"Figures."
"If the Woeful Poison Body didn't have such massive limitations—if it could just be raised infinitely by feeding it poisons, without bottlenecks—then it would have been fought over by all the Ancient Clans long ago."
"Even spending a ninth-rank pill would be worth it. After all, the value of a ninth-rank pill doesn't surpass that of a special-constitution Dou Saint."
"But for me, this eighth-rank pill is worth using."
Xun Er's thoughts were very clear. Even from the perspective of cold, practical benefits, Little Fairy Doctor was worth her spending a five-colored-lightning Xuan Origin Primordial Pill on.
At this point, the most valuable thing about Little Fairy Doctor was no longer the Woeful Poison Body itself—but her status as a holder of an Observation Copy of Xiao Ting's Great Dao Journal.
Observation Copies granted blessings from the Plane. Little Fairy Doctor's future held limitless possibilities.
"Exactly how we handle it still depends on Brother Xiao Ting."
Xun Er smiled faintly and returned to her room to meditate.
Her own cultivation could not lag behind Xiao Ting's. Otherwise, how could she "cover" for him?
…
Time flew by in cultivation. In the blink of an eye, a day had passed.
By the time the sun set, the Xiao clan's two genius brothers finally returned from training on the back mountain.
Xiao Yan, however, was dragging his tired body, while Xiao Ting looked as spirited as ever.
"Little brother, you… turned on a cheat or something?" Xiao Yan couldn't help grumbling when he saw Xiao Ting striding like a dragon and tiger.
How could anyone spend all day refining battle skills, end up with even better mental energy, and still faintly improve their cultivation?
He must've activated some kind of infinite stamina cheat… or a stacking buff cheat.
"Turned on what?" Xiao Ting looked truly puzzled, as if he didn't understand what Xiao Yan meant.
If this were his previous world, he would've answered, "If I didn't flip the switch, then I didn't turn anything on."
"Nothing. I meant you're awesome," Xiao Yan sighed, waving his hand. "See you tomorrow."
After a full day of training, this was when his body was most exhausted—but also most able to absorb energy. He needed to go soak in the Foundation Building Elixir and give himself a little "boost".
"Once you start cultivating a proper method, you'll be just like me," Xiao Ting said with genuine encouragement before parting ways and heading back to his own courtyard.
He planned to invite Xun Er to dinner, but first he had to wash up and change into clean clothes.
"Teacher, will I be able to become like Xiao Ting when I start cultivating a real method?" Xiao Yan asked hopefully.
Yao Lao: "…"
After a moment of silence, he finally said, "Right now you're still at the Battle Qi stage, whereas he's using true Battle Qi. Naturally, it's not the same."
"Xiao Ting cultivates a low-tier Earth-rank method, and his mastery isn't low. His Battle Qi recovers very quickly."
"As he grows more skilled with his battle skills, he'll use less Battle Qi to unleash greater power."
"His comprehension is extraordinary, and his battle skill mastery grows fast; plus, he has an Earth-rank method…"
"Enough." Xiao Yan gave a resigned smile. "If I can't match him, I won't compare anymore."
"It's good you think this way. A cultivator should struggle against heaven and earth, constantly surpassing himself. That's the right path," Yao Lao encouraged and comforted him. "Your brother likely has a special constitution—even I can't quite see through it. There's no need for you to compare yourself to him."
Xiao Yan accepted this bowl of "chicken soup."
He truly felt no jealousy toward Xiao Ting's brilliance—only blessings for his brother, and a reminder to himself to work harder.
"So Xiao Ting has a special constitution that even you can't see through?" Xiao Yan rubbed his nose, then asked in a teasing tone, "Teacher, are the so-called top talents of Central Plains really that amazing?"
"Of course," Yao Lao answered, a little guilty—but safe inside the Bone-Flame Ring, so Xiao Yan couldn't see his face.
"Let me put it this way: if you can't reach Dou King before age twenty, you don't even get to call yourself a talent in Central Plains."
"The top ones among them break through to Dou Ancestor in their early twenties and aim to assault Dou Venerate before thirty."
Xiao Yan: …That's… discouraging.
…
On the other side, Xiao Ting returned to his courtyard, had the maids prepare hot water, took a bath, and changed before going to find Xun Er.
Xun Er seemed to have known he'd come. She'd already instructed the servants to prepare dinner for several people.
They spent some warm and easy time together. Then Xun Er asked, "Brother Xiao Ting, will you keep training with Senior Yao tomorrow?"
"Mm." Xiao Ting nodded. "My improvement is clear under his guidance."
His comprehension was indeed terrifying, and he had the Great Dao Journal and the blessing of the Plane as cheats.
But he would not reject the benefits brought by serious guidance from a peak Dou Venerate powerhouse.
"Then you probably can't accompany me to the marketplace tomorrow," Xun Er said, eyes dimming just a touch.
"I'm sorry, Xun Er." Xiao Ting set down his chopsticks, took her hand in his, and looked at her with a gentle, resolute gaze. "This temporary sacrifice is for the sake of a permanent future."
"I want to be with you too. But even more than that, I want us to have a future. And to protect that, pretty words aren't enough—I need strength to match."
Under his gaze, Xun Er's heart trembled. She nearly broke character on the spot.
Brother Xiao Ting was working this hard all because he cared for her so much.
Honestly, she could probably handle everything on her own if it came to that…
"Mm." Xun Er's cheeks flushed red as she nodded hard.
The guards around them: "…"
Miss, if you keep going like this, we might not live long.
Unless… Young Master Xiao Ting becomes a Dou Saint.
Should they… lend him a little "assistance"?
…
Blessing from the Plane: The master of the Thousand Medicine House in Qingshan Town wishes to curry favor with the Miteer Auction House and is personally escorting a large shipment of herbs to Wu Tan City. Among the entourage is the Hall's resident physician, Little Fairy Doctor, a wielder of the special constitution known as the Woeful Poison Body. With minimal cost, she can be rapidly cultivated into a top-tier combat force and become a loyal, personal guard.
…
A new day dawned.
This time, the Journal didn't give Xiao Ting insights into some battle skill, but rather a piece of intel on recruiting talent.
Immediately afterward, images appeared in his mind: the master of the Thousand Medicine House asking Little Fairy Doctor whether she'd accompany the caravan to Wu Tan City.
"Little Fairy Doctor, the Miteer Auction House's sudden open purchase of medicinal ingredients is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us."
"Our Thousand Medicine House is in Qingshan Town—a key stronghold at the northeastern entrance to the Magical Beast Mountain Range, and the closest major town to Wu Tan City."
"As long as we establish a long-term cooperation with the Miteer Auction House, everyone will benefit."
"You're our finest physician. I hope you can come along."
After a moment's hesitation, Little Fairy Doctor nodded. "If the Hall Master puts it that way, then I'll agree."
The vision faded, and Xiao Ting's expression turned… complicated rather than happy.
Qingshan Town had Little Fairy Doctor. Little Fairy Doctor was a Woeful Poison Body wielder. Such wielders were easy to cultivate up to the Dou Venerate realm. Little Fairy Doctor was loyal and reliable…
Did he not already know all of this?
He even knew how to help her perfectly control the Woeful Poison Body and become a Dou Saint-level ally.
For other people, this really was a blessing—and a highly valuable one at that. But for him, it was basically a waste.
Then, the next second, he did a complete about-face.
Because the Plane's blessing wasn't over yet.
There was an extra line attached:
[Woeful Poison Body Talent-Enhancement & Perfect-Control Method Acquired]