'The Sound Valley, huh? I don't have much of an impression of it. I don't even know what kind of strength their valley holds. If I build a connection with them, will it be of use to me in the future…?' Liu Xi pondered to himself.
He placed the drop of blood back into the jade box, sealed it, and lightly pushed it back toward Luo Yinzhu. Leaning back slightly, his posture remained calm and unhurried.
"Miss Luo, aren't you going to tell me who this elder of yours is? What's her strength? How long has she been poisoned? And… are you expecting me to help for free?"
Under her veil, Luo Yinzhu's beautiful face showed hesitation. These matters involved internal secrets of Sound Valley and were not things that could easily be spoken aloud. After a soft sigh, she said gently, "The poisoned one is my mother — the Valley Master of Sound Valley. Her strength is at the Half Saint realm, and she has been afflicted by the cold poison for nearly twenty years. If Master Liu can save her life… whatever Master Liu desires, you may choose three treasures from Sound Valley's collection — be it a Qi Method, Dou Technique, or rare materials."
Her words caused everyone present to tremble in surprise. Even Tang Zhen's expression changed drastically.
"Valley Master Luo has already reached the Half Saint realm? Wasn't she only… ah, such a pity. If not for meeting the wrong person back then—"
Realizing what he'd said, Tang Zhen coughed several times to cover his slip of the tongue.
Luo Yinzhu's eyes remained calm, pretending not to have heard. She simply looked at Liu Xi with hopeful eyes. She had said everything she could — if Liu Xi still refused to help…
Even Liu Xi was taken aback. He hadn't expected a force unmentioned in the original story to possess such a powerhouse. Why, then, had Sound Valley faded into obscurity later on? 'Could it be… that she fell because of this very cold poison?'
He mulled it over. Forming a tie with a Half Saint was certainly no bad thing. And being able to freely select from Sound Valley's treasures was an enticing prospect indeed. Yet, to think even a Half Saint was helpless before this poison… could he truly purge it completely?
Sound Valley had always been a secluded, reclusive faction, little known to outsiders. But if he could befriend them, even a Half Saint's friendship would be a reliable support.
Glancing at Xiao Yixian and Yao Tianhuo, who remained silent, Liu Xi nodded slightly and said, "Very well, I'll go take a look. But a poison that even a Half Saint cannot dispel— I can't promise absolute success."
A radiant smile bloomed beneath Luo Yinzhu's veil, her eyes glimmering with relief. Over the years, no one but Liu Xi had been able to melt the cold energy within the blood. If even he failed, then there truly would be no hope left. "Thank you, Master Liu. As long as you're willing to act, Sound Valley will never let you go unrewarded. A generous gift will await you no matter the result."
Liu Xi waved his hand casually. "I'll do what I can. No promises."
Turning his gaze to Tang Zhen, he added, "Valley Master Tang, it seems we'll be taking our leave. I'll visit Burning Flame Valley again when the chance arises."
Tang Zhen cupped his hands respectfully. "Burning Flame Valley will always welcome Master Liu's return. You have great kindness toward both me and my daughter. If ever you find yourself in danger, crush the jade token — even to the ends of the earth, I will come to your aid."
Tang Huo'er let out a soft huff but said nothing further. After consuming the Fire Bodhisattva Pill, the damage to her life source had completely healed. Moreover, she'd used the pill's vast medicinal power to advance directly to 3-Star Dou Zong. The potency of Liu Xi's pill needed no further proof.
Her resentment, however, still lingered. Liu Xi had used the Fire Bodhisattva Pill as leverage to force Tang Zhen to bow his head — the master of Burning Flame Valley, bowing to a man barely in his twenties!
Still, she wasn't ungrateful. Though she disliked Liu Xi, she wasn't foolish enough to forget a life-saving favor.
As soon as Liu Xi agreed, Luo Yinzhu's tone turned anxious. Every extra day her mother suffered under the cold poison was another day of torment.
"Master Liu, time is urgent. Let's depart immediately."
Liu Xi blinked, startled. "So soon?"
Luo Yinzhu bowed slightly, her voice soft and apologetic. "Forgive me, but I must trouble Master Liu to accompany me to Sound Valley right now. I promise to give you a proper explanation later."
Liu Xi stretched lazily and smiled. "Very well. I'm rather curious to see Sound Valley myself."
He turned toward Xiao Yixian and Yao Tianhuo. "Xian'er, Elder Yao — looks like I'll be dragging you along once again."
Yao Tianhuo stroked his beard with a hearty laugh. "No trouble at all. Accompanying you on these trips keeps this old man young. I'm free anyway."
Without delay, they bid farewell to Tang Zhen and Tang Huo'er. Tang Zhen personally escorted them to the valley's outer perimeter.
A group of women in white dresses stood waiting. Their leader, an elderly crone with a dignified face, radiated the aura of a 9-Star Dou Zong — one step away from Dou Zun.
The old woman's expression was filled with anxiety. Upon seeing Luo Yinzhu, she asked quickly, "Young Valley Master, how is it? Could Valley Master Tang resolve the icy seal? And who are these people?"
Luo Yinzhu's tone remained calm but urgent. "There's no time to explain. This is Master Liu, a 8th Tier Alchemist. He can resolve the ice. We return to the valley at once."
The old woman's face brightened with surprise and relief. "Excellent! Though we failed to invite Valley Master Tang, bringing Master Liu is an even greater fortune. Then let's waste no time. Valley Master Tang, forgive us for the intrusion."
Tang Zhen chuckled. "No harm done. Please send my regards to Valley Master Luo."
Then turning to Liu Xi, his smile softened into solemnity. "Master Liu, take care. Burning Flame Valley will always be your ally. If you ever need help, come to me anytime."
Hands clasped behind his back, Liu Xi smiled faintly. "I'll remember that. And do take care of those students from Jia Nan Academy under your wing — they're my juniors, after all."
Tang Zhen laughed. "A small matter indeed…"
Suddenly, Liu Xi's expression shifted. His soul trembled — a wisp of separated soul thread had just returned.
'The Ye Clan… something happened? What inconvenient timing…:
He frowned briefly, then turned to Yao Tianhuo. "Elder Yao, remember the Ye Clan we stayed with before? The soul jade I left there just shattered. It seems they're in trouble. I can't go now — please handle it for me. If you can't resolve it, just watch over them until I return."
Yao Tianhuo paused, then nodded confidently. "No problem. With my strength now, even if that Bing He from the Ice River Valley comes again, this old man will not fear him."
"Bing He…" Tang Zhen muttered softly before saying solemnly, "Master Liu, if the Ice River Valley dares to oppose you, I'll lend my aid."
Liu Xi chuckled. "If that time comes, I won't hesitate to call upon Burning Flame Valley."
Hearing this, Luo Yinzhu also added sincerely, "If Master Liu needs assistance, Sound Valley will never stand idly by."
Liu Xi smiled quietly. Without realizing it, he had already gathered a vast web of allies and debts across the Central Plains.
'This trip to Sound Valley… aside from the obvious rewards and treasures, there might just be a hidden opportunity waiting as well…'
(End of Chapter)
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