"Anyway, there's a rock door here. Judging by its structure, even a Dou Shi should be able to open it."
"I've read some books on trap mechanisms. While I wouldn't call myself an expert, I have some proficiency in the subject."
Little Fairy Doctor's expression brightened with excitement at the chance to contribute. She had been feeling guilty—despite doing nothing, she would still receive a share of the treasures inside, aside from the small favor Xiao Hua had asked of her.
Naturally, she moved beside Xiao Hua, joyfully searching for the mechanism to open the heavy rock door.
"No need for all that trouble!" Zi Yan declared excitedly as she strode forward. Without hesitation, she threw a punch at the door.
Bang!
A thunderous boom echoed through the cave as the ground trembled slightly. The rock door, unable to withstand the terrifying force of the Brute Force Queen, shattered into countless fragments in an instant.
"Kyaa!"
Seeing the debris flying over, Little Fairy Doctor quickly ducked down and covered her head. Feeling that no debris hitting her, she lifted her gaze and was met with the sight of a strong, lean back, standing protectively before her, guarding her from the flying debris.
"Are you alright?" Xiao Hua turned toward her, his voice soft and soothing.
The Little Fairy Doctor was slightly startled when she saw Xiao Yan's smiling face. Suddenly, her heart filled with warmth and soothing aura, her eyes suddenly misting over.
This sensation of being protected by him—it was something entirely new to her. She had been shielded by countless mercenaries over the years, but none of them had ever made her feel this way, wrapped in such a tender, comforting warmth.
Behind this back, she felt safe—truly safe. For the first time, she could let go of everything, allowing her heart to relax completely, knowing that nothing would ever reach her so long as he stood before her.
"Here."
Xiao Hua extended his hand to Little Fairy Doctor. She took it with an appreciative smile as he gently pulled her back up. Turning to Zi Yan, he reprimanded her with a calm but firm tone. "Zi Yan, be careful. You could have hurt Little Fairy Doctor."
"I'm sorry... I forgot about her," Zi Yan admitted with an apologetic smile. A hint of guilt flickered in her eyes as she awkwardly scratched her head.
She had always been surrounded by powerful individuals—whether in the Inner Academy or with the Xiao Clan, where she often remained beside Ming Cheng and the others. It was only natural that she had momentarily overlooked the fact that Little Fairy Doctor's strength was lower than theirs.
"Anyway, let's go in."
With that, Xiao Hua stepped deeper into the cave, disappearing into the dim interior. Zi Yan and Little Fairy Doctor exchanged a brief glance before following closely behind.
Beyond the shattered rock door lay a vast chamber—simple and empty, its silence amplifying the eerie atmosphere. At the center of the room sat an aged wooden chair, upon which rested a skeleton. Its skull had fallen forward, now lying atop its thigh bone, an unsettling sight against the stillness of the chamber.
The grim scene sent a shiver through Little Fairy Doctor. Instinctively, she stepped closer to Xiao Hua.
In front of the chair stood a long, wide black stone table. Upon it, three locked stone containers sat neatly arranged, their presence adding an air of mystery to the already ominous chamber.
In three corners of the room, large piles of gleaming gold coins and other precious items were scattered haphazardly. Judging by the sheer amount, the total wealth stored here easily exceeded hundreds of thousands.
Yet, neither Xiao Hua nor Zi Yan spared the gold a second glance. At their level of strength, such riches were meaningless—mere trinkets unworthy of their attention.
Judging by how carelessly the gold was tossed around, it was clear the room's owner hadn't valued it much either.
"It's here!"
Zi Yan's eyes lit up with excitement as she rushed toward the last corner of the room, her face brimming with joy. The sheer brightness in her gaze made it seem as if her eyes were glittering with stars and golden dust.
Her attention was fixed on a small flower bed at the far end of the chamber. It had been crafted by piling soil together, and within it, numerous exotic flowers and plants thrived, their rich fragrances filling the air with a refreshing aroma.
Little Fairy Doctor stepped forward alongside Zi Yan, her gaze fixated on the flowerbed. She recognized these seemingly ordinary plants all too well—each one was worth far more than the piles of gleaming gold coins scattered across the room.
Xiao Hua shook his head slightly before retrieving a jade shovel from his Storage Ring. He had anticipated the presence of rare medicinal ingredients in the cave, so he had brought it just in case.
Without hesitation, he handed the jade shovel to Little Fairy Doctor. She accepted it with a slight blush dusting her cheeks.
Raising her eyes to meet his, she hesitated for a moment before asking in a nervous tone, "Are you sure you don't want anything, Young Master?"
Xiao Hua shook his head, his voice calm yet firm. "No need. I already have most of these. Just leave the one Zi Yan wants since she was the one who found this place. The rest of the flowerbed is yours."
Little Fairy Doctor's eyes lit up, and she smiled brightly. "Thank you."
Turning back to the flowerbed, her expression shifted—her gaze now sharp and focused like that of a seasoned master. With utmost care, she approached one of the flowers and began digging, her hands steady and movements precise, her demeanor completely serious and solemn.
Xiao Hua was momentarily speechless at Little Fairy Doctor's sudden shift in demeanor. Shaking his head helplessly, he turned his gaze toward the skeleton seated behind the stone table.
With a faint smile, he quietly approached. Three black keys dangled from its bony fingers. While his strength was more than enough to break open the stone containers, doing so would have made it pointless to approach the skeleton and retrieve the hidden item within its grasp.
His eyes flickered toward Little Fairy Doctor, who was carefully digging up the medicinal plants. Seeing that she was occupied, he shifted his attention back to the skeleton. With a swift and discreet motion, he plucked a small scroll from the gap between its bones and stored it in his ring.
This scroll was one of the four map fragments marking the location of the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame. Though Xiao Hua had no personal interest in obtaining the flame—since he required a Primordial Heavenly Flame through the System—he recognized its potential value for others.
What made this ancient map particularly unique was the powerful spiritual imprint left behind by the legendary Purifying Demonic Lotus Saint. If one were to encounter the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame in the future, the imprint would activate, aiding in neutralizing the flame's consciousness and making it far easier to refine.
For those seeking to subdue the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame, this spiritual remnant was an invaluable protective charm—one that could turn the tide if things took a dangerous turn. If any of his sworn brothers or sisters desired this flame for whatever reason, having this would ensure they had an edge.
As for Little Fairy Doctor, he had no intention of telling her about it. Given the nature of her Woeful Poison Body, any interaction with a Heavenly Flame would be counterproductive—potentially worsening her condition rather than aiding her.
After storing the scroll, Xiao Hua turned his attention back to the skeleton, curiosity flickering in his eyes. He was truly intrigued by the identity of this expert. After all, possessing a map fragment and going so far as to conceal it within their own bones meant that they fully understood its significance.
Most who recognized the value of this map were among the top forces of the Dou Qi Continent—the most powerful individuals in existence.
Unfortunately, there was nothing in the cave that hinted at the skeleton's identity. With no further clues to pursue, Xiao Hua could only sigh and abandon his search.
Shifting his focus, he picked up the black keys and twirled them lightly between his fingers, the metallic clinking sound echoing softly in the quiet chamber. As he did, his gaze landed on Little Fairy Doctor, who had just finished collecting all the medicinal plants and carefully stored them in jade bottles.
Over ten bottles were now neatly arranged in her chest before she placed them onto the stone table. After a brief moment of thought, she selected ten bottles containing the rarest and most valuable medicinal ingredients and extended them toward Xiao Hua.
Xiao Hua raised an eyebrow, slightly puzzled. Hadn't he already told her that, aside from Zi Yan's Ice Spirit Blazing Grass, everything in the flowerbed was hers to take?
"These are yours, Young Master." She smiled at him, her expression pure and sincere. She wasn't shameless enough to accept all the treasures when she had barely done anything, so she chose to keep the more common herbs while offering him the rare and expensive ones.
'This girl is just too kind…' Xiao Hua sighed inwardly, shaking his head with a helpless smile. For a brief moment, he felt a tinge of foolishness and guilt for keeping the map fragment a secret from such a gentle-hearted girl.
"Fine," he relented, his voice soft. "But if you ever want them back, just tell me. I already have these in my collection."
With that, he stored the bottles in his Storage Ring and shifted his gaze toward the three stone containers resting on the table.
"Then, I'll open them."
Fortunately, there was no need for a frustrating trial-and-error moment—Xiao Hua swiftly unlocked each container with precise ease.
Inside the first container lay an ancient, rainbow-colored scroll. The second container held a High Xuan Flying Dou Technique: Eagle Wing, while the third container contained a High Xuan fire-attribute Qi Method: Volcanic Fire Method.
Little Fairy Doctor's eyes lingered on the second scroll, curiosity flashing across her face. "A Flying Dou Technique?" she asked. "I've heard of attack, defensive, and movement techniques, but never a flying technique."
Xiao Hua chuckled. "Though rare, this technique allows one to form a pair of wings and take flight—even if they haven't reached Dou Wang."
Little Fairy Doctor blinked in surprise. "That's possible?"
Xiao Hua's faint smile deepened. "The Dou Qi Continent is far vaster and more mysterious than you imagine, Little Fairy Doctor."
He then casually waved the Flying Dou Technique and Qi Method in front of her, offering them.
Understanding his intent, Little Fairy Doctor simply smiled and shook her head. She had no interest in Dou Techniques or Qi Methods, as they were of little use to her.
"Haha, everyone should take what suits them," Xiao Hua said with a lighthearted laugh. With that, he passed the rainbow-colored scroll to Little Fairy Doctor.
Little Fairy Doctor was about to decline the scroll until her eyes landed on its title: Rainbow Poison Book.
Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she turned to Xiao Hua with slight hesitation. "Young Master… is it okay for me to have this scroll?"
She felt a little awkward asking for it. After all, he had already given her most of the treasures in this room and had only taken the Ice Spirit Blazing Grass for himself. However, this scroll was different—it was something she truly desired.
The title alone hinted that the owner of this room might have been a physician. In the Dou Qi Continent, physicians were among the few who practiced poison arts to protect themselves. Those who excelled in poison techniques were often feared and labeled as Poison Masters.
She had always dreamed of becoming an alchemist, but she lacked the necessary talent. Though she preferred not to be feared as a Poison Master, she could only rely on poison techniques to develop cures and save lives.
Xiao Hua shook his head lightly and smiled reassuringly. "There's no need to worry, Little Fairy Doctor."
"This book may be valuable, but mastering it requires significant time and effort. Since I'm already an alchemist, dividing my attention would be biting off more than I can chew. I'm just relieved that this will be useful to you."
A wave of warmth washed over Little Fairy Doctor. Her heart swelled with gratitude, and a bright, joyous smile spread across her face. "Thank you, Young Master."
Xiao Hua's lips curled into a warm smile as he gazed at the young woman's pure, radiant expression. He then turned toward the cave entrance and said with a smile, "Shall we return to camp?"
"Of course, Young Master!"
"Xiao Hua, once we return to town, refine this herb for me!"
Zi Yan and Little Fairy Doctor responded with eager smiles. After spending too much time in the dark, damp cave, they couldn't help but feel relieved to finally leave its eerie atmosphere.
After exiting the cave, Xiao Hua gently wrapped his arm around Little Fairy Doctor's slender waist, holding her in a delicate yet secure embrace to ensure she wouldn't slip from his grasp.
Little Fairy Doctor lowered her head, her soft, fair cheeks tinged with a shy blush at the warmth of his touch. Despite her best efforts, a faint, delighted smile curved her lips. She had felt this before, yet each time, her heart wavered, caught between embarrassment and an unspoken longing.
What flustered her even more was the undeniable truth—she didn't just accept his embrace; she secretly longed for it.
Moments later, their figures disappeared from the cave entrance, leaving Zi Yan standing alone. With a shake of her head in exasperation, she extended a pair of purple Dou Qi wings from her back, flapping them to fly upwards.
Shortly after, Xiao Hua and Little Fairy Doctor appeared on solid ground, just a short distance from the cliff where they had descended. In an instant, Zi Yan joined them, retracting her wings with ease.
Xiao Hua gently placed Little Fairy Doctor on the ground, then looked around at the densely forested area with an amused smile.
She couldn't help but glance at his hand still resting around her waist, feeling an unexpected reluctance to part from the warmth. Letting out a quiet, disappointed sigh in her heart, she slowly withdrew her gaze.
"They're here," Xiao Hua said, breaking the silence.
Startled, Little Fairy Doctor quickly shifted her gaze toward the dense forest. She was confused by his words, but a second later, her ears caught the sound of approaching footsteps.
"Heh heh, Fairy Doctor. Thank you for all the hard work. We never expected retrieving the treasures from this cave to be so easy and simple."
Over fifteen figures slowly emerged from the dense forest, and a familiar, pleased laughter echoed in Little Fairy Doctor's ears, causing her brows to furrow tightly and her teeth to clench in frustration.
"Mu Li! What are you doing here?!"
She was shocked to see the Young Master of the Wolf Head Mercenary Company. She had never expected him to know the location of the hidden cave.
Xiao Hua, however, was not surprised that Mu Li knew about the cave. Earlier that afternoon, he had sensed another presence besides Little Fairy Doctor's—Mu Li's. So, it wasn't unexpected for him to know the location of the hidden cave, albeit roughly.
In fact, Xiao Hua had sensed Mu Li's presence, along with a few others, moving just slightly away from the steep cliff as they were about to leave the hidden cave. However, it is because of this he was slightly confused and not surprise.
He quickly realized the answer, recalling a conversation in which Little Fairy Doctor had mentioned her assistant coming here. He sighed, having completely forgotten about the assistant's existence.
After discovering the cave in the afternoon, Xiao Hua had asked Little Fairy Doctor for a favor: to mix a specific combination of herbs into everyone's dinner. These herbs would gradually induce weariness and drowsiness after consumption.
Of course, Xiao Hua had also provided the antidote. They needed to consume the dinner as well to ensure their innocence if anyone uncovered the scheme.
His plan had been simple: put everyone to sleep, sneak into the cave with Zi Yan and Little Fairy Doctor, take everything, and return to camp as if nothing had happened.
Since he was aware of Mu Li's presence, Xiao Hua had assumed that if Mu Li fell asleep and woke up to find that he and Little Fairy Doctor had already taken everything from the cave, the Young Master would temporarily give up, knowing they were protected by the Thousand Medicine House.
Although Xiao Hua knew that Mu Li would likely be patient and seek cooperation with Boss Yao, the owner of the Thousand Medicine House, upon their return to Qingshan Town to claim the treasures in their possession, he never expected Mu Li to stay awake.
Yet, here he was—Mu Li standing before him with an arrogant and confident expression, unaware that by coming here, he had hastened his own demise.
This was precisely why Little Fairy Doctor was in disbelief. The favor Xiao Hua had asked of her was simple, yet she had failed to carry it out.
Shame weighed heavily on her—she couldn't even complete such a straightforward task. It stung even more knowing that Xiao Hua had entrusted her with so many treasures in the cave. Embarrassment flared within her, and she no longer had the courage to meet his gaze.
"It seems you have some help, huh?" Xiao Hua said with a knowing smile.
"Heh, as expected from the Young Master. We were fortunate to have someone close to her inform us ahead of time." Mu Li shrugged nonchalantly and glanced at Little Fairy Doctor, a slight amused smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
A flash of suspicion crossed Little Fairy Doctor's face, but it was quickly replaced by anger and a tinge of sadness.
"…Did you bribe Li Fei?" she asked with difficulty, her voice barely a whisper.
She had told Li Fei about the matter and given her an antidote. She never expected that her warning would lead to someone sabotaging Xiao Hua's plan.
She couldn't believe it. The one person she had considered a close friend, someone she trusted completely and wouldn't hesitate to share her deepest secrets with, had betrayed her for a bribe from Mu Li.
"Heh, that woman's pretty foolish. With just a few sweet words, she spilled everything." Mu Li smirked, not bothering to deny Little Fairy Doctor's suspicion.
He relished the sight of the conflicted expression on her face. The anger and sadness that came with realizing a close one's betrayal was truly thrilling to him.
"You bastard!" Little Fairy Doctor's brows furrowed as she shouted, her voice laced with fury.
"I'm sorry, but these things are far too valuable to our Wolf Head Mercenary Company. Once we have them, we'll easily absorb all the factions in Qingshan Town. With that power, we can expand beyond this town. Our ambitions go beyond this small place." Mu Li spoke coldly, shaking his head as if it was nothing personal.
"Hand everything over to me. Fairy Doctor, you must know how I feel about you. If you agree to be mine, I will make sure you're well taken care of once I take control of the Wolf Head Mercenary Company." Mu Li's gaze softened as he spoke, his tone growing increasingly gentle.
"Become yours? Just looking at you disgusts me!" Little Fairy Doctor's voice was sharp and scornful, her lips curling in disdain. The idea of Mu Li's proposition revolted her, and she couldn't hide her fury at his act of bribery to those around her and manipulating them.
Her harsh words were a surprise to those who didn't know this side of her, especially Zi Yan. She had only ever seen the meek side of Little Fairy Doctor, but this display of strength and conviction only made her admire her more.
A cold glint flashed in Mu Li's eyes as he smiled, his voice soft but menacing. "It doesn't matter. I will force you to stay by my side."
He then turned his gaze to Xiao Hua, narrowing his eyes into a chilling glare. This was the person he most wanted to eliminate, the one who had caused him the greatest frustration since their arrival.
"Young Master, why not join the Wolf Head Mercenary Company? Everything you've taken from the cave will naturally become yours once you join us."
"What a generous person. I doubt even a three-year-old wouldn't buy such nonsense," Xiao Hua scoffed with a mocking smile, his voice dripping with disdain. He could easily sense the murderous intent directed at him, and only a fool would fall for Mu Li's words.
Mu Li's smile faltered, his voice turning icier as his anger grew. "You'd better think carefully, Young Master. It's not uncommon for an alchemist to suddenly disappear in the mountains full of Magical Beasts, no matter how powerful their background."
"Whatever she has belongs to her. Whatever I have belongs to me. None of it belongs to you, a mere walking corpse," Xiao Hua replied with a mocking smile, raising a single finger to gesture dismissively.
Mu Li's eyes darkened with a deadly glint, his hate for Xiao Hua seething as murderous intent simmered beneath the surface.
Xiao Hua, however, felt nothing but indifference to the killing intent. He had slain the Old Demon Ground Ghost, defeated and sealed Protector Fu, and even survived a strike from the Half-Dou Di Black Plague Whale.
To him, the killing intent of a mere Dou Zhe, a spoiled young master with an inflated ego, was little more than a passing breeze.
[author]
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As many of you may have expected, it will take quite some time before a major fight scene takes place. After all, this is the Jia Ma Empire—not the Central Plains, where powerful experts are everywhere.
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