The atmosphere grew even more oppressive as Mu Li's gaze turned chilling and ominous.
He had anticipated witnessing Xiao Hua's disgrace, eager to shatter the young man's calm and collected facade. Yet, instead of breaking him, he found himself mocked before his own subordinates.
"What a shame that we couldn't see eye to eye, Young Master." Mu Li sighed, though his eyes gleamed with killing intent. "With your talent, you could have soared to even greater heights. Unfortunately, your journey ends here."
He lightly tapped his fingers against his palm, a cold smile curling on his lips. "I'd rather not live with the fear of your vengeance hanging over me. To avoid such troubles… I'll have to end you here and now."
Xiao Hua shook his head, his expression calm and unshaken. "You need not trouble yourself over such worries, Mu Li. Fate is often a cruel whisper, drowning our hopes and leaving behind only echoes of what could have been."
More than fifteen mercenaries from the Wolf Head Mercenary Company instantly stepped forward, vicious expressions on their faces, as they charged at the trio following Xiao Hua's composed words.
"Heh, glad you understand so—" Mu Li laughed sinisterly, crossing his arms. Yet, before he could finish, Xiao Hua's cold voice cut him off.
"For you, that is."
As those words fell, Xiao Hua's majestic aura erupted. A terrifying pressure, like a mountain descending from the heavens, crashed down upon Mu Li and the mercenaries, crushing the very air around them.
The hard ground beneath their feet groaned under the strain before cracking and splintering apart, unable to withstand the overwhelming force. Mu Li and his men dropped to their knees, their faces pale as they vomited fresh blood, overwhelmed by the invisible might that pressed heavily upon their bodies.
In that instant, the smug confidence on their faces twisted into fear and despair. Realizing the unfathomable depth of Xiao Hua's strength, they found themselves completely immobilized. Even the simple act of lifting a finger felt impossible—a distant, unreachable effort.
Regret surged through the mercenaries' hearts like a venomous tide. They had long known that following this fool Mu Li was a mistake, yet their greed had blinded them. Now, with death looming over them, they bitterly wished they could turn back time—to refuse his orders, to cast aside their greed, and to avoid the calamity that had befallen them.
Little Fairy Doctor was stunned by Xiao Hua's strength. She had witnessed his power before, but this was truly an eye-opener. Lowering her head, she leaned closer to Zi Yan, who was watching with a bored expression, and whispered softly.
"What is Xiao Hua's strength? Is he a Dou Huang expert?"
"Dou Huang?"
Zi Yan raised her brows at the question before realizing that the girl beside her had lived in the small town of Qingshan her whole life. It was no surprise that she had never encountered an expert as powerful as Xiao Hua.
Her knowledge was naturally limited. After all, in that small town, the strongest cultivators were merely Dou Shi, while in the entire Jia Ma Empire, the top experts are only at peak Dou Huang. Anything beyond that was something unheard of in this land for a long time.
"Xiao Hua is a Dou Zong. One realm above Dou Huang," Zi Yan replied proudly.
Little Fairy Doctor was momentarily startled, falling into speechless awe. She might not fully grasp the true extent of a Dou Zong's strength, but she understood one thing—it was a realm far beyond Dou Huang, a level she could never hope to reach in her lifetime. Not unless the Woeful Poison Body within her awakened.
Seeing the stunned look on Little Fairy Doctor's face filled Zi Yan with an inexplicable sense of pride. Although she had only been by Xiao Hua's side for a short time, she had treated Xiao Hua as a friend thus witnessing such a reaction stirred a deep satisfaction in her heart. Puffing out her chest slightly, she grinned, enjoying the moment.
"Ahhhhh!"
A miserable scream of agony tore through the air, abruptly cutting their conversation short. As they turned around, they saw Mu Li reduced to nothing but a pile of ashes in the blink of an eye, his body bursting apart under the wrath of an elegant golden-green flame. Meanwhile, the remaining mercenaries lay on the ground, their cultivation are crippled.
Astonishment flickered across Little Fairy Doctor's eyes. Xiao Hua's methods were ruthless—she had never witnessed such a scene before. Yet, after the initial shock, a sense of pity welled up in her heart for the mercenaries. They had merely followed Mu Li's orders, and now, their fate was worse than death.
She understood their greed, but to be left crippled… it was a torment beyond compare. Worse still, she had heard that many of these mercenaries had made enemies after joining the Wolf Head Mercenary Company, driven by arrogance and ambition.
There was no doubt that, upon learning of their helpless state, those enemies would waste no time exacting their revenge.
"Were you scared, Fairy Doctor?" Xiao Hua asked with a faint smile.
"No. I'm fine." Little Fairy Doctor smiled reassuringly, letting him know she wasn't affected by the scene before her.
"That's a relief. Let's head back to the camp." Xiao Hua nodded, a hint of relief in his expression. Then, turning to Zi Yan, he added, "Once we return, I'll refine medicinal pills for you."
With that, he strode into the dense forest, leading the way back to their camp.
Zi Yan and Little Fairy Doctor followed closely behind. The former beamed with excitement, eager to taste the medicinal pills Xiao Hua would refine, while the latter looked forward to reading the scroll she had set aside before retiring for the night.
As for the crippled mercenaries, not a single soul spared them a second thought. Writhing in agony from having their cultivation forcibly stripped away, they eventually succumbed to unconsciousness. Yet even in their slumber, their expressions were etched with despair and grief, a clear reflection of their overwhelming regret.
If they remained unconscious for too long, wild beasts would likely feast upon their defenseless bodies. And even if they did awaken, they would never dare to speak of what had transpired.
They had witnessed Xiao Hua's unfathomable and domineering strength firsthand. The mere thought of provoking his wrath sent shivers down their spines. No matter what, they would never utter a word about tonight's events—fear of retribution had sealed their lips shut.
They had also felt the power of their leader, Mu She, and understood all too well that he stood no chance against Xiao Hua. Furthermore, given Mu She's volatile temper, he would never believe their report. Instead, he would likely kill them in a fit of rage, seeing them as disgraceful failures in not being able to protect his son.
Thus, the night concluded with Mu Li's demise and the mercenaries crippled, forcing them into hiding. No one outside bore witness to the events of that fateful night. And those who did… either had no interest in speaking or knew better than to open their mouths.
…
In the next morning, at the first rays of dawn spilled out from the horizon, shining on the white tentage.
Xiao Hua and Zi Yan leave the white tent after hearing the noises outside. Two of them didn't require to sleep so naturally they were awake the whole time, merely remained in the tent, pretending to be asleep so no one would notice that they went to the hidden cave.
In that remaining time, Xiao Hua have complete reading the multiple poison recipe, refinement techniques in poisonous plants and animals. Interestingly enough, some even records multiple antidotes and treating poisons.
'I wonder just how many people the Poison Masters sacrificed to discover the antidote or even a proper treatment for the poisons…'
Xiao Hua sighed at the path of Poison Master and fully understood the reason most people feared Poison Master to the point where some even willing to kill them. Yet, he also cannot deny that because of this that his attainments in Alchemy and Poison Mastery have risen even further.
After all, some antidotes are required for an alchemist to refine and interestingly enough, there are some that required some basic yet simple ingredients. This was truly a surprising discovery.
For example, Nalan Jie's Searing Poison originally required a Heavenly Flame to be expelled. However, according to one of the records left behind by a Poison Master, all he truly needed was to soak in a bathtub filled with rank-one magical beasts—specifically, Dark Decaying Snails.
The Dark Decaying Snail was the weakest magical beast on the Dou Qi Continent. It thrived on consuming miasma, poisons, and toxins. While it couldn't ingest powerful poisons—dying instantly if it tried to devour Searing Poison—it possessed a remarkable instinct for detecting poisons.
By locating the Searing Poison hidden deep within the bone marrow, the snail could generate a strong suction force, drawing the poison out of Nalan Jie's body.
Compared to using a Heavenly Flame, which was both excruciating and energy-draining, this method was far more practical and less agonizing.
'If I had read this book before starting the treatment, Nalan Jie wouldn't have had to experience the sensation of his insides being cooked alive…' Xiao Hua shook his head, feeling a slight twinge of pity for Nalan Jie's unfortunate luck.
Just as he was lost in thought, a cheerful greeting suddenly broke through the morning air.
"Good morning, Little Fairy Doctor!"
A few mercenaries stationed outside of Little Fairy Doctor's tent, standing guard at the entrance, enthusiastically greeted her.
"Good morning, everyone. It seems spirits are high this morning," Little Fairy Doctor responded with a gentle smile, casting a glance at the mercenaries before turning her gaze toward a particular young woman.
With a shallow, almost indifferent smile, she spoke in a cool tone.
"Li Fei, have we finished gathering the medicinal ingredients?"
The young woman shivered, cold sweat rolling down her forehead in steady streams. Lowering her gaze fearfully, she spoke in a nervous voice, "A-According to yesterday's report, we've nearly finished gathering the medicinal ingredients. Shall we return now?"
"If that is the case, then let us set out." Little Fairy Doctor smiled, her beautiful eyes sweeping over the entire camp. Then, as if suddenly realizing something, she asked in a curious tone, "Where are the Wolf Head Mercenaries? Why don't I see them anywhere in the camp?"
The mercenaries exchanged uneasy glances before awkwardly scratching their heads. Their expressions alone made it clear that they had no idea why the group had vanished.
"We searched for them and found traces of their tracks leading toward a cliff. However, aside from that, nothing else was discovered—except for signs that some of them were running away from something…"
"I see…" Little Fairy Doctor nodded thoughtfully, tapping her chin in contemplation. Though her expression remained neutral, a sense of relief washed over her. It seemed the unconscious members of the Wolf Head Mercenary Company had regained consciousness and fled, avoiding the risk of being discovered by the search party in their vulnerable state.
Still, a part of her couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed. If they had remained unconscious and ended up as prey to a passing Magical Beast, their demise would have been attributed to nature—nothing more than an unfortunate accident.
The Wolf Head Mercenary Company would have assumed their deaths were the result of a beast attack, and that would have been the end of it.
Unfortunately, such a convenient outcome was wishful thinking. A single night simply wasn't enough time for a Magical Beast to stumble upon the unconscious mercenaries and devour them.
"We shall wait here a little longer in case they return. After that, we will head back. They are experienced individuals, so I doubt anything serious has happened to them."
With this decision, Little Fairy Doctor subtly distanced herself from Mu Li and the others' disappearance. Leaving too hastily would arouse suspicion, making it seem as if she knew something—risking unnecessary scrutiny.
As for Li Fei, her assistant, she definitely knew the truth. After all, she was the one who had aided Mu Li and the others. However, she would never dare to open her mouth, fearing for her life—whether it be at the hands of Little Fairy Doctor or Mu She. A woman of her stature was simple and easy to read, making her incredibly easy to manipulate.
The mercenaries nodded in agreement, showing no doubt in Little Fairy Doctor's words.
The Wolf Head Mercenary Company was one of the top three strongest mercenary factions, filled with seasoned veterans who frequently ventured into the Magical Beast Mountain Range. The idea that anything serious could have happened to them seemed absurd.
However, they disapproved of the Wolf Head Mercenary Company's actions—leaving the camp without informing anyone was reckless and irresponsible.
Even if the situation hinted at Little Fairy Doctor's involvement, none of them believed she was capable of such a thing—her strength was simply too low to pose any real threat.
"In the meantime, I would like to invite everyone here to take over their role as my personal bodyguards. Since the Wolf Head Mercenaries seem to have encountered some slight issues and all. Would that be possible?" Little Fairy Doctor asked with a gentle smile.
The moment her words fell, the mercenaries—who had been dissatisfied with the Wolf Head Mercenaries—immediately abandoned whatever they were doing and hastily rushed toward her in excitement.
At this moment, they truly felt grateful for the Wolf Head Mercenaries' absence, wholeheartedly approving of their actions.
Xiao Hua gazed at the Little Fairy Doctor as she happily arranged the mercenary squads. The corner of his lips twitched slightly at the mercenaries' sheer excitement and enthusiasm over becoming her personal guards.
'Her popularity among mercenaries is truly unbelievable…' He shook his head exasperatedly.
With nothing else to do, he walked over to the medicine collection group, lending a hand in sorting the gathered medicinal herbs while engaging in light conversation.
Once everything was settled, he merely waited for the group's departure, quietly remaining at the back.
...
As time passed, the sun rose higher, hanging just shy of its peak, signaling that noon was approaching.
The Thousand Medicinal House group slowly made their way down the mountain, moving at a steady, unhurried pace toward Qingshan Town.
At the center of the herb collection team, Xiao Hua and Zi Yan walked side by side. Their gazes occasionally drifted toward the Little Fairy Doctor, sensing the faint gloominess radiating from her.
Though she wore a smile, carefully maintaining a composed demeanor, the two of them—keenly observant on Little Fairy Doctor—could see through her facade with ease.
From time to time, when she thought no one was looking, a trace of worry flickered in her eyes, and her brows would knit together slightly, betraying the weight on her mind.
Zi Yan tugged at Xiao Hua's sleeve, prompting him to lean in. She then whispered softly, her voice low enough for only him to hear, "Xiao Hua, is something wrong with her?"
Xiao Hua remained silent, offering no response. Yet, his gaze remained fixed on the Little Fairy Doctor, watching her intently before shaking his head.
He knew the reason behind her unease—she had finished reading the Rainbow Poison Book, and its contents had clearly shaken her to the core.
On the final page, she had learned the truth about herself—she possessed the Woeful Poison Body. Though still dormant, its eventual awakening was inevitable. As long as she continued her work as a physician, the poison within her would one day fully awaken.
Just as she was lost in thought, a member of the medicine collection team from the Thousand Medicinal House quickly approached, his voice respectful as he reported, "Little Fairy Doctor, we've arrived at Qingshan Town."
Snapping out of her thoughts, the Little Fairy Doctor quickly put on a smile. "Thank you, everyone, for your hard work. The Thousand Medicinal House will prepare your rewards within a day or two. Please visit then to collect them."
"Haha, don't worry about it, Little Fairy Doctor. You've treated our injuries so many times—we owe you more than we can repay. Protecting you is only natural."
One of the mercenaries laughed heartily, and the others nodded in agreement. While they certainly appreciated the promise of a reward, their loyalty to the Little Fairy Doctor ran deeper than mere compensation. To them, she was the lifeline of Qingshan Town, someone they would protect without hesitation.
The Little Fairy Doctor sighed softly, composing herself. She believed she had successfully masked the turmoil within her. Turning to Xiao Hua and Zi Yan, she spoke in a bright, cheerful tone, carefully concealing her lingering unease.
"Young Master Xiao Hua, what do you plan to do next?"
"We'll be leaving Qingshan Town for a while," Xiao Hua replied. "I need to refine some medicinal pills for Zi Yan. But don't worry—we'll return soon to check on you."
"Check on me?" The Little Fairy Doctor's expression dimmed slightly upon hearing that he was leaving, but her eyes held a trace of confusion at his last words.
Sensing her doubt, Xiao Hua leaned in closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "The Wolf Head Mercenary Company is not weak, and Mu Li was their leader's son. There's no way they'll let this matter slide if they discover our involvement in their death."
The Little Fairy Doctor inhaled sharply. She had already been concerned about this, but hearing Xiao Hua confirm it only deepened her worries.
"The Wolf Head Mercenary Company won't let this go," she murmured. "And since the one we killed was their Young Master, they'll definitely seek revenge if they discover it."
"As long as they don't capture the mercenaries who escaped, they won't act too aggressively. However, they'll still be suspicious of you," Xiao Hua said with a solemn expression. "They will find a way to investigate, and there's a chance they'll try to interrogate you."
"Then I'll be careful," the Little Fairy Doctor said decisively. "I'll remain in the Thousand Medicinal House until you return, Young Master."
She understood the danger that loomed over her in Qingshan Town. Until Xiao Hua came back, she had to stay vigilant.
"Anyone who dares to harm you will answer to me." Xiao Hua's voice was laced with cold determination, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
But in the next moment, that frost melted away, replaced by a warmth as he gazed at Little Fairy Doctor. The corners of his lips lifted into a gentle smile, his expression filled with tenderness.
"Though our time together has been brief, you have made my stay in Qingshan Town far more pleasant. Even when faced with treasures, you never hesitated to share, never let greed cloud your heart—despite my insistence that they were yours alone. I have seen your sincerity, your kindness… and that radiant smile of yours."
"People like you are rare in this extremely cruel world. That is why I have come to cherish you as a friend. Naturally, I will protect you no matter what—even if you become a Poison Grandmaster."
His voice softened, carrying a warmth as gentle as a spring breeze. "No matter what the future holds, to me, you will always be the Little Fairy Doctor of Qingshan Town."
Xiao Hua's words lingered in the air, his gaze unwavering as he smiled at her—tender, reassuring, and filled with an unspoken promise.
Lost in a daze, the Little Fairy Doctor gazed at Xiao Hua's tender smile, the warmth in his eyes seeping into her heart like a soothing balm. An unfamiliar yet comforting sensation welled up within her, wrapping around her like a gentle embrace.
She bit the corner of her lower lip, struggling to hold back the tears that threatened to spill. A lump formed in her throat as she inhaled softly through her stuffy nose, trying to steady her emotions.
"Thank you, Young Master…" she murmured in her heart. "Your words alone are enough to give me the strength to face the burden of my Woeful Poison Body. One day, I will stand by your side and protect you from harm—just as you vowed to protect me."
A wistful smile touched her lips as she lowered her gaze. "Perhaps, in the end, you will be my only friend…"
"But as long as you see me as one, I will always be the Fairy Doctor of Qingshan Town in your eyes."
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