Chapter 92: Liu Zhiyuan's Speculation • Jiuyun Spring Wine

Chapter 92: Liu Zhiyuan’s Speculation • Jiuyun Spring Wine

The Liu family courtyard, a tiered sprawl of interconnected buildings, had just endured a devastating blaze. Now, the flames were spreading further, devouring everything in their path.

With the family formation deactivated, the Liu siblings emerged. They had witnessed Xiao Chen’s display of power earlier—though much of it had blurred past their eyes, the outcome was unmistakable.

Liu Zhiyuan couldn’t help but marvel, “Those fire soldiers… What incredible fire techniques!”

Turning to his sister, he asked, “Shiqing, which elder’s disciple is this Cultivator Xiao? Could he be under Elder Chai from Lihuo Peak?”

Liu Shiqing shook her head. “Senior Xiao comes from Azure Water Peak.”

Liu Zhishan, overhearing, started in shock. “What? Are you saying he’s a dual water-and-fire spirit root?”

Liu Benxin frowned in thought. “No, I recall Senior Xiao has a low-grade wood spirit root.”

A low-grade wood spirit root? The brothers exchanged skeptical glances. Those terms were familiar, but paired with Xiao Chen’s fiery feats, they felt jarringly mismatched.

You’re telling me this young man, who just incinerated a Foundation-Building cultivator with fire artifacts and techniques—and looks no older than forty—has a wood spirit root? And a low-grade one at that?

“It actually makes sense,” Liu Zhiyuan mused. “If he lacked wood-attribute secret techniques, how else could he resist exotic poisons?”

Liu Zhishan balked. “So you’re saying Xiao Chen hasn’t even revealed his full strength yet?”

They were all Foundation-Building cultivators here—how absurd was this?

Liu Zhiyuan smiled faintly. “Did you count how many magic artifacts or offensive spells Xiao Chen used from start to finish?”

“A prodigy who reached Foundation-Building in half a year… Could he really have so few tricks?”

Liu Zhishan fell silent. Indeed, the Hundred Poisons Demon had been forced to exhaust all its tactics, while Xiao Chen had remained composed, relying solely on the Divine Flame Summoning Banner and a single devastating fire spell.

“Could he have deliberately held back even while slaying an equal-tier demon cultivator?” The thought sent a chill down Liu Zhishan’s spine.

“If that’s true, his real strength must be even greater… But how?”

Liu Zhiyuan nodded gravely. “Some people are born extraordinary. You can’t judge them by ordinary standards.”

“The Divine Flame Sect is rising, and the demonic calamity approaches. There will always be those chosen by heaven to meet the crisis head-on.”

Liu Zhishan and the nearby Liu siblings stared blankly, lost in bewilderment.

“Big brother… Are you saying he’s the one?”

“Not necessarily,” Liu Zhiyuan interrupted. “Do you think the Golden Core demons of the Divine Flame Sect are just idle eaters? If they could identify such a threat so easily, they’d have eliminated it long ago.”

Liu Zhishan pondered this, then gave up. “Fine, big brother—just tell me what we should do next.”

Liu Zhiyuan sighed. “You never change.”

“When Xiao Chen comes over, I’ll invite him to a casual meal. Go fetch two jars of our family’s stored Jiuyun Spring Wine. Join us and make sure he drinks well.”

“Hmm, two jars might be too little. Bring three, and don’t hold back—encourage him to drink as much as possible.”

Liu Zhishan scratched his head. “Big brother, won’t that be too much? Jiuyun Spring Wine is medicinal. Three cups might already leave him drunk.”

“Exactly,” Liu Zhiyuan smiled. “We need him thoroughly intoxicated.”

“And during the meal, bring over all unmarried girls under twenty from the clan.”

“If he takes a liking to any of them, arrange a private room for them afterward.”

Liu Zhishan’s eyes widened. “Ah! I understand now—matchmaking!”

Liu Zhiyuan’s expression darkened. “Do as I say. No improvising this time—especially no sneaking in any love incense!”

---

Meanwhile, Xiao Chen waved the Divine Flame Summoning Banner, recalling his fire soldiers, and collected the Hundred Poisons Demon’s artifacts.

First was the Three Talents Death Bell—a set of three walnut-sized bells linked by golden thread. When shaken, they chimed like cascading springs, their surfaces engraved with delicate patterns of drizzle, crabapple blossoms, and courtesans. Despite its beauty, it was a venomous demonic weapon.

Next was a triangular cloth, a mid-tier defensive artifact worth roughly two thousand spirit stones. Simple to use—infuse it with mana, and it would expand to shield against attacks.

Lastly, a jade bowl lay discarded on the ground. At first glance, it seemed an ordinary mid-tier artifact, useful only for trapping fire soldiers. But as Xiao Chen lifted it, he sensed its true nature—a damaged top-tier artifact. Though its original function was lost, its durability still offered partial defensive capabilities. The drawback? Once deployed, the user couldn’t attack anything trapped inside.

After securing the spoils, Xiao Chen assisted the Liu clan in dousing the flames. Fortunately, as cultivators, they weren’t helpless against fire like ordinary folk.

Liu Zhiyuan approached as soon as Xiao Chen was free. “Senior Xiao, your aid in eliminating this menace has left me deeply grateful. Please, join me in the side hall for a humble meal—let me express my thanks properly.”

Xiao Chen waved a hand. “Elder Liu overestimates my contribution. As a Lihuo Sect disciple, how could I ignore a demonic cultivator threatening my juniors? It was merely my duty.”

Liu Zhiyuan clasped his arm. “Precisely! We’re all Lihuo Sect disciples here. To visit our home is to return to your own.”

“And besides,” he added with a grin, “I’ve saved a jar of Jiuyun Spring Wine—steeped with twenty-eight rare herbs and aged fifty years. A potent tonic. You absolutely must try it.”

Xiao Chen had heard of families storing spirit wines in cellars, aging them for decades to build wealth. Refusing such a gift would be rude.

Free spirit wine? Why not drink?

In the side hall, Liu Zhishan had already laid out a feast. The aroma of fermented grains filled the air. Liu Zhiyuan poured a cup of Jiuyun Spring Wine—golden, clear, and rich.

Xiao Chen took a sip. Smooth and mellow, with a complex balance of sweet grain and bitter fermentation.

In short—delicious.

The wine’s medicinal energy surged into his body. Normally, it would fortify vitality and regulate energy. But Xiao Chen’s body, freshly tempered by heavenly-path Foundation-Building, was already near perfection. The wine’s potency instead flowed into his Internal Elixir, fueling its refinement of spirit herbs stored in his dantian.

Three cups in, Xiao Chen felt his Elixir begin absorbing mana from his dantian unprompted.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end