Xiao Chen had long guessed that Xiao Yi Xian would say that, so he decisively cut her off. "Heavenly Flames are hard to find, but the improvement that comes from fusing with one is enormous!"
"Besides, the Heavenly Flame I chose for you is the Netherworld Poison Flame, the one best suited to the Woe Poison Body!"
The Netherworld Poison Flame itself contained an extremely potent poisonous attribute, while also carrying the violent nature of a Heavenly Flame. Paired with the Netherworld Poison Body, killing enemies above one's level would be as easy as eating or drinking.
Of course, Xiao Chen hadn't come up with the idea on a whim. Fusing Heavenly Flames was no joke; one mistake, and they could burn you to ashes in an instant.
But he had already fused two Heavenly Flames in the simulator: the Green Lotus Core Flame once, and the Fallen Heart Flame once.
So when it came to fusing Heavenly Flames, Xiao Chen was practically certain of success. Otherwise, how could he dare let Xiao Yi Xian try?
"If that's the case, Xian'er will leave everything to Brother Xiao Chen!"
Xiao Yi Xian didn't know how terrifying it was to fuse with a Heavenly Flame. Even if she had known, she would still have been willing to try, because she trusted that if Xiao Chen had suggested it, he must have a way to handle it.
"There's no rush. It's getting late, so we should get some rest."
Xiao Chen glanced outside. Night had settled in, and as a young man with a healthy sleep schedule, how could he stay up late?
Besides, even if he wanted to help Xiao Yi Xian condense a Poison Pill right now, he was powerless to do so. He had already gathered the three Heavenly Flames— the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame, the Fallen Heart Flame, and the Green Lotus Core Flame.
But he had neither Bodhi Body Transformation Saliva nor the Magic Core of a seventh-tier poison-type magical beast. He also lacked a place with an extremely yang attribute, like the Yang Fire Ancient Altar. So the idea of condensing a Poison Pill would have to be put aside for now.
At his words, Xiao Yi Xian blushed, but she didn't refuse. Biting her lip, she silently walked toward the bed. Though she had long been mentally prepared, she still didn't want things to happen so hastily...
Seeing this, Xiao Chen couldn't help smiling. He took off his clothes and slipped under the covers, drawing Xiao Yi Xian into his arms and ruffling her hair. "Go to sleep. Don't let your imagination run wild. Even if I really wanted to do something to Xian'er, it wouldn't be now!"
"Mm!"
At those words, Xiao Yi Xian's pretty face turned even redder. She buried her head against Xiao Chen's chest, too embarrassed to look at him, while secretly scolding herself, Xiao Yi Xian, Xiao Yi Xian, what on earth is going through your head? How could you look at Brother Xiao Chen with such a despicable thought?
Perhaps because she felt so guilty, Xiao Yi Xian made a bold decision to atone. She quietly let go of Xiao Chen and, blushing, slipped beneath the covers.
Early the next morning, while the sky was still dim, Xiao Chen woke up. Seeing Xiao Yi Xian still fast asleep, he didn't disturb her. He carefully lifted the covers, got out of bed, and left the room.
Not long after Xiao Chen left, Xiao Yi Xian opened her eyes. Clutching the covers, she rolled around on the bed. "Good heavens, Xiao Yi Xian, what did you do last night?!"
I'm done for. Will Brother Xiao Chen think I'm a bad girl?
A flood of thoughts filled Xiao Yi Xian's mind, leaving her so anxious and unsettled that she couldn't focus on anything.
Just as Xiao Yi Xian was letting her imagination run wild, the door opened from the outside. Xiao Chen walked in carrying several plates of pastries and a bowl of rice porridge. "You're awake, Xian'er. I got some pastries and rice porridge. Have a little."
Seeing that Xiao Yi Xian was awake, Xiao Chen brought the pastries to the bed and picked one up to feed her. But she dodged it. "Um, Brother Xiao Chen... Xian'er wants to rinse her mouth before eating!"
"Mm, I'll get you some water."
Xiao Chen understood and got up to pour her a cup of tea. After rinsing her mouth, Xiao Yi Xian straightened her clothes and got out of bed.
At the table, Xiao Yi Xian looked at the bowl of white porridge and stirred it with her spoon. Then she looked up at Xiao Chen and suddenly felt as if she were already a little full.
Xiao Chen had eaten two pastries when he suddenly remembered there was something he hadn't dealt with. "Xian'er, what do you want to do about the Ten Thousand Medicine Pavilion?"
"Brother Xiao Chen can decide. Yao Wanqian never truly cared about me. He only saw me as a tool for profit. We were merely using each other all that time."
Xiao Yi Xian's expression was calm, and there wasn't a trace of reluctance in her voice. She had seen through Yao Wanqian's nature from the beginning; she had simply been unable to leave before. Now that Xiao Chen was by her side, she naturally had no desire to return to that wretched place.
Xiao Chen breathed a sigh of relief. Since Xiao Yi Xian had already made up her mind, things would be easy. He didn't want something so trivial to leave a rift between them. "Xian'er, finish your breakfast. I'm going out to take care of something."
Xiao Yi Xian understood. She set down her spoon and rose to straighten Xiao Chen's collar. "Brother Xiao Chen, be careful on the way. Xian'er will behave and wait here for you to come back!" After saying that, she kissed him on the cheek, her eyes full of longing.
"Don't worry. No one here can threaten my safety. I'll be back soon!"
Xiao Chen cupped Xiao Yi Xian's face and lightly kissed her tender lips before turning and leaving the room.
Meanwhile, at the Wolf Head Mercenary Group's headquarters, Mu She was still dreaming of soaring to great heights, unaware that danger was quietly closing in.
"Father, quick! That lord is here, in the main hall. He specifically asked to see you!"
Mu Li flung open the door, startling Mu She. Mu She was just about to scold him, but when he heard Mu Li's words, he swallowed them back, got up, and hurried outside.
Before long, Mu She arrived at the main hall. Xiao Chen was seated in the place of honor, sipping tea, while the other two group leaders stood beside him with ingratiating smiles, showering him with flattery.
"Mu She, head of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group, and my son Mu Li, pay our respects to you, lord!"
Mu She took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement, and bowed respectfully. Mu Li followed his father's example and bowed as well.
Xiao Chen glanced at Mu She and Mu Li, his smile growing brighter. "You're Mu She, right? You did a good job. I'm very pleased!"
"It was Heaven's favor that Your Excellency got what you wanted. Mu She wouldn't dare take credit!"
Mu She kept his head lowered and said he wouldn't dare, but in his heart he was already calculating how to pocket the reward from this haul. The low-ranking mercenaries wouldn't get anything valuable, perhaps only a few gold coins each.
But Gan Mu and He Meng weren't so easy to fool. Unless he produced something of real value, he probably wouldn't be able to fob them off.
Xiao Chen waved a hand, looking impatient. "All right. I said that if you handled things to my satisfaction, I'd give you the chance to meet my great-uncle. Now I'll send you to meet my great-uncle!"
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