As a Three-Star Alchemist, Liu Panlong's status was indeed incomparable to Jia Liebi and others. Under his command, it was naturally impossible for him to have only Liu Xi, that single useless Disciple.
However, even so, upon learning of Liu Xi's disappearance without reason, he was extremely enraged. After all, no matter how useless Liu Xi was, becoming a One-Star Alchemist in the future was not an issue.
Such a Disciple still held some value.
Therefore, after receiving some news from the Galie Family, Liu Panlong rushed over, seeking an explanation or to recover some losses.
However, upon arriving in Utan City and hearing about Xiao Yan's situation, his thoughts quickly changed.
A peerless Genius who became an Alchemist at the age of twelve—compared to him, what was Liu Xi?
If he could gain such a Disciple, he might be able to rise to prominence with him in the future.
Even if Xiao Yan didn't think highly of him, he could introduce Xiao Yan to some more powerful Alchemists, thereby gaining the favor of both a Great Master and a future Great Master at the same time.
Compared to that, let alone the death of one Liu Xi, even if ten or eight died, he would not feel any heartache.
As for the matters of the Galie Family, he didn't care about them at all.
What kind of rotten fish and shrimp, trying to use him as a pawn? Once he handled the matter, he would directly have the Xiao Family drive the Galie Family out of Utan City.
"Hehe, with Great Master Liu personally taking action, what is a mere Xiao Family worth?"
Seeing Liu Panlong nod, Jia Liebi chuckled and flattered him, but the killing intent in his heart grew stronger.
"As long as Liu Panlong tests that the Xiao Family does not have a Four-Star Alchemist behind them, I will immediately mobilize all the Family's strength to eliminate Xiao Yan directly."
Jia Liebi sneered in his heart.
"No matter how much of a Genius he is, he is ultimately just a Genius. Before growing into a strong person, he is still fragile."
In the evening, Xiao Yan returned from the back mountain. Just as he was about to wash up and eat, he encountered an old servant by Xiao Zhan's side again.
"Young Master, the Family Head requests your presence."
The old servant looked at Xiao Yan, his expression uncharacteristically solemn.
"Oh, what does Father want to see me about this time?"
Seeing the old servant's solemn expression, Xiao Yan was slightly startled and couldn't help but ask in a deep voice.
"Uh, it's nothing major. It's just that a Three-Star Alchemist suddenly arrived at the Family. According to the Family Head, this Alchemist seems difficult to distinguish as friend or foe, so the Family Head is quite cautious."
The old servant pondered for a moment and quickly replied.
"A Three-Star Alchemist?"
Xiao Yan was slightly stunned at first, then a strange smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"Understood, I'll go now."
Bypassing the quiet path and entering the Family hall, Xiao Yan felt a rather solemn atmosphere.
Above the hall, although Xiao Zhan and several Elders each wore smiles, their brows were somewhat solemn.
Next to them, an arrogant-looking old man was smilingly sipping hot tea. On his luxurious Alchemist's robe, a Medicine Cauldron and three crescent wave patterns were embroidered.
"It's really you!"
Looking at the arrogant old man, Xiao Yan's lips curled into an almost imperceptible cold smile.
In his previous life, it was this old fellow who took advantage of the Xiao Family's dire situation to come and loot, only to be casually corroded into a puddle of mud by Cai Lin.
He didn't expect this old fellow to come even faster in this life.
Seeing Xiao Yan arrive, Xiao Zhan and the others' expressions became even more solemn.
According to the old fellow, his Disciple who disappeared in Utan City seemed to have some connection with Xiao Yan. Although they didn't quite believe this, Xiao Zhan and the others were more afraid of this old fellow causing trouble.
"You, are you the Genius youth, Xiao Yan, who has been widely talked about in Utan City recently?"
The moment he saw Xiao Yan, Liu Panlong couldn't sit still.
Because as his Soul Power swept over, he vaguely sensed Xiao Yan's incredibly solid and far superior Soul Power.
At such a young age, to possess such Soul Power, this child's future was simply limitless.
Liu Panlong was overjoyed, but adhering to his usual method of managing people with both grace and intimidation, he still planned to give Xiao Yan a warning first, and then bestow a favor.
Only then could he make this Prodigy-like Genius firmly remember his kindness.
"Precisely."
Looking at Liu Panlong's condescending, scrutinizing gaze, a trace of strange coldness appeared in Xiao Yan's eyes.
"Half a year ago, I had a Disciple named Liu Xi who suddenly disappeared in Utan City. According to my information, it seems to be related to you, little fellow."
Liu Panlong's eyes narrowed slightly, his sharp, scrutinizing gaze falling on Xiao Yan.
"I wonder, little friend Xiao Yan, have you really seen my good-for-nothing Disciple?"
In fact, even he himself didn't believe that Liu Xi was killed by the young man in front of him.
No matter how much of a Genius this young man was, he was still just a twelve-year-old boy. However, what he didn't expect was that the young man nodded calmly and whispered, "That's right, I have indeed seen Liu Xi."
As his voice fell, Xiao Zhan and the others' expressions changed slightly, as if they hadn't expected Xiao Yan to admit it so straightforwardly.
"You actually saw him?"
Liu Panlong was also slightly stunned upon hearing this, and couldn't help but ask, "Where is he now?"
"He's right here in our Xiao Family."
Xiao Yan smiled slightly and said, "Mr. Liu Xi got terribly drunk at a brothel last night. If you want to see him, please follow me, old sir."
As he spoke, Xiao Yan also used a look to stop Xiao Zhan and the others behind Liu Panlong who were about to speak.
"This scoundrel!"
Hearing Xiao Yan's explanation, Liu Panlong didn't doubt the twelve-year-old boy much, thinking that Liu Xi had truly been indulging in wine and women at the Xiao Family for half a year.
After all, such a thing was indeed something Liu Xi would do.
For a moment, the anger in his heart even made him forget about taking Xiao Yan as a Disciple. He waved his hand and said, "Lead the way, let me see what this bastard is doing now!"
"No problem, old sir, please."
Seeing Liu Panlong's appearance, the smile on Xiao Yan's face grew wider. He subtly waved his right hand, indicating to Xiao Zhan and the others that they shouldn't worry, then led Liu Panlong towards his own small room.
"Young in age, neither humble nor arrogant, with deep thoughts."
Following behind Xiao Yan, Liu Panlong felt increasingly alarmed. It seemed that this Genius youth in front of him was not as easy to control as he had imagined.
Dealing with him, it seemed, required more caution.
Just as he was thinking this, he saw Xiao Yan had already led him into a quiet, small room.
The room was simple and unadorned, filled only with a faint medicinal fragrance, and there were no living beings, let alone his Disciple Liu Xi.
"Where is he?"
Seeing this scene, Liu Panlong suddenly felt a bad premonition.
"He's dead."
Amidst his uneasy feeling, the black-clad youth suddenly turned around, revealing a row of white teeth. Within that sunny smile, he uttered words that chilled Liu Panlong to the bone.
"Teacher, make your move!"
As the words fell, a vast Soul Power suddenly descended, easily sealing the entire small room within it.
Before that vast Soul pressure, Liu Panlong felt as if he were a small boat in a vast ocean, swaying precariously.
With a thud, he involuntarily knelt on the ground, his face pale, looking at the illusory old man who had appeared before him at some unknown point.