"You… you really have a way to control the Woeful Poison Body?" Xiao Yixian asked, her voice trembling with disbelief. Ever since she discovered the terrifying truth about her own body, she had searched through countless ancient texts, desperate to find a method to suppress or cure it. But no matter how hard she tried, nothing ever surfaced. Eventually, she had resigned herself to her fate. And now, Xiao Yan was telling her that he could solve her problem? That was too much to accept at once.
"When have I ever lied to you?" Xiao Yan flicked his finger, and a wisp of ghostly blue flame floated into the air. "Do you know what this is? This is a Heavenly Flame, something every alchemist dreams of possessing. I think you should already know how mystical these flames are. With this, I can suppress the Woeful Poison Body. You'll never have to suffer from that poisonous backlash again."
He didn't mention the other two ingredients needed for the treatment. After all, those materials were far too rare. Even explaining them would take too much time. And frankly, with Xiao Yixian's current experience, she probably wouldn't recognize them anyway. The Heavenly Flame alone was convincing enough.
"This is… a Heavenly Flame?" Xiao Yixian stared at the eerie blue fire hovering in Xiao Yan's palm. She rubbed her eyes as if to confirm that she wasn't hallucinating.
Though she wasn't an alchemist, she fully understood how precious a Heavenly Flame was. To her, who viewed alchemists almost as divine beings, the flames they pursued were akin to sacred relics. And now, the person she always saw as omnipotent was standing before her with one of them. With such a pairing of facts and faith, she had no doubt about his words.
Xiao Yixian gazed blankly at the flame. Slowly, her head drooped, and she said nothing. The silence stretched for several moments, until it was broken by soft sobbing. Then, with a choked cry, she threw herself into Xiao Yan's arms and began to weep uncontrollably.
Caught by surprise, Xiao Yan froze for a moment as her slender frame collapsed into his chest. But he didn't push her away. Instead, he gently wrapped his arms around her and softly patted her back, letting her tears soak into his robe without a word.
"Xiao Yan… I was so scared…" Xiao Yixian whispered between sobs. "I was so afraid I'd turn into a heartless monster who killed without remorse… so afraid I'd hurt the people around me… so afraid I'd never see you again…"
Ever since learning the truth about her Woeful Poison Body, fear had consumed her. No matter how hard she tried to resist the urge, every time the cravings struck, she would find herself reaching for poison once more. She hated this side of herself. She feared becoming the venomous demoness described in those ancient records. That was why she left him. Why she fled alone.
But now, with those fears suddenly vanishing like mist in the morning sun, all that was left was a fragile girl unleashing her sorrow in the arms of someone she trusted more than anyone else.
"There, there. Don't cry anymore. It's all over now." Xiao Yan gently wiped her tears. "If you keep crying like this, you'll turn into a little tabby cat."
As he spoke, he couldn't help but reflect inwardly. If this had been the old him, he wouldn't have revealed himself so soon. He would've waited. Let her Woeful Poison Body spiral further out of control. Then, in her deepest despair, he would've appeared like a savior, taking her heart in one clean strike.
But perhaps because his heart had subtly changed in this life… or maybe because he understood too well what it meant to carry a cursed body, having once walked beside that venomous woman of his past life… Xiao Yan couldn't go through with that manipulative scheme. Let that cruel memory of the Sky Poison Empress fade into the past. Right now, he just wanted this kind-hearted Xiao Yixian by his side.
As her sobbing slowed, Xiao Yan smiled at her and said, "So? Will you come back to Wu Tan City with me now?"
To his surprise, Xiao Yixian shook her head. She sheepishly lifted herself from his embrace and murmured, "C-Can I stay a bit longer? I want to spend a little more time here."
"That's fine. I'll stay with you," Xiao Yan answered with a soft chuckle. He nodded without hesitation. After what happened last time, there was no way he would let her remain alone. This time, he wasn't taking any chances. Not only would he accompany her in the valley, but he had already left a soul imprint on her. No matter what, she wouldn't disappear again.
Besides, he could use the time to continue refining the Bone Chilling Flame's resistance. Only by weakening its rejection could he eventually absorb it through the Flame Mantra. Although he had been working on this process for a while, the Bone Chilling Flame had originally belonged to Yao Lao. Even though Yao Lao had wiped his soul imprint from it, the flame still resisted new masters. Eliminating that resistance would take time.
"Oh, here. This is for you." Xiao Yan tapped his storage ring. A scroll appeared in his hand, which he passed to Xiao Yixian. It was the Rainbow Poison Codex he had found in the mountain cave years ago. He had already memorized everything inside and no longer needed it—she would benefit from it far more.
Xiao Yixian accepted the scroll, her heart warming as she looked up into Xiao Yan's eyes. Her face softened with affection as she said, "I'll cook something for you. You've been traveling nonstop—must be hungry, right? I practiced my cooking while you were away. I'm much better now."
"Looks like I'm in for some good meals." Xiao Yan smiled. Honestly, with his current cultivation level, he no longer needed to eat at all. Hunger was a thing of the past. But he didn't have the heart to spoil her enthusiasm. Not after everything she'd been through.
He knew that right now, Xiao Yixian's heart was more fragile than ever. Any hint of rejection might shatter the fragile strength she was clinging to. What she needed was warmth, reassurance, and someone to rely on.
What he didn't know, however, was that behind Xiao Yixian's gentle smile hid a few secret thoughts. He had assumed she was just feeling guilty—but in truth, during her time in Wu Tan City, she had spoken privately with Xun'er. Though their relationship appeared amicable, the two girls understood each other far too well. It wasn't difficult for either of them to sense the other's affection for Xiao Yan.
So Xiao Yixian knew, once she returned to Wu Tan City, even if Xiao Yan treated her well, that affection would have to be shared among others. But here, in this secluded valley, Xiao Yan belonged to her and her alone. Here, she didn't have to share his warmth. Here, she could monopolize his attention, his care, his smile. And while she knew that was selfish… she found herself unable to let go of this comforting, selfish feeling.
(End of Chapter)
---
This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on Patreon, There is 2 Chapters Ahead of Release for Free Memebers on my Patreon.
Support me if you like this Fanfiction.
Patreon,com/Fallen_Archangel_
(Remove comma for dot.)
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.