Liu Xi's main goal in coming to Qingshan Town wasn't simply to restock on herbs—it was the Heavenly aFlame Fragment Map. Ranked third on the Heavenly Flame Index, the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame possessed an allure impossible to resist for anyone aspiring to reach the peak of the Dou Qi Continent.
The Blood Lotus Essence he had purchased earlier was merely a bonus. Finding it so easily pleased him, though it wasn't enough to stir deep emotion.
Within the Ten Thousand Herb Pavilion, Liu Xi had found nothing beyond the Blood Lotus Essence that was worth taking note of. Once he obtained it, he quietly left the shop.
The sun was still high, so he visited several other apothecaries in town. A few yielded some forgotten, low-value herbs—mostly 3rd or 4th-grade materials—not particularly rare, but better than nothing.
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After visiting every medicinal shop in Qingshan Town, Liu Xi made his way to the finest inn in the area and requested an upper suite.
The service was excellent. One word of command, and the attendant soon brought in steaming hot water.
Liu Xi sank into the wooden tub, letting the heat ease the weariness from his body. When the water began to cool, he lazily extended a finger. A faint azure flame danced at his fingertip, radiating gentle heat. Within moments, the water bubbled to a boil once more.
Practical daily uses of Heavenly Flame—Lesson One.
"Ahh… comfortable," Liu Xi sighed contentedly, surrounded by swirling steam.
When the water eventually cooled again, he rose, the Dou Qi within his body surging to evaporate every lingering drop of moisture from his skin. Pulling on a fresh white robe, he sat cross-legged on the Green Lotus Platform and began cultivating.
Cultivation was like rowing against the current—if one did not advance, one would fall behind. This diligence was the hallmark of every true powerhouse.
Soft azure light shimmered from the lotus seat, condensing the surrounding Heaven and Earth energy into a faint mist that hovered around him. As he entered his cultivation state, the mist flowed into his meridians, refined into pure Dou Qi.
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By the time dawn broke, Liu Xi slowly opened his eyes. His deep gaze flickered with mild frustration—the improvement he sensed was barely noticeable, even with the assistance of the Green Lotus Platform.
"Still so little progress," he muttered, standing and dressing. After washing up, he recalled the lotus platform into his ring. "Seems I'll have to explore the Magic Beast Mountain Range myself. That treasure cave… shouldn't be too hard to find, right?"
He left the inn and headed toward the direction where Xiao Yixian and her mercenary party had returned the day before—the entrance leading into the vast Magic Beast Mountain Range.
At the town's outskirts, dozens of mercenaries were already gathered in small groups, calling out to lone wanderers.
The deeper regions of the mountains teemed with cunning beasts adept at ambush. Traveling alone was nearly suicide—those wounded or poisoned rarely made it back alive.
Or rather, they didn't make it back at all—only to end up as a beast's meal.
When Liu Xi arrived, several mercenary squads invited him to join them. He politely declined. His destination was far too dangerous—these mere Dou Zhe-level mercenaries would be torn apart within minutes.
Under their stunned gazes, Liu Xi simply walked past them and entered the dense forest alone.
"Did I see that right? That guy's not even carrying a weapon or armor! Is he seriously walking into the Magic Beast Mountain Range like that?"
"What a waste—he looks like some noble's pampered young master. I was just about to invite him to join us, too!"
"Forget it. Those types never listen until they've learned a painful lesson!"
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The moment Liu Xi stepped into the forest, he unleashed his Spiritual Power, spreading his senses in all directions—alert for hidden predators while simultaneously scanning for rare herbs… and the legendary cave.
"In my memory, that cave was hidden beneath a cliff," he murmured with amusement. "Hah, fits the usual 'fateful encounter' cliché perfectly."
But the Magic Beast Mountain Range stretched endlessly, peaks upon peaks disappearing into the clouds. Finding one cave among thousands of cliffs was no easy task.
Suddenly—whoosh!
A flash of cyan light shot from Liu Xi's fingertip, striking a shadow that had lunged from the treetops. With a dull bang, the creature—a 3rd Rank Rainbow Serpent—burst apart, scattering blood and scales across the undergrowth.
The serpent's venom was potent, and its multicolored body allowed it to blend seamlessly with the foliage. Within the outer region of the range, it was one of the most dangerous ambushers.
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"Three days already," Liu Xi muttered, brows furrowed. "Xiao Yan found the mysterious cave so easily—why can't I even locate a clue? Maybe I've gone too deep. I should check the outer cliffs again."
Taking a glance down at the lush forest below, he exhaled. Then, with a light tap of his foot, his body shot forward, streaking through the forest like a phantom as he began retracing his path.
Four hours later, nearing the outer region, Liu Xi's sharp senses caught movement—a mercenary party advancing deeper into the mountains. Among them, he detected a familiar presence—Xiao Yixian.
Intrigued, Liu Xi shifted direction and quietly followed.
Ten minutes later, he saw her clearly—the girl in a white dress, leading a group of nearly fifty mercenaries.
Compared to Liu Xi's speed, their progress was painfully slow. Even a single 1st Rank beast forced them into drawn-out battles.
Liu Xi didn't mind. As he trailed them unseen, he mused, 'Interesting. They're heading deeper in, yet the beasts around here are all so weak…'
By early afternoon the next day, Xiao Yixian called for a rest. Though the mercenaries were puzzled, they agreed immediately.
Moments later, Xiao Yixian quietly slipped away alone, disappearing into a small thicket.
Liu Xi hesitated only briefly before following. Through his Spiritual perception, her position never left his awareness.
Passing through the dense foliage, he soon spotted her—kneeling at the edge of a cliff before a pale white bud, murmuring softly as the breeze carried her voice to his ears.
"When will you ripen, little White Orchid Fruit? Xiao Lan loves eating you… I can't let any beast snatch you first."
Liu Xi's gaze sharpened. The cliff, the flower—it all matched the description of the mysterious cave he sought. His heart stirred with excitement as he extended his Spiritual Power downward.
Within moments, his perception touched upon a creature coiled tightly against the cliff wall—a long, flat-bodied serpent camouflaged perfectly against the stone. A Rock Serpent.
Behind it, concealed beneath weeds and fallen branches, lay the faint outline of a cave entrance.
A grin tugged at Liu Xi's lips. "Heh, found it. Seems fate does favor the prepared—though a little luck never hurts."
(End of Chapter)
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