"Ahh! I feel refreshed!"
Xiao Lei kicked open the door and stretched. A series of crisp pops rang out from his bones.
After absorbing all the Born Amethyst Source Xiao Yi Xian had brought back, Xiao Lei was delighted to discover that his cultivation had risen by another star. The Purple Fire he had obtained from the Amethyst Winged Lion King had also grown stronger than ever before.
Perhaps he could use the Flame Mantra to absorb it and raise his level.
"Young Master, you're out of seclusion!"
A surprised, delighted voice rang beside him. The next moment, a pair of small hands wrapped around Xiao Lei's waist.
He didn't even need to think to know that Qing Lin had been waiting outside his door for him to emerge!
Faced with the little girl's enthusiasm, Xiao Lei didn't dampen her spirits. Instead, he gently ruffled her hair.
"How many days was I in seclusion? What's happening now? Has anyone come looking for me?"
Only then did Qing Lin lift her little head from his arms. Without a moment's thought, she answered, "Including today, it's been sixteen days."
Xiao Lei smiled at that. The little girl had clearly been counting the days!
Qing Lin thought for a moment before continuing.
"A group of people came a few days ago. They said they wanted to make a deal with you, Young Master. The one leading them wore an Alchemist Badge much like yours."
"That person was very respectful, but the big man with him had a terrible attitude. When I told him you were in seclusion, he kept shouting that he was going to barge in. Luckily, Xiao Xuan and Xiao Liu were here. I told Xiao Xuan to beat him up, and then he finally settled down a bit. They're waiting for you to come out now!"
The little girl looked indignant as she spoke, clearly still upset that the man had so recklessly tried to disturb Xiao Lei's seclusion!
"What about Xiao Yi Xian? Is she still in seclusion?"
After leaving the Poison Nether Swamp, Xiao Lei hadn't gone empty-handed, of course. He had casually taken some poisonous herbs, so Xiao Yi Xian had simply gone into seclusion to absorb them.
"No, Sister Xiao Yi Xian still hasn't come out."
Xiao Lei wasn't surprised. After all, the Woe Poison Body needed time to process toxins. Once Xiao Yi Xian finished absorbing those poisonous herbs, her cultivation would probably reach Dou Ling.
Xiao Lei checked Qing Lin's cultivation as well and discovered she had already reached the Dou Shi level. Her cultivation speed was downright terrifying.
"Not bad, you've already reached Dou Shi. In a few days, I'll give you the Mystic Ice Python. For now, let's go meet those guests!"
Xiao Lei was already eager to give Gu He a good, hard bleeding.
"Old Gu, I'm telling you, we've been waiting here for days! This Xiao Lei won't even show his face, just leaves us sitting around. Feng Li and I don't mind, but you're a sixth-grade alchemist. Even if he's a Dou Emperor, he shouldn't treat you with such contempt!"
Yan Shi's grumbling filled the hall, drowning out everything else.
"Hey, hey, hey! Lion, could you not drag me into this?"
Feng Li stroked his long beard. Unlike Yan Shi, who had a short temper, he remained perfectly calm.
"I know what's going on, Lion. You're just still sore because that little girl taught you a lesson the other day. Why don't you go pick a fight with her pet and get beaten up again?"
Yan Shi realized his intentions had been exposed. He could only slam a fist on the table, then sit down in a sulk.
If he could've beaten it, he would've already gone!
Even if he'd somehow managed to beat the Mystic Ice Python that had attacked him the other day, what about Xiang Liu, who was always hiding behind that girl?
"Old Gu, if you ask me, this Xiao Lei probably doesn't have any so-called Heavenly Flames at all! The information that woman Yun Yun gave you might be wrong! After all—"
"Enough!"
Gu He, who hadn't spoken until then, slammed his teacup down on the table, his expression darkening.
Yan Shi swallowed the rest of his complaints. He could see that Gu He was unhappy, and provoking him now clearly wasn't wise.
"Yun'er's information can't be wrong! We just need to wait patiently!"
Gu He had waited for decades. With his composure, waiting a few more days was no problem!
"Everyone, sorry to keep you waiting!"
A calm voice suddenly rang through the hall. In the next moment, Xiao Lei appeared before them.
"So fast!"
Feng Li, who had remained unruffled until now, could no longer keep his composure at Xiao Lei's sudden appearance!
He hadn't seen how Xiao Lei had arrived at all. And when he got a good look at Xiao Lei, he was stunned all over again.
Xiao Lei looked far too young.
Feng Li himself had reached an advanced age by the time he attained the Dou Wang level. Could Xiao Lei even be twenty?
"Pill King Gu He, I've heard a lot about you!"
Xiao Lei didn't put on airs with Gu He. He was the first to clasp his hands in greeting.
Gu He had come seeking a favor from Xiao Lei, so he naturally didn't dare slight him. He hurriedly rose and returned the greeting.
"I heard from an old friend who's been traveling that you have a Heavenly Flame you're willing to trade, so I've come to pay you a visit. I only hope I haven't disturbed your cultivation."
Gu He spoke in an easy, measured manner, neither obsequious nor arrogant. Xiao Lei's estimation of him rose another notch.
Feng Li didn't act superior either. He quickly got to his feet and greeted Xiao Lei as well, offering a few words of praise.
"Hmph!"
Even with Xiao Lei there, Yan Shi still held a grudge over being beaten up by a fifth-tier magical beast a few days ago. He only glanced sideways at Xiao Lei.
"Pill King, don't be in a hurry. I'd like to deal with something first."
Xiao Lei gave a faint smile, then his tone turned cold as he looked at the defiant Yan Shi beside them.
He dared to provoke Xiao Lei on his own turf and had even tried to fight Qing Lin.
Even though Qing Lin hadn't been hurt, Xiao Lei couldn't let this go. He could joke around about anything else, but he wouldn't tolerate people picking a fight with him!
"Friend Xiao Lei! Yan—"
Seeing that things were taking a bad turn, Gu He tried to say something. But Xiao Lei suddenly looked at him, his eyes brimming with icy killing intent!
Gu He felt as if something had clamped around his throat. He couldn't utter a word. Though he too was a Dou Wang, standing before Xiao Lei, a Dou Emperor, he felt like a child facing a vicious bully.
"Qing Lin told me that a strong cultivator calling himself Yan Shi tried to kick down the door of my room while I was in seclusion a few days ago, and even attacked her. I assume that's you?"
Yan Shi's heart gave a thump at those words, but his pride still made him lift his head.
"You left us waiting here. What's wrong with me complaining about—"
Yan Shi tried to argue, but in the next moment, Xiao Lei grabbed him by the throat. He couldn't get another word out.
"I'm not interested in your sophistry. I could make it a ghostly argument instead!"
Xiao Lei's Dou Qi erupted. Gu He and Feng Li staggered beside him, nearly losing their balance, while Yan Shi's Dou Qi was completely suppressed.
"Master Xiao Lei, please show mercy! Yan Shi was disrespectful, but he didn't actually cause any injuries. If you're truly displeased, give him a beating, but please spare his life!"
Seeing this, Feng Li hurriedly pleaded on Yan Shi's behalf. Though the two of them often bickered, they had fought side by side many times over the years and shared a deep friendship. He couldn't bear to watch Xiao Lei kill Yan Shi.
Feng Li had no doubt that Xiao Lei would do it.
"In that case, Xiang Liu, teach him a lesson!"
As he spoke, Xiao Lei released Yan Shi. The man immediately coughed loudly, looking at Xiao Lei in utter terror!
The next moment, a small, all-green snake shot out, its tail lashing hard across Yan Shi's face.
Smack!
The sharp crack rang out, and a vivid red gash appeared on Yan Shi's face.
It wasn't over. White smoke quickly rose from the wound, accompanied by a sizzling hiss as poison rapidly corroded his face.
Yan Shi hurriedly circulated his Dou Qi to drive the poison from his body. But by the time he finished, the gash on his face was deep enough to expose bone.
Yan Shi endured the agony and didn't say another word, terrified of provoking Xiao Lei again.
In the past, when he ran his mouth, people would still hold back and wouldn't actually do anything to him. But—
Xiao Lei showed no restraint at all. He went straight for the kill!
After all that, Xiao Lei's expression softened again. He turned to Gu He and said, "Pill King, let's continue our discussion."
"Of course, of course!"
Gu He's voice trembled uncontrollably. He didn't know it, but from the moment he'd shown his fear, he was bound to be the one getting carved up in this deal.
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