Xiao Ling stood at the entrance of the courtyard, the sunlight filtering through the treetops, dappled onto his body.
He took a deep breath, the air still filled with the familiar fragrance of flowers and the faint scent of herbs.
His gaze passed through the fence and fell on the center of the courtyard.
There, beneath an ancient pine and cypress tree, a woman was pounding herbs in a poetic manner.
She was wearing a lavender gown with delicate orchids embroidered on the lapels, which swayed gently in the breeze like soft waves in spring.
Her long hair cascaded down to her waist, soft and shiny, gently tied up with a ribbon of the same color. A few strands of hair fluttered in the wind, framing her fair neck.
The sunlight filtered through the pine and cypress branches, dappled onto her body, creating a moving interweaving of light and shadow.
Her fingers were slender and long, and each time she pounded the herbs, she seemed so light and powerful, as if she were playing a silent melody.
The flowers and plants in the courtyard seemed to sense her presence, leaning towards her as if in homage to this beauty.
The air around her was filled with the faint fragrance of herbs, mingled with the scent of earth and pine needles, creating a tranquil and beautiful scene, one that will be unforgettable and forever etched in one's memory.
Little Medical Fairy seemed to sense Xiao Ling's gaze. She looked up, and their eyes met in mid-air.
A flicker of surprise flashed in her eyes, then gave way to an elusive smile. She stood up, gently brushed off the dust from her body, and walked towards Xiao Ling.
"Xiao Ling, you're back," her voice was soft, with a subtle tremor, as if masking her inner turmoil.
Xiao Ling nodded slightly, walked into the courtyard, and waved to Little Medical Fairy. "Xian'er, long time no see. Did you miss me while I was away?"
A blush crept onto Little Medical Fairy's face. She lowered her eyes, biting the corner of her lip lightly, as if hesitating how to respond.
After a moment, she raised her head, her eyes twinkling. A playful smile curved her lips, almost teasingly, as she whispered, "Xiao Ling, you're asking even though you already know the answer. How shameless!"
Her voice, though tinged with reproach, couldn't conceal the joy of reunion.
A faint smile crossed Xiao Ling's face. His voice was soft and magnetic, tinged with a subtle teasing. "How would I know if you've ever thought of me? But I must admit, I do sometimes think of you..."
Seeing Xiao Ling's figure in the courtyard, Qing Lin's eyes gleamed brightly, and her mood instantly brightened.
As if drawn by an invisible force, she ran briskly to Xiao Ling's side, her face brimming with unconcealable joy.
"Master Xiao Ling, you're finally back!" Qing Lin's voice was crisp and energetic. She practically leaped towards Xiao Ling, her eyes glittering like stars.
Xiao Ling nodded slightly, and a warm feeling welled up in his heart as he looked at Qing Lin's face.
He reached out and gently patted Qinglin's head, his eyes filled with kindness and fondness.
"Yes, Qinglin, I'm back."
Xiao Ling's gaze lingered on Qinglin for a moment, noticing the changes in her.
The girl before him had become even more graceful. Her long hair flowed down to her waist like a cascade of emerald green, each strand seeming to gleam with life in the sunlight.
Her eyes were like the clearest lake water on a spring day, lush green, exuding a purity untouched by dust.
She wore an elegant dress, the fabric as light as clouds, the color the tender green of willow buds emerging in early spring. Her skirt swayed gently in the breeze, as if she had stepped out of a painting.
The delicate golden embroidery on her dress, like the mottled shadows of sunlight on green leaves, added a touch of nobility and liveliness to her.
Her skin was whiter than snow, like the finest mutton-fat jade, with a faint luster. She was tall and well-proportioned, and every movement exuded elegance and naturalness.
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, the once childish and timid girl had transformed into a young lady of unparalleled beauty.
The tempering of time not only endowed her with a graceful figure, but also precipitated a hint of maturity and unwavering faith in her clear eyes.
Qinglin felt the warmth from Xiao Ling's palm, and the warmth flowed through her hair and into her heart. She lowered her head shyly, but did not dodge, instead gently snuggled into the warmth.
With Xiao Ling's return, the atmosphere in the courtyard became more lively. Xiao Yixian and Qinglin sat around Xiao Ling, their eyes full of curiosity.
Xiao Yixian opened her red lips, breaking the silence. "Xiao Ling, how do you feel about swallowing the strange fire this time? What changes have you experienced? Are you injured?"
Xiao Ling looked at the two girls before him, his eyes gleaming with a gleam of light, his voice filled with unconcealed excitement.
"Not only did I successfully swallow the strange fire, but my cultivation has also made a qualitative leap. Now, I have reached the Dou Zong realm." Xiao Ling's words shone with pride and determination.
Xiao Yixian and Qinglin's eyes lit up with surprise at this good news.
Dou Zong is a high level that cultivators aspire to. Even in the teeming Zhongzhou, where powerful cultivators abound, one can establish a sect, and in the Northwest Continent, one is among the strongest.
Qinglin couldn't contain her excitement and blurted out, "Young Master Xiao Ling, you are truly amazing. You are always so outstanding. I am so envious." Her tone was full of girlish emotion, a mixture of admiration and joy.
Hearing this, Xiao Ling looked at the two women with a smile, his tone full of encouragement: "Haha, sooner or later you will be able to reach my current level. Dou Zong is just a starting point for you."
In Xiao Ling's opinion, Xiao Yixian and Qing Lin's cultivation had made a significant leap compared to before he stepped into the underground magma world.
Xiao Yixian has now ascended to the Dou Huang realm, thanks to the various poisons provided by her financial sponsor, Xiao Ling, which she was able to devour and refine. Her cultivation has rapidly improved, as if she were eating or drinking water.
If Xiao Ling and Yao Chen hadn't intentionally controlled Xiao Yixian's poison intake, and given the limited supply of poisons in the Black Horn Territory, Xiao Yixian's cultivation would likely have already reached Dou Zong.
As for Qinglin, aided by the Green Snake's Three Flower Pupils and various elixirs, while her current cultivation level isn't as high as Xiao Yixian's, she has firmly reached the realm of a beginner Dou Wang.
During Xiao Ling's retreat, she even tamed two sixth-rank snake monsters. With these serpent pets and the unique abilities of the Green Snake's Three Flower Pupils, she can easily handle even ordinary Dou Zongs.
Xiao Ling's gaze slowly swept over the two beautiful girls, his eyes revealing deep relief:
"You have worked hard during this period. During the days I was away, you still persisted in practicing hard. This kind of perseverance and effort is very rare."
The Little Medical Fairy shook her head gently, a faint smile on her lips, and said, "This is not hard work. My progress is inseparable from the valuable resources you provided and the careful guidance of Senior Yao Chen. On the contrary, you have just broken through to the Dou Zong realm and need to consolidate your foundation even more."
Qing Lin also nodded in agreement: "Indeed, Young Master Xiao Ling. Although a breakthrough is a happy event, you cannot let your guard down. Only by consolidating your realm can you go further on the road ahead."
Xiao Ling smiled slightly, "Well, don't worry, I know my limits when it comes to cultivation. By the way, where are Senior Sisters Zi Yan and Han Yue? Why can't I see them?"
Not long after entering the courtyard, Xiao Ling used his soul perception to carefully explore, but there was no trace of Zi Yan and Han Yue in the courtyard or even the surrounding area.
The little medical fairy smiled, a playful gleam in her eyes, and she jokingly said, "Zi Yan, that girl, couldn't hold back when she heard the news that there was a "Dragon Scale Fragrant Fruit" in the Magic Beast Mountains. She was still tinkering with medicinal herbs here this morning, and she disappeared in the blink of an eye."
"I heard that she got the news from a student, and her curiosity got the better of her, so she hurried to the Magic Beast Mountains to look for treasure."
Qing Lin covered her mouth with her hands and chuckled, then continued, "That's right, Senior Sister Han Yue was worried that she would be in danger alone, so she followed her. The two of them, one is impatient and loves adventure, and the other is always worried and always accompanies each other. They
are really a good pair." After hearing this, Xiao Ling showed a knowing smile on his face: "Haha, the Dragon Scale Fragrant Fruit is indeed an irresistible temptation for dragon-type magic beasts like Zi Yan. She must be eager to try it. Since they have been setting out for so long, they must be returning with a full load."
The little medical fairy nodded in agreement, and her tone revealed her concern for her two friends: "Indeed, with Senior Sister Han Yue and "Zi Yan shouldn't do anything too risky. Let's wait patiently; they might already be on their way back."
Qing Lin followed suit, "Yes, they'll definitely bring back many interesting things when they return. I'm really looking forward to it."
Xiao Ling's face lit up with a relieved smile. He nodded gently, his tone calm, "Since they know their limits, there's no need to worry too much. Speaking of which, I did encounter some unusual things while I was in seclusion on the bottom floor of the Tianfen Qi Training Tower. I'll tell you all about them when they return."
He paused slightly, then continued, "But there's another senior I'd like to introduce you to."
Hearing these words, Qing Lin and Little Medical Immortal instantly piqued their interest, casting curious glances at Xiao Ling.
Xiao Ling smiled faintly, extended his hand, and whispered a few words to the snow-white ring on his finger. Then, a flash of light emanated from the ring in his hand.
As the light faded, an elderly man with a somewhat rounded figure but a rather extraordinary aura appeared before Xiao Ling.
This person was Venerable Skyfire. Though only in spirit form, his calm demeanor and penetrating gaze made him formidable.
Upon his appearance, Venerable Skyfire gave Xiao Ling a slight nod, then glanced around and said with some emotion, "After all these years, I've finally escaped from that damned place."
Xiao Ling smiled and replied with a carefree tone, "Haha, congratulations, Senior Skyfire."
He then turned his gaze to Xiao Yixian and Qinglin and continued, "This senior's name is Yao Tianhuo, known to the world as Venerable Skyfire. I stumbled upon him in the underground magma world and helped him escape. Incidentally, Senior Skyfire was the previous owner of the Fallen Heart Flame." As
Xiao Ling finished his words, a flicker of awe crossed Xiao Yixian's and Qinglin's eyes.
On the Dou Qi Continent, Douzun masters are admired by countless cultivators, their names often carrying a legacy.
Glancing at each other, the two women almost simultaneously bowed to Venerable Skyfire, respectfully calling out, "Junior greets Senior Skyfire."
However, although Little Medical Immortal and Qinglin were surprised by Venerable Skyfire's strength in his lifetime, they quickly adjusted their mindsets.
After all, they already had someone like Yao Chen by their side, an eighth-grade alchemist who had reached the pinnacle of Dou Zun. This was enough to allow them to maintain a calm attitude towards other powerful individuals.
Venerable Skyfire nodded slightly, smiling as he accepted the two's greetings. "No need for formalities. You are all Xiao Ling's companions, and therefore my friends."
He then glanced around, examining Xiao Yixian and Qinglin. He smacked his lips and said with a smile, "Xiao Ling, you are truly blessed. Not only are you exceptionally gifted, but your companions are also exceptionally gifted, achieving such high levels of cultivation at such a young age."
"Green Serpent Triple Flower Pupils, and the Bitter Poison Body—such rare physiques, to be found together, truly open my eyes!"
Xiao Yixian and Qinglin smiled modestly at the praise from Venerable Skyfire, but didn't pursue the topic.
They were accustomed to such praise, and it didn't stir their hearts. Moreover, with the even more extraordinary Xiao Ling by their side, they felt their own talents were merely ordinary by comparison.
Venerable Skyfire smiled and said, "Alright, there's no need to be so modest. Although I'm only in spirit form, I'm deeply honored to be able to communicate with young people like you. You have extraordinary potential. It's only a matter of time before you reach my past cultivation level. Even surpassing me is quite possible."
His gaze lingered on Little Medical Immortal for a moment, a puzzling look flashing in his eyes, but he quickly concealed it. No one except Xiao Ling noticed the subtle change.
Turning around, Venerable Skyfire looked at Xiao Ling. "Xiao Ling, my friend, are you ready to proceed with the method of restoring my spirit power? I'm exhausted from all this travels."
Xiao Ling gave a slightly embarrassed smile. Ever since leaving the Skyburn Qi Training Tower, he'd been so busy that he'd forgotten to help Venerable Skyfire restore his spirit power.
"Hehe, don't worry, Senior. I'll immediately refine a spirit power-restoring elixir for you. By the way, I have someone I'd like to introduce you to later. I'm sure you'll have a great conversation."
(End of Chapter)