The miserable wails of Mo Cheng echoed briefly before they were silenced forever. Around the courtyard, the hidden members of the Mo Family—already terrified beyond reason—panicked and scattered in all directions. None dared to look back, let alone shout threats or curses. They feared that a single glance might draw Liu Xi's wrath upon them.
As they fled, Hai Bodong arrived, catching sight of the retreating Mo clansmen. His expression shifted slightly; clearly, he had guessed why Liu Xi had stormed out in such a hurry earlier. He hadn't even entered the courtyard when he called out loudly, "Little friend Liu! Everything fine at home? If there's trouble, just say the word—I'll help you clean up these pests!"
Of course, Hai Bodong told himself this wasn't just because the Breaking Adversity Pill was still in Liu Xi's hands. 'I've always been known for being righteous and generous,' he thought proudly. 'They used to call me the Timely Rain of the Jia Ma Empire! Definitely not because I need him to give me my pill…'
Liu Xi's usual calm had already returned. Hearing Hai Bodong's voice, he replied mildly, "There's no need, Senior. Just a group of clowns not worth mentioning."
When Hai Bodong entered, he was surprised to see that the courtyard remained largely undisturbed. There were no signs of a fierce battle—only a patch of black ash on the ground.
He immediately adopted a righteous tone. "The Mo Family truly grows bolder by the day! Hiding behind Yunlan Sect's name, they dare to threaten you? Once I restore my Dou Huang strength, I'll make sure justice is done on your behalf!"
Liu Xi caught the subtle hint in his words and chuckled softly.
"There's no need to worry, Senior. The Breaking Adversity Pill is naturally yours. However…" His eyes narrowed slightly. "Shouldn't you show me that fragment map now?"
Hai Bodong stroked his beard with a sheepish grin. "Ah—little friend, that pill you showed me certainly matches the description in the recipe almost perfectly. But how about this—let me first remove my seal to confirm its effect. Once I'm certain, I'll hand over the map immediately!"
Liu Xi's gaze chilled, his eyes narrowing into a dangerous slit.
"Senior… are you suggesting that I'd hand you a counterfeit pill? Or perhaps that my alchemy isn't up to standard?"
Hai Bodong waved his hands frantically. "Of course not! I only wish to confirm whether it truly can break Queen Medusa's seal. Once I regain my strength, I'll give you the map right away!"
Liu Xi exhaled slowly. "Senior's conduct… is rather unbecoming of your status."
Hai Bodong opened his mouth to explain, but Liu Xi's tone grew colder.
"Still, I have complete faith in my own refinement. As long as your recipe was genuine, this pill will not fail. Just remember—when the time comes, I hope you won't make any unwise choices."
By the time he finished speaking, his tone had turned icy. Without another word, he took out the jade bottle containing the Breaking Adversity Pill and tossed it toward Hai Bodong.
Hai Bodong's eyes lit up in wild joy. Fumbling in haste, he caught the bottle and clutched it tightly, gazing at the shimmering violet pill inside as though it were a divine treasure.
Liu Xi sighed and coughed lightly. "Senior, surely you don't plan to just stare at it all day? I'm still waiting for that fragment map."
Hai Bodong finally snapped back to reality and laughed awkwardly.
"Ah, yes, yes! Little friend is so forthright, how could I act without integrity? Come—follow me. I'll undo my seal in a secure place. When I do, my aura might surge uncontrollably, so to avoid causing another… commotion, we'll use my private training chamber."
"Fine," Liu Xi replied casually. He turned to Qing Lin and extended his hand. The young girl obediently placed her small hand into his.
After the Mo Cheng incident, Liu Xi had decided not to let her out of his sight again. 'The outside world is far too dangerous,' he thought grimly.
Hai Bodong noticed the girl for the first time and blinked in surprise.
"Little friend, and this young lady is…?"
Liu Xi didn't intend to reveal too much. "My attendant," he said simply.
Hai Bodong nodded knowingly, then shot him a sly look. "Ah, I see, I see… young men, full of energy—it's only natural! Just don't overdo it, or you'll regret it when you're my age. Some things… become difficult, you know?"
Liu Xi rolled his eyes so hard it was a wonder they didn't get stuck.
"Enough nonsense. Lead the way properly, and stop spouting garbage."
Hai Bodong chuckled, clearly in a good mood. The relief of holding the Breaking Adversity Pill was evident—his old tension gone, replaced with a casual, even teasing demeanor toward Liu Xi. Only those who truly respected each other could speak so freely.
Holding Qing Lin's hand, Liu Xi followed him down the corridor. The girl stayed close, her expression pure and docile, her steps light. Occasionally, she'd glance up at Liu Xi, a soft smile curving her lips—one of quiet happiness.
They reached the shop's back corridor. Hai Bodong pressed a hidden section of the wall, and the solid stone split apart, revealing a narrow, shadowed passageway.
"Please," Hai Bodong said, stepping inside first.
Liu Xi followed, noting the faint glow of Moonstones embedded at regular intervals along the walls. The tunnel wasn't tight, but it twisted several times before opening into a vast underground chamber.
Inside, the temperature dropped sharply. A chilling mist hung in the air, clinging to the walls of solid ice. From the ceiling, countless icy stalactites hung like glimmering blades.
"Since my Dou Qi technique leans toward cold attributes, I built this place to enhance my cultivation," Hai Bodong explained. "And with its depth and ice layers, even strong experts can't easily sense what happens here."
Liu Xi nodded slightly, then glanced down at Qing Lin. Seeing the serpent spirit Ling Shuang coiled protectively around her arm, releasing a faint warmth to counter the cold, he relaxed.
"Let's make this quick," he said flatly. "My attendant isn't used to this temperature."
"Haha, understood!"
Hai Bodong grinned, then carefully withdrew the Breaking Adversity Pill from his ring. He studied it reverently, turning it under the pale light before finally nodding in satisfaction.
Ignoring Liu Xi's faintly impatient snort, he tapped his foot and leapt lightly onto a platform made entirely of translucent ice. Crossing his legs, he took a deep breath, swallowed the pill, and began to form seals, channeling his Dou Qi to guide the pill's power through his meridians.
The chamber hummed faintly with gathering energy.
---
Meanwhile—thousands of miles away, beneath a vast blue sky.
A colossal serpent soared through the clouds, its body black and massive, marked with strange iridescent patterns. Eight dark-purple wings beat powerfully along its sides, each flap propelling it forward at terrifying speed. A spiral horn jutted from its forehead, glowing faintly with poisonous violet light. The markings near its head formed the vague outline of a crown, and in its triangular eyes gleamed not bestial savagery—but a chilling intelligence.
Flying alongside this enormous beast was a woman in azure robes, dwarfed by its size. She called out, "Hey, Bai Ya, you're certain this reaction is accurate?"
The giant serpent rumbled, its deep voice echoing across the sky.
"Absolutely. With such a distinct resonance… it's almost certain the bloodline has begun to awaken."
(End of Chapter)
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