Chapter 88: Daily Life!
Turning his head to look at Xiao Yi Xian, who stood in place, hesitating to step forward, Jiang Yun paused. Seeing her face, as alluring and crimson as a flower about to drip dew, he suddenly understood. He realized this was indeed a bit abrupt.
However, adhering to the principle of "as long as I'm not awkward, the awkwardness is someone else's problem," Jiang Yun said expressionlessly and calmly, "Come in. What, are you afraid I'll eat you up?"
He looked her up and down for a moment, then shook his head, a glimmer of sympathy appearing in his eyes.
Sensing Jiang Yun's gaze, the blush on Xiao Yi Xian's cheeks instead lessened slightly. She bit her red lip with her pearly teeth and, with some embarrassed anger, shook her fist at Jiang Yun's back.
Yes, her figure was a bit lacking. Fine, your family's Zi Yan has the best figure—full of curves in all the right places! But, well... she was still young, wasn't she?
This is called having potential for the future!
What a jerk. At this moment, the filter that Jiang Yun's status as an alchemist had built up earlier was completely shattered. Xiao Yi Xian wished she could pounce on him and scratch up his face.
Stamping the tip of her foot indignantly, Xiao Yi Xian let out a cold huff and quickly walked into the wooden hut.
Inside, Jiang Yun watched Xiao Yi Xian, who was now glaring at him with furrowed brows, and raised an eyebrow slightly. But he paid no mind to these minor matters and instead beckoned her with a wave.
"Come here, I need to examine your constitution!"
Hesitating for an instant, Xiao Yi Xian still walked toward him. But she stopped a meter away and asked with some concern, "I have the Calamity Poison Body. If you touch me... won't you be poisoned?"
Hearing this, Jiang Yun replied with a trace of scorn, "Although the Calamity Poison Body is formidable, you think the toxins of a mere Dou Zhi Qi stage can poison me, a Dou Huang? If that were the case, those with the Calamity Poison Body throughout history wouldn't have needed to hide. Who would dare provoke them then?"
As he spoke, Jiang Yun directly reached out and took Xiao Yi Xian's right hand. She instinctively tried to pull away, but with Jiang Yun's strength, how could she possibly evade him?
"Jiang Yun, don't—"
"Relax. You don't need to worry about your poison body harming me." Jiang Yun's Dou Qi traveled along his arm as he carefully sensed and observed Xiao Yi Xian's physical condition. With his sharp perception, he had already sensed the toxins transmitted from the contact with Xiao Yi Xian's skin.
But these toxins, which could only affect someone at the Dou Zhi Qi stage, couldn't possibly harm a Dou Huang like Jiang Yun. The moment those toxins entered his body, before the Saint Demon Flame could even act, the powerful Dou Qi within him dissolved them into energy. There would be not a single trace left.
Jiang Yun cultivated the divine art brought from the Great Thousand World, the Crimson Flame Treasure Mirror, equivalent to an Earth Class cultivation method on the Dou Qi Continent. A method of this level remained quite formidable even at the Dou Huang stage.
However, going forward, he should consider the matter of upgrading his cultivation method!
Watching Jiang Yun's calm expression, Xiao Yi Xian breathed a sigh of relief. But then, feeling the warmth transmitted from his hand, she felt her cheeks begin to flush hot again.
"May I see the seven-colored markings of the Calamity Poison Body?" But before she could even feel more embarrassed, Jiang Yun's next words nearly made her kick him out of sheer shame.
"You—!" Xiao Yi Xian's cheeks burned crimson. She snatched her hand back from Jiang Yun's palm and glared at him with a mixture of shame and anger.
Where were the seven-colored markings of the Calamity Poison Body? Right on her lower abdomen. For Jiang Yun to make such a request—no wonder Xiao Yi Xian wanted to hit someone!
Jiang Yun, on the other hand, appeared completely forthright. He met Xiao Yi Xian's eyes without a change in expression, as if this were a perfectly ordinary procedure.
"I have a preliminary understanding of the Calamity Poison Body, but I still need further examination. I do indeed have a method here to control the Calamity Poison Body. However, if we go that route, you would still become a poison master reviled by all. And from my observations, this method would at most last until the Dou Zun level, or even Half-Saint, before reaching its limit."
"Once you hit that bottleneck, you would no longer be able to cultivate. Otherwise, there would be a risk of losing control!"
"Ah—" Hearing Jiang Yun's words, Xiao Yi Xian's mouth fell open. She stared at the unfazed Jiang Yun, strongly wishing she could crack open his skull and ask him a question.
Those are Dou Zuns and Dou Shengs we're talking about! Legendary existences! Before, she hadn't even dared dream of Dou Wang! Yet now, Jiang Yun had stated it so flatly.
This gave her the feeling that Dou Zuns and Dou Shengs were cheap goods! When clearly—clearly Jiang Yun himself was merely a Dou Huang!
"What method?" Xiao Yi Xian's eyes were bright as she looked at Jiang Yun, asking with yearning.
Glancing at Xiao Yi Xian, Jiang Yun retrieved a black scroll and spoke: "This Poison Pill method requires three essential items. First, three types of heavenly flames. Second, the magic core of a rank seven Sky Poison Dragon Scorpion. Third, Bodhi Transformation Saliva."
As she listened, the light of joyful surprise in Xiao Yi Xian's eyes dimmed bit by bit. Heavenly flames she had at least heard of. For an ordinary person to find even a single heavenly flame was a heaven-sent fortune; she needed to find three. The latter two treasures she had never even heard of before!
"I have the heavenly flames. I also have Bodhi Transformation Saliva. And I know where to find a rank seven Sky Poison Dragon Scorpion. So now, it's up to you—do you truly wish to become a poison master?"
Just as the light in Xiao Yi Xian's eyes was nearly extinguished, Jiang Yun's voice rang out like heavenly music, restoring life and vitality to her eyes.
Without the slightest hesitation, Xiao Yi Xian said resolutely, "I do not want to become a poison master!"
"Do you really have a way to thoroughly eradicate the Calamity Poison Body?" Looking at Jiang Yun, Xiao Yi Xian's eyes were filled with hope. Even though there was a method to control the Calamity Poison Body, even though that method could sustain her all the way to Dou Zun or Dou Sheng—levels she felt she could never reach in her lifetime—Xiao Yi Xian still refused. She did not want to become a poison master, reviled by everyone, even herself.
"I'm not certain either, but we can give it a try!"
Not hearing the answer she wanted, the light in Xiao Yi Xian's eyes dimmed significantly. But she didn't make things difficult for Jiang Yun. Instead, she shyly turned her head to glance at the doorway. Only after confirming the door was properly closed did she, with cheeks flushed crimson, slowly begin to lift the hem of her clothes.
Instantly, a stretch of lower abdomen as fair and delicate as ivory appeared before Jiang Yun's eyes. And what was bizarre was that on Xiao Yi Xian's lower abdomen, there was a tiny, seven-colored hidden line, almost like a tattoo.
Under the lamplight, it shimmered with faint colorful light, flowing like a little living snake with a glossy sheen.
Jiang Yun gazed at the seven-colored hidden line and, without hesitation, placed a palm upon it. The moment his hand made contact, Xiao Yi Xian let out a soft, muffled nasal "mm," seemingly quite uncomfortable but forcibly suppressing it.
With a mind free of distracting thoughts, Jiang Yun controlled his Dou Qi and soul power, following the seven-colored hidden line as it probed deeper into her body.
No one knew how long had passed. Outside, under Qing Lin's dazed gaze, Xiao Yi Xian stumbled quickly out of the small wooden hut and dashed into the kitchen, refusing to come out.
And at the same time, inside the hut, Jiang Yun gazed thoughtfully at the drop of fresh blood in his palm, glinting with a faint seven-colored luster.
"Xiao Yun, I'm back!"
Just then, Zi Yan's cheerful voice came from outside. The corner of Jiang Yun's mouth immediately lifted into a smile. He retrieved a jade bottle, sealed the drop of blood within it, then rose and walked out of the wooden hut.
Not far away, Zi Yan was flying swiftly back toward the valley, clutching several jade boxes in her hands. What was inside them was obvious at a glance.
Seeing Jiang Yun, Zi Yan's eyes lit up. She grinned and handed the jade boxes to him. "Here, these are the most valuable medicinal herbs in the valley. We split fifty-fifty. Don't forget to refine my share into pills, alright?"
Just as Jiang Yun stored the herbs into his ring, Zi Yan seemed to remember something. She looked around, then asked quizzically, "Oh, right. Where's Xiao Yi Xian?"
This valley was brought to them by Xiao Yi Xian. In name, everything here belonged to her. Although Zi Yan was very fond of taking other people's things, she was quite loyal to her own people. So, she wanted to ask Xiao Yi Xian's opinion.
Jiang Yun's gaze flickered slightly. His soul power swept discreetly across the valley. Glancing at the wooden hut behind him, he said, "She's in the kitchen. Probably preparing dinner for us."
Although at his and Zi Yan's level of strength, going without food was no issue, Qing Lin and Xiao Yi Xian couldn't manage that yet. Besides, it was a kind gesture on their part; Jiang Yun wasn't opposed to it.
"Then I'll go see her!" Knowing where Xiao Yi Xian was, Zi Yan immediately dashed enthusiastically toward the kitchen. Although she had technically acted first and would report later, this was a matter of expediency!
She was sure little sister Xiao Yi Xian wouldn't mind!
"Xiao Yi Xian, let me tell you..."
From the wooden hut's kitchen behind them, Zi Yan's voice rang out. Soon after, Zi Yan let out a flurry of exclamations, rousing Qing Lin's intense curiosity. Qing Lin quickly followed her inside, and it ultimately turned into a chorus of exclamations from two girls.
Jiang Yun cast a gentle look toward the kitchen. The three girls inside were gathered around a stove, where Xiao Yi Xian was demonstrating her superb culinary skills to the other two!
Dots of firelight illuminated the girls' soft faces. Even the smile at the corner of Xiao Yi Xian's mouth was so heart-warmingly sweet. Such a gentle girl truly didn't match the image of a poison master at all!
Night!
On a cliff within the valley, a black-robed figure stood facing the moonlight, silently gazing into the distance, as if waiting for someone.
Before long, a transcendent white-robed figure came winging from afar. As he drew near, he abruptly retracted his Dou Qi wings and stepped upon the void, treading the moonlight as he arrived.
Jiang Yun's eye twitched slightly as he watched Yun Yi, whose style was overflowing with flair. Once the other was beside him, Jiang Yun said irritably, "Was this really necessary? Showing off like this in front of me? And right in front of my face, only walking on air for the last stretch—don't you find it awkward?"
Yun Yi remained expressionless. Adhering to the principle of "as long as I'm not awkward, the awkwardness is someone else's problem," he stretched out his palm. A bone-white flame appeared—precisely the Bone Chilling Flame. It wasn't that he couldn't absorb it himself, but that Jiang Yun could absorb it far more efficiently, much faster than him. So, he had spared himself this thankless task.
"This is the Bone Chilling Flame! You went to the Xiao family?" Looking at the familiar yet unfamiliar heavenly flame before him, Jiang Yun asked Yun Yi with some curiosity.
Although Yun Yi was his flame spirit clone and he could sense him, Jiang Yun didn't know every single thing the clone had done. Hence, this question.
"You'll know in a moment," Yun Yi replied flatly. The instant he finished speaking, he transformed into a streak of pitch-black flame and shot toward the center of Jiang Yun's brow.
"Buzz—"
With the flame spirit's return, a sizable stream of memories flooded his mind. Jiang Yun closed his eyes and digested it for a moment, then slowly opened them, a sharp light flashing in his pupils.
Yun Yi's experiences during this period were far more eventful than his own. Most importantly, Gu Xun'er had actually left the Xiao family ahead of time. And Yao Chen had nearly been killed by Yun Yi. Although Gu Yuan ultimately intervened and saved his life, Jiang Yun believed Yao Chen's condition might be far from good.
Moreover, another thought occurred to Jiang Yun: now that Gu Xun'er had already returned to her clan, during the three-year agreement, could Yao Chen alone safely ensure Xiao Yan's complete withdrawal?
Would Xiao Yan prematurely perish?
Suppressing these whimsical thoughts, the current Yao Chen held no value for him. What ultimately became of Xiao Yan didn't concern him either. Just that piece of ancient jade—should he go take it for himself?
Jiang Yun hadn't decided yet, but there was no rush for now. Right now, he should absorb the knowledge Yun Yi had brought back!
The next day.
A white-robed figure gazed back at the Magical Beast Mountain Range and murmured quietly, "Since I'm already here, I might as well go see the Amethyst Winged Lion King. As the 'Young Master' of the Hun clan, one needs to make an appearance with proper style. When out in the world, what matters is face!"
With that, Yun Yi flapped the pitch-black Dou Qi wings behind him and sped toward the Magical Beast Mountain Range.
Far away, in his cave abode, the Amethyst Winged Lion King shuddered fiercely. A sudden, ominous premonition rose in his heart.
Inside the wooden hut, two large wooden tubs were placed in the center. The tubs were filled with crystal-clear, perfectly pure water. Jiang Yun meticulously added various medicinal ingredients into them. Xiao Yi Xian stood to the side, watching earnestly. For her, everything about alchemists was filled with mystery. Now that an alchemist was right before her, she naturally wouldn't pass up any opportunity for a closer look.
When the ingredients were nearly all added, Jiang Yun flipped his palm, and a pure white jade bottle appeared in his hand. He weighed it slightly, then pulled open the stopper. Instantly, a faint wisp of jade-green smoke drifted out, eventually gathering and lingering at the bottle's mouth without dispersing.
This was the Earth Core Body-Tempering Milk. Jiang Yun and Zi Yan had obtained it back at the Snow Demon Ape's territory. Now, Zi Yan had drunk it down to just this single remaining bottle. Had Zi Yan not already broken through to Dou Huang, this last bottle wouldn't have survived either.
Beside him, Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin also watched the medicinal bottle emitting thick mist with curiosity.
"This is Earth Core Body-Tempering Milk. It's..."
As he explained to Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin at his side, Jiang Yun carefully poured a few drops of the liquid, akin to jade-green pearl drops, into the wooden tubs. After these ten drops of jade-green liquid left the bottle, the liquid remaining inside immediately decreased by almost a third.
And with the addition of the Earth Core Body-Tempering Milk, the clear water in the wooden tubs immediately transformed at a visible speed into a rich jade-green color. As the Earth Core Body-Tempering Milk reacted with the medicinal ingredients in the tubs, the water began shifting through various colors, until finally the jade-green surface took on a brilliantly multicolored appearance.
Looking at the final product, Jiang Yun nodded in satisfaction. With his current alchemy skills, as long as the materials were sufficient, concocting a medicinal liquid like this was very easy.
"Alright, Qing Lin, Xiao Yi Xian, remove your clothes and enter the tubs. Stay inside until the water's color turns clear again before getting out."