Yan Li's consciousness snapped back, his gaze locking onto the black-robed youth. His eyes brimmed with anger, fear, and confusion.
He didn't know what that mysterious seal in his mind was, but he was certain it wasn't anything good.
"Relax. As long as you behave, it won't affect you," Xiao Bai said coolly, slowly withdrawing his hand and glancing at Yan Li, whose eyes were bloodshot.
A flash of despair crossed Yan Li's face. He'd suspected as much, but this confirmed it—he was under someone's control. His complexion paled, as if all his vitality had been drained. After a long pause, he asked in a trembling, low voice, "What do you need me to do?"
"Nothing for now," Xiao Bai replied, waving a hand dismissively as he sat back in his chair. "I'll find you when the time comes."
"You're controlling me, but not to use my alchemist status to refine pills for you?" Yan Li's briefly calmed heart jolted with surprise.
An alchemist's prestige meant little when faced with a villain. On the Dou Qi Continent, some hunted down obscure but talented alchemists, locking them in dark cells to churn out pills daily—a pitiful, sunless existence. Yan Li had assumed this youth was one such predator, but apparently not.
"Refine pills for me?" Xiao Bai nearly laughed, sizing Yan Li up with an odd look. "You?"
"…!" Yan Li bristled.
What's that look? Disdain? The black-robed youth's gaze felt like an insult, and Yan Li's face flushed. Straightening up, he gritted his teeth. "What's wrong with me? I'm a fourth-grade alchemist—peak fourth-grade, one step from fifth! Not like that second-grade kid next to you!"
"…!" Xiao Yan blinked.
What did I do to you?
He shot Yan Li a sidelong glare, sneering, "Forget you, an old geezer at fourth-grade. Even if you were really seventeen and fourth-grade, you're nothing in front of my Brother Bai! Got the nerve to brag about being 'one step from fifth'? Even if you were fifth-grade, Brother Bai wouldn't bat an eye!"
Yan Li's face turned liver-red, his glare at Xiao Yan burning with rage. As vice-president of the Chu Yun Empire's Alchemist Guild, when had a mere second-grade alchemist dared speak to him like this?
"Heh, loser!" Xiao Yan taunted.
"I'll—"
Xiao Yan's eyes widened, and he turned to Xiao Bai, shouting, "Brother Bai, just kill this shameless old thing already!"
Yan Li's face paled, and he instantly sobered, looking to Xiao Bai in panic, terrified he'd act on it.
"…!" Xiao Bai sighed.
With a flick of his finger, he tossed a storage ring back to Yan Li and stood to leave. "Alright, you two do whatever. I'm out."
"Sir… can I still compete in the Alchemist Conference?" Yan Li caught the ring in surprise, slipping it on before cautiously asking the youth nearing the door.
If his original plan failed now, he'd be losing big time.
"Up to you," Xiao Bai said, waving without turning back, his figure vanishing outside.
"Dreaming of the championship? Keep dreaming!" Xiao Yan sneered at Yan Li's mention of continuing, then turned to leave.
"Heh," Yan Li chuckled, watching the black-clad youth's back with a mocking tone but saying nothing.
Xiao Yan's steps faltered, his fists clenching as he suppressed his irritation and strode off.
___
Back at the courtyard, evening had settled in.
No sooner had Xiao Bai sat down than Xiao Yan stormed in, glaring at him.
Xiao Bai chuckled. This version of Xiao Yan, compared to the original story, carried less brooding resentment and more of a youthful, fiery spirit.
"Nine-Star Dou Shi, just shy of perfection," Xiao Bai said, eyeing him leisurely.
"Mm!" Xiao Yan nodded, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Without a word, Xiao Bai extended a palm. Moments later, a wisp of transparent flame, tinged with milky white, flickered atop it.
The instant the flame appeared, Xiao Yan's body stiffened. His youthful face flushed red-hot, wisps of white mist rising from his head.
"Damn, that's intense!"
His mind reeled as he sensed a tiny flame spark within him. He'd glimpsed it before, but never felt this. The flame's still in Brother Bai's hand—how's it already inside me?
"Fallen Heart Flame, formless and colorless, manifesting through the heart. This wisp is enough for tomorrow's refining. It might even push your cultivation to perfection. Your teacher will guide you on the details," Xiao Bai said, passing the flickering flame to Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan, communicating with Yao Lao, summoned green flames from his hands, carefully enveloping and accepting the transparent fire.
"Heh, thanks, Brother Bai!"
Sensing the benefits of the heart flame's tempering within him, Xiao Yan held the Fallen Heart Flame, his face alight with joy.
Xiao Bai smiled faintly, watching Xiao Yan absorb the flame. His gaze drifted to the black ring on Xiao Yan's hand. "Yao Lao, the herbs are gathered. I'll study the formula tonight and refine it tomorrow."
"Good! I'm counting on you!" Yao Lao's voice buzzed with excitement. His form was still ethereal, and he urgently needed the Soul Spirit Liquid to recover some strength to face the Soul Hall's rats.
___
The night was serene.
Alone in his room, Xiao Bai held a beast-hide scroll, studying the Three-Seven Soul Spirit Liquid formula Yao Lao had provided. A sixth-grade pill, its difficulty rivaled that of a Dou Zong Pill.
With only one set of herbs, even he had to be cautious.
Yet his focus seemed divided, a trace of unease flickering in his eyes.
Hoo.
Exhaling deeply, he stowed the scroll and stepped outside. With a tremble, he appeared on the rooftop.
Hands clasped behind him, he gazed into the distance, a fleeting worry in his eyes.
Moments later, energy wings sprouted behind him, ready to soar in a certain direction.
"Hm? Xiao Bai, you going to check on that guy too?" Hai Bo Dong's aged voice interrupted, halting his ascent.
"What guy?" Xiao Bai turned, eyeing the grinning Hai Bo Dong.
"The gray-robed one from the conference!" Hai Bo Dong landed on the roof, chuckling. "Jia Xing Tian, Fa Ma, and I planned to probe that guy's background tonight. Wanna join?"
Xiao Bai rolled his eyes, waving him off. "Pass."
"Then where are you going?" Hai Bo Dong asked, curious.
Before Xiao Bai could answer, his eyes lit up with joy. He spun toward a mountain peak beyond the holy city.
"Haha, go on without me!"
He transformed into a streak of light, speeding toward the peak.
"So excited?" Hai Bo Dong muttered, puzzled by Xiao Bai's sudden enthusiasm. Curious, he followed, eager to see what had sparked such a reaction.
"Why're you tagging along?" Xiao Bai asked, glancing at Hai Bo Dong catching up, rolling his eyes.
"Heh, your thing might be more interesting. I'm just here for the show!" Hai Bo Dong winked, grinning expectantly.
Xiao Bai gave him an odd look, then a thumbs-up, teasing, "Old Hai, you've got guts, crashing Queen Medusa's party!"
"I—" Hai Bo Dong's breath hitched, nearly tumbling from the sky. Shock and fear flooded his face as he scanned around, panicking. "She's here?"
"Still going?" Xiao Bai asked, his gaze playful.
"Go my ass!" Hai Bo Dong's face darkened. With a flick of his sleeve, he veered back toward the city. After a short distance, he paused, muttering, "No, I can't go back. Gotta find a place to hide… Right, I'll crash at Old Jia's for a few days. That's the plan!"
With that, he changed course again, speeding toward a spot in the city.
"…!" Xiao Bai shook his head.
How hard did Cai Lin thrash him back then to scare him like this?
Glancing beyond the city, joy brimmed in his eyes, nearly spilling over. His wings vibrated, and he shot off as a streak of light.
___
Beyond the City
Atop a mountain peak, a gentle night breeze stirred, wisps of cloud and mist drifting like silk.
A beguiling figure stood quietly, bathed in moonlight filtered through thin clouds. A soft, silvery glow cloaked her, lending an ethereal grace.
Her gold-red brocade robe fluttered lightly, long hair cascading over her shoulders, its ends dancing in the breeze. Regal and majestic, her narrow, commanding eyes sparkled with starlight under the moon's touch—both enchanting and aloof. Gazing at the sprawling city below, a flicker of anticipation glinted in her eyes through the hazy light.
Her delicate brows lifted slightly, her lips curving into a faint, enigmatic smile.
"Haha, my darling Queen l, you're finally here!" A clear, joyful laugh shattered the mountain's silence.
A streak of light arced across the sky like a meteor, landing on the peak. Xiao Bai studied the exquisite figure by the cliff, seemingly ready to ride the wind away. After a moment, the worry in his eyes faded.
"Hmph! Show some respect!" Cai Lin's eyes narrowed, glaring at the man who'd rushed to embrace her. Her red lips parted in a soft rebuke.
Pretending not to hear, Xiao Bai stepped forward, pulling her fiery, curvaceous form into his arms. Inhaling the delicate fragrance at her side, he leaned toward her pale earlobe and whispered, "Cai Lin, I missed you."
His low, tender voice lingered in her ear. Cai Lin's heartbeat skipped, her cheeks flushing faintly. She quickly turned her head, huffing, "Pretty smooth, huh? Besides me, how many others have you said this to?"
Xiao Bai's heart stuttered. Did my Queen darling catch wind of something?
Keeping his expression steady, he chuckled, his gaze softening on her. "I'm wronged! This is the first time I've said it… today!"
Yup, first time today. Past doesn't count!
"You'd better mean it. If I find out you've said it to anyone else, heh…" Cai Lin tilted her chin, her phoenix-like eyes meeting his with a cold laugh.
"…!" Xiao Bai's heart raced, a cold sweat prickling his spine.
As expected, she's a proud one. Building a harem's gonna be a long road!
Thinking of the Yun Lan Sect trip in three days, he cursed his carelessness. Back with the Snake-People Tribe, Cai Lin hadn't questioned him like this. After just over a month apart, why was she suddenly probing?
"After the Yun Lan Sect matter, come back to the Snake-People Tribe with me. The grand elders want to meet you," Cai Lin said, her ears subtly reddening as she nestled closer in his arms, her voice soft.
"Meet me?" Xiao Bai gently stroked her silken hair, surprised. "Aren't they always in seclusion? I didn't see them either time I visited the tribe."
"Mm. They emerged to oversee this altar ritual. After hearing the tribe's talk about you, they asked, so I told them about you," Cai Lin said, her lips curving slightly, a fleeting tenderness in her eyes.
"And they want to see me for…?" Xiao Bai felt a sinking premonition, asking cautiously.
"Why so many questions? Are you going or not?" Cai Lin wriggled free, glaring at him, her flushed face betraying impatience as she waved a hand.
"Fine, I'll go!" Xiao Bai said helplessly, spreading his hands at the suddenly irked Queen. "But give me a hint, at least!"
Two lifetimes, and this was his first time "meeting the parents." A bit of nerves was natural.
Cai Lin's eyes darted away, her head turning aside. After a long pause, her voice came, faint as a mosquito's hum: "To discuss marriage."
"I'm going!" Xiao Bai's jaw dropped, rubbing his ears in disbelief, eyes wide enough to pop. His worst fears had come true!
Marriage? From Queen Medusa's mouth?
No way in hell! Marrying now? If Xun Er found out, she'd probably drag a squad of Dou Zuns to obliterate them both.
"That's settled then. After this, you'll come back with me," Cai Lin said, mistaking his outburst for enthusiasm. A shy glint flickered in her narrowed eyes, her voice softening.
"Wait—" Xiao Bai's forehead beaded with sweat, his mind racing.
"You're not willing?"
The joy in Cai Lin's eyes dimmed, her enchanting face icing over. Is he not sincere? Has he never thought of a future with me?
"Willing!" Xiao Bai nodded hastily, sensing the air chilling around her. He knew if he said no, her pride would ensure she'd never speak to him again.
Cai Lin's expression softened, and she shot him an exasperated look. "A grown man, hemming and hawing like that—what's with you?"
Xiao Bai wanted to cry. Hemming and hawing? This is life and death!
He'd known something was off with Cai Lin's sudden questions about others. She'd been setting him up for this.
With no other options, he'd have to play the delay game. Stall long enough, and he'd find a way out.
"I'm tired," Cai Lin said, stepping closer, her eyes flicking to him softly.
"Come on, then. I bought a courtyard in the city. Let's go home," Xiao Bai said, setting aside his thoughts and taking her delicate hand warmly.
"Mm."
Cai Lin nodded gently, a smile tugging at her lips.
____
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