Resolution

Hai Bodong turned to glance at Liu Xi beside him, who remained calm and showed no sign of panic. Then he turned back to the man and snake blocking their path and said in a deep voice, "You two dare block our way within the Jia Ma Empire? As dignified Dou Emperor experts, aren't you afraid of being ridiculed for doing something so petty and underhanded?"

The moment he finished speaking, Bai Ya displayed the temperament of a magical beast. Coldness and brutality flickered in his enormous snake eyes as he opened his vicious maw, bared his stark white fangs, and said cruelly, "One bargain-bin Dou Emperor and one tiny Dou Wang. As long as we kill you all, who will know? Isn't that right, Lü Man? Mm, Lü Man?"

Seeing that his companion did not answer him, the vertical pupils in Bai Ya's snake eyes shifted as he looked doubtfully toward the Green-robed Woman. He saw Lü Man staring fixedly at that pretty-faced Dou Wang.

Bai Ya let out a strange laugh and teased, "What, Lü Man, are you lovestruck at a time like this? How about we kill that old fellow right now and capture this pretty boy for you?"

Lü Man rolled her eyes at Bai Ya's loose tongue and rebuked, "Enough, Bai Ya. We still have proper business to attend to. The Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils can only exist among mixed-blood descendants of Snake People. That little girl in the Dou Wang's arms didn't look like an ordinary human!"

Hearing the undisguised contempt and killing intent in Bai Ya's words, Hai Bodong was furious. The murderous aura in his eyes seemed almost tangible, and a powerful chill burst forth around him. Though he had already guessed that they had come for Liu Xi—or rather, for the special maid by his side—so what? Had I regained the strength of a Dou Emperor just to be insulted?

He then said to Liu Xi, "Little friend, I know you have some tricks up your sleeve. If we fight, can you hold off that green-robed woman?"

Liu Xi looked at Hai Bodong, whose face was filled with murderous intent as he prepared to strike at any moment, and silently praised him. He had not expected the old man to be so loyal at such a critical moment, but he did not immediately answer Hai Bodong.

Since they had already come knocking, continuing to hide things would only make him seem petty. They might as well speak openly. If they could reach an agreement, everyone would be happy; if not, they could simply go their separate ways.

Bai Ya in particular, with his especially venomous tongue, disgusted Liu Xi. With a flap of the flaming wings on his back, Liu Xi moved slightly forward and said, "You two are from the Heavenly Snake Manor, aren't you?"

Lü Man's gaze sharpened, and a trace of surprise entered her voice as she smiled alluringly. "This young man is quite knowledgeable! Since you know we are from the Heavenly Snake Manor, you should be able to guess what we came for, right?"

Seeing her admit it outright, Liu Xi nodded. "That's right, but I will not hand Qing Lin over to you. One day, I will personally visit your manor. As for whether Qing Lin wishes to join the Heavenly Snake Manor, I will make that judgment myself!"

Lü Man's eyes lit up as she said in delight, "Then it truly is the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils! Just hand Qing Lin over to us without worry. We treasure possessors of the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils dearly!"

Bai Ya was even more direct, shouting, "Brat, who the hell do you think you are? You think you're worthy of setting foot in our Heavenly Snake Manor? Hand over that little girl right now, and we'll spare your life today!"

The man and snake then formed an encirclement around Hai Bodong and Liu Xi. Two immensely powerful auras erupted as they seemed to believe that two Dou Emperors could easily handle Liu Xi and Hai Bodong, paying no heed to what Liu Xi had said earlier.

Liu Xi comforted the worried Qing Lin in his arms. Looking at the man and snake closing in, he raised his hand and summoned a Green Flame. "I wonder whether a Sixth-grade Alchemist is qualified enough, or whether you simply do not care about making an enemy of another High-level Alchemist."

For the first time, Lü Man, who had been smiling as though she had Liu Xi completely in hand, changed expression. Uncertainty entered her voice as she said, "This flame... could it be a Heavenly Flame? You really are a Sixth-grade Alchemist?"

"Of course. Genuine goods, no deception."

This time, even Bai Ya fell silent. It was precisely because he was a magical beast that he understood even more clearly how few magical beasts could learn alchemy. This was practically a talent exclusive to humans.

Leaving aside those low-level magical beasts with no intelligence to speak of, alchemists were highly sought after among high-level magical beasts. Sometimes, a single pill could surpass many years of their own arduous cultivation. After all, one option was to cultivate slowly on their own, while the other was to swallow a pill and advance directly. These high-level magical beasts, no less shrewd than humans, naturally knew which choice to make.

Take Bai Ya himself. Although he was already a sixth-tier magical beast comparable to a human Dou Emperor expert, the limitations of his bloodline meant that he still could not assume human form. He could only remain in his snake body and live in caves. Bai Ya had it rough. Even though he was respected within the Heavenly Snake Manor, he still could not enjoy life as much as those human Dou Emperors. He had not even had a proper romance. If there were a Seventh-grade Form-Shaping Pill now, he would absolutely be willing to spend all his savings to obtain it.

The Dou Emperor auras around Lü Man and Bai Ya slowly receded. They already believed Liu Xi's words seven or eight parts out of ten. No one was a fool. On the Dou Qi Continent, those capable of wielding the power of Heavenly Flames were either supreme experts who could forcibly subdue Heavenly Flames or High-level Alchemists skilled at controlling fire. Since Liu Xi, a Dou Wang, could control a Heavenly Flame, he clearly belonged to the latter category.

Even the Heavenly Snake Manor was unwilling to offend a High-level Alchemist unless absolutely necessary, so forcibly taking Qing Lin was clearly no longer an option. The Green-robed Woman, Lü Man, explained, "Little Master, we truly bear no ill intent. According to the records of our Heavenly Snake Manor, the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils are the nemesis of all snake-type magical beasts. They can form a one-sided compulsory bond with snake-type magical beasts. After coming to our Heavenly Snake Manor, she can immediately be named a saintess and inherit the position of the next Mansion Lord."

Bai Ya also explained, "Me too. I don't got no ill intent either. Lü Man and I have been searching for decades. Rumor has it that possessors of the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils are guaranteed to break through to the Dou Zun realm, and with a lucky opportunity, might even reach the legendary Saint realm. She could lead our Heavenly Snake Manor to prosperity!"

Watching Lü Man and Bai Ya explain patiently instead of immediately resorting to violence, Liu Xi sighed inwardly.

Elder Huo was right. The status of a High-level Alchemist really does carry weight on the continent.

Since the two Dou Emperor experts were showing him respect, Liu Xi could not put on too many airs. Smiling, he said, "Although you two make it sound wonderful, Qing Lin is like my own little sister. Naturally, I must think more carefully on her behalf!"

After Liu Xi spoke, Qing Lin in his arms was naturally deeply moved. The affection in her eyes as she looked at Liu Xi was practically overflowing. Lü Man, also a woman, carefully noticed this and complained inwardly, You want to be her dear older brother, but she clearly wants you to be her beloved! If we forcibly take her, we'll definitely become enemies with the future saintess and offend a High-level Alchemist as well. Force won't work; we'll have to be gentle.

Lü Man, who had already approached not far from Liu Xi, smiled sweetly and said softly, "By the way, my name is Lü Man, and his is Bai Ya! May I ask how to address you, Master?"

Liu Xi introduced them as well. "My name is Liu Xi. This is Qing Lin, and this is Senior Hai Bodong!"

At this moment, Hai Bodong was gazing up at the sky with a melancholy expression, as though he were full of stories. The great battle that had been about to erupt had not happened, and their former enemies were now chatting happily with Liu Xi. He thought helplessly, It seems I really am old. I'm no longer suited to this continent. Perhaps it really is time to retire. Ah, I still remember running beneath that sunset—it was my lost youth!

Lü Man asked tentatively, "Since you care so deeply for little sister Qing Lin, you must also know that a strong cultivation foundation is important. The better the foundation, the greater her future achievements!"

Liu Xi nodded in agreement. "Don't worry. I have refined Grain-Avoiding Pills for Qing Lin to regulate her vital energy and strengthen her body. She will never lack cultivation resources."

Resisting the urge to roll her eyes, Lü Man said, "Naturally, I know Qing Lin will not lack resources by your side, sir. May I ask when you intend to bring Qing Lin to the Heavenly Snake Manor? We can prepare in advance and show you our sincerity!"

Liu Xi seemed to suddenly realize something. "Next, I must first pay my respects to my teacher, then continue traveling across the land. I will naturally visit the Heavenly Snake Manor."

Lü Man's eyes flickered. After making her decision, she said, "In that case, I will remain by your side for the time being and grow closer to little sister Qing Lin. Bai Ya, return and report everything that happened here to the Mansion Lord!"

"Why do I gotta go back? Can't you do it!" a certain snake protested.

"Because you fly faster!"

"..." Though he had been praised, Bai Ya was not very happy.

Lü Man then turned to Liu Xi and said, "During this time, I will protect you, sir!"

Hmph, you're afraid I'll run away, aren't you? Liu Xi complained inwardly, though he kept smiling as he said, "I could not ask for more than the protection of a Dou Emperor expert!"

Thanks to book friends CocaCOla, Ye Yu Xing Fan, Shang Xie Ya, and A Leisurely Crane for their donations!

As for Lü Man and Bai Ya, they couldn't be beaten. Forcing a cheat to win would have been a bit too ridiculous. Running was possible, but it wouldn't solve the problem, so after revising it over and over, I ended up writing this...