The sky had long turned dark as Xiao Hua strolled leisurely through the quiet streets, his steps unhurried, his mind lost in thought. Eventually, he came to a stop in front of the elegant mansion that Ya Fei had meticulously prepared for him.
"Welcome back, Xiao Hua!"
The moment he stepped onto the stairs and entered the mansion, a lively voice greeted him. To his surprise, Zi Yan was seated on a stone table, her feet playfully swinging as she waited for him. The instant she saw him, she sprang up, waving excitedly like an eager child.
However, she was not the only one awaiting his return. His gaze soon landed on a mesmerizing figure—Ya Fei—her alluring smile carrying an irresistible charm, her eyes gleaming with warmth beneath the soft candlelight.
"Sister Ya Fei, why are you here?"
Xiao Hua approached the table with a relaxed smile, taking the delicate wine cup from Ya Fei's slender fingers as though it was the most natural thing in the world. Without hesitation, he brought it to his lips and emptied it in one smooth motion, all while the woman before him watched, her enchanting face tinged with a faint blush.
With a huff, Ya Fei snatched the cup from his hand, her cheeks reddening further as she glared at him. "You truly are too unruly…" she murmured, her tone holding a mix of frustration and undeniable affection.
Xiao Hua gazed at Ya Fei with a soft smile, his eyes lingering on her flushed, delicate face. Under the gentle glow of the lanterns, her enchanting beauty was enough to stir anyone's heart. Raising a brow, he asked, "So, tell me—why are you here?"
Ya Fei let out a light sigh. "I was a little worried you might be irritated after dealing with Nalan Jie's temperament…"
"…So you knew what kind of person he is, huh…" Xiao Hua murmured with a faint smile.
"I have exceptionally sharp eyes for reading people's expressions," Ya Fei responded. "Clearly, he is someone who values himself and prioritizes the principles he upholds above all else. However, if the other party is in danger and his existence might be dangerous for Nalan Clan, he wouldn't lift a finger to help—even if he owed them a favor."
Xiao Hua could only shake his head helplessly, a wry smile playing on his lips. He knows about this. Rather, she precisely describe the situation of when Xiao Yan under attack by Misty Cloud Sect and Nalan Jie didn't even move a single foot, going as far as wishing him to be trapped forever.
He sat down beside her, allowing the cool night breeze to wash over them. His voice was calm and reassuring as he said, "Don't worry. I'm not so petty as to hold a grudge over something so trivial—especially not toward you."
"Fu fu~ I know that." Ya Fei chuckled gracefully, her laughter like the chime of silver bells. Without hesitation, she leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder, savoring the warmth of his presence. "I was merely worried it might dampen your mood before treating Nalan Jie."
Zi Yan, who had been watching quietly, remained silent. She already knew that Ya Fei and Xun Er had discussed this matter beforehand. In truth, she wasn't particularly concerned—what she disliked were those who sought Xiao Hua's attention only to manipulate him for their own gain.
She didn't mind Ya Fei's request because, unlike others, Ya Fei had hesitated and felt guilt when asking for Xiao Hua's help.
Then, as if recalling something, Zi Yan suddenly brightened and spoke in an excited tone, "Oh! By the way, an old man came by earlier—he left an invitation for you!"
"An old man?" Xiao Hua raised a brow, feeling intrigued. His mind immediately went over the possibilities. After all, it wasn't unusual for people to send him invitations, but he wondered just who this particular old man might be.
"It's Master Fa Ma," Ya Fei clarified, recognizing the confusion in Xiao Hua's eyes.
"It's that old man with a huge cauldron on his head!" Zi Yan chimed in with a playful giggle. "It was so funny watching him walk around like that—I could never forget him!"
Xiao Hua rolled his eyes. "You forgot his name, Zi Yan…" he said in disbelief. Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, he murmured, "But still… Elder Fa Ma, huh…"
"Will you accept his invitation?"
Ya Fei's voice carried a hint of curiosity. She knew Xiao Hua was already swamped—between fulfilling requests from the Imperial Family and the Nalan Clan, his time was stretched thin.
Moreover, after completing those tasks, he was planning to head to the Magic Beast Mountain Range with Zi Yan.
A faint smile curved Xiao Hua's lips. He understood Fa Ma's intentions well. With a slight shake of his head, he replied, "He likely wants an alchemy exchange. I'll visit the Alchemy Association after I've dealt with the Nalan Clan and the Imperial Family."
"Visit?" Ya Fei raised an eyebrow, doubt flickering in her eyes. "I see no reason for you to entertain this so-called 'alchemy exchange' with Fa Ma…"
Her tone was laced with skepticism—she failed to see what Xiao Hua could possibly gain from such a meeting.
This 'Alchemy Exchange' was clearly in Fa Ma's favor, not his. After all, Fa Ma was merely a sixth-tier alchemist, while Xiao Hua had already reached the eighth tier and was guided by a mysterious expert.
While it was true that Fa Ma had spent decades immersed in alchemy, compared to Xiao Hua's fewer than ten years of experience, that did not mean Xiao Hua's knowledge and insight were inferior.
Moreover, from what she could tell, Xiao Hua could effortlessly discern the primary and secondary properties of medicinal ingredients, their appearance and aura, the conditions required for their formation and birth, their growth and nourishment, optimal storage methods, and suitable substitutes should a specific ingredient be unavailable.
With such deep expertise, it was evident that Xiao Hua had nothing to gain from this so-called 'Alchemy Exchange' with Fa Ma.
"Sister Ya Fei, I never said I was going there for an exchange with Elder Fa Ma." Xiao Hua's lips curled into a faint, enigmatic smile. "I merely want to check on something."
There was a certain mystery in his tone, but he offered no further explanation. Seeing this, Ya Fei didn't press the matter. Her curiosity was piqued, but she understood that if Xiao Hua wished to keep something to himself, there was little point in asking.
In truth, Xiao Hua's reason for visiting the Alchemist Association had nothing to do with alchemy. What he sought was a particular black-colored, broken jade piece that might appear in the 'Exchange Area.'
This jade piece contained an incomplete Secret Technique from Burning Flame Valley—the Sky Fire Three Mysterious Change.
He had no real interest in the technique itself—his only concern was whether it was here or not.
If it wasn't, he would simply leave. But if it was… then he had to claim it.
After all, the Sky Fire Three Mysterious Change was originally created by Xiao Xuan. When he entered the Heavenly Tomb in the future, he needed Xiao Xuan to become aware of his presence. This technique could serve as a beacon, a way for Xiao Xuan to locate him.
'That said… I could always visit Burning Flame Valley and obtain the complete version directly from them.'
Xiao Hua knew there was one way to obtain it—by curing Tang Zhen's daughter, Tang Huo Er. While he felt a twinge of guilt about using her as leverage, he doubted there was any other method to acquire it from them.
"One more thing—Princess Yao Ye came by earlier with a message. The Serene Sea Scaly Beast has prepared himself for the treatment," Ya Fei informed him gently.
Xiao Hua nodded slightly. "Then, could Sister Ya Fei send a message back, letting them know I'll be coming tomorrow?"
"Of course," she replied with a soft smile. "Will it take long? You still have to remove the Searing Poison from Nalan Jie, after all."
"It won't take much time," Xiao Hua said casually. "As long as that old man doesn't struggle during the process, it should be over quickly."
Ya Fei chuckled lightly and nodded in understanding. Then, just as Xiao Hua was about to look away, she leaned in unexpectedly. Her soft, warm lips brushed against his forehead—a fleeting yet intimate touch.
"See you later, Little Brother Xiao Hua," she whispered teasingly, her enchanting eyes gleaming with mischief before she turned and left the mansion with light, graceful steps.
Xiao Hua watched as her delicate waist swayed with effortless allure, his lips curling into a faint smile. He couldn't help but wonder—how had he captured Ya Fei's heart? He didn't recall doing anything particularly special for her… and yet, her affection for him was undeniable.
Just as he was lost in thought, he turned and met Zi Yan's gaze. She was staring at him with a piercing gaze of scrutiny, her arms crossed, her expression unreadable.
A slight awkwardness crept up his spine, making him cough lightly before retrieving two jade bottles from his Mysterious Heaven Ring.
"Zi Yan, these are the pills I refined for you."
In an instant, Zi Yan's judgmental stare vanished, replaced by pure joy. She eagerly took the bottles from his hands, shaking one before swiftly tossing a pill into her mouth in one smooth motion.
"As expected, nothing beats your pills! They're so much better than those disgusting medicinal ingredients!" she exclaimed happily. Then, flashing him an expectant look, she added, "You should refine pills for me every day, Xiao Hua!"
Xiao Hua shook his head in disbelief. "I'm not your personal alchemist, brat."
Even though Zi Yan had grown more mature, her hunger for medicinal ingredients—and anything delicious—hadn't faded in the slightest.
...
Early in the morning, before the sun had fully risen, a female servant arrived with a report—Princess Yao Ye had already arrived at the mansion and had prepared a carriage for them.
"This Imperial Family is extremely impatient, huh…"
Zi Yan frowned slightly, puffing her cheeks in mild annoyance. She hadn't expected them to arrive so early in the morning—before the sun had even fully risen.
"It can't be helped." Xiao Hua shook his head with a faint smile. "They're the type to obsess over strength and authority, so it's only natural for them to place great importance on the Serene Sea Scaly Beast."
He wasn't surprised by Yao Ye's early arrival. However, considering her composed and refined nature—having been groomed as the future empress—he found it unusual for her to show such urgency.
Upon arriving at the reception hall, they saw Yao Ye seated gracefully, sipping warm tea, as though calming herself.
The moment she noticed them, she swiftly set down her teacup and stood up, her drifting gaze settling on Xiao Hua and Zi Yan. A gentle smile graced her lips as she spoke, "I sincerely apologize for disturbing you so early in the morning…"
Xiao Hua returned her smile and waved a hand dismissively. "No need to worry. Shall we go, Princess Yao Ye?"
Yao Ye's expression brightened as she nodded. "Then, we'll have to trouble Master Xiao Hua." With that, she gracefully led them toward the awaiting carriage, her demeanor carrying a hint of quiet joy.
Xiao Hua and Zi Yan exchanged a glance before shaking their heads in amusement at Yao Ye's obvious excitement.
After boarding the carriage and giving instructions to the driver, they traveled for half an hour before finally arriving at their destination. Stepping down from the carriage, they calmly followed Yao Ye through the vast back mountain, eventually stopping at an enormous, shimmering lake atop its peak.
Upon arrival, they saw that Jia Xing Tian and the Serene Sea Scaly Beast were already waiting. The two also noticed Xiao Hua and Zi Yan at the same time—Jia Xing Tian immediately stepped forward to greet them, while the Serene Sea Scaly Beast respectfully lowered its massive head in a show of courtesy.
"Haha, we've truly troubled Master Xiao Hua this time…" Jia Xing Tian spoke with a polite smile, his tone carrying both gratitude and urgency. He had spent considerable effort ensuring the Serene Sea Scaly Beast was fully prepared for the treatment, and now, he could barely contain his anticipation.
"Alright, let's not waste any more time." Xiao Hua smiled faintly, his gaze shifting toward Jia Xing Tian in silent.
Understanding his intent, Jia Xing Tian quickly retrieved a jade bottle from his Storage Ring and carefully handed it over. "Here is the Mixed Bone Molding Pill, Master Xiao Hua."
A deep, rumbling voice echoed from the Serene Sea Scaly Beast, carrying a rare hint of gratitude. "Thank you… I am truly in your debt."
Xiao Hua simply nodded with a calm smile. Then, in the blink of an eye, his figure flickered and reappeared near the enormous head of the Serene Sea Scaly Beast.
With a single thought, an emerald-jade flame ignited around the Mixed Bone Molding Pill. A flick of Xiao Hua's finger sent the flame-enshrouded pill soaring into the air, where it hovered just above the Serene Sea Scaly Beast's massive head.
A moment later, his hand seals shifted, and the emerald-jade flame suddenly surged. Under the scorching heat, a dense green light burst forth, scattering through the flames. Like a cascading waterfall, the luminous energy poured down, enveloping the Serene Sea Scaly Beast's massive body.
As the strange light, infused with thick medicinal essence, formed a shimmering veil around it, the massive frame of Serene Sea Scaly Beast tensed and muscles convulsing. A deep, guttural roar rumbled from its throat, filled with pain, as waves rippled across the lake's surface.
Jia Xing Tian and Yao Ye watched the writhing Serene Sea Scaly Beast with concern. Yet, neither of them dared to interrupt Xiao Hua's treatment—especially upon seeing his calm and composed expression.
The beast's thunderous roar lasted for half an hour before it gradually settled down.
Moments later, Jia Xing Tian's eyes widened in astonishment. The countless scars marring the Serene Sea Scaly Beast's body had begun to fade, replaced by fresh, unblemished scales.
'That strange green light actually worked!' Jia Xing Tian rejoiced inwardly, barely able to contain his excitement. As he continued observing, his joy deepened—the beast's aura, once stagnant and frail, was now surging with renewed vitality.
'Moreover… this old fellow is steadily recovering to its peak under the effects of the Mixed Bone Molding Pill!'
The emerald-green radiance cascading from the sky persisted for several minutes. During this time, the Mixed Bone Molding Pill—suspended within the dark-green flames—gradually shrank, its size reducing to mere fractions of its original form.
Clearly, most of its potent medicinal essence had been extracted and absorbed into the Serene Sea Scaly Beast's body…
The luminous green light continued to shimmer for a few moments longer before slowly dimming. Then, with a faint, muffled crack, the remnants of the Mixed Bone Molding Pill crumbled into a fine dust, dispersing soundlessly into the air.
As the last traces of emerald glow faded, tranquility returned to the mountain peak—the only lingering proof of the extraordinary treatment being the subtle shift in the Serene Sea Scaly Beast's aura.
Xiao Hua let out a soft sigh of relief as he retracted the vast Spiritual Strength he had spread out. Slowly, he descended to the ground. Before he could steady himself, Zi Yan came charging toward him. With a swift motion, he caught her and gently ruffled her head, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"That was faster than I expected, Xiao Hua…"
"It's thanks to my flame," Xiao Hua replied casually. "It allowed me to speed up the treatment process."
After giving her head one last affectionate rub, he lifted his gaze toward Jia Xing Tian and Yao Ye, both of whom were watching him with anticipation.
"The Serene Sea Scaly Beast's injuries have been completely healed. It only needs some rest. Once it awakens, its strength will be fully restored to its peak."
"Thank you very much, Master Xiao Hua! If you ever need our assistance in the future, do not hesitate to ask. As long as it is within our power, we will do our best to help."
Jia Xing Tian's face lit up with excitement, and he cupped his hands in gratitude. A great weight had been lifted from his heart—after all, the Serene Sea Scaly Beast had been the Imperial Family's guardian since its youth. Now that its strength had returned to its peak, the authority and stability of the Imperial Family were once again secure.
Xiao Hua smiled and waved his hand. "If I ever require assistance, I will not hesitate to seek help from Jia Lao and the Imperial Family. I trust that when the time comes, Jia Lao will not refuse."
"That is only natural, Master Xiao Hua. The Imperial Family owes you a tremendous favor for healing the Serene Sea Scaly Beast and refining a Dou Zong pill for me," Jia Xing Tian said with a smile.
The joy in his heart was unmistakable. Since Xiao Hua had spoken those words, it meant both parties could maintain a good relationship. In the future, he could request Xiao Hua's help in refining pills without fear of rejection, so long as the request was reasonable.
As the two continued their conversation, the Serene Sea Scaly Beast's massive, closed eyes suddenly snapped open. A thunderous laughter echoed through the mountain range as an overwhelming aura erupted from its body, startling the birds and flying beasts into frantic flight.
"Hahaha! It has been far too long since I've felt this way!"
Once its excitement subsided, the Serene Sea Scaly Beast expressed its gratitude by offering Xiao Hua several of its treasured scales. Without waiting for a response, it dove back into the depths of the lake to rest.
Xiao Hua shook his head with a faint smile before bidding farewell to Jia Xing Tian. With Yao Ye leading the way, he and Zi Yan descended the mountain.
Jia Xing Tian watched their figures disappear into the distance before shifting his gaze toward the small pavilion where he resided. Taking a deep breath, he glanced at his Storage Ring, his eyes narrowing in contemplation.
"Now that the matter with that old fellow is settled, I should focus on breaking through to the Dou Zong class," he murmured to himself.
Admittedly, Jia Xing Tian felt a tinge of envy toward Xiao Hua. To reach the Dou Zong class at such a young age was nothing short of extraordinary.
While they might never attain Xiao Hua's level, the Imperial Family still needed a Dou Zong expert to safeguard their status and prevent the other forces in the Jia Ma Empire from overstepping their boundaries.
...
After leading them down the back of the mountain, Yao Ye guided them to a hidden passage nearby. It appeared that Jia Xing Tian had instructed her to take them to the Imperial Family's treasure vault as a reward for Xiao Hua's efforts.
Naturally, Xiao Hua and Zi Yan had no objections and followed quietly. As they drew closer, they could sense several Dou Lings concealed in the shadows, silently watching them.
Unbothered by the hidden gazes, the two continued forward and entered the secret passage. At the end of the tunnel, they found themselves surrounded by rugged stone walls. Embedded within the rocky expanse stood an enormous gate.
The gate was pristine white, an intricately crafted stone structure adorned with elaborate carvings and golden embellishments, exuding an aura of power and majesty. Flanking the entrance were colossal stone statues, each gripping a sword, their silent presence radiating an air of solemn guardianship.
Despite the passage's apparent abandonment, lush vegetation crept along the cavern walls, hinting that traces of life still lingered within this ancient place.
"Please wait here, Master Xiao Hua."
Yao Ye cupped her hands and turned around before stepping forward and making her way to the circular stone platform in front of the entrance. At the center of the platform stood an ornate stone pedestal, upon which rested a blue crystal.
Standing before it, she retrieved a white token from her Storage Ring—an insignia of the Imperial Family, with its crest intricately carved upon it. Without hesitation, she lightly bit her finger, allowing a drop of blood to fall onto the token.
Forming a series of hand seals, she activated the token, causing it to emit a radiant light that enveloped the crystal. Moments later, the crystal shimmered, and the floor beneath the pedestal glowed before sending its energy toward the white gate.
Rumble—!
The white gate shone brilliantly, and a deep rumbling echoed through the surroundings. The ground trembled slightly as the massive doors slowly creaked open.
Smiling in satisfaction, Yao Ye turned around and said, "Master Xiao Hua, inside lies the treasure trove the Imperial Family has accumulated over the years. Please, follow me."
As they stepped into the vault, Xiao Hua and Zi Yan were met with the dazzling sight of a mountain of gold coins, their brilliant luster reflecting the dim light of the chamber.
However, neither of them spared it more than a glance. Wealth held little interest for them. Without stopping, they continued deeper into the vault—where the true treasures lay, a collection of priceless natural treasures beyond measure.
Soon, they arrived before a smaller gate. Above it, a plaque bore four bold characters: Imperial Medicinal Herb Vault.
Yao Ye pushed the gate open, and at that moment, a rich, potent medicinal fragrance surged outward, filling the air and momentarily entrancing them.
Both Xiao Hua and Zi Yan instinctively took a light sniff. Their noses twitched slightly as they discerned the distinct scents of various medicinal ingredients.
Although he remained outwardly composed, Xiao Hua was slightly surprised. The Imperial Family's collection was more extensive than he had expected. Moreover, from the faint aromas lingering in the air, he could tell that some of these herbs and fruits were extremely rare, each possessing immense value.
Meanwhile, Zi Yan's eyes sparkled with countless tiny stars. The sheer abundance of precious medicinal treasures ignited a deep desire within her. She wished she could take them all. However, with great effort, she clenched her fists and restrained herself, suppressing the overwhelming urge to act on her impulse.
Although she felt slightly disappointed by Xiao Hua's composed expression, Yao Ye was still satisfied with Zi Yan's reaction. She chuckled softly. "Hehe. This is where my Imperial Family stores our most precious medicinal ingredients. Master Xiao Hua, you may take as many as you like."
While the vast collection of rare medicinal herbs was impressive, there was nothing particularly special about them in Xiao Hua's eyes. Thanks to the System's Gacha, he already possessed these ingredients—and in multiple sets, no less.
Spreading his Spiritual Strength, he casually scanned the vault, searching for anything of interest. As his senses slowly expanded throughout the chamber, his eyes widened slightly upon discovered something amusing.
Following his perception, he walked forward with a calm demeanor, Yao Ye trailing behind him. Soon, he arrived at the source—a snow-white, bone-like ginseng resting quietly on a jade pedestal. A faint, white glow surrounded it, radiating an intense, pure cold energy.
'Now this is unexpected… I never thought I'd come across a Snow Bone Ginseng here.' Xiao Hua's lips curled into a faint smile as he reached out and took the ginseng.
Afterward, he continued selecting a few more ingredients, stopping after choosing seventeen in total. Though Yao Ye had generously offered to let him take as much as he wanted, he had no intention of shamelessly emptying the vault.
Once he was done, Yao Ye smiled. "Are you satisfied with your selection, Master Xiao Hua?"
Xiao Hua nodded. "Hmm, I'm finished, Princess."
"Me too!"
The two turned, only to see Zi Yan grinning brightly. In her small hands, she held two medicinal ingredients—both among the most extremely rare herbs that Xiao Hua had sensed earlier.
'She took the Thunderstrike Root and Crimson Vein Fruit…'
Xiao Hua was astonished that Zi Yan had chosen the two medicinal ingredients with the most dangerous properties—both brimming with dense, volatile energy.
The Crimson Vein Fruit was infused with potent blood essence that rapidly stimulated the heart and lungs. If consumed without proper refinement, it could cause the energy within the Qi Veins to spiral out of control, turning berserk and potentially crippling the user.
Yet, if properly refined, it could significantly strengthen the Qi Veins, enhancing the body's endurance, increasing qi circulation speed, and purifying absorbed energy, making it even purer and denser.
Meanwhile, the Thunderstrike Root was not a root in the traditional sense but rather a condensed mass of pure thunder energy formed in areas abundant with lightning essence. While it might seem like an incredible treasure, it harbored an unstable, violent lightning force that could rampage through the body.
If one failed to control it, the energy could fry their internal organs, causing their body to explode from within. However, if properly refined—and consumed by someone practicing lightning-based Dou Qi—it would dramatically enhance their Dou Qi's ferocity and destructiveness, elevating its overall quality to a terrifying degree.
That being said, this risk only applied to humans. If consumed by a magical beast, there would be no danger—only pure benefits, allowing the beast to absorb the energy without any adverse effects.
Yao Ye was unaware of Xiao Hua's thoughts and turned to him with a smile. "Since you've finished selecting from the medicinal herb storehouse, shall we take our leave?"
Xiao Hua and Zi Yan nodded. There was nothing else in the vault that piqued their interest—especially since Zi Yan's natural treasure instincts hadn't sensed anything worth their attention.
With that, they departed from the treasure vault. Upon returning to their mansion, Xiao Hua immediately began refining the medicinal pills he had promised Zi Yan.