Chapter 276: Four-Star Da Dou Shi

Everything happened too quickly. Before anyone in the hall could react, Mu Chen had already slapped the alchemist twice. 

Nalan Su was stunned, Nalan Yanran was shocked, and Dan King Gu He frowned deeply. 

The alchemist who had been slapped was one of Gu He's followers, speaking in his defense. Thus, to strike him was tantamount to disrespecting Gu He himself. 

Gu He was a prestigious figure; even the Emperor of the Jia Ma Empire treated him with utmost respect. Yet this young man before him blatantly disregarded his status. 

Although Gu He felt humiliated, he refrained from immediate action. Mu Chen's previous demonstration showed no Dou Qi fluctuations, indicating that his attack relied purely on soul power. Such control implied Mu Chen's soul had reached at least the Ling (Spirit) realm. 

"You dare strike me? Are you not giving Dan King Gu He his due respect?" the alchemist shouted, invoking Gu He's name. 

**Smack!** 

Mu Chen raised his hand again and slapped him. 

Gu He's gaze turned cold, his pride no longer allowing him to stay silent. Despite sensing Mu Chen's strength, he addressed Nalan Su, "Nalan patriarch, what is this young man's rank as an alchemist?" 

Nalan Su turned to Mu Chen, hesitating, and asked, "Young master, may I know your rank?" 

Ignoring Nalan Su, Mu Chen instead directed his attention to Gu He. "You intend to see Nalan Jie first?" 

Gu He nodded. 

"Pardon me for saying this, but despite your rank as a sixth-tier alchemist, you will not be able to cure Nalan Jie. Your trip here is destined to be fruitless," Mu Chen stated indifferently. 

"You claim he can't cure him, but you can?" another alchemist retorted, disgruntled. 

"Of course," Mu Chen replied as a black-and-white flame emerged in his palm. Instantly, the surrounding temperature soared to an almost unbearable level. 

"An… An异火 (Heavenly Flame)?" 

The gathered alchemists gasped in shock, their gazes fixated on Mu Chen's hand with blazing intensity. The dual-colored flame, exuding immense heat, was undeniably one of the legendary Heavenly Flames coveted by all alchemists. 

"Young master, you possess a Heavenly Flame?" Nalan Su's tone shifted to one of respect and reverence. 

"Indeed," Mu Chen replied calmly, casting a brief glance at Gu He before addressing the others. "Now, can we cease this pointless chatter?" 

The hall fell silent. The alchemists, realizing Mu Chen's strength and the treasure he possessed, dared not provoke him further. 

"Lead me to him," Mu Chen instructed. "Treating Nalan Jie requires the use of this Heavenly Flame." 

"Please, this way," Nalan Su said deferentially, guiding Mu Chen and Gu Xun'er to a side chamber. 

Inside, the room was dimly lit, with a spacious bed in the center. On it lay Nalan Jie, his face gaunt and dry. Several maids bustled around him, attending to his needs. 

A young girl, Nalan Yanran, approached Mu Chen with a worried expression. "Big brother, please save my grandfather!" 

"This is…" Mu Chen glanced at the girl. 

"This is my daughter, Nalan Yanran. She's at the second stage of Dou Qi," Nalan Su introduced proudly. 

At just four years old, Nalan Yanran had already achieved the second stage of Dou Qi, a testament to her prodigious talent. 

"Don't worry, Yanran. I'll do my best to save your grandfather," Mu Chen said, pinching her soft, cherubic cheeks. Her youthful innocence and delicate features made her utterly adorable. 

"Young master, what is your plan?" Nalan Su inquired. 

"The poison in Nalan Jie is no ordinary toxin. Even Dou Huang experts would struggle against it. Ordinary methods won't work. I'll use my Heavenly Flame to expel the poison slowly," Mu Chen explained. 

"Isn't that dangerous?" Nalan Su asked anxiously. 

"There's a 99% chance of success," Mu Chen replied nonchalantly. 

"And the remaining 1%?" Nalan Su asked, skeptical. 

"That depends on whether little Yanran cheers me on," Mu Chen joked, eliciting startled expressions from both Nalan Su and Yanran. 

"Relax, I'm just kidding," Mu Chen said. "I'll begin now. Ensure no one disturbs me." 

Mu Chen sat beside the bed, lifting his hand as Nalan Jie's body rose slightly under the influence of Mu Chen's soul power. 

Activating his Heavenly Flame, Mu Chen channeled the white flame of Yin-Yang Dual Flames, carefully suppressing its temperature to prevent harm. With meticulous control, he directed the flame to penetrate Nalan Jie's back. 

The flame entered Nalan Jie's body with a faint *pop*, causing the unconscious elder to tremble violently. 

Through his soul sense, Mu Chen located the dark poison entrenched in Nalan Jie's bones, resembling a malignant parasite. He carefully guided the white flame to envelop the tainted bone, gradually increasing the temperature to burn away the poison. 

"Argh!" 

The excruciating pain jolted Nalan Jie awake. 

"Nalan Jie, I'm removing the poison. If you can't endure the pain, I might as well kill you and transfer your soul to another body," Mu Chen teased. 

"You brat! Are you the one treating me?" Nalan Jie turned his head weakly, surprised to see Mu Chen's youthful appearance. 

"I never said I'd save you. If I get annoyed, I might just kill you," Mu Chen quipped with a smirk. 

"Hahaha! My life has been borrowed for eight years already. Do as you will, young man," Nalan Jie laughed heartily, bracing himself for the ordeal. 

Despite the unbearable pain, Nalan Jie endured, gritting his teeth. Under Mu Chen's precise control, the Yin-Yang Dual Flame eradicated every trace of poison within Nalan Jie's body. To Mu Chen's surprise, the process went smoother than expected, perhaps due to his timely intervention. 

**Ding!** 

"Congratulations! You've completed the mission: Remove Nalan Jie's Poisonbrand toxin. Rewards: 80,000 Dou Qi points, 80 skill points." 

**Ding!** 

"Congratulations! You've leveled up six times. Current level: Four-Star Da Dou Shi." 

**Ding!** 

"New mission issued: Sign in on Queen Medusa's bed. Completion reward: Mystery Prize."