For more than two months, thunder rumbled continuously behind Yunlan Mountain, letting every Heavenly Alliance disciple witness firsthand just how "enduring" their Alliance Leader truly was. When the storm finally ceased, Liu Xi descended the mountain, looking somewhat weary. He yawned as he slowly stepped down the stone steps, the exhaustion between his brows making him seem almost mortal again.

Seeing him like this, Xiao Yixian, Qing Lin, and Yun Yun, who had been waiting below, felt their hearts ache. The three women hurried up the steps, surrounding him in a fragrant flurry of concern and soft voices.

"How did it come to this?"

"You haven’t rested properly for two whole months, even a Dou Saint would collapse like this..."

Liu Xi looked at the three beautiful faces before him — bright eyes, soft lips, worried expressions — all shimmering like delicate petals under the morning sun. Left and right, they leaned against him, and though his heart secretly rejoiced, his expression remained calm as ever.

"Qing Lin," he said, reaching into his Storage Ring and producing a small jade bottle, "this is a Bodhisattva Enhancement Pill. It’ll increase your chance of breaking through to the Half Saint realm by sixty percent. Find a good time to take it."

Qing Lin accepted the jade bottle silently, but her eyes rippled with emotion. She looked at him with affection as deep as spring water, the light in her gaze saying everything her lips did not.

Then, Liu Xi retrieved another handful of jade bottles and unceremoniously stuffed them into Yun Yun’s arms — so many that they filled her embrace entirely.

"Yun’er, these are for you. Keep the Bodhisattva Enhancement Pill for your Half Saint breakthrough. The rest are 8th Tier Pills — leave them in the Heavenly Alliance treasury and distribute them as rewards to the elders. Strengthen the overall foundation."

"Th-this many..."

Yun Yun lowered her head, staring at the pile of jade bottles. Her elegant composure shattered for a moment, leaving her dazed. Each of these pills was a priceless treasure. Any one could make a Dou Zun strong enough to risk their life for it — even a high-level Dou Zun would be tempted.

Thinking about everything Liu Xi had given them, Yun Yun’s chest felt heavy. Even if she sold her life, it would never be enough to repay this man’s kindness. All she could do was silently vow to follow him — for the rest of her life if needed.

Finally, Liu Xi turned toward Xiao Yixian. His eyes softened as they met her bright, intelligent gaze.

"Xian’er, come with me to Jia Ma Sacred City. I’ll deliver some pills to my teacher, and afterward, we’ll discuss the exchange of Heavenly Flame essence."

He paused slightly, then added with a small smile, "I’ll need a portion of your Ghostly Poison Flame’s origin to perfect my Soul Essence. Sharing flame origins will help you control your Ghostly Poison Flame better as well."

"Alright." Xiao Yixian nodded gently. Sharing her flame origin meant little to her — if Liu Xi asked, she’d hand over the entire Heavenly Flame without hesitation.

The four soon parted ways.

Qing Lin went into seclusion, eager to break through to the Half Saint realm. Though a 9-Turn Dou Zun was strong, it was no longer enough to keep pace with Liu Xi. Yun Yun returned to the Heavenly Alliance’s secret vault, storing the 8th Tier Pills away — though Liu Xi carried them casually, she couldn’t bring herself to treat such treasures lightly.

Liu Xi then left Yunlan Mountain, taking Xiao Yixian with him. With a single step, the space around them twisted, and in an instant, they arrived above Jia Ma Sacred City. To a Dou Saint capable of splitting mountains and breaking the sky, space was nothing more than a pliant veil — one that bent to his will.

Inside the residence of Master Xuan Hao, Liu Xi soon found his teacher. He handed over a jade bottle containing the Replenishing Origin Pill. Xuan Hao initially tried to refuse, but Liu Xi’s sincerity won out.

The Replenishing Origin Pill was gentle and harmonious in nature — it could restore vitality and strengthen one’s foundation regardless of age or cultivation. In theory, it allowed a cultivator’s aptitude to reach the threshold of a Dou Saint. Of course, the path of cultivation was never just about theory. Talent, Qi Method, resources, and perseverance — all four were indispensable.

Still, after taking the pill, Xuan Hao’s body began to glow with a soft white radiance. His withered frame straightened, his breathing grew steadier, and the faint shimmer of youthful vigor returned to his features. The medicinal energy surged through him like a roaring river, nourishing every meridian and cell. Soon, his body expelled dark mud and impurities — the mark of cleansing marrow and washing bones.

A full day and night later, Xuan Hao opened his eyes again. His aura had grown unstable yet vigorous, hovering just on the edge of a breakthrough. Though his cultivation only reached the Dou Huang level for now, the pill’s latent energy within him promised far greater growth to come.

Covered in grime and looking rather embarrassed, he chuckled awkwardly — prompting Liu Xi to quietly take his leave to spare his teacher the discomfort.

Before leaving, Xuan Hao smiled faintly and said, "My life has been extended, but I still hope to see a grand-disciple before it ends."

Liu Xi’s face twitched as he left with a forced grin, dragging along a blushing Xiao Yixian. One Replenishing Origin Pill still remained — reserved for his younger brother, Liu Cheng.

Moments later, space rippled again. Liu Xi appeared back home in the family’s training yard, where his brother was practicing Dou Techniques. After explaining the situation, the young man’s eyes widened with excitement. He thumped his chest, promising loudly not to disappoint his elder brother’s expectations.

After taking the pill, Liu Cheng’s body heated up, steaming with energy. His skin exuded filth and blood clots — another full cleansing. By the time a day had passed, his aura had stabilized at the 9-Star Da Dou Shi level — a solid step forward.

Seeing his progress, the young man stood tall, pride glowing on his face. He swore that one day others would call Liu Xi his brother, not the other way around.

Liu Xi patted his shoulder approvingly, though inwardly amused. ’If I were that easy to surpass, what would all those near-death struggles even mean?’

Once outside, Liu Xi’s expression shifted — the solemnity of an elder brother faded, replaced by a mischievous grin. In a swift motion, he scooped Xiao Yixian into his arms. The space around them twisted again, and in the blink of an eye, they vanished into his private chambers.

"Young Master," Xiao Yixian murmured softly, blushing as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "You’ve been busy nonstop these days. Even a Dou Saint body has its limits — you’ll wear yourself out."

Liu Xi’s tone was serious as he carried her inside. "Time is life. Wasting time is wasting life. I don’t have the luxury to rest."

His lips curled into a faint smile. "Let’s cultivate together — a deeper exchange, to refine the Heavenly Flame essence properly."

Xiao Yixian’s eyes widened slightly before a knowing warmth filled them. "So that’s what you meant by ’exchange of essence,’ Young Master... very well, but the Ghostly Poison Flame’s origin is intense — don’t... hold back too much."

That night, the room filled with radiance and warmth, flames of poison-green and azure intertwining. And thus, another Heavenly Flame essence was successfully fused — a joyous milestone indeed.

When it was over, Xiao Yixian lay against him, her cheeks faintly flushed, her aura stronger and purer than before. "Young Master," she whispered softly, "do you still need more?"

Liu Xi smiled faintly, eyes glowing like molten gold. "Yes. Again."

As the faint rhythm of flames pulsed around them, his Soul Essence surged quietly within — steady and patient, waiting for the day it would erupt like a storm and shake the heavens.

(End of Chapter)

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