Swallowing the Heavens with a Single Breath

Not long after, Xu Chi departed with Teacher Wang, and City Lord Huangfu also left the Xu family residence.

Xu Yi knew that Huangfu Linzhu would soon invite him to the city lord’s mansion for a meeting, so he quickly found an excuse to leave and then switched into his disguise as Master Yi Xu, heading to the Alchemy Pavilion.

Before long, a representative from the city lord’s mansion arrived with the invitation. Xu Yi kept them waiting for a while before finally setting out.

Inside a luxuriously decorated room at the city lord’s mansion, Huangfu Linzhu was formally waiting. When Xu Yi appeared at the entrance, Huangfu immediately stood up, his gaze warm as he stepped forward to greet him, speaking with a respectful tone.

“Master Yi Xu, your presence here truly graces my humble abode. Please, take the seat of honor!”

Without ceremony, Xu Yi directly took the main seat.

“I’m not an unreasonable person. Since the city lord extended such a warm invitation, how could I refuse?”

Huangfu Linzhu acted as though he were flattered, quickly responding.

“As the host here in Qingshuang City, it’s only natural for me to show you proper courtesy, Master Yi Xu. I invited you here to see if there’s anything I can assist you with. Anything you wish to accomplish in the city, I can certainly help make it happen.”

“So, is there anything you need, Master Yi Xu?”

Hearing this, Xu Yi finally understood. It turned out that the esteemed city lord merely wanted to curry favor with him.

At the Xu family gathering, Huangfu didn’t even glance his way, but now his attitude had shifted dramatically. Xu Yi found this change amusing but decided to play along.

Xu Yi spoke in a calm tone, “There is indeed one matter, and perhaps only you in Qingshuang City would know about it.”

Huangfu Linzhu perked up at once, quickly saying, “Please, Master Yi Xu, enlighten me. I promise to answer to the best of my ability.”

“Have you heard of Cangwu Kingdom?” Xu Yi asked casually.

Huangfu Linzhu furrowed his brows slightly, pondering for a moment before replying, “To my knowledge, Cangwu Kingdom once ruled this region, but it was destroyed ten thousand years ago. The history is so ancient that my understanding is rather limited. However, compared to others in Qingshuang City, I probably know a bit more.”

Xu Yi maintained his indifferent tone as he continued, “The last emperor of Cangwu Kingdom had a most beloved young princess. Do you know how she died?”

Although his voice was steady, Xu Yi was feeling tense inside. If even Huangfu Linzhu didn’t know, then it would be nearly impossible to find the information he needed in the entire city.

Seconds ticked by as Huangfu struggled to recall the details, but then his eyes lit up.

“I remember now. The young princess didn’t perish in the cataclysm that befell Cangwu Kingdom but died a few years prior to it.”

Xu Yi’s heart pounded. He quickly analyzed the situation.

It seemed that the reason Chu Ling’er was the sole survivor of the royal family was that she had “died” before the cataclysm that wiped out Cangwu Kingdom!

In reality, her death had been staged, and the world merely believed she was gone. If Xu Yi could locate where she had been “buried,” he might be able to find her actual whereabouts. Reuniting with one of the nine Heavenly Maidens would mean his Chaos Physique would no longer be at risk.

Xu Yi steadied his thoughts and asked, “Do you know the cause of the young princess’s death and where exactly she was buried?”

Huangfu Linzhu racked his brain for a while but ultimately shook his head. Not wanting to disappoint Xu Yi, he hastily explained, “This history is something I once read in an old book. The specifics have long faded from my memory.”

“I thought the book wasn’t significant, so I kept it as an ornament at my home in the capital.”

“But Master Yi Xu, if you wish to see it, you’re in luck. Half a month from now, the Heavenly Treasure Auction Hall will be holding an auction here in Qingshuang City, and they’ll be transporting some goods from the capital. I can contact them to have the book brought back along with the shipment.”

Xu Yi’s eyes flickered as he thought it over before replying in a calm voice, “Very well, proceed as you suggested.”

Huangfu Linzhu’s verbal recounting would never be as detailed as the original book. It was best to look at the source to avoid missing any crucial information.

Huangfu Linzhu replied respectfully, “Certainly!”

With that, Xu Yi stood up and prepared to leave.

Huangfu tried to persuade him to stay, but Xu Yi declined, keeping the city lord in suspense.

“I’ll be in Qingshuang City for a while. If I need anything, I’ll come find you.”

A gleam of delight appeared in Huangfu’s eyes as he quickly said, “Master Yi Xu, you are always welcome. Whatever you need, I will ensure it’s taken care of.”

Xu Yi nodded and strode out of the city lord’s mansion.

By now, the sky was nearing dusk.

Suddenly, Xu Yi remembered that he had instructed someone to inform his grandfather and uncle to come to the Alchemy Pavilion that evening to see him.

The thought amused him, and he quickly returned to the pavilion.

Before long, an Alchemy Pavilion apprentice arrived to report.

“Master Yi Xu, Xu Weiheng and Xu Mingqing from the Xu family request an audience.”

Xu Yi, busy refining a pill, replied without a second thought, “Let them wait outside. I will see them when I’m ready.”

The apprentice respectfully agreed and went to deliver the message.

Xu Yi soon put the matter out of his mind and became absorbed in his alchemy, losing track of time.

Outside the pavilion, a cold wind howled. Xu Weiheng and Xu Mingqing huddled near the entrance, shivering but still maintaining a respectful posture as they waited.

One hour passed, then two.

From dusk to midnight, they waited, repeatedly inquiring about Master Yi Xu’s situation, only to receive vague responses.

Confusion crept in. Hadn’t Master Yi Xu agreed to see them? Why were they still outside freezing, with no sign of progress?

Could it be that he was toying with them?

But surely, a respected alchemist wouldn’t stoop to such games.

After waiting even longer, Xu Weiheng couldn’t help but approach the night guard again, pleading, “Young man, could you please inform him once more? Kindly mention our names; Master Yi Xu agreed to see us, and if you could just remind him…”

But before he could finish, the apprentice cut him off impatiently.

“Master Yi Xu is well aware. He told you to wait, so just wait. Do you know how many people wish to meet him but don’t even get the chance? A little patience won’t hurt.”

Xu Weiheng sighed but forced a smile. “Yes, yes, we’ll wait quietly.”

As they stepped back, Xu Mingqing grumbled, “Father, isn’t this too humiliating? Even a mere apprentice dares to speak to us like this!”

“And Master Yi Xu… how much longer do we have to wait?”

“Silence!” Xu Weiheng snapped, scolding him, “Do you think we have the right to criticize Master Yi Xu? Even the city lord must show respect to this alchemist. Our Xu family is insignificant in comparison.”

“If he hears what you just said, do you know how severe the consequences could be?”

Xu Mingqing realized his mistake and quickly covered his mouth, afraid to say another word.

The father and son stood like statues outside the pavilion, waiting through the entire night. Finally, as dawn broke, an apprentice emerged and announced.

“Master Yi Xu will see you now. Follow me.”

At these words, the two men’s spirits lifted, and they eagerly followed the apprentice upstairs, maintaining a humble demeanor as they approached Master Yi Xu’s chamber.