After returning to their resting site, they resumed their journey. Although they encountered two Magical Beasts along the way, the path was noticeably quieter than before, causing little disturbance.
As the sky gradually darkened, the group finally arrived at their destination—a sunken basin covered in countless medicinal plants. The air was thick with a refreshing herbal fragrance that invigorated the senses with every breath.
"Everyone, let's set up camp here. Be careful not to damage the surrounding medicinal herbs," the Little Fairy Doctor said with a gentle smile, wiping the perspiration from her forehead.
Upon hearing her words, the mercenaries responded enthusiastically, their fatigue momentarily forgotten as they busied themselves setting up tents. Her voice and smile seemed to uplift their spirits, rekindling their energy.
Observing them, Xiao Hua couldn't help but marvel at the position the Little Fairy Doctor held in their hearts.
Shaking his head slightly, he turned his gaze toward her. She was already instructing the herb-gathering team on how to properly extract the medicinal plants. Without a word, he wandered off with Zi Yan, eventually finding a vantage point where he could oversee the entire field—including the movements of a certain young master.
For some unknown reason, the sunken basin was vast, its energy far richer and purer than the outside world. This unique environment provided ideal conditions for countless medicinal plants to thrive.
This also meant that there were still areas untouched by even the Thousand Medicine House—regions filled with undiscovered herbs yet to be documented.
However, Xiao Hua had no interest in the medicinal plants here. To him, they were far too common, hardly worth a second glance. In fact, he had more than a hundred stalks of them carefully stored in his Storage Ring.
He had collected them merely for practice when he first stepped onto the alchemy path, training relentlessly under Lady Azure's watchful eyes.
As memories of the past surfaced, his gaze turned distant, filled with melancholy and nostalgia. A longing to see her again stirred deep within his heart.
"Why don't you speak to me if you miss her that much, child?"
A soft, clear voice resonated in his mind, causing Xiao Hua to smile gently. He whispered in his heart, "I thought Sister Xue Yue preferred peace and quiet..."
"That's right, I do," Xue Yue replied. "However, it's better than watching you sulk over my sister's slumber."
Xiao Hua's eyes widened before he let out a soft chuckle. Though her voice carried its usual coldness, the warmth beneath it was unmistakable.
"I apologize for making you worry. Thank you, Sister Xue Yue."
"It's good that you understand. Regardless, I must say, I'm surprised you managed to find a girl with a special constitution." Feeling relieved that Xiao Hua's mood had improved, Xue Yue changed the topic, her tone carrying a hint of astonishment.
"Don't make it sound like I picked up a lost cat or something…" Xiao Hua replied with a wry smile. However, as her words sank in, his brows furrowed slightly in confusion. "A unique constitution?"
"Her body absorbs and utilizes poison to strengthen itself while keeping her alive. However, the more poison she consumes, the denser the toxicity accumulates within her body. Once it reaches a certain threshold, it will erupt completely."
Xiao Hua frowned. "How can you detect it? I didn't sense anything unusual about her…"
Xue Yue had merely repeated what he already knew, prompting him to interrupt. He had always believed that recognizing the Woeful Poison Body while it remained dormant was nearly impossible.
"My sisters and I could be considered progenitors of poison ourselves. Ice Poison, Lightning Poison, Fire Poison, Yin Poison, Yang Poison—you name it, and the three of us possess it. That's why the Dou Qi in your body underwent a transformation upon absorbing the Celestial Ancient Frost and gained poison-affinity Dou Qi."
"Even if you haven't refined it yet, the energy of the Celestial Ancient Frost alone cause a reaction with Primordial Heavenly Flame and Heavenly Lightning, thus is enough to grant your body multiple Dou Qi attributes. You just need to train more in poison-affinity to fully perceive it."
"Just as a fire-affinity expert has a keener sense for flames, a poison-affinity expert is highly attuned to poisons. However, to detect a dormant constitution like that girl's, you'd need to reach a level of extreme proficiency."
Xiao Hua could only smile awkwardly upon hearing that he still lacked the necessary training. He couldn't deny it—mastering multiple affinities, especially while practicing alchemy, was incredibly time-consuming.
It was only natural that his proficiency in other areas would fall behind.
"So, is there a way to properly control her constitution and prevent it from erupting?"
Xue Yue sighed. "Unlike my sister, I haven't observed this plane, so I don't know much about it. Even with my deep experience, I can't say I have a method to help her control it without risking harm to the little lass. If only she were a bit stronger…"
She had only ever focused on planes that revolved around unique formation and spiritual arrays. The Dou Qi Continent, however, don't have anything relates to it. While she could sense the uniqueness of the constitution, she had no knowledge of a method to control it.
Moreover, given the Little Fairy Doctor's current strength, most of her methods would do more harm than good.
"That being said, I believe Heavenly Tribulation Lightning or Heavenly Mortal Lightning could assist in stabilizing it. However, she needs to become stronger first. If you attempt to introduce such power into her body now, the Woeful Poison Body will retaliate violently."
"I can temporarily seal it for you, but the seal will only last a few years. Once the time is up, I'll need to reseal it again. And I doubt you want to spend the rest of your life in Qingshan Town, do you?"
Xiao Hua smiled wryly at her remark. He certainly had no intention of staying in Qingshan Town forever…
As for ways to help her, he was familiar with the Poison Pill Method, but he didn't want her to merely gain control over it—preventing accidental eruptions and death was not enough.
While the Poison Pill Method allowed her to control the Woeful Poison Qi, it didn't grant her the ability to fully harness the terrifying power of the Woeful Poison Body. What he truly wanted was for her to refine and condense it into a seal.
If she could successfully compress the Woeful Poison Body into a seal, not only would she become stronger, but she would also wield her poison with far greater efficiency. If she achieved that, the Woeful Poison Body would no longer be a burden to her—instead, her poisonous techniques would become even more terrifying.
'If I remember correctly, Yao Chen once sent the Little Fairy Doctor to the tomb of a former possessor of the Woeful Poison Body. Unfortunately, the records don't mention its location. I'll have to rely on the System to find it and help her.'
Xiao Hua's eyes gleamed with determination. No matter how many ACPs it took, he was willing to pay the price to obtain the method to fully condense the Woeful Poison Body into a seal, ensuring it wouldn't hinder her future.
"If that's the case, we'll follow Sister Xue Yue's suggestion. I just hope Sister Azure awakens from her retreat before the Little Fairy Doctor's Woeful Poison Body erupts…" He sighed.
"Don't worry, child. I've probed the cocoon, and I can say with certainty that she won't take much longer to awaken." Xue Yue's voice was soft and reassuring.
Though Xiao Hua couldn't see her expression, he could feel the relief in her tone. He knew that he wasn't the only one anxious about Lady Azure's slumber—if anything, Xue Yue was the most worried. After all, they considered each other as sisters.
Shaking his head, Xiao Hua changed the subject. "So, I'll have to convince her to stop being a physician or leave Qingshan Town to prevent harming others, huh? That sounds way too easy…"
Despite his words, he knew that making her leave wouldn't be difficult, especially with her kind and selfless nature. Once she realized the true nature of her terrifying constitution from the Rainbow Poison Book, she would likely choose to leave on her own so she wouldn't affect anyone.
There was no doubt that she would attempt to awaken the Woeful Poison Body, even if he tried to stop her. She would likely try to control it, hoping to prevent a disaster from harming those around her, only to collapse in the process—unable to withstand the overwhelming power of the poison.
He could only assist her once she fully awakened the Woeful Poison Body and remain by her side to support her.
With that matter settled, Xue Yue withdrew deep into his body, and Xiao Hua shifted his focus to other concerns—contemplating the other attributes of his Dou Qi and the various occupations where he held potential.
'Thanks to the System, the potential of my Poison Mastery is high. Moreover, my poison affinity is exceptionally pure… It would be a waste if I didn't practice my skills properly.'
Summoning the System interface, Xiao Hua recalled one of his previous Gacha rewards—several Poison Formulas. Since he had time before nightfall, he decided to study them.
As the sun gradually dipped behind the mountains, darkness blanketed the forest. The camp grew quieter, with only the mercenaries on guard duty remaining awake. Apart from their presence, the only sound that disturbed the silence was the soft crackling of firewood beneath the flickering flames.
Inside his tent, Xiao Hua was completely immersed in reading the Poison Formulas when he suddenly paused. Closing the book, he stood up and stretched to loosen his muscles.
His gaze shifted to Zi Yan, who was staring at him with a bright expression, her wide smile brimming with excitement. Her eyes sparkled impatiently, barely able to contain her eagerness.
Without a word, they slipped out of the tent. Moving discreetly, they navigated toward the Little Fairy Doctor's tent before quietly sneaking past the guards and vanishing into the darkness of the forest.
...
Beneath the moon's radiant glow, the three of them stood at the edge of a precipitous cliff, the vast darkness below stretching endlessly like a bottomless chasm.
"How are we supposed to descend into the cave?"
Little Fairy Doctor cast a hesitant glance into the void before turning to Xiao Hua, confusion flickering in her soft eyes.
"Simple," he replied, his tone calm and assured. "We walk down."
"Walk?" She blinked, her delicate brows knitting together. "What do you mean by—"
Before she could finish, Xiao Hua took a step closer, his voice lowering to a gentle murmur.
"I apologize in advance, Little Fairy Doctor."
Without another word, he wrapped an arm around her slender waist—a waist he had once praised as the epitome of grace.
Her body tensed slightly at the sudden closeness, but before she could protest, a delicate fragrance drifted into his senses—light and floral, carrying a warmth that lingered in the cool night air. Unable to resist, he took a slow breath, savoring the intoxicating scent.
"Umm…"
A soft, flustered voice brushed against his ear, bringing him back to the moment.
Realizing his momentary indulgence, he tightened his hold slightly, his heart beating just a little faster.
"…Sorry."
A second apology left his lips, though his actions didn't slow. Holding her even closer, his grip firm yet careful, their figures blurred—vanishing from the cliffside and reappearing just outside the cave before she could fully grasp what had happened.
Little Fairy Doctor was speechless—not because of Xiao Hua's speed, but because he was standing in midair without wings.
It took her a moment to process the sight before her, and when she finally found her voice, it was laced with disbelief.
"This… this is…"
She could hardly believe what she was witnessing. Just how powerful was Xiao Hua? She had heard of Dou Wang experts forming Dou Qi Wings to fly, but standing in the air without them? That was beyond anything she had ever imagined.
As countless questions swirled in her mind, a loud voice suddenly interrupted her thoughts.
"You forgot me, Xiao Hua!"
Xiao Hua glanced back, his tone calm and unbothered.
"It's not like you need my help, Zi Yan."
Little Fairy Doctor turned, following his gaze, and was met with a surprising sight—a young girl with puffed-up cheeks, her arms crossed in clear dissatisfaction. Behind her, a pair of dazzling purple Dou Qi Wings fluttered lightly.
Shock rippled through her heart. This soft, innocent-looking girl… was actually a Dou Wang expert?
"Hmph! I bet you were too focused on her, enjoying the feel of that girl's waist. Must have felt good!" Zi Yan coldly snorted, rolling her eyes. She had never expected Xiao Hua to suddenly leave her after wrapping his arm around Little Fairy Doctor's waist.
She could tell he was feeling a little awkward and embarrassed, but that didn't mean he should have left without checking on her.
"Ha ha…" Xiao Hua could only let out an awkward laugh.
Hearing Zi Yan's loud complaints, Little Fairy Doctor suddenly became aware of her position—of the firm yet gentle hand still resting around her waist. A rush of heat surged through her body, and in an instant, her face turned crimson.
Her heart pounded as her eyes flickered nervously, unable to settle on one place. Her slender fingers instinctively clutched the hem of her clothes, her embarrassment deepening as the warmth of Xiao Hua's touch lingered against her skin. The flush spread beyond her cheeks, tinting even the tips of her delicate ears.
This was the first time she had ever been held so intimately by a man.
In the past, she had always evaded the affections of young suitors with effortless grace. Despite her gentle and caring nature, she found their advances trivial—none of them worth more than the medicinal herbs she cherished.
Little Fairy Doctor took a deep breath, raising her hands to pat her heated cheeks in an attempt to shake off the chaotic thoughts swirling in her mind. When she looked up again, she found Zi Yan pouting and bickering with Xiao Hua, her voice filled with playful frustration.
Watching the scene unfold, a soft chuckle escaped her lips. Somehow, the warmth of this moment—so lighthearted and natural—helped her regain her composure. Seeing Xiao Hua flustered, struggling to pacify the little girl, brought an unexpected sense of amusement to her heart.
However, just as she was lost in the moment, the air suddenly shifted.
A faint sound sliced through the silent night sky—a sharp whistle carried by the wind.
Before she could react, a yellow snake shot out from the darkness, its body darting toward them with deadly precision.
"Kyaa!"
A startled cry escaped Little Fairy Doctor's lips as a snake suddenly shot toward her from the darkness.
Before she could react, a powerful hand moved.
Smack!
With a casual flick of his wrist, Xiao Hua sent the creature flying. He barely exerted any strength, yet the overwhelming pressure that followed his action made the air tremble. His cold voice carried a weight of undeniable authority.
"Scram."
The Cliff Snake froze mid-air, its body stiff with terror. An instinctual dread surged within it, a primal warning that death was but a breath away. Without hesitation, it flapped its narrow wings and fled at full speed, vanishing into the night. It had clearly kicked an iron plate and would not stop fleeing until it was a thousand miles away.
Watching the creature disappear, Little Fairy Doctor let out a soft sigh of relief. Unconsciously, she leaned forward, drawn by the warmth and security that surrounded her. A gentle sense of comfort surged in her heart—something unfamiliar, yet undeniably reassuring.
"Enjoying his chest?"
A teasing voice suddenly broke the moment.
Startled, she turned her head slightly, only to see Zi Yan standing beside her, a smirk playing on her lips.
Little Fairy Doctor's breath hitched.
Only then did she realize where she was—nestled against Xiao Hua's chest, his warmth enveloping her like a protective cocoon. Her gaze drifted upward, and her heart skipped a beat as she found herself staring directly into his handsome face, his dark eyes reflecting the moonlight.
A wave of heat rushed through her body.
This… this was even more embarrassing than when she first noticed his arm around her waist!
Flustered, she lowered her head, her fingers tightening slightly. She dared not meet his gaze, for every time she did, the memory of his touch, his warmth, and that fleeting moment of intimacy would resurface—leaving her heart in utter disarray.
Xiao Hua shook his head wryly, a helpless smile tugging at his lips. While he would have liked to enjoy her adorable reaction a little longer, there were more pressing matters that needed his attention.
His gaze shifted toward the cave entrance, which was tightly sealed by rubble and scattered bits of wood. With a simple wave of his hand, a gentle gust of wind swept forward, effortlessly clearing away the debris.
The force was controlled to perfection, not disturbing a single blade of grass as it guided the remnants into the pitch-black depths between the mountains.
Having completed his task, Xiao Hua descended gracefully to the ground, his movements as fluid as flowing water. With utmost care, he set Little Fairy Doctor down, his arms slowly loosening around her waist, releasing her from his embrace.
The moment his touch faded, a faint chill crept over her, and as his arm fully withdrew, an unexpected emptiness settled in her heart, as if something irreplaceable had slipped away. She quickly shook her head, forcing herself to suppress the strange sense of longing, yet the warmth of his touch lingered like an imprint on her soul.
The instant his warmth faded, a faint coldness settled over her. As his touch fully withdrew, an unexpected emptiness stirred in her heart—an aching sensation, as if something precious had slipped away.
She bit her lip, forcing herself to shake off the strange feeling, yet the warmth of his touch lingered, imprinting itself upon her soul.
Then, realization dawned upon her.
She missed it.
The warmth of his arms, the security of his presence—she longed for it to return. A quiet longing blossomed within her, startling and unfamiliar, sending a rush of heat to her cheeks. Her heart pounded, caught between confusion and something deeper, something she could no longer deny.
Taking a slow, steady breath, she forced herself to regain composure. She turned her gaze toward the cave entrance, using the distraction to steady her thoughts.
The cave was shrouded in darkness, yet a faint glow flickered from within, giving it an air of mystery. The entrance itself was narrow, just wide enough for two or three people to pass through at a time.
Though she couldn't see them, countless blade marks adorned the rocky surface around the entrance. Time had dulled them into near-invisibility, leaving only the faintest traces—marks that only someone with exceptionally keen eyesight could discern.
"There really is a cave…" Little Fairy Doctor murmured softly, her delicate brows furrowing as she took in the entrance before her, a hint of disbelief flickering in her eyes.
It wasn't that she doubted Xiao Hua or Zi Yan's words, but stumbling upon a hidden cave on their very first visit to Qingshan Town—especially in such a remote area—felt slightly unbelievable.
"Although I wouldn't get my hopes up too much, let's move and see what we might find."
Xiao Hua's voice carried a calm assurance as he turned toward her, his lips curling into a gentle smile. With a flick of his wrist, a small ember ignited in his palm, casting a warm glow that danced along his fingers like a living flame. The golden light illuminated his face, highlighting the quiet confidence in his expression.
Without hesitation, he stepped forward, his figure disappearing into the pitch-black depths of the cave. Zi Yan followed closely behind, her small frame nearly swallowed by the shadows.
Little Fairy Doctor remained momentarily still, her heart caught between curiosity and uncertainty.
Then, Xiao Hua's voice—steady and familiar—snapped her out of her daze.
She blinked, realizing she had been lost in thought, and quickly hurried after them.
Xiao Hua glanced back, catching sight of her following. A sense of relief washed over him. Though he had never doubted her resolve, a small part of him had worried she might hesitate or question his insistence on her accompanying them.
Now, seeing her step forward without reluctance, a soft warmth settled in his heart. With that thought, he turned his gaze ahead, leading the way deeper into the cave.
Having her read the Rainbow Poison Book and realize that she possessed the Poison Woeful Body—a terrifying constitution—was crucial. He didn't want her to lose her kind and gentle nature, nor did he wish for her to experience the heartbreak that will cause her to one day force her to seal away her compassion out of fear of harming others.
...
The cold, suffocating darkness of the cave swallowed them whole, its silence stretching endlessly. Only the soft echoes of their footsteps disturbed the eerie stillness, each sound fading into the abyss.
A faint chill crept down Little Fairy Doctor's spine, making her instinctively hug herself. The cave's unsettling aura sent a wave of unease through her—she had never been particularly fond of such places.
Though she tried to steady her nerves, the oppressive atmosphere pressed heavily upon her heart. She lifted her gaze and found herself drawn to the figure ahead.
Xiao Hua walked with unwavering confidence, his steps calm and assured, unaffected by the darkness of the cave.
After a brief hesitation—her natural reserve holding her back—she quickened her pace, moving closer to him.
A quiet sigh of relief slipped past her lips. She was grateful that he was here.
Ever since he had wrapped his arm around her waist, an unfamiliar yet comforting sense of security had taken root in her heart. Now, in this cold and desolate place, that warmth felt even more precious.
Xiao Hua raised an eyebrow as he sensed the distance between them shrinking. A quick glance at her pale expression and the cave's biting cold made him understand instantly. Without a word, he surged out his Dou Qi, enveloping her in a gentle warmth while intensifying the golden-green flame in his palm, brightening the cave.
Little Fairy Doctor felt the sudden warmth washing over her, and the cave seemed noticeably brighter. She quickly realized that Xiao Hua had done this for her. A soft murmur escaped her lips, a faint blush dusting her ears and cheeks.
"Thank you, Young Master…"
Her voice was barely above a whisper, yet in the quiet cave, both Xiao Hua and Zi Yan heard it clearly. Sensing her embarrassment, they pretended not to notice, allowing her a moment of quiet dignity.
Yet, Xiao Hua's lips curled into the faintest smile, and for a fleeting moment, warmth flickered in his gaze—warmer than even the flames in his hand.
"I wonder what these engravings on the wall mean?"
As they continued walking in silence, Zi Yan suddenly spoke, her voice filled with curiosity as she examined the faint carvings on the rock wall.
Xiao Hua cast a brief glance at them before losing interest. The faded figures appeared to depict a pair of humans, likely left behind by the cave's former owner. However, since these engravings played no role in the events he anticipated, he dismissed them as unimportant.
Turning his focus ahead, he continued forward, only to halt abruptly as a massive stone door came into view.
Lost in thought, Little Fairy Doctor failed to notice his sudden stop and softly bumped into his back, her delicate form pressing against him in an unexpected moment of closeness.
A quiet gasp escaped her lips.
Realizing what had happened, she immediately stepped back, her face flushing a deep shade of red. Flustered and shy, she lowered her gaze, unable to meet his eyes.
"I… I'm sorry for not paying attention, Young Master," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Her heart pounded wildly in her chest, a feeling both foreign and familiar overwhelming her. Ever since Xiao Hua had wrapped his arm around her waist and held her close, she had been painfully aware of his presence—of the warmth that lingered from his touch.
Xiao Hua turned slightly, meeting her downcast gaze. Seeing her flustered expression, he couldn't help but find her reaction endearing.
"Do not worry about it. I should have warned you before stopping," he said gently, his tone carrying a trace of amusement.
Yet, as he observed her closely, he noticed the faintest wince, an imperceptible flicker of pain in her usually composed demeanor. A helpless smile tugged at his lips.
Even though she had been the one to get hurt, she still apologized to him.
'This girl… she was simply too gentle, too considerate.'
With a soft sigh, Xiao Hua reached out, his fingers brushing lightly against her wrist—a fleeting, reassuring touch.