"That's… a Heavenly Flame. And it's even stronger than Han Feng's…"
Mo Tianxing's expression froze for a brief moment, genuine shock flashing across his eyes.
From Xiao Se's appearance alone, he looked no more than seventeen or eighteen—perhaps even younger. Yet here he was, not only possessing terrifying strength at such an age, but also wielding an immensely powerful Heavenly Flame. On top of that, he had three Dou Zong experts by his side.
This kind of lineup… was enough to make even someone like Mo Tianxing feel a chill of caution.
For the first time, he seriously began to consider his position.
If a fight really broke out, should he side with Xiao Se?
At the very least, one thing was certain—he absolutely could not afford to offend him.
Just as Mo Tianxing's thoughts were turning rapidly, Xiao Se's voice suddenly rang out in his ears, transmitted through Dou Qi.
"Sect Leader Mo, if a fight breaks out, and you help us keep the Old Ghost of Demon Flame here… I'm willing to refine a Huangji Pill and a Po Zong Pill for you."
"Huangji Pill… and Po Zong Pill?"
Mo Tianxing's pupils contracted slightly, his expression shifting again.
For someone already at the Dou Zong level, those pills held little value personally. But—
He had a son.
If his son obtained both the Huangji Pill and the Po Zong Pill, then within ten years, the Black Emperor Sect could very well produce a second Dou Zong expert.
That kind of temptation… was difficult to ignore.
"Please allow this old man some time to consider," Mo Tianxing replied through voice transmission, his gaze subtly flicking toward Xiao Se. "But rest assured, no matter what happens, I will not become an enemy of the Sea King Palace."
Hearing this, Xiao Se smiled faintly and nodded.
While the two communicated silently, the Old Ghost of Demon Flame, standing nearby, began to feel increasingly uneasy.
Before, things were still manageable when no one had released their auras. But now—
The moment Xiao Se and the others unleashed their strength, he could clearly sense it.
A heavy, suffocating sense of danger.
Especially from Xiao Yixian.
Her cultivation had actually reached five-star Dou Zong. And with his many years of experience, he could vaguely tell—
This wasn't even her full strength.
And most troubling of all, Mo Tianxing seemed to be leaning toward Xiao Se's side.
That was a very bad sign.
If four Dou Zong experts joined forces… along with Xiao Se, whose combat strength rivaled a Dou Zong and who controlled a terrifying Heavenly Flame—
If a real fight broke out, he would not be able to handle it.
"Old Ghost Demon Flame, are we fighting or not?" Xiao Yixian suddenly spoke, her tone filled with impatience. "If you want to fight, this palace will accompany you anytime."
She had already been displeased with his earlier threats toward Xiao Se.
As her words fell, a surge of power erupted from her body. The Heavenly Poison Eight Wings unfurled behind her, and her martial soul—the Woeful Poison Body—activated instantly.
Her aura skyrocketed.
In that moment, she was no weaker than the Old Ghost of Demon Flame.
This final display of strength became the last straw that crushed his resolve.
One-on-one, he might not fear Xiao Yixian.
But against all of them together?
There was a very real chance he would fall here.
"…Brat, we'll settle this another day."
Throwing out a harsh line, the Old Ghost of Demon Flame flicked his sleeve. His figure transformed into a streak of light and shot into the distance, disappearing beyond the horizon in the blink of an eye.
He had retreated.
The moment he left, the suffocating tension in the air dissipated instantly.
Even Mo Tianxing did not dare linger any longer.
He gave Xiao Se and the others a brief greeting, then quickly departed as well, his figure vanishing into the sky.
Today, he had truly witnessed the strength of the Sea King Palace.
Even the infamous Old Ghost of Demon Flame… had been forced to flee.
"Xiao Se, that old ghost dared to speak to you like that. Why didn't we just attack him directly?" Xiao Yixian asked, her brows slightly furrowed, still clearly annoyed.
"With the four of us, keeping him here wouldn't have been difficult," Medusa added coldly. There was a sharp glint in her eyes—she had already harbored killing intent toward the old man who dared threaten her man.
"Don't worry."
Xiao Se chuckled lightly.
"I used the Guiyuan Soul Technique to secretly leave a soul mark on him. He won't be able to escape."
If circumstances had allowed, he would have preferred to kill the Old Ghost of Demon Flame on the spot.
After all, Demon Flame Valley possessed the method for refining the Sky Demon Puppet. And the old ghost himself… would make an excellent material for such a puppet.
Unfortunately—
Reality was not so accommodating.
Xiao Se had just finished refining two seventh-grade pills. His Dou Qi and soul power were heavily depleted. He simply could not unleash a Four-Colored Fire Lotus powerful enough to seriously injure or kill the old ghost.
As for Xiao Yixian, Medusa, and Su Qian—
Even if they joined forces, it would be extremely difficult to keep him from escaping. At best, they could injure or drive him away.
And with Mo Tianxing—a classic fence-sitter—still present, along with other hidden experts in the Black-Corner Region…
If a chaotic battle broke out, the outcome would be unpredictable.
Hearing Xiao Se's explanation, Xiao Yixian and Medusa both nodded slightly.
After knowing him for so many years, they trusted his judgment completely.
If he chose not to act, it was because he had already considered everything.
"Xiao Se, now that things are settled, this old man should return to the Inner Academy," Su Qian said, letting out a quiet sigh of relief. "I'll leave that girl Zi Yan in your care."
The departure of both the Old Ghost of Demon Flame and Mo Tianxing had lifted a heavy burden from his heart.
Especially the former—he was a figure from the same era as the academy's principal, Mang Tianchi. His strength was unfathomable.
"Hehe, thank you for your help this time, Great Elder."
Xiao Se smiled. Then, with a flick of his hand, he retrieved a jade bottle from his storage ring. Under the control of Dou Qi, it floated gently toward Su Qian.
"As an alchemist, I don't have much else to offer. Please accept this Qingming Longevity Pill as thanks for your help today—and for taking care of us over the past year."
The Qingming Longevity Pill—a sixth-grade medicinal pill capable of extending one's lifespan by nearly ten years. However, a person could only consume it once in their lifetime.
This was one of the spoils Xiao Se had obtained from Han Feng.
And now, it was the perfect gift for Su Qian.
"A Qingming Longevity Pill?"
Su Qian caught the jade bottle, his eyes lighting up immediately.
At his level, most sixth-grade pills—or anything below—were of little use, aside from certain healing medicines.
But this was different.
This pill extended lifespan.
And for cultivators, aside from power and reputation, longevity was one of the ultimate pursuits.
Su Qian was no exception.
"In that case, I won't refuse," he said with a satisfied nod. "If you need anything in the future, send word to the Inner Academy at any time."
Xiao Se nodded in return.
Soon after, he brought Xiao Yixian and Medusa back to Feng City.
That night—
The moon hung in the sky like a silver plate, surrounded by countless twinkling stars.
Soft moonlight filtered through the window, spilling gently across Xiao Se's face.
His eyes slowly opened.
After several hours of rest and recovery, both his Dou Qi and soul power had fully returned.
"Brother… have you completely recovered?"
A soft, gentle voice echoed in the quiet room.
A streak of blue light emerged from the demonic sword marking on Xiao Se's right hand, drifting gracefully into the air before settling onto the bed. It transformed into a delicate, graceful figure—
Long Kui.
"Mm. I've mostly recovered," Xiao Se replied, nodding slightly as he pulled her into his arms and lay back. "But refining two seventh-grade pills at the same time… was still a bit too much."
Long Kui rested quietly against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
After a moment, she spoke softly.
"Brother…"
"Mm? Go ahead. I'm listening."
Xiao Se gently stroked her shoulder.
"…It's nothing. I just wanted to call you," Long Kui said with a faint smile.
"Brother…"
"Mm."
"Brother… if one day I'm revived… and I marry you…"
She hesitated slightly before continuing, her voice soft and uncertain.
"…do you think people will say we're going against morality?"
Xiao Se paused for a brief moment.
Then he answered without hesitation.
"The past life is the past life. This life is this life."
He tightened his embrace slightly, his voice calm but firm.
"Setting aside the fact that we no longer share any blood relation… even if someone dared to insult you—"
"I would destroy them."
Long Kui's eyes softened.
"Mm… Good night, Brother."
"Good night."
(End of Chapter)
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