Xiao Yixian frowned slightly as she observed Luo Yinzhu. What kind of girl meets someone for the first time and starts flattering him like that? Either she wanted something from him, or she had her eye on him. Yet, Luo Yinzhu didn't look like that kind of frivolous woman… so she must have come seeking help.
What Xiao Yixian thought, Liu Xi naturally thought as well. His gaze lingered briefly on Luo Yinzhu. So, she's come with a request. Though curiosity flickered in his eyes, he didn't press for answers.
"Since Valley Master Tang has a guest," Liu Xi said calmly, "we won't take up more of your time. Please, continue."
Tang Zhen smiled faintly and turned to Luo Yinzhu, wordlessly encouraging her to speak for herself.
After a brief hesitation, Luo Yinzhu's bright eyes swept across everyone before she said softly, "Master Liu, may I speak with you in private?"
Liu Xi cast a sidelong glance at Xiao Yixian, then turned back to Luo Yinzhu with a faint smile. "We can talk inside. But these people are the ones I trust most—no need for secrecy. Besides, it'll save you from unnecessary rumors."
Luo Yinzhu's eyes flicked toward Yao Tianhuo and Xiao Yixian. Realizing she had little choice, she nodded. "Very well, Master Liu. Please."
Liu Xi chuckled lightly and led the way toward the Flame Spirit Pavilion. After a brief pause, Yao Tianhuo and Xiao Yixian followed behind him.
Tang Zhen clasped his hands behind his back and said quietly to Luo Yinzhu, "Niece, if it's about the cold poison, I can't do anything for you. Only Liu Xi might be able to help."
Beneath her veil, Luo Yinzhu's beautiful face showed a trace of bitterness. Her voice trembled slightly. "I understand. Thank you, Uncle Tang. This cold poison cannot be dispelled by ordinary alchemists—only a Heavenly Flame of pure yang might have the power to do so."
The three of them—Tang Zhen, Tang Huo'er, and Luo Yinzhu—entered the Flame Spirit Pavilion. Once inside, they sealed the door with Dou Qi to prevent disturbance.
Inside the guest hall, Liu Xi gestured for them to sit and smiled faintly. "Now, Miss Luo, what is it you need from me?"
Luo Yinzhu didn't answer immediately. Instead, she raised her slender jade hand, and her storage ring flickered. A white jade box radiating intense cold appeared in her palm.
With a gentle push, the box floated toward Liu Xi as she spoke softly, "Please, take a look inside, Master Liu. If you can withstand what's within, then you might be able to help me."
As Liu Xi caught the box, a wave of bone-piercing cold surged out, racing up his arm and into his body.
His eyes flickered—then the terrifying azure flame within him surged, sweeping the chill away in an instant. A glint of interest appeared on his face.
"Interesting. Very interesting. This cold energy is potent enough to freeze even a Dou Zong…"
Indeed, if not for his Heavenly Flame, even his current strength as a 9-Star Dou Zong would've found it difficult to repel the invasion.
He circulated his flame through his body defensively, ready for anything, then carefully opened the jade box. A plume of white mist billowed upward, and the temperature in the hall dropped sharply.
Thin layers of frost crept along the floor, swirling into the air. Even powerhouses like Xiao Yixian and Yao Tianhuo felt its chill gnawing at them.
Xiao Yixian hurriedly said, "Young Master, are you all right? Miss Luo, you should've warned us about how terrifying this cold was!"
Liu Xi chuckled. "Sit down, Xian'er. I'm fine. A bit of cold is nothing worth worrying about."
Wreathed in mist, his figure was soon engulfed by waves of azure fire. The frost hissed and melted away, revealing Liu Xi unharmed.
Inside the jade box lay a blood-red crystal the size of a thumb—pure and translucent, yet radiating endless cold. It was the very source of the frigid aura.
Holding the box with one hand, Liu Xi summoned azure fire around his other palm. The searing heat gradually restored warmth to the chamber.
Only after he'd fully prepared did he reach for the object inside. Everyone watched in tense silence; Luo Yinzhu's heart pounded wildly.
She had already sought countless renowned alchemists and powerful flame users, but none had managed to handle this "blood-ice." Even the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame, ranked 12th on the Heavenly Flame Ranking, couldn't melt it completely. Her final hope now rested with Liu Xi.
When his fingertip brushed the icy crystal, an overwhelming surge of cold shot forth, trying to freeze him solid.
Liu Xi's eyes narrowed. A faint lotus mark flared on his brow—and from it erupted the primal azure flame born of five fused Heavenly Flames. Its destructive might rippled outward, filling the room with blazing heat.
At that very moment, Tang Zhen, standing nearby, felt the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame within his body suddenly thrash about in fear. He could sense its agitation, its panic, its instinctive dread of Liu Xi's flame.
Tang Zhen's mind reeled. 'Just how many Heavenly Flames has he fused? Even the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame trembles before it!'
Under the burning might of Liu Xi's original azure flame, the terrifying chill began to falter. With a soft hiss, the blood-red ice slowly melted, revealing what it truly was.
Such was the might of the flame—terrifying beyond measure.
Raising his hand, Liu Xi stared at what floated above his palm: a single drop of crimson blood, faintly luminous and rich with energy.
He squinted, astonishment flickering in his gaze. "This blood… its owner must have been an incredibly powerful being. Even a single drop could serve as a high-grade medicinal ingredient."
He frowned slightly. "For cold poison to invade someone of that caliber—so deep that even their blood carries the frost—that's truly frightening."
Turning the drop of blood in his fingers, Liu Xi smiled faintly. "The cold poison's been neutralized. Remarkable indeed—but before a Heavenly Flame, even this is nothing."
Had it been any lesser flame, it might not have sufficed. But Liu Xi's flame—born of five fused Heavenly Flames—had power rivaling the top five on the Heavenly Flame Ranking.
Luo Yinzhu rose to her feet, unable to hide her excitement. Seeing the blood crystal melt into pure blood proved one thing—Liu Xi could cure the same poison afflicting her elder.
"Master Liu," she said quickly, her voice trembling with hope, "this drop of blood belongs to a senior of my Sound Valley. Her body has been ravaged by cold poison to the point where her blood freezes into ice. Only you can save her. I beg you, please help her!"
(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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