The blue smoke rising from the gilded incense burner dispersed in the morning light.
Liu Ling's knuckles turned white around his teacup.
He looked at the loosely robed youth seated in the place of honor.
That Sixth-grade Alchemist badge was casually pinned at his waist.
As he lifted his tea, it reflected a dizzying violet glow.
A profound sense of powerlessness and shock lingered in his heart:
So young.
Is this what a true genius looks like?
I used to think highly of myself.
But upon seeing a true genius, I finally realized...
I am merely a mayfly gazing at the heavens, a speck of dust.
Even Teacher likely cannot compare to a hundredth or thousandth of his talent.
Beside Liu Ling sat the willful little princess of the Jia Ma Imperial Family.
Yet at this moment, she sat obediently in her chair like a well-behaved child.
She did not dare make the slightest improper move:
He looks two years younger than me.
Yao Yue clenched the sachet hidden in her sleeve, scattering jasmine powder over her pomegranate-red skirt.
The little princess secretly traced the youth's profile from the corner of her eye.
Only to discover that at this moment:
The bored Xiao Yan had blue flames curled around his fingers.
He was carving an ice-crystal cup:
Turning Dou Qi into flame so effortlessly...
Teacher said the realm of a fire-controlling grandmaster truly existed!
As Ya Fei bent down to pour tea, her gilded earrings brushed Xiao Yan's hand.
She deliberately let her ice silkworm-silk shawl slip to the crook of her arm, revealing shoulders as smooth as congealed cream:
"Master, would you like to try the newly offered snow lotus pastries?"
As her slender fingers picked up a jade dish, her little finger "inadvertently" brushed across the youth's palm.
Yet Xiao Yan paid it no mind, smiling as he picked up a pastry.
Still smiling, he fed it to Little Doctor beside him.
Liu Ling suddenly set down his teacup and stared at Xiao Yan with a complicated expression.
As Pill King Gu He's most prized disciple, he now curled up in the corner like an apprentice.
When he saw Xiao Yan casually use Heavenly Flames to carve a phoenix emblem onto a teacup.
He finally could not help but sigh:
"Even Teacher cannot achieve this level of fire control!"
"Is this what a genius is? I, Liu Ling, admit that I am inferior!"
While everyone in the hall quietly and harmoniously enjoyed their tea.
The begonia blossoms beyond the corridor suddenly trembled.
Nalan Su had just raised his wine cup when he heard the guard outside announce in a changed voice:
"Young Master Mu Zhan has arrived!"
Yao Yue abruptly grabbed Liu Ling's sleeve, excitement gleaming in her almond-shaped eyes:
"Something's about to happen!"
"I nearly forgot—the Alchemist Convention was being held early this time."
"Mu Zhan, who was stationed at the border, seemed to be returning to the Imperial Capital as well."
She pointed at Ya Fei, who was peeling grapes for Xiao Yan:
"That madman can't stand seeing a beauty serve someone else."
The little princess spoke rapidly, only to realize that even her voice was trembling.
Not from fear, but from the anticipation of witnessing a crushing defeat!
This was going to be quite a show!
Liu Ling's lips twitched as well:
Under normal circumstances, it was one thing for that fellow to bully others as he pleased.
But if he dared make a move against Master Xiao here!
Even if the master was merciful and did not kill him in one move.
The figures from the other major powers would still make his life a living hell!
If Mu Zhan truly dared to act, Liu Ling could only say:
He must have eaten too many red beans and become lovesick, huh!?
Wait, Master Xiao was so young.
What if Mu Zhan failed to recognize him? Wouldn't that be disastrous?
No, no—Master Xiao had a Sixth-grade Alchemist badge hanging prominently on his chest.
How could Mu Zhan possibly fail to recognize him?
But if he was truly stupid enough to reach that point, then he was beyond saving!
Mu Zhan's heavy footsteps made the Glazed Lamps sway.
The scar-covered young man had barely crossed the threshold.
When his gaze stuck to Ya Fei's fair, delicate neck:
"Long time no see, Miss Ya Fei. Your face has only grown more beautiful."
He licked his lips:
"As expected of the wife Mu Zhan has chosen!"
"Why don't you come back to my residence with me? We can catch up slowly."
Mu Zhan had barely finished speaking excitedly when he saw the scene before him:
The woman he loved was actually serving a youth so humbly.
The rage in his heart instantly flared up!
Upon hearing Mu Zhan's voice, Ya Fei immediately frowned.
Her disgust was plain to see.
But before she could speak, Mu Zhan bellowed:
"Hey, you pretty boy!"
"Who the hell gave you the guts to make my woman serve you? Huh!"
"Don't you have hands of your own? Get the hell out of here!"
"Today, I'm going to teach you a proper lesson!"
His voice exploded throughout the hall, plunging the once lively and harmonious atmosphere into dead silence.
Everyone was stunned! Completely stunned!
Waves of shock surged through their hearts, leaving them with only two thoughts:
First, how did Mu Zhan dare?
Second, he was dead today!
Yao Yue's face was full of excitement.
While Liu Ling was utterly dumbfounded:
No, brother?
Could someone really be this stupid!?
Boom!
The instant Blood Fiend Dou Qi erupted, Mu Zhan shot forward!
Ya Fei instinctively shrank toward Xiao Yan's side.
Yet she saw him merely flick his fingertips carelessly.
A blue Fire Lotus bloomed above Mu Zhan's head, and blood blossoms burst from all thirty-six of his acupoints at once.
"Kneel."
The two airy words carried Dou Wang Pressure.
Bang!
Crack, crack!
Mu Zhan's knees smashed the granite floor into a web of cracks.
His bones shattered inch by inch!
"Arghhh!"
His savage expression froze on his face.
The Dou Qi within his body was being incinerated inch by inch by the Heavenly Flames along his meridians!
Bang!
The sharp sound of a wooden door shattering came with a cry from outside!
"Senior, please show mercy!"
When Mu Chen smashed through the doors and rolled inside, the box in his arms fell to the floor.
He hurriedly knelt to pick it up. This powerful expert.
Was now trembling like a leaf:
"This is the Thousand-Year Earth Core Milk treasured by the Mu family. I beg Master to spare my son's life!"
Xiao Yan crooked a finger, and the jade box flew into his hand.
His voice was casual:
"A person must know their place, or calamity will easily find them."
"If there is a next time."
"Die!"
Mu Chen hurriedly clasped his hands and bowed in thanks:
"Thank you, Master, for sparing his life!"
"Thank you, Master!"
Xiao Yan casually waved a hand:
Mu Chen hurried forward, dragging away the unconscious Mu Zhan, who looked like a dead dog.
He hastily left the Nalan Family.
Although Xiao Yan had dismissed the matter with a few words.
The major powers within Jia Ma Holy City would not see it that way.
Everyone present was a person of standing, and they had now witnessed this scene.
The Mu family would likely have a hard time surviving in Jia Ma Sacred City from now on!
Just as the atmosphere in the hall fell silent.
An aged, feeble voice entered the hall:
"This old man, Nalan Jie, greets Master Xiao..."
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