A few steps out of the altar, Liu Xi saw a helpless-looking Ye Zhong being blocked from approaching by Xiao Yixian and Zi Yan.
"Two young ladies," Ye Zhong said with a bitter smile, raising his hands in surrender, "this old man means no harm. I merely came to offer my congratulations upon seeing that your companion succeeded in his breakthrough."
"My Young Master is still stabilizing his cultivation," Xiao Yixian replied coolly, her calm, gray-violet eyes fixed on him. "I can't allow you to go near."
"That's right! Keep waiting," Zi Yan chimed in, crossing her arms and lifting her delicate chin in defiance.
"Xian'er, Zi Yan—let the elder come over," Liu Xi called out. Ye Zhong's timing was perfect; the next task ahead—helping Xiao Yixian suppress her Woeful Poison Body—would require the Sun Fire Ancient Altar.
Both girls turned at once, surprise lighting up their faces.
"Young Master!"
"Big brother!"
As Liu Xi approached, even Ye Zhong could see the difference. There was something about him now—an overwhelming presence, a brilliance that made one instinctively avert their eyes.
Xiao Yixian and Zi Yan exchanged a quick glance, wisely keeping their silence. With Ye Zhong here, it wasn't the right time for personal questions.
Ye Zhong, however, could not hide his astonishment. Even his soul felt faintly suppressed by the youth's aura—and he himself was a 6-Star Dou Zong.
After a brief hesitation, curiosity won out. He clasped his hands respectfully. "Young friend, your breakthrough seems… rather extraordinary. Your strength feels vastly beyond a normal advance."
Liu Xi paused for a moment, considering. Since he still needed to use the altar, offering a little information could only help strengthen his position.
"When Dou Qi ascends, the soul often follows," he explained evenly. "I believe Elder Ye understands that principle. But during this breakthrough, my Spiritual Power advanced as well—my soul reached a higher realm."
"Higher realm?" Ye Zhong's brows knit in confusion. The phrase felt familiar—something mentioned vaguely in old clan records—but never in detail.
"The soul," Liu Xi continued calmly, "has no ranks, only realms. There are four stages: Mortal Realm, Spirit Realm, Heaven Realm, and the legendary Emperor Realm. Most people—even Alchemists below 8th Tier—remain within the Mortal Realm. To refine 8th Tier Pills, one must possess a Spirit Realm Soul, capable of bestowing true spirit upon a pill."
At once, realization dawned on Ye Zhong. His ancestors had mentioned such things, but their records on soul cultivation were fragmented. No wonder the Ye Clan had declined so far.
'Could this young man already possess a Spirit Realm Soul…?' The thought alone sent a tremor through his body. His eyes burned with excitement as he asked, voice quivering, "Mister Liu Xi, are you saying… you already have a Spirit Realm Soul? That you can refine 8th Tier Pills?"
"Heh, if only it were that simple." Liu Xi smiled faintly and shook his head. "If reaching the Spirit Realm were that easy, 8th Tier Alchemists would fill the streets. I merely touched the edge of it during my breakthrough. To truly step into that realm, I'll still need the right opportunity."
Ye Zhong exhaled, calming his racing heart. Even so, the fact that Liu Xi had glimpsed that threshold was already beyond priceless—it was a fortune most alchemists could only dream of.
"Then, Mister Liu Xi," Ye Zhong said sincerely, bowing deeply, "please forgive my earlier rudeness. From this day forth, you are an honored guest of the Ye Clan."
The shift in tone was smooth and natural, as if it had been the case all along.
Liu Xi turned slightly toward Xiao Yixian, then smiled at Ye Zhong. "Elder Ye need not be so formal. I'll remember the Ye Clan's kindness. But I'll still need to borrow the Sun Fire Ancient Altar for a while—hope you don't mind my intrusion."
"Not at all, not at all," Ye Zhong said quickly, waving his hands. "Please, Mister Liu Xi—make yourself at home. I won't disturb you further!"
With that, he turned and departed without another word, vanishing into the distance.
Liu Xi turned back to the two girls, his expression softening. "Sorry to keep you waiting. Xian'er, head into the altar. No better day than today—we'll finally rid you of the Woeful Poison Body once and for all. Zi Yan, I'll have to ask you to wait a little longer."
Xiao Yixian nodded gently and walked toward the altar without hesitation. Zi Yan frowned slightly, her small face scrunching up. "Fine…" she muttered under her breath, though her eyes were filled with understanding.
Liu Xi chuckled and ruffled her hair affectionately before raising his hand. The Earth Demon Puppet appeared outside the altar, standing motionless like a sentinel. Then, he summoned Elder Yao.
"Elder Yao, I'll need your help once more."
A faint white silhouette drifted out—the form of Elder Yao Tianhuo. His ancient voice echoed, steady and reassuring. "Don't worry, young friend. So long as they're beneath the Dou Zun level, no one will interrupt you."
Everything was in place. Liu Xi exhaled slowly, confidence flickering in his eyes. The pseudo–Spirit Realm state of his soul had granted him newfound insight—enough to attempt the creation of the Poison Pill.
As he entered the altar, he saw Xiao Yixian already seated at the center, legs crossed, brow slightly furrowed—the blazing yang energy within the altar clearly discomforted her.
"After today," Liu Xi said softly, stepping closer, "you'll no longer be bound by the fate of your Woeful Poison Body."
Xiao Yixian looked up at him, a radiant smile blooming on her lips, serene and free of fear. "Thank you, Young Master."
Liu Xi sat opposite her, reopening the black stone tablet that sealed the altar's core. The walls closed in with a deep rumble, forming a smooth circular chamber as rays of light converged upon the ground eye. The blinding brilliance flooded the space.
The blazing yang energy gathered above the altar, its intensity rapidly rising. Xiao Yixian's body trembled faintly as the scorching heat grew unbearable.
"Ssshhhhh—!"
Streams of gray-violet poison mist seeped from her body, clashing violently with the pure yang energy, sending out sharp hissing sounds.
"Don't tense up…" Liu Xi said gently, his tone calm and steady. He raised his hand, and a glowing core filled with violent energy appeared in his palm—the Monster Core of the 7th Rank Sky Poison Dragon Scorpion Beast.
Flipping his other hand, a jade box appeared—pure white, radiating a faint chill. Opening it revealed a thick, jade-green, viscous substance that writhed faintly within.
It was the Bodhisattva Transforming Body Saliva—a rare treasure he and Zi Yan had gone through great effort to obtain. And it was one of the essential ingredients for what came next—
—the Art of the Poison Pill.
(End of Chapter)
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