The Elder (shocked and fearful):
"What in the hell is this?! That aura... it surpasses the heavens themselves!"
Xu Jian's mad laughter echoed, his voice trembling with overwhelming power:
"HaHAHAHA! Who in this world can stop me now?! I am the esteemed Emperor! Let's play our game, old man!"
The Calm Before the Storm
The destructive aura slowly receded, as if it bowed to Xu Jian's absolute will, and an eerie calm returned to the place.
The Elder (watching him cautiously):
"What happened to you?!"
Xu Jian turned his head slowly toward her, his eyes glowing with indescribable light. His tone was completely different, as if someone else was speaking through him:
"The power of that child has submitted to this esteemed one... It seems this ancient ancestor is going to enjoy himself today."
Then he added with a confident smile:
"Old woman, bring me the finest alchemy ingredients."
The Elder:
"What?! You know alchemy?!"
Xu Jian (coldly and arrogantly):
"Let's just say I know a little about it..."
A Moment of Realization
The Elder (angrily):
"You arrogant fool, I saved your life!"
Xu Jian looked at her with a cold, scornful glare and said in a low voice, charged with power:
"Old woman, do you wish to die now? I don't want to dirty my precious hands with your blood... so don't waste my valuable time, you wretched hag."
The old woman stood frozen, unable to even respond…
To be continued...
---
New Chapter: Rise of the Shadows
In an old neighborhood...
A mysterious figure roamed through the narrow alleys, wearing a worn-out cloak that concealed most of his features. He moved nimbly between the passages until he reached three houses connected to one another.
He stopped at the door, knocked three times in a specific pattern, then entered without waiting for permission.
The Mysterious Man:
"It's time to move, boys. Our mission at Vincent's manor has begun."
A lazy voice responded from inside:
"Oi, Li Wei! You promised us a luxurious life—no work, no fights… and now you're saying 'mission time'?!"
Li Wei (with a sarcastic smile):
"Yeah yeah, no need to work... but move your asses already, let's get this over with."
Everyone laughed and stood up sluggishly, ready to leave the place for their destination.
---
Six Hours Earlier...
Xu Jian was standing inside a primitive laboratory in the palace, holding a small glass vial containing a shimmering liquid with interwoven hues of red and blue.
Xu Jian:
"I think this elixir turned out quite well... Old woman, test it on Yura."
The Elder (curious):
"And what is it?"
Xu Jian (with a confident smile):
"The Yin-Yang Elixir. It accelerates healing, warms the body, and it's a natural antidote to the Second Elder's poisons."
The old woman agreed and brought the elixir to Yura, who was still unconscious. The moment the liquid touched her lips, her body began to pulse with strength, as if the energy of life had returned to her veins once more.
Xu Jian felt an overwhelming joy and jumped up laughing:
"HAHAHA! Victory is mine! Finally, it's time to humiliate the Cardinal family! My name shall be etched into history!"
But the old woman stared at him in silence, as though she could see far beyond what Xu Jian could.
The Elder (calmly):
"Your potential for growth is extraordinary, but still… you are far too arrogant. Those ruled by arrogance always taste bitterness, wherever they go. You will witness things you wish you never had… and you will taste loss. The question is: what will you lose? Will it be yourself… or something else?"
Xu Jian didn't reply, too caught up in the madness of his triumph, unaware of what fate had in store for him.
---
A Journey to the Palace
Xu Jian carried Yura in his arms, rushing through the forest at unimaginable speed. He moved like a ghost—no sound, only a blur of motion like lightning flashing through the woods.
At the palace gates, a shock awaited him.
The guards… were not the same female guards as before.
They were men, carrying the banners of the Cardinal.
Xu Jian stared at the scene before him, then muttered with a wicked grin:
"You bastard, you damned Cardinal… you crave everything, even your master's rear?"
Then he shouted with a booming voice:
"I'll make you feel humiliation like never before!"
But suddenly…
A punch from one of the guards came flying at Xu Jian's face—strong and swift.
But Xu Jian, as if in another realm, dodged it in a flash, with a movement so smooth it was barely visible to the naked eye.
Then…
BOOM!
He launched a quick kick at the guard, sending him rolling several meters across the ground.
Xu Jian (with a mocking smile):
"Is that all? What a sissy."
But before the guard could utter a word, a treacherous blow came from behind…
To be continued…
---
Second Elder:
"What is this, boy?! Do you dare insult me? Or do you fancy yourself an invincible hero?"
Xu Jian (with a mocking smile and eyes full of defiance):
"Old men like you only know how to attack from behind. If you have courage, face me in the Elixir Tournament. There, I'll crush you to the ground!"
Second Elder (screaming with rage on his face):
"The funniest thing I've ever heard! Do you even know I can refine a tenth-grade elixir?!"
---
Xu Jian (interrupting mockingly, hands behind his head):
"Shut up, you senile old fool! Stop talking so much and wait for your upcoming defeat... at the hands of this esteemed one."
Second Elder (face burning with rage, fist clenched):
"What did you say?!"
Xu Jian (provokingly, eyes gleaming with confidence):
"Oh, seems like your hearing has faded with age. You know what distinguishes men from women? Their steps are heavy, and their words don't echo. But it seems the Cardinal's teachings raise men like hyenas… sometimes male, sometimes… female! Are you seasonal too? Hahaha!"
Second Elder (trembling with fury, his face turning deep red):
"You're flirting with death, boy!"
Xu Jian (raising his middle finger defiantly, laughing):
"I've heard that so many times, I'm starting to think I scare death itself. Get ready, Cardinal. In just three days, I'll drag you to the bottom, and you'll become a thing of the past."
Second Elder (struggling to contain his rage, his hand trembling with fury):
"Then let us meet in three days! You'll see what a real Cardinal is."
---
In the training room
Xu Jian walks in calmly, closing the door behind him. He shuts his eyes to clear his mind. A mental list of required elixirs flashes through his thoughts.
Xu Jian (muttering to himself):
"Now… how do I get the Jade Root Elixir? I need it badly. But that… damn woman saved me! I hate being in anyone's debt. I want them to kiss my ass instead. Heh… let's see what happens next."