Supreme Harmony Hall.
Under the dazzling glow of the palace lanterns, the air hung thick with awkward tension. The two sisters — Yao Ye and Yue'er — stood before Liu Xi, eyes filled with disbelief, while he simply raised his cup and took a slow sip of wine, the faintest hint of amusement flickering in his eyes.
'My future is destined to be among the stars,' he thought calmly. 'You two… one without emotional foundation, the other without any real value. I'm not so blinded by beauty that I'd fall for this obvious bait. The honeyed trap old Jia Xingtian laid out—I'm not biting.'
Indeed, before arriving, the sisters had already been briefed by Jia Xingtian himself. The little princess Yue'er had pouted and preened, determined to charm this famed young alchemist. But despite her soft voice and coquettish glances, even she could not muster the courage to truly be angry at a 6th Tier Alchemist.
Her elder sister Yao Ye, however, understood far more. The imperial guardian — their great ancestor Jia Xingtian — had protected the imperial family for years. But his life force was nearing its end, and unless he broke through to Dou Zong, he would eventually perish. Yet that breakthrough was perilous, and among the imperial line, there was no one powerful enough to take his place.
Yao Ye had already resolved that if Liu Xi showed even a hint of interest, she would use every ounce of her charm — even offering herself — to secure a marriage alliance. But… Liu Xi's indifference was like a basin of cold water poured straight over her heart.
Her pride wounded, she stepped forward, her graceful form trembling slightly as she gazed up at him. Her delicately painted face carried a trace of pleading sadness.
"Master Liu," she whispered softly, her tone laced with sorrow. "Why must you be so cold to us sisters?"
Liu Xi's brow furrowed slightly — irritation flashing through his calm eyes. 'This woman really doesn't know when to stop.'
'Does she think a Dou Wang won't get angry just because I've been polite?'
He placed his cup down gently, a subtle pressure rippling through the air. "Do you think I'm, a Dou Wang, just here for amusement?" he said mildly — but that mildness made Yao Ye instinctively tremble.
Before the tension could escalate, Jia Xingtian's low voice broke through the silence. "Yao Ye, that's enough. You've already greeted Master Liu — take Yue'er and step down."
The aged protector's gaze flickered with regret. He had hoped that tonight's banquet might bind this genius to the imperial family through marriage. A 6th Tier Alchemist was far more valuable than ten legions of soldiers. If he could secure Liu Xi's loyalty, he could attempt his own breakthrough to Dou Zong without worry — even if he failed, the empire would remain strong.
But now, seeing Liu Xi's cold demeanor, Jia Xingtian could only sigh inwardly.
Yao Ye's lips trembled slightly. Though unwilling, she bowed gracefully and withdrew with Yue'er.
Jia Xingtian forced a gentle smile. "Young friend, Yao Ye was merely a bit too forward. I hope you won't take offense."
Liu Xi's voice was faint, but calm. "It's fine."
He didn't even glance back at the sisters as they left. They were beautiful, yes — but beauty alone held no sway over him. To truly marry into the imperial family would mean binding himself to the empire forever, shackling his freedom.
'I've worked too hard to stop here,' he thought. 'No matter how tempting the warmth of the imperial bed may be, it can't compare to the endless heavens ahead.'
Jia Xingtian's smile faltered. Tonight's plan had failed completely.
The rest of the banquet passed with little enthusiasm. Even though the hall was filled with laughter and music, the main guest of honor seemed detached, his mind clearly elsewhere. Without his energy, the entire celebration slowly fizzled out.
---
Later that night, after politely excusing himself, Liu Xi departed the Supreme Harmony Hall. Under the admiring stares of countless nobles, he climbed into the carriage bound for Master Xuan Hao's mansion.
Inside, the atmosphere was far more relaxed.
Hai Bodong chuckled lightly and said, "Jia Xingtian meant no harm, little friend. He just wanted to pull you closer to the imperial family, that's all."
Liu Xi smiled faintly. "Of course I know that. It's perfectly natural for a imperial to draw useful people close — especially someone as handsome, brilliant, and remarkably talented as me."
Xuan Hao immediately nodded with satisfaction. "Indeed! My disciple is not only extraordinary in skill but noble in bearing. Hmph — even a princess can't compare to him!"
Hai Bodong fell silent, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. 'He's not wrong,' he admitted to himself, 'but why does it sound so infuriating when they say it?'
Xuan Hao, meanwhile, was already scheming anew. 'My precious disciple deserves someone worthy — powerful and beautiful both. Yao Ye is fine, but… perhaps there's someone better…'
Then suddenly, his eyes lit up. He turned sharply toward Liu Xi, gripping his arm.
"Disciple," he said excitedly, "what do you think of Yun Yun? If you like her, this old man will personally go and propose for you!"
Liu Xi froze for a moment. 'Yun Yun? The lofty Sect Master of Yunlan Sect — elegant, proud, and… guarded by that licking dog Gu He.'
Still, a playful smile tugged at his lips. "Heh, then please do, Teacher. If you can persuade her, I'll gladly comply."
---
By the time they arrived at Xuan Hao's Mansion, the night was deep and still.
Before they could even step inside, a respectful voice called from outside the courtyard:
"Master Liu! Miteer Tangshan of the Miteer Clan requests an audience!"
Hai Bodong raised an eyebrow. "Tangshan? What brings you here now?"
Miteer Tangshan strode in with a broad smile and a faint air of calculation. "Elder Hai, first, I've come to invite you back to the Miteer Clan. You'll always be our honored Supreme Elder. Second…" His tone turned sheepish. "Hehe… I came to beg Master Liu for a pill."
Hai Bodong snorted. "Let me guess — not just any pill, right? You're here for a Dou Ling Pill, aren't you?"
Tangshan laughed awkwardly. "Ahaha… how could you say that, Elder Hai? I—"
Liu Xi raised a hand to stop them. "Enough. Come in and speak properly."
Once seated in the grand hall, tea and pastries were swiftly brought out.
Tangshan leaned forward earnestly. "Master Liu, Grandmaster Xuan Hao — I've been stuck at 5-Star Dou Wang for years. I beg you for a single Dou Ling Pill. I'm willing to pay any price—"
Before he could finish, another voice sounded from outside the courtyard.
"Master Liu! Nalan Jie of the Nalan Clan requests an audience!"
Moments later, the Nalan patriarch entered — only to see Tangshan already seated.
"You old fox!" Nalan Jie barked. "Here for the same thing, aren't you?"
Tangshan didn't even deny it. "Naturally. I came to request a pill — just as you did."
Before their bickering could escalate, yet another voice boomed from outside:
"Master Liu! Mu Chen of the Mu Clan requests an audience!"
When Mu Chen entered and saw the two elders glaring daggers at each other, he blinked — then snorted. "Hmph. You two old coots again? Don't tell me you're here for the same reason."
"...Sigh."
"...Sigh."
The two spoke in perfect unison.
Liu Xi couldn't help but chuckle at the absurd sight. "Clan Leader Mu, it seems you and the other two share the same goal — you're all here for a Dou Ling Pill, aren't you?"
At that, all three patriarchs nodded sheepishly — while Xuan Hao sipped his tea with a grin, quietly pleased that his disciple's fame had already shaken the entire Jia Ma Sacred City.
(End of Chapter)
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