Stepping out of Xuan Kongzi's vast study that resembled a grand library, Liu Xi's gaze flickered with deep thought as he replayed the conversation in his mind.
Xiao Yan had broken through to the Dou Zun realm and even advanced to become an 8th Tier Alchemist. Now that he had returned to the Pill Tower, he would undoubtedly lay all his cards on the table — including the grudge between them.
'The Tianhang Human Hall, huh…' The Hall of Souls truly valued Yao Chen. If he remembered correctly, that was where the First Tianzun and the Second Tianzun resided — one a Dou Saint, the other a Half Saint.
'A mere 2-Star Dou Zun like Xiao Yan… What gave him the courage to challenge the Hall of Souls? And how much help would the Pill Tower actually lend him?'
What mattered most to Liu Xi was the timing. He needed to know when Xiao Yan planned to make his move — only then could he slip in during the chaos to plunder the Hall of Souls.
"Hmm?"
Liu Xi's eyes suddenly sharpened as he turned his head toward the end of the corridor. In that instant, he sensed a faint but malicious intent.
A smirk tugged at his lips when he saw Xiao Yan leaning against the wall corner, his face flushed dark red under the crushing pressure of Liu Xi's aura. His knees trembled as he barely kept himself from collapsing.
'Well, isn't that convenient?' Liu Xi thought, amused. 'I was wondering how to find out when you'd move — and here you come right to my doorstep.'
Silently, he released a wisp of Spiritual Power, embedding a faint soul mark on Xiao Yan's body. With Xiao Yan's meager Low Level Spirit Realm Spiritual Power, there was no chance he would even notice.
Only after leaving the mark did Liu Xi take a moment to properly observe him. Yes — a 2-Star Dou Zun's aura. But his energy felt unstable, hollow even. Compared to when Liu Xi himself had been at 1-Star Dou Zun, this Xiao Yan felt weak — unrefined and messy, as if he'd devoured too many foreign powers at once without fully digesting them.
'Too much borrowed strength, not enough foundation.' If Xiao Yan didn't slow down and polish his Dou Qi properly, that chaotic power would only clog his meridians and cripple his future path.
"Descendant of the Xiao Clan, heir of Xiao Xuan — quite the title," Liu Xi said lightly, glancing down at him with cool indifference. "Did you really think that makes you stronger than me?"
Xiao Yan's legs trembled violently as he forced himself to stay standing. His reddened eyes glared upward as he squeezed out through gritted teeth, "Peak Dou Zun…"
He refused to bow. After all, he had endured countless hardships, sacrificed time meant for refining his foundation, and exchanged the Xiao Clan's ancient jade for the chance to inherit his ancestor's bloodline.
'But Liu Xi… why is his progress even faster than mine?' Xiao Yan raged inwardly. 'He must have cultivated the Flame Mantra — that's the only explanation!'
Liu Xi raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. That unyielding spirit — truly befitting of Xiao Yan. Still, the soul mark was in place; there was no point in provoking him further. Pressing a protagonist too hard only made them bounce back stronger.
"Association Head Xuan Kongzi already pleaded on your behalf," Liu Xi said calmly. "I'll let this pass. But next time, don't look at me with those eyes. Otherwise…"
His tone chilled to a blade's edge before he withdrew his oppressive aura. Xiao Yan's body slackened instantly, and he nearly fell to his knees from the release.
'He's pushing too fast,' Liu Xi thought, watching him. 'Such reckless cultivation will only limit him in the long run.'
'Everything's ready… only the timing remains,' Liu Xi mused as he turned away. 'Let's see when you make your move, Xiao Yan. The Tianhang Human Hall… I'm curious how you plan to break into that.'
His footsteps echoed softly down the quiet corridor, fading gradually.
Behind him, Xiao Yan straightened with trembling effort. His face was pale, but his eyes gleamed cold and sharp as he watched Liu Xi's back disappear into the distance.
With a slow breath, he opened his hand. A space jade slip appeared, faintly glowing between his fingers. His hand quivered, ready to crush it—
But he exhaled sharply and steadied himself. A faint smile surfaced on his lips, calm and resolute.
'This was something Xun'er worked so hard to obtain for me. It's my only chance — wasting it on Liu Xi would be foolish. I'll save it to rescue Teacher.'
He tucked the space jade slip away, his eyes burning with determination. "A Peak Dou Zun… just one step away from a Half Saint. My Xiao Clan's bloodline must still have potential. I can get stronger — even faster."
With that, Xiao Yan turned and walked in the opposite direction — toward Xuan Kongzi's study.
Meanwhile, far down the corridor, Liu Xi smirked faintly. "A space jade slip, huh? So that's where his confidence comes from… Who gave you that, Xun'er? And who would it summon — a Half Saint? Or… a Dou Saint?"
Every flicker of Xiao Yan's movement had been within his Spiritual Perception. The jade slip, the hesitation, the anger — all of it. And though Liu Xi's heart was steady, he couldn't deny the faint unease that stirred inside him.
If that jade slip really summoned a Dou Saint… then even he would have to resort to the last drops of the Dragon Emperor's Blood Crystal just to survive.
His pace quickened; he had no intention of staying near Xiao Yan any longer. With that kind of wild card, the brat could explode at any time.
'Too reckless,' he cursed inwardly. 'I've only reached 3-Turn Dou Zun, and here I am courting danger. I'll plunder the Hall of Souls once this chaos begins — then disappear into seclusion. Not coming out again until I become a Half Saint.'
Let the two of them fight. When tigers clash, one is bound to bleed. All Liu Xi had to do was watch from the shadows.
By the time his silhouette vanished, the corridor was silent again.
…
Inside Xuan Kongzi's study, Xiao Yan approached the ancient desk, a bright smile of determination lighting his face as he cupped his hands respectfully.
"Senior Xuan Kongzi, the Venerable Feng of the Falling Star Pavilion, the Venerable Yunshan of the Mountain Cloud Sect, and the Venerable Jian who wanders the continent—nine Dou Zun experts in total—have agreed to help."
Behind the desk, Xuan Kongzi's eyes softened with relief. He rose to his feet, hands clasped behind his back as he approached Xiao Yan.
"Good. Those old fellows still remember their debts. They were once your teacher's closest friends. To raise their blades against the Hall of Souls again is already more than enough."
He sighed, his expression solemn. "The Pill Tower can't intervene openly. I hope you understand — even I can't make that call alone."
Xiao Yan shook his head, smiling faintly. "With Senior Xuan Kongzi and Senior Xuan Yi aiding me, it's already enough. I believe Teacher will feel at peace knowing this. No matter the cost — even if it means tearing down the Tianhang Human Hall itself — I will rescue him!"
(End of Chapter)
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