Though he felt reluctant, Liu Xi understood that Xiao Yixian's choice was the right one. The Ghostly Poison River was her destined opportunity—an opportunity sufficient for her to reach the Dou Saint Realm.
After leaving the underground cavern, Liu Xi buried all traces of attachment deep in his heart. On the path toward ultimate strength, affection was merely a comfort to the soul—he could not allow himself to linger in it.
While leaving the Poison Swamp, Liu Xi regained his usual calm, his thoughts turning toward the future.
The discovery of the Ghostly Poison Flame and the Ghostly Poison River had been an unexpected surprise. With Xiao Yixian's Woeful Poison Body, her path toward sainthood would be far smoother.
He turned slightly, glancing at Qing Lin and Zi Yan beside him.
These two girls also needed plans for their futures. Fortunately, there were traces to follow—the Dou Saint ruins within the Beast Region of the Central Plains. At the very least, the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit there could allow Zi Yan to step into the Dou Saint Realm.
As for Qing Lin, Liu Xi pondered for a moment. Perhaps he should simply offer up the entire Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe as a sacrifice for her. After all, they were enemies of Zi Yan's future Beast Region unification.
Speaking of Zi Yan, Liu Xi suddenly thought of Jia Nan Academy, of the Toushe Ancient Emperor's Mansion beneath the Inner Academy—where an old Dragon Emperor was still imprisoned.
If he could establish contact, it would be a great opportunity for Zi Yan. Considering his current strength, he was no longer that little Dou Huang who could only flee from Fire Lizards.
Allowing Zi Yan to meet the Old Dragon Emperor would surely benefit her greatly, and he could also hunt the Fire Lizards to seize their Fire Beads for his own advancement.
Then there was himself. Liu Xi narrowed his eyes slightly, feeling a trace of frustration. His next challenge was the Nine Transformation toward Sainthood—should he advance step by step through cultivation, or seek out more fortuitous encounters?
A sigh escaped him. 'Forget it, the road will reveal itself when the time comes.'
For now, the current strength of the Jia Ma Empire was simply too weak. Yes—pathetically weak, in Liu Xi's view.
Despite the empire's recent growth, it had nearly been overturned by a single Chu Yun Empire. In the Central Plains, that level of power was nothing but trash.
Still, the Jia Ma Empire was his homeland—where his parents, teachers, and friends lived. He had to strengthen it.
However, he didn't plan to bring his parents or teacher to the Central Plains yet. The waters there were too deep, and even Liu Xi couldn't claim complete control.
If anything happened to them, he'd never forgive himself.
Knowing the schemes of the Hun Clan, Liu Xi already had more than enough motivation to become stronger. He didn't need to use the lives of his loved ones as the price for his progress.
At the very least, he wanted the Jia Ma Empire to rival powers like the Four Pavilions, or else to completely seize control of the Pill Tower, before settling everyone safely.
"Let's go back to the Jia Ma Empire first," Liu Xi said with a light smile.
Seeing him return to normal, Qing Lin and Zi Yan both sighed in relief. They had thought his silence earlier was because he was heartbroken.
Liu Xi: "…"
The two girls laughed softly.
Leaving the Poison Swamp, they sped through the air toward the Jia Ma Empire.
In total, Liu Xi had spent two days finding the Ghostly Poison Flame. During that time, the strong experts of the Jia Ma Empire had already regrouped and were preparing to return home.
It wasn't that the Jia Ma Empire didn't want to expand its territory, but they had no intention of keeping the lands of the former Chu Yun Empire. The region was filled with poisonous flora and beasts—a paradise for poison masters, but a nightmare for normal cultivators.
Meanwhile, the news of Liu Xi's return and his effortless destruction of the Heavenly Poison King spread swiftly among the empire's experts, filling them with excitement.
Thus, when Liu Xi caught up with them at the border between the Jia Ma Empire and the former Chu Yun Empire, everyone greeted him with admiration.
Liu Xi couldn't be harsh toward people showing goodwill, so he simply gathered Yun Yun, Jia Xingtian, Hai Bodong, and Fa Ma, letting the rest return slowly on their own.
With a wave of his hand, he tore open space, creating a spatial wormhole that took the five of them directly back to Jia Ma Sacred City.
On the way, Hai Bodong suddenly recognized Qing Lin. The girl looked familiar—and then he remembered. Wasn't she the little servant Liu Xi had taken in from the Tagor Desert years ago?
Qing Lin nodded openly.
Soon, Yun Yun, Jia Xingtian, Hai Bodong, and Fa Ma also recalled that she had been taken as a disciple by a strong expert from the Sky Serpent Mansion. They were all witnesses back then.
Sensing Qing Lin's now-unfathomable aura, Yun Yun couldn't help but ask curiously, "Sister Qing Lin, what's your current cultivation?"
Qing Lin's cold yet alluring features curved into a soft smile. "Dou Zun."
"Uh…"
Yun Yun was stunned. The girl who had once only possessed the strength of a Dou Zhe was now a Dou Zun. It was beyond shocking.
Even Jia Xingtian, Hai Bodong, and Fa Ma were all dumbfounded. What kind of monstrous talent is this?
Standing ahead of them, Liu Xi only chuckled. The Jade Snake Three-Flower Pupils were heaven-defying by nature—comparing her to ordinary humans was meaningless.
Seizing the moment, Liu Xi shared his idea. "Sect Master Yun, Elder Jia, Elder Hai, Association Head Fa Ma I plan to establish a new faction to unify the various forces of the Jia Ma Empire. The empire is far too weak as it is."
His words drew the four of them back to focus. Soon, they frowned deeply.
They represented the four greatest powers of the empire—the Yunlan Sect, the Imperial Family, the Alchemist Association, and the Miteer Clan.
Liu Xi's words sounded dangerously close to absorption. That wasn't a light matter—behind every faction lay countless interests and responsibilities.
Yun Yun immediately composed herself. Though her heart held affection for Liu Xi, this matter concerned the Yunlan Sect's legacy. Her tone turned formal.
"Master Liu, are you suggesting merging all forces of the Jia Ma Empire under one banner? If that's the case, I'm afraid I cannot agree. The Yunlan Sect has endured for a thousand years—I cannot be the one to sever its line."
Jia Xingtian, Hai Bodong, and Fa Ma remained silent, but their expressions showed similar resolve. As leaders of their own powers, their first instinct was also to refuse.
Liu Xi wasn't surprised in the slightest.
"Heh, with my current strength, unifying the Jia Ma Empire's forces wouldn't benefit me much—it might even hold me back. You're all aware of this. Four Dou Zong experts almost failed to defeat one so-called Heavenly Poison King."
At those words, Yun Yun, Jia Xingtian, Hai Bodong, and Fa Ma all felt embarrassed. The enemy whom Liu Xi had crushed with a snap of his fingers had taken the four of them great effort to face.
Liu Xi continued casually, "This isn't for my benefit. I simply want to strengthen the Jia Ma Empire. Once unified, it might at least reach the level of a second-rate power in the Central Plains. I'll help you grow—but how far it rises depends on your own efforts."
"At the very least, within the Northwest Region, you'll be able to reign supreme."
He smiled faintly. "No need to rush your answer. Go back and think about it carefully."
(End of Chapter)
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