"Ah, Young Master Gu, you've traveled such a long way. Why don't you stay at my palace? I've prepared a small feast to welcome you and help you relax," Jia Xingtian extended his enthusiastic invitation after some initial pleasantries.
"Well, I'll gladly accept!" Gu Changqing chuckled and nodded.
"Young Master Gu, this way, please," Jia Xingtian's eyes sparkled with satisfaction, gesturing for him to proceed.
"Please," Gu Changqing replied courteously.
"Haha, old man, don't expect me to invite you personally!" a voice teased from the side.
"Old monster, is your palace planning to keep me out? The Alchemist Association wouldn't be too pleased with that, as Changqing is one of us," the elder responded with a grin.
Laughing heartily, Jia Xingtian then invited all the Dou Spirit and Dou King powerhouses in the imperial capital who held citizenship in the Jia Ma Empire to attend a feast in honor of Young Master Gu, the famed Pill Emperor.
Following Jia Xingtian, Gu Changqing stepped into the opulent palace.
"Please, Young Master Gu, take a seat," Jia Xingtian said, leading Gu Changqing to a peaceful courtyard. He instructed a beautiful maid to pour tea for their guest.
"Old Jia, I see you have a fondness for solitude—this palace is massive," Gu Changqing remarked, glancing around casually.
Jia Xingtian chuckled, "If you don't mind, Young Master Gu, you're welcome to stay here anytime."
Gu Changqing noticed the probing look in Jia Xingtian's eyes, as if trying to discern his intentions. The hospitality seemed less about genuine welcome and more about gauging whether Gu Changqing would lay claim to the Jia Ma throne.
"Your palace may be grand, but to me, it feels like a gilded cage," Gu Changqing said, understanding the veiled hint. "If you could break free from this cage, you might already be at the Dou Ancestor level."
Jia Xingtian was taken aback by Gu Changqing's perspective. To hear someone describe the coveted imperial palace as a prison struck him. Reflecting on his life, he admitted to himself that there was some truth to it. He was indeed bound by the royal family's endless responsibilities.
Gu Changqing smiled, "Old Jia, maybe your cage is just too small to contain a Dou King's strength. If you expanded it a bit, perhaps you'd be able to unlock even greater power."
Jia Xingtian's heart skipped a beat, reading between the lines of Gu Changqing's words.
"Young Master Gu…are you suggesting…?" Jia Xingtian's mind raced, slowly piecing together Gu Changqing's intentions.
"The Jia Ma Empire is but a small corner of this vast world. Imagine if the 'cage' encompassed not just this empire but the entire Northwest Continent—perhaps it could accommodate a Dou Ancestor, even a Dou Venerate. What do you think, Old Jia?" Gu Changqing posed with a smile.
Jia Xingtian inhaled sharply, eyes widening in shock. The whole empire was a challenge to defend, and the idea of expanding it to cover the Northwest Continent was daunting. The mere thought left him uneasy.
"Young Master Gu, you're indeed a dragon among men," he sighed, finally shaking his head. "Yet, no matter how large the cage, there will always be more powerful Dou Ancestors and Dou Venerates drawn to it. When that time comes, everything within will be at risk."
"Wise words, Old Jia. No wonder you've managed to hold this small piece of land," Gu Changqing chuckled. "But, times are changing."
Setting his teacup down, Gu Changqing rose, gazing out into the distance. "Unification is inevitable. I will be at the helm, steering this change. If you don't wish to participate, I will respect that, out of regard for Queen Medusa. However, know this—the Jia Ma Empire? It's mine."
With those words, a powerful aura burst from Gu Changqing, sweeping through the courtyard and pinning Jia Xingtian to his place. The sheer pressure immobilized him entirely.
"Great-grandfather," a cheerful voice rang out from outside the courtyard. A petite figure, dressed in a purple gown embroidered with silver, skipped in joyfully.
With sparkling, curious eyes, she glanced back and forth between Gu Changqing and Jia Xingtian.
"Great-grandfather, what were you two talking about just now?" she asked, smiling brightly.
By then, Gu Changqing had withdrawn his imposing aura.
"Yue'er, mind your manners. This is the famed Pill Emperor Gu, the Young Master I've mentioned to you. Now, greet him properly—you might even be able to learn a few alchemical techniques if he's feeling generous," Jia Xingtian gently chided.
Though he hid it well, Jia Xingtian wasn't particularly pleased. Gu Changqing's domineering approach caught him off guard, even considering the connection he shared with Queen Medusa.
"Hmph! He doesn't look much older than me!" Yue'er retorted, rolling her eyes at Gu Changqing. "No way he's the Pill Emperor! He's just here to trick you, Great-grandfather!"
She shot Gu Changqing a challenging look, even going so far as to wink at him mischievously.
"Yue'er!" Jia Xingtian's expression turned serious as he sternly reprimanded her. "Apologize to Young Master Gu immediately!"