Within Sound Valley, several streaks of light cut across the sky, descending toward the valley's heart — the central island where the core of the sect resided. With Luo Yinzhu leading the way, their path remained unobstructed.
Moments later, Liu Xi could already see a solemn palace ahead, surrounded by countless hidden guards, both in plain sight and in shadow, watching every movement with sharp vigilance.
Luo Yinzhu's graceful figure shifted, descending in a smooth arc toward the palace below. Liu Xi and Xiao Yixian followed closely behind, lightly stepping through the air until their feet touched the ground.
The palace before them wasn't large — modest in its structure, almost resembling a sleeping chamber rather than a grand hall.
Approaching the entrance, Luo Yinzhu was greeted with deep bows from the female disciples standing guard outside.
"Miss Yinzhu!"
She nodded gently, her radiant eyes fixed on the palace doors as she said softly, "Open the Sound Hall. The man I've invited to dispel Mother's cold poison has arrived."
The leading guard was a woman in armor — tall, lean, with cropped hair and sharp eyes that gleamed like an eagle's. Her stern gaze swept over Liu Xi and Xiao Yixian, but when she sensed their immense auras, her expression faltered.
Even without mentioning Xiao Yixian's Dou Zun-level power, Liu Xi's 9-Star Dou Zong presence alone was overwhelming. She, a mid-level Dou Zong, had no right to even glance upon such beings.
Thankfully, with Luo Yinzhu's endorsement, the woman quickly averted her gaze, bowed again, and shouted, "Open the palace gates."
"Yes, Captain!"
Two young women stepped forward in unison, their movements graceful yet disciplined. Even by Liu Xi's discerning eye, their talent was exceptional — both were mid-level Dou Huang, remarkable for their age. In a place like the Jia Ma Empire, they would each have been unrivaled overlords.
The two pressed together their halves of a jade token, merging it into one complete seal before channeling Dou Qi into it.
Clack—clack—grind…
With the sound of ancient gears and intricate locks turning, the massive doors began to tremble, slowly parting open.
Liu Xi had wondered why the Valley Master of Sound Valley needed such strict guarding. This didn't feel like protection — it felt like confinement.
And then he understood.
The instant the doors opened, a wave of bone-piercing cold burst outward. Dense, frost-white mist rolled from the narrow gap, spilling like a flood of winter.
The surrounding disciples immediately retreated several steps, fear and awe written across their faces. Their bodies trembled as if standing before a monstrous beast.
Even the captain's eyes trembled with dread — but beneath that fear, Liu Xi caught a deep sorrow. As the Valley Master's head guard, her true duty wasn't to defend… but to keep watch over her afflicted master.
Meanwhile, Luo Yinzhu had already prepared herself. She withdrew a thick coat made from special beast hide from her spatial ring and wrapped it tightly around her figure. In her hand, she held a glowing sunstone jade, radiating fierce heat like a small, captured sun.
Noticing Liu Xi's gaze, she explained softly, "The chill around my mother is unbearable. With my limited strength, I can't even approach without protection. But with your Heavenly Flame guarding you, Master Liu, it shouldn't be a problem."
"And as for the Venerable Xian—please, take this protective robe. Even a Dou Zun would struggle to endure near my mother. Stay too long, and the frost could pierce through flesh and bone."
Xiao Yixian gave Liu Xi a faint glance before accepting the robe. Being in Sound Valley, she would naturally remain close to him at all times — even if that meant stepping into danger.
Luo Yinzhu didn't seem worried about their intentions. A Half Saint's existence was not something two juniors could threaten; anyone who bore the title "Saint," even halfway, stood above the Dou Zun realm entirely.
Her expression then turned sorrowful. Taking a breath, she stepped toward the door and whispered, "Master Liu, please follow me. My mother is within. I'll leave everything in your hands."
Liu Xi's robe fluttered as azure flames rippled faintly beneath his skin. "I'll do what I can," he said calmly. "Whether it succeeds or not will depend on what I find."
Xiao Yixian donned the beast-hide coat and followed behind. Whatever awaited beyond those doors, she would face it with him.
The moment they stepped inside, a wave of freezing mist rolled around them — thick, pale, and suffocating. The air itself felt like it would freeze solid under the faint light flickering through the haze.
The silence was absolute, broken only by the echo of their footsteps — tap, tap, tap — each sound seeming to pierce through the oppressive cold.
Luo Yinzhu led the way; Liu Xi and Xiao Yixian followed close behind. The chill bit through the air like knives, but the azure flames flowing through Liu Xi's meridians melted everything before it.
Turning slightly, Liu Xi glanced at Xiao Yixian. Her brows were furrowed, her delicate face pale beneath the frost. This was no ordinary chill — even her Dou Zun body struggled to resist it.
Liu Xi reached out and took her jade-like hand. Azure flame spread from his palm, wrapping her in comforting warmth.
Xiao Yixian blinked in surprise, then smiled softly as heat flowed through her veins. The warmth spread from her fingertips to her heart, easing the ache of the cold.
She leaned closer, her body brushing against his chest, drawing warmth from him as her breath formed delicate mist in the air.
Liu Xi chuckled faintly and slipped his arm around her slender waist, sharing more of his flame's warmth.
Before long, Luo Yinzhu halted and whispered, her voice trembling slightly, "Master Liu… we've arrived."
Looking ahead, Liu Xi saw through layers of mist and silk curtains a faintly visible silhouette — a woman's figure, full and poised, seated cross-legged upon a jade bed.
From her, the chill radiated like a storm. Even without touching her aura directly, Liu Xi could tell she was the very source of all the cold energy in the hall.
A faint stirring — like the awakening of a dormant dragon — swept through the room as an overwhelming pressure filled the air.
The force pressed down upon Liu Xi's shoulders like a mountain, his Dou Qi slowing in his veins until it felt almost frozen.
'So this is a Half Saint…'
Then, a gentle yet commanding voice drifted through the veil.
"Yinzhu, you're here…? Hm? Who is this man? And this aura… the Woeful Poison Body?"
Her tone, once soft, turned sharp and cold.
Startled, Luo Yinzhu hurried to explain, her voice trembling slightly — perhaps from both the chill and nervousness.
"Mother, this is Master Liu Xi, an 8th Tier Alchemist. And this is the Celestial Venerable, his companion. I invited them to dispel your cold poison…"
(End of Chapter)
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