"You help me collect it. I want to go up and take a look. Remember to use a jade bottle."
"Me help you? Aren't you afraid I'll secretly keep some for myself?"
Han Yue looked at him with disbelief, somewhat confused by Junior Xiao Tian's actions. Was he testing her?
Xiao Tian smiled without speaking, and the Demon Flame Wings appeared behind him.
"I trust Senior Han Yue's character."
Xiao Tian ignored Han Yue's confusion and disbelief. With a flutter of the wings behind him, he flew toward the top.
Han Yue watched enviously as the wings unfurled behind Xiao Tian. Those were the symbol of a Dou Wang.
"I really don't know how this monster cultivates."
Han Yue murmured with a sigh, feeling quite touched by Xiao Tian's trust in her.
Xiao Tian flew directly to where the stalactite met the cave ceiling. After a careful observation, he recalled that a jade tool was needed for cutting. Two jade bottles appeared in his hand, and within the red flames of his palm, one reshaped into a jade knife.
Holding the jade knife wrapped in Dou Qi, Xiao Tian traced small circles at the base of the stalactite. As the ends met, a fragment of the stalactite broke off. Xiao Tian reached out and caught it. A strong light burst forth from within, and Xiao Tian shielded his eyes with his palm.
Three breaths later, Xiao Tian opened his eyes and looked at the spot he had just cut. He saw a cluster of emerald-like viscous liquid floating inside.
"Is this the true Earth Core Body Tempering Fluid? It looks very enticing."
Xiao Tian melted the jade knife back into a spoon, took out another jade bottle, and carefully scooped the liquid inside. A few scoops later, the jade bottle was more than half full. Only about one-sixth of the liquid remained within the stalactite. Xiao Tian stopped, put away the jade bottle, and gently placed the cut-off fragment back into place.
Xiao Tian descended directly, reaching the ground in a few breaths.
"Haven't you finished filling it yet?"
Han Yue was startled by the sudden voice, and the jade spoon in her hand trembled. Because she was being so careful when filling, her face had been quite close. With that jolt, the milky-white Earth Core Body Tempering Fluid flew directly onto her face. In an instant, her face was covered in quite a bit of the liquid.
The milky-white Earth Core Body Tempering Fluid trickled down her face, and she even stuck out her tongue to lick the drop that reached the corner of her mouth.
Xiao Tian looked at Han Yue in this state and inexplicably felt a sense of familiarity, as if he had seen it before. He suppressed the thought, took out a handkerchief, and handed it to Han Yue.
Normally, with her aversion to contact, she would have immediately refused anything handed to her by others. But this time, as if prompted by some ghost, she took it and, without a second thought, gently wiped her face.
"Thank you. I'll wash this clean before returning it to you."
After wiping herself clean, she folded the handkerchief neatly and then seriously said to Xiao Tian.
Xiao Tian nodded indifferently. "You continue filling."
Although Han Yue was curious about what Xiao Tian had gone up to do, it was his private matter, so she didn't ask. She lowered her head and continued filling the Earth Core Body Tempering Fluid before her.
Xiao Tian watched as Han Yue bent over cautiously. Her silver dress clung tightly to her body because of her movements, clearly outlining her slender waist and rounded hips. After a few glances, Xiao Tian averted his gaze.
Han Yue's face, while she was filling the liquid, inexplicably flushed a little. She seemed to have noticed something, but she felt no disgust in her heart. The corners of her mouth even curved up unconsciously.
She swiftly filled all the Earth Core Body Tempering Fluid, capped the bottle, and picked up the other jade bottles placed beside it. "There are four bottles filled in total. I haven't kept any for myself. They're all here."
As she spoke, she held the jade bottles out to Xiao Tian, her voice carrying a sweetness.
Xiao Tian took them, directly storing three bottles into his Demon Flame Ring. Then, he took Han Yue's hand and placed the remaining jade bottle into her palm.
"Consider this your reward for this venture."
After Xiao Tian finished speaking, he turned and headed back the way they had come. He had already obtained the true Earth Core Body Tempering Fluid. This diluted version was dispensable to him. Giving one bottle away could improve his image, and perhaps lead to greater gains in the future.
Han Yue was slightly stunned, looking down at the jade bottle in her hand. She hadn't expected Xiao Tian to do that. She looked up at Xiao Tian's back, her eyes revealing a complex mix of strange, grateful, and bewildered emotions.
She gripped the jade bottle tightly, her heart full of feeling. "I didn't expect someone as overbearing and cunning as you to do something like this. Just what kind of person are you?"
Han Yue quickly caught up with Xiao Tian. Her gaze toward him held a subtle change that even she hadn't noticed.
"Thank you, Xiao Tian. I owe you a favor."
Han Yue spoke with a firm tone from behind Xiao Tian.
Xiao Tian waved his hand indifferently. The two continued walking, one in front and one behind. Throughout the journey back, Han Yue kept a tight grip on the jade bottle, choosing not to store it in her storage ring.
Twenty minutes later, the two walked out of the cave and both took a deep breath of the outside air.
"The air outside is still the freshest. It doesn't circulate inside — this is much more comfortable."
Han Yue couldn't help but laugh at Xiao Tian, who was unreservedly spreading his arms and breathing in the air.
"Junior Xiao Tian, what are your plans next?"
"I plan to continue exploring this area. What about you?" Xiao Tian answered Han Yue's question, then asked in return.
"I plan to go back and refine this that you gave me. Thank you so much. Although my strength isn't as high as yours, if you ever need anything from me, just tell me, and I will definitely help you accomplish it."
Han Yue looked at Xiao Tian with sincerity. Xiao Tian nodded. "Then I will certainly seek you out if I need anything in the future."
"Then I'll leave first. Junior Xiao Tian, please be careful."
"Senior Han Yue, wait."
Han Yue heard Xiao Tian's words and stood still in confusion. Xiao Tian reached out and touched her forehead. Han Yue's expression faltered, not understanding what Xiao Tian was doing. Before she could ask, she felt numerous medicinal herbs appear in her mind.
"When you use it, combine it with these medicinal herbs. It will better enhance the efficacy of the Earth Core Body Tempering Fluid."
Han Yue already knew that Xiao Tian was an Alchemist, so she had no doubts about his medicinal formula. If he wanted to harm her, he wouldn't need to go through such trouble.
"Thank you, Junior Xiao Tian. You truly are Senior Han Yue's benefactor."
Han Yue directly hugged Xiao Tian. Before he could react, she leaped toward the Inner Academy without looking back.
Xiao Tian's hand remained frozen in the air. He hadn't expected Han Yue to make such a gesture.
Han Yue, gradually flying away, gently turned her head to look at Xiao Tian, who was still stunned. Her pretty face was slightly flushed and warm. She had, as if prompted by a ghost, made such a move. How embarrassing, she thought to herself. Then she quickly activated her movement technique to leave, fearing that her abnormality would be discovered.
Xiao Tian watched Han Yue's departing figure, a meaningful smile forming on his face.
Golden wings appeared behind him, and he instantly ascended into the sky, flying deeper into the forest.
At night, Xiao Tian chose not to return to the Inner Academy. He had already informed Xun'er beforehand. Xiao Tian instead entered the Eternal Dream Realm. As for sleeping outdoors — he'd be crazy to do that.
Upon entering the Eternal Dream Realm, Xiao Tian immediately chose to perform an air raid.