"So serious?"
Ling Xi was slightly taken aback.
He wasn't afraid of being expelled from the Ling Clan. After all, the Ling Clan was the first of the Eight Ancient Clans to be wiped out by the Soul Clan. Staying in the Ling Clan would actually put him in considerable danger.
He didn't mind having his bloodline stripped away, either. The Dou Di Bloodline in his body was practically negligible anyway.
But having his Dou Qi cultivation abolished was a serious matter.
"Now you're scared? I told you to watch what you say!"
Ling You glared at Ling Xi and scolded him.
"Actually, we understand some things about the Ancient Races better than you youngsters do."
"It's just that the Dou Di Bloodline is incomparably noble. It represents the past glory of our Ancient Races, so no one can be allowed to desecrate it."
After a brief pause, Ling You continued.
"Besides, although a few powerful people have come from low-grade bloodlines, the number of powerful and talented people from high-grade bloodlines is far greater."
"Even I, your teacher, was born into a low-ranking branch. It was only through Bloodline Atavism that I achieved what I have today."
This was the first time Ling Xi had heard his teacher Ling You talk about his past.
"Take this boy out of the Ling Realm."
After a moment's silence, Ling Yang gritted his teeth and said.
"After the things he said, there's no way the clan will tolerate him."
"I was thinking the same thing."
Ling You nodded slightly. He agreed with Ling Yang; neither of them wanted to see a clan member with talent like Ling Xi's have his future cut short.
What was more, Ling Xi was his disciple. Leaving the Ling Clan was the only way to protect him now.
"He won't learn much staying in the Ling Clan anyway. It might be good for him to go out and gain some experience."
"Leave now. If the clan takes action, it won't be easy to get away."
East Ling City lay on the eastern border of the Ling Domain, so leaving the Ling Domain from there wouldn't be difficult.
Ling Xi didn't even have a chance to speak before Ling Yang and Ling You had settled his future between them in just a few sentences.
In the end, Ling Xi had underestimated the impact the subject of the Dou Di Bloodline had on the Ancient Races.
Fortunately, East Ling City lay near the eastern border of the Ling Domain, not far from its entrance.
Each of the Eight Ancient Clans had its own realm, and the spaces had long since been reinforced by generations of powerful experts, making them as solid as a fortress.
Even an ordinary Dou Saint couldn't break one open. Even Ling You could only take Ling Xi out through the entrance to the Ling Domain.
"Teacher, I've caused you trouble."
Ling Xi looked at Ling You as he carried him swiftly toward the entrance to the Ling Domain and couldn't help saying it.
"You call me 'teacher,' and then say something like that?"
Ling You moved at incredible speed, but it didn't stop him from talking with Ling Xi.
"Actually, what you said today struck a chord with me."
Ling You gave a bitter smile, sounding somewhat wistful.
"You're exceptionally talented at both cultivation and Alchemy, but unfortunately, you were born into a low-ranking branch and have only a first-grade bloodline."
"Even if you stayed in the Ling Clan, your future achievements would be very limited."
"I was planning to have you leave the Ling Clan eventually anyway. This has only brought that day forward."
Ling You had only four years left to live. Some plans had been brought forward, but it made little difference to him.
[Ding! The sign-in location has been refreshed. Please complete your sign-in at the Pill Tower.]
Just then, the long-silent system notification finally rang in Ling Xi's mind.
Although Ling You had him by the shoulder and was speeding toward the entrance to the Ling Domain, Ling Xi's spirits still lifted.
As the saying went, "One Hall, One Tower, Two Sects, Three Valleys, Four Pavilions." The saying wasn't entirely accurate, but it broadly summed up the major powers in the Central Continent, apart from the Ancient Races.
As the sacred land in the hearts of all Alchemists, the Pill Tower not only had Ninth-grade Alchemists, but was also secretly guarded by an ancestor who was a Six-star Dou Saint.
It was said that the current head of the Ling Clan was also only a Six-star Dou Saint.
"Teacher, where are we going after we leave the Ling Clan?"
Ling Xi considered the matter for a moment before asking.
"To the Pill Tower. I'm an Eighth-grade Alchemist, so I have quite a few old acquaintances there."
"You'll be able to learn Alchemy better there, too."
Ling You said it as though it were only natural.
Ling Xi was overjoyed. If Ling You took him straight to the Pill Tower, it would save him a lot of trouble.
"Stop right there! This is a restricted area of the Ling Domain. Unauthorized persons are forbidden to enter!"
Ling You was a Dou Venerate, and his speed was tremendous. East Ling City was also close to the entrance to the Ling Domain.
In just one day and night, the two had reached the entrance.
The Ancient Races were strict about checking everyone entering or leaving, to ensure that their Dou Di Bloodlines would not be tainted.
"I'm Ling You, an Eighth-grade Alchemist. I'm taking my disciple out of the Ling Domain to look for a medicinal ingredient!"
When the Spirit Guards blocked his way, Ling You held up a token.
As one of the few Eighth-grade Alchemists in the Ling Clan, he naturally had permission to enter and leave the Ling Domain freely.
"Greetings, Elder Ling You."
After confirming that there was nothing wrong with the token in Ling You's hand, the Spirit Guards immediately bowed to him and opened the passage out of the Ling Domain.
An Eighth-grade Alchemist was held in high regard wherever he went.
"Mm."
Ling You nodded slightly, then swaggered into the passage out of the Ling Domain with Ling Xi, while the Spirit Guards watched respectfully.
After passing through a stretch of silver space tunnel, Ling Xi's vision blurred. Then, the view opened up before him.
"Come on. Once we're out of the Ling Domain, I'll be able to control the power of space."
Before Ling Xi could get a good look around, Ling You casually tore open a spatial rift and pulled him straight inside.
Central Continent, inner district of Sacred Pill City.
A black tower nearly a hundred zhang tall stood majestically, like a small mountain, giving off an imposing and monumental air.
The tip of the giant tower vanished into the clouds. It was almost impossible to see the top, and the surrounding mists made it seem unusually mysterious.
"Why aren't you staying in the Ling Clan and waiting to die? What made you think of coming to our Pill Tower?"
In a great hall near the top of the giant tower, a white-robed old man with a full head of white hair glanced at Ling You, then studied Ling Xi standing beside him with interest.
"I took on a Descendant Citizen with a first-grade bloodline as my disciple. I want to pass on my legacy to him."
Ling You sat boldly in his chair. In response to the white-robed old man's question, however, his expression turned troubled.
"My clan has some objections to what I've done, so I came here to find some peace and quiet."
With that, Ling You pointed at Ling Xi and said to the white-robed old man,
"Xi'er, this is Senior Xuan Kongzi of the Pill Tower. Hurry up and pay your respects."
Ling Xi's gaze tightened slightly. He immediately bowed.
"I'm Ling Xi. Greetings, Senior Xuan Kongzi."
"Your teacher and I have been friends for many years. You don't need to be so polite."
Xuan Kongzi smiled warmly.
"Come to think of it, I took on a disciple myself a few years ago. He's about your age. If you don't mind, just call me Elder Xuan."
Before you continue