Xiao Jian calmly sat by the window, holding her hand with one hand and raising the Seven-Colored Manual in the other.
"Toxic Body? Is this what you rely on to poison me?"
He looked into her eyes, half-smiling.
"Since you know, why ask? How else would I poison you?"
Xiao Yi Xian pouted, stubborn.
"You have a seven-colored line on your lower abdomen? What does it look like?"
Xiao Jian's gaze lingered on her slender waist mischievously.
"Don't mess around, or I'll poison you now!"
Her face flushed as she clutched her stomach, resisting, yet her eyes revealed a hint of concern.
"Hmph, you think I'm scared?
"
Xiao Jian chuckled.
"The manual says it all. Eventually, you'll be deadly to anyone who touches you."
Xiao Yi Xian scowled, defiant.
Hehe, I'm not afraid now. Maybe I'll even see what a Toxic Body feels like later."
Xiao Jian gently lifted her chin, smiling at her pale red lips.
"Hmph! Pervert!"
She swatted his hand away, looking aside, a slight relief showing in her eyes.
Even if his words were suggestive, at least he treated her normally despite knowing her body's secret.
"Alright, clean up. Time to cook, and help too. Don't think a little poison stops me from making you cook."
Xiao Jian released her hand, stood, and walked out.
Xiao Yi Xian turned her head, watching him leave, slightly stunned.
This guy… seems easier to look at now.
Inside the wooden house.
Xiao Jian sat cross-legged, fully focused on studying the materials needed to advance to Dou Shi.
To ascend to Dou Shi, the Heart Red Fire Qi Mansion needed reinforcement, requiring two second-tier Fire Attribute Magic Cores and two 500-year Zhu Fruits.
However, these weren't strictly necessary.
He lowered his mind to the lower dantian, turning to the Spirit-Absorbing Flame.
A rare fire contained the purest concentration of fire energy! Harnessing it could potentially break through the barrier and advance directly to Dou Shi.
With the idea in mind, Xiao Jian opened his eyes, stood, and left the wooden house.
Training with a rare fire indoors carried great risk.
Better to find a safer spot!
Soon, he arrived at the place he had previously practiced combat techniques.
The cliff here already had a massive crater he had created. With a little expansion, it could serve as a proper cave.
He waved his hand, sending forth black-and-white flames. As Dou Qi flowed into them, the terrifying heat of the rare fire surged.
The surrounding rock began smoking, the pit deepening and widening.
These stones couldn't withstand the intense heat.
Moments later, Xiao Jian stepped inside. Taking advantage of the residual heat, he sat cross-legged, channeling the fire along a special cultivation path. He drew on its refined fire energy to aid his advancement.
He also pulled out a blazing Sunfire Grass, a backup for emergencies.
The crimson energy coursed through him, surging with burning intensity. His body temperature rose steadily.
He could feel the heat permeating his entire body, purging impurities, strengthening his internal organs, and expanding the Five Elements Qi Mansion. Dou Qi inside became more active.
This time, it didn't hurt.....only intense heat.
Like being inside a forge, hammered and tempered into steel.
The fiery sensation thrilled him. He could clearly feel himself growing stronger.
Ascending to Dou Shi was only the first step on his long cultivation journey.
The cave itself warped under the heat radiating from him, rocks sinking gradually. His clothes had long since been burned to ash.
Inside the wooden house, Xiao Yi Xian's eyes fluttered. She stared at the multicolored poisons in front of her, tempted yet hesitant.
Every dose made her stronger, but also closer to death.
The last time she consumed poison, she had broken through a barrier that had taken half a year to overcome....a two-star Dou Shi. Such temptation was hard to resist.
Even knowing the path likely led to a grim end, she couldn't stop herself.
To survive on this Dou Qi continent, she had to become strong herself.
These days in the valley had taught her an important truth: she could avoid fighting if she wished, but never without strength.
Only true power allowed one to act freely, undisturbed by petty nuisances.
Sighing softly, Xiao Yi Xian picked up a portion of poison and swallowed it.
Moments later, her brows furrowed. Pain colored her face as she fell from the chair to the floor.
.........
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