Within the secluded valley, an unending torrent of condensed energy surged violently, swirling in a massive vortex before pouring into the purple cocoon at its center.
It had been one full month since Xiao Yixian's successful breakthrough.
That day, the colossal energy vortex suddenly trembled before collapsing entirely, transforming into a towering pillar of energy that flooded straight into the purple cocoon.
The cocoon's hue deepened, its surface blooming with mysterious runes that pulsed with faint light, brimming with the breath of life as though something within was awakening.
The leaking streams of energy transformed into glimmering droplets of light that rained across the valley, nourishing the shrubs and weeds below — within moments, all vegetation grew wild and lush.
When the light rain faded, the valley returned to its tranquil state. Yet such extraordinary phenomena could hardly escape the notice of Liu Xi and Xiao Yixian.
---
Xiao Yixian rose to her feet and turned toward the pavilion. A delighted smile curved her lips. "This must be Zi Yan's doing. She's finally about to succeed in advancing!"
Liu Xi retracted his spiritual sense, shaking his head with a faint smile. "Not quite yet. She's still in the final stage of her transformation."
"Hiss—"
From Liu Xi's sleeve, a tiny serpentine head peeked out — Zi Ling, letting out cheerful hisses that seemed to echo her joy.
"I know, I know. You miss Zi Yan too, don't you?" Liu Xi chuckled, tapping Zi Ling's smooth little head.
The serpent leaned affectionately into his hand, rubbing its head against his palm like a cat. Over the past year, Liu Xi hadn't only improved his cultivation — he had also managed to train Zi Ling to be utterly obedient and affectionate toward him.
Xiao Yixian watched the scene, feeling oddly like an outsider. She too found the little snake beautiful, but no matter how she tried, Zi Ling refused to approach her.
"Young Master, your charm truly knows no bounds," Xiao Yixian teased. "Even a snake can't resist you."
Liu Xi raised a brow and smiled slyly. "Oh? Is Xian'er jealous?"
"Hmph, as if!" Xiao Yixian crossed her arms and snorted softly. "I'm far too magnanimous to be jealous of a snake."
Liu Xi's gaze deliberately lowered toward her chest, and his smile turned mischievous. "Well, that part I can definitely agree with. Magnanimous indeed."
Xiao Yixian's fair cheeks instantly flushed pink. She covered her chest with both arms, glaring at him before turning away in mock anger.
---
Time passed quietly in cultivation.
Half a month later, the purple cocoon — brimming with boundless life force — began to stir once more.
An ancient, oppressive aura slowly seeped out, tearing fine cracks across the cocoon's surface.
Brilliant violet light burst forth from the fractures, expanding rapidly until fissures covered the entire surface. Then—
Boom!
The cocoon exploded. A surge of dazzling purple radiance soared skyward, shattering the nearby pavilion into rubble.
Amid the glow, a tall, slender figure emerged — curvaceous and radiant, exuding a mature beauty that made both Liu Xi and Xiao Yixian stare in astonishment.
As the light dimmed, a voice as clear as a bell called out:
"Big Brother! Sister Xian'er!"
Xiao Yixian quickly darted forward, retrieving a robe from her storage ring and draping it over Zi Yan's shoulders. She scolded lightly, "Put this on, quickly! You'll make your brother's eyes pop out if you keep standing there like that!"
Before Zi Yan could respond, a faint emerald glow spread from her body, and before their eyes her tall form rapidly shrank — returning to the familiar figure of a little girl.
Her face crumpled in frustration. "Ugh, just when I finally grew up… this stupid Body Transformation Grass!"
The sudden change made Xiao Yixian blink in surprise, but she soon smiled softly. "You're adorable this way too. Everyone likes you more like this."
Zi Yan reluctantly pulled on the robe. It hung loosely on her small frame, and she pouted even more. "How am I supposed to look intimidating like this? Who's going to fear me now?"
Liu Xi approached with a laugh and cleared his throat. "That's easily fixed. As long as I can gather the right ingredients, I can refine a Body Transformation Pill for you."
Instantly, Zi Yan's expression brightened. "Big Brother's the best! Hehe… you do want me to grow up quickly, don't you?"
Xiao Yixian shot Liu Xi a withering look. 'Oh, you shameless man. You're not doing it for her — you're just drooling over her future figure.'
Truth be told, Liu Xi had indeed been struck by how stunning Zi Yan looked in her adult form. He couldn't deny a flicker of anticipation in his heart.
"Now that Zi Yan's broken through successfully, we should get moving. We've stayed here nearly a year," Liu Xi said, deftly changing the subject.
---
After tidying up the valley and retrieving the Green Lotus Platform and Ten Thousand Beast Cauldron into his storage ring, Liu Xi led Xiao Yixian and Zi Yan out of the imperial forbidden grounds.
Upon reaching the outer path near the royal city, they were immediately greeted by Princess Yao Ye. Once proud and striking, she now appeared somewhat haggard and weary.
Seeing the three emerge, her eyes lit up with relief and excitement. She quickly bowed deeply. "Master Liu, you've finally left seclusion! Only you can save the Jia Ma Empire now."
Liu Xi frowned slightly. "Save the Empire? What's happened?"
Yao Ye spoke hurriedly, her tone grave. "Half a year ago, the poison master army of the Chu Yun Empire, led by the Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate Master, Xie Shan, invaded our border. Those poison masters are extremely troublesome."
"For three months we barely held the line — until Grand Elder Jia Xingtian broke through to the Dou Zong realm. Once he emerged, he heavily injured Xie Shan and forced their army to retreat."
"So Jia Xingtian has advanced to Dou Zong, then." Liu Xi nodded thoughtfully. It wasn't unexpected; Jia Xingtian had been a peak Dou Huang for years, and with the help of the Zong Breaking Pill, his breakthrough was inevitable.
Yao Ye's expression darkened. "Yes, but that victory provoked Xie Shan's true master — the Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate's hidden ruler, a Dou Zong powerhouse named Xie Bi Yan. He's even stronger than Grand Elder Jia. Once he appeared, the Chu Yun Empire's army returned with renewed ferocity."
"Even with Hai Bodong, President Fa Ma, and the surviving members of the Yunlan Sect fighting together, we barely managed to hold them back."
Liu Xi's eyes narrowed. The situation made sense. With Xiao Yixian never becoming the Heavenly Poison Woman, the Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate had risen unchecked in the Chu Yun Empire. And behind them… likely lurked the influence of the Hall of Souls — remnants of the troubles he had stirred at Yunlan Mountain.
Yao Ye hesitated, then added bitterly, "To make matters worse, the Luo Yan Empire and the Mulan Empire have begun to stir as well. Both are powerful — each led by a formidable force. The Luo Yan Empire has the Gold Geese Sect, whose Sect Master, Yan Luotian, is a Dou Zong. The Mulan Empire is protected by the Three Mulan Elders — peak Dou Huang experts known for their joint beast-fusion technique that grants them Dou Zong-level strength."
"Their armies are already gathering at our borders. Thankfully, you've returned, or I would have had no choice but to beg you to come out personally."
(End of Chapter)
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