Mu She sat in the main hall, deep in discussion with the upper echelons of his mercenary's company, when suddenly, the doors burst open with a loud crash. A mercenary rushed in, his face pale with urgency, and cried out, "Company Leader! The mysterious alchemist has entered through the front gate—he's sealed all the exits!"
"What?!"
The hall erupted into chaos.
The upper echelons, initially stunned, soon found fear creeping into their hearts. Not once had they considered the possibility of that terrifying alchemist returning to this small town.
With his status and prestige, what could this insignificant place possibly offer him? His return—so soon, or perhaps ever—should have been unthinkable.
But now, he was here.
They all knew the power he wielded. If they failed to act, today would mark their doom.
Instinctively, every gaze in the hall turned to Mu She, their last hope.
Mu She's expression darkened. Unlike the others, he understood the grim reality—there was no way out. The Wolf Head Mercenary Company would not see another dawn.
Without a word, he rose to his feet. The other upper echelons followed suit, their movements heavy with dread. Together, they strode toward the forecourt of their headquarters, the weight of impending fate pressing upon them like a suffocating shroud.
A suffocating weight pressed upon their hearts as they moved forward, each step heavy with unease.
Upon arriving, they were met with the sight of a young man standing calmly before them. His long black hair was tied into a high ponytail, and he wore an intricately designed black and blue robe adorned with violet accents. But what drew the most attention were his heterochromatic eyes. They held an almost hypnotic allure, capable of entrancing any who met his gaze.
He stood there, relaxed yet imposing, a faint smile playing on his lips. And yet, despite his composed demeanor, Mu She and the others felt an uncontrollable chill creep into their hearts, surging through their bodies like a silent, merciless tide.
Beneath the young man's feet, corpses of Wolf Head Mercenary Company members lay in a gruesome pile, their badges stained with fresh blood. Encircling the headquarters, autumn-colored flames burned fiercely, sealing off every possible escape route—sealing their fate.
"Should I take it that you are Mu She?" The young man's voice was calm, devoid of any discernible killing intent or bloodlust, yet his very presence was suffocating.
Mu She took a deep breath, his expression dark and solemn. "Indeed, I am." His voice was steady, but his heart pounded within his chest. "I assume you're here because of the trouble we caused for the Little Fairy Doctor?"
"Not exactly." Xiao Hua lightly shook his head. Stepping forward, he slowly closed the distance between them, his every movement unhurried yet carrying an invisible pressure.
"To be honest, this is my fault." His voice remained tranquil, but there was a weight to his words. "Because of me returning late, her situation have become slightly a mess. Even if she tells me it's fine, I can't help but feel guilty… because I know how kind and gentle she is."
His gaze turned sharp, his tone unwavering.
"And so, I'm here to clean up the mess I made."
"Today, you will remain here forever—along with the Wolf Head Mercenary Company."
His words, though soft, resounded through the headquarters like a death knell, coldly sealing Mu She's fate.
"I don't know what kind of strength you possess, but even if you're a Dou Ling, don't think you can destroy my mercenary company and walk away unscathed!"
Mu She's eyes turned sharp, the realization of inescapable doom stripping away any pretense. Without hesitation, he tightened the grip on the steel spear in his hand, his Dou Qi surging violently.
A pale green aura erupted from his body, swirling chaotically before converging around the spear's blade.
"Dancing Wind Blade!"
With a deep breath, Mu She tightened his grip. The spear trembled as a swirling green mist coiled around it like a violent storm. Then, with a sharp motion, he swung the weapon in rapid succession before bringing it down in a powerful arc.
As the spear cleaved through the air, the green mist condensed into a razor-sharp, crescent-shaped light. It shot forward with terrifying momentum, the force behind it stirring up violent winds that carved deep scars into the ground.
As the crescent of green light tore through the air, the winds intensified, howling like an invisible storm of blades. Then, just before reaching Xiao Hua, the crescent split into three—each carrying the same lethal force, their trajectories sealing off all possible avenues of escape.
Yet, Xiao Hua remained motionless, his expression unchanging, the same faint smile lingering on his lips.
He simply stood there, watching.
A moment later, the three green crescents finally reached him.
Bang—!
A thunderous explosion erupted, shaking the entire headquarters as a deafening boom echoed through the forecourt. The sheer force of the impact caused the ground to tremble violently.
As the reverberations faded, all eyes turned toward the spot where Xiao Hua had been standing. Their gazes were locked onto the thick cloud of dust and debris swirling in the air, obscuring his figure from view. A heavy silence filled the space as they anxiously waited for the dust to settle.
Moments later, a figure slowly emerged, stepping forward with an unhurried, steady gait.
The upper echelons of the Wolf Head Mercenary Company instinctively sucked in a cold breath, their throats tightening with disbelief.
It was Xiao Hua.
Completely unscathed, he nonchalantly dusted off his robes, his expression calm and indifferent—as if he had merely walked through a passing breeze rather than endured a powerful attack.
Their eyes widened in shock. Mu She's Dancing Wind Blade was a Low-Xuan Dou Technique, the very technique that had earned him the title of Qingshan Town's strongest. And yet, this young man had taken it head-on… without even flinching.
"Impossible..."
One of the upper echelons muttered in a dazed whisper. They had believed—no, they had been hoping—that their leader's strike would at least force Xiao Hua back, perhaps even injure him. But now, as they watched him emerge completely unaffected, their final sliver of hope shattered, crumbling into despair.
Xiao Hua swept his gaze over the stunned mercenaries, his lips curling into a faint, knowing smile.
"Unfortunately for you, I am not a mere Dou Ling." His voice was calm, yet each word carried an undeniable weight. He took another step forward, his presence pressing down on them like an invisible force. "Let's just say… even if a group of Dou Huang experts surrounded me, they still wouldn't be able to defeat me."
His words were like a chilling blade, piercing straight into the hearts and souls of Mu She and his subordinates.
They didn't know if Xiao Hua was speaking the absolute truth. But one thing was certain—even if they gathered every mercenary in Qingshan Town, they wouldn't stand a chance.
Xiao Hua couldn't be bothered to care about their reactions. With a calm expression, he raised his hand. Autumn-hued flames intertwined with sky-blue fire, coiling around his right palm like twin serpents. His voice was soft yet chilling.
"Regardless, it is time for us to take our leave. After all, I believe your son must be feeling lonely by himself."
"Wait! Young Master, please—have mercy! It was all the Company Leader's doing! We only followed orders!"
One of the upper echelons cried out desperately, his voice laced with terror. But Xiao Hua remained indifferent, unmoved by their pleas. He had no interest in listening to excuses. With a flick of his fingers, the twin flames surged forward, streaking toward them like vengeful spirits.
The moment the flames touched their bodies, agonized screams tore through the air.
"AHHHH!"
Mu She and his men convulsed as searing pain erupted within them. It was a torment unlike any wound they had ever suffered, as though thousands of scorching needles were piercing their very souls.
The autumn-colored flames devoured their Dou Qi, turning even the air they inhaled into blistering heat that burned them from the inside out. Meanwhile, the sky-blue flames ignored their defenses entirely, latching onto their souls like relentless parasites, stabbing them over and over without end.
Their howls of agony echoed briefly—before slowly vanishing.
In mere moments, their bodies crumbled to nothingness, erased from existence. Not even ash remained. Their souls were utterly annihilated, leaving behind no chance for reincarnation, no path to nirvana—only eternal oblivion.
Xiao Hua watched the scene with cold, unfeeling eyes. As the last traces of their existence faded, he simply shook his head and turned away to leave the headquarters of Wolf Head Mercenary Company.
Even if there were treasures hidden within the headquarters, Xiao Hua knew none of them would be worth his attention.
He wandered through several restaurants and shops, searching for delicious food and ordering some for takeaway. While he didn't need it himself, it was a different matter for the Fairy Doctor. Her strength had yet to reach the level where she could forgo food and water entirely.
At the same time, he picked up some sweets for Zi Yan. He knew the little girl had been indulging in treats given to her by Ya Fei while he was handling the Nalan Clan's request.
As he waited for his order, Xiao Hua upgraded his ACP Rate to the next level. He was currently earning 120 ACP per hour, with the next upgrade costing a staggering 220,000 ACP.
Seeing the price, he couldn't help but feel fortunate for the Sign-In Event. Without it, gathering that amount of ACP would have taken an unbearably long time.
Although he truly disliked the fact that the System increased the time required for each ACP Rate upgrade, he understood that this was one of those AFK-type Systems. Normally, only the amount gained would increase, yet at certain upgrades, the time also extended.
He could only sigh before shaking his head. However, he also suspected that if this System truly followed the mechanics of an AFK System—and considering he was in a cultivation world—there was a high chance that once he ascended to a higher plane, the System would undergo an update.
After all, he still had to complete this world, the Dou Qi Continent, to unlock the Reincarnation Function and Soul Function.
If such features existed, then there was no doubt that the System itself could also be upgraded. Still, he knew he was merely consoling himself—justifying the fact that he had spent his ACP on upgrades instead of using it for Gacha.
After strolling around the small town for a while, his figure blurred—then vanished from Qingshan Town without a trace.
With the Wolf Head Mercenary Company completely eradicated, there was no longer any reason for him to stay.
…
While Xiao Hua was searching for food, news of the Wolf Head Mercenary Company's destruction spread like wildfire throughout Qingshan Town.
It was no surprise that word traveled so quickly. The blazing orange flames had been so intense that everyone in the southern region of Qingshan Town had witnessed them. Even those farther away could feel the terrifying heat and destructive power radiating from the inferno, despite not seeing the flames directly.
Shock rippled through the town, but it soon gave way to understanding when the owner of Thousand Medicine House revealed the truth—this was the work of the mysterious alchemist.
Naturally, the excitement surrounding the event faded before long. However, the alchemist's status only grew more untouchable in the eyes of the people, deepening their respect, awe, and envy toward his unparalleled strength.
With Mu She and the upper echelons of the Wolf Head Mercenary Company wiped out, their downfall marked the official disbandment of one of Qingshan Town's three most powerful mercenary groups.
Yet, Xiao Hua couldn't be bothered to care. If he ever recalled this event in the future, it would only be as the moment he met the Little Fairy Doctor—and nothing more.
...
With Xiao Hua's speed, it didn't take long for him to reach the valley. As he landed, a small figure shot toward him at an astonishing speed.
"Xiao Hua, you've finally returned!"
Recognizing Zi Yan, Xiao Hua didn't dodge. Instead, he casually caught her, his movements effortless. Thanks to his body being refined multiple times by Heavenly Lightnings, his physical strength was more than enough to stop the little girl's terrifying charge—even without her adjusting or controlling her strength.
After casually catching Zi Yan, Xiao Hua gently rubbed her head with a smile and said in a slightly reprimanding tone, "You really should learn to control your strength. Not everyone can handle it…"
Zi Yan scoffed, pouting in annoyance. "If they can't, that just means they're too weak! Besides, other than you, I rarely charge at anyone, so there's no need for me to hold back."
Xiao Hua sighed and shook his head with a faint smile, feeling a mix of amusement and resignation at her response.
Raising his gaze, he noticed the Fairy Doctor approaching with a smile, a bucket filled with freshly gathered medicinal herbs in her hands. His eyes swept over the contents, and a hint of surprise flickered across his expression.
Venom Spore Dandelion, Thousand Spot Grass, Black Ghastly Fruit, Dark Veins Root…
Recognizing several herbs commonly used for poison refinement, he shifted his gaze back to the Fairy Doctor, his expression puzzled.
"That's quite a variety for a single poison. Are you making multiple types?"
The Fairy Doctor nodded with a smile. "That's right, Xiao Hua. I've come across several different recipes, so I was simply curious to experiment."
However, Xiao Hua could tell she was hiding something—and he knew exactly what it was. He sighed inwardly, understanding that no matter what, she had already made up her mind to walk this path.
Shaking his head, he retrieved the food and sweets from his Storage Ring and smiled.
"Anyway, I bought some food and sweets. Let's have lunch before you get absorbed in your studies and lose track of time."
Fairy Doctor and Zi Yan's ears perked up at his words. Their eyes brightened with excitement as they eagerly nodded in response.
Fairy Doctor led them to a corner of the valley, pointing toward a modest straw shed.
"I built this myself. We'll be staying here while we remain in the valley. I'm sorry if it's not particularly impressive…" she said with a hint of embarrassment.
Xiao Hua's gaze swept over the shed before shifting to the Fairy Doctor's delicate features. A playful chuckle escaped his lips as he teased,
"Even if it's just a shed, when it's built by a beauty, it already makes the days pass merrily and beautifully."
The Fairy Doctor's face flushed at his words. She shot Xiao Hua an indignant yet tender glare before pointing at Zi Yan. Lowering her voice, she warned, "If you dare try anything funny, I'll tell Zi Yan and have her report it to your lover!"
"When did Zi Yan ever tell you that...?" Xiao Hua's eye twitched slightly, his voice tinged with an exasperated and disbelief.
"Hehe. We talked a lot about you while you were dealing with that whatever-Dog-Head-Company because she was curious." Zi Yan puffed out her chest, placed her hands on her hips, and raised her nose to the sky with a smug smile.
"Naturally, I told her about Sister Xun Er and your strength!" she added with excitedly, her grin widened.
The corner of Xiao Hua's lips twitched before he sighed in resignation. He could hardly believe how loose-mouthed this little purple-haired girl was…
Still, a faint smile tugged at his lips. Seeing the two of them getting along so well left him feeling content and happy.
With a casual wave of his hand, he stabilized the surrounding space, creating a comfortable area for their meal. Then, reaching into his Storage Ring, he retrieved a beautifully carved table and matching chairs, placing them down with care.
Meanwhile, the Fairy Doctor headed to the shed to retrieve wooden tableware. Once everything was set, the three of them took their seats and began eating.
As they dined, the Fairy Doctor eagerly asked Xiao Hua about the cultivation path, the properties of medicinal herbs, and the effects of various spiritual fruits. At the same time, she curiously pressed Zi Yan for more details about Xiao Hua himself.
Xiao Hua was speechless that the Fairy Doctor would ask about him so openly while he was sitting right there. But he couldn't be bothered to react, so he remained silent and let the conversation flow.
Their chatter was lighthearted and friendly, filling the air with warmth and harmony. In that moment, time seemed to slow, and the day felt peaceful, wrapped in the embrace of a gentle breeze.
Within the secluded valley, Xiao Hua, Fairy Doctor, and Zi Yan lived peaceful, unhurried days. One refined pills using the abundant medicinal herbs around them, another diligently studied a poison manual, while the last one busied herself with nothing but stuffing her stomach full of the freshly refined pills.
A month had passed since they first arrived in this valley.
During that time, at Fairy Doctor's request—and with an additional demand from Zi Yan—Xiao Hua rebuilt the simple straw shed, transforming it into a sturdy wooden cottage.
Grateful for his efforts, Fairy Doctor took it upon herself to become the trio's chef, preparing delicious meals for the other two. Sometimes she made fragrant mushroom soup, other times a variety of flavorful dishes. Because of this, Xiao Hua stopped buying lunch after the first time, only occasionally picking up sweets for Zi Yan.
The three of them savored the tranquility of these days—relaxing, fulfilling, and untainted by conflict.
Just as Xiao Hua finished refining the last batch of pills for Zi Yan and was about to hand them to her, a woman's voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
"Child, it has erupted."
Xiao Hua's eyes trembled slightly. His grip on the jade bottle tightened, and his expression grew solemn as he turned his gaze toward the quiet wooden cottage.
The voice belonged to Xue Yue, resonating from within his spiritual sea. Understanding the meaning behind her words, Xiao Hua sighed, his expression darkening. Naturally, he knew exactly what she was referring to.
"Xiao Hua? Are you okay?" Zi Yan noticed the sudden shift in his mood and couldn't help but ask.
"I'm fine." Xiao Hua offered a reassuring smile before handing her a jade bottle. "I've finished refining the pills. Eat carefully."
After passing the pills to Zi Yan, he stood up, straightening his posture before making his way toward the wooden cottage with calm, steady steps.
Zi Yan, curious about his sudden change in expression, decided to follow him. As they neared the cottage, an odd feeling crept over her. She glanced around, noticing that the familiar figure who should have returned from gathering herbs was nowhere to be seen.
Why was it so quiet today?
A flicker of suspicion flashed through her mind. Keeping close to Xiao Hua, she followed him to the front of the small cottage.
Xiao Hua knocked on the wooden door, but there was no response. He knocked again, several times, only to be met with the same silence.
Zi Yan's brows furrowed, unease creeping into her heart. She turned to him anxiously. "Xiao Hua, did something happen to her?"
Xiao Hua remained silent, his gaze fixed on the wooden cottage. Pushing the door open, he was met with a thick cloud of smoke. His eyes narrowed, and his nose wrinkled at the pungent scent of poison saturating the air.
Just as Zi Yan was about to step inside, Xiao Hua stopped her with a firm hand. "Zi Yan, don't come any closer. The air is filled with poison—an extremely potent one."
"Again with the poison?!" Zi Yan frowned, clenching her teeth in frustration. Despite her annoyance, worry for the Fairy Doctor weighed heavily on her mind. Still, she obediently stepped back from the door.
She could only hope that nothing had happened to the Fairy Doctor. And if something had, she prayed that Xiao Hua would be able to help her.
Xiao Hua entered the cottage, raising his hand. A powerful suction force erupted from his palm, pulling the poisonous smoke toward him and absorbing it effortlessly.
As the thick haze cleared, his gaze fell upon the Fairy Doctor lying on the bed, her eyes closed. Her once red and vibrant complexion had turned an unnatural blend of seven distinct colors.
He recognize the state of her condition, but even with his knowledge, concern flickered in his heart. He stepped closer. With his strength and the three heavenly treasures within his body—Heavenly Lightnings, Primordial Heavenly Flames, and Celestial Ancient Frost—he was virtually immune to poison.
As he approached, his eyes shifted to her delicate hand. She was clutching a small pouch filled with black medicinal powder. A single whiff was enough for Xiao Hua to determine its potency—this poison could easily claim the life of a Dou Shi if they weren't careful.
His gaze trailed from her hand to her lips—soft, red, and dripping with beauty. Yet amidst their alluring sheen, faint traces of black powder remained. The color and scent confirmed it—it was the very same poison she held in her hand.
Then, his eyes landed on the seven-colored scroll resting on her chest. With a flick of his wrist, the scroll sucked into his palm. Unrolling the scroll, his gaze swept through the complex poison formulas until it stopped at the final passage.
The last section wasn't about poison formulas. It didn't contain instructions or warnings. Instead, it described something far more significant.
A certain constitution—one possessed by the Fairy Doctor.
"Woeful Poison Body: A strange and terrifying physique capable of devouring poison to enhance one's strength."
The passage detailed the fearsome abilities of the Woeful Poison Body, along with the method to identify its wielder.
"It seems she has truly chosen this path…" Xiao Hua sighed bitterly, shaking his head as his gaze fell upon the Fairy Doctor's pale face. "Regardless, I shall wait for you to awaken, Fairy Doctor."
After explaining the situation to Zi Yan and instructing her to wait outside, Xiao Hua seated himself at the wooden table inside the small house, patiently waiting for the Fairy Doctor to wake.
As he sat in silence, his eyes lingered on her unconscious figure. He shook his head and smiled bitterly, memories of her resurfacing in his mind.
Her original aspiration had been to become an alchemist. But due to her inborn attributes, she had been forced to take a step back, settling being a physician instead.
Yet now, with the awakening of her constitution, fate had set her on an entirely different path—one that would inevitably lead her to become a Grandmaster-level Poison Master, feared across the Dou Qi Continent.
When that day came, things might unfold just as she had once described. There would be no one willing to approach her, no one daring enough to befriend her, let alone share a heartfelt conversation.
She had only ever wanted to be a healer, to save lives. But the heavens had other plans. Instead of granting her the ability to cure, they had cursed her with the Woeful Poison Body—an existence feared by all.
One couldn't help but pity her. She was the kindest girl he had ever met, yet even she was not spared from the cruelty of fate.
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