With Zi Yan resting quietly in his arms, Liu Xi turned without another glance behind him. His foot tapped lightly on the ground, and his figure blurred into a streak of azure light shooting through the forest.
He didn't stop once. Twenty minutes later, he emerged from the underground passageway and landed gracefully on solid ground.
Turning toward the sealed tunnel, his expression grew thoughtful. "The Snow Demon Ape is dead, and most of the Earth Core Body Tempering Milk has been taken. It's best to close this place for good. Whatever remains... shouldn't fall into the wrong hands."
Gathering stones from the cave, he spent some time sealing the tunnel completely, layering debris to disguise the entrance until it looked no different from the rest of the terrain.
Satisfied, Liu Xi gave a small nod and carried Zi Yan away.
---
Back at the Academy
"Now that I think about it," he mused aloud as he approached the inner courtyard, "I don't even know which courtyard Zi Yan stays in. Ah, doesn't matter—sleeping anywhere's fine."
He looked down at the sleeping girl nestled in his arms and smiled faintly. "I wonder how long it'll take for her to fully absorb the Earth Core Body Tempering Milk's energy... Knowing her, she'll probably grow stronger once she wakes."
With that small, knowing smile on his handsome face, Liu Xi made his way through the academy grounds. Students who passed by couldn't help but stare in confusion.
"Isn't that the top ranker of the Inner Academy carrying the second ranker... who's unconscious? What's going on?"
No one dared ask aloud.
---
Creak...
The gate to Liu Xi's small courtyard swung open. He stepped inside, carrying Zi Yan into the hall.
"Young Master, you're back... Zi Yan? What happened? Is she hurt?"
Xiao Yixian hurried from her room, her beautiful face lighting with relief—until she noticed Zi Yan limp in Liu Xi's arms. Her eyes filled with concern.
For a girl with her own lonely past, she naturally felt compassion for the little dragon girl.
"She's fine," Liu Xi reassured with a smile. "She just absorbed too much energy at once. The overload forced her into deep sleep to refine it properly. Once she's done absorbing, she'll wake on her own."
Xiao Yixian exhaled softly, smiling as she gazed at Zi Yan's peaceful face. "As long as you both came back safely, that's what matters."
But Liu Xi's smile faded slightly. He glanced at Xiao Yixian's lips, where faint traces of colorful powder glimmered. His tone gentled, but his eyes sharpened. "You've been cultivating with poison again while I was gone?"
Xiao Yixian froze, lowering her head. "Mm... I just... I'm still too weak. If I can't keep up with you, then all I can do is keep training... so I won't feel useless."
Liu Xi sighed. "Xian'er, don't belittle yourself. Your progress already surprises even me. Besides..." He smiled softly. "The Earth Core Body Tempering Milk I found can help cleanse your meridians and strengthen your body. It'll ease the damage caused by those toxins."
Her eyes softened, filled with gratitude—and something more tender. "Young Master..." she whispered.
"I still need to prepare a few auxiliary herbs," Liu Xi said, passing Zi Yan carefully into her arms. "Take her to rest in a quiet room. I'll be back soon."
"Alright," she replied gently, her tone carrying both warmth and quiet concern.
Just as Xiao Yixian turned to leave, Zi Yan suddenly mumbled in her sleep, gripping tightly onto Liu Xi's sleeve.
"Big Brother... don't go... this drink is really good... you should have a sip too..."
Liu Xi blinked, then gave a helpless smile. He tried to pry her little hand free, only to find... it didn't budge.
'Huh?'
He tried again, applying more force—but the soft, delicate-looking hand was solid as forged steel.
Not a twitch.
His expression froze for a moment, then turned resigned. 'Unbelievable... this is embarrassing.'
Smiling bitterly, he murmured, "Big Brother's busy, Zi Yan. This robe will stand in for me, alright?"
He slipped off his outer robe and gently draped it over her.
Xiao Yixian covered her mouth, shoulders trembling as she tried not to laugh. Her soft giggles filled the air.
---
Suddenly—
"Liu Xi! Stop right there! She's just a child!"
A furious voice thundered from outside, making the windows rattle.
Bang!
The door burst open, and a white figure shot inside like lightning. A moment later, Elder Su Qian stood before them, hair and beard bristling, his face red with anger.
Liu Xi turned, bewildered. "Elder Su Qian? What are you doing here? And what do you mean by... stop what?"
Su Qian pointed at Zi Yan—lying on the couch, half-covered by Liu Xi's robe—and trembled with outrage. "You... you... you scoundrel!"
He drew in a deep breath, chest heaving. "You... you actually went through with it, didn't you? She's just a child! How could you!?"
Liu Xi's expression darkened. 'What in the world...!'
'You old man... how could you even think that? I haven't even touched Xian'er yet!'
His jaw tightened. "Elder, Zi Yan is perfectly fine. She just absorbed an enormous amount of energy and fell asleep while refining it. That's all! Do I look that idle to you? I just returned from the back mountains—are you seriously tailing me now?"
Su Qian froze, the color draining from his face. Then, awkwardly, he coughed and forced a laugh. "Aha... I see, I see! So that's it!"
"Hahaha..." His loud, guilty laughter only deepened the awkwardness. "I—uh—came because I had important news! I just heard Zi Yan was injured and lost my composure for a moment, that's all! Hahaha!"
Liu Xi sighed, rubbing his temples. "Important news?"
"Yes," Su Qian said, regaining his serious tone. "Hu Qian just sent word—since your return, a large number of people from the Black-Corner Region have entered Peace Town. The Enforcement Team has already captured several spies."
Liu Xi's brows arched slightly. "That's expected. A 6th Tier Alchemist would naturally attract those kinds of eyes."
Su Qian shook his head, voice grave. "That's not the main issue. After interrogation, over half of those spies were traced back to Feng City. It seems your exposure as the possessor of a Heavenly Flame has reached... that man's ears."
Liu Xi's eyes narrowed slightly.
"So," Su Qian said heavily, "you've been targeted... by him."
(End of Chapter)
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