"Since you've successfully learned both Dou Techniques, you can continue practicing them," Xiao Tian said to the Little Fairy Doctor.
"Then what are you going to do?" she asked curiously.
"To…" Xiao Tian paused for a moment.
"To what?" Little Fairy Doctor tilted her head in confusion.
"Cough, cough. I'm going to refine some medicine," Xiao Tian replied with a light cough.
"Can I watch you refine medicine? I've never seen alchemy before."
"You can, but when I start, you must remain completely quiet and not make any sound. Alchemy cannot be disturbed, or the entire batch of pills will be ruined."
Little Fairy Doctor happily made a zipping gesture over her lips. "I promise I won't make a single sound. I'll just watch quietly."
Xiao Tian led her to a nearby cliff beside the dense forest and carved out a simple cave with a wave of his hand. Once both were inside, he sealed the entrance, leaving only a small air vent.
He sat cross-legged in the center of the cave while Little Fairy Doctor stood quietly about five body lengths away.
With a thought, a half-human-tall medicine cauldron appeared on the ground before him. The cauldron was predominantly fiery-red, adorned with intricate carvings of erupting volcanoes. It radiated a violent, domineering aura that reflected its immense power.
Little Fairy Doctor's eyes lit up with fascination. "It's so beautiful… Can I touch it?"
"Go ahead."
She reached out and gently stroked the surface. "It feels so warm, like warm jade. It's incredibly comfortable. What kind of cauldron is this? It feels so magical."
"This is the Mountain Melting Cauldron," Xiao Tian explained with a smile. "It ranks on the Heavenly Cauldron List."
"Heavenly Cauldron List?"
Seeing her confusion, Xiao Tian patiently explained, "The Heavenly Cauldron List ranks the thirteen most powerful medicine cauldrons on the Dou Qi Continent. Each one possesses unique mystical properties that alchemists dream of. Most importantly, these cauldrons can greatly increase the success rate of pill refinement."
Little Fairy Doctor's eyes sparkled with admiration as she looked at the cauldron. "Even Pill King Gu He would drool over this. You're incredibly lucky — you have a unique flame and such a precious cauldron. It's like you're favored by the heavens themselves. But you must be careful. Don't flaunt your wealth, or others might covet it."
Touched by her genuine concern, Xiao Tian smiled and nodded.
"I'm about to begin refining. Please step back a little."
Little Fairy Doctor obediently moved to the side and waited in silence.
Xiao Tian waved his hand, and a large pile of poisonous herbs appeared to his right. After sorting them carefully, he placed his palm over the cauldron's fire-entry point and activated his Fallen Heart Flame. The unique flame instantly surged into the cauldron.
He controlled the flame with precision, steadily heating the furnace. Then, he tossed all the medicinal ingredients inside. Under the intense heat of the Fallen Heart Flame, the herbs quickly turned into powder and liquid. Xiao Tian carefully adjusted the temperature, allowing the components to fuse perfectly.
Once the medicinal liquid formed a large mass, he divided it into smaller portions. After continuous scorching, the liquid gradually condensed into shiny black poisonous pills.
Xiao Tian opened the cauldron lid, withdrew his flame, and guided the finished pills into a jade box in his hand.
He closed the box and tossed it to Little Fairy Doctor, who caught it carefully with both hands.
Without pausing, Xiao Tian summoned his flame again and began refining the remaining ingredients, his fingers dancing elegantly as he controlled the temperature with masterful precision.
Little Fairy Doctor watched his focused expression, then looked down at the jade box in her hands. A sweet, joyful smile bloomed on her face, her slightly upturned lips filled with pure happiness.
About half an hour later, Xiao Tian extracted a purple-black elixir, placed it into a jade bottle, extinguished his flame, and stored the cauldron away.
Seeing him finish, Little Fairy Doctor walked over, gently wiped the sweat from his face with a handkerchief, and asked curiously, "What kind of elixir is this? It smells so fragrant. It's amazing that something made from poison can smell this good."
"This is the Purple Fiend Poison Spirit Pill, a fourth-grade elixir," Xiao Tian explained. "Taking it can help you break through two or more realms at once. Eat it now. I'll guard you."
Little Fairy Doctor took the jade bottle, poured out the pill, and swallowed it without hesitation.
The moment the pill entered her body, a violent purple poisonous mist erupted around her, spreading rapidly. Xiao Tian quickly surrounded himself with his Fallen Heart Flame to block the mist.
The poisonous fog soon filled the entire cave, yet it dared not approach the small area around Xiao Tian.
A quarter of an hour later, Little Fairy Doctor's body trembled. She gradually absorbed the poisonous mist back into herself. Her cultivation realm rose steadily until it stabilized at the Four-Star Dou Master level.
Once the mist disappeared, Xiao Tian withdrew his protective flame and smiled. "Congratulations on breaking through to Four-Star Dou Master."
Little Fairy Doctor ran over and hugged him tightly, planting a happy kiss on his cheek. "Thank you, Xiao Tian."
"Haha, with that box of small poisonous pills plus the ones I gave you before, once you finish them all, you should reach around Eight-Star Dou Master," Xiao Tian said, assessing her condition. "But you must take them slowly. If you rush, it can damage your foundation and destabilize your realm. For the next few days, I'll train you thoroughly to help you solidify your foundation."
"Mhm, mhm. Then I'll be in your care," Little Fairy Doctor replied obediently.
In the dense forest.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
The crisp sound of a branch striking flesh echoed continuously.
"Too slow! Speed up! And connect your Dou Techniques better. Your vines are too sluggish — if they're not fast enough, how can you trap an enemy? They won't just stand still and wait for you!"
Xiao Tian's mouth never stopped giving instructions while the branch in his hand repeatedly broke through her techniques, striking various parts of her body.
The two had been sparring intensely in the forest for three full days.
Little Fairy Doctor's progress was remarkable. Even when Xiao Tian suppressed his cultivation to the peak of Nine-Star Dou Master, she could now hold her own against him.
"Alright, that's enough for today's training," Xiao Tian said, watching her clutch her backside. "Does it still hurt? Do you want me to rub it for you? My massage technique is ancestral — guaranteed to make you feel comfortable."
"Hiss… No need!" Little Fairy Doctor gently rubbed the sore spot and hissed in pain. "You can save your massages for yourself. You're doing this on purpose!"
"If I'm not a little strict, how will you improve?" Xiao Tian insisted, refusing to admit any wrongdoing. "Your Dou Qi is very stable now, and there won't be any more instability. We've been here for several days. Rest well tonight. Tomorrow, we'll head to a new place and begin a new journey."
"Mhm, mhm. I'll listen to you," Little Fairy Doctor said softly.
She had already made up her mind — wherever Xiao Tian went, she would follow. As long as he was by her side, the destination didn't matter.