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[Beep! Silver Winged Thunderbird is rejecting the human vessel, unable to suit the contrasting nature of human soul realms. The body starts to reject as members of the clan grow older and stronger. Calculating from the members of clan present and the deteriorating aura of the Patriarch, Silver Winged Family members are estimated to not live for more than sixty years.] (Image)
The suffocating aura that had gripped the great hall slowly dissipated as Nie Li retracted his overwhelming soul force. The pressure that had forced even the most seasoned warriors of the Silver Winged Family into submission eased, and the room once again became breathable. He calmly turned his gaze to the data displayed by his A.I. Chip, verifying his own condition and that of those present.
Then, with an almost casual tone, he spoke, "Silver Winged Family Patriarch, we don't need to fight amongst ourselves. You help me get out, and in return, I'll help you with something you desperately need."
The declaration was met with silence. The guards who had just moments ago been drowning in an ocean of fear were still shaken. Sikong Yi, seated on his throne, his sharp hawk-like eyes scanning Nie Li, remained unmoving, though his fingers tapped slowly on the armrest of his grand chair.
Before the patriarch could even begin to respond, Nie Li continued, his voice unwavering and laced with certainty, "I can see the signs—you are not dying due to old age but because of your own bloodline rejecting you. A terrifying problem, isn't it? A drop in vitality, a sharp decrease in lifespan… something that not even the greatest of your physicians have been able to resolve."
The hall fell deathly silent.
Sikong Yi's pupils shrank slightly, his piercing eyes locking onto Nie Li's face. A chilling aura filled the air, not from power but from the sheer weight of the conversation.
"Who exactly are you?" Sikong Yi demanded, his voice filled with caution and suspicion.
Nie Li remained indifferent. His expression was calm, controlled, almost bored. "I am an alchemist, a very accomplished one at that. Do you think just anyone could achieve the level of power I possess at my age?" He leaned slightly forward. "I have no interest in fighting you, but you should know that if we do, the outcome will be something you'll regret."
Sikong Yi's fingers twitched slightly at the statement, but he gave nothing away.
"I can find a solution to your bloodline issue," Nie Li continued, his words spoken with the confidence of an absolute truth. "In return, you will support us in every way we require—including handing over all the Stones of Light in your possession."
At this, Sikong Yi let out a short, harsh laugh. "A solution?" His voice was filled with mockery. "You joke! You think I'm foolish enough to fall for such empty words?" His sharp nails dug into the armrest of his chair, his body still tense, ready to counteract any trickery.
Nie Li remained unfazed. "Obviously, the problem is unresolvable for the likes of you," he said coldly, "but you and I are not on the same level."
With A. I. Chip's profound database and calculating ability, Nie Li can easily find a solution for their problem, at the very least a temporary one.
Sikong Yi's eyes darkened. He could not afford to show weakness in this conversation. Yet, a part of him knew—this boy, this alchemist, was not someone to be taken lightly.
"Since that's the case, give me the solution!" Sikong Yi felt insulted as he tightened the grip on the arm rest, looking at Nie Li with his hawk-like eyes who similarly matched his eyes.
"Are you not only old but also muddled? I obviously have to research it. But it would be finished by the time you get me all the stones of light." said Nie Li.
"Rubbish. You think that based on your words, I'd believe you?" Sikong Yi said, coldly laughing.
"I know you don't believe me, you are a deeply mistrusting person."
Nie Li left his harsh remark stretch before lifting his right hand into the air. With a small flick of his wrist, an assortment of herbs materialized in his palm. The audience watched in confusion—until something incredible happened.
A thin flame burst into existence in Nie Li's hand, consuming the herbs with an ethereal glow. The raw materials dissolved rapidly into liquid form, twirling together in a delicate dance of precision. With seamless control, Nie Li guided the transformation, his soul force shaping the final product. (Image)
A few moments later, a handful of pristine white pills rested in his palm. He casually tossed them toward Sikong Yi, who caught them instinctively.
The moment Sikong Yi examined them, his breath hitched. His mind screamed disbelief.
The product itself was a low level pill used by fighters to stop bleeding but the pills don't matter, what Nie Li did was unbelievable.
"Formless Alchemy…" he muttered under his breath.
The guards who had been standing around, still shaken from the previous confrontation, now had their eyes widened in absolute shock.
Alchemy without a cauldron.
A legendary skill spoken of in ancient texts. An unprecedented level mastery of an alchemist who could manipulate raw materials and soul force with such perfection that they no longer required external tools. A technique so rare that even the greatest known alchemists of their time had never reached such heights.
The realization crashed over Sikong Yi like a tidal wave.
Nie Li watched him, his blue eyes sharp, assessing. "Is that proof enough for you?"
Sikong Yi remained silent, his mind racing. His greed, his ambition, and his desperation warred against his doubt. This boy… no, this alchemist was unlike anyone he had encountered.
Finally, he exhaled slowly, his expression hardening. "This display does not prove that you can resolve our affliction."
Nie Li narrowed his eyes slightly, his patience thinning. "I hear there are many families in this city," he said, his voice casual yet heavy with an underlying threat. "I could always offer my services elsewhere. Do you think you can stop me?"
Sikong Yi's face darkened instantly. He remembered the unbelievable might this boy possess, obviously he can blackmail him with the lives of his friends but it's a gamble, one mistake and he might lose everything. He was quite afraid of death.
A long silence followed.
His fingers tightened into a fist before he finally sighed, "…Fine. We will help you. But in return, you must—"
"Agreed," Nie Li interrupted before Sikong Yi could finish. "Now, have your men gather everything I require."
Nie Li's demands followed immediately: a complete catalogue of all available herbs and medicines, a selection of slaves for experimentation, the recently deceased bodies of Silver Winged family members, a laboratory equipped with the best available alchemy tools, additional slaves for varied research, and blood crystals. Lastly, premium accommodations for himself and his companions.
"And to be clear, none of these terms are negotiable."
Sikong Yi exhaled sharply but did not argue. He simply nodded, gesturing toward his subordinates. "Prepare everything."
It did not take long before Nie Li's requests were met. Servants scurried back and forth, arranging rooms, setting up the laboratory, and bringing in slaves and corpses as per his demands.
Sikong Yi stood from his throne. "Men! Prepare a banquet to welcome our esteemed guest," he ordered.
Nie Li shook his head. "There's no need. My priority is research. Save the formalities for another time."
Sikong Yi frowned slightly but ultimately relented. He turned toward his daughter. "Hongyue, take our guest to his quarters."
"Yes, Lord Father," Sikong Hongyue responded, bowing.
As Nie Li and his companions began to follow her, his gaze suddenly drifted to the corner of the hall.
A lone youth was tied to a stone pillar. His eyes, filled with coldness and hatred, burned into Nie Li. In his eyes, Nie Li has the power to easily crush the tyrant family but instead he joined hands with them.
Looking at him, there was no fear in his expression, no plea for mercy—only defiance.
Nie Li approached him, standing before him in silence for a moment.
Then, with no warning, he grabbed the youth's throat.
"Your eyes are very defiant."
Boom!
Nie Li slammed the youth's head against the pillar. The sound echoed through the hall, followed by a sickening crack. Blood seeped from the back of the boy's skull, yet he did not scream. He only glared at Nie Li with unyielding will.
Nie Li's lips curled into a small smirk. Unbreakable resolve… Interesting.
"I want this one," Nie Li looked at Sikong Yi and declared. "He's tough. Good material for testing different toxicities." (Image)
Sikong Yi glanced at the youth, then at Nie Li. After a brief moment, he waved his hand dismissively.
"Take him."
With that, the matter was settled.
Nie Li walked away, completely indifferent to the suffering of the youth now bound to his will.
His work had only just begun.