Walking all the way up to the top floor of the Pill Tower, Liu Xi arrived once again outside the Tower's Scripture Hall, where Xuan Kongzi resided.
He let out a long breath, adjusting his state of mind, then pushed the grand doors open and stepped inside.
Just like before, several figures were already waiting within — Xuan Kongzi, along with the other two Pill Tower Giants who had appeared during the Pill Gathering, as well as Cao Ying, Dan Chen, Song Qing, and… Xiao Yan.
Seeing Liu Xi finally arrive, a warm smile surfaced on Xuan Kongzi's face as he teased, "Our hero has come."
Liu Xi gave an awkward yet polite smile, stepped forward, and replied, "Please don't say that, Senior Xuan. Without the insight scroll you gifted me, I wouldn't have resolved so many doubts. My refinement this time wouldn't have gone so smoothly."
Xuan Kongzi laughed heartily, his squinted eyes flashing with approval.
Not arrogant nor impatient — he truly was a youth capable of great things.
He chuckled, "Insight is dead, but people are alive. What I gave you wasn't any different from what I gave to Ying'er. The real difference lies in your own aptitude — you needn't belittle yourself."
At those words, Cao Ying pouted a little, clearly dissatisfied that her own teacher was praising Liu Xi while stepping on her. But she couldn't argue — it was the truth.
Then Xuan Kongzi gestured around and began introducing the others.
"This is Tian Leizi — like me, he's one of the Pill Tower's Association Heads."
Liu Xi stopped before the dark-skinned old man and cupped his fists respectfully. "Liu Xi greets Association Head Tian Lei."
Tian Leizi's usually stern face softened into a rare approving smile. "You're quite something. Within ten years, you'll surpass us completely — perhaps even reach another realm."
Liu Xi modestly replied, "Compared to Association Head Tian Lei, I still have much to learn. The responsibilities of a Pill Tower Giant are heavy — I still need time to temper myself."
The satisfaction in Tian Leizi's eyes rose sharply. Who didn't like a capable, humble junior who also knew how to flatter politely?
Xuan Kongzi cut in with a laugh, "Enough mutual praise — you both know what the other's doing."
He turned to the final figure. "This is Association Head Xuan Yi, the only female among us three Giants. The young ones behind her, you mostly know already. The last one is Xiao Yan — he's a junior of an old friend of ours."
Liu Xi's gaze briefly swept across the cold young man standing behind Xuan Yi. Now that Xiao Yan had restored his true face and aura, he was once again a high-level Dou Huang. But… the aura of the Flame Mantra was gone.
Under Liu Xi's calm yet penetrating stare, Xiao Yan's eyes flickered uneasily. Though resentment lingered in his heart, he knew full well that the gap between them was insurmountable now.
He had traveled long enough to learn what should be learned. Bowing his head voluntarily, he said, "Xiao Yan greets Master Liu."
"Mm."
Liu Xi merely responded lightly. Since Xiao Yan had lowered his head, he saw no need to press further — not before the Pill Tower Giants. Besides, the presence of Yao Chen's aura had vanished from Xiao Yan completely — whether dead or captured, it was unclear.
Turning toward Xuan Yi, Liu Xi cupped his fists again. "Liu Xi greets Association Head Xuan Yi."
The mature and stunning woman smiled softly. To this young man who had wrested the championship from the Hall of Souls' grasp, she naturally felt a degree of admiration.
"In the future, focus on honing your alchemy. The future of the Pill Tower rests on all of you. Xiao Yan, your talent is not bad either — learn more from Master Liu, and don't shame your teacher's legacy. As for your teacher's matter, we'll find a way."
Hearing the first part, Xiao Yan's face stiffened. But upon the latter words, his eyes brightened with hope.
The Hall of Souls was far too powerful — he had long felt helpless against it. If the Pill Tower was willing to help, his chance to rescue Yao Chen would increase drastically.
"Xiao Yan understands. Thank you, Aunt Xuan. I'll definitely learn from… Master Liu. But knowing my teacher still suffers, I can hardly rest easy."
Xuan Yi sighed, her beautiful eyes filled with sorrow. Who would have thought that Yao Chen, once so brilliant, had not only died at the hands of the Hall of Souls but even had his soul captured?
She gently patted Xiao Yan's shoulder. "Good child… good child."
Liu Xi raised a brow in mild surprise. So he called her "Aunt"? The boy had really matured. And judging by this, Yao Chen was indeed in the Hall of Souls' grasp.
Since the three Giants didn't elaborate, Liu Xi saw no reason to pry — it wasn't his affair.
"Ahem."
Xuan Kongzi cleared his throat, his face turning solemn. His gaze swept across Liu Xi, Cao Ying, Dan Chen, and the others. "I called you here for something important."
"Tomorrow, the Star Region will open. The Star Region was originally created by us three to seal the Three Thousand Burning Flame, so we'll need to maintain the barrier ourselves. That means we can't accompany you inside."
"Unfortunately, Mu Gu vanished right after the Pill Gathering ended. He'll be entering the Star Region as well. I fear his intentions are anything but pure — he may attempt to destroy the seal."
"If the seal breaks, with the resentment the Three Thousand Burning Flame holds toward us, it would be a disaster for Holy Pill City."
Cao Ying pondered for a moment. "Teacher, do you mean we should stop Mu Gu if he tries to destroy the seal?"
"You are all the future of the Pill Tower — your safety comes first." Xuan Kongzi shook his head. "I'll give each of you a signal sphere. If anything goes wrong, crush it at once so we can respond immediately. As for stopping Mu Gu… that task may fall to our young friend here."
His gaze locked onto Liu Xi.
From Cao Ying's account, Xuan Kongzi already knew Liu Xi's strength. Relying on his Heavenly Flame and one more Dou Zun ally, Liu Xi had been able to heavily wound Mu Gu.
Now, though he had no ally, the Heavenly Demon Puppet beside him carried the aura of a mid-level Dou Zun.
One man and one puppet — killing Mu Gu might be difficult, but restraining him should be no problem. Once Xuan Kongzi himself could act, destroying Mu Gu would be as easy as crushing an ant.
Mu Gu sought to disrupt the seal and seize the Three Thousand Burning Flame for himself, even destroy the Pill Tower's prodigies.
But the Star Region would be his grave.
Without directly answering, Liu Xi simply smiled faintly, his eyes flashing coldly. "Can I kill him?"
Everyone froze, including Xuan Kongzi.
Then Liu Xi explained casually, "I intend to settle our score once and for all within the Star Region — to avenge the two ambushes he made against me. That won't cause trouble for the Pill Tower, will it?"
(End of Chapter)
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