Hearing Liu Xi's calm and indifferent tone, Elder Qiu frowned. "You're unwilling to reconcile, then?"
His gaze shifted subtly toward Yao Tianhuo and Xiao Yixian. "Two Dou Zun experts, and a Spirit Realm soul user... you indeed possess the strength to refuse."
Elder Qiu's eyes flickered with uncertainty. Both sides carried weight: one was the Bai Clan, one of the Pill Tower's Five Great Families; the other, a rising genius of terrifying potential. If this conflict was mishandled, the loss would fall upon the Pill Tower itself.
Since the trouble stemmed from the Bai Clan, Elder Qiu turned his gaze toward the Bai Clan's Grand Elder, Bai Jiu, signaling him to step back so that he could mediate between them.
Meanwhile, Bai Jiu glanced at Liu Xi's faintly cold smile and sensed an unmistakable chill beneath that calm voice. His heart grew uneasy. After a moment of contemplation—and under Elder Qiu's discreet prompting—he gritted his teeth, steeling himself.
Forcing a smile, Bai Jiu reached into his storage ring, retrieving several scrolls. His tone rose with forced cheer as he cupped his hands toward Liu Xi.
"As the saying goes, fine blades belong to heroes. A man of your age possessing such Spiritual Power is destined for greatness. Please accept these few Pill Recipes as a token of my Bai Clan's apology!"
At once, murmurs rippled through the Bai Clan members behind him. Upon recognizing the scrolls in Bai Jiu's hands, their expressions changed dramatically. These were no common treasures—they were the Bai Clan's most valuable accumulations from generations of alchemists!
"Grand Elder, you mustn't!" one of them whispered urgently. "Those recipes are too precious—"
"Silence!" Bai Jiu barked. "How else shall we display our sincerity to a man of this caliber?"
He then released his Spiritual Power, gently sending the three scrolls drifting toward the stairway where Liu Xi stood.
As the scrolls neared, Xiao Yixian gracefully stepped forward. With her slender jade fingers, she caught each one midair and examined them carefully for hidden traps before handing them over.
Liu Xi accepted the scrolls and unrolled them one by one.
'An 8th Tier Pill Recipe. Another 8th Tier. And another... all 8th Tier.'
Liu Xi's brows lifted slightly, genuine surprise flashing across his face. This old fox of the Bai Clan truly has guts and foresight—such decisiveness deserves respect.
Indeed, a clan capable of standing among the Pill Tower's five great families would not lack shrewdness. To offer three 8th Tier Pill Recipes as compensation was a move both costly and brilliant—enough to dissolve any lingering resentment.
Liu Xi couldn't help but feel a flicker of satisfaction. If he could fully comprehend these three recipes, he would finally glimpse the true mysteries of 8th Tier alchemy.
Carefully storing the scrolls, he smiled faintly—this time, with genuine warmth.
"Grand Elder Bai Jiu, you have both courage and vision. From this moment on, the grudge between me and the Bai Clan is written off. As long as your clan doesn't seek trouble again, I will not act against you."
Relief flooded Bai Jiu's face, his taut shoulders loosening visibly. Encouraged by Liu Xi's softened tone, he ventured cautiously, "Indeed, feuds should be resolved, not deepened. Sir, about our clan's elder... is there a way to restore her?"
At that, two Bai Clan members pushed forward the dazed, hollow-eyed old woman. Her gaze was lifeless, her expression dull—clearly still lost within her shattered consciousness.
Liu Xi shook his head slightly. "Her awareness was torn apart by my Soul Dominion shockwave. If you wish to restore her, gather soul-nourishing herbs and elixirs. With enough time and proper resources, her mind may reform on its own."
A sigh escaped Bai Jiu's lips. That woman had been a 7th Tier Alchemist, one of their main supports. Losing her now, along with three 8th Tier Pill Recipes and the cost of restoration elixirs, would be a heavy blow indeed.
Still, there was no alternative. He waved his hand for them to take her away, then turned back toward Liu Xi with newfound admiration shining in his eyes.
"Sir, your talent is truly unparalleled. I'm glad this misunderstanding could be resolved peacefully. Allow me to invite you to the Bai Clan's estate. We would be honored to host a banquet and converse in detail with you!"
Liu Xi chuckled inwardly. 'Climbing the ladder already? How quick they are to change their faces.' Outwardly, he maintained a composed smile.
"There's no need. I still have matters to attend to here in Holy Pill City. Grand Elder Bai Jiu, you needn't trouble yourself with invitations."
Bai Jiu's face flickered with disappointment, but he bowed politely nonetheless.
"Ahem."
Elder Qiu, who had been quietly observing, finally cleared his throat, reminding everyone of his presence.
"Since both sides have agreed to reconcile, I, on behalf of the Pill Tower, bear witness to this accord. From this day forward, neither party may use this matter as cause for insult or conflict."
Bai Jiu bowed deeply. "Rest assured, Elder Qiu. The Bai Clan's misunderstanding with this gentleman ends here. There will be no more discord between us."
He gave Liu Xi one last look—tinged with genuine respect this time—and added, "The doors of the Bai Clan will always remain open to you. Should you ever visit, I will personally welcome you."
With that, he departed alongside his entourage and their subdued Dou Zun protector.
"Venerable Yun," Bai Jiu said as they exited, "thank you for your aid. The Bai Clan will fulfill every promise made."
The gray-robed Dou Zun gave a soft grunt. "Hmph, I've known your clan a long time. You were reckless this time—had the battle truly broken out, not even I could have protected you."
Meanwhile, back inside, Elder Qiu did not leave. Instead, he approached Liu Xi and the others.
Liu Xi quietly assessed the man—his Dou Qi deep and vast, his Spiritual Power radiant with insight. 'This Elder Qiu… he's far from ordinary.'
Liu Xi smiled faintly. "Elder Qiu's fairness and integrity are admirable. This junior offers his respect."
Landing lightly by the stairwell, Elder Qiu studied Liu Xi for a long moment, then glanced at Yao Tianhuo and Xiao Yixian before sighing.
"You needn't flatter me. With your talent, it won't be long before you surpass me. I truly wonder… how did you cultivate such strength?"
Liu Xi's smile deepened but remained serene. Every inch of it was earned through blood, flame, and patience.
"May I ask, Elder Qiu," he said mildly, "why you chose to stay behind?"
Elder Qiu's gaze grew meaningful. "Naturally, I'm here on behalf of the Pill Tower—to recruit you, young friend. You're not a native of Central Plains, but you've some connection with the Ye Clan, one of our Five Great Families."
"Two years ago, you and the two Venerables beside you suppressed the Ice River Valley with your combined aura, and then you vanished—until resurfacing here in Holy Pill City."
Liu Xi wasn't surprised. He had long known that his movements couldn't escape the eyes of such great powers. He smiled lightly.
"Since Elder Qiu knows my background, you must also know my intent. With my aptitude, I can compete for the championship of the Pill Gathering. When that time comes, it won't be too late to join the Pill Tower."
Elder Qiu nodded slowly, unsurprised. Only the Pill Gathering's champion could rise step by step to become one of the Tower's giants.
"In that case," he said, "your request from yesterday has already been submitted by Han Li. If you were to join us now, you would immediately gain access to read 8th Tier Pill Recipes."
"However, for open trade within the Tower, if you seek the Green Fungus Pill Recipe, you'll need to exchange it with another Pill Recipe of equal rank."
Liu Xi's lips curved faintly. 'Finally—access to 8th Tier recipes.'
Three 8th Tier Pill Recipes in hand… just what he needed.
'Still,' he mused inwardly, 'next time I try to "extort" a few, I should find a smoother pretext than a random quarrel…'
(End of Chapter)
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