After a few peaceful days following Xiao Yan's departure from the small valley, fluctuations finally broke the calm. The source of this disturbance came from the purple cocoon that Zi Yan had transformed into.
A brilliant purple glow suddenly burst forth from the cocoon. Bathed in its light, the natural energy within the valley split apart and surged madly toward it.
In the blink of an eye, the sound of whistling energy echoed repeatedly throughout the valley. A powerful suction force swept across the sky, frantically drawing in all the energy it could. The cocoon devoured everything it absorbed, and the suction grew even stronger—so much so that even the natural energy outside the valley began to rush inward like a tide.
"This girl... Can she not break through quietly?" Little Fairy Doctor's face twitched as she shook her head helplessly. Her body immediately raised, revealing delicate and narrow waist. Her beautiful, amethyst-colored eyes swept around before she gently waved her slender hand.
As her hand moved, a surge of powerful Dou Qi erupted. The air above the valley began to ripple in a strange, distorted manner. Moments later, space itself twisted, gradually concealing the intense purple energy beneath a veil of spatial distortion.
"Space Seal!"
As her voice echoed, the surrounding space abruptly solidified, and a strange fluctuation spread outward at great speed. In an instant, it enveloped the entire mountain valley. As the spatial ripple expanded, the wild suction force emanating from the cocoon was gradually suppressed and hidden from view.
Only after confirming that the space had stabilized and a barrier now concealed the commotion—which would undoubtedly draw unwanted attention—did the Little Fairy Doctor finally breathe a sigh of relief. She sat back down and allowed herself to relax.
The disturbance was now completely sealed away. Had it continued for much longer, it would have surely lured countless powerful Magical Beasts. Though she was immensely strong, if all the Magical Beasts in the mountain range were to gather, even she would be forced into a brutal and unnecessary slaughter—something she truly wished to avoid.
Time passed swiftly, like sand slipping through one's fingers. When a full year had elapsed since Xiao Hua and Zi Yan entered seclusion, the space within the valley suddenly began to ripple—but this time, the source of the disturbance came from a much greater distance.
And yet, this spatial fluctuation rippled across the entire mountain range, even nearing the distant Qingshan Town. Wave after wave of spatial distortion surged outward from deep within the inner region of the Magic Beast Mountain Range.
"Sister Little Fairy Doctor, could the one causing this commotion be…?" Qing Lin sensed the fluctuation and turned toward the white-clothed figure beside her.
"Without a doubt," Little Fairy Doctor replied with a nod. Her expression was filled with unease and concern. She turned to Qing Lin and said, "I'll go to him and ensure his safety. Please stay here and watch over Zi Yan for me."
"Understood. Please be careful, Sister Little Fairy Doctor." Qing Lin nodded firmly, her expression tinged with determination.
Though she wasn't sure how much she could do if powerful Magical Beasts descended upon the valley, she would not hesitate to stand and fight. Even if it meant laying down her life, she would protect Zi Yan.
With a flicker, Little Fairy Doctor's figure vanished from the small valley. In the next instant, she reappeared at the source of the spatial fluctuations. As she extended her spiritual sense outward, a familiar aura emerged within her perception.
"Is that Xiao Hua? Why does his aura feel... a little strange?" Little Fairy Doctor furrowed her brows, sensing Xiao Hua's presence but feeling a trace of unfamiliarity within it.
Still, she quickly shifted her focus. She believed that if something truly serious had happened to Xiao Hua, Lady Azure and Lady Xue Yue would have intervened. With that reassurance, she chose not to dwell too much on the peculiarity.
Instead, she turned her attention toward containing the disturbance. From her vantage point, she could see that a powerful formation array had been erected around the cave, shielding most of the fluctuations—yet some residual energy was still leaking through.
"Just what exactly is Xiao Hua doing inside that cave?" She murmured in disbelief. Even the residual energy that escaped was so overwhelming—it surpassed anything she had anticipated.
She immediately waved her hand, releasing a surge of Dou Qi that swiftly solidified the space around the area. Unfortunately, several fifth-grade Magical Beasts had already drawn near, rushing over at high speed.
"No one is allowed within a hundred meters of this place!"
As her cold voice rang out, Little Fairy Doctor unleashed her powerful aura. A crushing pressure spread forth, causing the approaching beasts to tremble and flee in panic. Only after confirming that no living presence remained within the restricted area did she breathe a sigh of relief.
"First it was Zi Yan, and now it's you—and you're making even more noise than she did. Can either of you do anything quietly?"
Despite her gentle nature, she couldn't help but grumble inwardly at the chaos both of them had stirred up. Compared to Zi Yan, Xiao Hua's disturbance was on an entirely different scale, and it made her feel a growing headache.
Even so, she remained vigilant, eyes sharp and senses fully extended, not allowing a single anomaly to escape her notice. She chose not to step inside but instead stood guard outside, silently praying that the commotion would subside soon.
…
Within a remote cave hidden deep in that inner region, there is a spatial crack at the center of a stone chamber. It was from this very spatial crack that the powerful spatial fluctuations continuously surged forth.
Within the spatial crack stood an enormous tree, radiating an ancient aura and an overwhelmingly dense life force. Its vast branches stretched so far that they could easily blanket the entire Jia Ma Empire. At the center of the massive trunk, a figure could be seen—a strikingly handsome young man, his eyes closed, encased within the thick wood as if in eternal slumber.
It was clear he was in deep meditation. Yet, the powerful spatial ripples spreading outward were coming from him—signaling that he was on the verge of awakening.
Moments later, his body stirred faintly, trembling ever so slightly. Then, the eyes that had remained shut for an entire year slowly opened.
As his gaze emerged, a pair of heterochromatic eyes was revealed—crimson in the left and cyan in the right. Within those eyes flickered a depth and calmness far beyond his youthful appearance, carrying the weight of countless experiences. It was a gaze that seemed to pierce through all worldly illusions—an aura born from the depths of his soul, impossible to imitate.
Anyone who met his gaze at that moment would feel an inexplicable discomfort—as if their very soul had been laid bare beneath his eyes, stripped of all concealment.
The endless void was utterly silent. Beneath the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree, Xiao Hua wore a blank, almost dazed expression, as though he was gazing at something—and yet, at the same time, nothing at all.
His eyes slowly swept across the boundless darkness of the void. At last, they settled on a spatial crack that led to the outside world. Just beyond it stood a white-clothed figure, radiating an aura of absolute purity—untainted, unblemished by even the slightest trace of worldly impurity. She stood quietly, her eyes fixed on him.
"…Sister… Sister Xue Yue…"
Xiao Hua's lips parted slowly. After a brief pause, a hoarse voice—one that carried an ancient weight far beyond his years—faintly echoed from within the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree.
Xue Yue's expression shifted involuntarily upon hearing his voice. That tone—it was completely different from the Xiao Hua she had spoken with just a year ago.
Her gaze sharpened, and a cold light flashed within her eyes as she stared icily at the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree. An overwhelming chill radiated from her body, slowly freezing even the endless void around her.
Unlike Lady Azure, she knew extremely little about the Dou Qi Continent and its secrets.
To her, it felt as if the ancient tree had done something to her little brother. And for someone who treasured her sisters—and this newly acknowledged little brother—with such deep affection, any harm done to them was absolutely unforgivable.
She was just about to act, preparing to freeze the ancient tree in retaliation, when she suddenly noticed a change.
The ancient, weathered expression in Xiao Hua's eyes—the one that seemed to have seen through all the world's truths—was slowly receding.
And then, it vanished completely.
The profound, aged aura withdrew deep into Xiao Hua's soul, hidden away so thoroughly that not even a trace remained. To any ordinary onlooker, he appeared just like his old self once more.
Xue Yue hesitated, caught off guard by the sudden change. Though confusion flickered in her heart, she could sense that no harm had truly come to him. Gradually, the frost in her eyes melted away, and the icy aura surrounding her faded into calm once more.
"Hu…" Xiao Hua exhaled softly as the ancient, weathered expression faded from his eyes. A thin stream of emerald-green vapor slowly drifted from his mouth. Then, with unhurried steps, he rose from within the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree and stepped forward, his figure gradually emerging before Xue Yue's gaze.
As his body touched the tree's surface, gentle ripples appeared upon the seemingly indestructible trunk. His form became fluid-like, slowly sliding out of the incomparably solid wood as though merging with space itself.
"I've finally returned…"
Xiao Hua stretched lazily, loosening the stiffness in his limbs as he stepped away from the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree. When he lifted his eyes, he was slightly surprised to see Xue Yue standing before him.
"Are you alright?" she asked softly, a hint of concern flickering in her eyes. Though relieved that his voice had returned to normal, her beautiful gaze continued to scan him carefully, probing for any hidden abnormalities.
"It's nothing serious," Xiao Hua replied with a casual wave of his hand. "I merely underwent a million reincarnations, that's all."
"A million… reincarnations?" Xue Yue's delicate brows furrowed slightly, unable to make sense of his words.
"That's right," Xiao Hua nodded, sensing her confusion and offering a calm explanation.
"During my retreat, my soul was cast into the cycle of a million lifetimes within the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree. If my mind hadn't been firm… if my heart had wavered even once, I might've become lost in one of those countless reincarnations—never to return."
He had lived through too many lives… and died too many deaths. Some were sudden and unexpected, others were bitter and full of regret. Some were cruel and painful—but most were lives that, in the end, left a faint satisfied smile on his lips.
Yet no matter the outcome, enduring so many cycles of life and death was far more perilous than clashing with experts far stronger than himself. In battle, at least, there was always a chance to escape when the tide turned. But within the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree's reincarnations, there was no such luxury. He couldn't run. He couldn't retreat. He had no choice but to endure and experience million reincarnations.
Worse still, these countless lives did not occur one after another—they happened all in a single instance. The weight of a million lifetimes crashing down simultaneously… would have shattered the mind of anyone whose heart was not firm and soul not resolute. Madness would be inevitable for the unprepared.
"…That truly is fortunate," Xue Yue murmured, a glimmer of realization flickering in her eyes. She felt deeply relieved that Xiao Hua's heart and mind could not be easily shaken.
She understood that the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree had not harmed him but rather received a huge benefit—a deep insight through countless reincarnations. Such benefit, though perilous, were not uncommon among ancient divine treasures.
Having lived for many years herself and witnessed all manner of strange, mysterious, and heavenly natural treasures, it was only natural for her to easily accept the existence of something as extraordinary as the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree.
"How long was I in retreat?" Xiao Hua asked, his gaze sweeping across the vast void. The distortion of time brought on by the reincarnations left his sense of its passage slightly blurred.
"A year," Xue Yue replied casually.
"…A whole year, huh? Even I didn't expect that." Xiao Hua let out a soft sigh.
He paused for a moment, then turned to face the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree once more. His expression grew solemn as he cupped his hands respectfully and spoke with a warm, grateful tone, "Thank you. And… I apologize once again for causing you trouble."
Rustle... rustle...
After remaining motionless for an entire year, the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree gently swayed its immense form in response to Xiao Hua's words. Though it made no sound, the subtle movement seemed to convey a reassuring sentiment—that it bore him no grudge, and that his gratitude had been accepted.
"The depth of your strength has grown," Xue Yue remarked as her eyes swept over him again—not out of worry this time, but to examine his cultivation.
"Though your cultivation level hasn't advanced due to the restrictions of Heavenly Judgement Lightning, your foundation has become far more solid and refined."
Indeed, Xiao Hua's aura now felt even more profound and unfathomable. The flow of Dou Qi within his body had grown denser, more stable—like a river that had been deepened and widened, ready to support even greater power.
"Well… I did make full use of those million reincarnations," Xiao Hua said with a wry smile, rubbing the back of his neck. "That includes improving my alchemy as well."
He smiled helplessly in response to Xue Yue's observation. He was well aware that his cultivation couldn't advance due to the Heavenly Judgement Lightning. So, instead of forcing a breakthrough, he had focused his time on refining his pill-crafting skills, perfecting his current techniques, and accumulating battle experience across countless lifetimes.
Buzz! Buzz!
Just as his words fell, a soft humming sound echoed through the void. An emerald-green glow suddenly radiated from the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree, and something was gently expelled from its trunk, as though being offered.
Xiao Hua and Xue Yue remained motionless, calmly observing the phenomenon. They could clearly sense that the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree bore no ill intent. Whatever it was presenting, it was not a threat—only a gift.
A soft, muffled sound echoed repeatedly from within the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree as more and more emerald-green light spots were gently expelled. Eventually, the glowing motes floated in the air, dancing like flower petals scattered by a celestial fairy.
"Over a thousand Bodhisattva Seeds…" Xiao Hua's eyes widened in astonishment, his gaze sweeping slowly across the countless shimmering lights.
He shook his head in disbelief, then raised his hand and lightly beckoned. As if responding to a silent call, the green lights stirred.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
With a sound like wind rushing past the ears, the Bodhisattva Seeds shot toward him, swiftly converging in his open palm and forming a glowing cluster of emerald brilliance.
"Thank you for this great gift, Elder Bodhisattva."
Xiao Hua turned and bowed deeply toward the ancient tree, his tone filled with respect and gratitude as he clutched the precious seeds.
Boom!
Just as Xiao Hua carefully stored the Bodhisattva Seeds into his storage ring, the endless void suddenly trembled violently. In the next instant, a powerful suction force erupted, abruptly dragging both Xiao Hua and Xue Yue backward.
"This is...!" Xiao Hua's eyes narrowed as he turned around, realizing that they were being pulled toward the spatial crack.
He immediately understood—the System was forcibly expelling him from this realm. Now that he had received the treasures of the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree, the realm had completed its purpose. The ancient tree was likely being returned to its original timeline.
But just as Xiao Hua was being forcefully drawn out, the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree emitted one final pulse of light. A streak of emerald brilliance shot forth like lightning, aimed directly at Xiao Hua.
His eyes sharpened. In the brief moment before being fully pulled through the crack, he forcefully resisted the suction just long enough to stretch out his hand and seize the light.
The next instant, his body vanished into the void—expelled from the realm with the final gift of the ancient tree in hand.
After being expelled from the realm, Xiao Hua lifted his head and watched as the spatial crack swiftly sealed itself. In that fleeting moment before it fully vanished, he caught a glimpse—the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree had already returned to its original place and time.
Feeling relieved that nothing had gone wrong with the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree, Xiao Hua turned to Xue Yue and raised a brow. "Sister Xue Yue, didn't the array you created conceal the commotion?"
"I did," Xue Yue replied with a sigh, shaking her head. "But the activity was too strong. My formation could only suppress most of it. If not for the array, I believe the entire Jia Ma Empire would have sensed the chaos."
She let out another soft sigh. Though she had anticipated some commotion, even she hadn't expected it to be this intense. In her heart, she suspected that the overwhelming aura of the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree had amplified the disturbance far beyond what she had prepared for.
"Haha... It seems I always end up making people worry," Xiao Hua said with a sheepish chuckle, scratching his cheek awkwardly. "I can't help but stir up trouble wherever I go."
He paused for a moment before turning to the white-clothed lady who had just stepped into the area. His gaze softened.
"Especially to you, Little Fairy Doctor. I can only apologies for my actions."
"It's fine. It seems even you and Lady Xue Yue didn't expect it," Little Fairy Doctor shook her head and reassured him. Though she did have her complaints, if neither of them had anticipated the outcome, she couldn't hold them responsible.
"Anyway, are you finally able to refine Tier 9 pills?" she asked, shifting the topic with curiosity about the result of Xiao Hua's retreat.
"I am," Xiao Hua nodded. "But I'll probably attempt one after we arrive at Jia Nan Academy. It's much safer that way."
"In the meantime, I should check on Queen Medusa," he added softly.
If his calculations were correct, Queen Medusa should be nearing her evolution. He needed to retrieve the Green Lotus Core Flame before Gu He got to it.
"Be sure to take care of Queen Medusa," Little Fairy Doctor said, a faint smile curving her lips. "Zi Yan treasures her. I'd hate to be the one to deliver bad news when she wakes up."
"Zi Yan hasn't awakened yet?" Xiao Hua wasn't surprised she was still advancing, but he hadn't expected her slumber to last this long.
In the original story, she had remained asleep for nearly a year. Xiao Hua wondered if the absence of a significant energy disturbance had slowed her absorption this time.
"There's been some activity, but nothing major," Little Fairy Doctor replied, tapping her snow-white chin with a delicate finger. "Judging by the signs, it won't be long now."
"Then I'll trouble you to protect her while I check on Queen Medusa's situation," Xiao Hua said, nodding with gratitude as he prepared to leave the Magic Beast Mountain Range. With his current speed, reaching the Tager Desert would take no more than the blink of an eye.
He just hoped Gu He hadn't already discovered that the Green Lotus Core Flame was in Queen Medusa's possession—otherwise, things could become awkward, especially if Yun Yun got involved.
As for the final gift from the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree, it remained sealed within a barrier, its contents still hidden. That matter could wait. Once Queen Medusa's evolution was complete and he had secured the Green Lotus Core Flame, he would inspect it at his leisure.
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