As the rolling smoke slowly dispersed, visibility returned, and the raging energy currents gradually calmed. Spiritual Power extended outward once more, probing the aftermath.
"Hmm?"
Liu Xi, who had remained on guard and ready for another strike, blinked in surprise as a string of question marks formed in his mind.
"Mu Gu's aura is gone… just like that? No, a 3-Star Dou Zun doesn't die so easily. He must have—escaped."
'Seriously?'
Just moments ago, Mu Gu had looked ready to die together with him, eyes bloodshot and crazed. And now he ran away?
'Heh, so much for that bravado—turns out Mu Gu fears death after all.'
Liu Xi didn't retract his Spiritual Power immediately. Instead, he expanded it in all directions, enveloping the surrounding several hundred meters to search for any lingering trace of Mu Gu's aura.
Nothing. The man's presence had completely vanished. If he were still nearby, it would've been impossible to hide from Liu Xi's perception.
A sigh escaped Liu Xi's lips, mixed with faint regret. It was a pity he hadn't finished Mu Gu off completely. That black flame was undoubtedly a sub-flame of the Void Devouring Flame—one of the rare few flames equal in might to his own azure flame.
Still, the battle hadn't been without its rewards.
Relaxing his stance, Liu Xi stretched slightly, feeling the Dou Qi surging through his meridians—faster and more vigorous than before, like an unending river of power.
"I'm already close to reaching 2-Star Dou Zun," he murmured with a satisfied smile. "Fighting really is the best way to advance. Locking oneself away in meditation will never compare—true strength is tempered in battle."
Across from him, Xiong Zhan stood encased in deep yellow Dou Qi like a living fortress, his presence steady and immovable as a mountain. A look of disdain crossed his rugged face.
"Tch, that's it? He talked big about fighting two of us alone, yet ran off like a whipped dog. I thought he was supposed to be brave."
Liu Xi smoothed out his robes and approached Xiong Zhan with a calm smile, cupping his fists. "Thank you, Brother Xiong, for your timely help. That man's strength wasn't weak—if I'd faced him alone, it might have been troublesome."
He still had his two Heavenly Demon Puppets as trump cards, so he hadn't truly feared Mu Gu—but politeness cost nothing.
Xiong Zhan dispersed the Dou Qi covering his body, revealing his singed skin beneath, the blackened patches evidence of Mu Gu's fire damage. Though scorched, his beastly physique remained far from crippled.
Scratching his head, Xiong Zhan laughed heartily.
"Master Liu, you're too polite. That fight was exhilarating! I've been stuck in this tiny Pill Realm for ages with no one worthy to fight—it's been driving me mad!"
Seeing his genuine delight, Liu Xi smiled faintly and retrieved two jade bottles from his ring, tossing them to Xiong Zhan.
"One to drink, one to apply externally. They'll heal you quickly. That black flame was strange—its burns won't fade easily without treatment."
Xiong Zhan's eyes widened. He uncorked a bottle, inhaling deeply as the rich medicinal fragrance filled the air. A pleasant shiver ran through him, the pain on his body already easing.
'These are top-grade pills… even the scent alone has healing power.'
Realizing that such treasures were casual gifts to Liu Xi, Xiong Zhan's respect grew even deeper. "Heh, then I won't stand on ceremony. If Master Liu ever needs my strength, just say the word—I won't hesitate."
"Good. I'll remember that," Liu Xi said with an easy smile, turning away. "Let's head back."
With a flick of his sleeve, he descended toward the ground below, where Zi Yan and Cao Ying were waiting amidst the wreckage.
The moment he landed, Zi Yan came running, eyes sparkling.
"Big Brother, you're amazing! You're almost breaking through to 2-Star Dou Zun already. I just managed to reach Dou Zong—it took me forever!"
Liu Xi chuckled and ruffled her hair affectionately. Thinking of the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit that would appear years later, he smiled inwardly. That fruit would belong to Zi Yan—no one would take it from her.
"Zi Yan's progress is plenty fast. In a few years, you'll probably get another chance to advance—and then you'll surpass me."
Zi Yan looked up, her violet eyes shining with determination as she nodded earnestly. "I'll definitely surpass Big Brother! Then no one will dare to bully us again!"
Off to the side, Cao Ying approached gracefully. Her gaze lingered curiously on the little girl calling Liu Xi "Big Brother." When entering the Pill Realm, there had been no such companion—who exactly was this child? Still, she kept her curiosity to herself.
She bowed slightly, her tone soft and sincere. "Thank you for saving my life, Master Liu. Cao Ying will remember this debt."
Liu Xi turned to face her, his expression calm. "Elder Xuan treated me well. Since I saw you in danger, naturally I couldn't just stand by. But if that black-robed man's strength had been truly overwhelming, I wouldn't have forced a fight. So there's no need for thanks."
"Eh—"
Cao Ying blinked, momentarily at a loss. She had expected flattery, not blunt honesty. Wasn't this the perfect chance to say something charming?
After a brief pause, she couldn't resist asking, her tone curious and teasing: "Then… what does Master Liu think of me? I'd really like to know."
No man had ever faced her with such composure—Liu Xi's calm indifference was both infuriating and strangely alluring.
Liu Xi glanced at her, his voice even.
"What do I think? Naturally, I look at you—with my eyes."
Cao Ying rolled her eyes, half-amused, half-annoyed.
"That's not what I meant, and you know it. Must you be so literal?"
Liu Xi chuckled softly.
"I see through you quite clearly. You have great ambition, aiming to reach the top of the Pill Tower through your own strength. That drive makes men want to conquer you, which is why people like Song Qing throw themselves at your feet. But your heart was never with them. None could truly reach you—and they only ended up dancing in circles at your whim."
Cao Ying's breath caught. His words cut straight to the core, stripping her down to her truest self. Before she could think of a rebuttal, she met his eyes—and found herself speechless.
Trying to regain her composure, she smiled faintly and murmured, her voice soft as silk, "Then why not try, Master Liu? Perhaps the woman who's kept herself pure all this time has only been waiting to meet you."
Liu Xi smiled knowingly.
"Cao Ying, there's no need for such playacting. If I believed that, I'd only be stepping right into your trap. After all, I just saved your life."
His tone softened, sincere now.
"But if you could be a little more genuine, we might actually become friends. Among our generation, there are few who can stand beside me—you're one of them. Still, at this rate, we'll only drift further apart."
Cao Ying stared at him, stunned, then slowly exhaled. The charm and mischief faded from her face, replaced by quiet seriousness.
"I was wrong. Please forgive me, Master Liu. From this day forward, I'll treat you with sincerity. The last thing I want… is for us to grow distant."
(End of Chapter)
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