As the colossal beast emerged, its massive, lantern-like eyes—intimidating to behold—fixed upon Jia Xing Tian. It slowly opened its enormous maw, releasing a thunderous voice laced with irritation.
"Old Jia, why have you disturbed my slumber again so soon? I trust you have finally secured the aid of that exceptional alchemist you spoke of…"
Though its tone carried displeasure at being roused, a faint trace of hope lingered in its final words.
Jia Xing Tian nodded and replied, "Old fellow, I have successfully invited Master Xiao Hua. However, he wanted on assessing your injuries before proceeding with treatment."
His gaze shifted to Xiao Hua, and the Serene Sea Scaly Beast instinctively followed. As its immense eyes took in Xiao Hua's figure, a sudden shudder ran through its massive form.
"Brat!" it cried out in alarm. "The fire affinity within you is utterly terrifying—stay away from me!"
Jia Xing Tian and Yao Ye were stunned by the Serene Sea Scaly Beast's intense reaction. Bewilderment filled their eyes—Xiao Hua hadn't even begun the treatment, nor had the beast suffered any harm, yet it recoiled in sheer terror.
Their gazes turned to Xiao Hua, only to see a brilliant, royal-purple flame blazing fiercely in his palm. It radiated an ethereal aura, its starry glow exuding an unfathomable and mysterious presence.
Unlike Jia Xing Tian and Yao Ye, Xiao Hua and Zi Yan were unsurprised by the beast's fear. In fact, they had anticipated such a reaction—especially Zi Yan.
Despite her formidable strength and noble bloodline, Zi Yan felt an instinctive dread whenever Xiao Hua wielded his merged flames and lightnings. No matter which flames and lightning he unleashed, an overwhelming sense of suppression gripped her, making her terrified of it.
At this moment, Jia Xing Tian and Yao Ye finally understood. The Serene Sea Scaly Beast was a water-affinity Magical Beast, naturally attuned to detecting fire-attributed Dou Qi. A flame of such immense power was bound to evoke a primal fear, triggering its extreme reaction.
'However, an ordinary flame or even a Beast Flame shouldn't evoke such an extreme reaction. Could it be… a Heavenly Flame?' Jia Xing Tian's eyes flickered with shock. 'Does that mean someone as young as him has actually refined a Heavenly Flame?'
Although curiosity burned within him, calming the Serene Sea Scaly Beast took priority. He quickly stepped forward, positioning himself between Xiao Hua and the panicked beast.
"Ke ke, old fellow, there's no need to be alarmed. He is the alchemist treating you—of course, the fire-affinity aura within his body is extraordinarily strong. He merely wishes to assess your injuries. Just endure it for a little while."
Hearing Jia Xing Tian's words, the Serene Sea Scaly Beast quieted slightly, but wariness still clouded its massive eyes. Even at its peak, it wouldn't dare let Xiao Hua approach so easily. The fire aura emanating from him wasn't something an ordinary fire-affinity Dou Qi could compare to. If anything went wrong, it might very well lose its life on the spot!
"Hmph! For such a massive fellow, the only impressive thing about it is its size. Who knew it would be such a coward?" Zi Yan scoffed, looking at the Serene Sea Scaly Beast with disdain.
Xiao Hua, a faint smirk playing on his lips, casually brought the deep-purple flame in his palm closer to her. Zi Yan's body tensed instinctively, her expression stiffening for a brief moment.
The Serene Sea Scaly Beast, noticing her reaction, let out a low, gloating rumble. While it feared Xiao Hua, Zi Yan was nothing more than a tiny little creature in its eyes—hardly worthy of concern.
Yet, with a single furious glare from her, the Serene Sea Scaly Beast's smug expression instantly froze before vanishing altogether. Fear flickered in its eyes as it hastily averted its gaze. Strangely, an inexplicable pressure erupted from deep within its very soul—without the slightest warning.
The instant this pressure spread out, its massive body shuddered violently, as though an invisible force had abruptly weighed it down, forcing it to sink lower into the sea.
Under normal circumstances, a Magical Beast would only experience such oppression for two reasons. The first was an overwhelming disparity in strength between the two parties. The second... was bloodline suppression.
The first possibility was impossible. Though Zi Yan was strong, there was still a gap between her strength and that of the Serene Sea Scaly Beast. If so, then the only explanation left was the second—
The blood coursing through Zi Yan's veins possessed an innate, suppressive dominance over the Serene Sea Scaly Beast. It was an instinctual pressure, the kind that a superior existence exerted upon a lesser being, a force etched into the very fabric of bloodlines.
"This is... bloodline suppression?!" The Serene Sea Scaly Beast's pupils shrank as it fixated on Zi Yan. While the revelation that she was a Magical Beast was shocking enough, what truly left it horrified was the deep-rooted fear rising from within—an instinctual terror it could not control.
"Just what kind of existence is this little girl?" A long silence stretched before the Serene Sea Scaly Beast finally let out a deep, subdued growl. If one listened closely, there was a clear sense of submission hidden within its tone—an instinctive deference of the weak toward the strong.
The subtle change in the Serene Sea Scaly Beast's roar did not escape the keen perception of Jia Xing Tian and Yao Ye, who was well acquainted with the creature.
Though his expression remained composed, a storm raged within his heart. His gaze drifted toward Zi Yan, standing beside Xiao Hua, an incredulous feeling rising within him. The Serene Sea Scaly Beast was a rare and formidable Magical Beast—reaching the sixth rank was no easy feat. Yet, even a creature of such strength was visibly fearful of this little girl.
"Just what kind of existence is she?"
Zi Yan, on the other hand, merely lifted her chin in satisfaction upon seeing the Serene Sea Scaly Beast submit. She turned to Xiao Hua, wrinkled her nose mischievously, and snorted in a playful yet proud manner.
Xiao Hua shook his head with a helpless smile before withdrawing his deep-purple flames, allowing them to dissipate into nothingness. He reached out and ruffled Zi Yan's small head, amused. Originally, he had only meant to tease the little girl, never expecting that it would inflate her ego and prompt her to assert her dominance so brazenly.
However, this turn of events left him feeling slightly troubled. The Serene Sea Scaly Beast's instinctive fear of his Thousand Immortal Flame had disrupted his original plan—he had intended to use the flame's restorative properties to heal its injuries directly, without refining a medicinal pill.
His earlier inspection had confirmed that the beast's internal condition was far from ideal. Several old wounds lingered, stubbornly refusing to heal, while others had worsened over time, forming dark, festering blemishes within its body.
With the Thousand Immortal Flame, he could not only mend those lingering wounds but also grant the beast subtle benefits—fortifying its strength and purifying its bloodline.
However, now that he thought about it, even the Serene Sea Scaly Beast had feared Xiao Yan's Heavenly Flame in the novel. Expecting this old fellow to behave in the presence of his Thousand Immortal Flame—a fusion of one of the Heavenly Lightnings and a Primordial Heavenly Flame—was likely wishful thinking. After all, they are far surpassed all twenty-two Heavenly Flames in sheer destructiveness.
That aside, if its old wounds couldn't heal, it would be nearly impossible for the Serene Sea Scaly Beast to continue serving as the guardian of the Jia Ma Empire for long. Any further strain could aggravate its injuries, worsening its condition.
Fortunately, the Jia Ma Empire had enjoyed a period of peace in recent years, maintaining stability and sparing the beast from battle. Otherwise, if it were forced to fight once or twice more, its old wounds might reopen, putting its life at grave risk.
Xiao Hua informed the Serene Sea Scaly Beast and the two Imperial Family members of the results of his examination, detailing the injuries and old wounds within the beast's body.
Jia Xing Tian's expression turned dark and grim upon hearing the condition of the Serene Sea Scaly Beast. He had heard about its state from other alchemists and from Association Head Fa Ma but hearing it directly from Xiao Hua made him realize that it was even worse than he had thought.
Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to calm down, suppressing the storm of emotions surging in his heart. He then asked in a solemn tone, "Master Xiao Hua, can this old fellow be healed?"
Xiao Hua sighed and answered flatly, "I originally considered using my flame to treat you, as it possesses healing properties. However, that won't be possible if the Serene Sea Scaly Beast remain frightened of it…"
"I apologize for my cowardice, Young Master, but your flame is truly terrifying to me," the Serene Sea Scaly Beast admitted with a bitter smile. "Is there another method—one that does not require the use of your flame?"
The Serene Sea Scaly Beast no longer dared to act presumptuously after witnessing the familiar manner between Xiao Hua and Zi Yan. It had become noticeably more polite when speaking to him.
"There are alternative methods, but they require rare and difficult-to-obtain medicinal ingredients. If we rule out those that are too troublesome or take too long to take effect, the best option would be the Mixed Bone Molding Pill. Fortunately, Jia Lao has already prepared the necessary ingredients ever since he heard Elder Fa Ma's initial diagnosis."
"Indeed. We have already gathered the necessary medicinal ingredients ever since we received Fa Ma's diagnosis, so we can proceed with the method he suggested," Jia Xingtian nodded while stroking his beard.
Although the ingredients required to refine the Mixed Bone Molding Pill were far from ordinary, acquiring them posed no challenge for the imperial family's vast resources.
As for the pill's refinement success rate, Jia Xing Tian had no concerns. He had already received a letter from Yao Ye detailing Xiao Hua's extraordinary refinement technique.
"However," Xiao Hua spoke calmly, "the pill requires an alchemist to personally activate its medicinal properties to unleash its full effect."
"There's something like that?" Jia Xing Tian was slightly startled by this revelation, as Fa Ma had never mentioned it. However, he trusted Xiao Hua—someone of his strength and status had no reason to fabricate such a claim.
"The problem is…" Xiao Hua sighed helplessly, "this guy is too afraid of my flames and instinctively repels them."
The Serene Sea Scaly Beast visibly flinched before awkwardly averting its gaze, a hint of embarrassment flickering across its massive face.
'Didn't I specifically ask for a method that didn't involve using your flames? How did it suddenly come back to using them again?!'
It muttered begrudgingly in its heart, feeling slightly aggrieved. After a long silence, it finally let out a resigned sigh, as if accepting its fate, and said, "I'll be in your care…"
"I'll send someone to deliver the medicinal ingredients to Master Xiao Hua tomorrow. The Imperial Family has stockpiled a large number of medicinal ingredients ever since we received Fa Ma's report, so no matter how many are required, we can provide them without issue."
Jia Xing Tian and Yao Ye exchanged glances, sighing in relief as the Serene Sea Scaly Beast accepted the treatment. Despite their efforts to remain composed, the joy on their faces was unmistakable. After all, the Serene Sea Scaly Beast was the Imperial Family's most trusted guardian.
Ever since it sustained its injuries, they had been deeply concerned about their status and authority become lacking—especially since Jia Xing Tian's time was running out unless he successfully broke through to the Dou Zong class.
Moreover, Xiao Hua had agreed to refine a Zong Breaking Pill for Jia Xing Tian. If the Serene Sea Scaly Beast fully recovered and Jia Xing Tian advanced to Dou Zong, the Imperial Family's strength would soar once more. With such a prospect, their worries would naturally ease.
Xiao Hua and Zi Yan bid their farewells and left the mountain, intending to get some well-earned rest. Unfortunately, their plans were delayed due to Jia Xingtian's insistence that Xiao Hua attend the banquet the Imperial Family had prepared in his honor.
'No wonder that old man said he'd send the medicinal ingredients tomorrow instead of today…'
Resigned to his fate, Xiao Hua could only sigh and go along with it. He had never been fond of formal gatherings—these events had an uncanny ability to drain him of his mental energy every single time.
...
The night descended, and the banquet commenced as scheduled.
The Imperial Family had sent numerous invitations to the most influential factions in the Jia Ma Empire—those renowned for their strength and prestige. Among them were the empire's three most powerful clans: the Primer Clan, the Nalan Clan, and the Mu Clan.
Even the Jia Ma Empire's Alchemist Association had been invited, knowing full well that Fa Ma would not miss the opportunity to attend upon learning of Xiao Hua's presence.
At first, many were puzzled by the Imperial Family's sudden decision to host such a grand banquet. However, the moment they discovered that it was in honor of Xiao Hua's arrival, they accepted the invitation without the slightest hesitation.
With both the Imperial Family's summons and Xiao Hua's attendance, it was only natural that the three clan heads and the Alchemist Association's leader would make an appearance as well.
The moment Xiao Hua and Zi Yan stepped into the grand banquet hall, led by Yao Ye, all eyes immediately turned toward him.
Yao Ye was adorned in an elegant, formal gown, her regal presence accentuated by a delicate touch of rouge on her lips. The contrast made her even more enchanting, yet she retained the noble grace and dignified aura befitting a princess.
"Master Xiao Hua, you have finally arrived!"
Jia Xing Tian approached with a bright, cheerful smile, his demeanor respectful and courteous. He took great care to ensure that Xiao Hua was pleased with the banquet.
Naturally, with Jia Xing Tian's voice resounding throughout the grand banquet hall, everyone instantly recognized the young man who had become the talk of the entire Jia Ma Empire.
A fifteen-year-old young man who is a Dou Zong expert and an eighth-tier alchemist!
Such achievements were unprecedented. Even the most knowledgeable elders doubted that such brilliance would ever appear again in the empire's history.
The young ladies in the banquet hall, however, paid little attention to Xiao Hua's achievements. Instead, they were utterly captivated by his unparalleled presence and striking features—his chiselled, handsome face and, most notably, his mesmerizing heterochromatic eyes—one a deep, fiery crimson, the other a serene, glacial cyan, each holding an unfathomable depth.
His tall and straight posture exuded an imposing aura, drawing all eyes to him. The sharpness of his gaze was almost hypnotic, carrying an intensity that made hearts race. Many young ladies found themselves unable to meet his eyes for long, their cheeks tinged with an involuntary blush when his gaze lingered on them.
Having lived in Jia Ma Sacred City, they were certain that no young man could rival Xiao Hua's handsome appearance. Some even attempted to compare him to Liu Ling, only to shake their heads in defeat—there was simply no comparison.
"Nalan Su of the Nalan Clan, Mu Chen of the Mu Clan, and Primer Tengshan of the Primer Clan have all attended… He even invited Fa Ma to this banquet…"
Xiao Hua murmured softly under his breath, his gaze indifferent. He understood that Jia Xing Tian had orchestrated this gathering not just as a gesture of goodwill, but to subtly showcase the Imperial Family's close ties with him.
'Whatever… it's not my concern.'
His eyes shifted, soon landing on two familiar figures standing side by side. Both were stunning in their own right—one exuded a cold, mesmerizing aura, while the other possessed an enchanting smile and an exquisitely alluring figure.
As their eyes met Xiao Hua's gaze, one gave a slight nod of acknowledgment, while the other smiled enchantingly—like a sly fox radiating an irresistible charm that could effortlessly captivate the hearts of men.
Xiao Hua smiled wryly. His gaze swept over the surrounding men, noting how their movements became slightly stiff, their expressions awkward as they let out embarrassed coughs after witnessing Ya Fei's enchanting smile.
'Truly… Sister Ya Fei could drive any man mad with just a single smile.'
He had intended to speak with her, but, unfortunately, his presence was still required among those of high status. Suppressing his disappointment, he turned his attention back to Jia Xing Tian and continued their conversation.
As they spoke, Primer Tengshan approached them, followed closely by Nalan Su and Mu Chen.
Primer Tengshan cupped his hands and greeted with a courteous smile, "Young Master Xiao Hua, I never expected to meet you again after our parting at Wu Tan City."
"Fate truly is mysterious, Elder Tengshan," Xiao Hua replied with a smile, his eyes drifting behind him to where Nalan Su and Mu Chen stood, waiting to be introduced.
Primer Tengshan nodded and then glanced at Zi Yan, who was holding Xiao Hua's hand and looking a bit bored. "It seems you have brought Young Lady Zi Yan with you."
"She only wanted to experience the atmosphere of the banquet. Otherwise, she'd likely be bored out of her mind and wander off somewhere," Xiao Hua answered with a wry smile.
"By the way, Young Master Xiao Hua, there are two people I would like to introduce you to." Primer Tengshan gestured to the two individuals standing patiently behind him.
"They are the heads of two of the three great clans of the Imperial City. This muscular man, marked with scars, is Mu Chen, the head of the Mu Clan. And the other one is…"
As Primer Tengshan finished introducing Mu Chen, he hesitated for a moment before turning to Nalan Su. He knew that the issue between Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yan was not Xiao Hua's concern since he had long declared his neutrality. But introducing Nalan Su to Xiao Hua still felt somewhat awkward.
"Greetings, Master Xiao Hua. I am Nalan Su, the head of the Nalan Clan. Regarding the matter involving my daughter and the Third Young Master, I must offer my sincerest apologies for her reckless behavior. We are prepared to take full responsibility and make amends with the Xiao Clan."
Nalan Su, aware of Primer Tengshan's hesitation, chose to introduce himself first, making the situation less awkward. He also took the opportunity to immediately address the sensitive matter of the annulment. Speaking softly and slightly louder than a whisper, he ensured that only the people present could hear.
"Haha, Clan Head Nalan, you may rest assured. The matter has long been settled, and the repercussions have already been paid by the Misty Cloud Sect. Neither I nor the Xiao Clan hold any grievances against the Nalan Clan."
Xiao Hua shook his head lightly, his tone calm and reassuring. He made it clear that he harbored no ill will and subtly eased Nalan Su's concerns about any potential retaliation from the Xiao Clan.
Meanwhile, Nalan Yanran, who stood beside Ya Fei, watched the exchange with a heavy heart, guilt clouding her expression.
Although she couldn't hear their conversation, she knew without a doubt that her father was offering an apology to Xiao Hua. Yet, she wasn't too worried—she was certain that Xiao Hua wouldn't embarrass her father, as he had never been the type to take offense over such matters.
However, she also understood why her father was so eager to seek Xiao Hua's goodwill. It was the same reason she had hurried down from Misty Cloud Mountain the moment she received her father's message about this banquet.
Her grandfather, Nalan Jie, had engaged in battle with the Searing Iron Poison Weed—an incomparably venomous rank five Magical Beast. Though he had ultimately slain it, he had been poisoned in the process.
The venom inflicted upon him was none other than the dreaded 'Searing Poison'—a toxin so fearsome that it struck terror in the hearts of even Dou Huang experts. Historical records spoke of the Searing Iron Poison Weed slaying even rank six Magical Beasts with its venomous might.
With Nalan Jie's advanced age, the backlash of the poison had become increasingly severe. Worse still, due to her own reckless actions, he had flown into a fit of rage, triggering a violent eruption of the poison within his body. As a result, his condition had deteriorated far beyond what anyone had anticipated.
Gu He had diagnosed Nalan Jie's condition, but in the end, he could only leave the Nalan Clan disappointed. However, before his departure, he had spoken of a method that could potentially cure Nalan Jie.
With precise and exceptional control over flame, one could insert fire into Nalan Jie's body and use its high temperature to expel the Searing Poison. However, there was one crucial prerequisite—
"The flame must be a Heavenly Flame…"
Nalan Yanran sighed inwardly, her gaze darkening as she looked at Xiao Hua. She recalled that Gu He had mentioned the possibility of Xiao Hua possessing such a flame, which was why she had been so eager to meet him.
Had it been anyone else, she might have doubted it. But coming from Gu He, a renowned alchemist, she had no reason to disbelieve it.
Yet, she had never expected that the one person who possessed a Heavenly Flame… would be someone deeply tied to the Xiao Clan, a clan that she have cause trouble with due to her reckless behavior...
Feeling her mood dampen and unable to enjoy the banquet, Nalan Yanran quietly left the hall.
Ya Fei watched her departing figure—her posture heavy with gloom and dejection—before retracting her gaze and shaking her head. Perhaps it was best to leave her alone for now.
However, her attention soon shifted to Xiao Hua, her eyes lingering on him as she pondered whether she should ask for his assistance regarding the Nalan Clan's predicament.
Meanwhile, Nalan Yanran, now in a somber mood, found a secluded spot outside the banquet hall. Sitting down with a cup of wine in hand, she allowed herself a moment of solitude, avoiding the noble ladies inside who were eagerly discussing ways to get closer to Xiao Hua.
"How could I possibly ask for Master Xiao Hua's help after everything I've done…?"
Lost in a whirlwind of thoughts and weighed down by her emotions, she failed to notice two figures quietly approaching her.
"Young Miss Nalan, is something troubling you?"