Jia Nan Academy

Five years later

Soft light streamed through the window onto the youth's handsome face—sword-like brows, bright eyes, red lips, and white teeth. Liu Xi opened his eyes, exhaled a breath of stale air, and awoke from cultivation.

"I've broken through to a Nine-star Dou Shi." A smile appeared on Liu Xi's face. Then he fell into thought. "Lin City is too small. It can no longer support my rapid growth. My alchemy has already reached the level of Third-grade Pills, and I've learned all of Teacher's alchemy skills."

"If I want better Cultivation Methods and alchemy skills in the future, I need to choose a destination. If I go to the Alchemist Guild in the Imperial Capital, its president seems to be only a Fifth-grade Alchemist. There would be limited things for me to learn there!"

"If I go to the Misty Cloud Sect, Pill King Gu He is a Sixth-grade Alchemist. But if I join the Misty Cloud Sect, I'll inevitably clash with Xiao Yan sooner or later. Now isn't the time to confront a protagonist with a Pocket Grandpa. Besides, a dark and evil force like the Soul Hall is tangled up in it as well. I can't get trapped in that mess right now." Thinking of the complicated relationships involved, Liu Xi felt he had to be more cautious. He decided not to consider the Misty Cloud Sect.

"Looking at it this way, I need a place that's relatively free and where I can learn profound Cultivation Methods. The best choice is Jia Nan Academy. It offers relatively free access, better Cultivation Methods, more pill formulas, and more alchemy techniques. Most importantly, the Heaven Burning Qi Refining Tower in the Inner Court suppresses two Fallen Heart Flames beneath it, one large and one small. If I get the chance to obtain one, it'll be an absolute windfall." Thinking of all the benefits he could gain, Liu Xi unconsciously revealed a strange smile.

"As for the other Heavenly Flames, I remember that the Monster Beast Mountain Range near Qingshan Town has a fragment of the map to the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame. The Green Lotus Core Flame beneath the Snake-people Desert isn't something I can covet yet. Not only is my cultivation still too low, but I also can't refine the pills required to devour a Heavenly Flame. I still need to develop further. Only then can I seize opportunities before Xiao Yan does." Liu Xi finally settled on his future path.

After sorting through everything, Liu Xi felt his mind become clear. He stood up and stretched lazily, feeling relaxed all over.

After washing up and getting dressed, he opened the door. The morning sunlight shone on him, making his entire body feel warm. Liu Xi could not help narrowing his eyes as he breathed in the fresh air. "What wonderful weather!"

When Liu Xi found Liu Ming, Liu Ming was eating breakfast at the table in an unhurried manner. After Liu Xi arrived, he casually pulled out a chair, sat down, and began eating as well.

Once Liu Ming had finished eating too, Liu Xi looked at him and said with a smile, "Father, when Jia Nan Academy comes to recruit students next time, I want to apply."

Hearing this, Liu Ming looked at Liu Xi with a puzzled frown. "Xi'er, Jia Nan Academy only requires high-level Dou Qi for admission. Didn't you already break through to the Dou Master realm? Why do you still want to go there?"

Liu Xi explained his thoughts to Liu Ming. "Although the threshold for Jia Nan Academy's Outer Court is rather low, its Inner Court is where the true elites gather. I think I'll have more in common with those people. At the same time, Jia Nan Academy has deep foundations. I'll be able to learn more pill formulas and raise my alchemist grade."

After hearing Liu Xi's thoughts, Liu Ming could not help nodding in agreement.

Every family knew its own affairs. His son Liu Xi's talent had repeatedly overturned his understanding of the world.

Not only had he broken through to the Dou Master realm at such a young age, but he could already refine Third-grade Pills. Over the past few years, the Liu Family had accumulated tremendous wealth simply by selling pills in the marketplace.

Liu Ming agreed with Liu Xi's idea. "Fine. You're stronger than I am now. Since you've made up your mind, go."

"By the way, does Master Xuan Hao know about your plans?"

"Not yet. I'll persuade Teacher." Upon hearing his father approve of his decision, Liu Xi replied with a smile.

Master Xuan Hao looked at the disciple before him, who made him so proud. In just a few years, Liu Xi had learned all of the alchemy skills Master Xuan Hao had been most proud of.

In the future, Liu Xi would surely surpass him, his teacher, and become a Fifth-grade or even Sixth-grade Alchemist.

He would become an existence like Pill King Gu He of the Misty Cloud Sect, the uncrowned king among all the alchemists of the Jia Ma Empire.

Master Xuan Hao remained silent for a long while. In the end, he looked at Liu Xi with eyes full of gratification and pride. "You want to go to Jia Nan Academy to learn higher alchemy skills? I agree."

"I think the entire Jia Ma Empire is too small for you. Once you return after completing your studies at Jia Nan Academy, the entire Northwest Continent will become the stage for you to roam freely." After spending the past few years together, Master Xuan Hao was filled with confidence in Liu Xi.

Liu Xi's temperament and talent were both exceptional. Moreover, alchemists were people everyone sought to curry favor with. No one would deliberately target a High-level Alchemist, because one never knew how many people a High-level Alchemist could summon.

So long as no accident occurred, when Liu Xi roamed the Northwest Continent in the future, Master Xuan Hao's reputation would rise to another level as Liu Xi's teacher.

Looking at Master Xuan Hao's gratified expression, Liu Xi was deeply moved. Over the years, Master Xuan Hao had not only taught him all his alchemy skills without reservation, but had also protected him in every way. If Liu Xi had not been disciplined enough, who knew how arrogant he might have become!

"Thank you, Teacher," Liu Xi replied, his voice slightly hoarse.