"Xian'er, how about I carry you and fly instead? This Blue Eagle of yours is far too slow!"
Seated cross-legged on the Blue Eagle's back, Liu Xi glanced sideways at the ethereal, soft-tempered girl beside him.
Flushing slightly, Xiao Yixian waved her hands quickly. "No need, Young Master!" she replied shyly, her voice soft with embarrassment.
Since she refused, Liu Xi didn't insist. He patted the back of the weary Blue Eagle beneath him. "Alright then, Xiao Lan, can you fly a bit faster?"
The poor creature's eyes seemed filled with tears of despair. If it could speak, it would surely have cried out, "I'm only a 1st Rank Magical Beast! I'm already doing the impossible for you!"
Its wings flapped weakly, body trembling with exhaustion. For a beast of its rank, carrying two passengers over such distance was already pushing its limits.
Liu Xi sighed helplessly. "We'll need to help it break through soon," he murmured.
---
After traveling slowly for more than ten days, the pair finally reached the outskirts of Lin City.
As the distant skyline came into view, a gentle smile appeared on Liu Xi's handsome face. Here was his home—where his parents and younger brother awaited him.
Noticing the tenderness in his eyes, Xiao Yixian couldn't help but whisper wistfully, "Young Master's smile looks so warm. You must be very close with your family."
Liu Xi nodded slightly. "My parents treated me well when I was young. But once I began traveling to cultivate, our meetings became few and far between. So whenever I return, I treasure every moment with them."
The Blue Eagle landed heavily outside the city gates, breathing hard under the soldiers' wary gaze. Liu Xi leapt lightly to the ground and drew a Replenishing Qi Pill from his storage ring, tossing it to the exhausted bird. Xiao Lan swallowed it obediently, and affection flickered in its sharp eyes.
"Xian'er," Liu Xi said, "Magical Beasts can't enter the city. Let Xiao Lan rest in the nearby forest."
"Alright, Young Master."
At her command, the Blue Eagle spread its wings, kicking up a gust of wind before soaring toward the woods.
By then, the gate guards—already on alert after seeing the massive bird—had gathered outside. Their commanding officer froze upon recognizing Liu Xi's face, then broke into a beaming smile.
"Master Liu! I didn't expect you'd return today! That beast must've been your mount, right?"
Liu Xi nodded calmly. "That's right. May I enter now?"
"Of course, of course! Please, this way!" the officer replied hastily, his tone full of flattery as he personally led Liu Xi toward the gate.
Unlike remote towns, cities like Lin City were well aware of Liu Xi's name. The youngest 6th Tier Alchemist in the Jia Ma Empire—and a native of this very city—was a legend everyone revered.
---
Within Lin City
The moment Liu Xi appeared, excitement rippled through the streets. The once-famed prodigy of Lin City had become one of the Empire's most celebrated figures. People lined the roads, eager just to glimpse him.
"Everyone, clear the way! Make room for Master Liu!" the officer barked, marching ahead with his soldiers to open a path.
Liu Xi maintained a calm, polite smile as cheers rose from both sides, leading Xiao Yixian toward the Liu family estate.
Xiao Yixian's eyes widened in awe. The atmosphere was even more fervent than back in Qingshan Town, and it made her all the more convinced of Liu Xi's status as a true master alchemist.
At the estate gates, Liu Ming and Li Yue were already waiting. When they saw Liu Xi approaching through the crowd, joy lit their faces.
Liu Xi raised his voice slightly. "Everyone, that's enough—please, disperse!"
Then, turning to his parents, he stepped forward quickly. "Father, Mother—your son has returned!"
---
Inside the Liu Residence
Liu Xi sat beside his family, smiling as he introduced the girl beside him. "Father, Mother, this is Xian'er."
Turning to Xiao Yixian, he added, "This is my father, my mother, and my little brother, Liu Cheng."
Xian'er bowed politely, her voice gentle. "Greetings, Uncle, Aunt."
Li Yue quickly stepped forward, taking the girl's hands with a warm smile. "Good child! Such a lovely face! This is the first time my son's ever brought a girl home. Tell me, when did you two meet? How's your relationship going?"
Before long, Li Yue was happily chatting with Xiao Yixian, while Liu Ming stood off to the side, shooting his son knowing looks that clearly said, "So you've finally found someone, huh?"
Beaming with pride, Liu Ming said aloud, "Xi'er, I didn't expect you'd achieve so much in secret—already a 6th Tier Alchemist, and an Elder of the Alchemist Association, no less! When the news reached us, people were practically trampling our doorstep to get close to our family!"
Liu Xi laughed softly. "At the time, I hadn't reached 6th Tier yet. It was after a fortunate encounter that I managed to break through. This time, I came back to discuss something with you—I want our Liu family to move to the Imperial Capital. It'll be better for our future development."
Liu Ming frowned slightly, thoughtful. "Xi'er, our family may be small, but we're respected here in Lin City. The Capital, though—it's filled with powerful forces. Even with you there, how can we stand among them?"
In truth, Liu Ming's strength had long stagnated at 3-Star Dou Shi, and even with years of alchemical aid, he'd only recently advanced to Da Dou Shi. The Capital, to him, was a world far beyond his reach.
Liu Xi smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, Father. The Alchemist Association will support us there, and both the Imperial Family and the Three Major Clans are competing to win my favor. As long as I'm present, the Liu family will stand firm. Once we recruit a few more strong cultivators, our position will be secure."
Liu Ming's expression softened into pride. "To think my son's connections have grown so vast! I've heard the Imperial Capital's three great clans each have Dou Wang powerhouses, and even the Imperial Family is guarded by a Dou Huang protector. With such backing, our family will be safe indeed."
Liu Xi chuckled. "Safe? More than that, Father—by then, even those Dou Wangs will greet you first!"
Liu Ming blinked, momentarily speechless. 'A Dou Wang greeting me?'
Then he laughed heartily. "All thanks to my brilliant son! Very well—since that's your plan, we'll move the Liu family to the Capital!"
Just then, Li Yue returned with Xian'er, who was blushing faintly. Her motherly eyes sparkled as she looked at Liu Xi.
"I really like this girl, Xian'er. You promised her you'd never leave or betray her, right? If you dare to hurt her, don't forget—I'll be the first to deal with you!"
"…"
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Author Note: It may feel like a lighter chapter, but Liu Xi's no lonely orphan from a web novel—of course his parents must be settled properly!
(End of Chapter)
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