The Sky Serpent Mansion — a city within a city.
Inside the vast council hall, the atmosphere was suffocatingly tense. Sitting at the head seat, the Mansion Lord of the Sky Serpent Mansion wore a cold, unreadable expression, her eyes filled with conflicting emotions.
On the left side, Liu Xi sat casually, unbothered by the sharp, blade-like glares the gathered elders cast toward him. Their hostility rolled off him like rain on stone. After reuniting with Qing Lin, he had confirmed her feelings for him remained as pure and unwavering as before. So, when she insisted he come with her back to this inner city, he followed without protest. It hadn't even been long before the Mansion Lord, having heard the news, arrived with a group of elders.
Liu Xi had gotten straight to the point — he was here to take Qing Lin away. Whoever agreed could stay silent. Whoever disagreed… could speak up.
Naturally, the result was a chorus of outrage. The elders nearly leapt to their feet, ready to throw Liu Xi out on his back. Of course, with Liu Xi slightly concealing his aura, none of them could actually sense his true cultivation. But before he could even open his mouth, Qing Lin's aura exploded forth, silencing the entire hall.
A group of elders, whose highest among them was merely a Dou Zong, stood frozen under the crushing pressure of a Dou Zun powerhouse. None could even raise their heads.
The Mansion Lord sighed and raised her hand. "Qing Lin, withdraw your aura. The elders are only worried for you. No one is forbidding you from loving whom you please. But as the Saintess of the Sky Serpent Mansion, to leave in such a way — it would only harm your reputation. If Liu Xi remains, I can personally hold your wedding ceremony. The empire would celebrate; the people would bless it."
Though she still held respect for her master, Qing Lin obediently retracted her aura. "No, Master. I don't wish to bind the Young Master to the Sky Serpent Mansion. I came only to inform you. Whether you approve or not, I will still leave with him."
The elders' gazes turned venomous, glaring daggers at Liu Xi. What sort of charm had this man used to bewitch their Saintess so completely? And worse — he hadn't even come alone. The presence of Xiao Yixian and Zi Yan beside him painted him as nothing but a shameless rake.
The Mansion Lord, who knew Qing Lin's temperament well, could tell her mind was set — there was no persuading her. She sighed inwardly. Years of effort, and still I failed to bind her heart to the Mansion.
Her gaze then shifted toward Liu Xi, irritation flickering behind her eyes. 'So this is the one who picked the peach I cultivated so carefully.'
"I remember when we first met, Liu Xi — you were but a Dou Wang, a 6th Tier Alchemist. Tell me, how far have you come now? What rank of Alchemist are you now? Because Qing Lin is a Dou Zun. If your identity doesn't match hers, do you mean for her to leave just to serve you as a maid?"
"No need for the Mansion Lord to worry," Liu Xi replied evenly. "Since I've come to take Qing Lin, I naturally came prepared."
As he spoke, he no longer hid his strength. A vast and boundless aura, deep as an ocean, filled the entire hall.
Qing Lin was about a 2-Star Dou Zun — but Liu Xi was now a 6-Star Dou Zun. The sheer difference was overwhelming. The Mansion Lord, sitting at the head seat, turned pale under the suffocating pressure. Her Dou Qi slowed to a crawl, nearly sealed within her meridians. Her jade hands gripped the armrest tightly, eyes wide in shock.
The Mansion Lord had yet to touch the threshold of Dou Zun. To call her "half-step Dou Zun" was generous — in truth, she was only a 9-Star Dou Zong. The once-small Dou Wang she had once barely noticed had now ascended beyond even her reach.
The realization was hard to swallow.
If the Mansion Lord herself was shaken, the rest of the elders — mostly Dou Huangs and Dou Zongs — fared even worse. That none of them collapsed outright was impressive enough.
Liu Xi's calm voice cut through the stunned silence. "People often say the Northwest Region is backwater. I dislike hearing that, but I can't say they're wrong. Compared to the Central Plains, it lags far behind. I've gained some fame there — won the Pill Gathering championship — yet it seems you've all been living under a rock."
"What? The Pill Gathering champion?!"
Gasps of shock erupted. Even the Mansion Lord's composure cracked. The Sky Serpent Mansion might be far from the Central Plains, but its members weren't ignorant. They knew what the Pill Gathering represented — the greatest alchemy event organized by the Pill Tower itself. The one who claimed its championship was recognized as the continent's foremost alchemist of that era.
Liu Xi raised an eyebrow and smiled faintly. "So, the Mansion Lord does know of it. Then perhaps you can guess — what rank of Alchemist do you think I am now?"
The Mansion Lord's heart trembled. 'To win the Pill Gathering… he must be an 8th Tier Alchemist.' Even if she still found it unbelievable, she didn't dare show disrespect. Rising from her seat, she approached Liu Xi and bowed slightly. "To have taken the Pill Gathering championship, you must indeed be an 8th Tier Alchemist, Master Liu. May I see proof?"
"Here."
Liu Xi casually tossed a badge to her. It was none other than the one granted by Association Head Xuan Kongzi — proof of his identity as an 8th Tier Alchemist.
Qing Lin blinked in surprise, clearly understanding what such a title meant. The admiration in her eyes deepened, mingled with pride and awe.
The Mansion Lord caught the badge, and the other elders crowded around to take a look. Carved upon it was the image of the Pill Tower, beneath which gleamed eight brilliant violet-gold stars.
"It's real?"
"It must be! Who would dare forge the Pill Tower's insignia? They'd be hunted across the entire continent!"
"A Dou Zun powerhouse… and an 8th Tier Alchemist… By the heavens, we just—"
Their mutters died in collective embarrassment. The Mansion Lord returned the badge with both hands, her expression a mix of respect, confusion, and shame. "Master Liu, the Sky Serpent Mansion has offended you deeply. Please forgive our discourtesy."
Liu Xi tucked the badge away, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. 'How the tables have turned. Once, she stood above me…'
He rose slightly and asked coolly, "Now then — Qing Lin will leave with me. Who agrees? Who objects?"
The Mansion Lord hadn't even spoken before the elders began blurting out one after another:
"Master Liu has the talent, and the Saintess has the grace — truly a match made in heaven! I agree!"
"Old me agrees as well!"
"Agreed!"
The Mansion Lord could only fall silent, speechless.
Liu Xi chuckled. "Good. Then that settles it."
(End of Chapter)
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