Agony—beyond words—exploded through every inch of Valley Master Luo's body. It was as though her flesh were being flayed and her bones ground to powder.
'That little brat… still as ruthless as ever…'
That was the only thought left in her mind. The endless tide of pain filled her consciousness, so overwhelming that even her Half Saint physique could not ignore it.
The azure flame entwined with the scalding, magma-like medicinal liquid, each intensifying the other until their destructive might filled every corner of her body.
The flame coursed through her meridians like countless razors, scraping away every trace of the cold poison that had sunk deep into her marrow, driving it inch by inch toward expulsion.
Yet wherever the fiery medicinal essence passed, her torn and frozen flesh—ravaged for nearly twenty years—was slowly restored, rejuvenated with life anew.
In that torment that blurred the line between life and death, every second stretched endlessly. Time itself seemed to freeze, and even her mind began to go numb.
It was impossible to tell how long had passed when, suddenly, the agony of flaying and bone-scraping began to fade. The once-blazing azure flame cooled, no longer scorching—its warmth became gentle, almost tender.
Valley Master Luo's numbed consciousness slowly resurfaced. Every sense returned with startling clarity, and for the first time, confusion flickered in her heart.
'This merciless little man actually has such a gentle side?'
The flame—still mingled with the medicinal essence—now coursed gently through her body. No longer searing, it felt like sunlight spreading from within, soothing every wound left by decades of torment.
That warmth, from inside out, made her feel truly alive again.
When at last the power of the bath was spent, Liu Xi guided the azure flame to withdraw, taking with it the last traces of the extracted cold poison.
Beneath the water, Valley Master Luo's eyes opened. A strange hint of melancholy touched her gaze. After suffering from the cold poison for nearly twenty years, she had never realized how precious warmth could feel.
With a flick of her lithe body, she surged upward like a mermaid, breaking the surface in a flash and darting back behind the curtain to the blazing jade bed.
Liu Xi, still holding the sealed flame that contained the cold poison, had yet to react when the rustle of fabric came from behind the curtain.
Knowing all too well that a woman's heart was as unfathomable as the sea, he immediately put away the flame and stood. "Valley Master Luo, the cold poison has been completely purged. I'll be taking my leave."
Without hesitation, he turned on his heel to go, wasting not a single breath.
"Wait."
At that word, his steps froze. His heart tightened, body tensing instinctively. 'Not good. Don't tell me she means to silence me after this?'
Without looking back, he forced a calm tone. "Does Valley Master Luo have further instructions?"
There was no immediate response. The silence that followed felt heavy—almost suffocating.
Liu Xi frowned slightly. 'What's she thinking? She was reasonable before… now she's keeping me here?'
Behind the curtain, Valley Master Luo was already dressed once more. Her long black hair cascaded down her back, and her brows were furrowed in faint embarrassment. Shame colored her eyes as her earlier thoughts returned—thoughts far too awkward to voice aloud.
She had wanted to ask if Liu Xi could continue nurturing her with that strange flame—the warmth it brought was… intoxicating.
But she only gave a wry smile, pushing those thoughts away. The cold poison was gone, her body fully restored. For the first time in decades, she felt truly well—radiantly, impossibly well.
Sensing Liu Xi's tension, a playful curve appeared at the corner of her lips. "Master Liu, you need not be so nervous. I'm not the kind to mistake kindness for offense. I owe you my life—why would I harm you?"
Her voice softened. "If you ever face trouble in the future, you may come to Sound Valley. I will lend my aid without hesitation."
Liu Xi relaxed, surprise flashing across his eyes. 'So she really is the kind to repay even the smallest favor with sincerity.'
'Though truth be told, there are few powers left on this continent bold enough to oppose an 8th Tier Alchemist anyway…'
He chuckled. "Then I'll remember that. A peach returned for a plum—should Valley Master ever require high-tier pills, feel free to find me. Farewell."
With that, he strode toward the exit, unhurried yet decisive.
Behind the curtain, Valley Master Luo watched his retreating figure and let out a quiet sigh. "Ah… how embarrassing…"
Outside the hall, Luo Yinzhu and several elders of Sound Valley rushed forward, surrounding Liu Xi with warm greetings.
He exchanged a few polite words, then quickly excused himself, slipping away from the crowd. His steps were swift—impatient even—as he returned to the Tideborn Pavilion where he was staying.
Inside his room, a red cauldron appeared with a thud, shaking the floor as fiery energy surged to life within the space.
Liu Xi raised his hand, and an azure flame flared to life. Within it, a wisp of sealed, bone-white cold energy twisted violently.
His gaze sharpened. "The key to breaking through Dou Zun lies with you…"
With a flick of his wrist, he sent the flame flying into the Ten Thousand Beast Cauldron. Instantly, the azure fire roared to life, filling the cauldron with blazing heat.
The imprisoned cold energy resisted fiercely, erupting with waves of frost that clashed violently with the flames. The cauldron trembled under the collision.
Liu Xi's eyes were calm. Spiritual Power poured from his brow, flooding into the cauldron as he pressed down on the raging energies.
Hours passed.
Thirteen hours later, the Heavenly Flame's scorching temperature finally devoured and refined the last wisp of cold energy, leaving behind only a mass of pure, boundless Dou Qi.
A satisfied smile tugged at Liu Xi's lips. Raising his hand, he summoned the milky-white liquid, wrapped in azure fire, from the cauldron.
"It's done. The Dou Zun realm… is within reach. Should I attempt the breakthrough here in Sound Valley—or wait until I leave?"
The flame-carried liquid flowed into his body, sliding through his meridians and converging within his dantian.
Inside the empty core of his dantian, the twin azure flames merged into a massive lotus. Within that lotus, the two pools of milky-white energy fused together—
And at that instant, a violent burst of power erupted, shaking the lotus from within.
Liu Xi froze. "Not good… their fusion's too strong! The flame can barely contain it!"
His expression darkened. He gritted his teeth, swallowing a restorative pill and forcing his Dou Qi to recover.
'Once my state is fully restored,' he resolved, 'I'll begin my breakthrough to Dou Zun.'
(End of Chapter)
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