In the dimly glowing cavern, Zi Yan's excitement slowly faded, her expression regaining its usual calm.
Liu Xi chuckled softly. "Since we've confirmed that the Earth Core Body Tempering Milk is within the stalactite, you can step back for now. Let me handle the extraction."
"Oh!" Zi Yan nodded quickly and jumped down from the crystalline stalactite, retreating to Liu Xi's side. Her little face was tinged pink—not from fatigue or embarrassment, but from the realization that she'd almost mistaken a diluted residue for the real treasure.
'So embarrassing... my first time showing off my treasure-sensing talent in front of Big Brother, and if not for his sharp eye, I would've completely missed the real thing!'
Seeing her quietly step aside, Liu Xi closed his eyes. His vast spiritual sense radiated from his brow, extending into the massive stalactite before them.
In an instant, a blinding white glow filled his perception. Within the vision of his soul, he saw a boundless white world... and at its very center, a shimmering emerald pool radiating the purest essence of the earth's power. That was where the Earth Core Body Tempering Milk was hidden.
Liu Xi's eyes opened, gaze locking precisely onto the section where the stalactite merged with the ground. Drawing a green jade ruler from his ring, he infused it with Dou Qi, its edge flickering with a fine, cutting light.
With a deft movement, he inserted the ruler and twisted lightly. A fragment of the stalactite cracked off with a faint pop, and a brilliant white radiance burst forth, accompanied by an intoxicating fragrance that filled the entire cavern.
Zi Yan instinctively inhaled deeply, her little face melting into a dreamy expression as she drifted forward unconsciously, a tiny glimmer of drool forming at the corner of her lips.
Liu Xi couldn't help but laugh at the adorable sight, but before she could reach the glowing opening, he quickly wrapped an arm around her slender waist and pulled her back.
"Big Brother…" Zi Yan tilted her head up, eyes wide and pleading, voice soft and pitiful. "Just one lick... please, I promise I won't take more than one!"
Liu Xi placed a hand atop her head and gently pushed her back again. "It's not that I'm stingy," he said with a smile, "but this essence is incredibly delicate. A single mistake and its power would dissipate completely. Yet, if I take too much, this thousand-year stalactite would collapse. Let me collect it properly first... then we'll divide it."
"Okay!" Zi Yan responded obediently, though her gaze remained glued to the glowing essence, her expression full of yearning.
Liu Xi waved his hand, summoning two fine jade bottles and a delicate jade spoon. With careful precision, he dipped the spoon into the stalactite's fissure, scooping out about two-fifths of the emerald liquid and pouring it into the first bottle. Then he repeated the process for the second bottle, sealing both with spiritual energy.
Finally, he retrieved the cracked fragment of the stalactite and pressed it back into place. The crystal mended itself, flowing together seamlessly as if alive.
"Everything in moderation," Liu Xi murmured. "You've taken thousands of years to form—destroying you for greed would be a crime."
Turning, he smiled at the eager girl beside him. "Zi Yan, since we found this treasure together, we'll split it equally. Two divided make five... half for each of us."
He handed her one of the bottles and added warmly, "This Earth Core Body Tempering Milk may look gentle, but every drop contains immense power. With your physique, you can take it directly—but remember to absorb it one drop at a time. Refine each completely before the next."
"I got it, Big Brother!" Zi Yan grinned brightly, holding the bottle to her nose and inhaling deeply. "Mmm... it smells amazing!"
Liu Xi smiled faintly. 'With this, I can help Xiao Yixian cleanse her body and strengthen her resistance to poison. Her cultivation through toxins may bring rapid progress, but the toll it takes is far too great.'
His eyes softened at the thought, a trace of concern flickering through his refined expression.
"Let's head back," he said at last, spreading his azure wings and gliding down toward the cavern floor.
"Coming!" Zi Yan called out.
As they flew, Zi Yan glanced at the bottle in her hand, her lips curling with irresistible temptation. Remembering Liu Xi's warning, she hesitated... then tipped the bottle just enough for a single drop to fall onto her tongue.
"Delicious!" she murmured blissfully, licking her lips, eyes shining with satisfaction.
Moments later, her gaze flickered mischievously. 'Just one more drop won't hurt…'
And so, another drop slipped into her mouth. Her cheeks flushed slightly, her wings wavering mid-flight.
'Just... one last drop...'
By the time she finished, the bottle was empty, her face crimson and her flight unsteady. Her eyes glimmered with dazed delight. "So good... Zi Yan wants more..."
Holding up the bottle, she frowned, shaking it above her eyes. "Huh... it's gone?" she slurred softly. "No more..."
Meanwhile, Liu Xi had landed on the ground and was collecting the diluted essence from the stone basin below. He chuckled. "Even the diluted form can be used for pill refinement. Might as well take it all."
After storing the last bottle, he looked up, frowning. "Why hasn't Zi Yan come down yet?"
Lifting his gaze to the dome above, he spotted her wobbling through the air like a drunk butterfly.
"Zi Yan!" he called.
"Big Brother..." Zi Yan's head jerked, her body swaying. A moment later, she forgot how to fly and plummeted.
Thud!
She landed directly into Liu Xi's arms, giggling faintly as she lifted the empty bottle. "Big Brother, this stuff is sooo good... you should try some too…"
Liu Xi looked down at the bottle, then at the flushed girl in his arms, utterly helpless. "Zi Yan... only you would dare drink such pure elemental essence straight like that."
The jade bottle slipped from her fingers, shattering against the stone floor. Zi Yan, still smiling faintly, had already drifted into deep sleep, her small body instinctively beginning to refine the energy within her.
Liu Xi sighed, shaking his head with a helpless smile. "Well... it's already drunk and she's already asleep. What else can I do?"
He adjusted her position gently, cradling her small form in his arms.
"Guess I'll just have to carry you back."
(End of Chapter)
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