178: Nalan family gathering

The day before the Alchemist Convention, the lingering glow of dusk, like molten gold, painted the majestic Jiama Holy City in a glorious, warm golden hue.

Deep within the Nalan Mansion, in the quiet room heavily guarded and enveloped by a silent barrier, sandalwood incense wafted, mixed with an unyielding chill.

Mo Yuhan sat cross-legged, his eyes closed, his hands pressed against Nalan Jie’s back.

A faint, ethereal blue glow enveloped his body, and a subtle, almost imperceptible warmth spread from him, firmly suppressing the chill.

Nalan Jie’s upper body was bare, and on his skin, marked by the passage of time, the dark red poison patterns that had once spread like a spiderweb, deep into his bones, had now largely receded, leaving only a few stubborn imprints near his spine that still wriggled slightly, like dying venomous insects.

“Hiss, hiss—”

A faint scorching sound echoed in the quiet room. The last wisp of branded poison, entangled deep within Nalan Jie’s bones, transformed into an extremely condensed black smoke under the overbearing immolation of the Azure Lotus Core Flame, twisting unwillingly before finally dissipating completely into the air.

“Hoo…”

Nalan Jie exhaled a long, incredibly satisfying breath, a breath that seemed to have been suppressed for years, carrying a heavy stench and a cold dampness.

As this turbid breath was expelled, his originally sallow and dim complexion visibly flushed with healthy color, and his hunched back instantly straightened.

A profound and weighty aura, belonging to a Dou Wang powerhouse, slowly awakened like a dormant volcano, causing the air within the quiet room to faintly tremble.

It was a long-lost sense of power, a vibrant resurgence of life.

Although the branded poison had not been completely eradicated, a large portion of it had been removed, and Nalan Jie was naturally overjoyed.

“Wonderful! Hahaha! Wonderful!”

Nalan Jie suddenly opened his eyes, which gleamed with brilliance, and his voice boomed like a grand bell, making the quiet room hum.

He excitedly grabbed Mo Yuhan’s wrist, his withered but immensely strong hand trembling slightly, “Young Friend Mo, this act of rebirth is like a second set of parents. From today onward, this old life of Nalan Jie owes you an immense debt of gratitude.

In the future, should you have any need, be it a mountain of swords or a sea of fire, this old man will not even frown!”

His words were sincere and fervent, and the gaze he directed at Mo Yuhan was filled with undisguised gratitude and admiration.

“Elder, you overstate it. Healing injuries and expelling poison are simply what this junior should do. Your recovery is a blessing to the Nalan Family and a fortune for the Empire.”

Mo Yuhan slowly withdrew his palms, the Azure Lotus Core Flame quietly receding into his body.

His face was slightly pale, and fine beads of sweat dotted his forehead. Several days of high-intensity poison expulsion had not only consumed a vast amount of Dou Qi but had also greatly drained his Soul Power.

If not for his exceptionally resilient soul origin and the assistance of the exotic flame, he would likely have collapsed long ago.

Just then, a faint clamor of celebration, accompanied by melodious string and wind instruments, penetrated the quiet room’s barrier and drifted in.

Laughter, the clinking of cups, the footsteps of bustling servants… all intertwined to form a vibrant and lively scene.

“Hmm?”

Nalan Jie paused for a moment, then slapped his forehead with a hearty laugh, “Look at my memory, I completely forgot about this. There’s a banquet at the mansion today, firstly to celebrate this old man’s recovery from a chronic illness and getting a second chance at life.

Secondly, it’s also to warm up for tomorrow’s Alchemist Convention, inviting friends from all over the Imperial Capital to gather.

Young Friend Mo, you absolutely must stay today. This old man wants to properly thank you. What meaning would this banquet have without you, the foremost benefactor?”

Mo Yuhan’s brow furrowed slightly. He had always disliked such noisy social occasions, especially now that he was quite depleted and only wished to find a quiet place to meditate and recover.

Just as he was about to decline, the heavy ironwood door of the quiet room was gently pushed open.

Nalan Yanran, in an elegant moon-white palace dress, stood gracefully at the entrance.

The dim light outlined her exquisitely clear profile. Her waterfall-like black hair was simply tied up with a jade hairpin, and a few wisps of hair fell by her cheek, adding a touch of coolness.

She stepped lightly into the room, her cool gaze sweeping over Mo Yuhan’s slightly weary face. Her ice-like countenance seemed to soften with a subtle ripple, carrying a gentleness she herself might not have noticed.

“Grandfather, Young Master Mo.”

Her voice was like pearls dropping onto a jade plate, clear and pleasant, exceptionally distinct in the quiet room, “The banquet in the front hall has already begun, with guests gathered and quite lively.

Grandfather, your body is newly recovered, so you shouldn’t sit for too long or get tired, but making an appearance and accepting everyone’s congratulations is necessary.”

Her gaze turned to Mo Yuhan, and her tone naturally carried a hint of concern, “Young Master Mo, you expended a great deal of energy expelling poison for Grandfather today, and your complexion is not good.

The front hall has excellent ‘Clear Heart Jade Dew,’ which is a soul-nourishing treasure secretly stored by my Nalan Family. It might be beneficial for your recovery.

Young Master Mo, why not move to the front hall, rest for a bit, have some tea and snacks, and it won’t be too late to leave after you’ve recovered some energy.”

Hearing this, Nalan Jie clapped his hands and laughed even louder, his voice shaking the roof tiles: “Yes, yes, yes! Yanran thinks of everything! Young Friend Mo, don’t decline now.

Come on, come on! Follow this old man to the front hall, try that Clear Heart Jade Dew, and let everyone see who saved this old man’s life!”

The Elder was in high spirits and, without allowing for refusal, pulled Mo Yuhan’s arm, a gentle Dou Qi supporting him as they walked out.

With such warm insistence, and considering that the Clear Heart Jade Dew Nalan Yanran mentioned would indeed benefit his current state, Mo Yuhan could only nod helplessly, following the two out of the quiet room.

Passing through several deep, winding corridors adorned with famous calligraphy and paintings, the noisy human voices and the rich, mixed scents—fine wine and delicacies, rouge and powder, precious incense—

rushed towards them like a surging tide.

The front hall of the Nalan Mansion had now transformed into a dazzling, resplendent ocean of light.

Dozens of massive crystal chandeliers illuminated the hall as if it were daytime, and the polished obsidian floor, smooth as a mirror, reflected the shimmering clothes and elegant coiffures.

Long banquet tables were covered with snow-white cloud brocade, laden with a dazzling array of rare delicacies, and silver utensils gleamed with a cold light under the illumination.

Servants in uniform attire carried trays of wine, weaving like fish among the well-dressed and bejeweled guests.

Representatives from the major powers of the Imperial Capital, renowned nobles, outstanding young talents, respected powerhouses… almost all were gathered here.

The core figures of the three great families—the Mu family, the Nalan Family, the Mittel Family—representatives of the Imperial Family, Elders of the Alchemist Guild, military generals, and immensely wealthy merchants… This was a grand feast belonging to the true upper echelon of Jiama Holy City.

The air was thick with the intertwined scents of power, wealth, and desire. Behind every smile, there might be calculations, and every clinking of glasses could seal enormous interests.

The moment Mo Yuhan stepped into the center of this bustling vortex, his gaze was firmly captivated by a figure burning like a blazing flame.

Sister Ya Fei!

She had clearly dressed elaborately for tonight.