Thunderous cheers erupted across Thunder Mountain as countless excited gazes fixed upon the sky, where three-colored Pill Lightning clouds swirled menacingly above. Even Venerable Feng, Venerable Jian, and Venerable Huang—three mighty Dou Zun experts—rushed over from afar, stopping before the silver tower that pierced the heavens.
Venerable Feng tilted his head upward, admiration gleaming in his eyes. "So it truly is the thunderclouds of an 8th Tier Pill… To reach the level of an 8th Tier Alchemist at such a young age—his future is limitless."
Venerable Jian nodded in agreement, then said, "Come to think of it, the next Pill Gathering is less than a year away. With Master Liu's skill, he might very well take the championship."
"If he wins the Pill Gathering," Venerable Huang added, his tone tinged with envy, "he'll rise straight to the heavens—becoming a candidate for the Pill Tower's Grand Elders, perhaps even one of its ruling heads. To control such a behemoth… who wouldn't dream of that?"
Even as he spoke, he made a private vow in his heart. 'From now on, I'll flatter this man no matter what it takes. Not even a Dou Saint could stop me.'
Meanwhile, Xiao Yixian stood quietly with her hands clasped behind her back, her soft smile calm and radiant. "Young Master never fails. Just like that year… when he promised to defy the heavens and change my fate."
Feng Qing'er, Mu Qingluan, Tang Ying, Wang Chen, Lin Yan, and the Han sisters all watched in awe. They were witnessing with their own eyes how someone roughly their age had already left them far behind.
The clouds above churned and rumbled, lightning dancing like serpents through the sky.
Boom!
A deafening roar split the heavens as the first bolt of lightning crashed down from the cloud sea, slamming violently toward the tower below.
The three Venerables tensed instantly. Venerable Feng narrowed his eyes and muttered, "The Three-Colored Pill Lightning is immensely powerful. Master Liu may have reached Dou Zong, but against such thunder, even he might not withstand it. Let's hope Venerable Lei can protect the cauldron, or this 8th Tier Pill will be destroyed before it's born."
Venerable Huang spread his hands, a faintly sinister aura leaking from his body. "If Venerable Lei can't stop it, the three of us should intervene. It'd be a pity for an 8th Tier Pill to be reduced to ash."
Both Venerable Feng and Venerable Jian nodded firmly—none wished to see a masterpiece lost to the heavens.
Venerable Huang secretly rejoiced. If all four of them intervened and managed to save the pill, both Venerable Lei and Liu Xi would owe them a great debt.
But before they could act, something entirely unexpected happened. Without Venerable Lei even raising a hand, a dazzling golden figure shot out from the tower—straight into the storm.
Boom!
The thunderbolt struck it head-on, only to vanish instantly, as though devoured. Golden light flared; only thin arcs of lightning clung to the puppet's surface like glowing threads.
The three Venerables were dumbstruck. The lightning that could annihilate a Dou Zun was being effortlessly absorbed. Even Venerable Lei, who had been preparing to intervene, froze in astonishment.
"A puppet…? Such terrifying power!"
That first strike seemed to trigger the storm itself. One bolt after another rained down in a continuous barrage, crashing against the golden puppet. The explosions tore the air apart, shattering space into patches of black void.
Yet the golden figure stood unshaken amidst the chaos, gleaming even brighter, like a war god forged of divine metal.
Hundreds of bolts fell, but each one disintegrated upon contact, melting away like snow under the blazing sun.
At last, the thunderclouds above began to thin. Their growls faded to silence, and soon they scattered entirely, leaving a sky of radiant light.
With the heavenly trial complete, the pillar of energy burst apart into countless motes of brilliance. Among them, a faint silhouette emerged—an embryonic spirit of the pill—before transforming into a streak of multicolored light that shot toward the horizon.
"Venerable Lei," Liu Xi's calm voice echoed from within the tower, "if you don't act now, your Zun Shi Pill is about to escape."
"Hahaha! Don't worry, Master Liu. No pill can flee from this old man's grasp!"
Venerable Lei's booming laughter rolled through the clouds as lightning surged beneath his feet. In a flash, he intercepted the escaping light and caught it with one hand.
"Haha! The Zun Shi Pill—finally! I can break through at last!"
He emerged from the lightning moments later, holding a faintly glowing green pill in his palm, its surface flickering like distant stars. His face beamed with elation.
Below, Venerable Jian and Venerable Huang looked on with envy. A pill capable of directly raising one's cultivation—it was priceless beyond measure.
If only I could take it for myself…
They quickly dismissed the thought, burying it deep and turning instead to stare at Liu Xi, who now stepped calmly out of the silver tower. If they could earn the alchemist's favor, more such pills would naturally follow.
Venerable Lei gazed at Liu Xi, realization dawning that this man's worth far exceeded even the Zun Shi Pill. Bowing respectfully, he said, "Master Liu, words cannot express my gratitude. From this day forth, both I and the Wind Lightning Pavilion shall be your unwavering allies. Should you ever face trouble, I will stand beside you without hesitation."
Liu Xi smiled faintly and nodded. This was exactly the result he'd wanted. Not only had he gained rare ingredients, but also the goodwill of four Dou Zun experts. The rewards were far greater than he'd anticipated.
"Haha, if Master Liu has time, perhaps you'd honor my Yellow Spring Pavilion with a visit. Our stores of medicinal ingredients are yours to use as you wish—treat it as your own home," said Venerable Huang eagerly, his tone dripping with flattery.
"The Ten Thousand Sword Pavilion also welcomes Master Liu anytime," Venerable Jian added solemnly. "If there's ever need for a fight, just say the word—I'll be there."
"The Falling Star Pavilion extends the same invitation," said Venerable Feng, smiling with serene warmth.
Looking at the suddenly overly enthusiastic Venerables, Liu Xi couldn't help but chuckle. The status of an alchemist truly was the best shield in the world.
"Very well. It's my honor to call such esteemed seniors friends. When I have the chance, I'll certainly visit each of your pavilions."
Venerable Lei carefully stored the Zun Shi Pill within his ring, then glanced at the other three Venerables warily as he said, "Hehe… This isn't the best place for talk. Let's head down. Tonight, I'll drink with Master Liu until we're both drunk!"
(End of Chapter)
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