Liu Xi stood tall with his hands clasped behind his back, his robe fluttering gently in the breeze. His face was refined like carved jade, his posture elegant and poised—radiating effortless charm and calm confidence.
To the many alchemists present, this was precisely how an 8th Tier Alchemist should appear—graceful, composed, and transcendent.
One alchemist whispered, "Such youth, such bearing… he must be the famed Liu Xi of the Northern Region."
Another nodded quickly. "No doubt about it. With Master Liu here, even a 7th Tier High-Level Pill would be as simple as breathing."
Their murmurs rippled through the crowd.
Tang Zhen listened to their words with a complex expression. He sighed softly and spoke with humility.
"The price for requesting Master Liu's aid was… rather steep. So I invited these alchemists instead. I hope Master Liu will not take offense."
After witnessing the earlier tri-colored Pill Lightning and the powerful auras of Yao Tianhuo and Xiao Yixian beside Liu Xi, Tang Zhen couldn't help but lower his tone instinctively.
Liu Xi waved his hand casually, his voice light. "No matter. Everything in this world depends on willingness. I would never force anyone. Perhaps the commotion from my refining of the Green Fungus Pill disturbed you all. Please, carry on."
The moment Liu Xi's calm words fell, every alchemist—including Tang Zhen—turned their gaze toward Yao Tianhuo, whose hands held a jade bottle. In it pulsed a brilliant blue-red pill radiating vitality—the Green Fungus Pill.
Yao Tianhuo's expression glowed with excitement and relief as he carefully sealed the pill within the bottle, then tucked it reverently into his spatial ring.
It was an 8th Tier Pill—the Green Fungus Pill—and the key to restoring his peak strength.
After a failed attempt, Liu Xi had succeeded on his second refinement. Each step—purifying the ingredients, merging the essences, nurturing the embryo—had been flawlessly executed. After withstanding the tri-colored Pill Lightning, the pill had taken form.
Even Dou Zun experts coveted such a creation. A 7th Tier Pill could still be found through trade, but an 8th Tier Pill… that was beyond price, a legend given form.
Only now did the gathered alchemists truly understand why Tang Zhen had tried to recruit others instead of directly seeking Liu Xi's aid.
'After all,' they thought, 'how could one easily invite an 8th Tier Alchemist? Even someone as powerful as Tang Zhen must bow before such a master.'
Tang Zhen hesitated, then sighed. "Master Xiao couldn't pass the test, so we must make do. The plan is set—Masters Huan and Xiao will assist me in refining the Fire Bodhisattva Pill. Master Liu, would you care to observe and offer guidance?"
Liu Xi's gaze swept over the gathered group—barely three alchemists above 7th Tier, and none possessing a perfected Mortal Realm soul.
'With such a lineup, refining a 7th Tier High-Level Pill will be extremely difficult… nearly impossible,' he thought.
Still, Liu Xi smiled faintly. "Very well. I have time to spare—let's go take a look."
His simple agreement lit up Tang Zhen's face. The surrounding alchemists grew visibly excited. To watch an 8th Tier Alchemist at close range was a once-in-a-lifetime honor.
Tang Zhen gestured forward, laughing. "Please, Master Liu, Venerable Yao, Venerable Xian, and honored alchemists—let us proceed to the main plaza."
Responses came at once—
"Of course!"
"It's an honor!"
"Let's go!"
In a rush of movement, Tang Zhen led the way into the skies, Liu Xi following calmly behind, with Yao Tianhuo and Xiao Yixian at his sides. The rest of the alchemists took flight in turn, streaking across the sky as colorful afterimages.
Their figures soared across half the Burning Flame Valley before descending onto a massive square deep within the valley's heart.
Landing first, Tang Zhen's face grew solemn as his commanding voice boomed across the grounds.
"All members of Burning Flame Valley—clear the plaza immediately and secure the perimeter! No one is to approach. Any who disobey—will be cut down!"
"Yes, Valley Master!"
The red-robed disciples responded in unison, their voices echoing like thunder. They dispersed quickly, forming tight defensive lines around the square.
Moments later, Liu Xi and the others descended. Tang Zhen personally led them to a row of stone seats near the center.
"Master Liu, please take this seat. Venerable Yao, Venerable Xian—please as well. Fellow alchemists, sit wherever you wish. Master Huan, Master Xiao—come with me."
Liu Xi nodded lazily, choosing a seat at random and crossing one leg over the other, his demeanor calm and unhurried.
Yao Tianhuo and Xiao Yixian took the adjacent seats, subtly keeping the others at a respectful distance.
Still, that didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the alchemists behind them. Many scrambled to sit closer, hoping to learn by mere proximity.
Once everything was arranged, Tang Zhen leapt into the air, landing at the plaza's center with Master Huan and Master Xiao at his sides.
He turned to them, his expression solemn. "Masters Huan, Xiao—are you prepared?"
Had Liu Xi not demanded such a heavy price, Tang Zhen would never have dared attempt this himself. But for the sake of his daughter's life, he had no other choice.
Both men nodded gravely, aware of Tang Zhen's desperation. There was no turning back now.
Seeing their tension, Tang Zhen forced a smile. "There's no need to worry. Regardless of success or failure, I will hold no blame—and will ensure your souls recover fully afterward."
With that, he waved both hands, and two scrolls appeared. They flew toward the two alchemists.
"The pill we will refine is called the Fire Bodhisattva Pill. These are partial pill recipes—each of you will take one. Follow the instructions precisely and perform your assigned roles when the time comes."
Both men accepted the scrolls and immediately infused them with Spiritual Power, engraving the instructions into their minds.
Tang Zhen then turned toward the red-robed woman nearby. "Huo'er, during the refinement, see that no one disturbs us."
The young woman—Tang Huo'er—nodded, though her gaze lingered on Liu Xi with a trace of frustration. 'He could have done this easily… yet he chooses not to lift a finger.'
She descended from the platform, leading the valley disciples to seal off the square completely.
Tang Zhen sighed softly and looked back to the two assisting alchemists. "Have you memorized the formula?"
They both nodded.
"Good. Do not burden yourselves with worry. Simply do your best."
Even if they failed, only a batch of ingredients would be lost—Burning Flame Valley's wealth could easily cover that.
What truly troubled Tang Zhen was how to persuade Liu Xi to act without giving up the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame.
He continued, his tone growing serious.
"I am not an alchemist, so my control over Spiritual Power is limited. I will personally handle the purification of the materials, but the merging of the medicinal essences will rely on you two."
The two nodded with faint smiles. This was, after all, the domain of true alchemists.
Tang Zhen's smile faded. His expression hardened into solemn resolve. "If you are ready—take your seats."
Both men moved at once, settling cross-legged before the massive stone dais.
(End of Chapter)
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This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on P4 treon, For those who want to read 2 chapters ahead for free, you can find me on P4 treon by searching for my username: Fallen_Archangel_.
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