Inside the Jia Ma Sacred City, beneath the grand eaves of the Supreme Harmony Hall, the atmosphere had grown strangely tense.
Jia Xingtian's gaze toward Liu Xi carried a mixture of awe and complexity, while Miteer Tangshan and the others could hardly conceal the envy burning in their reddened eyes.
'A single Dou Ling Pill raised his strength by two stars...' they thought in unison. 'As expected, a pill refined through a Heavenly Flame truly defies reason!'
Jia Xingtian's expression was mostly one of admiration — admiration for Liu Xi's monstrous talent. Whether in cultivation or alchemy, this youth was extraordinary beyond belief. As for Miteer Tangshan and the other two Dou Wangs, they could barely restrain their hunger for the Dou Ling Pill.
Liu Xi, calm as ever, noticed their excited looks and said evenly, "Everyone, there's no need to be so surprised. I was simply fortunate to have accumulated enough power beforehand, that's all."
The Earth Fire Lotus Seed — that, of course, wasn't something he could tell anyone about. Even he felt it wasn't enough for himself, let alone share it. Better to say it was due to deep accumulation.
Mu Clan's patriarch Mu Chen, who was never good at hiding what he thought, couldn't resist blurting out, "Master Liu, I wonder if you'd be willing to—"
Before he could finish, Jia Xingtian shot him a sharp glance filled with imperial authority. Mu Chen immediately swallowed his words. This was his imperial banquet, not a trading fair. He had to maintain order before the young master lost face.
Jia Xingtian chuckled to ease the air. "Come now, Little Friend Liu, the guests are all seated and waiting. The banquet can begin. Please — come inside! Elder Xuan Hao, Old Hai, Lady Lu Man, this way, please!"
"Please."
With the emperor leading them, Liu Xi and the others entered the Supreme Harmony Hall.
The interior was vast, filled with over a hundred guests. Each seat had fine wine and delicacies laid out in elegant porcelain. When Liu Xi stepped in, countless gazes turned toward him, brimming with admiration and respect.
The outer seats were mostly occupied by young fighters of the Dou Zhe and Dou Shi ranks, but the closer he moved to the center, the more powerful the guests became — all Dou Lings or 4th Tier Alchemists and above. These were the true elites of the Jia Ma Empire.
Once seated, Liu Xi noticed something that made his brow crease slightly — his teacher Xuan Hao, Hai Bodong, and Lu Man all had arranged seats, but Qing Lin was standing quietly behind him, without a place of her own.
That… didn't sit well with him.
He turned his head, softened his tone, and called out, "Qing Lin, come."
The girl quickly walked forward. "Yes, Young Master."
Without hesitation, Liu Xi lifted her up and sat her gently on his lap. As Qing Lin froze in surprise, he placed a pair of chopsticks in her hands.
"Whatever you want to eat, just take it yourself."
The soft, gentle command made her blush to the roots of her hair. A faint crimson hue climbed up from her neck to her cheeks, and she shyly lowered her head, her small hands trembling slightly.
Jia Xingtian, who had been watching, finally understood why Liu Xi had frowned earlier. He had assumed the girl was merely a servant — clearly, she was far more than that.
"My apologies, Little Friend," Jia Xingtian said with a faint smile. "It was inconsiderate of me. I'll have someone bring another seat for the young lady."
Liu Xi nodded slightly.
"Hmm, just add a seat beside me."
His tone was light but carried undeniable firmness. Over time, Qing Lin — with her pure eyes and quiet loyalty — had already taken root in his heart. He would never let her be slighted.
The attendants moved swiftly, placing a new seat and setting it neatly beside Liu Xi. Only then did he relax.
Jia Xingtian raised his cup, his voice resonant. "Tonight's banquet is held to honor the return of a true prodigy from Jia Nan Academy — the Empire's youngest 6th Tier Alchemist, Master Liu Xi! Everyone, raise your cups and toast to him!"
"Toast to Master Liu!"
"Toast to the great Alchemist!"
The hall erupted with cheers.
As the night went on, laughter, flattery, and music filled the air.
Wine was poured, dishes emptied, and toasts made endlessly. Liu Xi, despite his strong will, found himself slightly light-headed — not from the wine, but from the countless times people had addressed him as Master Liu.
'No wonder so many people in my past life wanted to be called "Master",' he mused wryly. 'Feels pretty damn good…'
Then he shook his head. 'No — I still have too much to do. I can't lose myself in this.'
His gaze grew calm again. Even amidst the lavish banquet and the eager smiles, his mind was already clear as still water.
When the third round of wine was poured, Jia Xingtian finally revealed his true intention. His tone softened, but his words were deliberate.
"Little Friend Liu, within our royal family, there is a young princess — Yue'er. She possesses some talent in alchemy and studies under Vice President Qie Mi'er. She's already a 2nd Tier Alchemist, though…"
He sighed lightly, adopting a look of regret. "Yesterday, when you refined that 6th Tier Pill, Yue'er was confined to the inner palace and missed the chance to witness your brilliance. Since then, she's been quite taken with you. When she heard of tonight's banquet, she insisted on coming to meet you herself."
As his words fell, two young women entered the hall together.
One was lively and full of youthful energy; the other, serene and breathtakingly beautiful — mature, poised, with the aura of nobility.
The elder sister stepped forward first and greeted him with a charming smile.
"Master Liu, I am Yao Ye, Yue'er's elder sister. My sister has admired you deeply and begged me to bring her along tonight."
"Mm-hmm! Brother Liu Xi, you're amazing! I really admire you!" the younger one, Princess Yue'er, said sweetly, pretending to be shy as she stepped forward.
Liu Xi's eyes swept from the younger to the elder sister, then shifted toward Jia Xingtian at the head of the table.
'So that's how it is… first the banquet, then the "admirable princess," and now her elder sister?'
'Jia Xingtian, you crafty old fox — bringing out the royal sisters together? I treat you as a friend, yet you're trying to make me your ancestor!'
The entire hall seemed to realize what was happening.
The older nobles exchanged knowing glances — muttering silently about the emperor's cunning — while the younger ones looked at Liu Xi with envy burning in their eyes.
If he agreed, he could marry a princess — maybe two!
Liu Xi could only sigh inwardly. 'So this is what they mean by "A hero's grave lies in a beauty's embrace."'
He had struggled and fought to alter his fate, to rise above destiny itself. Yet here, in this dazzling hall, even he felt a fleeting temptation.
'I've worked so hard to get this far. Staying here to enjoy life wouldn't be so bad... but… no. I can't stop here.'
For a moment, it felt as if dust clouded his heart. He closed his eyes, calming his thoughts.
When he opened them again, his gaze was clear — sharp as spring water under the moonlight. His mind, serene and resolute.
He looked at Yao Ye and Yue'er, his voice calm and distant. "I understand."
The two sisters froze in mild surprise. Yao Ye blinked and asked, with a touch of awkwardness, "Master Liu, you have nothing else to say to us?"
Liu Xi smiled faintly and shook his head.
"No need."
The two women exchanged a glance — Yao Ye's brows furrowing ever so slightly, Yue'er pouting in disappointment — yet neither dared press further.
The banquet continued, music resuming softly in the background, but the young alchemist at its center seemed already far beyond such worldly charms.
He had seen through it all.
(End of Chapter)
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