Homecoming

The morning mist dispersed beneath the sunlight. Liu Xi stepped into the dawn, lightly tapped the ground with his toes, and leaped onto the griffin.

Although Liu Xi was now a Dou Wang and capable of crossing the endless mountains teeming with magical beasts alone, the Inner Court was hidden away. To return to the Outer Court, he still needed a specialized griffin to lead the way.

Quite a few elders and students who had heard that Liu Xi was leaving to gain experience had come to see him off. Elder Liu looked at Liu Xi stepping onto the griffin and said with gratification, "Young people should get out and gain more experience. But judging by how long you've been in the Inner Court, you still have two years before graduation. I'm afraid no one will be able to shake your position as number one on the Strong Ranking for the next two years!"

Liu Xi smiled and replied, "With a Dou Wang like me holding down the Strong Ranking, won't everyone else have even more motivation?"

The students who had come to see Liu Xi off could not help but smile bitterly at those words. Ever since Liu Xi had surpassed them in cultivation, they had never had another chance to catch up. Especially the many students who had entered the Inner Court alongside him—although quite a few had made it onto the Strong Ranking after three years of cultivation, they had all been left far behind by Liu Xi. The best performer among them was still Wang Shan. He had now reached the cultivation of a six-star Dou Ling, and his Earth Attribute Dou Qi was as solid as stone, difficult for few to shake.

"Liu Xi, when I break through to Dou Wang, I'll still come challenge you!" Wang Shan said. Despite being defeated by Liu Xi many times, he still dared to issue challenges.

"Senior Student, take care on your journey."

After hearing everyone's blessings, Liu Xi smiled freely and said, "I'll be going now!"

With that, the griffin shot into the sky under its handler's control. It first flew low out of the Inner Court's spatial barrier, then, once outside, headed directly toward the Outer Court.

Flying once more over the vast endless mountains, Liu Xi was filled with emotion. Three years ago, he had needed Vice Principal Hu Gan's protection to reach the Inner Court safely. But now—

Liu Xi unleashed the full terrifying aura of his Dou Wang breakthrough. A crimson flame in the shape of a giant lion flickered around him, its scorching heat slightly distorting his figure.

Many magical beasts roared from the endless mountains below, but upon encountering Liu Xi's powerful aura, they all tacitly chose to issue only threatening cries without taking any real action.

After flying for around half an hour, Liu Xi saw a flock of low-tier flying beasts rushing toward him from ahead. Each possessed the aura of a third-tier magical beast. He could not help thinking, Low-tier magical beasts really have no brains. Perfect—I can test my current strength!

Liu Xi then formed seals with both hands and sent streams of flaming light flying out. Every stream accurately struck a flying beast, turning them into clouds of blood mist in an instant before the terrifying heat burned them into ash.

Feeling the formidable power of the Dou Wang realm, Liu Xi was extremely satisfied with his current strength!

Trailing clouds of blood mist along the way, the griffin flew nonstop to the Outer Court under its handler's control and landed in an open area outside.

Liu Xi then went to visit Elder Huo of the Outer Court. Elder Huo had taken great care of him when he had been in the Outer Court, so now that he had returned, Liu Xi naturally had to pay him a visit and show his respect. Liu Xi remembered every person who had treated him well and helped him.

Elder Huo was overjoyed to see Liu Xi. When he learned that Liu Xi had become a Fifth-grade Alchemist no less accomplished than himself, he laughed heartily, patted Liu Xi on the shoulder, and said, "From the moment you first came to the academy, I knew that with your talent in alchemy, you would eventually catch up to this old man. I just never expected it to happen so quickly!"

There was a faint note of wistfulness in Elder Huo's final words.

Liu Xi replied with a smile, "I have to thank Elder for helping me without holding anything back, especially for that Beast Fire, Crimson Flame. It was a tremendous help to me!"

Elder Huo smiled and nodded, accepting Liu Xi's gratitude. He had indeed put considerable effort into obtaining that Beast Fire back then.

Liu Xi continued, "After all these years at the academy, I can be considered to have completed my studies. I plan to return home first, then travel throughout the continent. I came to visit Elder this time to bid you farewell as well."

Elder Huo nodded at that and said warmly, "If you encounter danger, remember to reveal your identity in time. High-level Alchemists like us only need to state who we are outside, and others will have to show us respect. Protect yourself!"

After hearing that, Liu Xi said gratefully, "I understand. Thank you, Elder!"

After bidding Elder Huo farewell, Liu Xi went to find Vice Principal Hu Gan.

As a student of Jia Nan Academy's Inner Court, Liu Xi was no longer under the Outer Court's administration. However, if he wanted to go home now, he would need to cross the Black Region Great Plain and travel deep into the Jia Ma Empire before reaching Lin City.

It was too far for Liu Xi to fly all the way back himself. While he could fly there now, the Outer Court had flying magical beasts available for borrowing, though he needed the Outer Court Vice Principal's approval.

Before long, Liu Xi arrived outside the Vice Principal's office and knocked on the door.

"Come in!"

Hearing the gentle voice from within, Liu Xi pushed the door open and entered. He said politely, "Vice Principal, I hope I'm not disturbing you."

Hu Gan looked at Liu Xi entering through the door and smiled. "Liu Xi! What brings you here?"

Liu Xi said directly, "Vice Principal, I want to go home. I need to apply to use one of the academy's flying magical beasts to give me a ride!"

Hu Gan looked slightly puzzled after hearing that. "No problem. But why do you suddenly want to go home?" Before he could finish speaking, he sensed the Dou Wang aura Liu Xi released!

His face immediately filled with delight. "You've broken through to Dou Wang!"

Liu Xi nodded with a smile. "I've already taken leave from the Inner Court. I want to go home and see my parents first, then I plan to travel around."

Hu Gan readily agreed. Liu Xi was a renowned genius of Jia Nan Academy, so he naturally received preferential treatment.

After more than ten days of flight, Liu Xi finally returned near Lin City. Looking at the faintly visible city in the distance, his heart surged with emotion. Since coming to the Dou Qi Continent, he had lived here for fourteen years. This place had long become another root of his. He had been away for four years and had communicated with his parents only through a few letters. Liu Xi could not help shouting in his heart, I, Liu Xi, am back!

He directly used Dou Qi Wings, and a pair of enormous crimson wings unfolded from behind him! Liu Xi then turned to the handler and said, "This is far enough. Thank you for the trouble. I'll be leaving first."

With a flap of his wings, Liu Xi's figure transformed into a crimson streamer and flew toward Lin City.

Looking at the city gate close at hand, Liu Xi withdrew his wings and entered through the gate on foot, walking through the bustling crowds with a dazed expression.

As Liu Xi looked at the noisy marketplace and the clamorous mercenaries, memories of every moment he had lived here surfaced in his mind, and an unconscious smile appeared on his lips.

He slowly made his way to the Liu Mansion and knocked on its gates. A servant answered the door. Seeing Liu Xi standing outside with a smile on his face, the servant immediately cried out in delight, "The Young Master has returned!" The servant eagerly welcomed Liu Xi inside.

Looking at the familiar plants and scenery, Liu Xi naturally walked into the courtyard. Before long, he saw his mother approaching him joyfully with an infant in her arms.

Liu Xi first stepped forward to greet his mother, then looked at the infant and asked, "Mother, this child is?"

Li Yue teased the child as she introduced him to Liu Xi. "This is your biological younger brother! His name is Liu Cheng."

Looking at the infant staring at him with large round eyes, Liu Xi could not help reaching out to tease him. He thought, Looks like this was the result of Dad and Mother's efforts while I was away. That's good. Even after I leave to travel, there'll be a child to keep my parents company!

Liu Xi accompanied his mother into the Inner Hall. Before long, his father, Liu Ming, rushed over after hearing that Liu Xi had returned.

When Liu Ming saw Liu Xi, a delighted smile appeared on his usually stern face. He asked, "Xi'er, after you left home to study at Jia Nan Academy, why didn't you come back to visit even once in four years?"

Liu Xi smiled upon seeing his father and replied, "After I went to Jia Nan Academy, I spent one year in the Outer Court before passing the Inner Court Selection Tournament and entering the Inner Court. Now, I have completed my studies and returned home."

Liu Xi then exchanged accounts of the past four years with his parents. He told them that he had broken through to Dou Wang and become a Fifth-grade Alchemist. Liu Ming and Li Yue were naturally dumbfounded. Their son, Liu Xi, had become a true big shot. Only four years had passed, yet it felt as though forty years had gone by.

Liu Xi also learned about the family's situation. After he left, his teacher Xuan Hao had taken excellent care of the Liu Family. With the backing of an alchemist, Liu Ming's standing in Lin City had steadily risen, and he had acquired quite a few properties. However, the family's eldest son had gone away to study and could not remain by their side. Thus, Liu Ming and Li Yue had contributed to the growth of the Liu Family, giving Liu Xi a younger brother—Liu Cheng.

At this time, Liu Xi also learned that his teacher, Xuan Hao, was currently in the Imperial Capital, having returned to the Alchemist Guild. This instantly made Liu Xi think of many things, and he became even more grateful to Xuan Hao.

As an alchemist of the Jia Ma Empire, Xuan Hao naturally had ties to the Alchemist Guild. Yet when Liu Xi had decided to go to Jia Nan Academy, Xuan Hao had not stopped him at all, instead respecting his decision. Liu Xi suddenly felt that having such an indulgent teacher was a blessing!

To make up for his absence from Liu Ming and Li Yue, Liu Xi stayed home with his parents for a month. During that time, he also considered what he should do next!

He had to obtain the Demon Fire Fragment Map in Qingshan Town's Monster Beast Mountain Range. It was the only way to summon the remnant soul of the Nether Lotus Demon Saint and control the Demon Flame. But there was no need to hurry for now. The Demon Flame was still too far away from him. What he needed at present was the Green Lotus Core Flame beneath the Snake-people Desert. That Heavenly Flame was practically within reach.

Liu Xi decided to go to the Snake-people Desert first, then visit his teacher in the Imperial Capital, and finally make time for a trip to the Monster Beast Mountain Range. He then picked up a pen and wrote a letter to his teacher in the Imperial Capital, informing him that he had returned and would soon come to pay him a visit.