Purple Sky City, Former Eight Gates Stronghold
In a secluded chamber, a shimmer of five-colored light faded, and Xiao Bai slowly opened his eyes.
Within his deep, dark pupils, two dragon-shaped shadows flickered briefly before vanishing. A faint dragon's roar echoed, low and resonant, like distant thunder.
Exhaling a breath of turbid air, Xiao Bai's face lit up with a trace of joy. He extended his right hand, his index finger lightly tapping the air in front of him.
Instantly, his fingertip seemed to ripple the surface of water, sending faint waves spreading outward in all directions.
"What a wondrous power of space!" Xiao Bai murmured to himself, delighted.
This time, thanks to the origin essence provided by Little Gold Dragon, not only had he successfully mastered a Dou Technique, but he had also gained an unexpected boon.
After refining that small cluster of essence, a strange insight had surged into his mind. Once he fully absorbed this revelation, his perception of the surrounding space became sharper, and he could even wield this power, albeit in a rudimentary way.
Due to his current strength, this spatial manipulation was still weak and seemingly insignificant for now. But Xiao Bai knew he had struck gold.
The difference between shattering space and controlling it is a chasm as vast as the heavens!
In the past, his physical strength could distort space with a full-force strike, but he had no true understanding of its nature. Time and space were always the most profound and mysterious laws. Time remained elusive, beyond his grasp.
But space? He had witnessed its marvels many times, often with a mix of curiosity and envy.
Such power was not easily attained. Aside from prodigies like Zi Yan, born with innate gifts, only those who reached a certain level of strength could wield it.
He hadn't expected this opportunity to glimpse its secrets, even if only a fragment. Compared to his previous cluelessness, this was a monumental first step.
"Take it slow," Xiao Bai thought, retracting his finger with a light chuckle. "This already puts me ahead of many who've just stepped into the Dou Zong realm!"
He recalled Yao Lao mentioning that, for Dou Zong cultivators without guidance from prestigious clans or sects, mastering even the basics of spatial power could take years of fumbling.
Standing up, Xiao Bai left the chamber. The sudden brightness outside made him squint.
"Xiao Bai gege!"
"Xiao Bai!"
Two voices, brimming with overwhelming joy, rang out.
Before he could react, two figures rushed forward, enveloping him in warm embraces, holding him tightly.
"Xun'er, Xian'er, what's wrong?"
Xiao Bai gently held the trembling forms in his arms, looking into their red-rimmed, teary eyes with confusion.
"Xiao Bai Gege!"
Xun'er lifted her gaze, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Her delicate hand reached up, softly tracing his face as if caressing a long-lost treasure. Choking back sobs, she whispered, "Xiao Bai gege… you're still here. That's all that matters!"
Her trembling voice carried boundless affection. In her tearful eyes, flecks of light reflected a mix of overwhelming relief and lingering fear.
Xiao Bai had never seen Xun'er like this. His heart ached as if it might shatter. He quickly wiped away the tears spilling from her eyes, soothing her gently.
Turning to Xiao Yi Xian, he saw the same tearful joy in her sparkling eyes.
"Good Xian'er, don't cry, don't cry!"
Xiao Bai felt a headache coming on, his mind swirling with confusion. Why were their emotions so intense? It was as if he had returned from the dead!
Didn't Xun'er have his soul imprint? Shouldn't that have reassured her of his safety?
Once the two calmed slightly, Xiao Bai voiced his curiosity.
"You still have the nerve to ask?"
Xun'er pulled away from his embrace, shooting him a resentful glare. With a flick of her wrist, a palm-sized, pitch-black jade tablet appeared in her hand.
"Look at this! Does this look like a normal soul imprint?"
"Hm?" Xiao Bai took the soul jade, examining the faint, flickering light within. Thoughtfully stroking his chin, he murmured, "Strange…"
"A normal imprint glows steadily," Xun'er said, her voice tinged with frustration. "But yours, Brother Xiao Bai? It pulses, bright one moment and so dim the next, like it's about to fade entirely. Xian'er and I were terrified!"
She bit her lip, recalling the moment she checked the soul jade after Xiao Bai used the spatial jade slip. That single glance nearly made her faint. The imprint had been at its dimmest, looking as if it were on the verge of extinguishing, like a candle flickering in its final moments.
"My mistake, my mistake!"
Seeing their resentful gazes, Xiao Bai realized how much they must have been frightened. He gave a wry smile.
His soul had undergone a peculiar cycle of reincarnation ever since he established the Five Elements in his dantian. This cycle didn't strengthen his soul, but the soul force it produced carried a faint, unique quality.
He couldn't describe it precisely, but if he had to name it, it would be… indestructibility.
Though faint, almost imperceptible, he sensed it clearly.
"Brother Xiao Bai, I don't care what you're cultivating or what you're planning," Xun'er said, her voice firm. "But you must remember: you're not alone anymore. Whatever you do, think of us. Promise me!"
Recalling the heart-wrenching pain she felt in the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower, Xun'er shuddered. She never wanted to experience that agony again.
"Alright," Xiao Bai said, meeting their expectant gazes with a serious nod.
___
As night fell, the perpetually gloomy skies of the Black-Corner Region cleared, revealing a rare, pristine night.
Above, a silver moon hung high, stars twinkling brightly.
On a rooftop in the city, two figures leaned against each other, gazing at the starry sky.
"Brother Xiao Bai, take this."
Xun'er turned to him, her expression resolute. From her storage ring, she produced a milky-white jade slip glowing with an eerie fluorescence and handed it to him solemnly.
"Is this… a spatial jade slip?" Xiao Bai examined it, puzzled. "It's different from the last one."
Xun'er didn't answer directly. Noticing his casual attitude, she softened her voice. "Keep it safe. Don't lose it. If you encounter an enemy you can't defeat, crush it. No matter who they are, it will save your life."
Xiao Bai's hand trembled, nearly dropping the slip.
Did she just say… no matter who the enemy is?
This isn't… Father-in-law's ultimate summoning charm, is it?
The strongest Dou Technique: Summon Gu Yuan!
Compared to this, Xiao Yan's spirit possession trick was child's play!
"Brother Xiao Bai, what's wrong?"
Seeing him hurriedly shove the jade slip back into her hands, Xun'er blinked in confusion. Then, realizing something, she chuckled softly. "Don't worry, I have more than one of these."
"Xun'er!" Xiao Bai suppressed his temptation, his tone serious. "This is too precious. From your expression earlier, giving it to me would affect you, wouldn't it?"
"Well… not really…"
"No, it's settled. Take it back!" Xiao Bai cut off her hesitant words, eyeing the jade slip warily, half-expecting Gu Yuan to leap out.
Kid, surprised or not? Dare to court my daughter? Prepare to die!
He shivered, shaking off the terrifying image.
Who wouldn't want a life-saving trump card? But this one… he really couldn't accept!
"Fine," Xun'er said, slightly crestfallen as she stored the jade slip. After a moment, her eyes flickered, and she hesitated. "Brother Xiao Bai, don't you want to know where I got these things?"
"Nope!"
Xun'er froze, suddenly seized by an urge to throttle him.
She had planned to reveal a bit about her background after this ordeal, but this infuriating man! Her eyes glared daggers at the smug figure before her.
Fine, stay clueless!
"What's wrong?" Xiao Yi Xian hopped onto the rooftop, noticing Xun'er storming off.
"Nothing," Xiao Bai said with a grin, waving it off.
"You!" Xiao Yi Xian sat beside him, her voice gently scolding. "Don't upset Xun'er. Treat her well. When she heard you were in danger, she coughed up blood!"
Xiao Bai fell silent, his voice low. "I understand."
"How's your injury?"
Xiao Yi Xian tilted her head, her eyes softening as she studied his profile. Her hand reached out, smoothing his wind-tousled hair.
"Almost fully healed. No major issues," Xiao Bai replied, gazing at the ethereal yet tender girl before him. A warmth bloomed in his heart.
"Mhm."
Xiao Yi Xian nodded, satisfied with his condition. She looped her arms around his, resting her head on his shoulder.
After a long pause, her voice drifted out, soft as a dream.
"Xiao Bai… you know? Those days without news of you… I was so scared."
"I was afraid… you'd leave me, like Grandpa did, leaving Xian'er all alone."
Her delicate frame trembled, her arms tightening around his as if fearing he might vanish.
Xiao Bai said nothing, gently stroking her head. After a moment, he murmured, "Don't be afraid. Xiao Bai will always be with Xian'er. I still want to take you to explore this continent once we resolve your Woeful Poison Body."
Xiao Yi Xian nuzzled into his warm palm, a faint smile curving her lips as she imagined traveling the world with him.
She nodded softly, whispering, "Wherever Xiao Bai goes, Xian'er will follow. Wherever you are, that's Xian'er's home."
___
Tagore Desert, Somewhere Else
Meanwhile, Xiao Yan stood in a tense staredown with a woman, their eyes locked in silence.
The air around them thrummed with fiery energy. The desert was scarred with craters, some large, some small, as if bombarded by artillery.
"Human, are you done being a nuisance? Making such a racket every day—do you think people don't need sleep?"
"You're disturbing the peace, you know that?"
Atop a dune stood a woman with a fiery figure and seductive poise. Her red lips parted, alluring yet laced with irritation.
Xiao Yan's lips twitched at the word "disturbing" coming from her. He stifled a laugh.
"Commander Yue Mei, this place is nearly twenty li from your tribe. You're still sticking your nose in?" he retorted, exasperated.
"Heh, you're disturbing me, so of course I'll intervene!" Yue Mei crossed her arms, her cyan snake tail swaying, exuding a wild, captivating aura.
"Sorry, but you don't get a say!" Xiao Yan's eyes glinted with mischief. He pulled a golden token from his storage ring, waving it at her with a cocky grin. "Read it with me: 'As if the Emperor himself were here!'"
The token bore only a serpent emblem, not a single word.
Yue Mei's eyes blazed, her fists clenching as she fought the urge to pummel this infuriating human.
But the golden token forced her to swallow her anger. She couldn't fathom why her Majesty, who despised humans, would grant this man such a token.
At first, she suspected it was fake, but his fearless demeanor made her wary. A trip to the royal city confirmed its authenticity.
She recalled the queen's words: as long as this human didn't harm the Snake-People Tribe, they were to accommodate him.
The revelation had left her dumbfounded. Even among the Snake-People, few enjoyed such privilege.
"Hmph! No more disturbances at night, or I'll make you taste a Dou Wang's wrath, queen's punishment be damned!"
Her enchanting face darkened, her Dou Wang aura surging as she spoke coldly.
"Cough…" Xiao Yan staggered back under the pressure, coughing lightly. He gave an awkward smile, nodding quickly. "No problem, no problem. I'll stick to daytime… daytime!"
He'd had a sudden idea and wanted to test it, not expecting to draw her attention.
As a mere Dou Shi, it was wiser to play it safe. If he provoked her too far and the matter reached Queen Medusa, it would put Brother Bai in an awkward spot.
"Hmph!" Yue Mei flicked her sleeve, a cyan Dou Qi wing sprouting behind her. With a flap, she vanished in a streak of light.
"Teacher, we did it!" Xiao Yan exclaimed after she left, his face alight with joy. He gazed at the largest crater, still radiating heat.
"Not bad, Little Yan Zi. That spark of inspiration was promising," Yao Lao's aged voice echoed from the ring, tinged with approval.
"But don't get careless. You've only fused two beast flames. Replicating this with Heavenly Flames will be far harder."
"Next, try merging the Purple Flame with the Green Lotus Core Flame. If that works, we'll test my Bone Chilling Flame with your Green Lotus Core Flame."
"Got it!" Xiao Yan's eyes gleamed with excitement. The explosion from two beast flames had been powerful enough to alert Yue Mei twenty li away.
If two Heavenly Flames fused, the blast might even be felt in the Snake-People's royal city!
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