Under Chen Xiao's gaze, a look of pain gradually appeared on Cao Ying's face. Fine cold sweat seeped from her skin, only to be quickly evaporated by the high temperature.
She clenched her teeth, enduring a pain that others could hardly empathize with. Yet, despite this, muffled groans still escaped her lips, and her seated body trembled.
Fortunately, this time she didn't experience the cracking sensation that Zi Yan had mentioned. Although she looked like she might fail at any moment, she was surprisingly resilient.
Time passed by second by second. After an unknown period, Cao Ying's condition finally stabilized slightly.
The layer of frost on her body completely receded. Without even opening her eyes, a pill appeared on her fingertip and was accurately flicked into her mouth.
Seeing this scene, Chen Xiao, who was further away, also felt relieved.
Cao Ying had the experience of refining the Green Lotus Core Flame once. Now, refining the greatly weakened Sea Heart Flame again, he thought the success rate should be quite high.
And from the current situation, it was indeed a close call but without danger.
However, the steps to refine the second Heavenly Flame were far more complex than the first. At this moment, she had only just gotten the refining process on the right track. After successful refining, she would still need to evolve the Burning Art and fuse the two Heavenly Flames. Each step would take a considerable amount of time.
Thinking this, Chen Xiao withdrew his gaze and also sat down cross-legged on the thick ice layer. He adjusted his posture slightly, closed his eyes, and entered a state of cultivation.
Anyway, given the distance between them, if Cao Ying encountered any problems, he would be able to sense it.
Years passed, and the sun and moon contended.
In this quiet atmosphere, three days flew by in the blink of an eye.
Outside the barrier.
Cao Xi's brows were tightly furrowed, very worried about the situation inside.
Not far away, Zi Yan showed no signs of tension. She rubbed her bulging little belly, hesitated for a moment, then put away the jade bottle in her hand. She yawned and looked at Cao Xi.
"Relax, relax. If Sister Cao Ying were really in trouble, Chen Xiao would have come out long ago. The lack of movement now is the best news. Instead of scratching your ears and cheeks waiting here anxiously, why don't you go back to Maple City and play chess with Old Man Hai?"
Scratching his ears and cheeks?
He wasn't a monkey. Scratching his heart and liver was more like it.
Cao Xi chuckled wryly, not minding the Little Dragon Person's improper use of words.
But he had to admit, Zi Yan made sense.
"You're right, I was too impatient."
Nodding in agreement, Cao Xi suppressed the impatience in his heart and sat down cross-legged on the spot to meditate.
Seeing his actions, Zi Yan felt extremely bored. This person wasn't as fun as Hai Bo Dong!
She yawned again, looking at her little hand that had involuntarily lifted, and Zi Yan was slightly startled.
It was only at this moment that she belatedly realized she seemed very sleepy today.
This situation was very rare for a Dou Wang expert.
Appearing on her, who was full of energy, was even stranger.
Her heart stirred, and joy appeared on Zi Yan's face. She had already realized that she was very, very close to her advancement!
Maple City.
Hai Bo Dong walked out of the empty Bamboo Building, his expression full of helplessness.
There was clearly such a large group of people living here, but everyone was busy with their own affairs. Some were in seclusion, some were refining Heavenly Flames. Only he was like a lonely old man, idle all day long.
He inspected the construction progress of the Auction House, looking at the Auction House that was already taking shape, and Hai Bo Dong felt a surge of ambition.
Although this was Chen Xiao's project, he had personally overseen its construction, and he felt a great sense of accomplishment.
Because of his close relationship with Chen Xiao, he had heard Chen Xiao talk about many things, including some future plans.
Hai Bo Dong knew very well that the Black-Corner Region was just a temporary dwelling place for Chen Xiao. Once Chen Xiao obtained everything he wanted, he would definitely head to the larger stage of the Central State.
As for him, he was neither an Alchemist, nor did he possess talent comparable to Little Fairy Doctor and others. Even his strength was being rapidly caught up to, and being surpassed was only a matter of time.
With this realization, Hai Bo Dong had no intention of following them to the Central State.
"From now on, this will be my permanent residence!"
...
Sun rose and moon set, another fifteen cycles passed.
On the other side.
Chen Xiao, who was immersed in cultivation, suddenly sensed a change in Cao Ying's aura and immediately opened his eyes.
He got up and looked over, and immediately saw that Cao Ying's slightly pale face, which had been tormented by the Heavenly Flame, was rapidly regaining its rosy color.
Her aura was also rising steadily at this moment.
This change lasted for nearly a quarter of an hour before gradually subsiding, and her tightly closed eyes finally slowly opened.
"Profound High-Rank? Not much different from what was expected."
Chen Xiao carefully sensed it and immediately knew Cao Ying's current cultivation technique rank.
A Profound High-Rank cultivation technique already had the upper limit of a Dou Zong. As for the higher Dou Zun realm, the possibility was extremely slim.
Of course, for the current Cao Ying, it was completely sufficient.
"I almost failed several times along the way, but thankfully, I didn't let you down."
Hearing Chen Xiao's voice, Cao Ying quickly snapped out of her joy, got up and took out a black dress to put on, then met Chen Xiao's gaze and replied with lingering fear.
"It's worth celebrating that you succeeded. However, your current cultivation technique is only an incomplete scroll. As your strength gradually increases, there might be some minor issues. You need to be mentally prepared."
"I know. Since I've cultivated it, I'm mentally prepared. Compared to that little bit of after-effects, I value its help to my alchemy more. As for those minor issues, I can only hope for you. After all, I've basically sold my life to you now. You wouldn't want your exclusive Alchemist to die prematurely, would you?"
Although Cao Ying's tone was joking, what she said was an undeniable fact.
From now on, she was already Chen Xiao's personal Alchemist. She would refine whatever he wanted her to refine and be used however he wanted her to be used. The so-called engagement was just a nicer, more respectable way of saying it. Both of them understood this clearly in their hearts.
At the same time, it was also a big step closer to solving Little Fairy Doctor's Woeful Poison Body problem.
"Now, the matter of coming to the Northwest Continent is finally over. I will tell Fourth Uncle that we will stay for a while longer. During this time, you should think more about the Elixirs you need to refine. I will refine a batch for you as backup first. As for those above Grade Six, I can only wait until I go back and let the elders of the family take action. I don't have that ability yet, but..."
"Soon! It won't be long before I can also reach the level of a Grade Six Alchemist, or even higher. By then, it will be your time to enjoy."
Cao Ying's eyebrows raised slightly, and a determined arc curved at the corner of her lips, her voice full of certainty.
Even without a Heavenly Flame, she was confident she could surpass the elders in her family. Now that her configuration in all aspects was even more top-tier, this time would only come faster!
Chen Xiao nodded lightly, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes.
Cao Ying was slightly younger than him, yet she knew how to advance and retreat appropriately, understanding the ways of human interaction. She wasn't greedy for merit or reckless, and she knew how to repay kindness with courtesy. This kind of insightful attitude towards life, far beyond her age, was exactly what he wanted.
"I'm looking forward to it. Let's go, it's time to head back. Fourth Elder is probably getting impatient. Now that your matters are settled, I can finally focus on secluded cultivation."
"You're preparing for secluded cultivation to break through to Dou Huang?"
"Yes, Little Fairy Doctor is already in secluded cultivation. I don't want to be pulled too far behind her in realm."
Cao Ying glanced at him sideways with a half-smile, her eyes flowing with an unclear emotion. Her red lips parted slightly, "Men should always have some sense, especially in front of ladies. Mentioning other women is not a wise move."
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