As a third-grade alchemist, Liu Panlong's status was indeed not comparable to that of Jia Lie Bi and the others. Naturally, under his command, it was impossible for him to only have a useless disciple like Liu Xi.
But even so, upon learning of Liu Xi's disappearance without reason, he was also extremely furious. After all, no matter how useless Liu Xi was, becoming a first-grade alchemist in the future was not a problem.
This kind of disciple still had some value.
Therefore, after receiving some news from the Jia Lie family, Liu Panlong rushed over, wanting an explanation, or to recover some losses.
However, after arriving in Wutan City and hearing about Xiao Yan's situation, his thoughts quickly changed.
A peerless genius who became an alchemist at the age of twelve. Compared to him, what was Liu Xi?
If he could get such a disciple, he would probably be able to soar in the future by following him.
Even if this Xiao Yan looked down on him, he could introduce Xiao Yan to some more powerful alchemists, thereby obtaining the favor of a prominent figure and a future prominent figure at the same time.
Compared to this, let alone the death of one Liu Xi, even if ten or eight of them died, he wouldn't feel heartache.
As for the matters of the Jia Lie family, he didn't care about them at all.
What kind of riffraff, trying to use him as a pawn. Once he had settled his business, he would directly have the Xiao family drive this Jia Lie family out of Wutan City.
"Hehe, with Master Liu personally taking action, what can a mere Xiao family amount to?"
Seeing Liu Panlong nod, Jia Lie Bi smilingly flattered him a couple of times, but the killing intent in his heart grew stronger.
"As long as this Liu Panlong tests that there isn't a fourth-grade alchemist behind the Xiao family, I will immediately mobilize all the family's forces to kill that Xiao Yan directly."
Jia Lie Bi sneered in his heart.
"No matter how much of a genius one is, they are ultimately just a genius. Before growing into a strong person, they are ultimately still fragile."
At dusk, Xiao Yan returned from the back mountain. Just as he was about to wash up and then eat, he encountered an old servant from Xiao Zhan's side again.
"Young Master, the Clan Leader asks for you."
The old servant looked at Xiao Yan, his expression rarely so solemn.
"Oh, what does Father want with me this time?"
Seeing the old servant's solemn expression, Xiao Yan was slightly stunned and couldn't help but ask in a deep voice.
"Uh, it's nothing major. It's just that a third-grade alchemist suddenly came to the house. According to the Clan Leader's words, this alchemist seems difficult to distinguish as friend or foe, so the Clan Leader is being very cautious."
The old servant pondered for a moment and then quickly replied.
"A third-grade alchemist?"
Xiao Yan was stunned for a moment, then a strange smile appeared on his lips.
"Understood, I'll go over right away."
Bypassing the quiet path and walking into the family's main hall, Xiao Yan felt a rather solemn atmosphere.
Above the main hall, although Xiao Zhan and several elders each wore smiles, their brows were somewhat furrowed with solemnity.
And beside them, an arrogant old man was smilingly drinking a cup of hot tea. On his luxurious alchemist's robe was embroidered a medicine cauldron and three crescent moon ripples.
"It really is you!"
Looking at the arrogant old man, an imperceptible sneer appeared on Xiao Yan's lips.
In his previous life, it was this old thing who took advantage of the Xiao family's unfavorable situation to loot a burning house, only to be corroded into a pile of mud by a casual move from Cailin.
He didn't expect that this old fellow would come even faster in this life.
Seeing Xiao Yan arrive, the faces of Xiao Zhan and the others became even more solemn.
According to this old fellow's words, his disciple who had gone missing in Wutan City seemed to have some connection with Xiao Yan. Although they didn't quite believe it in their hearts, Xiao Zhan and the others were more afraid of this old thing finding fault.
"You, are you the genius youth that has been causing such a stir in Wutan City recently, Xiao Yan?"
The moment he saw Xiao Yan, Liu Panlong could no longer sit still.
Because his soul power swept over, he had already vaguely sensed Xiao Yan's incomparably solid and far superior soul power. To have such soul power at such a young age, this child's future was simply limitless.
Liu Panlong was overjoyed in his heart. However, in line with his usual method of controlling people with both grace and power, he still planned to give Xiao Yan a show of strength first, and then send a favor.
Only in this way could he make this monstrous genius firmly remember his kindness.
"Precisely."
Looking at Liu Panlong's condescending, scrutinizing expression, a strange sneer appeared in Xiao Yan's eyes.
"Half a year ago, this seat had a disciple named Liu Xi who suddenly disappeared in this Wutan City. According to this seat's news, it seems to be related to you, little fellow."
Liu Panlong narrowed his eyes slightly, a sharp, scrutinizing gaze landing on Xiao Yan.
"I wonder if little friend Xiao Yan has really seen that unworthy disciple of mine?"
In fact, even he himself didn't believe that Liu Xi was killed by the young man in front of him.
No matter how much of a genius this young man was, he was ultimately just a twelve-year-old boy. However, what he didn't expect was that the young man nodded plainly and said in a low voice: "That's right, I have indeed seen Liu Xi."
As his voice fell, the faces of Xiao Zhan and the others changed slightly, as if they didn't expect Xiao Yan to admit it so straightforwardly.
"You really have seen him?"
Even Liu Panlong couldn't help but be slightly stunned after hearing this, and he couldn't help but ask: "Where is he now?"
"Right here in our Xiao family."
Xiao Yan smiled faintly and said: "Mr. Liu Xi got drunk from drinking flower wine last night. If the old gentleman wants to see him, please come with me."
As he spoke, Xiao Yan even gave a look to stop Xiao Zhan and the others behind Liu Panlong who were about to speak but hesitated.
"This beast!"
Hearing Xiao Yan's explanation, Liu Panlong didn't doubt this twelve-year-old boy too much. He thought that Liu Xi had really been indulging in debauchery in the Xiao family for half a year.
After all, this kind of thing was indeed something Liu Xi was capable of.
For a time, the anger in his heart even made him forget about taking Xiao Yan as a disciple. He couldn't help but wave his large hand and say: "Lead the way, let me see what this bastard is doing now!"
"No problem, old gentleman, please."
Seeing Liu Panlong's appearance, the smile on Xiao Yan's lips widened. He gently waved his right hand, signaling Xiao Zhan and the others to rest assured, and then led Liu Panlong towards his small hut.
"Young, but neither servile nor overbearing, with a deep mind."
Following behind Xiao Yan, Liu Panlong became more and more alarmed the more he looked. It seemed that this genius youth in front of him was not as easy to control as he had imagined.
Dealing with him, it seemed he had to be more careful.
Just as he was thinking this, he saw that Xiao Yan had already led him into a quiet little hut.
The hut was simple and unadorned. Apart from a faint medicinal fragrance, there were no living things, let alone his disciple Liu Xi.
"Where is he?"
Looking at this scene, Liu Panlong suddenly felt a sense of foreboding.
"Dead."
Amidst his uneasy feeling, the black-clothed youth suddenly turned around, revealing a row of white teeth. His sunny smile, however, uttered words that sent a chill down Liu Panlong's spine.
"Teacher, do it!"
As his voice fell, a vast soul power suddenly descended, easily sealing the entire small hut within it.
In the face of that vast soul pressure, Liu Panlong only felt like a small boat in the vast sea, on the verge of capsizing.
With a thud, he couldn't help but kneel on the ground, his face deathly pale as he looked at the illusory old man who had appeared floating in front of him at some unknown time.
(End of this chapter)