Chapter 67: People Part, Fate Remains
Inside the wooden cabin.
Xiao Yuan sat cross-legged in meditation, carefully studying the materials required to break through to the Dou Shi realm.
To advance, he needed to strengthen the Heart's Crimson Flame Qi Vortex. Normally, this would require two fire-attribute Tier 2 magic cores and two 500-year-old Vermilion Fruits.
But…
Those weren't strictly necessary.
He shifted his focus inward toward his lower dantian and looked at the Spirit-Infuser.
After all, what better treasure of fire-element energy than a Heavenly Flame?
With the Heavenly Flame, he might be able to break through in one go and reach the Dou Shi realm.
Having formed a plan, Xiao Yuan opened his eyes and got out of bed, stepping out of the cabin.
Refining with the Heavenly Flame inside the wooden house would be far too dangerous.
He needed a safer location.
Soon, he arrived at the spot where he had previously trained his Dou Techniques.
Fortunately, he had already blasted a massive crater into the mountainside. With a bit of work, it could easily become a usable cave.
With a wave of his hand, a black-and-white flame shot out. As he channeled Dou Qi into it, the terrifying heat unique to the Heavenly Flame instantly surged forth.
Under the extreme temperature, the stone walls began to smoke, and the pit rapidly expanded and deepened.
These rocks couldn't withstand the heat of the Heavenly Flame.
Moments later, Xiao Yuan stepped inside. Using the lingering heat, he sat down cross-legged and began guiding the flame through a special circulation route, refining its pure fire-attribute energy to trigger a breakthrough.
At the same time, he flipped his hand and took out a stalk of Blazing Sun Grass as supplementary energy—just in case.
The fiery essence surged through him, and waves of searing heat exploded within his body. His internal organs were bathed in fire, purging impurities and growing tougher, while the space in his Five Element Qi Vortices expanded, the Dou Qi within becoming more lively.
This time, it didn't hurt—it was just hot.
Like being inside a furnace, hammered again and again, forged into steel!
That burning sensation thrilled Xiao Yuan.
Because he could clearly feel himself growing stronger, little by little.
Breaking through to Dou Shi was just one of many steps on his long path.
In the cave, heat radiated from his body, causing the stone around him to warp. His clothes had already been burned to ashes.
Back in the wooden cabin, Xiao Yixian sat quietly, gazing at a table of multi-colored poisons. She wanted to take them, but she didn't.
With each dose, she grew stronger—but it also brought her closer to death.
The last time she poisoned herself, she had broken through the Two-Star bottleneck that had held her back for half a year. The temptation was hard to resist.
Even knowing this path led to doom, she couldn't help but take it.
If she wanted to survive in this Dou Qi world ruled by the strong, she had to become powerful herself.
In the past few days, she had come to a realization.
She didn't have to like fighting, but she couldn't be incapable of fighting.
Only the truly strong had the freedom to live as they pleased, without being constantly harassed by pests.
"...Sigh."
Letting out a light breath, she picked up a poison and poured it into her mouth.
The next moment, pain contorted her face. She fell from her chair, collapsed on the floor.
Clenching her fists, sweat the size of pearls beaded on her forehead. She knew the poison wouldn't kill her, but the suffering it caused was still unavoidable.
As pain wracked her body, tears streamed from her eyes, and her skin flushed with rainbow hues...
She didn't know how long had passed, but when she awoke, she realized—
She was now a Three-Star Dou Zhe.
Half a month, one star.
Before, she wouldn't have dared to dream of such speed.
Wiping her mouth with a handkerchief and brushing herself off, she tidied the poison-covered table, grabbed her basket, and went out to gather mushrooms.
By the time Xiao Yuan returned, she was already simmering soup.
"You're back?"
Seeing him descend from the sky, she smiled softly and greeted him.
"Yeah. You reached Three-Star?"
Xiao Yuan asked casually.
Xiao Yixian's lashes fluttered slightly, then she nodded quietly. "Mm."
"Looking at the calendar… it's about time. I'll be leaving soon."
Xiao Yuan said calmly.
"Oh."
Her smile faded.
Once Xiao Yuan left, she too would depart—for the Empire of Chu Yun.
She had heard there were many poison masters there. Maybe... she would find her kind.
After a pause, she said softly, "Soup's ready."
"Mm."
Xiao Yuan nodded, took the bowl she handed him, and took a sip.
"Heh, your cooking keeps getting better."
He smiled in praise.
"Once you leave, I plan to travel the continent too."
Holding her bowl, she sipped gently.
"Any place in mind?"
He looked at her with a gentle gaze.
"Probably Chu Yun Empire. Lots of poison masters there. At least my identity won't stand out."
Her smile was faint, almost forced.
"I won't be there to protect you anymore. You'll need to be careful. And don't be afraid to strike first—poison masters in Chu Yun aren't just skilled with toxins... their hearts are the deadliest part. It's a shame. You're so kind... but you'll have to learn to be cruel."
Xiao Yuan sighed.
"Hmph. You're the real danger when you're around me!"
She snorted.
"Heh."
Xiao Yuan shook his head with a smile.
—That night, at midnight—
The moon was high, the stars faint.
Inside the cabin, Xiao Yuan sat up in bed and pulled out a storage ring.
It was the one left by the unknown senior in the mountain. It had once held treasures, Dou Techniques, and rare herbs—but now, it contained all the poison-type items and valuable herbs Xiao Yuan had personally selected from his collection.
Softly, he got up, stepped outside, circled around to Xiao Yixian's window, and used his soul power to silently slip the ring onto her finger.
In her sleep, she stirred slightly, her hand twitching at the unfamiliar sensation.
"…I've never been good at goodbyes."
Staring at her peaceful face, Xiao Yuan exhaled deeply. Then, with a flick of his wings, he shot into the night sky.
…
Xiao Yixian sat up in bed.
Barefoot, she jumped down and rushed to the window, watching his silhouette vanish beneath the moonlight.
She raised her hand, gazed at the ring on her finger, bit her lip, and felt tears welling in her eyes.
(END CHAPTER)
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