Outside Wu Tan City.
"Cousin Xun'er, is Brother Bai really coming back today?" Xiao Yan asked, his voice tinged with excitement as he looked at the gracefully poised girl before him.
He'd run into Xiao Xun'er by chance as she was heading out. After exchanging greetings, she mentioned that Xiao Bai would return to Wu Tan City today, and he couldn't resist tagging along.
For nearly a year, Xiao Yan had been eagerly awaiting his teacher and Brother Bai's return. The Foundation Elixir Bai refined was perfect for his recovery. Just days ago, after using the last of it, he'd broken through to the ninth stage of Dou Zhi Qi.
He wasn't worried about the clan's coming-of-age ceremony, but his next step—advancing to Dou Zhe—required choosing a cultivation technique. Before leaving, Yao Lao had promised him a peculiar, powerful technique, supposedly surpassing even legendary Tian-class techniques. Though skeptical of the old man's claims, Xiao Yan couldn't help but feel anticipation. With the Dou Zhe breakthrough nearing, how could he not be anxious?
"Indeed. Brother Xiao Bai should return today," Xun'er said softly, her refined eyes shimmering with expectation.
"Great!" Xiao Yan exclaimed, thrilled.
He wasn't sure why Xun'er was so certain, but Yao Lao had warned him that both she and Bai were extraordinary—one with a grand background, the other an enigma even his teacher couldn't fully fathom. Xiao Yan never pried into their mysterious affairs, as Yao Lao advised: Keep some distance to maintain friendship. Digging too deep annoys people.
But Brother Bai got him. Just days ago, he'd been wishing for their return, and here they were.
As the two waited quietly, a luxurious carriage approached slowly from the city's outskirts.
Xiao Yan's eyes lit up with hope. Is that Brother Bai? But seeing Xun'er glance at it briefly and look away, he thought, Guess not.
"Stop!" An excited voice called from the carriage as it neared.
"Master Liu Xi, is something the matter?" a middle-aged man's voice replied.
No response came from the carriage. Moments later, a young man in a long robe stepped out. He was handsome enough, but a occasional lecherous glint in his eyes marred his appearance.
Liu Xi was ecstatic, his gaze fixed on the stunning cyan-clad girl nearby. To think a backwater like Wu Tan City hides such a beauty! Coming here was the right call.
The girl's elegant attire and unadorned, exquisite face were like a lotus blooming in clear water—natural and flawless. Her dark hair, loosely tied with a ribbon, reached her slender waist, accentuated by a cyan-gold belt that highlighted her graceful curves.
What a thrill it'd be to hold that tiny waist, he mused, his hands trembling with excitement. Unlike the women he'd dallied with before, her ethereal, lotus-like aura made them seem vulgar by comparison. For a man driven by lust, he burned to claim her immediately.
Xiao Yan noticed the man's lascivious stare at Xun'er and frowned, stepping between them to block his view. Regardless of her background, Xun'er's cultivation was like his—yet to reach Dou Zhe. As Brother Bai's brother, he couldn't let her be harassed. If Xiao Bai returned and learned he'd done nothing, how could he face him?
Liu Xi glanced at Xiao Yan, dismissing him. Just a kid, not even a Dou Zhe.
Taking a badge from his storage ring, he pinned it to his chest and stepped off the carriage, approaching Xiao Yan. Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed, spotting the badge—a simple cauldron with a single silver ripple, gleaming under the sunlight.
A first-grade alchemist!
Xiao Yan's heart skipped, but then he smirked, arms crossed, his expression disdainful. First-grade? Big deal. His teacher was an eighth-grade alchemist, and Brother Bai had created a thunder-based alchemy method in months, crafting peak second-grade Foundation Elixirs. This guy's strutting over a measly first-grade badge? Pathetic.
Liu Xi sneered. "Kid, playing protector takes skill. You're not up to it." His eyes flashed with contempt. Country bumpkin doesn't even recognize a first-grade alchemist badge and dares look down on me? Ignorant fool.
He'd heard Wu Tan City lacked even an alchemist guild, not a single apprentice. Now he saw it was indeed a backwater.
Ignoring Xiao Yan, he moved toward Xiao Xun'er. Xiao Yan quickly stepped to her side, ready to intervene if the man tried anything untoward, even if it meant a fight he couldn't win.
"I'm Liu Xi. May I have the lady's name?" Liu Xi said with a faux-gentlemanly smile, adjusting his robe to flaunt his badge.
It was a tried-and-true tactic. No matter how aloof a woman, his alchemist badge always made their eyes light up, turning them eager.
"Scram," Xun'er said, lifting her eyes briefly to glance at him, her voice cold as she uttered a single, stunning word.
Liu Xi's smile faded, his face darkening. "In all my years, you're the first to speak to me like that."
"Hahaha!" Xiao Yan burst out laughing, reveling in the man's expression.
Liu Xi's face grew uglier. A first-grade alchemist, he was used to deference. Being humiliated by a bumpkin fueled his rage. "Jia Lie Ye, seize her! I planned to be gentle, but she's too arrogant!"
He waved at the middle-aged man stepping off the carriage. Jia Lie Ye hesitated, giving a wry smile. He knew Liu Xi, disciple of Master Wu, was lecherous, but robbing someone in broad daylight? Insane.
He recognized the pair as Xiao Clan members—Xun'er, famed for her beauty, and Xiao Yan, the fallen genius rumored to have regained his talent. But the Jia Lie Clan couldn't afford to cross the Xiao Clan. After their patriarch and elders died mysteriously in a western city smithy, the Jia Lie Clan had been on edge. As the new patriarch, Jia Lie Ye had offered their most profitable markets and much of their wealth to the city lord for protection, barely keeping the clan intact.
They'd finally secured Liu Xi's help through ties with Master Wu, hoping to bolster the clan. But this man, aside from alchemy, was utterly useless. Why does heaven favor such a wretch with alchemist talent?
Sighing, he forced a smile. "Master Liu Xi, they're from the Xiao Clan. We can't afford to provoke them."
"Xiao Clan?" Liu Xi sneered, his eyes dripping with disdain. "Help me get her, and I'll ensure the Jia Lie Clan becomes Wu Tan City's top family."
Seeing Jia Lie Ye's doubt, Liu Xi waved dismissively. "Don't worry. If needed, I'll summon my teacher."
He scoffed at Wu Tan City's clans—their patriarchs were mere Da Dou Shi. What was there to fear?
Jia Lie Ye's eyes wavered. Liu Xi alone, a first-grade alchemist, couldn't solve their woes. But his teacher, Master Wu, was a third-grade alchemist—a significant figure even in the Jia Ma Empire, let alone this small city. With him as a backer, the Jia Lie Clan's revival was within reach. Knowing Master Wu doted on Liu Xi like a son, Jia Lie Ye made his choice.
Glancing around, he noted the spot was far from the city gate, with no one nearby. Perfect timing to act discreetly—knock them out, toss them in the carriage, and no one's the wiser.
"Master Liu Xi, I hope you keep your word," Jia Lie Ye said, his eyes flashing with resolve.
This was a gamble. The Jia Lie Clan's situation was dire, but success could make them greater under his leadership.
"Rest assured, get her for me, and you'll have what you want," Liu Xi said, his face lighting up as he eyed Xun'er with burning desire.
Xiao Yan, hearing their brazen plot, grew wary, inwardly cursing: Brother Bai, why didn't you wipe out the Jia Lie Clan back then? Look at them, stirring trouble again!
Jia Lie Ye's gaze settled on Xiao Yan, a strange glint in his eyes. This Xiao Clan "genius" is a future threat. Better eliminate him now.
"Cousin Xun'er, looks like we're in trouble," Xiao Yan said, his sharp soul sensing Jia Lie Ye's killing intent.
As he spoke, Jia Lie Ye kicked off the carriage, launching into the air. His palm, cloaked in cyan energy, surged with forceful wind pressure, aiming for Xiao Yan's face.
Feeling the sharp gust, Xiao Yan's pupils shrank, his breath quickening. He wanted to dodge but felt trapped. I'm done for!
His eyes reddened with frustration. After three years of struggle, just as hope emerged, was he to die here? No, I won't accept this!
Summoning all his strength, he prepared to strike back, refusing to die without a fight. As the palm neared, he readied his fist—but a force from behind yanked him back.
Gasping in relief, Xiao Yan turned to see Xun'er had pulled him out of harm's way at the last moment.
"Thanks!" he said gratefully.
"No need," Xun'er replied coolly, her icy gaze fixed on the slightly surprised Jia Lie Ye.
She was about to summon Qing Shuang to deal with these pests when her expression shifted. Her frosty face thawed into a faint smile, like spring melting winter.
The sudden smile dazzled everyone, especially Liu Xi, who stared, entranced, at her crescent-moon eyes.
Jia Lie Ye, briefly stunned, recovered and turned to Xiao Yan with a cold snort. His hands curled into claws, swiping forward, forming several cyan energy wind blades from dense Dou Qi.
"Cousin Xun'er, if you've got any tricks, now's the time!" Xiao Yan, seeing Jia Lie Ye's move and Xun'er's serene smile, felt like crying. "Hurry!"
Yao Lao had said Xun'er's background was extraordinary. Desperate, Xiao Yan hoped she had a trump card to escape this mess, or he was finished.
"No rush," Xun'er said leisurely, as if unconcerned with his life-or-death plight.
Xiao Yan nearly swore as the wind blades took shape. Of course you're not worried—they're not aimed at you!
"Why not try shouting, 'Brother Bai, save me!'? It might work," Xun'er teased with a playful smile.
Xiao Yan wanted to weep. Miss, we're about to die, and you're joking?
Suddenly, his expression froze, realization dawning. His eyes widened in disbelief, then joy, as he looked to Xun'er for confirmation.
She nodded with a smile, saying nothing.
Understanding hit. Without hesitation, Xiao Yan took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and bellowed, "Brother Bai! Save me!"
Jia Lie Ye flicked his fingers, sending the wind blades slicing forward. The gusts lifted grass and twigs, which were shredded upon touching the blades.
"Heh, no one's saving you today!" Jia Lie Ye sneered, his killing intent surging. Today, he'd ensure this fallen genius stayed fallen.
"Oh? Really? I don't buy it," a calm, magnetic voice replied from afar.
A muffled thunderclap echoed. Crimson lightning streaked across the sky, shattering the wind blades instantly.
Boom!
A meter-wide scorched pit appeared nearby, radiating heat.
Two streaks of light descended, landing before the group.
"A Dou… Dou Wang!" Jia Lie Ye's face paled, his eyes wide with terror, his lips trembling.
"Sorry, seems I'm a bit late," the newcomer said, ignoring him. Turning to Xiao Yan and Xun'er, his stern, commanding face softened into a warm smile.