Past Feelings Flow Away

"Ding'er, what brought you here?"

Seeing his grandson, who was always nowhere to be found, Liu Yandong was overjoyed. He strode forward and grasped Liu Ding's wrist.

It was not appropriate to ask about Liu Ding's cultivation in front of everyone, so, still concerned, he checked his pulse instead. The instant his fingers touched the Meridian Court on Liu Ding's wrist, Liu Yandong's heart jolted. He sensed the formidable Soul Qi within Liu Ding's body and could not help looking at him nervously.

Liu Ding nodded to himself. Since entering Everlasting Cave, his accumulated Soul Qi had doubled. After refining the Yin Soul Qi a few more times and using Du Ling Juice medicinal baths to completely refine that Soul Qi, breaking through to Six Soulforging Cauldrons would not be a problem.

Liu Yandong let out a long breath. He had argued with Nie Zhengxu for quite some time earlier because he had worried that Liu Ding's realm was too low, that Nie Zhengxu might set a trap to exclude him from the battle for clan lord. Now, it seemed those fears had been entirely unfounded.

However, the other elders could not see this. Elder Yannan said worriedly, "Ding'er, your realm is too low, and there is little time left before the battle for clan lord. If you do not take a few shortcuts in cultivation, then when you face Liu Ji in the arena... sigh."

"Reasonable shortcuts can certainly be taken. I am not so rigid-minded. But this Zhe Spirit Liquid contains the Qi of a Taotie Beast Soul, which will inevitably conflict with our clan's Qilin Soul Qi. Even if it forcibly raises one's realm, the harm will definitely outweigh the benefit."

"So Zhe Spirit Liquid contains Taotie Soul Qi. The Taotie is a devouring beast. If one rashly takes medicinal baths with it, it may truly devour the Qilin Soul Qi that Liu Clan disciples have cultivated." One elder nodded and offered a deeper analysis.

"But breaking through to Six Soulforging Cauldrons before the age of sixteen would also be a bold attempt. In all the countless years of Liu Clan history, aside from our ancestor, no one has ever reached the realm of a Law Soul Warrior. If any disciple is willing to take the risk, it would count as a contribution to the clan's cultivation." Quite a few elders, stuck half-dead at the seventh Soulforging realm, were deeply unwilling to give up.

Seeing the blazing looks they gave him, Liu Ding's mouth twitched. Damn, you want to use me as an experiment.

"No. My Ding'er cannot take such a risk." Liu Yandong, who favored steady progress, rejected the idea firmly.

Faced with everyone's disappointed expressions, Liu Ding had no choice but to reveal the early release of Du Ling Juice. "Thank you for your concern, Elders. I can reveal a piece of insider information, but I hope everyone will keep it confidential for now. Ximen Spirit Herb Pavilion, which has long been suppressed by Murong Divine Pill Chamber, has secretly developed a purer medicinal liquid. Rumor has it that it also contains Qilin Soul Qi."

"What? How could Ximen Spirit Herb Pavilion possibly develop a medicinal liquid containing Qilin Soul Qi?" Liu Yandong was shocked and suspicious. One look was enough to tell that he suspected the formula for the Qilin Soul Forging Pill had been leaked.

"I do not know about that." Liu Ding's mouth twitched again. When I give Grandfather the Restoration Pill Ximen Yaoji gave me later, will he suspect me? What a headache.

"If they dare put it on the market, they will certainly have to pass our scrutiny. Clan Lord, there is no need to worry. If it truly uses the formula for our Qilin Soul Forging Pill, we must defend the clan's honor at all costs." Many elders spoke in unison, their faces solemn.

"Exactly." Afraid that Liu Yandong would dwell on the matter, Liu Ding made the final decision. "Therefore, for those with disciples at Five Soulforging Cauldrons, why not wait until Du Ling Juice is released, compare it with Zhe Spirit Liquid, and then see which medicinal liquid is safer to use?"

"I never expected Ding'er to be able to distinguish the stakes so clearly at such a young age. Your future is limitless. I have high hopes for you." Elder Yannan gave Liu Ding's shoulder a heavy pat, making him bare his teeth in pain. That pays you back for carelessly smacking my shoulder back then.

"Good. Today's meeting is over. Before Ximen Spirit Herb Pavilion releases Du Ling Juice, no one is to risk letting their disciples try Murong Divine Pill Chamber's Zhe Spirit Liquid." Eager to examine Liu Ding's cultivation more closely, Liu Yandong dismissed the meeting.

"Grandfather, I have something for you." Once the clan lord's residence had quieted down, Liu Ding gritted his teeth. Sooner or later, an ugly daughter-in-law has to meet her in-laws. He handed over the Restoration Pill.

"This is..." The moment he opened the brocade box, Liu Yandong was utterly shocked. It was a Restoration Pill, the exclusive secret formula of Ximen Spirit Herb Pavilion. "Ding'er, tell me honestly. Where did you get this?"

Just as expected, he suspects me. Liu Ding sighed helplessly and casually made up a lie. "Zhi'er and I gathered some immortal herbs. Among them, Jade Marrow Fungus and Yin Condensing Grass are ingredients essential to Ximen Spirit Herb Pavilion's Du Ling Juice. They were badly lacking them, so they gave me this Restoration Pill."

"Jade Marrow Fungus and Yin Condensing Grass? Those are not ingredients in the formula for our Qilin Soul Forging Pill. Are you sure?" Liu Yandong asked doubtfully.

"Yes, I am sure. I even tried it myself, and its effects were indeed remarkable. You took my pulse just now too—my Soul Qi has become exceptionally solid." Liu Ding nodded repeatedly. "They are not selling it yet. They plan to launch it heavily at the Bleser City pill trade fair."

"As long as it is not the formula for our Liu Clan's Qilin Soul Forging Pill, then I am relieved." Liu Yandong looked at the Restoration Pill in the brocade box again, then suddenly noticed the gold card inside. He picked it up in confusion. "What is this?"

Liu Ding was startled inwardly and quickly snatched it away. "This is the money Zhi'er gave me to buy a Soul-Devouring Beast Gallstone Crystal."

"Oh." Liu Yandong did not think much of it. Zhi'er had always helped Liu Ding refine pills; he had known that ever since the Du Meridian Fluid. When he had gone to find Liu Ding today, he had also seen Zhu'er drying various Spirit Orbs and immortal herbs, including Jade Marrow Fungus and Yin Condensing Grass. He no longer had any doubts. Taking out the Restoration Pill, a faint gleam of anticipation appeared in his eyes.

"Grandfather, go ahead and refine the Restoration Pill without worry." Liu Ding hurriedly went along with it.

After leaving the clan lord's residence, he wiped a cold sweat from his forehead. Does Ximen Yaoji really have to be so thoughtful? She nearly made Grandfather even more suspicious. Sigh, having a clan-lord grandfather with such a strong sense of responsibility really kills brain cells.

On the tree-lined path home, Liu Tao approached from the opposite direction. She wore fiery red clothes, like a blazing flame. Yet ever since they had fallen out that time, that flame could no longer burn within Liu Ding's heart.

His calm gaze swept over the beautiful girl with whom he had once passionately cultivated together. Liu Ding's face returned to tranquility as his nimble fingers made the gold card dance between them.

The two passed each other.

Liu Tao stopped. Sensing that the youth passing beside her was no longer as flamboyant and frivolous as before, an indescribable sadness suddenly rose in her heart.

That youth who had so often "acted like a rogue" toward her had, in truth, left her with feelings she could not describe whenever she lay in bed at night.

Those were the uncontrollable longings of a maiden in love, and that foolish youth had once given her a kind of indescribable satisfaction.

Liu Tao stood frozen by the roadside, her heart tangled. Deep down, she truly wanted to draw closer again to the youth who had once stirred her heart.

Yet he acted as though nothing had happened, his eyes never straying, simply passing by her in calm indifference, with none of his former attachment remaining.

She turned around and watched the youth's retreating back. Her full, rosy lips moved a few times before she finally could not help calling out, "Liu Ding!"