Five years later.
The soft glow of morning sunlight streamed through the window, falling across the face of a youth who had grown increasingly handsome over the years. His sword-like brows framed starry eyes, his lips still carried the bright color of youth, and his aura radiated quiet strength. Liu Xi opened his eyes slowly, exhaling a long breath of turbid air as he ended his cultivation session.
"I've broken through to 9-Star Dou Shi."
A smile tugged at the corners of his lips, though it soon gave way to thoughtful contemplation. 'Lin City has become too small. It's no longer enough to support my growth if I want to grow stronger at a faster pace. My alchemy has already advanced to 3rd Tier, and everything Teacher Xuan Hao has to teach me, I've already learned.'
He sat quietly, mulling over his options. 'If I want better Qi Methods and deeper alchemical knowledge, I'll have to decide where to go next. The Alchemist Guild in the Imperial Capital might seem like a choice, but their Guild Leader is only a 5th Tier Alchemist. The things I could learn there would be limited.'
'If I went to Yunlan Sect, their Dan King Gu He is a 6th Tier Alchemist. That would be impressive. But if I join Yunlan Sect, sooner or later I'd clash with Xiao Yan. Right now, it's not the time to provoke a protagonist who walks with a powerful old master at his side. On top of that, the Hall of Souls is tangled within Yunlan Sect's affairs. Getting stuck in that mess would be suicide. No… Yunlan Sect is out of the question.'
The more he considered it, the clearer his path became. 'The best place for me to go is Jia Nan Academy. There, one has freedom to come and go, and the chance to gain access to higher-level Qi Methods and Dou Techniques. They also hold a vast collection of pill recipes and advanced alchemy techniques. Most important of all is the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower in the Inner Academy. Beneath it lies two clusters of Fallen Heart Flame, one large and one small. If I can seize even one of them, it will be a fortune beyond measure.'
The thought alone made his lips curl into an involuntary smile.
'As for other Heavenly Flames… in the Magic Beast Mountain Range near Qingshan Town, I recall there being a remnant map of the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame. And beneath the Tager Desert slumbers the Green Lotus Core Flame. But at my current level, such things are far beyond reach. Not only is my cultivation still too weak, but I lack the alchemical ability to refine the special pills needed to swallow such flames. No—for now, I must bide my time, grow steadily, and only then strike ahead of Xiao Yan to seize these fortunes for myself.'
Having made his decision, Liu Xi felt his mind clear and his spirit lighten. Rising to his feet, he stretched lazily, joints popping as a sense of ease filled his body.
After washing up and dressing, he pushed open the door. The morning sun poured over him, its warmth spreading through his body. He narrowed his eyes against the light, inhaling the crisp morning air, and couldn't help but sigh with satisfaction. "What a fine day."
When he found his father, Liu Ming was sitting at the dining table, calmly enjoying breakfast. Liu Xi casually pulled out a chair and sat down, joining him.
Once they had finished eating, Liu Xi spoke with a small smile. "Father, the next time Jia Nan Academy sends people to recruit, I want to apply."
Liu Ming paused, chopsticks hovering mid-air, and gave his son a doubtful look. His brows furrowed. "Xi'er, Jia Nan Academy only requires a high stage of Dou Zhi Qi for entry. You're already a Dou Shi—why would you still want to go there?"
Liu Xi explained his reasoning patiently. "The Outer Academy may be easy to enter, but the Inner Academy is where the true elites gather. If I want peers who can truly challenge me, that's where I'll find them. Jia Nan Academy also has deep foundations. I'll be able to study more pill recipes, broaden my alchemy knowledge, and raise my alchemist tier."
Hearing this, Liu Ming's stern expression softened. He slowly nodded in agreement.
A father knew his son best. Liu Xi's talent had shattered his understanding again and again. Not only had his son become a Dou Shi at such a young age, but he had also mastered the refining of 3rd Tier Pills. In recent years, the Liu family had quietly sold pills at the marketplace, amassing astonishing wealth.
Finally, Liu Ming let out a breath and chuckled. "Forget it—you're already stronger than I am. If this is your decision, then go."
Then his expression shifted. "But… does Master Xuan Hao know of this yet?"
"Not yet," Liu Xi admitted with a smile. "But I'll convince him."
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When Xuan Hao heard Liu Xi's words, he fell silent for a long time. Before him stood the disciple he was most proud of. In only a few years, the boy had mastered every alchemical skill he had once prided himself on.
He knew without question—this disciple would surpass him. Perhaps one day a 5th Tier, even a 6th Tier Alchemist, rivaling Gu He, the Dan King of Yunlan Sect.
The day would come when Liu Xi would stand as an uncrowned king among all alchemists of the Jia Ma Empire.
At last, Xuan Hao's proud and affectionate eyes softened, and he said, "So you want to go to Jia Nan Academy to learn higher alchemy. I agree."
He let out a breath and added with conviction, "To be honest, Xi'er, the Jia Ma Empire is already too small for you. When you return from Jia Nan Academy, the entire Northwestern Region will be your stage."
In these years, he had come to deeply understand Liu Xi's character—ambitious yet disciplined, talented yet respectful. Alchemists were beings that countless powers courted and revered. No one would dare casually provoke a high Tier Alchemist, not knowing what allies such a figure might summon.
Unless some disaster struck, Liu Xi's future was limitless. And when that day came, as his teacher, Xuan Hao's own name would shine even brighter.
Liu Xi looked into his teacher's eyes and felt a rush of warmth. Over the years, Xuan Hao had given him everything he had, shielding him from outside harm and nurturing him with patience. Without his own self-control, he might have long since grown arrogant under such protection.
Bowing deeply, Liu Xi's voice grew hoarse with emotion. "Thank you, Teacher."
(End of Chapter)
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