A week had passed since Xiao Hua fully recovered from the devastating injuries inflicted by his incomplete Second Strike, which had unleashed a berserk force upon him.
Since then, he hadn't let a day go by without closely monitoring his ACP, pushing himself until he had enough to buy another Yin-Yang Soul Fruit. With that precious acquisition secured, he focused solely on refining the medicinal essence locked within the fruit.
An hour passed, and the Yin-Yang Soul Fruit transformed into a dense black-and-white liquid, pulsing with medicinal potency. Without hesitation, Xiao Hua shifted his mind into his spiritual sea, passing through the door that led to the unique realm forged by the Nine Lightning Beasts.
He ignored the awe-inspiring scenery, pressing on with swift steps deeper into the heart of the realm. Arriving at a crystal-clear blue waterfall, he paid no heed to the nine Lightning Beasts standing sentinel around it, his gaze locked on the figure of Lady Azure in her quiet slumber just beyond.
In a swift motion, he directed the black-and-white liquid essence into the unconscious Lady Azure. Instantly, the temperature around them began to soar, rising without restraint. When it reached a critical point, he felt its effects beyond the realm, even affecting his own spiritual sea, where the spiritual energy began to simmer and burn. As the heat continued to intensify, the once-lush forest erupted into a blazing inferno, transforming slowly into molten, bright-red magma.
The vast mountain and surrounding greenery were engulfed in emerald flames, now alive with pure, violent fire-affinity energy. It surged uncontrollably, far beyond what his current strength could handle.
He surged both the Heavenly Wrathful Lightning and the Azure Tribulation Lotus Flame within him. His spiritual body became encased in orange lightning and golden-green flames, forming a veil of power that crackled and blazed, the two energies arcing protectively across his form.
Without this protective aura, his spiritual body would be devoured by the relentless heat and fierce, unbridled fire energy, reducing him to a hollow shell of his former self.
Despite his protective aura, Xiao Hua could still feel the relentless fire energy eating away at his Spiritual Strength, gradually seeping through the orange lightning and golden-green flames encasing him.
His gaze swept across the transformed landscape. The once-living ground, once filled with lush greenery, had turned into a vast pool of bright-red magma, radiating an oppressive heat that made breathing feel impossible.
"This is bad…" he murmured, a hint of urgency breaking through his usually calm tone. "If this keeps up, my Spiritual Strength will be eroded completely, and the violent fire energy will shatter my entire spiritual sea!"
Nine powerful roars echoed across the realm, shaking the air as a radiant, multi-colored veil descended over the mountain, suppressing the ferocious heat. The scorching energy could no longer seep into his spiritual sea, but relief was short-lived.
The barrier merely restrained the flames, unable to extinguished them entirely. Within its confines, the intense fire energy continued to sear into Xiao Hua's Spiritual Strength, consuming it at an alarming rate. Each passing second, he could feel his reserves dwindling, slipping closer to the edge of exhaustion.
Suddenly, an intense, bone-chilling cold swept over the burning mountain, engulfing it in a single breath. The raging flames vanished instantly, and the pool of magma solidified into blackened charcoal.
The once-overbearing green flames were smothered entirely by the freezing aura. The blistering heat dissipated, replaced by a crisp, invigorating cold that soothed Xiao Hua's scorched body, easing the lingering pain from the relentless fire energy.
Xiao Hua exhaled a sigh of relief, his tense posture easing. Turning swiftly, he offered his heartfelt gratitude to the figure who had arrived so unexpectedly—and so decisively—to his aid.
"Thank you, Sister Xue Yue. You saved me!"
Xiao Hua gazed at the lady before him, noting the delicate markings on her forehead that bloomed like white petals. Her long, silky snow-white hair flowed like a cascade of silver, gently tied in a ponytail that swayed gracefully with the breeze.
Her crystal-blue eyes held a mixture of concern and reproach as she stood clad in flowing robes of white and blue, adorned with blue glazed crystal petals that seemed to drift elegantly, untouched by the impurities of heaven and earth.
"You're fortunate I sensed the energy within you spiraling out of control!" Xue Yue's gaze sharpened, her disapproval clear as she confronted him. "You should have informed me about this! You know none of us are normal beings. It should have been obvious from the start, especially with my sister unable to control the energy within her!"
Xiao Hua gave a weary smile in response to Xue Yue's angry words. He couldn't refute her; she was absolutely right. He had, indeed, considered informing her, but he hadn't anticipated that Lady Azure's awakening would turn this perilous.
In the novels, the awakening of a slumbering soul or a spiritual imprint usually brought about a soft glow or a ripple of energy—nothing more. He had never imagined it would summon such a fierce, green flame.
Yet, he knew the true reason for his hasty actions. Patience had eluded him; his excitement had been impossible to contain. To him, Lady Azure's awakening meant everything. It had filled him with an urgency that drove him to act without caution, ultimately creating this dangerous situation.
With a touch of regret, he looked back at Xue Yue, his expression softening.
"I'm sorry for not telling you…" Xiao Hua apologized, scratching his head awkwardly. His gaze shifted anxiously toward Lady Azure's unconscious form. "Will Sister Azure be alright?"
"Stop worrying," Xue Yue replied with a casual shrug, her calm demeanor unshaken.
She could sense the once-violent green flames gradually settling, becoming more controlled—a clear sign that Lady Azure was beginning to take command of her power and nearing consciousness.
Xiao Hua felt it too and fell silent, his excitement barely contained. His heart pounded with a mixture of hope and anticipation as he waited, every fiber of his being focused on her. With bated breath and unblinking eyes, he watched, knowing this was the moment he had waited for—a moment more important than any other. He needed everything to go smoothly; nothing could afford to go wrong.
As ten minutes passed, the once-ferocious green flame settled into a state of serene stillness. Its wild intensity had softened, radiating a calm, controlled light.
Suddenly, the flame flickered, leaving Lady Azure's body in an elegant trail of fiery emerald that shimmered like a beautiful, ethereal ribbon. This delicate dance continued for another half an incense stick until a strong ripple of force surged from Lady Azure's form. Her body shifted slightly, and moments later, her eyelids trembled faintly.
Xiao Hua and Xue Yue noticed the movement immediately. In an instant, their forms blurred, reappearing beside Lady Azure, waiting with bated breath.
Lady Azure's eyelids slowly opened, revealing her eyes—emerald and luminous, shining like celestial gems, each flecked with countless tiny white lights that gave the impression of stars glimmering within an otherworldly green sky. Her gaze was as mesmerizing as it was profound, a breathtaking display of celestial beauty.
Lady Azure's gaze shifted to the two figures beside her, noting the concern etched on their faces. She struggled to raise herself, but Xiao Hua quickly stepped forward and offering his hand, gently helping her rise.
A grateful smile touched Lady Azure's lips. She didn't mind accepting his assistance—her condition was worse than she'd expected.
"It seems I've caused you worry, child," she said softly. "I never imagined you'd go to such lengths to shorten my slumber…"
She knew he would need to spent something he had painstakingly accumulated to harness the mysterious force within himself, securing the rare ingredients necessary for her awakening. Although she didn't know all the details, she understood it would take him a long time to gather those points again.
Xiao Hua gave a wry smile, recognizing the meaning behind her words, and shook his head. "There's no need for you to worry, Sister Azure. This is all my doing. You risked everything to help me escape, focusing on opening a path to safety."
"Indeed," Xue Yue chimed in with a nod. "You did all you could to ensure his escape, despite your own unique circumstances."
Lady Azure turned her gaze to Xue Yue, her smile faint but warm. "It seems I've caused you worry as well, sister," she murmured softly, a hint of apology in her voice.
"You don't have to worry about it." Xue Yue shook her head, her gaze filled with concern and affection. "As long as my sister is safe, that's all that matters."
Xiao Hua and Xue Yue both noticed the pallor on Lady Azure's face, her complexion as white as a sheet. They had known her condition wasn't ideal, but now they realized it was far worse than they'd imagined.
Though Xue Yue and Lady Azure often clashed due to their opposing natures, it was clear that beneath their arguments lay a deep bond. Any hint of hostility vanished instantly whenever one of them was injured or in danger. Nothing mattered more to them than each other's well-being.
Xue Yue was acutely aware of her sister's current predicament. With her true strength, Lady Azure could easily handle a Dou Zun expert. However, due to severe restrictions, she was unable to fully utilize the energy within this plane and could only rely on her Spiritual Strength.
Under normal circumstances, no Dou Di expert could even hope to lay a finger on her, much less a weakened half-step Dou Di who had regressed to the level of a Dou Zong.
Given the gravity of the situation, Xue Yue knew that Lady Azure would be utterly drained if she faced the Black Plague Whale. In that state, Lady Azure would be unable to open a spatial passageway for Xiao Hua to escape the realm.
Since Xiao Hua lacked the strength to create a spatial passage himself, it fell upon Lady Azure to accomplish that task. However, the chaotic and violent fluctuations in space were akin to trying to tame a stormy ocean; it was no surprise that she would have to expend even more energy to forge a stable path for their escape.
"Anyway, you should focus on recovering," Xue Yue said, her lips curling into a gentle smile as she spoke in a reassuring tone. "Let the child refine some medicinal pills to help you regain your strength."
Lady Azure didn't respond verbally; instead, she settled back down, allowing her body to rest. As someone who had taught and closely observed Xiao Hua, she understood his insight and skill in alchemy better than anyone else.
She had no doubts about his ability to succeed. In fact, she admired how Xiao Hua viewed failure—not as a setback, but as a valuable part of the learning process. He didn't dwell on mistakes, only considering them a waste of precious medicinal ingredients.
For him, each failure was merely another step toward success. What truly mattered was the understanding gained from those missteps, rather than the false sense of superiority that could come from constant success. That mindset allowed him to embrace his failures, using them as a means to grasp their underlying causes and improve.
Seeing that Lady Azure had drifted into rest, Xiao Hua and Xue Yue left the realm, their consciousness returning to the outside world.
As Xiao Hua opened his eyes, he found himself met with Xun Er's concerned gaze. Gently, he raised his hand and ruffled her hair with a soft smile.
"Don't worry, I'm fine," he reassured her warmly. "There was a bit of trouble while awakening Sister Azure, but with Sister Xue Yue's help, we managed to keep things under control."
Xun Er sighed in relief, her worry melting away. Yet her eyes widened slightly as she processed his words—Lady Azure, whom she knew to be in a deep, restorative slumber, was finally stirring from her long rest.
"Has she awakened, Brother Xiao Hua? How is Lady Azure? Is there anything she needs to recover quickly? Should I ask Sister Li Mei and the others to help?"
Xiao Hua could sense the depth of Xun Er's concern—Lady Azure's condition had clearly weighed heavily on her heart. Though she had kept silent for the past few days, not wanting to dampen the mood, her worry had clearly been building.
"Haha, one question at a time, Xun Er." Xiao Hua chuckled, ruffling her hair affectionately. He gently calmed her down, then patiently explained Lady Azure's condition and the progress of her recovery.
"So, Lady Azure just needs time to rest and recover her Spiritual Strength," Xun Er said, feeling a weight lift from her heart. Relief and excitement sparkled in her eyes at the good news.
"Should I ask Sister Li Mei and the others for assistance?"
Xiao Hua shook his head. "No need. Ingredients that can restore Spiritual Strength and nourish the soul are incredibly rare."
Xun Er nodded, understanding the difficulty of finding such precious resources. Even if they managed to locate one, it was likely to be held by a powerful faction. To acquire it, they would likely need to pay a hefty price or offer a high-grade treasure—something they wanted to avoid.
""I'll refine some medicinal pills for Lady Azure's recovery," Xiao Hua said confidently. "I still have plenty of medicinal ingredients she gathered from the ancient ruin—they might be exactly what we need."
"With that decided, we'll stay here for a while," Xue Yue interjected, outlining her plan. "We'll wait until my sister's condition improves. Then, perhaps we can explore the Black-Corner Region and see if anything interesting catches our attention."
Xiao Hua and Xun Er nodded in agreement, with no objections to the plan. In fact, they preferred it; staying meant more time together, and with Lady Azure and Xue Yue typically keeping a watchful but distant eye, it gave them rare moments of quiet companionship.
"By the way, where is Old Ling?" Xiao Hua asked, looking around for Xun Er's ever-present bodyguard, who was always nearby, ready to protect her.
Xun Er covered her mouth, giggling softly. "I snuck out, considering Lady Azure and Lady Xue Yue's identities are rather... special. Naturally, I'll keep it a secret. Don't worry; if I run into any trouble, I have this windpipe to call Old Ling for help."
She then glanced at Xiao Hua, an amused glint in her eyes. "Besides, Brother Xiao Hua, you have a jade token to summon the First Elder and Elder Huo if anything serious happens. Yet, I've never once seen you use it—not even when you were surrounded by five Dou Zongs."
A wry smile appeared on Xiao Hua's face. She wasn't wrong; he did have the jade token, which could transmit his location and status to the First Elder and his master, and he could crush it to call for aid if needed.
But he had his reasons. Calling for assistance would almost certainly mean the First Elder would drag him back to the Inner Academy, cutting short his freedom and his journey. And that was something Xiao Hua wanted to avoid, especially with so much left for him to accomplish out here.
With his talent, Xiao Hua knew the First Elder was especially protective, willing to offend anyone in the Black-Corner Region if it meant keeping him safe and unharmed.
Yet, despite this, Xiao Hua had no desire to return just yet. He was well aware that the moment he set foot back in the Inner Academy, his freedom would be curtailed, and he'd be flooded with requests from the elders, all eager for him to refine rare medicinal pills.
As for explaining his progress to 6-Star Dou Wang, he'd long stopped worrying about it. After all, it had been a little over two months since he left the Inner Academy—plenty of time for someone of his cultivation speed and eighth-tier alchemist status to break through.
Even if he had been a 6-Star Dou Ling when he left, the First Elder and his master would have expected him to reach the Dou Wang class by now, given his extraordinary advancement rate.
Xun Er caught sight of his pensive look and couldn't help but giggle softly, her laughter laced with a hint of mischief. She understood the source of his reluctance: the looming thought of returning to a mountain of requests for medicinal pills. The mere prospect filled him with dread, knowing he'd have little time to breathe amidst the chaos.
"It seems Brother Xiao Hua doesn't want to call the First Elder for assistance," she teased. "Understandable—free time becomes a rare treasure afterward."
Xiao Hua's mouth curled into an awkward smile, feeling slightly exposed in his reluctance. Eager to shift the topic, he cleared his throat. "Anyway, I have to start refining medicinal pills for Sister Azure. In the meantime, you should focus on your breakthrough to Dou Wang."
"Of course." Xun Er nodded, a glint of determination in her eyes. "I don't want to return just yet, either—I'd only be swamped with matters from the Chaos Gate."
"Oh?" Xiao Hua raised an eyebrow. "I thought Sister Li Mei and Sister Xin Yu usually handled the affairs of Chaos Gate?"
When the Chaos Gate was established, the seven of them divided responsibilities to maintain order and ensure smooth operations both within and outside the faction.
Li Mei and Xin Yu handle the faction's financial affairs, managing the Fire Energy that members accumulate. They oversee the distribution of Fire Energy rewards to those who perform exceptionally well, and they also organize mission requests received from the elders or other students within the Inner Academy.
Ming Cheng oversees training within Chaos Gate, working alongside Xiao Hua's cousins, Xiao Tao and Xiao Yang. As the head of law enforcement, he ensures members uphold proper conduct and discipline, swiftly reprimanding anyone who tarnishes Chaos Gate's reputation by acting arrogantly or bullying others.
Mei Ling and Wei Jie oversee the faction's alchemist members. They provide guidance to aspiring alchemists and occasionally refine medicinal pills on behalf of Inner Academy elders. Naturally, elders are expected to supply the required medicinal ingredients and, if necessary, the formula for any unfamiliar pills they request.
As the leader of Chaos Gate, Xiao Hua oversees the faction's administrative matters, organizing the information gathered by members on their missions in the Black-Corner Region, no matter how minor or significant.
Whenever he has time, he offers guidance to alchemy students or those training in the Chaos Gate fields. Xun Er assists him closely, helping maintain the medicinal garden and easing the administrative workload. She even supports Li Mei and Xin Yu with financial tasks, further lightening their responsibilities.
Despite his role, Xiao Hua rarely needs to handle every detail. The students who join Chaos Gate are highly capable and dedicated, readily taking on administrative duties and allowing him more time to train and cultivate. This also holds for other department, freeing Li Mei and the others to focus on their own cultivation. The loyalty and respect shown by Chaos Gate's members ensure that Xiao Hua and his companions can trust them implicitly.
Xun Er tilted her head, a look of slight bewilderment crossing her face. "Oh… that's right! I completely forgot about the urgent message that Sister Xin Yu gave me! We have to return now, Brother Xiao Hua!"
She realized, with a pang of regret, that in the midst of everything, she had neglected to pass along the message Xin Yu had entrusted her with when Xiao Hua was in the middle of refining pills. But she couldn't blame herself too harshly; the chain of events that followed had been chaotic.
First, there was Xiao Hua's intense battle with the Old Ground Demon Ghost, followed by his severe injuries during their escape. Afterward, he had remained unconscious for an entire day. And even upon waking, his focus had been on mending his injuries, which took nearly two weeks to heal. Amidst his recovery and their immediate concerns, there had simply been no opportunity for her to bring up Xin Yu's message.
"What is it?" Xiao Hua asked, brows furrowing deeply.
Sister Xin Yu rarely sent messages; she was the calmest and most collected among them, like a still pond undisturbed by any ripples. If she'd deemed something urgent enough to communicate, it must be critical and demand swift action.
Xun Er calmly conveyed Xin Yu's message to Xiao Hua. Her eyes shimmered with a mix of puzzlement and astonishment, a helpless smile touching her lips.
"While you were preoccupied with refining the medicinal pill, a student from our Chaos Gate faction stumbled upon the remains of two elite Dou Zongs and managed to claim their Storage Rings on his way back after completing his mission."
As he listened intently, Xiao Hua's turned strange. The news stirred a faint sense of familiarity within him, but he remained silent, sensing that Xun Er had more to share.
"Unfortunately, word of this discovery spread, and he was hiding in a nearby city. He seized the opportunity to escape amidst the commotion caused by the ancient ruin's sudden appearance. Yet, even then, he was being pursued by those who didn't participate in the event."
'So, it was an Inner Academy student who possessed them.' Xiao Hua's eyes twitched as memories of the rumors he'd heard in Obsidian Rock Town resurfaced.
What truly startled him was that the student belonged to his own faction. If he had known during that time, he would have made an effort to save him. It was a cruel twist of fate that they had crossed paths without knowing they were nearby...
"He fled to the mountain range and hid there for a long time until his pursuers finally gave up. After two or three weeks, they withdrew, but just as he thought he was safe, he encountered an elder from the Demon Flame Valley. Although he managed to escape, he was severely injured and sent out a call for help. Brother Ming Cheng and the others rushed to his aid, but by the time they arrived, the student had already…"
Xiao Hua could only shake his head, a deep sigh resounding in his heart at the ill fate of the student. Despite the chaos of the ancient ruin drawing countless experts and providing a perfect chance to flee, the student still ended up being relentlessly pursued.
What made it even more tragic was that after barely surviving his pursuers, he crossed paths with an elder from Demon Flame Valley. Xiao Hua felt an undeniable sense that the heavens themselves were set on claiming this young man's life, no matter the odds.
Xun Er's expression darkened, her face turning solemn and foreboding. Xiao Hua's brows knitted together; he sensed this was the crux of the issue that prompted Sister Xin Yu's urgent message.
"Although they managed to recover the student's body and retrieve his belongings, Brother Ming Cheng and the others unexpectedly encountered that very same elder from Demon Flame Valley. However, this time, he had summoned six other elders and their disciples to encircle the mountain range."
The treasures left behind by the two elite Dou Zongs were far too tempting to ignore. Moreover, the elder quickly realized that the student was affiliated with Jia Nan Academy, making it impossible for him to allow such valuable spoils to fall into their hands.
It appeared that these fallen Dou Zong experts were influential figures, and the elder did not hesitate to spread this information and call for reinforcements. He feared that the student might have alerted the Inner Academy for aid.
"Brother Ming Cheng engaged the three strongest elders, while Brother Wei Jie and Sister Li Mei took on the remaining four. Meanwhile, Sister Xin Yu and Sister Mei Ling eliminated the disciples."
Xiao Hua's eyes grew cold, already anticipating the grim outcome, but he kept his silence as Xun Er pressed on, her voice quivering with barely restrained rage.
"Those six elders were all of the Dou Huang class, with one even at the formidable nine-star Dou Huang level. Brother Ming Cheng and the others didn't hesitate—they activated their Secret Techniques, pushing their realms beyond their limits. Brother Wei Jie and Sister Li Mei succeeded in slaying the elders they faced, while Brother Ming Cheng managed to gravely wound the elders in his battle."
Xun Er's fists clenched tightly, and she paused to take a deep breath. "However, there was a heavy price. Brother Ming Cheng is critically injured. Although Brother Wei Jie and Sister Li Mei's injuries aren't as severe as his, they are still serious."
"Fortunately, they managed to escape and return to the Inner Academy. While I don't know their current condition, Sister Xin Yu mentioned that they are gradually recovering, so we need not worry for now and can focus on Lady Azure's recovery."
A cold, menacing glint flickered in Xiao Hua's eyes, and a lethal intent filled his gaze. His entire being seemed to radiate an icy resolve as he processed the news.
"Those damn Demon Flame Valley…" he muttered, his voice laced with quiet fury.
Xiao Hua's gaze turned icy, his silence carrying the weight of his fury.
Originally, Xiao Hua had intended to settle his scores with Mo Tian Xing and the other two before stealthily infiltrating Demon Flame Valley to steal the treasures accumulated by the Old Ground Demon Ghost.
However, upon hearing that his sworn brothers and sisters had suffered grave injuries at their hands, the desire for vengeance surged within him, blazing fiercely and rising to an unstoppable crescendo. The urge to annihilate the Demon Flame Valley now consumed him, pushing him to the brink of action.
Only after their annihilation would he resume his original plan—to claim the Dou Technique he truly coveted from Old Ground Demon Ghost's collection: the Sky Demon Puppet, a method for refining powerful battle puppets.
As for the Flame Creation Skill? It held no allure for him. While it was remarkable in its ability to create a fake 'Heavenly Flame,' its power was ultimately artificial, and he already possessed techniques of far greater quality. To him, such a skill was unworthy of even a second glance.
"What shall we do, Brother Xiao Hua?" Xun Er's voice was tinged with restless unease, heavy with concern for their sworn siblings.
Xiao Hua closed his eyes, drawing in a steady breath as he contemplated their course of action. After a brief pause, he opened his eyes, their sharpness akin to a blade's edge. "We will follow Sister Xin Yu's request and adhere to Sister Xue Yue's plan. As much as I wish to return immediately and check on their condition, our priority must be Sister Azure's recovery."
"Once Lady Azure has regained her strength and I have fully restored mine, we will return to the Inner Academy."
His gaze softened as he turned to Xun Er. "Until then, your focus must be solely on breaking through to Dou Wang. It will take some time for me to refine the medicinal pills for Lady Azure, so use this time wisely."
Xun Er lowered her head, accepting his words with quiet resolve. Though a tier seven pill wouldn't require as much time as a tier eight, it would still take at least a week to refine.
Xiao Hua's gaze shifted to Xue Yue. "It seems I must rely on you once more, Sister Xue Yue, to guard this place."
Xue Yue offered a slight smile, her calm gaze unwavering. "Think nothing of it," she replied, her voice steady.
Protecting him from the lurking dangers that occasionally arose was a duty she bore without complaint. Her eyes drifted to Xun Er, who, recognizing her unspoken message, moved forward without hesitation.
Xun Er stepped to Xue Yue's side, knowing her role in this plan. She understood that she needed to remain at a safe distance, shielded from potential threats. Only with complete assurance in her safety could Xiao Hua focus entirely on the complex task of refining the medicinal pill.
This tier-seven pill was essential for restoring Lady Azure's strength to its peak. The process would demand both time and an unshakable concentration, allowing Xun Er a rare opportunity to focus on her own breakthrough to the Dou Wang class before the pill's refinement reached completion.
As he watched the two disappear into the depths of the forest, Xiao Hua settled down, crossing his legs and closing his eyes. His mind fell into a calm stillness as he prepared himself. The effort of waking Lady Azure had drained him, and now he needed to restore his spiritual strength to its peak condition.
To refine a tier-seven medicinal pill, his technique required immense mental stamina, consuming far more of his inner strength than that of an ordinary alchemist. Xiao Hua's mind turned to a familiar frustration, a silent lament.
"A proper medicinal cauldron… such a simple desire," Xiao Hua muttered, his voice tinged with frustration. "Yet, it is unfortunate that none can withstand the Tribulation Lotus Flame…"