To the Misty Cloud Sect (4k)

Seeing that everything was now on track, Liu Yu felt rather gratified. The only thing still worrying him was the Hall of Souls!

He had no idea whether that so-called Protector Wu had approached Yun Shan. Although protectors were hardly powerful figures in the Hall of Souls, Protector Wu was an Earth-Grade Protector whose strength lay somewhere between Four-Star Dou Zong and Six-Star Dou Zong, making him a little troublesome.

Liu Yu did not dwell on it. At this point, the Hall of Souls was not making any major moves, and Protector Wu alone could not threaten the Snake-People Tribe.

A year had passed since the Snake-People Tribe began rebuilding. During that year, all its people had relocated to the depths of the Magical Beast Mountain Range.

Deep within the Magical Beast Mountain Range, buildings stood in great numbers, vaguely divided into nine districts. Eight newly built cities formed a ring around the magnificent metropolis at their center!

Human figures could even be seen moving among them, and the Snake-People no longer found their presence unusual. In fact, some humans could be seen strolling down the streets with their arms around female Snake-People, while male Snake-People walked alongside human women!

Ever since the Snake-People Tribe had allied with the Jia Ma Empire and opened several routes between the Magical Beast Mountain Range and the empire, exchanges between the two had become quite frequent. People had also proved highly adaptable. Snake-People were a common sight in the empire's major cities, and under heavy-handed policies, the so-called hatred between the two races had vanished like smoke, apart from a few extremists.

But the Imperial Family always executed on the spot any scum who undermined the friendship between the Jia Ma Empire and the Snake-People Tribe. It could be called quite "brutal," though the results were certainly immediate!

Holy Feather City was the Snake-People Tribe's new Holy City!

An enormous palace complex occupied its center. Inside the most magnificent and imposing palace at its heart, a languid figure leaned casually against a throne made of purple crystal, holding a crimson Jade Cup in one slender hand and leisurely savoring its exquisite nectar.

Bored out of his mind, Liu Yu willed his system panel into view.

[Name: Liu Yu (Little Silver)]

[Race: Human Race]

[Age: Twelve]

[Cultivation: Three-Star Dou Emperor]

[Soul: Early Spirit Realm]

[Cultivation arts: Myriad Forms Divine Art, (Middle Earth Tier) Divine Flame Art, Origin-Nurturing Art]

[Dou Techniques: Thousand Illusion Body (minor mastery), (Middle Profound Tier) Mountain-Splitting Finger (major mastery), (Middle Profound Tier) Ethereal Step (major mastery), (High Profound Tier) Flame Spear (major mastery), Profound Heaven Soul Art, (Earth Tier Low Grade) Heaven-Burning Palm (minor mastery), (Earth Tier Low Grade) Ten Thousand Serpent Calamity (minor mastery), Twelve Divine Wheels]

[Treasures: "Green Lotus Core Flame," Young Green Lotus Core Flame, Thousand-Mechanism Fan]

[Achievements: Little Body, Big Schemes, Restless Little Hands, Spoiled Brat, First Steps, Alchemy Master, Empty-Handed Master, Shamelessness, Little Star]

[System Space: Thousand-Mechanism Fan]

Over the past year or so, Liu Yu had used the automatic cultivation exploit and three strands of Source Power to advance straight from Four-Star Dou Wang to Three-Star Dou Emperor. Source Power really was ridiculously potent. A single strand contained enough power to raise him two stars in the Dou Wang realm! Even after reaching Dou Emperor, one strand could still support a one-star advancement!

His greatest gain, however, was the breakthrough in his soul realm. With the help of one strand of Source Power, he had successfully brought his soul into a mysterious state and sensed the spiritual fluctuations between Heaven and Earth!

In that state, the spiritual fluctuations permeating the void were drawn to Liu Yu's soul, gradually gathering before finally merging into it!

To ensure his soul realm breakthrough, Liu Yu had generously rewarded himself with another strand of Source Power, prolonging that mysterious state! Thus, he had achieved the breakthrough he wanted and reached the Spirit Realm!

Reaching the Spirit Realm also meant he met the requirements to cultivate the Profound Heaven Soul Art! And it had certainly not disappointed him. Not only could it absorb spiritual energy from Heaven and Earth to accelerate breakthroughs in his soul realm, but it also contained various methods of using Soul Power to attack and defend. What pleased Liu Yu most, however, was its "Spirit Devouring" power!

"Spirit Devouring" forcibly consumed other people's souls to strengthen his own! It naturally suppressed soul bodies, making it practically the nemesis of the Hall of Souls' protectors, since nearly all their Heaven-, Earth-, and Human-Grade Protectors were soul bodies!

There was a restriction on forcibly devouring others' souls, however: digestion. He had to discard the dross and extract their soul origin!

While Liu Yu was lost in thought, a graceful figure sat to one side below the throne, handling official business. Her elegant blue-green robes could not conceal her captivating curves. Her flowing black hair was swept up with a Phoenix Hairpin, and her exquisite features were calm and composed, yet carried a trace of nobility that could not quite be hidden.

At that moment, the lovely woman turned slightly toward Liu Yu on the throne and asked, "Chairman Fa Ma wants to establish an Alchemist Academy in Holy Feather City, enrolling Snake-People and people from the Jia Ma Empire who have an aptitude for alchemy. Those who perform well will be admitted into the Alchemist Guild. What do you think?"

"That sounds good!" Coming back to his senses, Liu Yu took a small sip of the nectar in his cup and gave his approval.

"Then I'll approve it here!" Yun Yun turned back and continued handling the paperwork.

Yun Yun was here because, during the Snake-People's rebuilding, she had somehow learned that Liu Yu was the one in power within the Snake-People Tribe and headed straight for the Magical Beast Mountain Range. Fortunately, she had run into Liu Yu while he was out on business. Otherwise, recklessly barging into the depths of the range like that would certainly have earned her some "physical suffering."

After Liu Yu patiently explained things, Yun Yun had accepted it. What truly angered her was that this scoundrel had previously spent so long in the Imperial Capital without even coming to see her! Did he have any place for her in his heart at all?

However, just when Liu Yu thought everything had blown over, Yun Yun suddenly posed a deadly question. She had remembered what he had said when they first met—he was Queen Medusa's fiancé!

Though somewhat surprised, Liu Yu had openly admitted it. Yet his unhesitating honesty had put Yun Yun in a difficult position.

But Liu Yu had not given her a chance to overthink it. I've already kissed you, and you've stolen a piece of my heart. How could I possibly give you a chance to "change your mind"!

Liu Yu had forcibly "subdued" Yun Yun and spirited her away to the Snake-People Tribe. After some "training," she had finally accepted the reality that Liu Yu was Queen Medusa's "child groom"!

On the throne, Liu Yu admired Yun Yun's figure and felt glad he had acted decisively back then. With her indecisive nature, if he had left her to slowly make up her own mind, the daylilies would probably have gone cold before she reached a decision.

As for Liu Yu and Yun Yun's relationship, the Snake-People Tribe's Four Great Elders had turned a blind eye. To them, this was a matter between their Queen and her consort. They would not "wade into muddy waters" and end up pleasing neither side!

Seeing Yun Yun tirelessly working for him, Liu Yu rose from the throne and gently placed both hands on her shoulders, kneading them with practiced ease. "Well? Pretty good technique, right? Most people don't get this treatment! Only you, Yun'er, get to enjoy my service—the pavilion nearest the water catches the moon first!"

"Hah! You must have massaged your Queen's shoulders plenty of times before!" Hearing such "shameless" words, Yun Yun fired back without hesitation.

Liu Yu did not mind at all. He stopped massaging, bent down slightly, and wrapped both arms around her perfect waist, whispering softly in her ear, "What's wrong? Jealous?"

"Who's jealous over you?" Feeling his warm breath against her ear and his restless hands, Yun Yun's lovely face flushed crimson.

"Really?" Looking at her reddened little ear, Liu Yu chuckled and gently bit her tender earlobe, making her whole body tremble.

At that, Liu Yu swept Yun Yun into a bridal carry. She offered no resistance as he carried her toward the throne.

On the throne, Liu Yu gazed at the bashful beauty in his arms and gently kissed her...

In the Magical Beast Mountain Range, a figure bounded onward, heading ever deeper into the mountains.

"Teacher, why aren't we taking the proper road? Why do we have to cut through here?" the black-clad youth complained inwardly as he darted through the woods.

"Take the proper road? Only the major cities have routes leading to the Snake-People Tribe. Cutting straight through the Magical Beast Mountain Range is the fastest way! Besides, this is training too!" Yao Lao said with a smile from inside the Bone Flame Ring.

"What if we accidentally run into a third- or fourth-rank magical beast? Wouldn't we be done for?" It might be faster, but Xiao Yan still thought safety came first.

"With me concealing your aura, mere third- or fourth-rank magical beasts still scare you this much? And you call yourself my student!" Yao Lao said irritably.

Xiao Yan rolled his eyes. Mere third or fourth rank? I'm only a mere One-Star Dou Shi myself! Rather than continue arguing with Yao Lao, he gave a slight shudder of his back, and the Purple Cloud Wings unfurled. With a powerful beat of both wings, his body became a black streak that shot through the Magical Beast Mountain Range.

After flying for an hour, Xiao Yan slowly caught sight of an enormous city. He hurriedly popped a Qi Recovery Pill into his mouth and beat his wings, heading toward its gates.

As he approached the gates, Xiao Yan swiftly landed. Watching the streams of people and the horse-drawn wagons carrying goods in and out, he could not help marveling that Snake-People and humans could coexist so harmoniously!

He had come to the Snake-People Tribe's territory for Sand Mandala. Just thinking about it annoyed him. That old fellow, the Ice Emperor, had said there might be a Heavenly Flame in the desert. Yet after he and his two elder brothers spent ages searching, they had encountered a Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake with the strength of a Dou Ling in an underground cavern! If Qing Lin, who possessed the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, had not suddenly "unleashed her power," it would have been seriously troublesome! Naturally, they had found no Heavenly Flame in the end.

The Snake-People Tribe gets along with humans now. I should be able to trade for Sand Mandala, right? Xiao Yan murmured inwardly.

Then Xiao Yan followed the bustling crowd through the gates. Upon entering the city, he noticed that the Snake-People soldiers guarding either side outside seemed to be there merely for show. They did not check anyone's identity, simply standing around casually. Some were even chatting off to the side?

Walking slowly down the street, Xiao Yan swept his gaze around. Shops lined the city, and Snake-People mingled with humans. The fiery figures of the female Snake-People made him click his tongue in admiration. From snippets of conversation nearby, he also learned that this city was called Charm City!

Near the end of the street, Xiao Yan spotted a familiar enormous building and its distinctive emblem. Surprise crossed his face. "I never expected the Mittel Family to have expanded all the way out here!"

While Xiao Yan was still marveling, another place with relatively few visitors caught his attention. The Alchemist Guild?

Drawing a light breath, Xiao Yan decided to visit the Mittel Auction House first.

Holy Feather City, the main hall.

On the throne, Liu Yu looked at Yun Yun in his arms, her eyes hazy and her clothes somewhat "disheveled." Instead of continuing, he asked her about something. "Yun'er, is your teacher in secluded cultivation, determined not to emerge until he breaks through?"

"Mm..." Yun Yun answered from his embrace, still breathing a little heavily.

"Do you trust me?"

Yun Yun did not quite understand why Liu Yu was asking, but she nodded anyway.

"According to the information I've received, a sinister organization may have approached your teacher, intending to do something un... to control him!" Liu Yu composed his expression and spoke very seriously.

Hearing his solemn tone, Yun Yun felt an inexplicable unease. But her teacher was cultivating in seclusion deep within the sect. Who could approach him without anyone noticing? Besides, her teacher was a Peak Dou Emperor. If someone tried to forcibly control him, there should have been some disturbance.

Seeing Yun Yun fall silent, Liu Yu could more or less guess her thoughts. He said softly, "This world is vast. In the eyes of certain powers, so-called Dou Emperors and Dou Zongs are nothing more than ants. There are plenty of ways to control your teacher without anyone noticing! Although I can't be certain he's being controlled, it will still be difficult for him to break through to Dou Zong by staying in seclusion. Why not call him out and see how things stand? Besides, I'm confident I can help your teacher successfully reach Dou Zong!"

For a moment, Yun Yun struggled to accept Liu Yu's words. Dou Emperors and Dou Zongs are ants? Do such terrifying powers really exist in this world?

But she believed Liu Yu when he said he could help her teacher successfully break through to Dou Zong. In truth, she had never been very optimistic about her teacher's secluded cultivation. Now that Liu Yu had given his assurance, however, perhaps her teacher really had hope!

"The token for calling Teacher out is with the Grand Elder," Yun Yun said softly.

"In that case, let's go to the Misty Cloud Sect and find him!"

The Misty Cloud Sect, atop Misty Cloud Mountain.

Three figures stood there, discussing something, while five illusory figures lurked unseen nearby!

"Elder Liu, are you certain you can help the former sect master break through to Dou Zong?"

Grand Elder Yun Leng looked at Liu Yu excitedly. The former sect master was already advanced in years and had once attempted to force a breakthrough to Dou Zong, only to fail. That was why he had later entered seclusion, refusing to emerge until he succeeded. Now, even a Sect Breaking Pill would probably be "powerless to turn back the heavens." But Elder Liu was clearly no ordinary Grade Six Alchemist. Perhaps he really could help the former sect master reach Dou Zong!

"Mm!" Liu Yu answered calmly. Conventional methods certainly could not help Yun Shan reach Dou Zong, but he had source power! Besides, Yun Shan might not even need his help!