Six days drifted past like fallen leaves on a quiet stream—soft, unhurried, and already beyond reach. Now, a new current stirred—the seventh day had arrived since Xiao Hua and the others returned to the Inner Academy.
Just beyond the Inner Academy's grounds, countless towering mountain pillars stood scattered across the land. From time to time, thick mists gathered near their peaks, only to drift away in silence.
This area was usually calm, home to magical beasts and lush greenery. But today, the atmosphere was different—lively and tense. Eleven figures had gathered, with ten of them keeping their eyes fixed on a lone peak in the distance, where a solitary figure stood.
That lone figure took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. As the breath left his lips, a powerful five-colored Dou Qi surged out and wrapped around his body. Under its force and rhythm, a pressure was released that few could ignore. Even an ordinary Dou Zun would struggle to produce such presence.
That figure, of course, was Xiao Hua—about to refine a Tier 9 Treasure Grade Medicinal Pill.
"Brother Xiao Hua is about to begin... This might be the first time I've truly seen him refine a high-tier pill."
A soft murmur came from one of the ten figures watching from afar. The speaker was a young lady dressed in elegant green robes. Her long black hair, loosely tied with a pale-purple ribbon, danced lightly in the wind as the breeze passed by.
"Sister Xun Er, is this truly your first time watching Xiao Hua refine a pill?" Queen Medusa asked from her right, her voice enchanting—gentle and soft, yet carrying the quiet dignity of a proud queen.
Xun Er shook her head slightly. "Though I've been nearby during his past refinements, I've never seen it this clearly before," she replied, her voice as smooth as silk, carrying a solemn glow in her eyes.
Zi Yan tossed a Danwan into the air and caught it in her mouth, chewing noisily. She looked at Xiao Hua and spoke in a cute, childish voice, "That's only because Sister Xun Er was just a Dou Huang before. It was dangerous for her to be close back then."
"Fu fu. Xiao Hua always worries about us, especially when he hears we might get injured," Little Fairy Doctor said with a soft chuckle, her melodious voice echoing faintly in the area.
Xun Er, Queen Medusa, and Zi Yan all nodded, a warm smile rising on their faces as they quietly acknowledged Xiao Hua's silent care for them.
"How in the world did that young man manage to win over all three of them…?"
The white-haired old man from the Gu Clan muttered under his breath, his gaze fixed on the distant scene with a mix of disbelief and quiet exasperation. His words, of course, referred to their Young Miss, the Little Fairy Doctor, and Queen Medusa.
Each one of them was an extraordinary woman—blessed with beauty, strength, and a presence that set them apart. One bore the noble bloodline of an ancient Dou Di, another carried a rare poison body feared across the continent, and the last was a Heaven Swallowing Python, an ancient and exotic Magical Beast.
And then there was the little girl—innocent in appearance, yet her bloodline surged with terrifying power. She belonged to the Ancient Void Dragon Clan, one of the most powerful and mysterious lineages among Magical Beasts in the Central Plains.
The elder was tempted to wonder why such a being would appear here, but in the end, it was not his place to pry. With a quiet sigh, he pushed the thought aside.
"What's even more surprising is that Young Miss allowed him to take all two as his lovers… and even treats them as sisters." The black-robed old man raised his brows slightly, a strange emotion flickering in his eyes as he gazed at the three outstanding young women.
"Hmph! Even with Young Miss showing interest in him, he's still out chasing skirts? He's not worthy of her!" Gu Shan snorted coldly, his tone laced with grievance and disdain.
The white-haired old man and the black-robed elder exchanged glances but said nothing. Though they shared some of Gu Shan's discomfort, they kept their thoughts to themselves.
After all, what kind of position did Xun Er hold within the Gu Clan? She was a goddess in the hearts of countless members. It was already hard to accept that Xiao Hua had won her heart, but to see him surrounded by two more beauties—wasn't that too much?
Even so, they held their tongues. Since Young Miss herself had accepted the situation without raising a fuss, what right did they have to speak?
Moreover, they had witnessed it with their own eyes—Xiao Hua receiving punishment without resistance, enduring great pain and injury. Though his unique flames allowed him to recover swiftly, the suffering he endured wasn't something he could have faked.
Even Su Qian and the two Protectors felt quite awkward when they heard the conversation of Gu Shan and the others. They knew how powerful the Gu Clan is and was feeling quite embarrassed that Xiao Hua have done such things.
As the conversation unfolded in the distance, Xiao Hua paid it no mind. He calmly extended his hand, and five distinct flames—each a different color—rose from his palm. The moment they appeared, all sounds in the surroundings quieted, and every gaze turned toward him, drawn in by the solemn atmosphere of pill refinement.
Bang!
The five clusters of flame suddenly expanded, surging upward and forming five burning clouds above Xiao Hua's head. Each flame blazed with its own unique hue, painting the sky with a breathtaking array of colors—beautiful, yet awe-inspiring.
"What is that young man trying to do?" Gu Shan frowned slightly, unable to understand. While he was astonished that Xiao Hua possessed five Heavenly Flames, he couldn't help but feel puzzled. This… wasn't how high-tier alchemists usually began a refinement.
Shouldn't he summon his medicinal cauldron first before revealing his flames?
What's more, something about those five flames felt strange. Though there was clearly the presence of Heavenly Flames, each one also carried a force of lightning—domineering, powerful, and distinct. Not a single one of them was the same. Each lightning force seemed to have fused uniquely with its corresponding flame.
Even the aura of the flames was unlike the Heavenly Flames he knew. Their scent, their nature—everything felt off, as if they were born of some unknown origin despite their familiarity. Just what kind of flames and lightning powers had merged within that young man's body?
The same thoughts flashed through the minds of the white-haired old man and the black-robed elder. Even Su Qian and the two Guardians exchanged puzzled glances, unable to make sense of what they were seeing.
But such confusion was only natural for those unaware of the terrifying heat and destructive force of Xiao Hua's flames—so intense that no medicinal cauldron could contain them.
Then, just as doubt lingered in their eyes, the five clouds of flame suddenly surged together and merged, forming a five-colored medicinal cauldron before their stunned gazes. The cauldron was forged entirely from fire, hovering silently in front of Xiao Hua, pulsing with heat and power.
"Is he… planning to refine the pill using that cauldron made of flames?"
"This young man has frightening control over his fire… but using five Heavenly Flames to form a cauldron—does he not fear losing control mid-refinement?"
Worry and confusion flickered in the eyes of the white-haired elder and the black-robed old man. Even Su Qian and the two Guardians lowered their voices, beginning a quiet, serious discussion among themselves.
Xiao Hua's technique was beyond anything they had expected—bold, dangerous, and refined to a level they had rarely seen.
Even so, deep within Gu Shan's eyes, a flicker of astonishment and unease surfaced. Unlike the others, he had lived long enough to understand just how inconceivable Xiao Hua's actions were. To control Heavenly Flames to such a level—what kind of mastery over fire and Spiritual Strength was required?
But before long, he let out a cold, disdainful laugh. No matter how talented, the younger generation was still the younger generation. Always eager to show off, always doing pointless things…
Xiao Hua paid no attention to the old man's gaze. He simply flicked his finger lightly, his eyes calmly studying the flame cauldron he had forged.
A strand of flame quietly rose from within the cauldron.
Puff!
With a soft sound, the flame ignited and transformed—taking the shape of a blazing phoenix, its form elegant and fierce, reminiscent of the Immortal Fire Phoenix he had once seen in spiritual form. The fiery wings spread wide, dancing silently within the cauldron, illuminating Xiao Hua's calm expression with a flickering glow.
Xiao Hua drew in a deep breath and slowly closed his eyes. A cold breeze of serenity flowed through his mind, the tranquil energy of the Celestial Ancient Frost quietly filling his soul and calming his thoughts.
A moments later, his eyes snapped open.
He raised his hand, and a black-colored fruit appeared from his storage ring. Faint red veins ran across its surface, pulsing gently like lifeblood. A dense medicinal fragrance wafted from the fruit—thick and potent—spreading swiftly through the air until it reached Xun Er and the others in the distance.
Several of them were momentarily entranced, their minds drawn in by the fruit's powerful allure.
Then suddenly, Zi Yan, Queen Medusa, Xun Er, and even the three elders of the Gu Clan felt their bloodlines stir violently. A strange force awakened within them, as if their very essence longed to devour the fruit Xiao Hua held.
"T-This… What's happening?" Xun Er exclaimed softly, startled by the sudden surge within her Dou Di bloodline. She quickly circulated her Dou Qi to suppress the reaction, her expression turning serious.
The same reaction spread among the others. Alarmed by the explosive activity of their bloodlines, they too focused their strength to suppress the disturbance within their bodies.
It took them considerable effort to suppress the sudden surge within their bloodlines. Yet, even after calming their bloodline, they could still feel it—their yearning for the fruit Xiao Hua held, unable to forget its alluring presence.
However, Little Fairy Doctor, Su Qian, and the two Guardians merely exchanged glances, brows slightly furrowed. Unlike the others, they could not sense any unusual change within themselves. Xun Er and the rest's reaction clearly puzzled them.
"Could it be… that fruit is the legendary Bloodline Sovereign Fruit?" Gu Shan murmured, his voice tinged with disbelief and shock. He ignored the confused expressions of Little Fairy Doctor and the others as his gaze remained fixed on the fruit in Xiao Hua's hand.
"Elder Gu Shan, do you know why our bloodlines reacted so strongly to it?" The white-haired old man asked, a trace of fear in his voice as he looked toward the fruit with unease.
Gu Shan furrowed his brows deeply and remained silent for a long moment. Finally, he exhaled softly, suppressing the stirrings within his heart. His expression turned solemn as he spoke.
"I once came across an ancient record hidden deep within our clan. It mentioned a mysterious fruit said to possess the ability to refine and elevate the purity of one's bloodline upon consumption. That fruit… was named the Bloodline Sovereign Fruit."
He paused briefly, his tone growing heavier.
"What's even more astonishing is that it works on any bloodline—whether of magical beasts or even our bloodline, the Dou Di bloodline. None are exempt from its effects."
"What!?"
A chorus of shocked voices erupted from the group. Realization struck them like a bolt of lightning—no wonder their bloodlines had grown restless and violent the moment they inhaled the fruit's fragrance.
"The Bloodline Sovereign Fruit…" Gu Shan spoke slowly, his tone laced with weight. "Its veins determine its grade. Red is the lowest, orange the middle grade, and gold—gold is the highest and rarest. The one in that young man's hand… bears red-colored veins."
"Even so, it should have long vanished from this world. Countless ancient clans once relied on it when their bloodlines began to decline. But in the end, it only delayed the inevitable. One by one, they still fell to time…"
His voice was tinged with quiet resignation, as though recalling the fall of those once-glorious bloodlines.
"Then how does that young man possess a fruit thought to be extinct?" the black-robed old man asked, his brow furrowed deeply.
"This…" Gu Shan hesitated, disbelief flickering in his eyes as he stared at the fruit. "Even I cannot say for certain."
But even as he spoke those words, Gu Shan's gaze lingered on Xiao Hua. Deep within his heart, a strange emotion brewed—unease, awe, and a hint of something indescribable.
This youth… is not someone that can be easily measured.
Meanwhile, a quiet pride welled up in Xun Er's heart as she watched the reactions of those around her—most notably, Gu Shan.
She had always known there was something extraordinary about Xiao Hua. But even so, such things never swayed her heart. To her, he was the one she had chosen—the one to whom she had pledged her love. That promise had never once wavered, not even beneath the pressure of the clan's elders or the silent condemnation of those around her.
If Xiao Hua were ever to fall, then she too would follow him without hesitation.
And so, as she witnessed the disbelief and awe slowly replacing doubt in the eyes of the elders, she could not help the warmth that stirred within her. It brought her a quiet, dignified joy—not out of vanity, but because it marked a change. A subtle shift.
Perhaps Gu Shan would not stand beside her just yet. But even neutrality was enough. At the very least, he might no longer oppose her love for Xiao Hua.
As these thoughts flowed through her heart, her gaze gently swept toward Queen Medusa and Little Fairy Doctor. The three exchanged a glance, and a soft giggle escaped Xun Er's lips—light as a breeze, warm as sunlight. It was a laugh shared among kindred hearts, full of fondness and amusement. Clearly, they too felt the same.
'Sister Xun Er and the others… they're truly enjoying themselves watching those elders squirm…' Zi Yan blinked before letting out a quiet huff, shaking her head as if at a loss. Yet even she couldn't hide the slight curve of her lips. She understood it well—because even in her young heart, there was pride.
While the ladies were quietly enjoying themselves, Xiao Hua finally made his move.
With a calm flick of his hand, he brought out the Bloodline Sovereign Fruit. Then, with a sweep through the empty air before him—
Swoosh!
Countless medicinal ingredients surged out from his Storage Ring like a stream of light. In the blink of an eye, they gathered and floated above his head, forming a vast pile suspended in the air. At a glance, there were no less than a thousand rare ingredients.
The sheer number left the surrounding experts speechless.
Gu Shan's eyelid twitched violently. While the others may not recognize them all, his old eyes could. Nearly every single ingredient Xiao Hua had taken out was an exceptionally rare treasure—either born under incredibly specific and harsh conditions or long thought to be extinct.
'Just what kind of wealth does this damn brat possessed…?' Gu Shan cursed inwardly, his gaze fixed on the young man, who grew more unfathomable with every breath.
Xiao Hua paid no heed to their reactions. With a casual motion, his hand pressed down upon the air. A portion of the floating ingredients separated from the pile and obediently flew into the five-colored flame cauldron, where the blazing phoenix awaited.
One after another, the ingredients were consumed by the fire phoenix, its flames pulsing rhythmically with each refinement.
Above, the mountain of ingredients began to move in a graceful flow, forming a steady line in midair under Xiao Hua's precise control. Like a river of spiritual essence, they poured continuously into the cauldron.
Within mere minutes, a terrifying wave of medicinal energy surged from within the cauldron. Yet just as it reached the inner walls, it was forcibly suppressed—as though invisible, immovable barriers prevented even a single strand from escaping.
However, those with sharp perception could sense the terrifying energy surging within the cauldron. What shocked them even more was the realization that none of it was leaking outward—the fire cauldron was completely suppressing the rampaging energy within.
Their gazes fell upon the lean figure standing before the cauldron, eyes filled with disbelief and awe. Just how powerful must one's Spiritual Strength be to forge such a fire cauldron from Heavenly Flames and contain such a frightening energy storm within it?
"Elder Gu Shan… do you have any idea what kind of pill he is refining?" the white-haired old man finally asked, letting out a deep sigh.
Naturally, his question mirrored what everyone else was thinking. All eyes turned toward the elder who had recognized the Bloodline Sovereign Fruit.
Gu Shan's brows furrowed deeply as he delved into the recesses of his memory, combing through the ancient records of the Gu Clan. After a long moment, he could only shake his head with a quiet sigh.
"Unfortunately… the records never mentioned anything about the fruit being refined into a pill," he replied, his tone tinged with regret.
"With the fruit's immense value, it was almost always consumed directly. Those who obtained it would either absorb it at once or hide it away, unwilling to risk word spreading and drawing the attention of other ancient clans. Turning into a pill… even among the ancient records, there is no precedent."
The white-haired old man and the black-robed elder exchanged glances before nodding in silent agreement. As elders of the Gu Clan—one of the Eight Ancient Clans—they know about the fall of the most powerful ancient clan. Naturally, they understood the true value of the Bloodline Sovereign Fruit more than most.
They also understood why no record existed of it ever being refined into a pill. A fruit of such value could not be exposed to the world. The mere whisper of its possession would bring disaster, inviting the greed of other ancient clans.
Now, all they could do was wait patiently for the outcome of Xiao Hua's refinement. But within their hearts, a subtle shift had already begun. It was clear to them now—this young man before them was not merely a gifted member of the younger generation. He had already stepped into a realm where even elders like them could only look up with respect and awe.
'Perhaps… this is what the Young Miss saw in him all along…' Gu Shan thought with a slight trace of unease as his gaze drifted toward Xun Er.
She stood quietly, watching with a soft smile upon her lips. In that moment, she looked no different from a gentle wife basking in her husband's brilliance. But Gu Shan knew better—he knew the pride and strength that resided within her. Especially after awakening her divine Dou Di bloodline and inheriting the clan's highest honor: the rainbow-gold tattoo.
With a light sigh, Gu Shan turned his gaze back to Xiao Hua—the young man who, step by step, was stirring waves in his old heart. Even he could no longer deny it. His once unshakable stance… was beginning to change.
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