"Do you know where she is, Xiao Hua?"
Zi Yan's voice pulled Xiao Hua from his thoughts. He turned and gave a slight nod. With his keen perception, he had already pinpointed Little Fairy Doctor's whereabouts.
Without hesitation, Xiao Hua took Zi Yan's small hand, and in the next instant, their figures silently vanished from the spot. Moments later, they reappeared a short distance away from a distinctive, secluded manor.
The manor's entrance was heavily guarded, with over ten fully armed sentries standing watch.
"It seems like she hasn't been having it easy either…" Zi Yan murmured, her eyes narrowing.
She understood the reason behind Little Fairy Doctor's predicament—her situation had worsened the moment the master of the Thousand Medicinal House learned that Xiao Hua had left town.
"Indeed…" Xiao Hua sighed bitterly, his heart weighed down by guilt. It was his pursuit of refining eighth-tier medicinal pills that had delayed his return.
In truth, concocting pills for Zi Yan hadn't taken long—it should have been completed four days ago. However, in his thirst to advance his strength, he refined multiple eighth-tier medicinal pills, absorbing the lightning energy unleashed during the process to trigger the Trial of Heavenly Judgement Lightning.
He had successfully initiated the trial after refining over fifteen tier-eight medicinal pills, enduring the descent of six-colored to nine-colored Pill Lightning. Naturally, such a massive accumulation of lightning energy had been more than enough to fulfill the trial's requirements.
But in the process… he lost track of time.
Now, standing before the guarded manor, guilt gnawed at his heart. He had returned to Qingshan Town late.
"I know you feel bad, but we still have to save her, you know…" Zi Yan smacked his hand, snapping him back to the present situation.
"That's right. After this, I'll apologize until she's satisfied."
"Good!" Zi Yan laughed in amusement, a proud smile stretching across her face. Grabbing his hand again, she pointed at the small manor, her lips curling into a playful smirk. "Let's go, Xiao Hua. We have a beautiful damsel to save!"
Xiao Hua widened his eyes before shaking his head helplessly at her antics. Yet deep down, he was grateful for her carefree nature.
In the next moment, their figures vanished, reappearing in a quiet chamber at the back of the manor, overlooking a small lake.
They immediately sensed the presence of four guards stationed outside the door. From the occasional glances they directed into the room, it was clear—they weren't guarding against intruders from the outside but rather keeping watch over the person within.
Exchanging a brief glance, the two let out a soft sigh.
With practiced ease, they gently pushed open a window and slipped inside without making a sound. The interior of the room was uniquely arranged, exuding a tranquil atmosphere.
Xiao Hua took in a deep breath, his heart stirring as a faint yet familiar fragrance lingered in the air. A small smile tugged at his lips. He recognized this scent—it was poison. Subtle yet potent, it was an impressive display of skill.
Sweeping his gaze across the room, his eyes finally landed on a delicate silhouette behind a pink-colored curtain.
Naturally, Zi Yan noticed as well, and a mischievous grin spread across her face.
"Hehe. I'm going to surprise her." Zi Yan giggled with childlike excitement before quickly and quietly sneaking toward the curtain.
Xiao Hua could only shake his head before spreading his Dou Qi, silently enveloping the room to ensure absolute soundproofing.
"We have returned!" Zi Yan pulled open the curtain and shouted excitedly.
Little Fairy Doctor was focused on meticulously mixing medicinal powder when the sudden voice startled her. She flinched slightly before quickly straightening her posture. For a brief moment, she thought Mister Yao had snuck in, but as soon as she recognized the familiar voice and face, a wave of relief washed over her.
Lifting her head, she swept her gaze over the smiling little girl and the young man standing behind her. The initial shock in her eyes faded, replaced by a warm smile.
"Welcome back, Zi Yan, Young Master."
"Sorry for being late." Xiao Hua offered a sheepish smile, scratching his cheek awkwardly. Guilt weighed on him—his delay had caused her to endure such hardships.
"Think nothing of it, Young Master." Little Fairy Doctor shook her head, smiling softly. She gestured for them to take a seat before turning to prepare tea.
As she poured the tea, she glanced toward the door and asked, "Have you done something to the guards?"
"After hearing Zi Yan's desire to surprise you, I sealed the room with my Dou Qi to prevent any sound from escaping," Xiao Hua replied with a gentle smile as he took a seat.
His gaze fell on the medicinal bowl before him, and he inhaled lightly. He recognized several of the ingredients, and from the extensive poison records he had studied, he quickly deduced what she was concocting. His eyes narrowed slightly.
"You're making 'Silent Wither Powder'—a poison potent enough to drain the strength of Dou Lings and kill them if left untreated. Moreover…" His gaze swept across the room. "It seems you've laced the air with a slow-acting poison."
"What?! Poison?!" Zi Yan's eyes widened in shock. Only now did she realize that the delicate fragrance permeating the room was actually toxic. Instinctively, she took a step back, her face paling with unease.
Xiao Hua chuckled, amused by Zi Yan's reaction. He gently placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder and said in a calm tone, "Don't worry, Zi Yan. This poison only affects those at the Dou Ling level and below—it has no effect on Dou Wang and above."
"As expected, Young Master recognized both the poison I'm concocting and the one in my room." Little Fairy Doctor smiled as she placed a porcelain teacup in front of Xiao Hua.
She took a seat and added with a faint smile, "I am, after all, just a weak little girl. My abilities are limited, so I can only rely on unorthodox means."
Zi Yan was utterly appalled. "Weak? In what way are you weak?! This method of poisoning an entire room without anyone noticing…" She shook her head in disbelief.
Xiao Hua scoffed lightly, the corner of his lips curling into a faint smirk. "Hmph. I told you there was nothing to worry about, Zi Yan."
Zi Yan rolled her eyes and smirked teasingly. "Oh? Should I remind you who was feeling all anxious and guilty after hearing about Little Fairy Doctor's predicament?"
Xiao Hua's expression stiffened, and he awkwardly turned his head away, feeling slightly embarrassed. Little Fairy Doctor giggled softly at the scene—she had truly missed their playful bickering.
"Thank you for worrying about me, Young Master." She smiled warmly.
Xiao Hua coughed lightly to change the subject. His gaze turned sharp as he looked toward the door. "Anyway, they're keeping you under surveillance?"
Little Fairy Doctor's expression turned serious as she nodded. "Indeed. Mister Yao caught wind of the news and is greedily eyeing my share. However, it seems he has struck a deal with Mu She and has given me a three-day deadline if I wanted him to continue protect me."
Zi Yan furrowed her brows and tilted her head in confusion. "Then why didn't you leave? With your poisoning skills, I doubt he could stop you…"
"I was waiting for Young Master Xiao Hua's arrival. He promised he would come to check on me, so I had no reason to run away and hide from them." A soft smile surfaced on her delicate face.
Her response left Zi Yan slightly speechless. Shaking her head helplessly, she couldn't help but be amazed at the unwavering trust and belief the Fairy Doctor had in Xiao Hua's words alone.
Seeing Zi Yan's speechless expression, Little Fairy Doctor let out a gentle laugh. She took out the Rainbow Poison Book and said, "If I want to practice the techniques in this book, I naturally need a large supply of medicinal ingredients to experiment with. Isn't this the best place for that?"
Zi Yan pouted before grinning. "Just ask Xiao Hua. He can give you anything you need." She proudly raised her arms and gave a thumbs-up. "He's given me tons of pills to help me grow, so I doubt he can't spare some for you too."
Xiao Hua shook his head with a helpless smile. "Regardless, if you're fine with leaving, let's go. Since the Wolf Head Mercenary Company has been causing you trouble these past few days, I intend to return the favor."
"Haha. Of course, I don't mind leaving with Young Master." Little Fairy Doctor chuckled as she rose gracefully to her feet. She glanced at Xiao Hua, whose lips were pressed into a firm line. She understood—he saw this as his mess and was determined to clean it up himself.
Her gaze softened. "You don't have to blame yourself, Young Master. I don't hold you responsible for my predicament. In fact, thanks to you, I obtained this book and learned multiple poison techniques." She smiled and ran her fingers gently over the book's cover.
A fleeting sadness flickered in her eyes and difficult expression appeared on her face, but Xiao Hua chose to ignore it.
He knew she had likely discovered the truth about her Woeful Poison Body but was still uncertain about it. However, until that physique fully awakened, there was nothing he could do to help her.
Little Fairy Doctor shook her head and smiled. "Now that I'm leaving, it's only natural I leave them with something to remember me by."
"Naturally, I had this intention when I came to look for you." Xiao Hua smiled.
"Please wait a moment. I need to pack my things." Little Fairy Doctor excused herself and began gathering her belongings.
After a short while, she finished packing. However, just as they were about to leave, a knocking sound echoed from the entrance, followed by a middle-aged man's voice. "Haha, Fairy Doctor, are you in?"
Although the words conveyed an inquiry, the door was opened as the words died off. A middle-aged man enters the room followed by four guards that have been guarding the room behind him.
His gaze swept across the room, but the moment his eyes landed on the young man standing in the center, his expression froze.
Even though he had only seen him once, that noble appearance and those striking heterochromatic eyes were unforgettable.
"Y-Young Master…" he murmured, his voice trembling as he instinctively took a step back. He had been certain this young man wouldn't return, yet reality proved him terribly wrong. And now… he knew regret was inevitable.
"It has been a few days since we last met, Mister Yao," Xiao Hua said with a faint, yet unfathomable smile.
As he stepped forward, a majestic aura erupted from his body, like a towering mountain rising from the plains. In an instant, Mister Yao and his four guards turned deathly pale, their faces twisted in terror.
An overwhelming force crashed down upon them. Their limbs trembled violently, their bodies unable to resist the immense pressure. One by one, they buckled, collapsing to their knees as their hands slammed against the ground, struggling for support. The air itself seemed to condense into an invisible shackle, bearing down on them with suffocating intensity.
"Mister Yao, I'll be leaving with Fairy Doctor. Can you move aside?"
Mister Yao gasped as his lungs felt as if they were being squeezed to their limit. The very air grew unbearably heavy, making each breath a laborious struggle. With great difficulty, he forced his mouth open, his voice hoarse and strained.
"O-Of course… O-Of course, Young Master…"
Xiao Hua cast him a final glance before striding forward, flanked by Zi Yan and Little Fairy Doctor. As they passed the middle-aged man and his guards—who were now pressed so low their bodies were nearly perpendicular to the floor—Xiao Hua withdrew his aura.
At that moment, the five men gasped desperately for air, their bodies trembling as violent coughs wracked their forms.
"Didn't that bastard Mu She say he confirmed that Young Master wouldn't return?!" Mister Yao cursed under his breath, struggling to stand with great difficulty. His legs trembled, and his face contorted in anger.
"Like hell I'll inform him about this! Let that bastard suffer his wrath and meet his demise!"
...
As they passed through the manor's gates, Little Fairy Doctor suddenly turned to Xiao Hua.
"Young Master, could we move to a more spacious area?"
"Sure." Xiao Hua raised an eyebrow at her sudden request but nodded nonetheless. It wasn't a difficult request, after all.
When they arrived at an open space, Little Fairy Doctor retrieved a slender bamboo whistle and brought it to her lips, blowing gently.
A sharp screech echoed through the vast blue sky.
In the next moment, a massive, old eagle with a majestic, blue-colored body swiftly descended, its powerful wings stirring up the dust below as it hovered over the manor before gradually landing.
"First-ranked Blue Eagle… Ah, I see. You called this bird to carry us." A faint smile appeared on Xiao Hua's face.
He had nearly forgotten about Little Fairy Doctor's companion—her treasured flying Magical Beast. Even after she had become a Dou Zong, she still kept the blue eagle by her side.
"Well… it would be a little embarrassing if I had to be carried by you all the way to our destination, Young Master…" A faint blush crept onto Little Fairy Doctor's cheeks as she averted her gaze, clearly recalling the moment when Xiao Hua had held her by the waist before.
Xiao Hua and Zi Yan exchanged amused glances before chuckling softly. Her innocence was rather endearing.
"I'll help you up." Xiao Hua extended his hand, gently wrapping his arm around her waist. With a light step, he soared into the air, ensuring she remained unharmed, before landing effortlessly on the eagle's back.
Zi Yan watched the scene with a scrutinizing gaze before letting out a soft sigh. She shook her head lightly, then, with a light flap of her Dou Qi Wings, her body gracefully lifted into the air before landing on the eagle's back.
"Thank you, Young Master." Standing on the eagle's back, Little Fairy Doctor expressed her gratitude to Xiao Hua, a faint red hue still lingering on her cheeks.
"Xiao Lan, let's go."
Once Zi Yan had settled into her seat, Little Fairy Doctor urged the blue eagle forward. With a powerful beat of its wings, the majestic beast soared into the sky, swiftly carrying them away from the mansion at high speed.
...
"By the way, do you have a place where we can stay temporarily?" Standing on the spacious back of the eagle, Xiao Hua glanced at Little Fairy Doctor.
"The place we stayed at before has… well, become a bit of a mess." He added with a wry smile.
With multiple eight-colored to nine-colored Pill Lightnings descending every time he refined an eighth-tier medicinal pill, it was only natural that their previous residence now looked like it had been struck by disaster—reduced to ruins by the sheer destructive force.
"I do." Little Fairy Doctor nodded with a smile. "I happened to discover a place by chance, but it's an excellent spot for us to stay temporarily. It's filled with dense energy, and I bet you'll be surprised when you see it, Xiao Hua."
Xiao Hua smiled softly at her. "You don't need to be so formal. Just call me by my name."
"Ha ha. Then, I shall do that—Xiao Hua." Little Fairy Doctor nodded, her tone lighter as she turned toward the blue eagle, preparing to guide it further.
Meanwhile, Zi Yan gently stroked the eagle's soft feathers, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Still, what exactly did you do to gain this bird's affection?" She asked with a playful smile.
"Hehe. I saved Xiao Lan's life a few years ago, and she has been with me ever since." Little Fairy Doctor replied with a gentle smile, her hand softly stroking the blue eagle's feathers.
"Although Magical Beasts are naturally fierce, once you earn their loyalty, they will never betray you. In that regard, they are far more reliable than humans." She added with a faint chuckle.
Zi Yan nodded in agreement before shifting her gaze to Xiao Hua. Raising her brows, she asked, "By the way, aren't we going to attack the Wolf Head Mercenary Company?"
"There's no need to rush." Xiao Hua replied with a calm smile. "It's not like the Wolf Head Mercenary Company is going to suddenly disappear or hide themselves."
Zi Yan crossed her arms and frowned slightly. "But wouldn't that owner inform them about our arrival?"
"He wouldn't." Xiao Hua's smile deepened. "That old man moves based on personal gain, and he's the only one who knows we've returned. If the Wolf Head Mercenary Company suddenly went into hiding, it would be obvious that he was the one who informed Mu She."
"That's true." Zi Yan nodded repeatedly, arms crossed in thought. Suddenly, her expression shifted—her eyes sparkled with excitement, and a bright smile surfaced on her face. "If that's the case, I can't wait to see the place Sister Fairy Doctor discovered!"
Little Fairy Doctor giggled at Zi Yan's enthusiasm, her voice carrying a playful lilt. "Fufu. Let's hope the place I bring you to meets your expectations."
…
After flying for some time, Xiao Hua and Zi Yan followed Little Fairy Doctor to a place where the energy was astonishingly dense. The two of them were not unfamiliar with this location.
It was the basin where numerous medicinal herbs flourished. Previously, they had only ventured into its outer regions while accompanying a medicinal herb-gathering team. However, this time, Little Fairy Doctor did not stop there. Instead, she guided them further into the sky, heading straight for the basin's inner region.
They slowly descended into a secluded valley deep within the basin, where the energy was so dense that it caused Zi Yan's eyes to light up with unrestrained joy. Her excitement soared through the roof, and her spirits lifted instantly.
"What do you think? This place is amazing, isn't it?" Little Fairy Doctor said proudly, a smile tugging at her lips. "This small valley is completely isolated from the outside world, and the sky is concealed by a thick fog. If Xiao Lan hadn't accidentally broken into this place, I doubt I would have ever discovered it."
Seeing the sheer delight on Zi Yan's face, she couldn't help but laugh with satisfaction.
"It's incredible, Sister Fairy Doctor!" Zi Yan exclaimed, her excitement palpable. She had already noticed something unique about the valley, her gaze fixated on a particular area.
Xiao Hua descended calmly, following her gaze.
What met his eyes was an expanse of rare and precious medicinal plants flourishing within the valley. The air was filled with a fragrant aroma, blending seamlessly with the mist and creating a refreshing atmosphere. The faint energy exuded by the medicinal ingredients shrouded the valley, making it a true paradise for alchemists.
"Some of the medicinal plants required for my Rainbow Poison Book can be found here, and perhaps Xiao Hua will find some medicinal ingredients that interest him as well. This is truly an excellent place for us to stay temporarily…" Little Fairy Doctor mused with a soft smile.
Hearing her words, Xiao Hua and Zi Yan exchanged glances before nodding in agreement without hesitation.
"Anyway, now that I know where this place is, I'll be heading out to settle the debt the Wolf Head Mercenary Company owes for causing trouble for you."
Xiao Hua smiled in satisfaction as he glanced around the secluded valley one last time. Just as he was about to leave, he noticed Zi Yan, who had suddenly lost interest in following him to attack the Wolf Head Mercenary Company.
Zi Yan casually raised her hand and pointed at Little Fairy Doctor, a proud grin spreading across her face. "Just in case, I'll stay here to protect her in case any trouble arises."
Xiao Hua rolled his eyes, clearly not believing a single word. He let out a cold snort, the corners of his lips curling into an amused smile. "Just admit it—you're more interested in snatching any medicinal plants that catch your eye and eating them."
Zi Yan averted her gaze, awkwardly scratching the back of her head. The guilty look on her face only confirmed Xiao Hua's suspicion.
Helplessly shaking his head, Xiao Hua decided not to waste his energy on her antics. Instead, he turned to Little Fairy Doctor and asked, "What do you plan to do in the meantime?"
"I'm going to focus on refining more poisons using the recipes recorded in the Rainbow Poison Book and increase my understanding of poisons." She replied with a soft smile.
Xiao Hua's expression turned serious as he warned, "Be careful. Refine poisons is extremely dangerous—many Poison Masters end up suffering severe consequences from their own poisons."
Little Fairy Doctor shook her head and reassured him with a gentle tone. "Don't worry. The Rainbow Poison Book details antidotes for every poison, and all the necessary ingredients can be found here in the valley. I'll make sure to be cautious."
Xiao Hua gave a slight nod before turning away. With a single step, his figure blurred and vanished from the valley.
Little Fairy Doctor watched Xiao Hua's departing figure, unable to suppress the awe rising in her heart. Even though this was the third time she had witnessed it, his sheer speed and power still left her astonished.
The more she saw, the more curious she became about his true strength. However, she set those thoughts aside for now—her priority was gathering the medicinal plants needed for the recipes recorded in the Rainbow Poison Book.
She also needed to verify something even more important—whether she truly possessed the unique and dangerous physique described in the book. If the descriptions were accurate, then…
A shadow flickered across her face as unease crept into her heart. Her fingers subconsciously tightened around the book, and a bitter smile surfaced on her lips.
"I just hope… Xiao Hua and Zi Yan won't fear me if I really do possess it…"
Her voice was low, almost a whisper carried away by the wind. A deep sigh escaped her lips, laced with quiet sorrow. As she stood there, gazing at the misty valley, she couldn't help but pray… praying that her fears would never become reality.
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