Chapter 126
After sending Ya Fei off, Xiao Yuan's expression returned to calm. He made his way back to his room, instructed the maid not to disturb him, removed his shoes, and sat cross-legged on the bed to begin cultivation.
He had to deal with the poison brand within his body first.
As he entered his cultivation state, Xiao Yuan's consciousness sank into his lower abdomen. With a thought, a strand of black and white flame was spat out from the spiritual core, slowly rising within his dantian.
He focused on the constantly surging black-and-white flame. After a long time, under his control, the flames churned violently, and their temperature suddenly increased. As the heat intensified, wisps of black mist gradually condensed at the center of the flames.
"What a vicious poison brand. Not only can it withstand the terrifying temperature of a Heavenly Flame, but it can even quietly blend into it. If I hadn't been alert in advance, I probably wouldn't have noticed. No wonder even Dou Huang experts fear it."
Gazing at the black mist, Xiao Yuan murmured softly in his heart.
Purging the poison from Nalan Jie actually had another benefit. The poison brand had been in Nalan Jie's body for a long time. While it normally eroded his body, it also occasionally devoured his Dou Qi. Over time, it had stored up quite a bit of energy.
This was a huge annoyance for Nalan Jie, but for Xiao Yuan, who had absorbed the poison brand into his own body, it was essentially a windfall!
If it weren't for the risk of Nalan Jie noticing and the danger of accumulating too much poison that could backfire, Xiao Yuan would've transferred all the poison from Nalan Jie into himself to refine the Dou Qi within and maybe even use it to break through.
But the portion of the poison fused with the Heavenly Flame during this process was ultimately only a small part. The Dou Qi it contained might be considerable for an ordinary Da Dou Shi, but for Xiao Yuan, who had five Qi Reservoirs, it merely helped accelerate his cultivation.
"If I simply purify it, it would be a bit wasteful. I might as well condense and refine it. Later, if I face a tough enemy, I could give them a taste of this."
After pondering briefly, a sinister smile curled Xiao Yuan's lips. Then, with a thought, the black-and-white flame surrounding the black mist started churning like boiling water, its temperature becoming increasingly terrifying.
The reason the poison brand could integrate into the Heavenly Flame was due to the previous detoxification for Nalan Jie. Afraid of accidentally burning him to ashes, Xiao Yuan had kept the flame's temperature relatively mild—even that had caused Nalan Jie to tremble despite his best efforts to endure it.
But now, inside his own body, there was no fear of harm from the flame that had been refined and tamed over time. Xiao Yuan could now raise its heat without concern. Soon, the temperature reached a level that would shock even a Dou Wang expert.
As the temperature of the black-and-white flame soared, the black mist started to ripple. Xiao Yuan's soul power, carrying a hint of sentience, surged out. The flame transformed into a black-and-white vortex that enveloped the black mist. It began separating the Dou Qi from the poison brand and simultaneously compressed the toxin, shaping it gradually.
After a while, under the high heat and Xiao Yuan's precise control, the black mist slowly shrank. It eventually condensed into a deep black bead radiating a cold, eerie light—clearly highly toxic!
Around the outer edge of the flame vortex, a ring-shaped, faintly blue energy band formed from the separated Dou Qi. It looked rather strange.
Xiao Yuan wasn't surprised. After all, compared to the energy in Hai Bodong's body, this was negligible.
Fortunately, thanks to Yao Lao's guidance, Xiao Yuan had gained greater control over his soul power. So, after all this effort, he still had energy left.
Striking while the iron was hot, he quickly changed hand seals, activating his Dou Qi method. The inner vortex of the flame shrank further, turning into a thin membrane of black and white light, sealing the poison within. The outer flame then wrapped around the blue energy ring, refining and condensing it into pure energy, which was absorbed into his meridians.
Time quietly passed during this cultivation.
By the time Xiao Yuan finished, the golden rays of the setting sun were pouring through the wooden window, filling the room with a warm orange glow. The sight put him in a serene mood.
"Phew!" Exhaling deeply, Xiao Yuan jumped down from the bed and, feeling the abundant Dou Qi within, muttered thoughtfully, "Within a month, I'll definitely break through to a three-star Da Dou Shi."
It was about time to change into more appropriate clothes for the Nalan family's banquet.
With that thought, Xiao Yuan called for a maid. After being dressed and tidied up, he left the house at a relaxed pace, walking toward the Nalan Manor across the street.
Since he was attending a banquet, and being fond of white garments, Xiao Yuan chose a white tailored ceremonial outfit with gold threads in a subtle luxurious style. His hair was adorned with a white jade hairpin, and his long black hair fell over his shoulders. Two fine strands framed his face, exuding noble elegance and extraordinary bearing.
Many passersby, also heading to the banquet, took notice. Initially curious about the new owner of the Xiao residence, they were surprised to see such a refined young noble emerge—his appearance and demeanor rivaled, if not surpassed, those of imperial heirs or sons of great clans.
Xiao Yuan ignored their stares and calmly entered the Nalan Manor.
The guards at the gate, clearly informed ahead of time, not only refrained from stopping or questioning him but bowed respectfully as if greeting their own young master.
Though night had fallen, the Nalan Manor remained brightly lit. Clan members bustled through the courtyard like a morning marketplace.
Waving off a maid who tried to guide him, Xiao Yuan confidently followed yesterday's path to the main hall.
From the spacious hall came waves of chatter and laughter, interspersed with music. Upon closer inspection, many people were already seated, chatting merrily.
Xiao Yuan quickly spotted Ya Fei in a red, form-fitting qipao. A white fox fur shawl added regal grace to her already alluring figure. Her mature charm and curves drew the gaze of many men in the hall.
Perhaps because of their intimacy the previous night, Ya Fei immediately sensed his gaze. She looked over and smiled sweetly, then stood up and walked over to him.
Seeing this, Xiao Yuan returned a warm smile and walked briskly into the hall.
"Xiao Yuan, you're finally here."
Ya Fei blinked playfully and wrapped her arm around his.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. I was cultivating earlier."
Xiao Yuan apologized gently and patted her soft hand.
"Hehe, the Grand Elder is here too, but he went to catch up with Old Master Nalan. Come with me."
Smiling nonchalantly, Ya Fei led him to their seats.
She naturally didn't mind such a small matter.
Earlier, many had been eyeing Ya Fei. Now, seeing her so close with Xiao Yuan, some were heartbroken, others shocked. Some began speculating about his identity.
But no one could tell anything for sure. He had a handsome face and noble bearing, but his strength was unreadable—so weak, it seemed he had no Dou Qi?
Could it be his power was so great that they simply couldn't perceive it? But that would make him… a high-level expert? At such a young age? Impossible!
"Catching up? I doubt it," Xiao Yuan said with a knowing smile.
"Hehe, looks like you guessed too. But so what? If the Nalan family won't treasure you, why shouldn't our Mittel family treat you like a gem?" Ya Fei smiled, her eyes crescent-shaped with joy.
"Haha, I'm flattered."
Xiao Yuan chuckled in reply.
In the corner of the hall, Nalan Yanran pouted slightly upon seeing Xiao Yuan chatting and laughing with Ya Fei. She glared coldly at a man trying to cozy up to her, frowned, and snapped irritably, "I'm not interested in you. Stop bothering me."
Then she quickly walked over to Xiao Yuan and Ya Fei with a sweet smile. "Young Master Xiao, you've finally arrived. Tonight's banquet is all about you!"
The crowd looked puzzled. This guy was the guest of honor?
Clad in the wide-sleeved moon-white robes of a Yunlan Sect disciple, Nalan Yanran's appearance made Xiao Yuan's smile fade slightly. Why did she have to show up now, spoiling his good mood with Ya Fei?
"Hey, Xiao Yan, we're here!"
A tender voice called out, and two figures entered the hall.
!?
Startled, Xiao Yuan and Ya Fei looked toward the door. A beautiful young girl around Xiao Yan's age entered.
She wore a purple dress with silver patterns. Her delicate features bore the grace of royal upbringing, and her slim waist was accentuated by a purple sash.
Interestingly, her gleaming eyes sparkled with playful curiosity, softening her noble aura and making her seem more like a mischievous rich girl.
Beside her was Xiao Yan in his black alchemist robe.
"Brother, Sister Ya Fei."
Xiao Yan greeted with a wry smile, completely ignoring Nalan Yanran.
"Huh? Sister Ya Fei, you know each other?" the princess asked curiously.
"That's the little princess of the royal family," Ya Fei whispered to Xiao Yuan, then smiled warmly. "Yes, I didn't expect you to come with Xiao Yan."
The princess looked at Xiao Yuan, then asked with interest, "And who's this?"
"Hehe, I'm Xiao Yuan, Ya Fei's fiancé, and Xiao Yan's third brother."
Xiao Yuan greeted her with a polite smile.
"Oh, you're the one Sister Ya Fei always talks about! You are really handsome! Oh wow, you even look a lot like Xiao Yan!"
Her nonstop chatter left the trio speechless.
"Hey, Xiao Yan did great in the Alchemist Guild's internal tests! Even better than me! As his big brother, are you even stronger than him?"
She turned to Xiao Yuan, full of curiosity.
Xiao Yuan looked at Xiao Yan questioningly.
Xiao Yan shrugged helplessly. He hadn't wanted to come, but the princess had insisted, acting like a little sister. He couldn't turn her down—and honestly, coming to Nalan Manor might not be such a bad thing. A good chance to show the Nalan family that the Xiao Clan was full of talent!
"Hehe, I don't know alchemy. In that field, Xiao Yan is my teacher. I'm just better at fighting."
Xiao Yuan knew Xiao Yan disliked crowded events and likely came to support him, especially with the Mittel family present. It wouldn't be right if his real brother weren't here.
"Oh? What level are you then? Are you really strong? Show me!"
The princess asked eagerly.
Xiao Yan frowned and was about to respond, but Xiao Yuan beat him to it:
"Hehe, why don't you guess, Princess?"
"Hey, Princess, don't forget this is the Nalan family's banquet," Ya Fei reminded gently.
"Oh, right! We'll talk later. Nalan sis, long time no see!"
She rushed over to the long-neglected Nalan Yanran.
Nalan Yanran forced a smile. "Yes, it's been a while."
Seeing this, Xiao Yuan and Xiao Yan exchanged glances, both amused.
(END CHAPTER)
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