Xiao Zhitian said nothing and directly put it away.
Opening the third box, he found another yellow scroll inside.
"Profound High-Rank Dou Technique: Roaring Lion."
Xiao Zhitian glanced through it briefly. It was quite similar to the Thunder Lion he cultivated, but it could not compare to the Thunder Lion given by the system. After all, the system's version could increase in power with the addition of spirit lightning.
"Take this. I don't need it. If you learn it, you can treat it as a trump card. At least you'll have some ability to protect yourself." Xiao Zhitian casually tossed the scroll to the Little Fairy Doctor.
She carefully caught it and looked at him with disbelief."You really don't need it? This is a Profound High-Rank Dou Technique. People would fight to the death for this outside, yet you treat it like trash."
"Everything's taken. Let's go. It's time to leave." Xiao Zhitian glanced at the now-empty stone chamber. "What are your plans?"
"I plan to return to Thousand Medicine House."
Hearing this, Xiao Zhitian looked at her seriously."You're going back? The mercenaries who escorted you and the Young Leader of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group are all dead. Aren't you afraid the leader of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group will target you?"
"Once I return to Qingshan Town, I'll be safe. The other two leaders of the three major mercenary groups owe me favors. Also, Master Yao, the owner of Thousand Medicine House who hired me, is a Dou Shi. What about you?"
"Me? I'll venture deeper into the Magical Beast Mountain Range. Let's head out."
The two walked toward the cave entrance. After about ten minutes, they arrived outside.
Xiao Zhitian activated his Thunder Roc Wings."Come here. We'll fly straight up."
"You can't get fresh with me," she said lightly, then walked over and held on to him.
"Hold tight." Xiao Zhitian wrapped an arm around her waist. The wings behind him beat powerfully, carrying the two rapidly upward.
The rushing wind roared in her ears. The Little Fairy Doctor looked up at Xiao Zhitian's face, feeling the warmth of his presence, and a trace of surprise appeared in her beautiful eyes.
Reaching the top of the cliff, Xiao Zhitian did not stop, instead flying directly toward Qingshan Town. The path between the cliff and the town was mostly populated by first- and second-tier Magical Beasts, so he felt no concern.
High in the air, they soon reached the edge of the Magical Beast Mountain Range. Xiao Zhitian slowly descended and landed steadily.
His hand, which was still resting at her waist, gave a light squeeze as he teased,"Aren't you letting go yet? Planning to hold on forever? Or should I carry you a bit longer?"
The Little Fairy Doctor immediately broke free, her face flushed."T-Then I'll go first. Take care of yourself."
"You're going the wrong way. Qingshan Town is on the other side."
"I… I know! I was just checking if there were medicinal herbs over there!" she said hurriedly. "I'm leaving!"
Watching her retreating figure as she ran toward Qingshan Town, blushing and flustered, Xiao Zhitian chuckled and shook his head. The Thunder Peng Wings spread wide, and he rose into the sky once more, flying deeper into the Magical Beast Mountain Range.
…
After parting with the Little Fairy Doctor, Xiao Zhitian returned to the treasure cave.
He took out the Xuan Tian Grass, Purple Heart Vine, Wood Spirit Flower, and other herbs. Using his Strange Fire (Heavenly Flame), he condensed a cauldron. With a wave of his hand, he tossed the herbs inside to begin refinement.
Once the herbs were fully refined, Xiao Zhitian carefully controlled the various colored powders and liquids, slowly fusing them within the flames.
A faint fragrance of pills spread from the Heavenly Flame cauldron. The cauldron gradually dissipated, revealing a purple pill suspended in the air. Xiao Zhitian reached out, and the pill landed in his palm.
"The fourth-grade Mysterious Spirit Pill is complete." He smiled and directly swallowed it.
The Mysterious Spirit Pill, recorded in the pill manual, was a fourth-grade pill. It had no side effects and allowed a Dou Shi to break through one star realm.
The pill turned into a powerful stream of energy that poured into his Dou Qi cyclone. Xiao Zhitian's Dou Qi fluctuated violently for about a quarter of an hour before gradually stabilizing.
His cultivation realm officially reached Seven-Star Dou Shi.
…
Two months later, somewhere deep within the Magical Beast Mountain Range.
Xiao Zhitian stood in confrontation with a snake-type Magical Beast.
A third-tier Red Cloud Python opened its mouth, venom glistening on its fangs, and lunged toward him. Xiao Zhitian activated the Void Piercer Art and instantly appeared to the side.
Seeing its attack fail, the Red Cloud Python swung its massive tail like a divine dragon sweeping the heavens. Xiao Zhitian gripped his long halberd and slashed directly at the tail.
The immense force sent him sliding backward more than ten steps, his hand going numb."This beast's strength is terrifying. It can attack with both head and tail—hard to defend against."
The Python's tail was nearly severed by the halberd. Enraged, it raised its head, flicking its tongue with furious hissing sounds. Its crimson eyes grew even darker with rage.
It spat out a stream of venom and then rapidly slithered toward Xiao Zhitian.
He dodged the venom swiftly. Although the Red Cloud Python was the weakest among third-tier Magical Beasts, its venom was paralyzing and scorching. Even a Four-Star Da Dou Shi would be severely injured if struck.
As he dodged, the Python closed the distance. Man and beast clashed fiercely, exchanging dozens of blows in an instant. Trees shattered, dust filled the air. Its injured tail was finally severed completely.
Using the force of colliding with the snake's head, Xiao Zhitian soared into the air.
"I've already understood your strength. My training is almost complete. Your mission ends here."
He held the long halberd horizontally above his head. A Dou Qi veil formed around his body, Dou Qi surging wildly as it poured into the halberd.
He slashed downward diagonally.
"Heavenly Thunder Three Styles: Moon Slash!"
A deep green crescent-shaped slash, nearly ten feet long, burst forth, radiating terrifying pressure as it tore toward the Red Cloud Python.
Sensing death, the Python opened its mouth and condensed a massive sphere of crimson venom. The venom shot out to intercept the attack, but it was instantly obliterated by the lightning and aura carried within the crescent slash.
The green light passed cleanly through the Red Cloud Python, splitting its head and body in half. The slash continued onward, crashing into the ground with a thunderous explosion. Spiderweb-like cracks spread across the earth, and the Python's corpse was blown into fragments.
Xiao Zhitian lowered his halberd, his gaze sharp as he looked toward a distant giant tree.
"May I ask what advice the friend in the tree wishes to offer?"
From the tree, a woman in light green and white robes floated gracefully into the air. Her long black hair was pinned high with a phoenix ornament. She held a slender sword, and behind her were a pair of green Dou Qi wings.
The green figure slowly descended, landing three meters away from Xiao Zhitian.
Seeing her clearly, Xiao Zhitian couldn't help but murmur:
"In the north there is a beauty, peerless and independent."
The woman radiated elegance and dignity, every movement filled with noble grace.
Just by looking at her, Xiao Zhitian had already confirmed her identity. Wind attribute, Dou Huang strength, and such beauty and temperament—there was only one such woman in the entire Jia Ma Empire.
His future target.
Xiao Zhitian allowed the Heavenly Thunder Halberd to dissipate and spoke calmly:
"May I ask your name, esteemed guest? What brings you here?"