The evening sky gradually deepened into dusk.
Liu Xi, half-drunk and humming to himself, staggered out of the Miteer Family estate, his body heavy with wine.
Hai Bodong accompanied him all the way to the gate, still trying to persuade him to stay. "Master Liu, the manor has many spare rooms," he said with a knowing grin. "And… tonight's entertainment has been prepared with great care."
Liu Xi, of course, politely declined. With a smile and a wave, he boarded the carriage and departed under the reluctant gazes of Hai Bodong and the gathered Elders.
---
When he returned to the Liu Estate, Xiao Yixian immediately stepped forward to greet him. Her delicate nose twitched slightly, catching only the scent of wine — and no trace of perfume. Satisfied, she smiled softly.
"Young Master, you're back," she said warmly, supporting his unsteady form.
Liu Xi noticed her little gesture and couldn't help but think, 'Girls really do have a natural talent for detective work. If I'd accepted Elder Hai's "reserved entertainment" for the night, I'd probably be sleeping in the study right now.'
Blinking drunkenly, Liu Xi grinned. "Xian'er, why are you the only one here? Where's Zi Yan?"
At the mention of Zi Yan, Xiao Yixian's brows furrowed slightly. "Zi Yan's already gone to bed. Lately, she's been unusually lazy… always sleepy. After eating, she just curls up and naps. She doesn't have her usual energy."
"Oh?"
The alcohol haze faded from Liu Xi's mind as he grew thoughtful.
'Drowsy all the time… could it be that she's about to evolve? That's possible. As a Ancient Void Dragon, her bloodline power is extraordinary. Once her energy accumulates to a certain level, advancement is inevitable.'
He smiled. "That might not be a bad thing. When she wakes tomorrow, I'll help her check her condition. Her body isn't ordinary—this could very well be a sign of her advancement."
Xiao Yixian nodded in agreement. "The bathwater's already prepared, Young Master. You should wash away that wine smell before you rest."
Liu Xi chuckled lazily. "Then I'll trouble Xian'er to help me scrub my back."
Her cheeks flushed. "Mmm…" she murmured in a voice as soft as a mosquito's hum.
---
Moments later, Liu Xi sat in a large wooden tub, soaking in a medicinal bath of his own concoction—one that calmed the mind, strengthened the foundation, and nourished vitality.
Xiao Yixian stood outside the tub, her face still faintly red, a washcloth wrapped around her slender hands. She was genuinely scrubbing his back—nothing more, nothing less.
"Ahh… comfortable," Liu Xi sighed contentedly. The wine haze cleared completely from his mind.
He raised his hand, and a gray-black scroll materialized in his palm. Turning, he offered it to Xiao Yixian with a smile. "Xian'er, I picked this up during the Miteer Family banquet. Quite a surprise, actually. I ran into a certain old senior I'd been looking for, and after some effort, I managed to get this."
Xiao Yixian blinked curiously. She untied the washcloth, wiped her damp hands, and carefully accepted the scroll. When she unrolled it, her eyes widened as she read:
"The Woeful Poison Body — an extremely rare and terrifying constitution, born of innate toxicity. All who touch the bearer perish. When the poison erupts, life within a thousand li ceases. The host, however, suffers the agony of ten thousand toxins devouring the heart, leaving no known cure."
"Yet, through great fortune, one may gain full control over this poisonous constitution — condensing the gathered venom into a single entity known as the Poison Pill. Once the Poison Pill forms, the Woeful Poison Body transforms into a fearsome but controllable power."
"The creation of this Poison Pill requires three things: three Heavenly Flames, the monster core of a 7th-rank Sky Poison Scorpion Dragon Beast, and Bodhi Body Transformation Saliva, fused together through special refining methods."
Her hands trembled slightly as she read. "Young Master…"
Liu Xi smiled faintly. He could see the emotions swirling in her eyes — excitement, disbelief, and hope. Over the years, he had quietly gathered the materials this technique demanded, piece by piece, just to give her a chance to change her fate.
"When one of us breaks through to Dou Zong, we'll hunt the Sky Poison Scorpion Dragon Beast together," he said softly. "Once we obtain its monster core, we'll go to Central Plains and fully resolve your constitution."
Tears welled in Xiao Yixian's eyes, though she quickly looked down to hide them.
Water splashed as Liu Xi stood up from the bath, stretching lazily. The droplets rolled off his skin and splattered back into the tub.
"Sleep time," he said lightly.
With the Fallen Heart Flame cultivating quietly within his chest, he no longer needed to spend long hours in meditation. Ordinary training was handled by the flame itself; only breakthroughs demanded his full attention.
Before resting, however, he layered several additional seals over Yao Tianhuo's spirit, just in case.
---
The next day, near noon.
Liu Xi woke late—as usual—and skipped breakfast altogether. After ordering the kitchen to prepare a fresh meal, he sat down just as a sleepy Zi Yan wandered in, rubbing her eyes.
"Big Brother, Sister Xian'er… good morning," she mumbled, still half-asleep.
Liu Xi chuckled and beckoned her closer. He could already sense faint fluctuations of energy around her body. "Zi Yan, come here. I'll check your condition."
"Okay!" she replied, scampering over cheerfully. "But why check me? I'm not hurt or anything."
Without answering, Liu Xi placed his hands gently on her shoulders, releasing his Spiritual Power to probe her body.
In an instant, his mind entered a vast, shimmering world — a lake of liquid violet energy, calm on the surface but hiding turbulent undercurrents beneath.
When he attempted to delve deeper, the energy within fiercely repelled him, nearly ejecting his Spiritual Power entirely.
In that fleeting moment, he saw it clearly: beneath the still surface, the energy was already boiling, moments away from eruption.
Liu Xi withdrew his Spiritual Power and opened his eyes. Smiling, he said, "You're fine, but don't wander off alone for the next few days. The energy in your body is reaching its limit. You could enter advancement at any moment—it's safer to stay nearby."
"Really?" Zi Yan's eyes sparkled, her face lighting up with excitement.
Liu Xi chuckled. 'As expected. With all the herbs I've fed her, it'd be strange if she didn't advance early.'
---
Ten days later.
Xuan Hao, representing the Alchemist Association, arrived at the Liu Estate.
Liu Xi welcomed him with respect, guiding him to a seat while Xiao Yixian brought in tea.
"Teacher," Liu Xi greeted with a smile. "What brings you here today? You need only send word — I would've come to you."
Xuan Hao sipped the tea lightly. "This time, I'm here on behalf of the Association. The selection rounds for the Alchemist Grand Assembly are complete. The first official round begins tomorrow, and the Association would like you to attend as a witness."
Liu Xi wasn't particularly interested—except, perhaps, in seeing how Xiao Yan would fare. Still, he was staying in the capital for a while longer, so there was no harm in attending.
"No problem, Teacher. I'll be there."
Xuan Hao chuckled approvingly. "Good. Remember to wear your 6th Tier Alchemist robe tomorrow. Make sure you look your best—impress the whole venue."
Liu Xi put on a perfectly straight face. "Teacher, even if I don't dress up, my face alone will steal the spotlight."
Xuan Hao burst into laughter. "Hahaha! That's true enough!"
(End of Chapter)
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