"Let me check your injuries and change the dressing."
Yun Yun, who had been resting with her eyes closed, slowly opened them. "Mm… thank you for your trouble."
Xiao Tian helped her sit up. After a careful examination, he confirmed there were no signs of infection or deterioration. He applied a fresh layer of medicinal powder, wrapped the wound with clean cotton cloth, and gently helped her put her clothes back on.
"Your injury is recovering well," he said. "It should scab over by tomorrow, and you'll likely regain some mobility. Rest for now."
"Mm…" Yun Yun replied softly, her head lowered. Being seen by him again had left her face flushed with heat.
After settling Yun Yun comfortably, Xiao Tian removed the moonstone from the cave wall, plunging the interior into complete darkness.
Early the next morning, Yun Yun tested her body and found she could move a little. She propped herself up into a sitting position.
Looking around, she noticed Xiao Tian was not in the cave. Just as she was about to stand and look for him, he walked in carrying supplies.
"You're awake? It looks like your body is recovering quite well," he said with a smile.
"Where did you go?" Yun Yun asked.
"I went out to gather food. I found quite a lot this time, so we won't need to leave the cave for a while." Xiao Tian waved his hand, and seven or eight fresh fish along with dozens of crimson fruits appeared on the ground.
"You should eat some fruit first to settle your stomach." He set aside most of the supplies, leaving only seven or eight fruits and two fish. He handed a few of the crimson fruits to Yun Yun, then skewered the fish and placed them near the fire. After adding more firewood, he began roasting them.
Yun Yun slowly walked over and sat on a stone beside him, her fair, slender legs unintentionally revealed beneath the loose robe.
"This fire is quite bright," she remarked.
Noticing Xiao Tian staring at her legs, she quickly covered them with the robe and shot him a glare. "Are you still looking? The fish is burning."
Xiao Tian turned his head away and muttered under his breath, "You exposed them yourself, and now you won't let me look? It's not like I haven't seen the rest…"
"What did you say? I didn't hear clearly," Yun Yun asked, tilting her head.
"Nothing. I said the fish will be ready soon."
Xiao Tian focused on turning the skewers, sprinkling seasoning as he worked. The sizzling sound and fragrant aroma filled the cave.
When the fish was perfectly cooked, he placed the slightly smaller one in front of Yun Yun. "This one is for you."
Yun Yun took a small bite and her eyes lit up. "Your cooking is really good. It's delicious."
"If you like it, eat more," Xiao Tian replied casually while enjoying his own portion in large bites.
"Have you always lived in the Magical Beast Mountain Range?" Yun Yun asked after a moment.
"No. I only arrived here about two months ago for training — traveling around and gaining experience."
"Then… if you ever pass by the Cloud Mist Sect in the future, feel free to visit."
"We'll see," Xiao Tian said noncommittally. He finished his fish, tossed the bones near the fire, and took out a jade bottle, placing it beside her. "I'm going to cultivate for a while. Don't wander around. If you need to go out to bathe or clean yourself, sprinkle this medicinal powder along the way — it will mask your aura."
Xiao Tian moved to his usual meditation spot and activated the Heaven-Devouring Dreamweaver Art.
The moment the technique began, Dou Qi from heaven and earth surged toward him. His aura grew increasingly violent, climbing steadily toward a higher realm. A rudimentary Dou Qi armor formed around his body. His hair fluttered wildly as he focused entirely on compressing the liquid Dou Qi within his meridians into solid form.
Yun Yun, who had finished eating, returned to the stone platform and watched him cultivate. Her eyes gradually widened in shock.
Is he about to break through to Great Dou Master? He's only about seventeen years old!
"Success!"
Xiao Tian's aura finally stabilized. He exhaled a long breath and felt the unprecedented surge of power coursing through his body. "Finally… I can release Dou Qi externally. I'm no longer restricted by my physical limits."
"Congratulations on breaking through to Great Dou Master," Yun Yun said with genuine admiration. "Your talent is even more terrifying than I imagined."
"How long was I cultivating?" Xiao Tian asked.
"About a day."
"It actually took that long…" Xiao Tian pondered for a moment. Although the breakthrough had taken longer than expected, the subsequent fusion with spirit lightning would now be much simpler. Moreover, a Dou Crystal infused with spirit lightning would be significantly stronger. At this stage, he could even contend with a Nine-star Great Dou Master.
"Since you've finished cultivating, I feel relieved," Yun Yun said. "I… I want to take a bath."
"Remember to bring the aura-masking powder. Sprinkle it around the area before you wash, and again on the path back afterward."
About a minute later, Xiao Tian looked up and saw Yun Yun still standing in the same spot, looking conflicted and hesitant.
"What's wrong? Didn't you say you wanted to bathe?"
"I… I want you to watch the surroundings for me," Yun Yun said, her face turning crimson with nervousness. "I don't have much strength right now… and you can't peek."
Xiao Tian had wanted to refuse, but seeing the pleading look in her eyes, he eventually agreed.
When they reached the pond, Xiao Tian sat on a large rock some distance away and motioned for her to proceed. Yun Yun walked to the edge of the water, glanced back to make sure he couldn't see her, then slowly removed her robe and stepped into the pond.
Xiao Tian lay back on the rock, calmly sensing the surroundings with his Dou Qi, showing no intention of peeking.
"Ah!!"
A sudden painful groan echoed from the pond.
Xiao Tian sat up immediately. "What's wrong?"
"Something bit my foot… and I can't use any strength now," Yun Yun's weak voice replied.
Xiao Tian rushed over and found Yun Yun lying naked on the shallow edge of the pond. Fortunately, she had been washing near the shore, so there was no immediate danger of drowning.
He quickly scooped her up. The moment his hands touched her skin, he felt its incredible softness and smoothness, like the finest silk. It was almost impossible to let go.
Suppressing the distracting thoughts in his mind, Xiao Tian wrapped her in the robe and examined her left calf. Two small puncture wounds were visible, and the surrounding skin was already turning an alarming red.
"This was bitten by a snake-type magical beast, and the venom seems quite potent," he said. "Did you see what kind of snake it was?"
"It swam away into the water immediately. I didn't see it clearly… but it was gray. I feel… so hot right now."
Without hesitation, Xiao Tian picked her up, shattered the bottle of aura-masking powder with his Dou Qi to scatter it around them, and activated the World Piercer Niddle to rush back toward the mountain cave at full speed.
"Hot… I'm so hot…"