43: Chapter 43 "Showdown"

Those words fell.

The surrounding air froze.

The coldness on Liu Qingyan's face faded, replaced by a look of utter astonishment, which then shifted back into that gentle and innocent expression.

As if she had heard a massive joke, her tone carried a hint of anger:

"What nonsense are you talking about? Why would I poison the Medicinal Pills I give to Senior Sister?"

Despite her words, her Crystallization Stage pressure did not dissipate.

Mo Zixing stood his ground, watching Liu Qingyan's expressions change, his back straight as a rod.

Good grief, still acting?

You've been feeding her poison for three years, and now you're telling me you didn't do it.

That might work on Su Li.

But in his eyes, such tricks were as clear as glass.

His face remained calm, and before Liu Qingyan could exert more pressure, he continued:

"I'm not talking about this wood life source pill, but the Pulse-Protecting Pill you gave to Elder Su."

"It's laced with a chronic Medicinal Poison that erodes her Dantian bit by bit over time, destroying her Foundation."

He paused, and meeting Liu Qingyan's violently trembling pupils, he began to make things up with a straight face:

"You don't need to ask how I can tell; I got a perfect score on the Spiritual Sense Perception exam, so I can feel it."

All the expressions on Liu Qingyan's face vanished.

Gentleness, innocence, and astonishment all faded away at this moment, leaving only a bone-chilling coldness.

She never expected that a method even the Grand Elder hadn't noticed would be seen through by a junior at the Qi Refinement Stage.

She remained silent for a long time, no longer defending herself, but simply walked slowly toward Mo Zixing.

The distance between them was less than half a step.

Her Crystallization Stage aura was like an abyss, firmly sealing off all of Mo Zixing's paths of retreat.

"You certainly have some skill to be able to see even this."

Liu Qingyan tilted Mo Zixing's chin up, her gaze locked onto his eyes:

"Since you've made things so clear, aren't you afraid I'll kill you right now?"

She took half a step back and said word by word:

"I am a Crystallization Stage Cultivator, and you are still in the Qi Refinement Stage."

"The gap between us isn't something that can be bridged by just a bit of cleverness."

"If I wanted to kill you, it would be as easy as lifting a hand."

"Elder Liu, since I dare to be so honest with you, I naturally have no fear."

Mo Zixing met her gaze with a calm tone, even offering a small smile:

"Because I believe that Elder Liu and I share the same thoughts."

Liu Qingyan was truly stunned.

She had guessed that Mo Zixing might be afraid.

She had guessed that he might beg for mercy.

But she never guessed he would say something like this.

The same... as her thoughts?

She had been a Sect Elder for over a decade and had seen all kinds of people.

But at this moment, she completely failed to see through the young Disciple before her.

She frowned, her eyes filled with confusion and even a hint of absurdity, as she repeated:

"The same as my thoughts?"

"That's right, the same."

Mo Zixing nodded and began to talk his way through the script he had prepared in his mind:

"Elder Liu, you are the top Alchemy Cultivator of the Mingyu Sect in centuries."

"But for all these years, you have been confined to Qingdan Peak, with the Sect's Council of Elders restraining you and other Elders diluting your authority."

"Despite your immense skill, it's difficult for you to even find a Disciple who can fully inherit your Legacy."

He paused, noting the shock in Liu Qingyan's eyes, and continued:

"What you want has never been simply to harm someone, nor is it those empty titles or private property."

"What you want is to hold absolute authority over the Dao of Alchemy firmly in your own hands, never having to care about others' opinions or be restricted by rules and regulations again."

"What you want is for your top-tier Alchemy Technique to have a worthy successor, to be passed down in their entirety."

"And all these methods are merely small prices paid to move toward a better future."

Every word struck directly at Liu Qingyan's heart.

She stood there, and her aura dissipated without her even realizing it.

No one had ever seen through her true thoughts.

Born from an ordinary background, she had reached her current position entirely through her own Alchemy Technique.

She knew her own obsession all too well.

She had never said these things to anyone.

Nor could she.

But now, a Qi Refinement Stage junior who had just entered her peak's Inner Sect had clearly articulated the thoughts she had hidden for over a decade.

Liu Qingyan let out a long breath, the coldness in her eyes fading, leaving only a complex mix of emotions.

Having been an Elder for so many years, she naturally wouldn't completely lower her guard because of a few words.

But looking at Mo Zixing, his gaze was open and his tone sincere, without any ulterior motives.

The string in her heart inevitably loosened.

Moreover, the young man before her was a rare talent she had set her eyes on, the only one capable of inheriting her Alchemy Technique.

His unreserved honesty, laying his true thoughts bare before her.

This clarity and openness actually dispelled most of her suspicions.

Mo Zixing watched the change in her expression and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

His words seemed to have had a good effect.

However, a few heart-piercing words certainly weren't enough; he also had to lay out their shared interests.

He looked at Liu Qingyan and continued:

"Elder Liu, you want to find a successor for your Alchemy Technique and hold the authority of the Dao of Alchemy firmly in your hands."

"And I want to go further on the path of cultivation; I need your Alchemy Technique Legacy and the resources of Qingdan Peak."

"Our goals are perfectly aligned."

"As for the matter with Elder Su."

Mo Zixing paused, his tone calm:

"I won't go around spreading it."

"After all, I am now a Disciple of Qingdan Peak and you are my Elder; we rise and fall together."

"I still understand this principle."

He looked up at Liu Qingyan and said solemnly:

"I only wanted to see Elder Su take the Medicinal Pill to ensure your plan proceeds smoothly."

"I have no interest in anything else; I only need you to teach me Alchemy Technique and provide me with resources for Cultivate."

"In return, I will become your most qualified successor, and I will never let your skills be buried by time."

"I will help you reach even greater heights together."

Liu Qingyan looked at him and remained silent for a long time.

Finally, she couldn't help but smile.

In this smile, there was no longer any pretense, only a hint of appreciation:

"Good, I truly didn't misjudge you."

"Not only is your talent remarkable, but your vision far exceeds that of your peers."

She reached out and patted Mo Zixing's shoulder, her tone completely relaxed as she turned to walk down the mountain:

"Let's go, back to Qingdan Peak."

"Didn't you want to learn the Dao of Alchemy?"

"Once we're back, I will personally teach you how to identify herbs and control fire."

It worked.

Not only did he avoid disaster, but he had also transformed from a mere witness into an accomplice recognized by Liu Qingyan.

And this was exactly what he wanted.

Mo Zixing watched Liu Qingyan's relaxed back, raised an eyebrow, and quickly followed.