All sides gathered (42k)

Ya Fei stood beside them, a little stunned. At his disposal? Didn't that imply that the Mittel Family would acknowledge Young Master Liu as their master?

A flicker of surprise also crossed Liu Yu's eyes. Mittel Tengshan certainly had courage! No wonder he had risen to the position of patriarch!

Truthfully, he was tempted. If he could bring the Mittel Family under his command, it would make things much easier when he led the Snake-People Tribe out of the Tagor Desert and rebuilt their home!

"At my disposal?" Liu Yu looked at Mittel Tengshan with a smile.

Mittel Tengshan instantly understood what Liu Yu meant and affirmed without hesitation, "At your disposal! From this day onward, Young Master Liu is our Mittel Family's Grand Elder!" (Hai Bodong: ???)

Uh... Liu Yu felt that Mittel Tengshan might have misunderstood him. He had only wanted to confirm what he meant...

Still, if Mittel Tengshan was going to "request" it like this, I suppose I could serve as their Grand Elder! Oh, Hai Bodong, Hai Bodong! It's not that I want to steal your position. I've simply been "forced" into it!

"Then, Young Master Liu, I'll go announce this right away!" Mittel Tengshan turned and left, vanishing in an instant as though afraid Liu Yu might change his mind!

Ya Fei stood blankly to one side, clearly still reeling from Liu Yu's sudden appointment as the Mittel Family's Grand Elder. Her adorably vacant gaze was such a contrast to her usual demeanor that Liu Yu found it utterly charming!

"Ahem, Ya Fei, come massage this elder's shoulders!"

Liu Yu sat on a stone stool nearby and watched the adorably clueless Ya Fei with playful eyes. Now that he was Grand Elder, shouldn't he enjoy the privileges that came with it?

Collecting herself at Liu Yu's words, Ya Fei rolled her eyes. Still, she swayed her seductive figure and approached him with a feline gait, stopping behind him. Her breath was fragrant as orchids as she murmured, "My Grand Elder, your humble servant will massage your shoulders right away!"

Her delicate hands settled on his shoulders, her fingertips kneading gently as they worked upward along his neck, little by little...

Now this is living! Enjoyment spread across Liu Yu's face.

At the Mittel Family Headquarters, the central council chamber stood within an enormous estate.

Quite a few people sat in the spacious chamber. Everyone present was a core member of the Mittel Family, and confusion showed on their faces. They had no idea why their patriarch had summoned them so abruptly.

Mittel Tengshan occupied the seat of honor. Compared to the "kindliness" he showed Liu Yu, he now exuded authority without even needing to look angry.

"I have summoned you here to announce a matter of great importance to the future of our Mittel Family!"

His aged, commanding voice echoed through the hall.

A matter of great importance? Was someone planning to attack the Mittel Family? They couldn't help recalling the two pillars of light that had appeared within the family grounds. Had news of some treasure in their possession leaked out, attracting the covetous eyes of powerful experts?

Most of those in the chamber exchanged glances before turning to their patriarch. Only a handful looked thoughtful; they clearly knew something.

Mittel Tengshan frowned slightly. He could see every expression on his clansmen's faces, and nearly all looked worried. He couldn't understand it. Couldn't they think of something positive? The Mittel Family wasn't some soft persimmon anyone could squeeze at will! What kind of attitude was this?

"Hmph! Our Mittel Family will be welcoming a new Grand Elder! This Grand Elder is also a Grade Six Alchemist!"

Mittel Tengshan's faintly displeased voice struck like a thunderclap, leaving everyone stunned!

"Could those two pillars of light have been the phenomenon caused by Sixth-Grade Pills coming into existence?" someone exclaimed. The entire council chamber erupted!

"Silence!" Mittel Tengshan barked, instantly quieting the restless chamber.

Then Mittel Tengshan warned everyone present that anyone who dared disrespect the Grand Elder would be expelled from the Mittel Family! He also ordered them to make this clear to their subordinates, lest some blind fool offend the Grand Elder.

At the same time, Mittel Tengshan gave them a general description of the Grand Elder's appearance. His silver hair, crimson eyes, and otherworldly bearing would make him easy to recognize.

Just then, a black-clad figure suddenly appeared beside Mittel Tengshan, whispered a few words in his ear, and left.

"All right. Remember what I said. Meeting adjourned!"

Mittel Tengshan rose first and left the council chamber. Without him presiding over them, the chamber grew lively again. Naturally, everyone was discussing the Grade Six Alchemist—or rather, their Mittel Family's Grand Elder!

They couldn't have been more willing to have a Grade Six Alchemist become their Grand Elder! And judging by the patriarch's description, this alchemist was exceptionally young. When had such a prodigy appeared in the Jia Ma Empire?

As for their former Grand Elder, he had vanished decades ago. At least half the people in the chamber didn't even know him, while those who knew of his existence tacitly chose to forget him! They couldn't remain shackled to the past; they had to look toward their bright future! (Hai Bodong: ...)

The Mittel Family's reception hall.

When Mittel Tengshan entered the hall, he found that all the old monsters who were normally so difficult to encounter had gathered there: Fa Ma, Nalan Jie, Mu Chen, and even the Imperial Family's guardian, Elder Jia—Jia Xingtian!

But he wasn't surprised. He would only have been surprised if they had sensed such a commotion at the Mittel Family and failed to come! That was especially true of Jia Xingtian, who was devoted to maintaining the Imperial Family's rule!

"Teng Shan, someone in your Mittel Family is refining Sixth-Grade Pills!" Fa Ma spoke first. Though phrased as a question, his tone was certain!

Jia Xingtian and the other two also looked at Mittel Tengshan. The only person in the Jia Ma Empire capable of refining Sixth-Grade Pills was Gu He of the Misty Cloud Sect!

And if a Guest Elder of the Misty Cloud Sect had appeared at the Mittel Family, matters became complicated! The Imperial Family would never permit such a thing!

"Haha! The person refining Sixth-Grade Pills isn't Gu He, but our Mittel Family's Grand Elder!"

Mittel Tengshan naturally understood their concerns. If Gu He had appeared at the Mittel Family, Jia Xingtian would probably have been unable to sit still. Without Elder Hai overseeing them, the Mittel Family couldn't withstand the Imperial Family's reckoning!

"Grand Elder? Hai Bodong?" Jia Xingtian frowned slightly. Wasn't that old fellow dead? Even if he was alive, his ice-attribute Dou Qi would prevent him from becoming an alchemist! Unless this Grand Elder was someone else!

Nalan Jie's and Mu Chen's expressions shifted. Could that man still be alive? But on second thought, that was impossible. How could he have become an alchemist?

"Teng Shan, could you introduce us to your Grand Elder?" Fa Ma asked. He had no ulterior motives; he simply wanted to meet this Grade Six Alchemist who had suddenly appeared. As for why the alchemist was at the Mittel Family, he had no desire to concern himself with that.

Jia Xingtian also looked at Mittel Tengshan and said, "Teng Shan, take us to meet your Grand Elder!"

"Elder Fa, Elder Jia, that isn't something I can decide. I'll send someone to ask. If the Grand Elder is unwilling, there's nothing I can do!"

Jia Xingtian and the others could only agree.

Outside Ya Fei's courtyard, a figure appeared soundlessly at the entrance.

Liu Yu was sipping tea and enjoying Ya Fei's massage when he sensed someone appear outside.

"Come in!"

At Liu Yu's call, the black-clad figure entered the courtyard, approached him, and said respectfully, "Supreme Elder, some guests have arrived at the Mittel Family's reception hall. They wish to see you!"

They're finally here! Liu Yu chuckled. The commotion caused by his second pill refinement had been anything but small.

"I'll head over now! Ya Fei, take me to the hall!" Liu Yu gave his instructions, and the black-clad figure departed.

Inside the Mittel Family's reception hall, everyone waited quietly without the slightest impatience. A Grade Six Alchemist had earned that right. Even if he refused to meet them, they could hardly complain.

Just then, crisp footsteps approached, and a seductive figure slowly entered the hall with someone in tow.

Everyone's gaze instantly focused on the two figures. But once they saw them clearly, an enormous question mark appeared in their minds. The Grand Elder? This elegant young gentleman?

Jia Xingtian narrowed his eyes slightly. He discovered that, even with his strength, he couldn't see through this person at all!

Liu Yu entered the hall under Ya Fei's guidance. Seeing him, Mittel Tengshan rose from the seat of honor and gestured for Liu Yu to take it.

Liu Yu didn't hesitate. He was now the Mittel Family's Grand Elder, after all. Such treatment was only fitting!

Once Liu Yu took his seat, Mittel Tengshan stood beside him and began introducing the elderly men.

Liu Yu listened silently. He actually recognized these people already. The only ones he wanted to meet this time were Nalan Jie and Jia Xingtian!

"Master Liu, may I ask what pill you were refining earlier?" Fa Ma couldn't resist asking. Though the question was rather abrupt, those pillars of light had been too astonishing. The pill he had refined surely ranked among the highest of Sixth-Grade Pills!

"A Dou Ling Pill!" Liu Yu answered softly.

"A Dou Ling Pill?" Fa Ma exclaimed. Though a Dou Ling Pill was a Sixth-Grade Pill capable of raising a Dou Wang expert's strength by one star, it was among the lower-ranked Sixth-Grade Pills. How could it have produced such a phenomenon?

No matter how Fa Ma pondered it, he couldn't understand. Yet Master Liu couldn't possibly be lying to him. Unless...

"Elder Fa, this Dou Ling Pill isn't an ordinary Dou Ling Pill!" Seeing Fa Ma's confusion, Mittel Tengshan kindly offered an explanation.

Not an ordinary Dou Ling Pill? Those words immediately set Nalan Jie's and Mu Chen's thoughts stirring.

"Heavenly Flames..." Fa Ma murmured. Aside from Heavenly Flames, he could think of nothing else that would cause a Dou Ling Pill to produce such a phenomenon.

"Heavenly Flames!" Everyone present was a Dou Wang or Dou Huang expert, so they naturally heard Fa Ma's murmur. While Nalan Jie and the others merely looked surprised, the blunt-spoken Mu Chen exclaimed outright.

Jia Xingtian cast a mildly displeased look at Mu Chen. Shouting and making a fuss—where was his dignity? Mu Chen felt a little "wronged." He simply hadn't been able to help himself...

Fa Ma was speechless and gave Liu Yu an apologetic look.

Liu Yu didn't mind. So they know about my Heavenly Flames. So what? Are you going to snatch them from my hands?

"Master Liu, since you can refine Dou Ling Pills, what about other Sixth-Grade Pills?"

Jia Xingtian watched Liu Yu expectantly. He had protected the Imperial Family for many years, but his lifespan was ultimately limited. Only by breaking through to Dou Zong could he continue to uphold their rule. Yet without outside assistance, whether he lived or died attempting that breakthrough was uncertain!

He wasn't afraid of death. It was just that no one in the Imperial Family could currently replace him. If he died, with the Misty Cloud Sect outside and the three great families within, the Imperial Family would be in danger!

"Anything below seventh grade!" Liu Yu's expression remained calm. Such was his confidence!

Fa Ma, Nalan Jie, and Mu Chen looked shocked. Even Jia Xingtian, who normally never let joy or anger show, looked excited. Mittel Tengshan, meanwhile, remained utterly composed.

Standing to one side, Ya Fei maintained a calm expression, but her beautiful eyes gazed at Liu Yu in a trance.

The soaring spirit of youth, a splendor without equal!

"Master Liu, could you refine a Sect Breaking Pill for me?" Jia Xingtian felt deeply apprehensive. All the emotional upheaval he had experienced over the years couldn't compare to today!

"Provide three sets of ingredients yourself. As payment, I'll take one additional set of ingredients for a Sect Breaking Pill!" Liu Yu looked at Jia Xingtian. I've been waiting for you to ask!

"Master Liu, I'll go prepare the ingredients at once!"

Jia Xingtian could barely contain his excitement. The Imperial Family had no shortage of ingredients; what they lacked was someone to refine them! Forgetting all etiquette, he moved and vanished from the hall.

Seeing Jia Xingtian lose his composure like this, Mittel Tengshan and the others were filled with emotion. They understood. After all, this was an opportunity that came once in a thousand years. If he seized it to break through to Dou Zong in one stroke, the Imperial Family's rule would become unshakable!

Liu Yu, however, felt a little "troubled." If I'd known, I would have asked for more payment. Ah, why am I so kindhearted?

"Well, Master Liu, I would also like to request a Dou Ling Pill. I wonder..."

Before Nalan Jie could finish, Liu Yu spoke directly. "The same terms. Provide three sets of ingredients yourself, plus one set of Dou Ling Pill ingredients as payment!"

Nalan Jie relaxed inwardly. Though gathering four sets of Dou Ling Pill ingredients would hurt his purse, that was nothing compared to an increase in strength!

"Master Liu, I want one too!" Seeing Liu Yu agree to Nalan Jie's request, Mu Chen grew anxious and hurriedly spoke up.

"Haha, Patriarch Mu, don't worry. As long as you follow an alchemist's rules, I can refine whatever pill you want!" Liu Yu chuckled. This Patriarch Mu is quite a character!

"Master Liu, I won't disturb you any longer, then!"

With that, Mu Chen left in a burning hurry, while Nalan Jie and Fa Ma remained seated nearby.

"Patriarch Nalan, it seems you have something you need me to deal with!" Liu Yu gave Nalan Jie a meaningful look.

Nalan Jie smiled bitterly. He had known he couldn't hide this from a Grade Six Alchemist! He said, "Master Liu, you truly are remarkable. To be frank, several months ago, I fought an extremely venomous fifth-rank magical beast, a Branding Iron Poison Seal Python. Though I killed it in the end, I was also afflicted by its terrifying poison. I've managed to suppress this Brand Poison for now, but in the future, I fear..."

Nalan Jie was filled with regret. For the sake of the Seven Illusory Azure Spirit Saliva, he had put his own life on the line, and he couldn't even let outsiders find out! How bitter his lot was! He continued, "If you can remove the Brand Poison from my body, I will offer you the Seven Illusory Azure Spirit Saliva. As a Grade Six Alchemist, you surely understand its effects. It is tremendously useful to alchemists!"

To persuade Liu Yu to help him, Nalan Jie promised a "handsome reward." Compared to his life and the Nalan Family's future, the Seven Illusory Azure Spirit Saliva seemed insignificant!

"Very well. In that case, I'll remove Old Master Nalan's Brand Poison today!"

Little Yanzi! Sorry about this. I've been forced into it too. The cultivation requirements for the "Profound Heaven Soul Art" the system gave me are too demanding. I have no choice! Damn system! (Achievement System: ...)

Of course, I'll make it up to you. How about I have Nalan Yanran become your little wife again when the time comes?! Hehe. Liu Yu thought with a rather wicked sense of humor. (Xiao Yan: ...)

Thanks to Mingxin Ruoxiangyi and Mumu Ni for the tips.

Also, a clarification: in this book, Seven Illusory Azure Spirit Saliva can increase soul power. In the original work, it restored soul power, but it was never stated that it couldn't increase soul power. Besides, if it can restore it, it should also be able to increase it, so I added this setting.

Lastly, please support the book!