On Ancient Dragon Island, the elder Shen Nong was fairly content. Since his arrival, the high-level alchemist had been treated with deep respect. The Ancient Void Dragon Tribe was free from the Hun Clan's oppression and blessed with a wealth of medicinal resources—a paradise for a man of his craft.
Until Liu Xi returned.
Shen Nong's expression stiffened as his gaze fell upon the youth before him—ethereal, untouchable, the kind of presence that made one instinctively avert their eyes. He didn't need to guess. From the moment Liu Xi devoured the Void Devouring Flame, Shen Nong already understood: Liu Xi had come for his Heavenly Flame—the Life Spirit Flame.
Before the youth could speak, emerald fire erupted around Shen Nong's body. The flame's pure life aura expanded rapidly, sweeping across the hall with a cleansing vitality.
The Life Spirit Flame drifted free of its master, hovering before him as it took on shifting shapes of rare herbs and spiritual roots.
"Ugh…"
Shen Nong grunted softly, stepping back several paces. His complexion paled as the backlash struck—severing his bond with the Life Spirit Flame wounded even his soul. Though he looked ancient, his true state had always remained at his peak only because the Life Spirit Flame nourished him unceasingly. Now that it was gone, his age finally showed.
With reluctant eyes, Shen Nong extended his hand and pushed the green flame forward.
"It's yours…" he said hoarsely.
Liu Xi smiled faintly. The old man was clever—decisive, too. Instead of forcing a futile struggle, he chose surrender and protection. He stretched out his palm, letting the trembling emerald flame fall into it. It seemed to quiver, wanting to flee, yet dared not.
Liu Xi's gaze softened. If not for me, he'd have died in the Medicinal Ceremony at the hands of the Hun Clan. Taking this flame, my conscience is clear.
He caught the trace of unwillingness in the old man's eyes. Raising a finger, Liu Xi tapped lightly; a glowing soul orb emerged and drifted before Shen Nong.
"This contains the complete inheritance of 9th Tier Mysterious Pill and Golden Pill, along with some of my annotations," Liu Xi said warmly. "This island is tranquil and abundant—perfect for you to refine your path of alchemy."
Shen Nong's eyes widened. To a true alchemist, such a legacy was no less enticing than a Heavenly Flame. His aged face lit with delight as he cupped his hands.
"Haha! Then I must thank you, young friend. With this inheritance, I may yet glimpse the realm of a Golden Pill Grandmaster before I die!"
Without hesitation, he accepted the soul light, allowing his Spiritual Perception to merge with the torrent of knowledge within. He trusted Liu Xi completely—after all, if the youth wished to kill him, a single slap would suffice.
Liu Xi's smile deepened. Watching the old man immerse himself in enlightenment, he tilted his head back and swallowed the Life Spirit Flame.
The emerald blaze barely had time to resist before being devoured. Within Liu Xi's body, the Azure Flame surged forth like a starving beast, consuming the new flame whole. The massive vitality within poured through his meridians, slightly pushing his cultivation even higher. For a Dou Saint at the Late 9-Star level, such progress was already monumental.
The Life Spirit Flame—ranked fifth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking—imbued the Azure Flame with a faint gentleness, a purifying calm amidst its former ferocity.
Clenching his fists, Liu Xi could feel the power coursing through every fiber of his being. A satisfied grin spread across his face. With a sweep of his sleeve, he turned and left the island.
The days of restraint were over. Once, he had been cautious, wary of the mighty ancient clans. Now that he wielded absolute strength, it was time to act freely.
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Southern Region, Central Plains
A rift tore open in the sky, and Liu Xi stepped out, clad in flowing azure robes. He glanced around, confirmed his direction, then waved a hand. A jade bottle appeared in his palm, sealed by multiple layers of intricate runes.
He crushed it effortlessly. The seals shattered with the bottle, leaving behind a single misty pill that rested quietly in his hand.
The Life Spirit Flame within him stirred, releasing pure vitality that flowed into the pill. Its aura revived almost instantly.
"Hu…"
The pill glowed softly, dissolving into countless light motes that converged into a human form. In moments, a small boy in azure robes stood before him—the Old Ancestor of the Pill Tower.
The childlike face blinked in confusion, his mind still frozen in the past—the moment within the Demon Flame Realm when Liu Xi had sealed him away. He looked around, bewildered, until his gaze settled on Liu Xi.
"L-Lad… how long has the old man been asleep? You've reached High-Level Dou Saint? This aura… it's like the will of heaven itself… How is the Pill Tower?"
Though his voice was youthful, it carried a weary depth and a flash of concern.
Liu Xi smiled lightly. "Why not return and see for yourself, Old Ancestor?"
The little figure sighed, studying Liu Xi for a long moment. As a 9th Tier Pill refined to perfection, he hadn't expected Liu Xi to resist the temptation to consume him.
"You've offended the ancient clans," he said, frowning. "Even with your current strength, you can't bear their collective retaliation. I'll return to the Pill Tower first—see if there's still room to ease things. The waters among those clans run deep. Don't make them your enemy lightly."
With that solemn warning, he cut open space and vanished toward the Pill Region.
Liu Xi watched him depart, chuckling softly. "Old worrywart."
Despite the words, warmth lingered in his chest. It had been long since someone genuinely cared for him.
He turned away. The space around him twisted as he stepped forward, his figure vanishing into the distortion.
The heavens and earth themselves moved with him now, channeling energy to guide his path toward Burning Flame Valley, deep within the Burning Flame Mountain Range.
Lately, the Hun Clan had gone eerily silent, as if erased from the Dou Qi Continent—but Liu Xi knew better. Hun Tiandi was merely licking his wounds, waiting for another chance to strike.
As for the Gu Clan, they had already sent envoys to contact him—Liu Xi ignored them outright. He had nothing to discuss with Gu Yuan. They were not of the same path.
An 8-Star Dou Saint could whisper all he wanted. A 9-Star Dou Saint struck with his fists. Neither Hun Tiandi nor Gu Yuan was worthy of Liu Xi's fear anymore.
His next target lay within the Ancient Emperor's Cave Mansion—the embryonic Emperor Pill. Possessing that would grant strength comparable to a Half-Step Dou Di.
Now that the Life Spirit Flame was his, only one Heavenly Flame remained—the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame.
Once he gathered all twenty-two Heavenly Flames, Liu Xi's power would undergo a transformation beyond imagination.
Perhaps then… even a Half-Step Dou Di would no longer stand above him.
(End of Chapter)
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