Emperor's Seal Technique

The Emperor's Seal Technique, as the Gu Clan's clan-protecting Dou Technique, had always been cultivable only by members of the Gu Clan, aside from exceptions like Xiao Yan in the original story.

Even if negligence caused the Emperor's Seal Technique to leak out, once the Gu Clan learned of it, they would certainly send people to kill whoever cultivated it, lest it spread further.

This also meant that unless absolutely necessary, Xiao Qing could not casually use the Emperor's Seal Technique, this immensely powerful Dou Technique, in the future, lest someone knowledgeable recognize it.

However, Xiao Qing did not care much about that. Although the Emperor's Seal Technique was the Gu Clan's clan-protecting Dou Technique, it was only High Earth Class.

Xiao Qing did not believe that, with his golden finger, he would lack high-grade Dou Techniques in the future.

The Emperor's Seal Technique's true purpose in his eyes was to frame others.

As a member of the Xiao Household descended from the Xiao Clan, Xiao Qing was bound to clash with Soul Hall and the Hun Clan behind it someday.

Therefore, if the opportunity arose in the future, Xiao Qing would certainly wipe out several Soul Hall Branches, throw a wrench into the Hun Clan's ten-thousand-year plan, and collect some "spoils of war" while he was at it.

He greatly coveted treasures like Soul Origin, which could raise one's soul realm without any side effects.

And to avoid entering the Hun Clan's sights after destroying Soul Hall, Xiao Qing could only shed tears and use the Emperor's Seal Technique to frame the Gu Clan.

As the publicly acknowledged foremost clan among the ancient eight clans, was it not perfectly normal for the Gu Clan to wipe out a few Soul Hall branches because they disliked Soul Hall's methods?

As for whether Xiao Qing would feel any psychological burden about pinning the matter on the Gu Clan?

What kind of nonsense was that!

As the Xiao Clan's ally, was it not only right for the Gu Clan to contribute something toward the rise of the Xiao Clan's descendants?

Having read the original story, Xiao Qing had no favorable impression of the Gu Clan whatsoever.

As the Xiao Clan's ally, not only had they stood by and watched when the Xiao Clan was destroyed a thousand years ago, they had even "looked after" the Xiao Clan until its clan head was merely a Da Dou Shi.

Xiao Xuan had said it himself in the original story: Gu Yuan had promised to look after the Xiao Clan.

But what about now?

When Nalan Yanran broke off the engagement, a single Qi Gathering Powder was enough to shock everyone present and make all the Xiao Household members suck in cold breaths.

Who could have imagined that their ancestors had been the Xiao Clan, one of the ancient eight clans?

In Xiao Qing's eyes, the Gu Clan was simply the sort to play both sides while pretending to be righteous—utter hypocrites.

In the original story, Xiao Yan should have waited until the Gu Clan had been blood-sacrificed by Hun Tiandi before making his entrance.

The more Xiao Qing thought about it, the angrier he became. He secretly made up his mind that once his cultivation reached great heights, he would certainly make the Gu Clan pay!

Xiao Qing withdrew his gaze from the panel. After taking a moment to compose himself, he rose and headed outside.

As he walked toward the Alchemy Department, the students he encountered along the way all looked at Xiao Qing with reverence.

Over the past two years, Xiao Qing had drawn a great deal of attention as Fire Elder's only disciple in the Alchemy Department.

A few months earlier, he had even publicly refined a fourth-grade pill.

Thus, everyone knew that this young man before them, who still looked somewhat immature, was a Fourth-Grade Alchemist.

Upon reaching the Alchemy Department's building, Xiao Qing strode inside. Whenever he encountered familiar elders, he smiled and nodded to them.

Xiao Qing likewise nodded back politely, showing no arrogance whatsoever despite his age.

The sight made several of them sigh inwardly. The Xiao Qing before them was not only extraordinarily talented, but also so steady in temperament. His future accomplishments would surely be limitless!

Had they reached such a level at Xiao Qing's age, their noses would have long been stuck in the air.

Sure enough, there was a reason he had become a Fourth-Grade Alchemist at such a young age.

Thinking this, the few exchanged glances and all shook their heads with bitter smiles.

Unaware of their thoughts, Xiao Qing went straight to Fire Elder's office on the top floor and lightly knocked on the door.

"Come in." Fire Elder's deep voice came from within.

Xiao Qing pushed open the door and entered. He saw Fire Elder standing before a medicinal cauldron, his brows tightly furrowed as though studying some pill formula.

"Teacher." Xiao Qing cupped his hands and bowed to Fire Elder.

Upon seeing Xiao Qing arrive, Fire Elder could not help smiling. "My disciple, you're here. Sit quickly."

As he spoke, he pointed to a chair nearby.

Xiao Qing walked directly to the indicated seat and sat down.

Looking at the still somewhat youthful Xiao Qing before him, Fire Elder stroked his snowy-white beard, his expression filled with satisfaction.

He had once wondered what sort of surprise Xiao Qing's cultivation talent would bring him,

but he had never expected what arrived to be a shock.

In only two short years, Xiao Qing had leapt from an apprentice just beginning to study alchemy into a Peak Fourth-Grade Alchemist capable of refining the Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill.

What kind of monster was that?

Even in the Pill Tower, the legendary holy land of alchemists in the Central Plains, he would probably be considered among the best, wouldn't he?

Fire Elder could not help thinking that perhaps he had previously underestimated Xiao Qing's future potential.

If Xiao Qing continued progressing at this rate, he might even have a chance of reaching the legendary realm of an Eighth-Grade Alchemist!

Fire Elder's heart surged with excitement. As an alchemist himself, how could he not yearn for that legendary realm?

However, he knew his own limits. With his talent, reaching Seventh Grade would likely be difficult, though he might have hope of breaking through to Sixth Grade within his lifetime.

He could not do it, but the Xiao Qing before him had a chance!

What an honor it would be to cultivate a future Eighth-Grade Alchemist!

At that thought, Fire Elder's face flushed. Even his gaze toward Xiao Qing became somewhat fervent.

Sensing Fire Elder's gaze, Xiao Qing asked somewhat doubtfully, "Teacher?"

"Cough, cough, it is nothing. I was merely feeling emotional when I thought about your progress over these past two years."

Fire Elder recovered from his excitement, a nostalgic look appearing on his face, as though he had not just been staring fervently at all.

Hearing this, Xiao Qing understood somewhat.

His rate of progress over the last two years had indeed been rather fast. With the assistance of pills, his cultivation level was still explainable, but the rise in his alchemist grade was somewhat terrifying.

Xiao Qing did not think much of it. After all, had Xiao Yan in the original story not refined the Peak Fourth-Grade Three-Stripe Green Spirit Pill after only three years?

He had done it one year faster, refining the Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill of the same grade. That was perfectly reasonable, right?

"Now that you are already a Peak Fourth-Grade Alchemist, the only thing holding back your pill refinement is your Dou Qi cultivation. As your teacher, I have nothing more to teach you."

Fire Elder looked at Xiao Qing with an expression of gratification.

With his discernment, he naturally saw Xiao Qing's current predicament with ease.

"Teacher, that is not right. A teacher for one day is a teacher for life. This disciple still has much to learn from you."

Xiao Qing spoke earnestly.

Hearing this, Fire Elder stroked his snowy-white beard, and a touch of emotion welled up in his heart.

"Good! 'A teacher for one day is a teacher for life.' What a fine saying! To have a disciple like you, I have no regrets in this life!"

Fire Elder walked over to Xiao Qing and gently patted him on the shoulder.

"Taking you as my disciple two years ago was the most correct decision I have ever made in my life!"