Xiao Jietian stood frozen for a moment, now completely covered in a layer of fine black ash. His entire face was pitch-dark, as though he had just crawled out of a coal mine.
"I never expected my first attempt at refining a peak seventh-grade medicinal pill would end in a cauldron explosion."
He stared helplessly at the pile of charred residue inside the Purple Heaven Cauldron, then reached up to wipe his face. The single swipe only smeared the soot more evenly, turning his complexion even blacker and shinier.
"Not just an explosion—an outright blowout. This is beyond ridiculous. It's like the mother of all ridiculousness opened the door and invited ridiculousness itself inside. Utterly absurd."
Over the past two months, Xiao Jietian had already mastered refining high-grade seventh-grade pills with ease. Today was his first true attempt at a peak seventh-grade pill, and he had painstakingly gathered the rare ingredients.
High-grade materials were still scarce on the Northwest Continent. Seventh-tier magic cores, in particular, were almost impossible to come by in large quantities.
He had no intention of trying again right now. Refining seventh-grade pills was extremely taxing on the soul. In these past weeks he had already produced quite a few high-grade seventh-grade pills—including the Limitless Pill, which could raise a Dou Zong's cultivation by one star.
However, a person could only consume two Limitless Pills in their entire lifetime.
Xiao Jietian tidied up the cauldron, then pushed open the chamber door, intending to head straight to the dedicated washing area to clean himself.
He never expected to run into someone the moment he stepped out…
And of all people—
"Where did this black mud monster come from? Who are you?" The newcomer froze at the sight of him, immediately adopting a cautious combat stance.
"Tiger Girl, it's me!"
The person standing before him was none other than Hu Jia.
Hu Jia narrowed her eyes and carefully examined the soot-covered figure from head to toe. His once-neat robes were now patchy with black and gray ash; several strands of hair had clumped together like charcoal sticks.
Her lively eyes suddenly widened. Then the corners of her mouth began to twitch uncontrollably.
"Hahahahaha—!"
She threw her head back, hands on hips, laughing so hard she bent forward and backward. Her shoulders shook violently, as though her entire body might fall apart from mirth. Her unrestrained laughter echoed through the entire cultivation area.
"Oh my god—I can't—hahaha—I'm going to die laughing! What were you doing in there? Mining coal? Practicing some new face-changing art?"
Hu Jia looked him up and down, teasing mercilessly.
"Don't even get me started. Dressed like this, if you don't laugh at night, people really might not notice you at all."
"And look at your hair—it's like someone carefully combed it with charcoal sticks. You look like a trend-setting beggar!"
After she finished speaking, she took out a delicate embroidered handkerchief and walked toward him.
"Oh really? Then tonight I'll sneak into your room and scare you to death," Xiao Jietian retorted without any anger, instead playing along with a grin.
Hu Jia froze for a split second at his words.
"You wouldn't dare! Be careful, or I'll bite you to death and never let go!" Her face flushed faintly. She usually slept very lightly—if Xiao Jietian really snuck in, that would be disastrous.
"Why is your face red?" Xiao Jietian asked, genuinely puzzled by her reaction.
"M-maybe it's too hot," Hu Jia mumbled, eyes darting everywhere.
She glanced down at the handkerchief in her hand. Originally she had intended to help him wipe his face clean… but now, a much better idea had formed.
"Don't move. I'll help you clean up." Hu Jia slowly approached, raising the handkerchief toward his face.
Xiao Jietian always felt she wasn't being entirely kind-hearted, but he didn't think too much of it and simply let her do as she pleased.
Hu Jia gently dabbed at his face with the handkerchief.
"Alright… perfect!" She stepped back, carefully examining her handiwork, a mischievous smile spreading across her lips.
Xiao Jietian saw that grin and immediately sensed something was wrong. He condensed Dou Qi into a mirror-like surface and looked at his reflection.
His face was now covered in all sorts of ridiculous patterns—like a calico cat that had rolled in paint. He glared at Hu Jia, expression clearly asking: Is this what you call "helping"?
"Oh… well, it just wouldn't come off cleanly, and there wasn't any water around, so… this happened," Hu Jia said, twirling the handkerchief innocently between her fingers.
"Oh? If you can put away that smile at the corner of your mouth, I might actually believe you."
Xiao Jietian crossed his arms, staring at her with deep, knowing eyes.
Hu Jia realized her prank had been completely exposed. She immediately tried to flee:
"Uh—I still have things to do, so I'll be leaving first! Bye-bye!"
She turned to run, but to exit she had to pass right by him.
The moment she drew level with Xiao Jietian, her entire body froze in place.
Xiao Jietian stepped in front of her.
"No need to rush. Since you were so kind as to help me, it's only polite that I return the favor. Otherwise it would be terribly rude."
Hu Jia's eyes widened in panic, silently screaming: No need! Don't be polite!
Xiao Jietian ignored her pleading look. He wiped his own face once more, gathering even more soot on his palms.
Then he reached out with both hands and began frantically smearing the black ash all over Hu Jia's face.
Though separated by the layer of dust, Xiao Jietian could still feel the tender, smooth skin beneath his fingers. But right now, he had no mind to savor the sensation.
Hu Jia was instantly thrown into chaos—thirty percent from the sheer humiliation of having ash smeared on her face, and seventy percent from the fact that this was the first time since growing up that a man had touched her face so thoroughly.
"Hmm… perfect. Absolutely beautiful."
Xiao Jietian finally released her, condensed another Dou Qi mirror, and held it in front of her face.
Hu Jia stared at her reflection and felt like she might actually crack.
Her entire face was now pitch-black—just like his. Two charcoal heads stared back at each other.
"I'm going to bite you to death! I won't rest until one of us is dead!"
Hu Jia instantly pounced, wrapping her legs around his waist and lunging for his shoulder—completely disregarding the soot covering him.
Xiao Jietian swiftly pinched her mouth shut before her teeth could sink in.
"Dirty. Don't bite randomly."
Hu Jia paused, glanced down at his soot-covered robes, and suddenly reason reasserted itself.
"You're so annoying!" She immediately lost all interest in revenge.
Xiao Jietian also released her cheek.
"Hmph! I'll remember this. Just wait—next time I get the chance, I'll bite you until you scream."
Hu Jia huffed, turning her head away in a huff.
"Yes, yes, yes, you're the fiercest. But… can you get down now?"
Hu Jia only then realized she was still clinging to him like a koala, their bodies pressed tightly together.
She hurriedly jumped down, lowering her head in embarrassment. Yet the moment her feet touched the ground, she actually felt a faint sense of reluctance.
She looked down and saw that her legs were now also streaked with black ash. Her mood grew even worse.
"What? Do you want me to help you wipe it clean too?" Xiao Jietian teased, noticing her staring mournfully at the soot on her legs.