Systemless Villain

Chapter 187 Alchemy and Affections

Long Tian, Liu Qian, and Liu Hai found themselves before an imposing, sealed door.

Effortlessly, Liu Hai punched in the code, and within moments, the door slid open.

"Shall we?" he invited.

With that, the trio ventured into the room.

While Liu Qian maintained a poker face, Long Tian couldn't help but be impressed by the space. It was vast, spanning at least 100 cubic meters—enough, if simulated, to accommodate 50 parked cars.

However, it wasn't just the size that caught his eye; it was the room's contents. Within, various plants, weapons, a substantial table laden with chemical bottles, pots of assorted sizes, and creatures ranging from monkeys to mice were scattered about, seemingly subjects of experimentation.

"It seems like you conduct numerous experiments here, Mr. Liu. What have you managed to create?" he inquired.

"Well, I've dabbled in combining DNA among animals, akin to what you see in movies, but those attempts were always unsuccessful. Most of my time is spent concocting elixirs for cultivation and disease healing," Liu Hai responded.

Long Tian simply nodded, absorbing every word. They continued forward and halted in front of a towering black object made of sturdy steel, about a meter in height, crowned with protruding iron rods.

"Place your purple flame at the end of that furnace," Liu Hai instructed.

"Alright," Long Tian nodded.

Following Liu Hai's guidance, he positioned his purple flame on the furnace, causing it to ignite and burn with a stable flame.

Observing the flame, seriousness etched Liu Hai's face.

Long Tian, on the other hand, couldn't contain his curiosity any longer. "What is that, Mr. Liu?" he inquired.

"It's an artifact passed down from my grandfather, capable of containing special flames. And since your flame can ignite in that furnace, it's confirmed that your purple flame is a Heavenly Flame," Liu Hai responded, his tone earnest.

"What is a Heavenly Flame?" Long Tian asked.

"Well, since an asteroid hit this planet, its fragments spread worldwide, and each fragment contains flames of various colors and powers. For now, some Heavenly flames I know of are the Bone Chilling Flame, Suit Decay Flame, Phoenix Feather Flame, and Acid Venom Flame," Liu Hai explained.

Long Tian nodded, absorbing every detail.

"There are many Heavenly flames I don't know. But one thing's for sure, every Heavenly Flame is powerful, unique in some way, and your purple flame is no exception," Liu Hai added.

"Well, then I've found a treasure," Long Tian remarked with a grin.

"Haha, since it's you, Long Tian, I'm happy too," Liu Hai laughed, patting Long Tian's shoulder.

Long Tian responded with a smile.

On the other hand, Liu Qian, witnessing Long Tian's camaraderie with her father, felt an inexplicable emotion.

She couldn't fathom how her father would react upon discovering the truth that she and Long Tian had never been romantically involved.

---

After a brief moment, Liu Hai's gaze focused on the furnace with the purple flame.

"We can still test it, the strength of your flame," he said, his eyes fixed on Long Tian.

"Alright, I'll follow your instructions, Mr. Liu," Long Tian responded.

Liu Hai nodded and then turned his attention to Liu Qian. "Qian'er, fetch me acid solution, 3 lily venom flowers, Xuanti plant sap, and ember solution," he instructed.

Liu Qian nodded and immediately turned around, heading to a large glass cabinet to search for the ingredients her father had requested.

Meanwhile, Liu Hai continued his search for other ingredients in a different part of the room. Left by the two, Long Tian chose to approach Liu Qian.

Standing beside her, he remarked, "Don't you want to stop lying to your father like this?"

Liu Qian, in the midst of searching for ingredients, paused. "I do it out of necessity, Long Tian. And you said you understand. And if I tell the truth, would you be okay with me marrying someone else? Just for your information, I've been proposed to by someone with a strong background," she explained.

"Oh, who is it?" Long Tian asked, curiosity evident in his tone.

As Liu Qian was about to answer, Liu Hai's distant voice interrupted, "Qian'er, did you get it?"

Her response was quick, "Right away, father."

She swiftly gathered the ingredients, which she happened to know well.

"So, who is it?" Long Tian inquired.

"Maybe we'll talk about it later, Long Tian," Liu Qian responded.

With all the ingredients in her hands, she walked directly to her father, and Long Tian followed closely behind.

Meanwhile, Liu Hai walked to a pillar and pressed a button.

Not long after, the steel furnace suddenly lit up in a straight line with a purple flame, intensifying the heat.

"Now it's time to test," Liu Hai said.

With that, he took a large pot he had prepared from the floor and placed it on the furnace.

"Put all those ingredients into the pot, Qian'er," he instructed.

Liu Qian nodded and promptly added all the ingredients into the pot, following her father's guidance.

Seeing all the ingredients in, Liu Hai immediately said, "Okay, now keep a distance from the pot."

With that, Long Tian and Liu Qian stepped back, while Liu Hai approached.

He concentrated on the pot; his hands, though not holding it, emitted an invisible, thin aura, enveloping the pot.

Long Tian observed this calmly. At this moment, Liu Hai was clearly performing alchemy.

After a brief moment, the flame unexpectedly extinguished.

Liu Hai, taken aback, approached the pot, but suddenly, it erupted with a resounding "Boom!" The explosion sent him backward, crashing against the wall.

"Father!" Liu Qian exclaimed.

She hurried towards her father, with Long Tian following closely.

Lying on the floor, Liu Hai's clothes were scorched, and he was unconscious. Liu Qian's expression turned increasingly panicked and worried.

On the other hand, Long Tian swiftly approached. "Let me check," he said.

With Liu Qian giving him space, Long Tian assessed Liu Hai's condition. Although his cultivation base remained in the Flowing Qi realm, his inner strength surpassed his level, providing him with a heightened medical perception.

"I believe Mr. Liu's injuries aren't severe," he remarked.

Hearing this, Liu Qian felt somewhat relieved, but concern for her father's well-being still weighed heavily on her.

"Maybe I can help," she said.

With that, she touched Liu Hai's chest, closing her eyes. A blue-colored energy emanated from her hands, enveloping Liu Hai's body.

Long Tian remained silent, recognizing that Liu Qian was utilizing her martial spirit ability, the Blue Phoenix.

After a while, the burn wounds on Liu Hai's body gradually regenerated. About two minutes passed, and the burn wounds vanished completely.

Liu Qian ceased her efforts; she sensed that her healing effect had reached its limit.

"Mr. Liu's condition is improving; I believe he'll wake up soon. It's advisable to take him to his room," Long Tian suggested.

"Yes, and please carry him, Long Tian," Liu Qian requested.

Long Tian nodded and proceeded to lift Liu Hai, gently guiding him out of the room.

---

On the second floor, Long Tian carefully placed Liu Hai on the bed, allowing him time to recover.

Despite her father's improving condition, Liu Qian couldn't shake off her deep concern.

Observing Liu Qian's expression, Long Tian quickly offered a comforting embrace. "Don't fret too much, Qian'er; Mr. Liu will undoubtedly regain consciousness," he reassured.

"I hope so," Liu Qian replied, finding solace in Long Tian's arms.

They lingered for a few moments before deciding to exit the room, granting Liu Hai the peace to rest.

---

The relentless ticking of the clock echoed in the living room where Long Tian and Liu Qian sat on the sofa.

Liu Qian's expression had eased a bit after receiving comforting words from Long Tian.

Sensing that the tense situation had passed, Long Tian seized the opportunity to inquire.

"So, who is the person proposing to you?" his tone filled with curiosity.

"His name is Zhang Jun, the young master of the Zhang family, one of the top families in the Grand Yuan Empire," Liu Qian responded, her voice somewhat subdued.

Hearing this, Long Tian raised an eyebrow. Zhang Jun... Suddenly, he recalled his ex-girlfriend, Zhang Mei, whose brother was named Zhang Jun. Also from the Grand Yuan Empire.

"Is he a young man, our age, and slightly shorter than me?" he asked to confirm.

"Well, from what I remember, he is our age. He is also 18 years old," Liu Qian responded.

Hearing this, Long Tian furrowed his brows. It seemed his suspicion was correct; the person proposing to Liu Qian was Zhang Mei's brother.

"What? You seem to know him," Liu Qian said.

"Well, I'm not sure, but since you don't want to be engaged to him, I can be your boyfriend," Long Tian grinned.

Liu Qian just smiled at hearing this.

"Honestly, Long Tian, I've moved on from Ye Chen now, and I think we can have a real relationship. But... Am I not enough for you?" she asked, her tone brimming with hope.

Long Tian's expression slightly hardened. "If you're talking about Li Yue'er, I can't leave her," he stated.

Hearing Long Tian's words, Liu Qian's expression shifted, a mix of disappointment and understanding. "I see," she replied softly, masking her true emotions. Despite her efforts, a hint of sadness lingered in her eyes.

On the other hand, Long Tian felt he had given an honest answer. No need to lie just to seize an opportunity.

But in an unexpected moment, Liu Qian's hand reached for his cheek, initiating a surprising kiss. Startled, Long Tian quickly pulled away.

"What was that for?" he inquired.

Liu Qian stayed silent, opting instead to sensually position herself on Long Tian's lap, initiating another passionate kiss. In the following moments as their kisses became more intimate, she pressed him onto the sofa, positioning herself on top.

With unbridled passion, she led Long Tian's hand, placing it provocatively on her chest.

Caught up in the fervor of the moment, Long Tian relished every sizzling second.