Cao Ying, Dan Chen, and Song Qing all wore solemn expressions. As alchemists of the Pill Tower, if the Hall of Souls' alchemists were to seize the championship of the Pill Gathering, it would be a humiliation beyond bearing.
"Teacher/Elder Xuan, we will not fail your expectations!"
Having benefited from Xuan Kongzi's favor, Liu Xi naturally stood on the Pill Tower's side. After the other three voiced their determination, he too nodded solemnly. "Elder Xuan, rest assured. The Hall of Souls' sches will not succeed."
Seeing this, Xuan Kongzi stroked his beard with a smile. "Good. Then I am relieved."
He stepped behind a desk, rummaging among several scrolls before picking out a few and tossing them lightly toward Liu Xi.
Liu Xi's face brightened. Lifting his palm, he wrapped the scrolls in Dou Qi and drew them into his hand. They were pristine and freshly written. "Elder Xuan, are these…?"
Xuan Kongzi chuckled softly. Indeed, these scrolls were sothing he had just penned on a whim after witnessing Liu Xi's astonishing talent—a gesture both of goodwill and intention to draw him closer.
Liu Xi wasn't a mber of the Pill Tower. He had never studied under its tutelage—he was a true free alchemist. The Pill Tower might be revered as the sacred land of alchemists, but not all alchemists swore allegiance to it. Otherwise, the Hall of Souls wouldn't have had the opportunity to plot this current conspiracy.
To retain a prodigy, one had to offer sothing tangible. In this world, few still worked for ideals alone.
Xuan Kongzi, an old fox who understood human nature thoroughly, of course knew this. These scrolls were prepared precisely for Liu Xi.
"That's right," he said with a smile. "These contain insights into several Soul Techniques, as well as my personal comprehension of 8th Tier alchemy—perfect for soone at your current stage."
Liu Xi turned his palm over and stored the scrolls in his ring, imdiately noticing that they had been written only recently. His impression of Xuan Kongzi improved further.
"Elder Xuan, you are thoughtful indeed. I will rember this kindness."
Xuan Kongzi simply smiled without replying. He knew Liu Xi had already seen through his intentions. Such exchanges between alchemists were nothing unusual—mutual benefit was the way of the world. There was no need to speak of it openly.
Suddenly, Xuan Kongzi drew sothing from his ring—a small object resting in his palm. It was a badge engraved with the image of a towering spire. Upon its surface shimred eight purple-gold stars, glowing with dazzling brilliance.
"This is—?!" Cao Ying gasped in shock.
Dan Chen and Song Qing, too, could not hide the flicker of longing in their eyes.
Xuan Kongzi's fingers gently caressed the badge as he smiled. "The 8th Tier Alchemist Badge. Even within the Pill Tower, only a handful have ever been issued. From this day forth, it belongs to you."
He extended his withered hand solemnly, offering the badge to Liu Xi.
Every 8th Tier Alchemist Badge represented imnse prestige and influence within the Pill Tower—a symbol of honor and authority. Yet now, Xuan Kongzi was personally handing one to Liu Xi, bypassing all formal assessnts.
Liu Xi did not take it imdiately. Instead, he looked directly into Xuan Kongzi's deep and gentle eyes, as if trying to discern his true intent.
'What's this about?' he wondered. 'Trying to elevate only to make a target for the Hall of Souls? Or perhaps giving others—Cao Ying, Dan Chen, Song Qing—a goal to chase?'
"Elder Xuan," Liu Xi said doubtfully, "what does this an? I haven't even taken the 8th Tier examination. How could you give such a badge?"
Xuan Kongzi laughed heartily but did not withdraw his hand. "There's no need to worry, young friend. The Pill Tower issues badges to alchemists based on ability. Since I have personally confird that your alchemy has reached the 8th Tier, you naturally qualify for this badge."
"This is both an honor and a responsibility. An 8th Tier Alchemist stands at the pinnacle of the craft. But while you enjoy the respect of countless alchemists, you also bear the duty to protect them—to guard against the evil forces of the Hall of Souls who would prey upon us."
'So that's it,' Liu Xi thought. 'He wants to ensure I won't side with the Hall of Souls. Losing to them would strengthen their power while weakening the Pill Tower.'
He understood perfectly. A genius like himself would always attract kindness for a reason—even from one of the Pill Tower's Giants.
"In that case," Liu Xi said, accepting the badge, "I shall not refuse. The Hall of Souls—cold, sinister, and murderous—I despise them deeply. If I ever get the chance, I'll repay last night's ambush in full."
As he felt the heavy weight of the badge in his hand, his fingers brushed across its fine engravings. A deep light flickered in his eyes.
Moreover, he rembered sothing else—Mu Gu still possessed a fragnt of the Void Devouring Fla. And the thought of that Heavenly Fla's true body sent a shiver of anticipation through him.
'The Void Devouring Fla… the true one is a 9-Star Dou Saint. If I could ever devour it, how far could I go? Heaven Realm Soul? Emperor Realm Soul? It would be a leap straight into the heavens!'
He coughed lightly, shaking off the fantasy. 'Alright, maybe I'm getting ahead of myself. A 9-Star Dou Saint… with my current Spirit Realm strength, I'd be crushed before I could even blink. One step at a ti—bite off more than you can chew, and you'll choke.'
Xuan Kongzi withdrew his hand, clasping both behind his back, eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "That will do. You may all return. The Pill Gathering begins in less than seven days. Prepare yourselves well—I'll be watching."
"Yes!"
As the four youths departed, the warmth in Xuan Kongzi's gaze slowly faded, replaced by a chilling sharpness. With a flick of his sleeve, he turned and walked toward the depths of the hall, murmuring to himself, "Hmph. Hall of Souls… a pack of fools. If they intend to strike during the Pill Gathering, they will co with full force. Song Qing, Dan Chen, Cao Ying… Liu Xi—don't let down. The championship and the Three Thousand Burning Fla must not fall into their hands."
---
Having obtained Xuan Kongzi's notes on Soul Techniques and 8th Tier alchemy, Liu Xi's steps were brisk, his excitent barely contained. He couldn't wait to return and begin his comprehension.
Suddenly, a familiar, seductive voice called from behind. He didn't need to turn to know who it was—Cao Ying, of course.
"Master Liu, didn't we agree to exchange insights when you had ti? Today you've received the 8th Tier Alchemist Badge—I haven't even had the chance to congratulate you yet."
Liu Xi paused and turned. Cao Ying and Dan Chen approached gracefully, Song Qing trailing behind them.
"I've just obtained Elder Xuan's insights into 8th Tier alchemy," Liu Xi replied with a smile. "Naturally, I wish to study them while the understanding is fresh. Unlike you, who grew up learning from 8th Tier ntors, this is precious to . We'll talk another ti—excuse ."
With that, he cupped his hands politely, turned, and strode away, his robe fluttering without hesitation.
"Master Liu truly is diligent," Cao Ying said softly, watching his departing figure. "No wonder he could reach the 8th Tier without a master's guidance."
Song Qing quietly sneered, jealousy burning beneath his calm exterior. 'Why should all the praise go to him? It should be standing at the peak, receiving everyone's admiration. An 8th Tier Alchemist? Hmph… if he can reach it, so can I!'
(End of Chapter)
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