Chapter 759: Confrontation
Annihilating the Xian Clan — such words would be incredibly arrogant no matter which sect or imperial lineage uttered them! The Alchemy Kingdom would not idly sit by and do nothing as the Xian Clan was destroyed.
Such a declaration was like thunder ringing beside one's ear. Someone couldn't help but murmur: "So arrogant! Does he think there is no one here at the Alchemy Kingdom?"
Xian Miao's expression was unsightly to the extreme. Ever since his Xian Clan separated from the imperial family to form its own clan, no one had ever declared such a thing towards their clan!
"Good, Li, our Xian Clan also wants to see just what you can do." He also left behind a tough and cold response: "We will definitely protect Brother Cao! If you are unconvinced, then come! We'll take on your schemes!"
Xian Miao ended this conversation and turned back to enter his palace.
"Three days later, I will visit your Xian Clan. Destruction will ensue if you don't hand Cao Guoyao over to me." Li Qiye didn't care for the monarch's response. After saying his last words, he also went back inside his courtyard.
Everyone's eyes widened after hearing such strong words. They all thought that both sides would reach an agreement regarding this matter.
"Are we really doing this?" After Li Qiye came back, Tie Yi couldn't help but ask with a wry smile.
Li Qiye glanced at him and said: "You should know very well whether the Xian Clan truly wants to resolve this peacefully or not. They are just posturing and want nothing more than for me to come to their door. That little skit earlier was only for show so that the world knows that their Xian Clan has the moral high ground. Even if I didn't mention attacking their clan, they would still find a reason for me to go there. At that time, they would have the justification to do as they wish." Having spoken to this point, he couldn't help but smile.
"Big Brother, you might as well try to reason with them." Yuan Caihe said softly.
Li Qiye laughed and said: "Why should I? They should be the ones coming to me. If they were sincere and wanted peace, then they wouldn't have replied via spatial message. They would have come to my place and let Cao Guoyao accept his punishment — this would be true sincerity!"
"Of course, they are not acting in good faith. This is even better, I like unreasonable people." Li Qiye leisurely explained: "As the saying goes, one does not slap a smiling face. If people kneel down and beg for forgiveness, then I really can't just kill them. However, for those who arrogantly deal with me, let them come! Only when dealing with unreasonable people would I be able to kill as I please!"
Yuan Caihe gave up. She had a kind heart and understood that Li Qiye was ready to rumble the moment he set foot into this city. It was unfortunate that the Xian Clan didn't know this yet.
The entire city was in an uproar after Li Qiye's declaration spread.
"No way, is this real? Li Qiye actually said these words? This is Alchemy City, not some random place. It is only one step away from the ancestral ground. To make such a declaration… was he insane?"
The first reaction was, of course, disbelief.
A cultivator who knew a few tales of Li Qiye said: "This Li Qiye person has stayed true to his words ever since his debut. I'm afraid this is not just tough talk."
"Just what is this kid's hidden ace?" Even Demon Kings and ancestors who had experienced many things had to wonder: "Don't tell me a big character from Allpine Mountain is here to back him up?"
Some people also arrived at this conclusion, but no one had heard of an Allpine Ancestor coming into being. It could even be said that when Li Qiye made his declaration, Allpine Mountain didn't have any reaction at all. This made them very confused as to just what was hidden in Li Qiye's hands. Just how powerful was it to let him say that he would destroy the Xian Clan, challenging the Alchemy Kingdom's prestige?
While many people discussed this issue with doubts, a certain person was very satisfied with their work and murmured: "Yes, kill everything until even the sky shatters. Alchemy Kingdom, Allpine Mountain, State of Cao, Radiant-Sea Sect… Nothing would be better if all of these sects become involved in this conflict!"
A complacent, cold laughter resounded in the darkness. This person was ready to reap the benefits from this turmoil!
After the first day, both the Xian Clan and the Alchemy Kingdom didn't make any move. Likewise, Li Qiye remained unperturbed.
However, on the second day, someone came to visit Li Qiye. He was the Observant Monarch, the leader of the monarchs in the kingdom.
Li Qiye continued to show consideration and granted him an audience.
"Is Observant Monarch here because of the Xian Clan's matter?" Li Qiye got straight to the point after seeing him.
The monarch had a bitter expression as he responded: "Young Noble Li, I am also very helpless here. The other monarchs chose me as the envoy, so I had no choice."
Li Qiye looked at him and spoke calmly: "The other monarchs?"
The monarch exasperatedly replied: "The monarchs don't want this matter to reach the point of no return. Our Alchemy Kingdom has always maintained a low profile and does not wish for a grand battle to occur inside the Alchemy Realm. Moreover, the alchemy conference is about to take place. Even if the ancestors from the imperial family do not blame us, we monarchs will still feel responsible. We are unable to ignore this matter, but we also don't have the ability to settle it."
"Settle this matter?" Li Qiye smiled and shook his head in response: "Observant Monarch, it is not that I am refusing to give you or the other monarchs from your kingdom any face. You should know very well that the issue is not on my side, it is the Xian Clan's."
The monarch couldn't help but smile wryly at Li Qiye's reply.
Li Qiye chuckled and said: "If the other monarchs want to settle this matter, then it could be very simple. Tell the Xian Clan to hand over Cao Guoyao."
The helpless monarch replied: "Before coming to see Young Noble Li, I took a trip to the Xian Clan. The World-Pillar Monarch's attitude was unyielding. Unless Young Noble Li starts by apologizing to the Xian Clan, there will be no negotiations regarding Cao Guoyao."
"Not bad." Li Qiye was not surprised at all and said: "Then we'll deal with it two days later. I am more than happy to personally visit the Xian Clan."
The monarch softly sighed. He knew that there wouldn't be a peaceful resolution. In fact, he knew a lot more than the other nobles. Before coming, he already predicted this result. However, the monarchs pushed him here, so he had to take the trip regardless.
"Young Noble Li, sometimes, taking one step back is the right way to go." The monarch tried to persuade Li Qiye once more: "If this was before, then I and the other monarchs could pressure the World-Pillar Monarch into giving us some face. However, he is very confident at this moment, so I'm afraid your arrival is just what he wants."
Li Qiye cheerfully asked: "So what?"
The monarch hesitated for a moment before eventually continuing: "Right now, I can say for certain that the Huangfu Sacred Ancestor and the Xian Alchemy Ancestor are residing in the Xian Clan. Although people said that the Alchemy Ancestor had left, I'm quite certain that he is still there. I am putting myself at great risks by revealing this news to Young Noble Li."
"I appreciate Monarch's thoughtfulness." Li Qiye smiled and said: "Since someone dug such a big hole for me, I would truly feel sorry for their hard work if I didn't jump in."
Although the frustrated monarch wanted to settle this matter, it was beyond his power. Even though this whole incident had dire consequences with deeply involved parties, nothing would be resolved unless the imperial family was willing to step in.
"Young Noble Li, I am not underestimating you." The monarch ultimately held onto his objective of persuasion and said: "Even though the Xian Alchemy Ancestor is not considered an apex existence with regards to cultivation, His Venerable is still a great paragon. As for the Huangfu Sacred Ancestor, there is no need to speak further of his might."
The monarch paused for a moment before continuing: "Although Allpine Mountain supports Young Noble, Young Noble should also know that the Alchemy Ancestor has great ties with some of our imperial family's extremely powerful ancestors. If Virtuous Paragons from Allpine Mountain become involved, then the ancestors from the imperial family will not sit idly by."
His words made it clear that if Allpine Mountain helped Li Qiye, then the behemoth that is the imperial family would absolutely step in.
Li Qiye chuckled and said: "As for this, you need not worry, Monarch. There is no need for Allpine Mountain to assist me if it is only destroying a Xian Clan. I alone am more than enough."
The monarch gave up when things came to this point. The only thing he could do was to gently sigh.
Li Qiye continued: "However, since Monarch is so sincere, I will ask you to send out some words. Tell the Xian Clan to send away their young and old. I do not hope that on the day I go, I will have to kill the feeble and weak. Tell them to not be optimistic. I will stay true to my words in destroying the Xian Clan. Even if your imperial family takes action, nothing will change!"
Li Qiye's eyes became fierce as a terrifying murderous intent rose. He resembled an awakened prehistoric beast at this moment.
The monarch shuddered after feeling Li Qiye's murderous intent and understood that he was not just bluffing.
"Young Noble Li, I will deliver your words." In the end, the monarch cupped his hands and bowed deeply before leaving.
759 TeaserAnnihilating the Xian Clan — such words would be incredibly arrogant no matter which sect or imperial lineage uttered them! The Alchemy Kingdom would not idly sit by and do nothing as the Xian Clan gets destroyed.
Such a declaration was like thunder ringing beside one's ear. Someone couldn't help but murmur: "So arrogant! Does he think there is no one here at the Alchemy Kingdom?"
Xian Miao's expression was unsightly to the extreme. Ever since his Xian Clan separated from the imperial family to form its own clan, no one had ever declared such a thing towards their clan!
"Good, Li, our Xian Clan also wants to see just what you can do." He also left behind a tough and cold response: "We will definitely protect Brother Cao! If you are unconvinced, then come! We'll take on your schemes!"
[collapse]Chapter 760: Surging Undercurrent
These three days seemed particularly slow, as if each day was as long as a year. Countless eyes were on Li Qiye and the Xian Clan as many people held their breaths in anticipation.
On the third day when the sun set in the west, many people waited for the sun to rise again. Inside Alchemy City, the crowd was ready for the upcoming battle.
At sunset, Li Qiye once again sent a message stating: "One night remains. If the Xian Clan still harbors their young and weak, then send them away now. Tomorrow, the Xian Clan shall turn into smoke. I am a merciful person and will allow time for you to send them away!"
These words spread across the entire city and the Xian Clan.
"Hmph…" But this time, no one showed up from their side, only a snort came as a response.
The moment this snort appeared, countless souls from those who heard it left their bodies. They quivered due to this threatening snort.
A Demon King felt a chill and murmured: "Was that a Virtuous Paragon?"
An old undying realized something and said in astonishment: "It is not an ordinary paragon. Even if it is not someone who is stepping onto the path of the heavens or the path of the grand era, they are still a peak paragon."
Virtuous Paragon was a general title. This realm was vast, and once a paragon reached a certain level, they would be presented with two possible paths. One was to head for the Heaven's Will. This road took one to compete for the Heaven's Will to become the emperor.
The other path was to reach sublimation of the paragon realm so that they could obtain the divine investiture. This path would not compete for the Heaven's Will. Once they reached the apex, these beings would be bestowed the title of Godking or maybe the even higher title of being an Emperor Assailant!
Before they stepped on these two paths, all paragons would be considered ordinary paragons. Ordinary paragons had five levels. In ascending order, they are Early Era Paragon, Rising Era Paragon, Peaceful Era Paragon, Prosperous Era Paragon, and Golden Era Paragon.
The five levels of ordinary paragons were easy to understand. Early Era Paragon meant the start of a new paragon. Being a Rising Paragon meant reaching some success during their generation. Peaceful Paragon meant that the being had the power to calm an era. Prosperous Paragons were able to strengthen their era while Golden Paragons were able to illuminate their era!
On this night, the Xian Clan's snort disturbed the entire city. Many were aghast after hearing this sound. Some guessed that there was an extraordinary paragon residing within their residence.
There were no eternal secrets in this world. After the night's curtain fell, news came out of nowhere regarding the Xian Alchemy Ancestor staying at their residence.
"Rumor has it that the Xian Alchemy Ancestor has long been a Legendary Alchemist but couldn't reach Alchemy Emperor. It looks like he is actually a legendary master as well!" The hearts of many sank after hearing this voice. More often than not, juniors couldn't really gauge the paragon realm, so they only used general titles.
For example, old undyings or great powers' ancestors were mostly ordinary paragons. The majority of them were Early Era Paragons or Rising Era Paragons. Only a few of them were Golden Era Paragons.
Those known as legendary masters were no longer ordinary. They were definitely Golden Era Paragons, top level ones at that. They could even be paragons who had embarked on one of the two paths!
The first thought of those that learned that a legendary master was in the Xian Clan was that Li Qiye should stop messing around!
The Xian Alchemy Ancestor being there didn't only mean they had earned his personal support, it also meant that the imperial family had revealed their stance because the ancestor was previously buried inside their ancestral ground. It could be interpreted as the imperial family supporting the Xian Clan.
"It seems like this is going to be a huge deal." A Stone King with a good intelligence network spoke with someone next to him: "The Xian Clan does not only have the Xian Alchemy Ancestor, all five of their elders have also joined while the young and old were moved away to a different branch. It seems that the World-Pillar Monarch has earned the support from the clan and is ready to play."
The Xian Clan was one of the branches of the imperial family, but the Xian Clan of today was not the one that originally separated. After the Xian Clan left the imperial branch, they formed several different clans. The Xian Clan of the World-Pillar Monarch was only one among many.
Now that their forefather, the Xian Alchemy Ancestor was back, how could the other clans of Xian not support the World-Pillar Monarch? With their full support, it seems that the monarch had sufficient force.
A worried cultivator murmured: "If the World-Pillar Monarch's clan has earned the support of the imperial family, then even if Li Qiye is backed by the Allpine Treefather, I'm afraid he won't be able to do anything."
On this night, the entire city was silent as everyone waited for the sunrise and the battle.
Ming Yexue slowly wandered around her garden inside an alchemy garden in the kingdom's ancestral ground. She was enjoying the spirit medicines as Grandma Bai came to inform her of the newest information.
"What is the Xian Forefather trying to do?" The grandma couldn't help but say after informing Ming Yexue: "He is not a foolish person. How could he become involved in the affairs of juniors? I wonder what benefits the Huangfu Clan promised him…"
The charming Ming Yexue was quietly savoring the spirit medicines. It seemed that her appearance was always alluring and fascinating.
"The Xian Forefather has certainly been bewitched by the Huangfu Sacred Ancestor." Ming Yexue withdrew her gaze and mused: "What could the Huangfu Clan possibly have to move an ancestor from our kingdom?"
Ming Yexue's words were correct. As an ancestor from the kingdom, the Alchemy Ancestor could have whatever he wanted. A clan like the Huangfu had nothing that could tempt him.
"The Xian Forefather didn't mind coming into being and letting go of all pretenses. He even prepared a trap for Li Qiye… This is simply him coveting the manual of Li Qiye’s dao of alchemy." Ming Yexue spoke graceful words that would enchant all those who listened.
Grandma Bai couldn't help but wryly smile and say: "The Xian Forefather is being too greedy. He is already at the peak and is only one step away from becoming an Alchemy Emperor. Plus, our kingdom has the alchemy manuals from four different Alchemy Emperors — this should be more than enough."
"Grandma, this is different than before." Ming Yexue shook her head and said: "If, say, the Xian Forefather was only a simple Legendary Alchemist, then it would be a different story. However, he has been just one step away from Alchemy Emperor for so long now!"
"Does that mean he still has aspirations of becoming one even now?" The grandma wryly smiled and said: "With his current age and his dried longevity blood, even if he could become enlightened, would his blood energy be able to bear the final dao test?"
Ming Yexue nodded and said: "Yes, he does want to become an Alchemy Emperor. He cultivated the supreme manuals of our ancestors, but he still couldn't fathom all of it or surpass the final test! He needs a different alchemy manual to help him become an Alchemy Emperor!"
"Li Qiye's dao of alchemy can't help him become an Alchemy Emperor." The grandma didn't believe such a thing.
Regarding the dao of alchemy, their kingdom was untouchable in the entire Stone Medicine World. They had produced four Alchemy Emperors, so they had the most complete dao of alchemy manual in this world. No lineage could compare when it came to their alchemy dao.
Ming Yexue gently shook her head and said: "It's hard to say. However, after the forefather heard about Li Qiye refining pills like frying beans, he was certainly tempted. At the very least, he would not be able to replicate it, so he must witness it with his own eyes."
"I'm afraid the moment he saw Li Qiye's wood mastery and insect mastery was when he became determined to capture Li Qiye. After all, he requires Li Qiye's supreme dao of alchemy." Ming Yexue gently sighed after revealing her speculation.
"LI Qiye's mastery over insects and wood is indeed very scary." The Grandma had to admit this. She then had some doubts and asked: "However, the four manuals from our Alchemy Emperors were not enough for him to become an Alchemy Emperor, so can Li Qiye's manual do it?"
"Who knows…" Ming Yexue also pondered for a moment before responding: "Our four Alchemy Emperors could be said to be from the same origin. Their possible paths had been expended. The Xian Forefather needs another angle, a different sublimation to understand the final dao test!
"Moreover, Young Noble Li's dao of alchemy is indeed scary. I have never seen or heard of such a thing before. I even suspect that his manual is not from any Alchemy Emperor, he might have obtained the legacy of the Alchemy God."
"The Alchemy God's legacy!" Grandma Bai was shocked. Since the start of time, there had been many Alchemy Emperors, but no one had dared to call themselves God. This was mainly out of respect for the Alchemy God, but it was also because none of the Alchemy Emperors were able to reach the heights of the Alchemy God!
The grandma couldn't help but say: "That isn't possible. The Alchemy God's legacy has been lost for countless years. Our forefathers have been searching for it for generations, but no one was successful. How could Li Qiye obtain this legacy?"
Ming Yexue replied: "This world is unpredictable, so who can accurately predict its motions?"