Yun Yun (41k)

After Nalan Jie and Nalan Su were the first to enter, renowned experts of the Jia Ma Empire arrived one after another. Among them were the Ten Great Experts—all except Yun Shan had gathered here.

Once everyone had arrived, the factions present could essentially be divided into three camps: the Alchemist Guild and the Mittel Family, led by Liu Yu; the Imperial Family, the Nalan Family, and the Mu Family, headed by Jia Xingtian; and finally, Yun Yun and the others representing the Misty Cloud Sect.

As for the other "Rogue Cultivators," they were sandwiched between these three forces, cutting quite a "miserable" picture.

And now, all three factions had their eyes fixed on one particular person!

Yun Yun's beautiful eyes brimmed with complicated emotions—joy, affection, and resentment! She felt especially uncomfortable when she saw Ya Fei standing behind Liu Yu like a maid. As a famous beauty of Jia Ma Holy City, how could Yun Yun not recognize her?

Beside Yun Yun, Nalan Yanran stole a glance at her teacher. She kept feeling that something was off about her teacher's mood today. Shouldn't seeing the man she loved make her happy? Why did her teacher seem a little angry?

Following her teacher's gaze, Nalan Yanran looked toward the young man who shone as brilliantly as the sun. Even Dou Wangs and Dou Huang experts paled before him! She had to marvel at her teacher's excellent taste!

Involuntarily, she thought of her own situation. Her former engagement had already been canceled, and her grandfather had driven her out of the Nalan Family as well. Had she truly been wrong?

She had only wanted to control her own destiny. She refused to become a tool for a marriage alliance, especially when her fiancé had already become a cripple! She did not want someone she disliked sharing her pillow, much less to spend the rest of her life with a cripple!

With those thoughts, Nalan Yanran looked toward her grandfather. As though sensing her gaze, Nalan Jie turned and glanced at her, his expression indifferent—icy, even! Then he quickly turned away without sparing her another look. Nalan Yanran's eyes dimmed.

Clearly, Nalan Jie still held a grudge over Nalan Yanran breaking off the engagement. His granddaughter had gone behind his back to cancel the marriage agreement he had made with his old friend, costing him all face in the Imperial Capital. How could he face the Xiao Clan? How could he face the late Xiao Lin? So what if Xiao Yan had become a cripple? Could the great Nalan Family not afford to support one idle man?!

Besides, Xiao Yan had once been a renowned genius of the Jia Ma Empire. There had to be some unknown reason why he had suddenly lost all his Dou Qi and become a cripple. Now that Master Liu, such a mysterious and unfathomable Grade Six Alchemist, was here, perhaps he could discover the cause and restore Xiao Yan's genius!

As he thought about it, Nalan Jie's reasonably good mood soured. But his granddaughter had already canceled the engagement. What could he do? Unless...

Suddenly, Nalan Jie had a bold idea. Since Nalan Yanran had dared to break off the engagement, why couldn't he "renege" on that cancellation? The Nalan Family had already lost more than enough face anyway. Besides, this might not disgrace the family at all—it could instead restore much of their reputation. The one truly humiliated would be Nalan Yanran! Since she had canceled the engagement behind his back, she would have to bear the consequences!

Phew! Nalan Jie drew a light breath, and his mood went straight from overcast to sunny. A perfect plan gradually took shape in his mind...

At that moment, everyone present was quietly "admiring" Liu Yu, especially the women. Yao Ye's and Yao Yue's eyes, in particular, sparkled with interest.

As the star of today's celebration, Liu Yu noticed the silence. President Fa Ma, looking perfectly unruffled, clearly had no intention of speaking. He was obviously building momentum for him.

Liu Yu felt no stage fright. There was no particular reason—he was used to this. He had dared to act "brazenly" before the Snake-People Tribe's Four Great Elders, let alone here. Besides, his current strength would not allow him to shrink back! Allow him one arrogant declaration: Below Dou Zong, I am invincible. Everyone present is...

He gently folded the Thousand-Mechanism Fan in his hand. Behind him, a halo of interwoven azure and blue flickered into view. Instantly, an aura comparable to that of a Peak Dou Emperor surged from Liu Yu, enveloping the entire Alchemist Guild.

Everyone present felt unbearably oppressed. Fortunately, that terrifying aura vanished in an instant, as though it had never existed! The Linen-Robed Elder in the hall had nearly failed to restrain himself.

Everyone stared in horror at Liu Yu standing in their midst. A Peak Dou Emperor!

Whether it was Ya Fei beside him, President Fa Ma, Yun Yun, Mittel Tengshan, or the Linen-Robed Elder, none of them could believe it. Yun Yun, in particular, was stunned. Wasn't he a Dou Wang?!

Liu Yu, the one responsible, wore a friendly smile and looked utterly harmless. He was not someone who enjoyed playing the pig to eat the tiger, nor was he particularly interested in showing off. He had revealed his aura mainly for Jia Xingtian's benefit, to make their later discussion about the Snake-People Tribe easier. Only overwhelming strength could make Jia Xingtian "submit wholeheartedly"!

As for Jia Xingtian breaking through to Dou Zong afterward? Sorry about that. He had learned from Yao Lao and added a little something to the Sect Breaking Pill. Whether Jia Xingtian's breakthrough succeeded or not, half his life would rest in Liu Yu's hands. If he ultimately agreed to Liu Yu's demands, nothing would happen. If he refused...

Liu Yu could not help feeling a little rueful. Without realizing it, he had become somewhat "bad" himself. But he had no choice. He was not alone—he had the Snake-People Tribe behind him! Before leaving the Northwest Continent, he had to settle all their affairs. Only then could he venture into the Central Plains with peace of mind!

"Welcome, everyone, and thank you for coming to support me. You truly leave me overwhelmed!" Liu Yu said, holding his fan in a cupped-hand salute.

Overwhelmed? Everyone inwardly felt rather speechless. They were the ones who ought to feel overwhelmed!

Naturally, they could only keep those thoughts to themselves. Soon, everyone was vying to exchange pleasantries with Liu Yu.

Time passed quickly, and the guests gradually began to leave. This celebration was essentially Liu Yu's "one-man show," coupled with "handing over money." Those who had "paid up" gained a chance to curry favor with him, while the Alchemist Guild's influence received a convenient boost along the way.

After most of the guests departed, only Liu Yu and Ya Fei, President Fa Ma, Nalan Jie and Nalan Su, Mittel Tengshan, Jia Xingtian and the two princesses, and Yun Yun's group from the Misty Cloud Sect remained.

"May I ask when Elder Liu intends to refine my pill?" Yun Yun, who had remained silent throughout their earlier conversations, finally spoke in a plaintive tone. Her expression was hidden beneath her thin veil.

"How about I refine it for you in a little while?" Liu Yu replied softly, looking at the veiled Yun Yun, whom he had not seen in so long.

Liu Yu had noticed Yun Yun as soon as the Celebration began, but he had not known how to approach her, so he had put it off until now.

Yun Yun simply watched Liu Yu without saying another word, as though expressing her displeasure.

"Then... shall I refine it for you now?" Liu Yu did not know whether to laugh or cry. She was a sect master, after all. Surely she wouldn't be this childish?

Yet Yun Yun still did not answer. The others nearby sensed something strange. Elder Liu seemingly had some undisclosed romantic entanglement with the Misty Cloud Sect's sect master...

Yun Leng looked at his sect master with an inscrutable expression. Could the sect master and Elder Liu... actually, that would be rather good! With that thought, he cast a discreet glance at Gu He. The Misty Cloud Sect's higher-ups all knew something of Gu He's feelings for their sect master. As Grand Elder, he naturally knew too. After silently comparing Gu He with Elder Liu, he found the gap between them rather substantial...

"Elder Liu, Yao Ye, Yao Yue, and I will take our leave!"

Seeing the delicate atmosphere, Jia Xingtian took the initiative to break the deadlock and announced his departure. He had originally stayed to see whether he could bring Yao Ye or Yao Yue together with Liu Yu, but that no longer seemed likely. Besides, Elder Liu did not appear interested in either of them.

"Take care, Elder Jia!" Liu Yu smiled. As for Yao Ye and Yao Yue, he paid them no attention, lest they misunderstand and cause unnecessary trouble.

"Old Master Nalan, was there something else you needed?"

Liu Yu intended to deal with Yun Yun later. In her current state, she would not listen to anything he said.

"Haha, Elder Liu, my business can wait!" Nalan Jie laughed, his eyes inscrutable.

Then Nalan Jie turned to Yun Yun and asked, "Sect Master Yun, may I take Yanran back to the Nalan Family for a while? I have something to discuss with her."

"There's no need to ask me. Just ask Yanran," Yun Yun said coolly, her beautiful eyes still fixed on Liu Yu.

"Grandfather!" Nalan Yanran called sweetly.

"Mm. Come home first!" Nalan Jie's expression softened, a complete contrast to the icy look he had given her earlier.

Without hesitation, Nalan Yanran followed Nalan Jie and Nalan Su out of the Alchemist Guild.

Seeing this, Fa Ma, Mittel Tengshan, and Ya Fei beside Liu Yu tactfully left as well. As a woman skilled at reading expressions, Ya Fei could tell that Sect Master Yun was deeply fond of Elder Liu, and he clearly had quite an entanglement with her. Why remain here and invite a snub?

Yun Leng, too, had grown shrewd with age. He quickly led a somewhat reluctant Gu He away.

Before long, only Liu Yu and Yun Yun remained in the vast hall.

While Liu Yu was still choosing his words, he saw Yun Yun slowly walking toward him. Damn, is she going to attack me?! Angry women can be completely unreasonable. Should I fight back, or should I fight back?

Just as Liu Yu was "braced for battle," he suddenly felt a soft, warm body fall into his arms.

That left Liu Yu rather quiet. But seeing Yun Yun's reddened ears—and don't hold me so tightly!—and feeling that touch which tempted him toward "crime," he said "helplessly," "You're hurting me!"

"Why didn't you come to see me?" Yun Yun ignored his flippant remark and spoke her mind, her voice soft and sweet, with a trace of bashfulness.

"I've been refining pills all these days, trying to get a better feel for it. After all, the Sixth-Grade Pill I'm making for you, the Breaking-Affliction Pill, is rather 'difficult' to refine!"

Seeing Yun Yun like this, Liu Yu could not bear to tell her the truth. He could only offer a "kindhearted lie."

Yun Yun gazed into Liu Yu's captivating red eyes. She believed him—unusual phenomena had indeed appeared constantly over Jia Ma Holy City these past few days. But couldn't he have found a little time to visit her?

"All right, it's my fault. Here, this is a gift I carefully prepared for you!" Admitting his mistake early could never hurt. He had not gone to see Yun Yun for two reasons: first, he did not know how to face her; second, there were uncertain factors within the Misty Cloud Sect. At the very least, he would never go there before Her Majesty the Queen awakened!

A jade box appeared out of thin air in Liu Yu's hand, and he passed it to Yun Yun in his arms.

"What is this?" Yun Yun looked curiously at the exquisite jade box, feeling rather happy. This was a gift Liu Yu had prepared especially for her.

"An Emperor's Extreme Pill. Once I've refined your Breaking-Affliction Pill, you can take it," Liu Yu said softly. Using the medicinal ingredients on the list, he had conveniently refined these pills over the past few days as well.

He now had four Sect Breaking Pills, four Emperor's Extreme Pills, nine Dou Ling Pills, ten Qi Cultivation Pills, and two Recovery Pills, not counting those he had already given away.

Barring any mishaps, these pills could greatly increase the strength of the Snake-People Tribe's top fighters!

"I love it!" Yun Yun's beautiful eyes brimmed with affection. What delighted her was not the Emperor's Extreme Pill, but Liu Yu's thoughtfulness!

Yun Yun lifted herself slightly from Liu Yu's embrace, resting her delicate hands against his chest. "Help me take off my veil," she said softly.

Without hesitation, Liu Yu gently removed the thin veil. A breathtakingly beautiful face appeared before him. Ripples shimmered in her lovely eyes, overflowing with tender affection as she looked at him expectantly.

As though possessed, Liu Yu could not help leaning in to kiss her. Perhaps he did not want to disappoint her, perhaps it was the thrill in his heart, or perhaps he had truly fallen for her...

Feeling his warm, soft lips, Yun Yun's heart filled with joy. He's finally caught on! Her hands rose from his chest to wrap around Liu Yu's neck as she clumsily sought more...

After a long while, their lips parted. Looking at Yun Yun, who was a little carried away and still wanted to continue, Liu Yu explained gently, "Let me refine your Breaking-Affliction Pill first. We shouldn't leave that seal inside you for too long, in case it causes any harmful effects!"

"Mm!" Having tasted the marrow and discovered its savor, Yun Yun reluctantly pulled away from Liu Yu's embrace. That wonderful sensation had enchanted her; she had never experienced anything like it before! But she knew removing the seal came first. These things could be savored slowly later...

"Here are two sets of ingredients for the Breaking-Affliction Pill." As though remembering something, Yun Yun took out a Storage Ring and handed it to Liu Yu.

Liu Yu accepted it and took the Purple Cauldron out of his own Storage Ring. Watching him bring out the Medicine Cauldron, Yun Yun asked curiously, "Are you going to refine it right here?"

"Mm. It's only a Sixth-Grade Pill. It won't take long!" Liu Yu chuckled. After Nalan Jie delivered the seven illusory azure spirit saliva that day, he had consumed it immediately. Heaven had favored him after all. Besides restoring soul power, the seven illusory azure spirit saliva could strengthen it too!

Without any mishaps, its assistance had finally brought his soul to mortal realm great perfection!

The disturbance caused by his soul's breakthrough had been considerable. Invisible soul fluctuations spread outward with him at their center. Fortunately, he had reined them in quickly. Otherwise, that terrifying soul power would have enveloped all of Jia Ma Holy City!

A soul at mortal realm great perfection made refining Sixth-Grade Pills even more effortless for Liu Yu. At the same time, the door to becoming a Grade Seven Alchemist had opened to him. In a sense, he was already a Grade Seven Alchemist—he simply had not refined a Seventh-Grade Pill yet!

Putting aside his thoughts, Liu Yu began his "pill-refining journey"...

An extra chapter as a treat for the readers!

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