The surging azure flames churned with the boundless medicinal liquid, slowly spiraling as they turned. The vortex grew larger and faster, until finally it condensed into a whirlpool of intertwining azure and crimson light.
The Heavenly Flame and the blood-hued medicinal essence fused together, their mingled forces brimming with scorching heat and explosive energy. All of it poured toward Valley Master Luo, whose delicate form was clad only in thin inner garments.
The heat was like molten magma, merging with the azure flame to further amplify its destructive power. Threads of annihilating might rippled outward, enough to make one's heart tremble.
As the Heavenly Flame entered her body, it felt as though she were being burned alive. Even with her Half Saint cultivation, Valley Master Luo's brows knitted tightly, her teeth clenched as she endured the agony.
The azure flame streamed through every pore, coursing into her body to begin its grim work. Under Liu Xi's precise control, it washed through her skin and flesh, slowly tearing apart the cold poison that clung to her bones like a malignant parasite.
A muffled groan escaped her lips. Even with her remarkable endurance, she could not fully suppress the pain that pierced straight to the soul. Her fair, graceful body trembled uncontrollably—but this was only the beginning.
The azure flames, sharp as countless invisible blades, scraped inch by inch through her flesh, blood, and organs, stripping away every trace of the cold poison rooted within her body. Anything less than this would have been merely superficial treatment.
To purge the poison, Liu Xi used flame as the knife, soul as the hand that wielded it, and medicinal essence as the strength behind each stroke. The method was simple in principle—yet beyond the reach of any ordinary person.
Few could possess such a fierce flame, such vast Spiritual Power, or such a wealth of fiery medicinal ingredients to sustain it.
With his eyes tightly shut, Liu Xi's hands formed seals as a torrent of spiritual power poured from his brow. His consciousness delved entirely into Valley Master Luo's body, moving with the delicate precision of a master craftsman sculpting the finest jade—intent on creating perfection.
The azure flame blades scoured her body again and again. Each time a pocket of cold poison was severed, the blood-red medicinal essence surged forward to repair her ravaged flesh.
Every moment of relief showed briefly in Valley Master Luo's expression—until the next wave of burning agony struck.
Within the silent hall, only her muffled whimpers of pain echoed. To an outsider, it might have sounded less like detoxification and more like some dark, twisted ritual.
The invisible blades continued their grim work, peeling layer after layer from her body—skin, flesh, blood vessels, even her organs—forcing out wisps of pale-white frost. The expelled cold essence grew denser and denser, unable to be completely incinerated, gathering within the azure flames.
Meanwhile, the crimson pool beneath them grew paler as its medicinal potency burned away at a visible rate.
Time passed—how long, none could tell—until at last, all color drained from the pool. The energy sustaining Liu Xi's efforts had been spent.
Frowning, he shifted his seals, and the azure flames retreated from Valley Master Luo's body. Only about half of the cold poison had been eradicated, yet his own Dou Qi was nearly exhausted. He could continue no further.
The final strands of flame withdrew, and Valley Master Luo's body shivered as a sigh of pure relief escaped her lips. Color returned faintly to her cheeks.
The withdrawn flames gathered in the air, writhing until they formed a small, exquisite azure lotus that drifted toward Liu Xi.
Opening his eyes, Liu Xi raised his palm to catch it. But this time, he did not immediately reabsorb the lotus. Within its core squirmed a clump of pale, living frost—the extracted source of the cold poison.
That tiny thing had tormented a Half Saint to near death. Even now, Liu Xi felt his hand tremble slightly. The sinister chill it emitted contained such immense energy that, without his Heavenly Flame's natural dominance, he would have been helpless against it.
Behind him came the soft splash of water, followed by the faint rustle of movement. Without looking, Liu Xi knew that Valley Master Luo had risen from the pool. Still holding the fire lotus, he spoke calmly, his back turned.
"This was only the first purification. About half of the cold poison has been removed. I trust you can already feel the difference."
"For the next session, I'll need time to refine this cold poison completely and replenish the required materials. Attempting it now would damage my body. I hope Valley Master Luo understands."
Valley Master Luo stretched lightly, her flawless figure outlined in the mist. For the first time in decades, she felt warmth flow through her limbs. The biting chill that had haunted her had lessened by half.
She gazed at Liu Xi's unmoving back, admiration flickering in her eyes—astonished that he could remain utterly composed in her near-naked presence.
'Such discipline… no wonder he's achieved so much in both alchemy and cultivation at such a young age.'
A faint smile curved her lips. "Of course, there's no problem. To even halve the cold poison is more than I dared hope for. Take as much time as you need—how could I let you endanger yourself?"
"I'm glad Valley Master understands."
Liu Xi clenched his fist, absorbing the azure lotus into his dantian, though he sealed it separately from his own flame.
Standing, he brushed the dust from his robe and nodded slightly to her before turning to leave the hall—never glancing back at the alluring figure behind him.
At that moment, his mind was consumed by only one thought: the cold poison he had extracted.
Though its chill was lethal, it also contained astonishing energy. If he could refine away the poison and retain the pure essence, it might become a potent source of strength—just as the Demon Poison Spot once had.
If successful, the purified energy from something that had stymied even a Half Saint might well propel him straight into the Dou Zun realm.
He had once thought to rely on the Three Thousand Burning Flame to make that breakthrough. Now, unexpectedly, the opportunity had come early.
(End of Chapter)
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