Master Liu, I truly apologize for disturbing your evening."
Liu Xi gave her a brief look—half polite, half amused. 'A smart woman, but a calculating one.'
He turned back to Hai Bodong, smiling. "Come, Elder Hai. Let's continue our drink."
"Haha, gladly!"
The group returned toward the banquet hall, laughter echoing once more. Behind them, Ya Fei lingered for a moment, her charming face pale beneath the torchlight.
Hai Bodong clapped his hands loudly as they entered. "What are you all standing around for? Play the music! Dance! Let's celebrate!"
The musicians hurried to their instruments, the dancers twirled gracefully once again, and the night filled with melody and the scent of fine wine.
(End of Chapter)
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