At Xuan Hao's residence, the elderly man clasped Liu Xi's arm warmly as they walked together along a quiet gravel path. His weathered face glowed with a bright, satisfied smile.
Now, whether in reputation or in alchemy, Liu Xi stood as the undisputed number one within the Jia Ma Empire—and, most importantly, he was Xuan Hao's disciple.
"Disciple," Xuan Hao said with concern, "refining a 6th Tier pill must have drained you. Why not rest a few more days?"
Liu Xi chuckled lightly, his tone casual. "Teacher, there's no need to worry. Refining 6th Tier pills no longer poses a challenge to me. I came today specifically to deliver this Azure Spirit Life Extension Pill to you."
Xuan Hao halted mid-step, eyes wide with disbelief. "For me? My disciple… that's a 6th Tier pill!"
Liu Xi stopped as well and smiled gently. "When I first obtained the pill recipe, I was surprised myself. But from the start, I intended to refine it for you."
The old man's dry, calloused hand tightened around Liu Xi's arm. His voice trembled slightly. "I… I'm very proud of you."
"Teacher," Liu Xi said softly, "find a quiet room. I'll guard you while you take the pill."
Xuan Hao nodded firmly.
Inside the teacher's elegantly furnished chamber, Liu Xi retrieved a jade bottle from his storage ring and handed it over.
Xuan Hao's hands trembled slightly as he accepted it. Ten extra years of life—how could he not be moved? He gazed at his disciple, his eyes glistening with warmth and gratitude.
Once he swallowed the Azure Spirit Life Extension Pill, Liu Xi immediately focused his Spiritual Power to monitor his teacher's condition. A faint white glow began to spread over Xuan Hao's body, the pill's vigorous vitality surging through his veins and rejuvenating his organs.
After three hours, when the pill's medicinal power had fully integrated, the deep wrinkles across Xuan Hao's face had faded by more than half, replaced by a healthy blush. His aura pulsed stronger, his whole being seeming younger by at least a decade.
"How do you feel, Teacher?" Liu Xi asked with a smile.
"Excellent," Xuan Hao replied with delight. "My body feels like it's returned to youth. If I cultivate diligently, perhaps I'll even have a chance to break through to Dou Wang!"
He wasn't without talent—but in his youth, success as an alchemist had led him astray, drowning him in wine and pleasure until his body deteriorated. His once-promising path had stagnated.
But now, with vitality restored, the old spark returned to his eyes.
Ever since Liu Xi had risen to fame, others had begun to speak of Xuan Hao only as "Liu Xi's teacher." It filled him with pride, yes—but also a trace of quiet frustration. Now, with this second chance, he intended to make a name for himself once more, perhaps even aiding Liu Xi in the future.
The two talked late into the evening before Xuan Hao finally allowed Liu Xi to leave.
---
The next morning, Liu Xi awoke early. Today was the day of Xiao Yan's duel with Nalan Yanran—time to pay a visit to the Yunlan Sect.
"Young Master, why are you up so early?"
A sleepy, gentle voice came from the bed. Xiao Yixian, still half-buried under the sheets, reached out with a pale arm, blinking drowsily.
"I'm heading to the Yunlan Sect," Liu Xi said softly. "It'll only take a day. Stay home and watch over Zi Yan—she's unstable right now."
"Mm… come back soon," Xiao Yixian murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
She wriggled deeper into the blankets, curling up completely, only her small head poking out. After the night they had shared, she felt sore and exhausted—he couldn't help but smile wryly.
Liu Xi tied his long hair back, revealing his handsome, jade-like face. Only the faint weariness in his eyes betrayed how little he'd actually rested.
Yawning once, he chuckled quietly to himself. Even as a Dou Huang, last night's "battle" had been intense.
He turned to glance at Xiao Yixian, only her adorable little head peeking from the quilt. A fond smile curved his lips.
"So cute… just a head poking out."
He leaned down, pressed a soft kiss to her smooth cheek, and whispered, "Rest well, Xian'er."
Then he rose, moving quietly as he closed the door behind him.
---
By dawn, Liu Xi had already reached the northern gate of Jia Ma Sacred City. Unfurling his Dou Qi wings, he ascended into the air, soaring toward the distant, mist-shrouded Yunlan Mountain, whose towering peaks pierced the clouds like celestial spears.
Before long, he descended at the foot of the mountain. He hadn't come to provoke anyone; flying straight into the sect's skies would have been an act of arrogance.
He climbed the white stone steps one by one, his figure gradually swallowed by drifting mist.
Within the sect, all seemed calm. Disciples in moon white robes went about their duties—training, patrolling, maintaining order—as though today were no different from any other.
As Liu Xi passed through the magnificent jade gates, the guards were startled, then awed. Recognizing him, they dared not impede his path.
He soon reached a vast square of polished marble. There, the sect master Yun Yun, accompanied by Nalan Yanran and more than a dozen white-robed elders, stepped forward to greet him.
Yun Yun approached with graceful steps, her serene face carrying a gentle smile. "My disciple was rash," she said softly. "It's merely a small duel, yet it has troubled you to come in person, sir. Please don't take offense."
To her, this so-called "challenge" was nothing more than a foolish display by a man who'd once been rejected and now sought attention. The Yunlan Sect had hardly taken the matter seriously.
As the sacred cultivation ground of the empire, the sect stood high above mundane disputes. No one had expected Liu Xi himself to appear—his arrival drew far more respect than Xiao Yan ever could.
After all, Liu Xi was now the empire's foremost Alchemist and a Dou Huang powerhouse—his fame even greater than that of Master Gu He in his prime. It would have been impossible for the sect not to receive him with full honor.
"Three years have passed, yet Sect Master Yun remains as elegant as ever," Liu Xi said warmly, hands clasped behind his back. "Yanran invited me, so I came simply to observe—no need to be so formal."
Yun Yun hesitated briefly, then turned to her elder.
"Grand Elder, you'll oversee Yanran's duel. I'll accompany our guest for a short while."
"Yes, Sect Master!" Yun Leng bowed respectfully, leading the other elders and Nalan Yanran toward the stone steps to await the challenger. Yanran glanced once more at Liu Xi before turning away, her sword glinting faintly in the mist.
Side by side, Yun Yun and Liu Xi strolled along the edge of the square. Her voice dropped slightly.
"Yanran told me about the Di Class Dou Technique you gave her. Sir… could it be that you harbor feelings for her? I must warn you—our Yunlan Sect's cultivation methods forbid… intimacy before mastery."
"Cough!" Liu Xi nearly stumbled, caught off guard by her bluntness. He forced a dry laugh. "Sect Master Yun misunderstands. I have no improper intentions toward Yanran. It was merely a gift—a Di Class technique, nothing more. If you wish, you may cultivate it as well. Your Dou Qi attributes seem compatible."
Yun Yun's brows drew together slightly as she bit her lip.
'He just gave away a Di Class Dou Technique so casually… what is he after? Not interested in Yanran… could it be me? No, impossible! But if I reject him outright and offend him… what then?'
She hastily changed the topic as the sound of footsteps echoed across the square. A young man with a black ruler on his back slowly approached, his figure firm and composed.
The long-awaited duel was about to begin.
(End of Chapter)
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