Elder Ye Zhong froze for a moment, his aged face stiff with disbelief — only now did he truly realize that Liu Xi had already stepped into the Dou Zun Realm.
With Liu Xi's Spirit Realm soul deliberately concealing his aura, even an ordinary Dou Zun might not be able to sense his cultivation level. Yet Yao Tianhuo, having spent much time by Liu Xi's side, was keenly familiar with his past energy fluctuations — and thus immediately sensed that Liu Xi had ascended to the Dou Zun Realm.
Soon after, Xiao Yixian entered with a gentle smile. "Elder Yao," she greeted softly.
Yao Tianhuo turned toward her, only to be struck with surprise. His eyes widened before he gave a wry chuckle. "So even Miss Xiao has broken through to this stage... I thought my recent advancement to 6-Star Dou Zun was something to be proud of, but it seems I truly am getting old."
Xiao Yixian smiled faintly, saying nothing. In truth, she had already stabilized her 6-Star Dou Zun cultivation and was merely waiting for the right time to take the Zun Shi Pill to reach 7-Star Dou Zun.
Liu Xi and Xiao Yixian sat casually, while Ye Xinlan — face flushed with excitement — stepped forward, bowing respectfully to both Ye Zhong and Yao Tianhuo before moving closer to her grandfather. In a low voice, she relayed the news of the Soul Tempering Technique.
Upon hearing this, Ye Zhong's expression turned dazed. The Ye Clan's decline had left many of their inheritances incomplete, to the point that even producing a 7th Tier Alchemist was nearly impossible.
After a moment of silence, Ye Zhong rose solemnly to his feet. He did not ask to learn the Soul Tempering Technique for himself but instead bowed deeply, his tone grave and resolute. "Master Liu, when Xinlan matures and leads our clan to reclaim its former glory, the Ye Clan shall forever stand by your side, supporting you in seizing one of the three highest seats of power within the Pill Tower."
His words carried firm conviction. From Ye Xinlan, Ye Zhong could finally see the true hope of their clan's revival — all thanks to Liu Xi. This was more than just reclaiming an Elder seat; it was the rebirth of a legacy.
'It's a pity…' Ye Zhong sighed inwardly. He had once considered arranging a marriage between his granddaughter and Liu Xi, but a Dou Zun and 8th Tier Alchemist of such stature was far beyond what his granddaughter could ever bind. It was better to abandon that notion altogether.
As long as the Ye Clan remained loyal to Liu Xi, and Liu Xi genuinely cultivated Xinlan's talent until she became an 8th Tier Alchemist, the clan's resurgence was assured.
Liu Xi only smiled faintly, unconcerned with whether Ye Zhong's loyalty was absolute or partly pragmatic. At his current pace of growth, the Ye Clan would eventually understand whose shadow they should stand under to thrive.
"Elder Ye, there's no need to be so formal. Since your clan has chosen to follow me, naturally, I hope the Ye Clan will grow stronger — not merely survive under my protection."
He paused, glancing at Ye Xinlan. "From what Xinlan said, the internal test is coming soon, isn't it?"
Ye Zhong smiled, visibly relieved. Liu Xi's tone made it clear that he intended to genuinely nurture Xinlan and the clan.
"The time is indeed short, but with Master Liu's skills, victory is assured. As long as you participate, the test will be effortless. Everything is ready — we await only your word."
Liu Xi nodded lightly. "Then let's depart now. It's been two years since I last left Holy Pill City… I'm looking forward to it."
---
Outside the Ye Clan estate, nearly every clansman — young and old alike — had gathered to see them off. Their eyes blazed with fervent respect as they gazed at Liu Xi and the others.
The news had already spread throughout the clan: Liu Xi would personally represent the Ye Clan in the internal test, and more importantly, he had promised to protect them.
That meant their Elder seat in the Pill Tower was secure. But beyond that — with an 8th Tier Alchemist like Liu Xi as their guardian — the Ye Clan's revival was no longer a dream but a certainty.
This was no burden nor humiliation — it was an honor. If Liu Xi publicly sought followers now, countless factions across Central Plains would cross mountains and rivers to pledge allegiance to him.
Such was the influence of an 8th Tier Alchemist. No power would dare treat one as anything less than a supreme guest of honor.
Ye Zhong's face shone with confidence. Gone was the anxiety and hesitation from before — all that remained was faith in Liu Xi's ability.
With a wave of his sleeve, he turned toward the gathered clansmen.
"With Master Liu's aid, our Elder seat shall be preserved. Once we return, focus on your alchemy studies. None are to slack off."
"Yes!"
The crowd shouted in unison, their voices echoing across the courtyard.
Ye Zhong then looked at the two elders standing at the front.
"Second Elder, Third Elder — after I depart for Holy Pill City, the clan will be entrusted to you. This is a once-in-a-century opportunity for our family. Guard it well."
"Rest assured, First Elder. The Ye Clan will be in good hands," one elder replied solemnly, and the others nodded in agreement.
Though many of their past alliances had withered, the Ye Clan's reputation as one of the Five Great Families under the Pill Tower was still enough to deter opportunists.
After giving his final instructions, Ye Zhong turned to Liu Xi and said respectfully, "Master Liu, please follow me. The spatial wormhole is prepared — we can depart at any time."
"Let's go," Liu Xi replied simply.
---
Led by Ye Zhong and Ye Xinlan, Liu Xi, Xiao Yixian, and Yao Tianhuo made their way north of Ye City to a vast plaza.
In the Ye Clan's prime, their power rivaled even that of the Dan Clan and Cao Clan, and naturally, a clan of that caliber possessed its own spatial wormhole. Even now, though weakened, the Ye Clan still controlled the only operational wormhole in Ye City — no one dared challenge their authority.
After walking for several minutes, they arrived at a grand stone platform. At its center spun a vast, dark vortex — the Ye City wormhole. Its size was imposing, though the faint ripples of unstable spatial energy suggested it hadn't been maintained in years.
Ye Zhong gave a sheepish smile. "Since our decline, we haven't been able to afford a Dou Zun to maintain it. I'm afraid it's been neglected for some time."
Liu Xi clasped his hands behind his back and smiled. "No matter. As long as it functions, it's enough. After this trip, I'm sure the Ye Clan will soon stand tall once again."
Ye Zhong nodded, his tone confident. "If Master Liu says so, then I believe it. Let us depart."
With a turn of his wrist, Ye Zhong retrieved a small black space boat from his ring. The craft shimmered with dim light as it expanded in midair. Without hesitation, Ye Zhong stepped aboard and flew straight into the wormhole.
Liu Xi exchanged a brief glance with Xiao Yixian and Yao Tianhuo. The three followed closely behind, stepping into the swirling black light.
The space rippled — then, in an instant, all of them vanished into the wormhole's depths, leaving only calm winds and a slowly rotating halo of spatial energy behind.
(End of Chapter)
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