Gradually, the two drew closer. Xiao Zhitian gently pressed his lips against the Little Fairy Doctor's, holding the kiss for a long, lingering moment. His fingers wove through her hair, while she wrapped her arms around his neck, responding to him with equal fervor.
When they finally parted, both were slightly breathless.
After that intimate moment, their bond deepened. The Little Fairy Doctor leaned against Xiao Zhitian's chest, and he held her close. Together, they watched the stars, whispering soft words under the quiet night sky.
The sun rose.
Xiao Zhitian returned to his meditation spot from the previous day, sitting calmly to restore his spirit and energy. The Little Fairy Doctor rested her chin in her hand, watching him quietly from the side.
After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Xiao Zhitian took out the medicinal herbs the Little Fairy Doctor had given him, along with some of his own poisonous materials. He used the Qilin Sky Burning Flame to condense a medicinal cauldron, refining the herbs into powder. Based on their toxicological properties, he carefully separated the powders and melted them into individual poisonous pills.
An entire day passed. By evening, Xiao Zhitian had transformed all the substances into pills.
He placed the colorful pills into a jade box, sealed it, and handed it to the Little Fairy Doctor. "These are for your use, but you must restrain yourself and maintain a proper cultivation cycle."
Little Fairy Doctor wiped his face with a handkerchief and smiled. "Mm, I'll do as you say."
Xiao Zhitian reached out, stroking her delicate face. "You've been with me so long. Come on, let's go eat something."
She nodded and busied herself with preparing a meal.
After their meal, Xiao Zhitian gently kissed her forehead. "I need to enter seclusion for a while to condense spiritual lightning. I don't know how long it will take. You should cultivate on your own and wait for me to finish."
"Mm~ go ahead," she said reluctantly, tidying his collar.
Not far from the thatched hut, Xiao Zhitian opened a Mountain Cave and sat cross-legged. From his storage, he took out the Heart of Thunder obtained from the system.
He seated himself, holding the Heart of Thunder in his hands, circulating his Dou Qi to refine it.
Half a month passed in a flash. The Heart of Thunder fully transformed into nourishment for his Ice Fire Lightning, which began to take shape.
The red lightning orb rotated around the dark green Dou Crystal in his body, surging with immense power. Xiao Zhitian carefully guided the Ice Fire Lightning into the Dou Crystal.
Two hours of painstaking refinement passed. At last, the final wisp of Ice Fire Lightning entered the Dou Crystal. The crystal now radiated a mix of green and red.
Feeling his own strength, Xiao Zhitian realized he had reached Eight-Star Da Dou Shi, with his realm perfectly stable.
His cultivation technique advanced simultaneously to Earth-rank high-grade.
Satisfied, he began refining his alchemy. Xiao Zhitian's Alchemist level had reached Rank 4.
He condensed a pill furnace, watching the abnormal flames flicker within it. When will I obtain a heavenly cauldron? This flame-condensed furnace is flashy, but not suitable for public use, he mused.
He took out Xuan Tian Grass, Purple Heart Vine, Wood Spirit Flower, and other herbs, ready to refine. For now, these were all the materials he had, so only one pill could be made.
Focusing intently, he placed the herbs into the furnace, reducing them to powder and refining them.
Half an hour later, Xiao Zhitian gestured, and the medicinal cauldron vanished. The Mysterious Spirit Pill, fragrant and radiating energy, was carefully stored in a jade bottle.
He tidied everything and returned to the small thatched hut. Sensing the Little Fairy Doctor cultivating at a critical juncture, he did not disturb her. Instead, he lay on a large rock outside, using his soul power to monitor her progress.
About an hour later, the aura inside stabilized. Xiao Zhitian withdrew his perception.
The Little Fairy Doctor, having broken through her realm, opened her eyes and sensed a familiar aura outside. She paused, then stepped out and saw Xiao Zhitian lying on the rock with a joyful expression.
"You've finally come out of seclusion. When did you finish?" she asked, gracefully moving to his side.
"I just came out a little while ago. I saw you at a critical breakthrough, so I didn't disturb you. Half a month, and you're already a Dou Shi. The Calamity Poison Body is truly terrifying." Xiao Zhitian marveled. He finally understood how the poisonous physique could level up by consuming and refining poisons.
"Hehe, I'm a Dou Shi now! Maybe I'll catch up to you soon," she said, giggling.
"You're thinking too optimistically. Catching up to me won't be easy."
"What's your current realm exactly?" she asked, curious.
"Eight-Star Da Dou Shi. You still have a long way to go to catch up, haha," Xiao Zhitian said, pinching her cheek playfully.
"Hmph, I'll catch up eventually. Then we'll see who bullies who," she said, removing his hand and pouting slightly.
"Then you'll probably be bullied by me for a lifetime. No chance."
"That's not necessarily true. Were you as fast as me from Dou Zhe to Dou Shi?"
"Yes, yes, yes. Your cultivation speed is the fastest. Your impressive braids almost touch the sky."
"Good that you remember. I'll recall every time you've bullied me. Just wait," she said, smiling.
"Alright, then remember. Here's a pill for you. It can help you break through one realm." Xiao Zhitian tossed the jade bottle containing the Mysterious Spirit Pill to her.
She caught it quickly. "What kind of pill is this?"
"A Rank 4 Mysterious Spirit Pill. It helps a Dou Shi break through one realm safely."
"Rank… Rank 4? You're a Rank 4 Alchemist?" she asked, astonished.
"Yes, that's right. I am a Rank 4 Alchemist," he said nonchalantly.
"You just tossed a Rank 4 pill like that? What if it broke?" She cautiously opened the bottle, poured the pill into her palm, and examined it in disbelief. "I've never seen a finished pill of this level before. It feels unreal."
"This is for you to consume, not admire. There will be higher-grade ones in the future. Eat it now to refine your body and increase your strength."
She slowly swallowed the pill. The moment it entered her mouth, it melted and released a burst of energy, absorbed by her body.
By the time a cup of tea's worth of time passed, the Little Fairy Doctor's realm directly reached Two-Star Dou Shi.
"Is that it? I haven't even tasted it yet. Another one for me?" she asked pitifully.
"You think this is candy? Only one per lifetime. Eating another would be useless, and I don't have more anyway." Xiao Zhitian ignored her pleading expression. "And instead of learning good things, you're always learning these bad habits."
"It's all your fault for infecting me," she said, mock-angrily.