Venerable Lei sat in silence for a long while before finally raising his cup and draining it in one gulp. Forcefully seizing the pill was impossible, and fighting was out of the question—he could only think of another way. Setting the cup down gently, one of the maids immediately stepped forward to refill it, her movements careful and precise.
Venerable Lei turned to Liu Xi, testing the waters as he spoke. "In that case, I would like to ask Mister Liu to refine a Zun Shi Pill for me. From this day forth, you will be an honored guest of Wind Lightning Pavilion. Should you ever summon me, I will lend you my full strength."
'All sweet words and no substance. I'm not your father—why would I refine pills for you just because you flatter me?' Liu Xi sneered inwardly. Leaning back in his chair, he said lazily, "As a Dou Zun, you should know the rules of alchemists, Venerable Lei. Go prepare the materials first. Once everything is ready, come find me again."
As an 8th Tier Alchemist, Liu Xi no longer needed to curry favor with Dou Zun experts. He only needed to wait for them to come seeking his aid—and decide, based on his mood, whether they were worth his time.
Opening his mouth, he accepted another peeled grape from Xiao Yixian's delicate fingers. 'Mm… sweet as always.'
Liu Xi looked perfectly at ease, but Venerable Lei frowned slightly. The request itself wasn't difficult, but there were fewer than a handful of 8th Tier Alchemists across the Central Plains. If Liu Xi left this city, even if he prepared all the ingredients and treasures, finding him again would be like searching for a needle in the endless sky.
Suddenly, a thought struck him. 'Isn't there a ready-made opportunity?' His expression brightened as he nodded heavily. "Of course. Refining such a pill must come with generous compensation. I'll begin my preparations right away."
"In a few days, my Wind Lightning Pavilion will be hosting the Four Pavilion Grand Meeting along with Falling Star Pavilion, Ten Thousand Sword Pavilion, and Yellow Springs Pavilion. Would Mister Liu be willing to attend as an honored guest?"
"The other Pavilion Masters—Venerable Feng, Venerable Jian, and Venerable Huangquan—will also be there. It would be my honor to introduce you to them."
"Hmm…"
Of course Liu Xi had heard of the Four Pavilion Grand Meeting. The Four Pavilions might appear prestigious, but in truth, their status was rather awkward. Later, when ancient clans and top-tier powers revealed their hidden foundations and Dou Zuns and Dou Saints appeared in numbers, the Four Pavilion alliance had become little more than a joke.
He had never planned to attend such an event, nor to deliberately associate with those four Venerables. Just like the fabled Heavenly Eye Mountain Range and its so-called Heavenly Mountain Blood Pool, which had offered him no benefit, Liu Xi had never bothered to visit.
Still, since Venerable Lei had personally extended the invitation, there was no harm in going. Meeting four Dou Zun experts could be useful.
After thinking it through, Liu Xi smiled. "Very well. I'll attend. The Grand Meeting will be held in the Wind Lightning Mountain Range, yes?"
Delight flickered in Venerable Lei's eyes. 'If I can bring him there, treat him well—fine food, fine wine, and beautiful company—he'll never want to leave. Once that bond is built, pills will come easily enough…'
Laughing thunderously, he said, "This year's Grand Meeting will be the grandest yet, with Master Liu and Lady Xian attending as honored guests!"
A maid refilled his cup. Venerable Lei lifted it toward Liu Xi and said with a broad smile, "A toast to you, Master Liu! I'll drink first—please, do as you wish!"
Seeing this, Xiao Yixian poured a cup for Liu Xi. He lifted it calmly and drank alongside Venerable Lei.
Once the two had reached an understanding, both men smiled faintly, and the atmosphere in the hall gradually lightened. The music resumed, soft and elegant, and the dancers returned to their graceful movements. The gathered guests of Lingyun City were brimming with excitement.
Two Dou Zuns and an 8th Tier Alchemist—all gathered in one hall. It was a scene they could boast about for a lifetime.
As the night deepened, the banquet finally ended.
Venerable Lei, eager to build rapport, drank heavily and didn't suppress the alcohol with his Dou Qi. By the end, he was slightly drunk—but satisfied. 'This was worth it,' he thought. 'A pleasant talk, a new connection, and an invitation extended. Once I get that Zun Shi Pill refined, I'll truly have profited.'
He bid farewell to Liu Xi, then soared into the sky as lightning crackled beneath his feet, speeding toward the Wind Lightning Mountain Range.
Liu Xi watched him disappear into the distance and couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Don't drink and fly; if you fly, don't drink. Fly carelessly, and your family will cry two lines of tears. Still, a Dou Zun wouldn't be felled by a little wine—he'd surely make it home.
Once the guests dispersed, Liu Xi was ready to rest, but the hotel where he had stayed was now… let's say, "slightly" destroyed—completely uninhabitable. Fortunately, he'd compensated the owner generously. An 8th Tier Alchemist didn't haggle over such trivialities.
Ye Lingyun, ever attentive, had already arranged new accommodations—a quiet, elegant courtyard, spotless and serene.
With a maid leading the way, Xiao Yixian helped Liu Xi inside, then dismissed the servant. She closed the door behind them and guided Liu Xi to a seat. Pouring him tea to ease the alcohol, she said softly, "Young Master, that Venerable Lei didn't seem like a good person. The way he came in so arrogantly—his tone was downright overbearing."
Liu Xi's cheeks were faintly flushed from the wine. His gaze lifted, falling on Xiao Yixian—her pure white dress, graceful curves, and bright eyes. His lips curved upward. Before she could react, he reached out, pulled her into his arms, and sat her down on his lap.
The warmth and softness pressed against him instantly, and he wrapped an arm around her slender waist, lowering his head to bury his face in the curve of her pale, delicate neck. Her faint fragrance mingled with the heat of his breath, making her skin blush with a rosy hue.
"Whether he's a good man or not means nothing to me," Liu Xi murmured against her skin. "As long as he can be of use, that's enough. Wind Lightning Pavilion has accumulated plenty of wealth... and with you by my side, why should I fear a mere early-stage Dou Zun?"
Held tightly in his embrace, Xiao Yixian couldn't move. Hearing his words, she laughed softly, her voice carrying a trace of sweetness.
Her face flushed red, a soft haze clouding her eyes as she held out a trembling cup of tea. "Mmm… Young Master, perhaps you should drink some tea to sober up first?"
Liu Xi looked up and saw the faint red mark on her neck where his lips had brushed. Smiling lazily, he said, "Alright then—feed me."
Her gaze flickered between him and the tea. Then, with a shy glance, she took a sip, leaned forward, and pressed her lips to his.
After a long, lingering moment, their lips parted.
Liu Xi smacked his lips and chuckled softly. "Your grapes were sweet… but you're even sweeter. I want another taste."
"Mm… Young Master, the bed is inside."
"No," he whispered with a grin. "Here is fine."
(End of Chapter)
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