After explaining the relevant matters to Hai Bo Dong, Chen Xiao took out a portion of the Qing Yuan Pills used to aid cultivation, along with the low-grade elixirs he didn't need, and handed them over to Hai Bo Dong to handle.
Immediately after, he and Zi Yan each returned to their rooms to begin preparations for their seclusion.
Chen Xiao's preparations were relatively simple. Breaking through from a nine-star Dou Wang to the Dou Huang realm didn't have as high a threshold as ordinary people imagined; it required more accumulation of energy. Therefore, as long as he absorbed enough energy, he could naturally cross this hurdle.
Sitting cross-legged on the bed, Chen Xiao calmed his mind and focused his thoughts, quietly circulating his cultivation technique.
It wasn't until after more than ten major cycles, when he had fully entered the cultivation state, that he took out the Starfall Soul-Suppressing Pill and consumed it.
Upon entering his abdomen, a warm current immediately surged through the meridians in his body. What was peculiar was that this elixir not only acted on the physical body but also had an effect on the soul.
As the warm current spread throughout his body, Chen Xiao felt that the external noise was completely isolated. His soul seemed to drift into the silent starry sky, where nothing and no one existed, causing his mood to involuntarily calm down.
After a brief experience, Chen Xiao no longer hesitated. He formed the cultivation hand seals and instantly entered a deep state of cultivation.
In another room, Zi Yan's preparations were much simpler and more direct.
She could feel that she was infinitely close to the breakthrough threshold. If there were a progress bar, it would probably be around ninety-nine point nine percent.
But for Magical Beasts, sometimes a hair's breadth difference could be a thousand miles apart. That threshold, seemingly within reach, was observable but unattainable.
Fortunately, Zi Yan's potential was limitless. She knew exactly what she needed and how to take that final small step.
Immediately, the little girl locked the doors and windows, took out a pile of jade bottles from her Storage Ring, and then, using both hands simultaneously, continuously picked up the jade bottles and poured them into her mouth until drowsiness swept over her. Only then did she fall asleep with a bulging belly.
Eat when full, sleep when awake...
Zi Yan maintained this state for five days.
Finally, with the energy boost from bottle after bottle of pills, on this day, her complexion became exceptionally rosy, and her body was as hot as a furnace.
Instead of being surprised, Zi Yan was delighted and chuckled softly.
"I wonder if I'll grow bigger when I wake up..."
As the soft murmur fell, Zi Yan could no longer resist the heaviness of her eyelids and fell into a deep sleep, sprawled out.
It was also at this moment that a rich purple light surged from within her body, finally transforming into a purple light cocoon several feet wide, completely enveloping her body.
Thus, within this small Bamboo Building, three people were simultaneously attempting to break through to the Dou Huang realm.
The energy of heaven and earth surged due to the absorption of the three, and a gentle breeze also blew through Purple Cloud City.
Ordinary people didn't notice anything unusual about this breeze, but Hai Bo Dong knew clearly that this wind was entirely caused by the convergence of heaven and earth energy. It should not stop until those three came out of seclusion.
Moreover, it would only intensify!
...
Immersed in cultivation, the concept of time became extremely blurred. After Chen Xiao and the other two went into seclusion, the quiet bamboo forest in the center of the city became even more tranquil.
Every time Hai Bo Dong returned here from the city, he felt as if he had suddenly entered a deep mountain from a bustling city.
"It's been half a month. Purple Cloud City is changing with each passing day. When they all come out of seclusion, they'll probably be stunned by the changes in the city."
Sitting at the stone table downstairs, Hai Bo Dong poured and drank by himself, enjoying his leisure time.
Just as he was thinking with a hint of mischief, the wine glass he was holding suddenly trembled instinctively.
Following his gaze, a seductive figure suddenly appeared in the bamboo forest like a ghost.
"Your Majesty, aren't you cultivating at Jia Nan Academy? Why do you have time to return today?"
His trembling hand was just an instinctive reaction. Hai Bo Dong had long understood that ever since Medusa Queen had unsealed him, their past grievances were completely wiped away.
With the relationship between Chen Xiao and Zi Yan later on, it was even more impossible for Medusa Queen to attack him.
Immediately, Hai Bo Dong put down his wine glass and stood up to greet her.
Medusa Queen glanced at him and stepped into the bamboo building without a word.
He wasn't sure if it was an illusion, but Hai Bo Dong actually saw a hint of embarrassment in her eyes.
And the truth was indeed so.
During this time, Medusa Queen had been staying in the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower, using the Heart Fire that appeared in her body from time to time to merge with the Little Heaven Swallowing Python's soul.
Chen Xiao hadn't lied to her. The Heart Fire had indeed benefited her greatly. With the assistance of the Heart Fire, she had completely gained the upper hand in the soul struggle with the Little Heaven Swallowing Python. She only needed to continue cultivating like this, and perhaps in a year or two, this hidden danger could be completely resolved.
However, just as Medusa Queen was feeling joyful, she was startled to discover that the Fire Energy in the Red Fire Crystal Card had been completely used up today. Without the consumption of Fire Energy, the Heart Fire would no longer appear.
Sensing the problem, Medusa Queen had to temporarily leave the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower and return to find Chen Xiao.
At this moment, Medusa Queen was exactly like a student who had run out of living expenses and returned home to ask their parents for money...
This novel experience made Medusa Queen feel extremely embarrassed, and how could she possibly voice it?
Stepping into the bamboo building, Medusa Queen instantly sensed the state of the three people inside, all of whom were at a critical juncture of breaking through.
For a moment, Medusa Queen's brows furrowed tightly, her heart filled with conflict.
On one hand, rashly interrupting Chen Xiao's secluded cultivation could very likely disrupt his cultivation rhythm.
On the other hand, the need for Fire Energy was imminent. Without the replenishment of Fire Energy, the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower was completely useless, which made it truly difficult for her to decide.
After standing for a long time, Medusa Queen's heart stirred. On her smooth forehead, a Seven-Colored Snake Scale suddenly appeared.
This scale was formed from a wisp of her soul stored in the Snake-People Race's Soul Altar. If something happened within the clan, the Snake-People Race's Priests could notify her by burning this wisp of soul. This was also one of the reasons she dared to follow Chen Xiao to the Black-Corner Region and why the Four Elders were at ease letting her leave.
Medusa Queen gently stroked the seven-colored scale on her forehead with her slender hand. She didn't feel any movement, which meant the Snake-People Race was safe and sound.
With this thought, Medusa Queen sighed softly, ultimately giving up the idea of interrupting Chen Xiao's cultivation.
"I just don't want to make things difficult for Zi Yan caught in the middle."
Finding a plausible excuse, Medusa Queen turned around and walked out of the bamboo building, waving her hand to set up a Barrier.
From then on, this bamboo building was only allowed to be exited, not entered.
With this Barrier in place, even if a strong person flew over from high altitude, as long as their strength didn't exceed hers, it would be difficult to discover anything amiss here, which also added an extra layer of security for the three of them.
Hai Bo Dong, who was sitting at the stone table, was stunned. You sealed the bamboo building, so where do I live?
He opened his mouth, wanting to speak but hesitating.
Looking at Medusa Queen who stood downstairs for a long time without moving, Hai Bo Dong hesitated for a moment before stepping forward.
"Chen Xiao instructed before going into seclusion that if Your Majesty returns midway and has any problems, you can go find Grand Elder Su Qian. He has already spoken to the Grand Elder."
Hearing this, Medusa Queen was slightly startled and nodded expressionlessly.
The problem had been resolved, and Medusa Queen was eager to return to her cultivation. There was no need to linger any longer. She glanced at the bamboo building, turned, and headed out of the bamboo forest.
After only a few steps, she stopped again.
"When did those two from the Cao Family leave?"
"Half a month ago."
Medusa Queen silently calculated the time in her heart. Half a month, which meant after she went to Jia Nan Academy, the two from the Cao Family stayed for nearly another month before leaving?
Her brow furrowed slightly. "Did they... Never mind. This Queen is returning to Jia Nan Academy. If anyone dares to trespass, you can come to Jia Nan Academy to find this Queen. This Queen does not wish for Zi Yan's advancement to be disturbed."
Hai Bo Dong nodded in agreement, watching Medusa Queen disappear from sight.
Although Chen Xiao had already instructed that even if Medusa Queen didn't act, he still had Dou Zong level combat power available.
But now that he was in seclusion, deep down, Hai Bo Dong also didn't want to disturb him.
Medusa Queen's promise was exactly what he wanted!
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