After Qing Hai retreated, flying slightly deeper into the heart of the Tager Desert, the Little Fairy Doctor effortlessly captured the two Protectors. With a casual flick of her wrist, she sealed them inside a jade bottle retrieved from her Storage Ring.
This Storage Ring had been a gift from Xiao Hua, and she treasured it deeply.
Standing quietly, a serene smile graced the Little Fairy Doctor's lips as she watched the distant battle unfold. Her gaze was calm, undisturbed by the fierce exchange of blows between Qing Hai and Xiao Hua, as if the turmoil of the world could not reach her.
After several brief exchanges, Qing Hai was forced into retreat by Xiao Hua. It was then that she noticed him gripping a strange, black-colored token, which he immediately crushed in his palm.
Boom!
A thunderous sound echoed as a black spatial fissure ripped across the sky, swiftly widening into a massive spatial crack. Narrowing her eyes, she watched intently as an old man slowly emerged from the void.
She could immediately sense that his strength was slightly inferior to her own—perhaps one star lower. Yet, she remained composed, showing neither anxiety nor concern. Just as before, she stood quietly to the side, her focus solely fixed on observing Xiao Hua's techniques and the depth of his strength.
After all, ever since she had been by his side, Xiao Hua had never needed to fight anyone. She understood that it was not because he was unwilling, but simply because no one had possessed the strength—or the courage—to challenge him.
As this thought crossed her mind, the battle raged on. She watched as Xiao Hua struck Qing Hai with a powerful blow, sending him crashing violently into the ground, before calmly shifting his focus to continue his clash with Qin Tian.
Despite the fierce and violent exchanges that shook the very air and caused cracks to ripple across the sky, the Little Fairy Doctor remained utterly unfazed. She stood gracefully, her serene smile unbroken, as she quietly observed the battle.
Swoosh! Swoosh!
However, the tranquility lasted for little more than ten minutes before several streaks of flowing light tore across the sky—one group approaching from the deeper regions of the Tager Desert, and the other from beyond its borders, rushing from the direction of the Jia Ma Empire.
In a flash, the flowing lights revealed multiple figures. From the Jia Ma Empire's side, three figures descended, appearing on the right side of the Little Fairy Doctor.
An old man with long white hair and a monocle over his left eye stood calmly in place. He wore a white and yellow robe, woven from materials of exceptionally high quality, their rich texture betraying their immense value. His healthy complexion and spirited demeanor lent him a distinct, aloof presence, and as his gaze swept across the surroundings, a natural air of dignity radiated from him.
Beside him stood a noble and graceful woman, clad in light teal robes, with a matching outer cloak adorned with intricate silver patterns. Her long black hair was neatly secured by a phoenix-shaped hair ornament of exquisite craftsmanship. In her left hand, she held a strange, slender longsword.
An aura of nobility, impossible to conceal, faintly emanated from her. Her beauty was serene and pure, reminiscent of a clear spring hidden deep within a secluded mountain. Yet, her natural grace and high-born status also commanded a subtle, involuntary respect from those who beheld her—stirring admiration and a faint longing within their hearts.
The third figure was a handsome, middle-aged man dressed in a flowing white robe embroidered with golden designs. Beneath the robe, he wore green garments, fastened at the waist with a brown belt, giving him an appearance of a scholar than a practitioner.
They were none other than the powerful figures of the Jia Ma Empire: Jia Xing Tian, the Guardian of the Imperial Family; Yun Yun, the Sect Leader of the Misty Cloud Sect; and Gu He, the renowned Pill King.
From the group emerging from the deeper regions of the Tager Desert, four figures appeared, descending gracefully to land beside the Little Fairy Doctor.
Leading them was a woman whose beauty was so breathtaking it seemed to etch itself into one's memory. She wore a luxurious, deep purple gown that hugged her graceful and voluptuous figure, radiating a wild, enchanting allure. Every movement of her exquisite form exuded an irresistible temptation.
As her bewitching gaze swept across the surroundings, it carried a seductive charm that seemed to capture and draw in the eyes of nearly every man present.
Her long black hair cascaded freely over her fragrant shoulders, flowing down to her slender, delicate waist. Atop her head rested a majestic golden crown, adorned with a serpent's head design at its center, enhancing her commanding, regal presence.
Beneath the flowing gown, a glimpse of a purple snake tail could be seen, lazily swaying behind her, adding a wild and exotic elegance to her already enthralling appearance.
Standing slightly behind and to her left was another striking woman, with long, flowing purple hair and vivid purple-blue eyes. Her slender, flexible waist was particularly captivating, radiating a seductive charm. Though her beauty was slightly inferior compared to the noble and graceful queen, she was still incredibly lovely and enchanting.
To the right, another figure stood—a male Snake-Person clad in silver armor, gripping twin sabers. His stern expression and sharp gaze reflected unwavering loyalty and a readiness to defend his queen at a moment's notice.
They were the high-ranking members of the Snake-People Race—their Empress, Queen Medusa, and two of the Eight Large Tribe Leaders, Yue Mei and Mo Ba Si.
Clinging closely to Queen Medusa's right side was a little girl dressed in a purple robe. Her appearance was adorably charming, with twin tails of purple hair tied up with golden hairpins. Her bright, blinking eyes gleamed with joy as she gazed at the Little Fairy Doctor, a cheerful smile lighting up her youthful face.
"Sister Little Fairy Doctor! You've finally woken up!" Zi Yan cried out joyfully as she rushed from Queen Medusa's side and threw herself into the Little Fairy Doctor's embrace, her bright smile lighting up her face.
"I'm so glad nothing happened to you!" she added with a soft giggle.
"Thank you, Zi Yan."
The Little Fairy Doctor received her hug with a gentle smile and affectionately patted Zi Yan's small, adorable head.
"I'm also relieved that you're safe. I was worried you might have run into danger while traveling through the Tager Desert."
"Hehe, Sister Medusa was taking care of me," Zi Yan said, laughing. As she enjoyed the comforting pat on her head, her bright eyes shifted toward Queen Medusa.
"Come on, Sister Little Fairy Doctor! I'll introduce you to Sister Medusa!"
With that, she grasped the Little Fairy Doctor's delicate hand and eagerly led her over to Queen Medusa.
As they approached, Zi Yan beamed and said, "Sister Little Fairy Doctor, this is Sister Medusa—the Queen of the Snake-People. She's been looking after me while you were unconscious!"
The Little Fairy Doctor nodded and smiled warmly at Queen Medusa. She cupped her hands politely and said, "I am Little Fairy Doctor. Thank you for taking care of Zi Yan while we were occupied with other matters."
Having been born in the Jia Ma Empire, she had naturally heard of Queen Medusa's ruthless reputation and formidable strength. In the past, simply standing near the Queen would have filled her with fear.
However, after spending time by Xiao Hua's side, her view of the world had broadened, and now she felt no fear at all.
"I have heard much about Lady Little Fairy Doctor from Zi Yan," Queen Medusa replied with a nod, her voice calm. "Even standing before you now, I would not have expected to meet someone who possesses strength comparable to Xiao Hua."
"As for Zi Yan, there is no need to thank me. She has never caused a problem since the day we met." Queen Medusa shook her head lightly, a faint sense of déjà vu flickering through her heart.
She remembered—Xiao Hua had once said something very similar to her.
A soft smile curved her lips as she felt a quiet happiness that Zi Yan was being cared for with such tenderness. Though their time together had been short, Queen Medusa had already developed a fondness for the little girl—an affection similar to that between sisters.
For a brief moment, a trace of sorrow flashed across Queen Medusa's eyes as she remembered her own twin sister. But it vanished quickly, hidden away. No matter what, she would never allow herself to show weakness before others.
"You do not have to address me so formally," Little Fairy Doctor said with a gentle shake of her head, a warm smile curving her lips. "Since Zi Yan calls you Sister, you may treat me the same. It would be awkward for me if you act courteously."
"And if you don't mind, I would also like to call you 'Sister,' just like Zi Yan does, Your Majesty," she added.
"Naturally, I do not mind about it." Queen Medusa nodded calmly. She did not mind forging bonds with someone as powerful as Little Fairy Doctor.
Moreover, from the gentle demeanor the Little Fairy Doctor exuded—along with Zi Yan's words—Queen Medusa could tell that the woman before her possessed a kind and gentle heart, much like her own sister.
Her eyes swept over her figure. She understood that she was the one in the cocoon and in dormant state while she entered the magma crypt and negotiated with Xiao Hua before.
Even though the Little Fairy Doctor stood quietly, an unfathomable strength faintly radiated from her body, making it impossible to underestimate her.
"Still," Queen Medusa said, her gaze shifting toward the people from the Jia Ma Empire, "for this little commotion to draw out Jia Xing Tian, Yun Yun, and even Pill King Gu He... such a lineup is truly a rare sight."
As she spoke, she lifted her red lips into a slight smile. In that fleeting moment, her already stunning beauty seemed to bloom with an even more captivating charm. Whether she frowned or smiled, she could effortlessly cause men to momentarily lose themselves in her allure.
However, Jia Xing Tian and Gu He were not ordinary men. Having experience a lot of things, they quickly forced down their fleeting emotions.
The two exchanged a brief glance and took a deep breath, yet neither dared to utter a word. After all, standing before them was the icily alluring queen who had once personally slain numerous renowned experts during the brutal war with the Jia Ma Empire.
Sensing that the morale on her side was being slightly suppressed, Yun Yun stepped forward and spoke in a cool, steady voice, "With such a huge commotion, it naturally caught our attention. We are merely curious about the one causing it, Your Majesty."
Seeing Yun Yun step forward and speak, Queen Medusa smiled, but there was no warmth in it—only cold indifference. Her captivating eyes stared intently at Yun Yun. "Is that so? However, I would have never expected all of you to arrive so quickly. It seems you are much closer than I had thought."
The two women stood opposite each other, both emitting a similar aura—a nobility and gracefulness that could not be hidden, even if they were dressed in plain, ordinary clothes. Perhaps it was this naturally attractive temperament and the graceful bearing of those born into high positions that caused the atmosphere between them to grow even more tense.
It was as if two beautiful women, unwilling to compromise, were standing against each other. Neither wanted to retreat or show weakness, especially when their beauty, status, and strength were so closely matched.
Naturally, the atmosphere grew heavier after that. The air seemed to crackle with an oppressive tension as both sides stared each other down. Hesitation and unease were clear in their eyes.
'It seems Sister Yun Yun and the others sensed the spatial ripples caused by Qing Hai summoning reinforcements and came here to investigate. However, it's true... they are closer than I expected,'
The Little Fairy Doctor remained indifferent to the heavy atmosphere. She silently agreed with Queen Medusa's remark—Yun Yun and the others were indeed far closer than she had anticipated.
However, there was one person entirely unfazed by the heavy, tense atmosphere. Rather than simply being unaffected, it was more accurate to say—she didn't care at all.
"Sister Yun Yun! I didn't realize you were here too!"
Zi Yan's adorable eyes lit up as she spotted a familiar face. She hadn't noticed Yun Yun earlier, too excited by the joy of seeing Little Fairy Doctor awake.
"It has been a while, Zi Yan," Yun Yun responded with a rare, gentle smile.
Seeing that genuine smile, Gu He, standing silently behind Yun Yun, was left momentarily stunned.
He had long admired Yun Yun, persistently trying to win her favor, yet she had never once smiled at him—or at anyone else—except her disciple. Even then, such a warm expression was exceedingly rare.
"I understand there's tension, but now isn't the time to fight among ourselves, Sister Yun Yun, Her Majesty," the Little Fairy Doctor said, a faint, helpless smile curling onto her lips as she shook her head.
"I apologize for showing such poor manners, Little Fairy Doctor," Yun Yun replied with an awkward smile, feeling embarrassed by her earlier behavior.
Queen Medusa said nothing, but she, too, withdrew her pressure on Jia Ma Empire's side, slowly stepping back.
Thanks to Zi Yan's cheerful interruption and Little Fairy Doctor for speaking up, the heavy atmosphere gradually lightened. The oppressive tension that had gripped the two sides began to quietly dissolve.
"By the way, Lady Little Fairy Doctor, who is Xiao Hua fighting?" After greeting Yun Yun, Zi Yan turned to ask Little Fairy Doctor, who had been present from the beginning.
Everyone perked up their ears. Their gazes all gathered on Little Fairy Doctor, as they too were curious about who was fighting against Xiao Hua—especially given the huge commotion caused by the battle.
However, before she could answer, the surrounding space suddenly surged, becoming violent and chaotic. This caused everyone's eyes to snap upward, staring at the black-robed young man with stunned expressions.
Immediately afterward, black clouds appeared in the sky, churning wildly and emitting deep, muffled rumbling sounds. As the energy of heaven and earth gathered, it condensed into an enormous golden-green finger, its surface covered with countless mysterious runes.
"What is going on?" Jia Xing Tian's shocked voice escaped his mouth as he stared at the black clouds in disbelief.
Yet, his question was the very thought running through everyone's mind.
All those present had cultivated powerful Dou Techniques, but none of their techniques had ever caused such a terrifying commotion or unleashed such overwhelming, destructive energy ripples.
"That is Xiao Hua's Ancient Desolate Hand… I never expected him to use it," a flicker of surprise flashed in Zi Yan's eyes as she stared at the enormous finger.
"It's probably because he wants to completely eliminate one of them, making it easier to catch the other," Little Fairy Doctor nodded calmly, her gaze fixed as she carefully analyzed the finger. A faint smile rose on her lips as she thought of Xiao Hua's plan.
Just as the two finished speaking, the enormous finger descended, mercilessly and domineeringly shattering the dark-purple snake, which looked insignificant compared to the golden-green finger, under the astonished gazes of Yun Yun and the others.
Boom!
As the colossal finger struck the ground, an earth-shattering noise echoed, followed by waves of terrifying shockwaves erupting outward.
Seeing the incoming shockwaves, Little Fairy Doctor swiftly waved her delicate hand, forming a large protective barrier that shielded Yun Yun and the others from the violent blasts.
Swoosh! Swoosh!
A moment later, the terrifying shockwaves reached them. However, Yun Yun and the others let out a sigh of relief when they realized they weren't struck by the devastating force. Just by looking at it, they knew that if the shockwaves had hit them, even if they were lucky enough to survive, they would have been crippled for life with no hope of recovery.
Yet, this also horrified them terribly. If just the shockwaves were this terrifying, they could hardly imagine surviving a direct strike from that golden-green finger. Receiving such an enormous force would only mean certain death.
However, Little Fairy Doctor and Zi Yan both knew the true reason why they remained unharmed. They could sense a familiar energy in the distance, subtly scattering the shockwaves to prevent any harm.
'Fortunately, Lady Xue Yue is helping scatter the shockwaves. Otherwise, even with my strength, I wouldn't have been able to block them while protecting the others...' Little Fairy Doctor felt a wave of relief wash over her heart as a soft sigh escaped her beautiful lips.
Naturally, Zi Yan noticed this as well and felt at ease. After all, she had witnessed Xiao Hua's techniques before and understood just how destructive they could be. Honestly, it was not a good experience for her even if she was only watching from a distance.
Only after the shockwaves subsided and the space stabilized did Little Fairy Doctor finally disperse her protective shield.
A moment later, they saw Xiao Hua and Qin Tian, transformed into a five-colored glow and a dark-purple glow respectively, chasing each other across the sky — with Qin Tian fleeing and Xiao Hua relentlessly pursuing, like a cat chasing a mouse.
As she watched Xiao Hua chasing Qin Tian, Zi Yan turned and asked, "By the way, Sister Little Fairy Doctor… you still haven't answered my question. Who is fighting against Xiao Hua, and what is their strength?"
It was only after Zi Yan's reminder that the others suddenly realized they still didn't know the identity of the enemies fighting Xiao Hua. However, judging from the scale of the battle, they all understood that the power behind these people must be overwhelmingly strong.
After all, there were no known forces in the North-West Region that could produce experts of such strength. If there were, they would have already conquered the entire region without facing any resistance.
Little Fairy Doctor didn't mind answering Zi Yan's question. "The two people he's fighting are from the Hall of Souls. I captured two of their members earlier, but they were only Dou Zongs, not much of a threat. The two Xiao Hua is fighting now, however, are Dou Zuns."
"Dou Zong experts?! Dou Zun experts?!" Jia Xing Tian exclaimed in shock. He had never heard of anyone that powerful appearing in the North-West Region. The last time someone of such strength appeared, they had founded the Misty Cloud Sect, which was now one of the most powerful factions in the Jia Ma Empire.
Naturally, this shocking revelation also left the others speechless, their faces full of disbelief.
"Sister Little Fairy Doctor, where exactly does this Hall of Souls come from, and why are they here?" Queen Medusa stepped forward and asked.
Little Fairy Doctor turned to her and began to explain. She didn't mind sharing some information about the Hall of Souls, but she deliberately avoided mentioning the existence of the key.
It wasn't just because Xiao Hua had entrusted her with the secret and wanted to keep it hidden. It was also because anyone who learned about it would be dragged into the Hall of Souls' pursuit and danger.
She didn't want to put Queen Medusa — whom Zi Yan had taken a liking to — and Yun Yun — with whom they had shared bonds — into danger because of this.
"Hall of Souls is one of the prominent forces in the Central Plains. They are a mysterious and strange organization that collects strong spiritual bodies for unknown reasons. Most of their targets have been alchemists who possess powerful souls."
"Alchemists..." Gu He's face darkened upon hearing this. He had never thought there could be such a dangerous force that dared to openly offend alchemists.
"That's right," Little Fairy Doctor nodded. "Because of that, they have long been at odds with the Pill Tower, which serves as a sanctuary for alchemists."
Gu He's expression grew even darker and more grim. A force capable of contending with the Pill Tower must be enormously powerful — far beyond what the Misty Cloud Sect could ever hope to challenge.
"Anyway," Little Fairy Doctor continued, ignoring Gu He's heavy mood, "the two that Xiao Hua is fighting are Honourable Elders of the Hall of Souls. They hold the fourth-highest position within the Hall. Above them are the Tianzuns, then the Deputy Chief, and finally the Chief himself."
"This is only the fourth... Just how powerful must those above them be..." Jia Xing Tian said heavily. He had known a little about this before, but now he truly felt like a frog at the bottom of the well, ignorant of the vast world beyond.
Sensing the heavy atmosphere among the group, Little Fairy Doctor spoke in a reassuring tone to ease their worried hearts.
"We believe they came here because they sensed Xiao Hua's soul and decided to capture him. But it seems they greatly underestimated his strength. After this matter is settled, we plan to leave the Jia Ma Empire and head to the Central Plains."
"So, rest assured — the Jia Ma Empire won't be implicated in this matter," she added, her expression calm and steady.
"This... Thank you..." Jia Xing Tian was stunned for a moment before speaking with slight hesitation. Though he felt a little awkward, a wave of relief washed over him knowing that the Jia Ma Empire would not be dragged into this disaster.
However, Yun Yun and Queen Medusa had different reactions. Their expressions grew gloomy, and a flicker of concern appeared in their eyes.
Queen Medusa's heart was in turmoil. She cherished Zi Yan deeply and feared she might be harmed because of this. But she also knew that Zi Yan would not stay — she had long heard about Zi Yan's desire to find her race, which was located in the Central Plains. Thus, even if she wanted to stop her, she could not.
Meanwhile, Yun Yun's heart too grew heavy. She worried for Little Fairy Doctor and Zi Yan, with whom she had formed deep bonds within the peace of their small valley. Yet, the one who truly stirred the deepest ripples in her heart was someone else entirely...
Her gaze unconsciously drifted to the five-colored glow streaking across the sky, moving so fast that even her sharp eyes struggled to trace its path. Her delicate brows knitted together, and anxiety clouded her usually calm and indifferent face, revealing a rare vulnerability.
No matter how much she wished otherwise, Yun Yun knew she was powerless to help Xiao Hua in his battle against the Hall of Souls. Power alone could move the great currents of the world, and she was still far too small in this vast, turbulent sea.
The Misty Cloud Sect might stand tall in the Jia Ma Empire, but in the eyes of the forces in the Central Plains, it was barely worth a glance. And the Hall of Souls…their strength has makes them one of powerhouses in the Central Plains.
That helplessness gnawed at her heart, leaving her restless, her thoughts swirling with worry for the one who had unknowingly stirred ripples in her long-guarded heart.
-------|
Read 20 Advanced Chapters in Patreon:
http://patreon.com/GodYato