Closely following behind the old man was a young cultivator. When he noticed the elder's barely restrained excitement, he stepped forward flatteringly.
"Elder, judging by your expression, it seems you've already found our target this time?"
The old man—Mo Cheng, Grand Elder of the Mo Clan—turned his head slightly, his wrinkled face glowing with enthusiasm.
"Yes," he said, his voice trembling with greed. "After so many years, I've finally sensed a physique that responds so strongly to the clan's secret art. Ever since we arrived in this Desert City, her presence has been like a torch in the darkness—it's impossible not to notice!"
The young man's eyes lit up. Sensing an opportunity to please the elder, he bowed deeply and said with exaggerated flattery, "Congratulations, Grand Elder! With such a unique body in your hands, your cultivation will surely soar. Perhaps you'll reach the Dou Huang or even the Dou Zong Realm and become the strongest in the entire Jia Ma Empire. Even the Yunlan Sect will have to bow before you!"
At that, Mo Cheng's smile grew even wider, though he snorted lightly.
"Mo Ran, mind your tongue. Our Mo Clan stands where it does today only thanks to Yunlan Sect's protection. Don't let such words reach outside ears again!"
But even as he scolded, his heart was burning with ambition.
'Perhaps… I truly have a chance to dominate the Jia Ma Empire.'
For years, the Mo Clan had ruled the northeastern province, one of its four major families—but in truth, they were never on par with the true great clans of the empire.
'Why?' Mo Cheng's withered hand clenched under his sleeve. 'Because even now, our strongest warrior is merely a Dou Ling! While others boast Dou Wang and Dou Huang experts, I've been forced to grovel before Yunlan Sect for decades.'
A cruel glint flickered in his eyes. 'But once I transplant that girl's body constitution… I'll make Yunlan Sect vomit out every ounce of what they took from me.'
With that, Mo Cheng and his followers dashed through the streets, ignoring the curses of startled pedestrians as they rushed toward the location he'd sensed.
---
At that very moment, Qing Lin remained completely unaware of the danger approaching.
Because the Breaking Adversity Pill Liu Xi was refining was a 6th Tier Pill, it would take several days to complete. Liu Xi had left her behind with enough coins and pills for safety, instructing her to stay home until his return.
He'd never once considered that the Mo Clan would dare target her.
In his mind, with his strength as a Dou Wang and his status as a near-6th Tier Alchemist, the Mo Clan—mere provincials—posed no threat. Even Yunlan Sect, their so-called patron, stood as his equal at best.
Thus, Qing Lin's presence at home alone seemed of no concern to him.
But fate, as always, had other plans.
---
Mo Cheng soon arrived at a rooftop overlooking Liu Xi's courtyard. His sharp eyes found Qing Lin's slender figure tending to the small garden below.
The youth beside him, Mo Ran, leaned closer and whispered, "Elder, that little girl—is she the one? Should I take men and capture her now?"
Mo Cheng's eyes gleamed green with greed, but he shook his head.
"No. You're not strong enough. There's a 4th Rank Magical Beast aura around her. If I don't act personally, none of you will return alive."
Mo Ran inhaled sharply. 'A 4th Rank Magical Beast?' For a mere girl to have such protection was unthinkable.
"Then what should we do, Elder?" he asked anxiously.
Mo Cheng thought for a moment, then said coldly, "Investigate everything about her—background, connections, anyone she might rely on. And find a way to lure her outside the city. If I fight that beast here, it'll cause too much commotion. We'll draw unwanted eyes."
"Yes, Elder. I'll see to it immediately."
As Mo Ran departed with several men, Mo Cheng turned back toward the courtyard, his breathing growing heavier.
"A half-serpent girl who can control a serpent-type Magical Beast… such a physique could only be the legendary Jade Snake Three-Flower Pupils."
He licked his lips greedily.
"Once I transplant those eyes, I'll be able to command even Sixth or Seventh-Rank serpent beasts… then I, Mo Cheng, shall become the true, undisputed king of the Jia Ma Empire. Hahaha…"
---
By dusk, Mo Ran returned, panting but triumphant.
"Elder, we've found out some details. She's an orphan, adopted by a young master from some unknown family. We don't know his origin, but he must be strong—he even knows how to activate the Jade Snake Three-Flower Pupils to command serpents!"
Mo Cheng's eyes narrowed, killing intent flickering within them.
"So… that boy knows her secret. Then he cannot be allowed to live. No matter whose son he is—he dies!"
The temperature around them plummeted under his murderous aura.
"And… what of that young master's whereabouts or cultivation?"
Mo Ran swallowed hard. "We couldn't find out…"
"Useless trash!" Mo Cheng roared, his Dou Ling aura bursting forth like a violent storm. The pressure alone forced Mo Ran and the others to their knees, trembling.
After a long silence, Mo Ran forced out a trembling reply. "E-Elder… we'll lock down the city and capture the boy. Once we do, we can use him as bait to lure the girl outside."
Mo Cheng's anger eased slightly. He waved his sleeve impatiently.
"Then move! Don't wait for my order—go!"
But before the words had even finished echoing, a sudden pulse of violet light erupted from somewhere within the city.
A deep, shimmering purple mist coiled into the sky like a storm of amethyst clouds. The sight was dreamlike—and the faint fragrance of medicine drifted on the air.
Mo Cheng froze, then slowly turned toward it. His eyes filled with greedy awe.
"A high-grade pill phenomenon…? In this remote desert? Don't tell me there's a high-tier alchemist hidden here…"
A malicious grin twisted his lips. "Interesting. I'll take a look. If fortune smiles on me, perhaps I'll gain another unexpected prize."
He glanced back at his subordinates. "Stay here and watch that girl. If she makes a move, notify me immediately. If she escapes…"
His tone dropped to a deadly chill. "Then you'd better pray she kills you first."
With that, his figure blurred, vanishing into the wind as he sped toward Liu Xi's refining chamber.
---
Indeed, the purple mist had been caused by Liu Xi's alchemy.
Outside the refining room, Hai Bodong leapt up from his chair in shock, staring wide-eyed at the faint glow seeping through the cracks in the door.
"Such a reaction… Could it be the pill is done? I really want to take a look—but that brat said not to disturb him no matter what…"
He paced the corridor anxiously, muttering to himself.
Inside, the once tidy room now lay in ruins. Ashes coated the floor, and the walls were blackened with heat. Liu Xi sat atop the Green Lotus Platform, his face pale but steady, his gaze fixed on the crimson cauldron before him.
Within the cauldron, a faint violet pill pulsed with light, gleaming with life.
Moments earlier, when it had formed, a surge of violet energy had erupted outward—creating the strange cloud now visible across the city.
Liu Xi had barely contained it, too drained to suppress the full outburst.
At last, when the cauldron stilled, he extended his hand.
The pill rose gently into his palm—smooth, round, and lustrous, its surface carved with faint, naturally formed runic lines.
He examined it and murmured faintly, "So this is it, huh? Could've been better."
Had he managed to press all that escaping energy back into the pill, its quality might've risen a full grade higher.
Still, satisfied enough, Liu Xi stored the Breaking Adversity Pill, then began cleaning up the mess—packing away the lotus platform, cauldron, and remaining rare ingredients.
Outside, the violet glow slowly faded into the night sky—
Just as Mo Cheng drew near, his eyes gleaming with hunger.
(End of Chapter)
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