The chaotic battle in the arena continued, but Liu Xi's attention had long drifted away. Aside from the coincidental encounter with Lin Yan and Han Yue, there was little left on the field worth his interest.
At Venerable Lei's command, several disciples quickly departed to bring Lin Yan and Han Yue up to the viewing platform. Before long, the two appeared — Lin Yan leaning on his spear for support, while Han Yue was gently assisted by another white-robed young woman whose cold beauty bore a striking resemblance to hers.
Their faces were clouded with disappointment and unease. Before them sat four of the Central Plains' most renowned Dou Zun experts — Venerable Feng, Venerable Lei, Venerable Jian, and Venerable Huang. To the two young Dou Huang, these figures were like towering peaks, far beyond reach.
Thankfully, their senior from Jia Nan Academy — Liu Xi — was also present. Yet that familiarity only deepened their guilt.
As they approached, the three youngsters instinctively tensed, their hearts pounding under the immense pressure radiating from the four Dou Zun. But then, a soft warmth enveloped them, dissolving that suffocating weight like sunlight melting frost. Their pain eased, replaced by tranquility.
Lifting their heads, they saw Liu Xi's calm smile — gentle, reassuring. "Senior… we've disappointed you," Lin Yan said, his voice trembling.
"Senior, we've brought you shame," Han Yue added softly.
The other girl bit her lip, saying nothing. Her bright eyes were full of curiosity and awe, unable to hide the reverence in her gaze.
Liu Xi waved his hand, producing two jade bottles. With a flick of his wrist, they floated toward Lin Yan and Han Yue. Inside each bottle lay a luminous green pill radiating a soft, pure glow — clearly of exceptional grade.
"Take these first," Liu Xi said evenly. "Recover your Dou Qi before worrying about anything else. There's no need to feel ashamed. Failure teaches more than victory — learn from it, and train harder."
His voice carried warmth without a trace of reproach. Lin Yan and Han Yue accepted the pills, emotions churning in their hearts. To lose was nothing new — but to lose before their idol, under the eyes of the Dou Zun elders, was a bitter wound.
Even so, Lin Yan's eyes soon burned with renewed resolve. Liu Xi's encouragement turned his frustration into fuel for cultivation. Gripping his spear, he sat cross-legged to one side, consumed the pill, and began circulating his Dou Qi.
A bright green radiance surrounded him as medicinal energy surged through his body, knitting torn flesh and restoring vitality at a rapid pace.
Han Yue, holding her jade bottle, bowed gracefully. Her normally cold tone softened into something almost tender.
"Thank you, Senior. Oh, and this is my younger sister, Han Xue. This is the Senior Liu Xi I mentioned before."
Han Xue dipped her head slightly, voice gentle as a spring breeze.
"Han Xue of the Han Clan greets Brother Liu Xi."
Liu Xi nodded lightly. "Go and heal first," he said with a faint smile. "Don't let the wounds leave scars that hinder your cultivation."
Han Yue bowed again before helping Han Xue retreat to a quiet spot to take the pill and begin recovery.
At that moment, Venerable Lei shot Liu Xi a teasing look, his brows dancing mischievously. Glancing toward Xiao Yixian, who sat nearby, he transmitted his words through soundless Dou Qi: "Master Liu, those twin sisters seem quite taken with you. A little effort from you, and both would fall right into your arms."
Liu Xi merely smiled. With his status and strength, having countless admirers would be easy — but he wasn't that kind of man.
'Xiao Yixian has given me everything. Even if I can't claim to be selfless, I won't betray what she's entrusted to me.'
Besides, he had no real feelings for Han Yue or Han Xue, and their talents were limited. Taking responsibility for them would be more burden than benefit — endless worry, endless distraction. Just imagining it felt troublesome.
He chuckled softly and said aloud, "They're simply my juniors. If they happen to travel through the Northern Region someday, I'd appreciate it if the Wind Lightning Pavilion could look after them a bit. Nothing more."
Venerable Lei raised his brows, a little surprised. 'So he's not a man swayed by beauty… I'll have to find another way to win him over.'
Still, he nodded with an easy smile. "No problem at all. Should your juniors ever face danger in the Northern Region, they're welcome at my Wind Lightning Pavilion anytime. If anything happens, I'll personally see justice done for them."
Liu Xi clasped his hands in gratitude. "My thanks, Venerable Lei. I must also trouble Venerable Feng, Venerable Jian, and Venerable Huang to look after any students of Jia Nan Academy they encounter in the future."
The three smiled in agreement. They had been racking their brains for ways to strengthen ties with this 8th Tier Alchemist — and now, opportunity presented itself.
Even Dou Zun powerhouses could not resist the allure of an alchemist of Liu Xi's caliber. It was, after all, such an alchemist who had aided Venerable Feng's own rise beyond the Dou Zun threshold — his long-lost friend, Yao Chen.
Venerable Huang, ever the bluntest, laughed aloud.
"If your juniors ever wish it, Master Liu, I can have them join my Yellow Springs Pavilion. I'll personally see to their cultivation."
His eagerness was obvious — the Yellow Springs Pavilion was the weakest among the four and most desperate to curry favor.
Liu Xi smiled faintly. "Venerable Huang's goodwill is appreciated, but such decisions should be left to their own will. I won't force them."
Venerable Feng, Venerable Lei, and Venerable Jian exchanged subtle glances — and suppressed their amusement. Huang Quan's attempt at flattery was shameless enough to make even them look dignified.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yixian watched Liu Xi quietly, her violet eyes full of warmth and affection, glimmering like starlight. She didn't need to ask what he was thinking — the faint smile on his lips and the teasing glances from Venerable Lei told her enough.
Before long, the battle below drew to an end. As expected, the final eight contestants included half from the Four Pavilions. Feng Qing'er, Mu Qingluan, Tang Ying, and Wang Chen all advanced — joined by four other high-level Dou Huang.
Interestingly, the three who had eliminated Lin Yan and Han Yue were themselves later defeated — by none other than Feng Qing'er of the Wind Lightning Pavilion.
Liu Xi turned to glance at Venerable Lei. Catching that look, the latter grinned and gave a subtle nod — a silent confession that it had been his doing.
Indeed, the influence of an 8th Tier Alchemist was formidable. One needed only look at Venerable Lei and Venerable Huang's attitudes to understand how valuable such favor could be.
(End of Chapter)
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