Inside the grand hall of the Alchemist Association, the air was charged with a rare, suffocating tension.
For the first time in generations, all ten of the Jia Ma Empire's strongest powerhouses had gathered here—because of one man: Liu Xi.
Since the arrival of Yun Yun and her entourage, the hall had subtly divided into three invisible factions.
At the center stood the neutral faction, led by President Fa Ma, with Liu Xi and the alchemists forming its backbone.
Opposite them was the Imperial faction, represented by Jia Xingtian and the three great clans of the capital.
And finally, the sect faction, led by Yun Yun herself, with Gu He, Feng Li, and Yan Shi at her side.
In any empire, unless the throne and the sects were fully unified—as in the Sky Serpent Empire—these two powers were destined to exist in opposition. Even among the Dou Ling guests who had come to spectate, confusion spread as they subconsciously began to "take sides," unsure why they were even doing so. Ah, the fate of weak cultivators—no say in anything at all.
The Imperial faction feared a power too vast and uncontrollable rising within their own lands, while the sects feared the day a monarch might stand above them, commanding their every move.
So it was only through mutual wariness that the Empire maintained its fragile peace—just as the Imperial army stationed at the foot of Yunlan Sect's mountain "to help defend against bandits" was, in truth, there to watch the sect itself.
Now, though the hall was filled with experts whose strength could shake the continent, no one spoke first. President Fa Ma, however, stood calmly in the center, his expression serene, as if he'd expected this silence.
This was, after all, Liu Xi's day—the Alchemist Association's opportunity to elevate his name and theirs alike.
At last, under the heavy quiet, Liu Xi took a step forward and broke the tension with an easy smile. "I suppose this breathtaking beauty before me must be the renowned Sect Leader Yun Yun herself?"
A faint ripple crossed Yun Yun's tranquil composure. Such direct praise—spoken so boldly before a crowd—made even her serene heart stir with faint embarrassment and irritation. She lightly bit her lip and thought, 'So this Liu Xi is nothing more than a smooth-tongued flirt.'
But when her gaze met his—calm, clear, and free of lust—her judgment faltered. Pressing down her flustered feelings, she replied coolly, "I am Yun Yun. 'Breathtaking beauty' is far too much. It is Master Liu who truly lives up to his reputation—gifted, graceful, and extraordinary."
Her counterpraise drew a faint, amused smile from Liu Xi. "Heh, Liu Xi is unworthy of such words. Sect Leader Yun flatters me."
"Cough, cough! I am Gu He, Elder of the Yunlan Sect." Unable to bear being ignored while the two exchanged words, Gu He stepped in, his tone carrying a hint of impatience.
Liu Xi turned to him. The middle-aged man exuded a tempered, steady air. His sharp features spoke of a once-handsome youth, now refined by years of experience into a calm, mature charm.
"So it is the famed Pill King Gu He himself. What an honor to finally meet the legend in person," Liu Xi said politely, though a trace of sympathy flickered in his eyes. 'Ah, poor man—so devoted, yet doomed to love one who'll never look back at you.'
Gu He stiffened, sensing something off in Liu Xi's gaze. His jaw tightened. 'Damn it… What's with that look? I don't need your pity!'
Liu Xi then turned toward the others. "And these two gentlemen must be…?"
A towering, broad-shouldered man stepped forward, his voice booming like thunder. "I am Yan Shi. Didn't expect Master Liu to match Gu He's alchemy at such a young age—truly impressive!"
The sheer volume of his voice made Liu Xi's eardrums ring. 'He must practice some kind of soundwave Dou Technique… I'll have to stand farther away next time.'
Activating a thin layer of Dou Qi to protect his ears, Liu Xi smiled. "Ah, the famed Lion King Yan Shi among the Ten Great Experts—an honor indeed."
The last to speak was a thin, elegant elder whose presence was calm yet razor-sharp. "I am Feng Li. Master Liu's youth and talent are admirable—truly, the younger generation surpasses us old men."
"I've long heard of the Wind Walker Feng Li," Liu Xi replied. "Your reputation precedes you."
Before the introductions could continue, a soft, youthful voice piped up beside Yun Yun.
"My name is Nalan Yanran!"
The young girl bowed politely, her cheeks slightly flushed as she met Liu Xi's gaze.
Liu Xi smiled kindly, leaning forward slightly. "Ah, so you must be the granddaughter Clan Leader Nalan told me about—the gifted child who became Sect Leader Yun's disciple at only nine years old. I've heard much about you."
The girl's face turned redder. "Th-thank you, Master Liu…" she mumbled shyly.
Liu Xi chuckled softly, straightened, and turned back to the crowd. His voice rose, confident yet warm. "Everyone gathered here today stands among the heroes of the Jia Ma Empire. For you all to grace this hall for my sake—Liu Xi is deeply honored."
He paused, scanning the room, meeting the eyes of every powerhouse present. His chest swelled with pride.
"Some of you I have known before. Others I meet today for the first time. But from this day forth—each of you shall be my friend."
At the edges of the hall, the Dou Lings who had come merely to witness were beside themselves with excitement. To even be present when a 6th Tier Alchemist declared such words—that alone was enough to brag about for years!
Even Yun Yun felt a quiet sense of relief. A man who commanded two Dou Huangs and possessed such strength… was one she'd much rather befriend than oppose.
"Hahaha! Well said, Master Liu! You're no ordinary man. From now on, you have a friend in me! If you ever—uh, if you ever run into trouble, just say the word. Old Lion will stand by you!" Yan Shi roared enthusiastically, his voice echoing until it finally faded.
President Fa Ma watched the scene with satisfaction. 'Good… The momentum is set. Now it's time for the ceremony itself.'
He stepped forward, his expression solemn as his voice rang across the hall. "Everyone present today stands among the pillars of the Jia Ma Empire. I ask you now to bear witness—Liu Xi, my junior nephew, studied under the Association's Elder Xuan Hao."
As he gestured toward Xuan Hao, the elder rose to his feet, smiling proudly as he waved to the assembled crowd.
Fa Ma continued, "After years of diligence, Liu Xi remained humble and steadfast. He furthered his studies at Jia Nan Academy, and upon returning, has already achieved the rank of a 6th Tier Alchemist. His talent and virtue both shine bright. Therefore, I hereby appoint him as Grand Elder of the Alchemist Association!"
A murmur spread through the crowd—admiration mixed with envy. A 6th Tier Alchemist added freely to one's faction? Any power would have fought for such fortune.
Maintaining perfect decorum, Fa Ma turned toward Vice President Qie Mi'er, who promptly stepped forward carrying a wooden tray. Upon it rested a beautifully crafted token engraved with two ancient characters: "Grand Elder."
Just as Fa Ma reached out to lift the token, his expression suddenly froze.
At that same instant, every expert present—four Dou Huangs, seven Dou Wangs, and even Liu Xi himself—felt a jolt of shock.
A vast, crushing aura descended from the heavens, sweeping across the capital like a tidal wave. The sheer pressure made even Dou Huangs feel like ants beneath a storm.
Moments later, the source appeared. A colossal serpent shadow blotted out the sun—the Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor.
But what drew their gazes was not the serpent itself, but the woman standing atop its head—an elegant figure dressed in ornate palace robes, her expression cold, her beauty mature and awe-inspiring.
That oppressive force, that overwhelming presence—Liu Xi had only ever felt something like it once before, from the two guardians of Jia Nan Academy's Scripture Pavilion.
A high-rank Dou Zong… had arrived.
(End of Chapter)
---
This Fanfiction Has more than 700 Chapters on Patreon already, Go Check It Out.
Support me if you like this Fanfiction.
Patreon,com/Fallen_Archangel_
(Remove comma for dot.)
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.