Xiao Tian said nothing and simply stored the Wings of the Eagle scroll away.
He then opened the third box. Inside lay another yellowed scroll.
"Profound High-Rank Dou Technique: Roaring Lion."
"Take this," Xiao Tian said casually, tossing the scroll to Little Fairy Doctor. "I have no use for it. If you learn it, it can serve as a powerful trump card and at least give you the ability to protect yourself."
Little Fairy Doctor caught the scroll carefully and looked at him with surprise. "You really don't want it? This is a Profound High-Rank Dou Technique. Outside, people would fight desperately over something like this, yet you treat it like trash."
"Everything useful has been taken. Let's go," Xiao Tian said, glancing around the now-empty stone chamber. "What are your plans after this?"
"I intend to return to Thousand Medicine House," Little Fairy Doctor replied.
Xiao Tian turned to look at her. "You're going back? The mercenaries who accompanied you and the Young Leader of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group are all dead. Aren't you afraid the Wolf Head's leader will seek revenge against you?"
"Once I return to Qingshan Town, I'll be safe," she said calmly. "The other two leaders of the three major mercenary groups owe me favors, and Master Yao, the owner of Thousand Medicine House, is a Dou Master. What about you?"
"Me?" Xiao Tian smiled faintly. "I plan to venture deeper into the Magical Beast Mountain Range. Let's head out first."
The two walked toward the cave entrance. After roughly ten minutes, they reached the opening.
Xiao Tian activated his Demon Lotus Wings once more. The magnificent pink wings unfolded behind him, glowing softly. "Come here. We'll fly straight up."
"Don't try anything funny," Little Fairy Doctor warned, though she still walked over and wrapped her arms around him.
"Hold on tight," Xiao Tian said, his arm naturally encircling her slender waist. With a flap of his wings, they shot upward along the cliff face.
The sound of rushing wind filled her ears. Little Fairy Doctor looked up at Xiao Tian's calm face, feeling the steady warmth of his body against hers. A strange flicker passed through her beautiful eyes.
When they reached the top of the cliff, Xiao Tian didn't stop. He continued flying in the direction of Qingshan Town. The route from the cliff to the town was mostly inhabited by low-tier magical beasts, so he wasn't concerned.
High above the forest, they soon reached the outer edge of the Magical Beast Mountain Range. Xiao Tian gradually descended and landed gracefully.
His hand, still resting on Little Fairy Doctor's waist, gave a gentle squeeze as he teased, "Aren't you going to let go? Or do you plan to hold on forever? If you like, I can carry you a bit longer."
Little Fairy Doctor's face flushed crimson. She quickly broke free from his embrace and stepped back in embarrassment. "Then… I'll go first. Take care of yourself."
"You're going the wrong way. Qingshan Town is over there," Xiao Tian pointed out with a smile.
"I… I know that!" she stammered. "I was just checking if there were any medicinal herbs in that direction. I'm leaving now!"
Watching the flustered Little Fairy Doctor hurry toward Qingshan Town with a blushing face, Xiao Tian shook his head and chuckled. The pink Demon Lotus Wings on his back flapped powerfully, lifting him back into the sky as he flew deeper into the Magical Beast Mountain Range.
Two months later, in a dense forest deep within the Magical Beast Mountain Range.
Xiao Tian stood in a tense standoff with a massive snake-like magical beast.
The third-tier Red Cloud Python opened its maw wide, venom dripping from its fangs, and lunged straight at him. Xiao Tian activated the World Piercer Needle, instantly teleporting several meters to the side.
The attack missed. Enraged, the python swung its powerful tail like a divine dragon sweeping its tail, smashing toward Xiao Tian. He gripped his long sword tightly and chopped downward with full force.
The immense impact forced him back more than ten steps, his arms going slightly numb. "This beast's strength is terrifying. It can attack with both head and tail, making it extremely difficult to defend against."
The Red Cloud Python's tail had nearly been severed by the sword. Maddened by pain, it raised its head, flicking its tongue with a menacing hiss. Its crimson eyes burned with even greater fury.
It spat out a stream of scorching venom, then slithered rapidly across the ground, closing in on Xiao Tian once more.
He dodged the venom nimbly. Although the Red Cloud Python was the weakest among third-tier magical beasts, its venom carried paralyzing and intensely hot properties. Even a four-star Great Dou Master would be on the verge of death if struck.
While Xiao Tian evaded the venom, the python had already reached him. Man and beast clashed violently, exchanging dozens of blows in an instant. Trees snapped and dust filled the air. Finally, the python's injured tail was completely severed.
Using the momentum from colliding with the beast's head, Xiao Tian soared into the air.
"I've figured out your strength. My training here is almost complete… and so is your role."
He held the long sword horizontally above his head. A layer of Dou Qi armor formed around his body as powerful energy poured into the weapon. With a mighty swing, he slashed diagonally downward.
A deep green crescent-shaped blade of energy, nearly ten feet long, erupted forth with overwhelming pressure, cutting toward the Red Cloud Python.
Sensing imminent death, the python opened its mouth and condensed a massive ball of red venom, launching it forward. The venom collided with the green crescent, but was instantly annihilated by the terrifying aura and lightning contained within the slash.
The green light passed straight through the Red Cloud Python, splitting its head and half its body in two. The slash continued downward, slamming into the ground with a deafening boom. Massive spiderweb-like cracks spread across the earth as the python's body exploded into pieces.
"May I ask what advice my friend in the tree has to offer?" Xiao Tian held his sword steady, his sharp gaze directed toward a large tree in the distance.
From that tree, a graceful figure in a light green and white dress flew out. Her long black hair was elegantly coiled atop her head, adorned with a phoenix hairpin. She held a slender sword in her hand, and a pair of vibrant green Dou Qi wings shimmered behind her.
The green figure slowly descended, landing gracefully three meters away from Xiao Tian.
Upon seeing her appearance and bearing clearly, Xiao Tian couldn't help but murmur in admiration:
"In the north, there is a beauty; peerless and independent…"
The woman in green radiated a dignified and elegant aura. Every movement she made exuded nobility and grace.
Looking at the person before him, Xiao Tian had already confirmed her identity. The wind-attributed Dou Qi, her Dou Huang strength, combined with such breathtaking beauty and noble temperament — there was only one person in the entire Jia Ma Empire who fit this description.
And she was one of his future targets.
"May I ask the esteemed guest's name and what brings you here?" Xiao Tian asked calmly as he dismissed his sword, his eyes fixed on the elegant woman in green.