Yun Yun and the elders turned their heads toward the middle-aged man who had spoken. His angular face bore the remnants of youthful handsomeness, while the marks of age added a mature and composed demeanor. Years of experience radiated from his calm and steady presence.
This was Gu He, a sixth-tier alchemist and one of the prominent elders of the Misty Cloud Sect.
Upon hearing Gu He's words, Yun Yun and the other elders furrowed their brows. In their focus on Xiao Hua's combat achievements, they had overlooked a more profound revelation—Xiao Hua was a tier-seven alchemist, a level that even Gu He himself struggled to reach.
While the news of Xiao Hua defeating two Dou Zong experts was already extraordinary, his status as a seventh-tier alchemist elevated the situation to unprecedented heights. Such a figure would be a game-changer for any faction he supported, guaranteeing not only a surge in strength but also an exponential rise in influence.
Yun Yun pondered for a moment before turning her gaze to Yun Leng. "Yun Leng, issue a warning to all disciples and elders—under no circumstances are they to provoke the Xiao Clan of Wu Tan City."
"Yes!" Yun Leng responded with a solemn expression, cupping his hands in respect. Regardless of their sect's influence and long-standing history, they could not afford to offend Xiao Hua or the Xiao Clan now.
'I must also arrange to send gifts to the Xiao Clan and establish a relationship with them,' Yun Leng thought to himself. 'There's no doubt the Imperial Family has already received this news, and they'll likely have the same idea!'
With that decision, the meeting was adjourned. The elders immediately set about preparing suitable gifts to send to the Xiao Clan, hoping to secure goodwill before it was too late.
Meanwhile, Yun Yun's thoughts drifted to her newly accepted disciple as the discussion about Xiao Hua lingered in her mind.
She considered whether she should share this information with her disciple, who had grown increasingly willful over time. Perhaps hearing about Xiao Hua's achievements would temper her rebellious spirit. Yet, after a moment of contemplation, Yun Yun shook her head and decided to remain silent.
'There's a high chance she wouldn't believe it and dismiss it as an exaggerated rumor,' Yun Yun mused. 'Or worse, it might ignite her competitive spirit only for her to face crushing defeat. Xiao Hua's talent is simply unfathomable—it would be like chasing a shadow, never within reach.'
Yun Yun let out a faint sigh, a wry smile playing on her lips. "That child from the Xiao Clan is truly monstrous. I'm beginning to regret not meeting him earlier. Perhaps Yanran could have gained a dependable senior brother…"
Little did she know, even if she had approached Xiao Hua earlier, he would have adamantly turned down her offer. The Misty Cloud Sect's future association with the Hall of Souls would make it impossible for him to trust them. He would have recognized the potential danger, knowing Yun Shan might sell him out to the Hall of Souls for the sake of his own ambition and strength.
Moreover, the promise between Nalan Jie, Nalan Yanran's grandfather, and Xiao Lin, Xiao Yan's grandfather, would undoubtedly place Xiao Hua in a difficult position in the future—especially when Nalan Yanran seeks to annul the agreement and dissolve the betrothal.
This was precisely the sort of entanglement Xiao Hua preferred to avoid, finding such matters far too troublesome to deal with.
'Should I inform Master...?' Yun Yun pondered, her thoughts drifting to Yun Shan, her master and the former sect leader of the Misty Cloud Sect. 'No, Master is in seclusion and will only emerge if it concerns the survival of the Misty Cloud Sect.'
"For now, I should focus on nurturing Yanran and set aside matters concerning Xiao Hua," Yun Yun murmured to herself. "From the reports, it seems Xiao Hua's retreat will take some time before he reappears."
While Yun Yun didn't know much about Xiao Hua personally, she understood that advancing to Dou Zong was no easy feat, even for someone as monstrously talented as him. It would likely take several years, even under the most favorable conditions.
However, she couldn't ignore the reality that the Jia Ma Empire would be abuzz with excitement when the news of Xiao Hua's emergence spread. And if rumors of his return to the Xiao Clan in Wu Tan City reached the public, chaos would undoubtedly ensue.
...
Jia Ma Sacred City, the capital of the Jia Ma Empire.
Nestled deep within the imperial city was an expansive back mountain, shrouded in an air of mystery.
A lone figure, cloaked in a black robe, darted into the dense bamboo forest, his footsteps echoing along the gravel path that snaked upward toward the mountain's summit.
Despite his labored breathing, the figure pressed on, urgency evident in his movements. At last, he reached the end of the winding path.
Before him lay a vast lake, its tranquil waters reflecting the clear sky above. Beside the lake stood a modest pavilion, its design simple yet elegant. Within the pavilion sat an elderly man with white hair. Clad in plain linen robes, he exuded an aura of calm. The old man leisurely sipped tea, seemingly unfazed by the hurried arrival of the cloaked figure.
"Shadow Guard, has something significant occurred for you to come rushing in such a manner?"
The linen-robed old man, seated calmly in the pavilion, spoke in a low, raspy voice. Though his tone was soft, it carried clearly to the black-robed figure standing just outside. He remained still, his demeanor unshaken by the intrusion.
Hearing the old man's question, the cloaked figure took a deep breath to steady himself. Kneeling on the ground, he clasped his hands in a gesture of respect and servitude before speaking in a measured tone.
"We have received a report that someone from Wu Tan City has ascended to the Dou Wang class."
The linen-robed elder made no immediate response, his gaze fixed on the rippling lake before him. Silence lingered in the air, the only sound being the soft rustling of bamboo leaves in the breeze.
He knew there was more to the report. A mere mention of a Dou Wang practitioner wouldn't warrant such urgency, nor would it cause the Shadow Guard to approach him in such a flustered state.
"The said Dou Wang is a young boy... merely five years old!"
"What!?"
The linen-robed old man's calm facade shattered momentarily as a ripple of shock flickered across his face. His eyes narrowed sharply, like pinpoints of ice piercing through the Shadow Guard. "Is this news true?"
"We have confirmed it," the Shadow Guard replied, his voice steady yet carrying a trace of unease. "However, that is not all we have discovered."
He hesitated, the weight of his next words palpable in the air. "The... the said Dou Wang has slain two elite Dou Zong experts."
As the last word left his lips, a suffocating pressure descended upon him. It felt as though the very air had turned to iron. His knees buckled, his body trembling as an overwhelming force pinned him to the ground.
The linen-robed old man's aura had erupted like a storm, laced with killing intent so cold it chilled the surrounding bamboo forest. His eyes blazed with fury as he spoke, his voice sharp and venomous.
"Shadow Guard... do you take me for a fool?"
The linen-robed old man was a peak Dou Huang expert, standing on the precipice of advancing to the Dou Zong class. He was well aware of the immense chasm that separated the two realms—a gap so vast that even the most talented practitioners often spent decades trying to bridge it.
It was precisely because of his understanding of this overwhelming disparity that the report seemed so absurd. For a Dou Wang to defeat not one but two elite Dou Zong experts? And to top it off, this so-called Dou Wang was a mere child of five years. The very notion was so preposterous that it felt like a direct affront to his intelligence.
"Who is this Dou Wang?" he growled, his eyes narrowing dangerously.
"Xiao… Xiao Hua… of Wu Tan City," the Shadow Guard stammered under the crushing weight of the linen-robed old man's oppressive aura. His voice trembled as he struggled to form coherent sentences. "Two years ago… he entered Jia Nan Academy… and it was there… that his unparalleled talent began to bloom!"
Despite the suffocating pressure bearing down on him, the Shadow Guard forced himself to continue, each word escaping his lips with immense difficulty.
"Furthermore… his strength and achievements… have been verified… by the major forces of the Black-Corner Region!"
The linen-robed old man's expression darkened further, his mind racing to process the staggering implications of the report.
Upon hearing the last sentence, the linen-robed old man narrowed his eyes, his expression darkening. Slowly, he withdrew the oppressive pressure he had been exerting on the Shadow Guard. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath, steadying his turbulent emotions and regaining his composure.
As an experienced Dou Huang expert, his mind quickly sharpened, dissecting the information he had just received. After a moment of deep thought, his eyes opened, and he spoke in a low, measured tone.
"You said the major forces within the Black-Corner Region are already aware of it. What could have happened to draw their attention?"
The Black-Corner Region was nothing like the Jia Ma Empire. It was a chaotic land teeming with experts, many of whom were equal to or stronger than himself. For Xiao Hua's name to have reached the ears of the region's dominant factions, something monumental must have occurred.
"According to the report…"
The Shadow Guard paused briefly before continuing, his voice steady but laden with the weight of the revelation. "He once came into possession of a tier-eight medicinal pill. This pill attracted the attention of the Old Ground Demon Ghost—the founder of the Demon Flame Valley and a renowned expert of his time. The two engaged in a life-and-death battle, resulting in the Old Ground Demon Ghost's demise."
The old man's gaze flickered, but the Shadow Guard pressed on.
"Not long after the Old Ground Demon Ghost's death, the Demon Flame Valley itself erupted in chaos. The entire valley exploded, triggering a catastrophic massacre throughout the Black-Corner Region.
"Subsequently, Demon Flame Valley was implicated in the deaths of countless students from Jia Nan Academy. In retaliation, the academy launched a full-scale war, culminating in the valley's complete destruction."
The linen-robed elder's brows furrowed deeply, his expression turning grave as he listened to the Shadow Guard's report.
"…While I am inclined to dismiss your claims as absurd, the lack of reaction from the major forces in the Black-Corner Region makes me suspect there is some truth to your words," he said, his tone heavy with doubt.
The Shadow Guard hesitated for a moment before speaking again, his voice quieter this time. "There is one more thing I must report, though I cannot verify its credibility…"
He glanced cautiously at the elder, observing his reaction. Seeing that the elder remained silent, he drew a deep breath and continued.
"It is said by members of the Xiao Clan that Xiao Hua is a tier-seven alchemist. However, this information was swiftly suppressed by the clan…"
The elder's eyes narrowed sharply. "…Who revealed this?"
"Xiao Yang and Xiao Tao, two of Xiao Hua's cousins. They are siblings and have been following Xiao Hua under the direct orders of the Xiao Clan Patriarch."
The elder abruptly rose to his feet, slamming the table with a force that echoed through the tranquil bamboo forest.
"Is this news true?!"
The Shadow Guard's gaze remained steady as he replied, "Regrettably, in Xiao Hua's absence, we cannot confirm the authenticity of this claim. However, based on the high-quality Dou Techniques, Qi Methods, and the steady supply of fourth-tier and fifth-tier medicinal pills he has provided, we estimate that the boy has likely achieved the level of a seventh-tier alchemist."
The linen-robed elder's frown deepened as he sank back into his chair, his mind racing. The gifts Xiao Hua had brought to the Xiao Clan weighed heavily in his thoughts. Despite his initial doubts, the pieces began to fit together, leaving him to reluctantly accept the report as truth.
'If that's the case, it's far more likely that Xiao Hua being a seventh-tier alchemist is closer to the truth. This is utterly absurd! No wonder the Shadow Guard rushed here in such a panic…!'
In the entirety of Jia Ma Empire's history, never once had a seventh-tier alchemist emerged. Even during the era of Yun Po Tian, the legendary founder of the Misty Cloud Sect, no records hinted at the presence of an alchemist of such caliber.
Currently, the most skilled alchemist in the Jia Ma Empire was Gu He, a mere sixth-tier alchemist. And even he had only reached such heights due to the relentless nurturing of the Misty Cloud Sect.
It would be a lie to say the linen-robed old man wasn't tempted to draw this extraordinary boy under their wings. A talent like Xiao Hua's was priceless. Yet, he knew he needed to tread carefully. One wrong move in dealing with someone like Xiao Hua could have catastrophic consequences.
'Should I propose a marriage alliance with the Xiao Clan?' he mused. Yet the thought brought hesitation. 'What if the boy isn't interested, and we're forced to marry into some insignificant members of the Xiao Clan? Such an outcome would be disastrous.'
As a member of the Imperial Family, their prestige and reputation were paramount. A misstep in handling this situation would tarnish their dignity, invite ridicule from the other major powers of the Jia Ma Empire, and undermine their authority.
'No, this matter can only be resolved after we meet the boy,' he thought with a heavy sigh. Yet, something about the situation gnawed at him.
"Wait a moment," the linen-robed elder murmured, raising his head. His eyes narrowed as he fixed his sharp gaze on the Shadow Guard.
"You mentioned that he is absent… What is he doing right now?"
The Shadow Guard hesitated briefly before answering, "He has entered a long retreat. According to one of his cousins, he will not emerge until he advances to the Dou Zong level…"
"Dou Zong!" The linen-robed old man exclaimed in shock, his voice laced with disbelief. His breathing grew uneven, his chest rising and falling as the weight of the revelation settled over him.
Such ambition from someone so young was nothing short of astonishing. While he had always known the boy possessed extraordinary talent and boundless potential, he never expected Xiao Hua to set his sights so high.
For a moment, the elder's thoughts swirled, a mixture of admiration and unease filling his heart. Yet, before long, he steadied his breath, regaining his usual composure. Letting out a melancholic sigh, he muttered softly, "That young boy's talent is truly enviable…"
If Xiao Hua were to hear those words, a complicated mix of emotions would undoubtedly surface within him. It wasn't humility or embarrassment that would affect him, but rather the deep understanding he had of himself.
The truth was that his current cultivation level was not the result of innate genius alone but largely due to the assistance of the mysterious System. Similarly, his mastery of alchemy had been painstakingly shaped by Lady Azure, who had guided him step by step with relentless discipline.
His path, however, was far from easy. Every breakthrough to a major realm came with a grueling trial—being struck by Heavenly Lightning. Each Heavenly Lightning brought a different kind of excruciating pain.
As for his alchemy training, Lady Azure's methods were nothing short of rigorous and unyielding. The harshness stemmed from a practical reality: there was no medicinal cauldron capable of withstanding the extreme heat of the Primordial Heavenly Flame he wielded. As a result, his training deviated significantly from that of conventional alchemists.
Quality, not tier, was Lady Azure's sole demand. To her, even the highest-tier medicinal pills were meaningless if their quality fell short of perfection. Xiao Hua's unique alchemy technique, though powerful, often risked producing unsatisfactory results. But stopping was never an option.
Through countless repetitions, grueling refinement sessions, and endless corrections, he eventually mastered the ability to produce high-quality pills—regardless of their tier.
If there was one thing Xiao Hua could truly take pride in, it was his unwavering perseverance. His indomitable spirit, forged through endless trials and hardships, remained unyielding. It was this relentless determination to overcome any obstacle that defined him more than anything else.
"This servant shall see it done!" The Shadow Guard bowed deeply, his voice resolute. Without delay, he descended the mountain to carry out the order.
Once the Shadow Guard disappeared from view, the linen-robed elder sat back down, his gaze falling upon the cup of tea before him. The once-steaming liquid had turned cold, mirroring the contemplative chill in his heart.
'While the young boy's talent is indeed monstrous, what intrigues me more is the teacher behind him,' he mused, his brows furrowing. 'Reaching the level of a tier-six—or even tier-seven—alchemist is impossible without the guidance of someone with profound alchemical knowledge.'
Although the linen-robed old man earnestly desired to bring Xiao Hua into the imperial family, his deeper ambition lay elsewhere. What he truly sought was the mysterious figure hiding behind Xiao Hua—the one responsible for molding him into such an extraordinary talent.
"To have nurtured Xiao Hua to such a level, that individual must be no ordinary person," he mused, his fingers tapping lightly against the cold surface of the teacup. "They must be a renowned expert or someone of exceptional skill."
'Regardless, uniting the Xiao Clan with our imperial family is imperative to safeguard our authority and prestige,' the linen-robed old man thought with a heavy sigh, his heart burdened by the weight of responsibility.
Lifting his gaze to the heavens, his thoughts drifted to his granddaughter, raised with the utmost care under the Imperial Family's teachings.
'I hope Ye'er will one day win Xiao Hua's heart… Time is no longer on my side.'
Beneath his composed exterior lay a gnawing worry—his lifespan was nearing its limit. Without a breakthrough to the Dou Zong class, his remaining years could be counted in mere centuries, a fleeting moment in the vast expanse of cultivation.
His anxiety deepened as he considered the potential threats both within and beyond the Jia Ma Empire. If his strength were to falter, rival forces would surely seize the opportunity to exploit the Imperial Family's weakened state.
This sense of urgency weighed heavily on the linen-robed old man is none other than Jia Xing Tian, a strong Dou Huang and the guardian of the Jia Ma Imperial Family.
'In the future, I must ask Xiao Hua to refine a Zong Breaking Pill for me. Furthermore, if possible, I want him to treat our Guardian Beast, the Serene Sea Scaly Beast!'
Jia Xing Tian's eyes gleamed with determination as his thoughts unfolded. He was well aware that once Xiao Hua emerged from his retreat, the young prodigy would likely return to his clan for a time. That moment would be perfect to request his aid in examining the Guardian Beast—a creature that had loyally served the Imperial Family in its youth, yet now bore the scars of countless battles fought in their name.
Taking a sip of the now-cold tea, Jia Xing Tian stood, his gaze turning toward the distant horizon. He began pacing slowly, his mind carefully analyzing the current situation.
He knew the news about Xiao Hua's extraordinary talents had already spread to the other major forces. The Xiao Clan would undoubtedly face a period of turmoil as the storm of interest and speculation grew. However, once Xiao Hua returned, it was certain that the entire Jia Ma Empire would be shaken. Countless factions and individuals would clamor to meet him, vying for his favor.
Clenching his fists tightly, Jia Xing Tian's expression hardened. "Under no circumstances will we, the Imperial Family, allow the Misty Cloud Sect to capture his interest or secure his support. If they succeed, their rise to power will be unstoppable—a future we cannot afford to let unfold!"
To Jia Xing Tian, anyone who threatened the authority of the Imperial Family—such as the ancient Misty Cloud Sect—was a potential adversary to be wary of. Deep in his heart, he fervently hoped that Xiao Hua would not become an enemy of the Jia Ma Imperial Family, for he feared they might lack the strength to stand against him.
Despite his concerns, Jia Xing Tian understood that this matter did not warrant excessive attention or vigilance. As much as he hated to admit it, the modest sky of the Jia Ma Empire was far too insignificant to capture the interest of someone like Xiao Hua.
A great bird like him was destined to soar in a much vaster sky, driven by his extraordinary talent and boundless ambition.
"It's frustrating to admit, though…" Jia Xing Tian smiled wryly and shook his head helplessly. He knew all too well that compared to the broader Dou Qi Continent, the North-Western Region was nothing more than a backwater region, unworthy of much consideration.