Lu Man's excitement gradually subsided after hearing Liu Xi's calm words, replaced instead by genuine admiration. She bowed slightly and said respectfully, "Sir, you possess a Heavenly Flame, and now you've even glimpsed the threshold of a 7th Tier Alchemist. To truly ascend that step will only be a matter of time. This humble woman offers her congratulations in advance!"
Liu Xi smiled faintly. "It's still too early to say that." Turning toward his teacher, he asked, "Teacher, what was the good news you mentioned earlier?"
Xuan Hao chuckled softly. "Compared to you touching the threshold of a 7th Tier Alchemist, this seems trivial. The date for your appointment ceremony as the Grand Elder of the Alchemist Association has been set—it'll be held twenty days from now."
He continued, his tone light yet filled with meaning. "The Association is treating this as a grand event. Invitations are already being prepared for the ten most powerful factions in the Jia Ma Empire, along with the middle-tier forces that can make it in time to attend. This will raise your prestige—and, of course, the Association's as well. Heh… this will be even grander than the Alchemist Conference held every eight years!"
Hai Bodong smirked and added in his slow, teasing tone, "If that old fellow Fa Ma learns that our young friend has already touched the threshold of a 7th Tier Alchemist, he'll probably lose his mind with joy. I wouldn't be surprised if he sent invitations to every major power across the Northwest Continent. With that, he'd turn our Jia Ma Empire's Alchemist Association from a regional sanctum into the spiritual holy land of the entire Northwest!"
Liu Xi rubbed his temples helplessly. "Let's not spread that around just yet. The foundation isn't even built, and you're already trying to put the roof on. Don't blow things out of proportion before the ink's even dry."
The others laughed lightly.
---
Moments later, a powerful aura swept across the estate like a storm.
"Haha, little friend Liu, forgive this old man for intruding without warning!"
A flicker of golden Dou Qi streaked through the courtyard as Jia Xingtian—the Imperial Family's Dou Huang—descended. His laughter carried the weight of authority and age.
Liu Xi rose slightly and said with a calm smile, "Elder Jia, I know why you've come. Please, join us in the main hall."
At his command, servants guided Jia Xingtian inside, where everyone took their seats.
Jia Xingtian's expression turned solemn as he asked, "That terrifying surge of Spiritual Power earlier—was it from you, little friend Liu?"
Liu Xi nodded lightly. "It was. I accidentally released it during a breakthrough. The exact reason, though… will be clear once Clan Leader Nalan arrives."
As if on cue, President Fa Ma of the Alchemist Association entered next. Seeing Jia Xingtian already seated, he smiled faintly. "Heh, it seems someone couldn't wait and rushed here before me."
Jia Xingtian snorted. "And you weren't exactly slow yourself, were you?"
"Please, take a seat," Liu Xi interjected calmly. "It was indeed my spiritual power that erupted earlier. I'll explain everything shortly."
Fa Ma nodded, settling into a chair. Since it was Liu Xi's doing and not some unknown powerhouse, that alone was enough to put his mind at ease. Still, curiosity burned within him—what could possibly cause such a shocking increase in Spiritual Power?
Meanwhile, outside the estate, three familiar figures approached—Miteer Tangshan, Mu Chen, and Nalan Jie.
The moment Mu Chen caught sight of Nalan Jie—who looked pale, hollow-eyed, and utterly drained—his expression twisted into a smirk. "Hah! Our mighty Lionheart Marshal looks like he's been squeezed dry by some little demoness. Are you sure you can still walk straight, old man?"
Nalan Jie's face darkened instantly. Ever since the Searing Poison had been removed, he no longer had to suppress his Dou Qi. He sneered coldly. "Mu Chen, if you're itching for a fight, just say so. I'll gladly oblige."
Mu Chen's battle-hungry grin widened. "Fine by me! It's been what, two years since we last crossed fists? Let's see if you've gone soft!"
Before either could explode, Miteer Tangshan stepped forward with a chuckle. "Come now, both of you. This is Master Liu's residence, not the imperial training grounds. We're here to verify whether that soul surge came from him, not to smash his courtyard. Save your squabbles for the arena."
Both men snorted in unison. "Hmph!"
Despite their fiery tempers, they reined themselves in, following the servants into the main hall. Upon seeing Jia Xingtian, Fa Ma, and the others—all of whom were Dou Huang powerhouses—they immediately straightened their postures.
Liu Xi's gaze swept across them and landed on Nalan Jie. "Clan Leader Nalan, you seem to be recovering well. Looks like you're already able to move freely again."
All eyes turned toward Nalan Jie with curiosity. The old marshal let out a long breath of relief. "Two years ago, I was poisoned by a Searing Poison. Today, thanks to Master Liu's miraculous skill, I was finally cured."
Mu Chen blinked in surprise before bursting out laughing. "Ah, so that's why you've been so irritable these past years! No wonder your temper's been flaring all of a sudden."
Liu Xi chuckled. "Indeed. I used my Heavenly Flame to purge the Searing Poison from Clan Leader Nalan's body. The price was a stalk of Seven Magical Green Spirit Saliva."
Fa Ma's eyes lit up with realization. "Ah, so it was that! A Heavenly Flame detoxification with the aid of Seven Magical Green Spirit Saliva… no wonder such a vast soul fluctuation occurred."
Jia Xingtian smiled broadly. "So that's the case. Then congratulations are in order, little friend. With your soul power's sudden growth, you'll find refining high-grade pills far smoother in the future."
Hai Bodong, seated quietly to the side, couldn't help but grin wryly. 'Far smoother? That's an understatement. A monster like this has already brushed the edge of becoming a 7th Tier Alchemist. Even in the Central Plains, that would cause an uproar.'
Fa Ma, now fully satisfied, stood and said loudly, "Since so many of Jia Ma's strongest have gathered here today thanks to our young friend, I might as well share some good news. The Alchemist Association will hold the Grand Elder Appointment Ceremony for Liu Xi in twenty days!"
---
Meanwhile, far away—
In the Sky Serpent Empire, within the mighty halls of the Sky Serpent Mansion, the true overlord of the region presided.
Once glorious enough to produce a Dou Zun powerhouse, the Mansion had long since waned after that ancestor's death. Now, its greatest strength lay in its current leader—an 8-Star Dou Zong.
Upon the spotless marble floor coiled an enormous serpent—the Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor, Bai Ya—bowing before a regal woman seated on the dais. She wore elaborate palace attire, her beauty commanding yet sharp as a blade. Her presence alone seemed to rule heaven and earth. She was the current Mansion Master of the Sky Serpent Mansion.
Her brows furrowed slightly as her voice echoed through the vast hall. "Bai Ya, you're saying the possessor of the Jade Snake Three-Flower Pupils is currently following a 6th Tier Alchemist—and that Lu Man is with them?"
"Yes, Mansion Master," Bai Ya replied gravely. "That Alchemist wields a Heavenly Flame. We didn't dare act recklessly. He said he'll visit personally when the time is right to discuss the matter."
The woman's eyes gleamed coldly. "A 6th Tier Alchemist cannot be easily offended, true. But the Jade Snake Three-Flower Pupils are the Sky Serpent Mansion's sole hope to rise again. We cannot allow it to slip away."
She stood slowly, her aura filling the hall. "Bai Ya, prepare for departure. Take me to the empire where this girl resides. I'll personally make the journey—to show this Alchemist just how sincere the Sky Serpent Mansion can be."
After all, Qing Lin's talent could only bloom fully under the Mansion's tutelage. But with Liu Xi now standing as a quasi–7th Tier Alchemist—an equal to a Dou Zong powerhouse—there was no way he would let her suffer even the slightest grievance.
(End of Chapter)
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