Liu Ling's current cultivation had reached the level of a 6 Star Dou Grandmaster.
Accompanying him was also an Amethyst Winged Lion Cub, whose strength had broken through to the Fourth Tier.
In a remote city like Stone Desert City, this level of power was more than enough to dominate.
As long as he didn't encounter any powerful Snake-Human Race experts, he could essentially guarantee his own safety.
Gu He pondered for a moment. The only flaw this disciple had was in his dou techniques.
Although Liu Ling had mastered a high-level Mysterious-Class dou technique, in Gu He's eyes, it still seemed somewhat inadequate for the grand stage.
However, Liu Ling's true advantage lay in his soul power.
Not only had he cultivated the Seventh-Tier Soul Power Secret Method—Wraith Art, but he had also mastered two soul-based secret arts: Soul Search Technique and Soul Devouring Technique.
After a brief contemplation, Gu He spoke to Liu Ling, "Come, kneel before your teacher."
Liu Ling was momentarily stunned upon hearing this, but then realization dawned upon him, igniting a spark of excitement in his eyes.
'Could it be… is the teacher about to bestow an empowerment upon me?'
Without hesitation, Liu Ling swiftly stepped forward and obediently knelt before Gu He.
Placing his palm atop Liu Ling's Celestial Spirit Cap, Gu He focused his mind and activated the Empowerment, transferring the Advanced-level Earth-Class dou technique—Vermilion Bird Seal directly into Liu Ling's consciousness.
Although the Vermilion Bird Seal was a product of the system, passing it to Liu Ling wouldn't trigger the Ten-Thousandfold Return effect.
But given Liu Ling's impending journey, this was a necessary precaution.
Before Liu Ling could react, an overwhelming surge of information flooded his mind.
His expression flickered with shock, but he quickly steadied himself, focusing intently to absorb the vast knowledge being imparted.
After a short while, Liu Ling had fully assimilated the technique.
"Vermilion Bird Seal—an advanced Earth-Class dou technique!"
Recalling the details of the technique, Liu Ling's eyes widened in disbelief, his body trembling with exhilaration.
'An advanced Earth-Class dou technique!'
'The teacher actually bestowed something of this level upon me!'
Born into a noble family, Liu Ling understood the immense value of an Earth-Class dou technique.
After all, even the entire Misty Cloud Sect couldn't boast of possessing one!
Yet now, his teacher had casually granted him such a treasure.
Originally, Liu Ling had harbored some resentment toward Gu He for sending him alone into the Tagore Desert for training.
But now, all he felt was shame and overwhelming gratitude.
'Teacher did this for my own growth, and yet I dared to resent him!'
'Liu Ling… Liu Ling…'
'How could you be so ungrateful?!'
Tears welled up in his eyes as he clenched his fists, wishing he could slap himself for his earlier thoughts.
"Teacher… this disciple…" Liu Ling's voice trembled with emotion.
Gu He frowned and reprimanded sharply, "Sniveling like a child—how disgraceful!"
Liu Ling flinched, hastily standing up and swallowing his words.
Truthfully, Gu He understood just how earth-shattering an advanced Earth-Class dou technique was to someone like Liu Ling.
After all, even he had been ecstatic when he first obtained the Vermilion Bird Seal.
With a slightly gentler tone, Gu He advised, "The Vermilion Bird Seal is immensely powerful, but it consumes a tremendous amount of dou qi. Only use it in life-or-death situations."
Liu Ling nodded solemnly. "This disciple understands."
Next, Gu He retrieved a jade vial from his Spatial Ring and handed it to Liu Ling.
"This is called the Longevity Pearl. It contains potent life energy. If you suffer grave injuries during your training, consume it to recover."
Silently accepting the vial, Liu Ling's gratitude deepened even further.
Gu He waved his hand dismissively. "Enough. Step back for now."
Then, his gaze shifted to the Little Fairy Doctor
.
"Xian'er, come forward."
Obediently, the Little Fairy Doctor stepped before Gu He.
"Xian'er, your constitution is extraordinary. As your teacher, I have prepared a suitable place for your training—the Chu Yun Empire."
"The Chu Yun Empire?!"
Before the Little Fairy Doctor could react, Liu Ling and Nalan Yanran behind her gasped in shock.
Though they had never left the Jia Ma Empire, they were well aware of the neighboring nations—and the Chu Yun Empire was infamous.
It was a land that instilled fear in the hearts of many, and for good reason.
The Chu Yun Empire was home to the largest concentration of poison masters on the continent.
Mention of a poison master alone was enough to evoke disgust and wariness in most people.
Their methods were sinister, unpredictable, and ruthlessly lethal, making them universally dreaded.
No wonder Liu Ling and Nalan Yanran were so stunned by Gu He's decision.
Nalan Yanran's lips parted slightly, wanting to protest—but recalling Gu He's earlier sternness, she swallowed her words.
In contrast, the Little Fairy Doctor only froze for a moment before her eyes lit up with joy.
She was acutely aware of her own unique physique.
To others, the Chu Yun Empire might be a living nightmare, but to someone with the Woeful Poison Body, it was nothing short of paradise.
For her, it would be like a fish returning to water.
Without hesitation, she bowed. "This disciple obeys."
Gu He had not disclosed the nature of her Woeful Poison Body, so Liu Ling and Nalan Yanran remained unaware of the deeper implications.
Nodding in satisfaction, Gu He laid out her training objectives:
First: Reach the Dou King realm.
Second: Become a Fifth-Grade Alchemist.
Third: Gather a vast quantity of poisonous herbs and venomous insects.
The Little Fairy Doctor listened calmly, recognizing that these tasks were well within her capabilities.
Currently, her cultivation had already reached the Nine-Star Dou Grandmaster stage.
Though the Dou King realm seemed distant, her Erosion Poison Body granted her a unique advantage—with sufficient poisonous resources, breaking through would be swift.
As for becoming a Fifth-Grade Alchemist, she was already a Fourth-Grade Alchemist, and with Gu He's Sixth-Grade Alchemist inheritance, advancing further wouldn't be difficult.
Collecting poisonous materials?
With enough strength, that was hardly an issue.
While the Little Fairy Doctor remained composed, Nalan Yanran and Liu Ling exchanged uneasy glances.
'Dou King realm… Fifth-Grade Alchemist…'
'Wasn't this mission far too demanding?'
Compared to the Little Fairy Doctor's trials, Liu Ling suddenly felt his own ordeal in the Snake-Human territories wasn't so bad after all.
…
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