Several days later.
Xiao Yuan broke through.
A massive vortex of energy slowly gathered high in the sky, turning as it frantically drew in the world's energy that had collected in the valley.
A moment later, the vortex abruptly stopped spinning.
Then the surging energy poured down like a torrential rain, before finally gathering into two enormous torrents that hurtled down like mountain floods, rushing straight toward Xiao Yuan, who sat cross-legged in the Spirit Gathering Array.
The immense energy continuously washed over his body.
The energy that spilled away seemed to be drawn back, forming an inverted vortex that Xiao Yuan absorbed into his body.
It was like a cycle between above and below, heaven and earth.
Inside the wooden cabin, Xiao Yi Xian had witnessed it all with her own eyes. Her hands clenched involuntarily, her heart and mind filled with worry.
As for shock?
In the time they'd spent together, Xiao Yuan had already brought Xiao Yi Xian far too many miracles.
Things like the Spirit Gathering Array, the Marrow Cleansing Powder that improved one's constitution and talent, and even Heavenly Flames.
Her whole worldview had been completely reshaped.
So now, no matter what she saw, Xiao Yi Xian was no longer surprised.
Deep down, she had already decided that Xiao Yuan must have come from some incredibly powerful family.
A moment later, the vortex of energy circling overhead had completely dissipated.
The violently surging world's energy in the valley gradually returned to normal as well.
Xiao Yuan, sitting cross-legged in an open space in the valley, slowly breathed out a mouthful of stale air. His tightly closed eyes snapped open, and a wisp of emerald-green flame flickered in his pupils before mischievously vanishing without a trace.
At the same time, a pair of enormous wings of emerald-green flame unfurled from his back.
"Not bad. I've finally broken through to Dou Emperor!"
Feeling the transformation within his body, Xiao Yuan saw that the smooth, rounded Dou Crystal had completely vanished, leaving only vast Dou Qi filling him from head to toe.
Only then did a satisfied smile appear on his face.
In just over three months, he'd leaped from Three-Star Dou Ling to One-Star Dou Emperor. At last, he had the confidence to tell people—
"My, Xiao, have walked on thin ice my entire life. Becoming a One-Star Dou Emperor was entirely thanks to my own hard work!
"System, add points!"
This was the kind of cultivation speed a transmigrator ought to have.
And that wasn't all.
Although he'd only just entered the Dou Emperor realm, the amount of Dou Qi in his body was no less than that of a Three-Star Dou Emperor.
On top of that, he'd unlocked the final move of the Taixu Sword Qi: Taixu Sword God.
He felt he could even fight a Four-Star Dou Emperor!
As for anyone stronger, he'd have to wait until he met one and see.
"You broke through again?"
A gentle voice reached his ears. Xiao Yi Xian, back in a white dress, was walking gracefully toward him.
Why did she say "again"?
She'd lost count of how many times she'd seen Xiao Yuan break through.
And every time, the commotion had been bigger than the last.
If the place weren't hidden by clouds and surrounded by mountains like a natural barrier, who knew how many Magical Beasts in the mountains would have been disturbed?
Xiao Yuan knew that too, but all he did was smile.
"Mm. I've broken through to Dou Emperor."
"Honestly, you're such a little monster. I've never seen anyone like you."
A Dou Emperor at fourteen, before he'd even had his coming-of-age ceremony.
No one would believe it if they heard.
"But you're doing great too, big sister Xiao Yi Xian. You're already a Dou Shi. Once you get the Nether Poison Fire and it works in tandem with your Woeful Poison Body, you'll break through even faster! Once the Poison Pill is refined, you'll be able to control your Woeful Poison Body completely."
At that, Xiao Yi Xian pressed her lips together slightly, unable to stop herself from asking:
"Little brother Xiao Yuan, is refining the Poison Pill... especially difficult?"
"Huh?"
Xiao Yuan froze. He'd never expected Xiao Yi Xian to suddenly ask about that.
Could she already know something?
Although he was puzzled, he still said it wouldn't be difficult.
"Really? Don't lie to me."
Xiao Yi Xian pressed him relentlessly.
Xiao Yuan quickly stepped back with a smile. "Why would I? What would I gain by lying to you?"
He said it, but in truth, he didn't want to put too much pressure on Xiao Yi Xian.
The requirements for refining the Poison Pill were simply outrageous.
If she knew it required three Heavenly Flames, the Magic Core of a seventh-tier Heavenly Poison Scorpion Dragon Beast, and Bodhi Body Transformation Saliva, she'd probably collapse on the spot, right?
But luckily, I already have a seventh-tier Magic Core, and I've got Life Spirit Flame. I just need to go to the Tagor Desert and get the Green Lotus Core Flame, then head to the Black-Corner Region and get Han Feng's Sea Heart Flame and the Fallen Heart Flame at Jia Nan Academy.
As for the Bodhi Body Transformation Saliva... I can only rely on luck and draw it, or go find it based on the original story.
[ Ding, congratulations! You've obtained one portion of Bodhi Body Transformation Saliva. ]
What?!
No, I was just making a wish. You actually gave it to me???
At that moment, Xiao Yuan didn't know what to say to the Dog System.
Xiao Yi Xian had heard his thoughts, and her breathing had already grown unsteady.
Never mind the preciousness of a seventh-tier Magic Core. Just the three Heavenly Flames were enough to scare anyone to death, let alone the Bodhi Body Transformation Saliva, something she'd never even heard of.
And Xiao Yuan was going to gather all these things for her, to cure her Woeful Poison Body...
Little brother, how could big sister ever repay you?
For a moment, Xiao Yi Xian's gaze at Xiao Yuan grew so complicated it was beyond description, a jumble of emotions.
She felt that even giving herself to him wouldn't be enough to repay this debt of gratitude...
Only then did Xiao Yuan notice that something was off with Xiao Yi Xian.
"Big sister Xiao Yi Xian, why are you looking at me like that?"
"It's nothing. Where are you planning to go next? I'll come with you."
Xiao Yi Xian looked away, her voice gentler and more resolute than before.
From Xiao Yuan's earlier thoughts, she'd learned that he was supposed to go to Jia Ma Holy City and break off his engagement with a girl named Nalan Yanran.
But what she actually heard was something else.
"Emmmm, I was originally planning to go to Jia Ma Holy City, but for now, I think I'll take a little detour and head to the Chu Yun Empire first."
If I don't get my hands on everything I can, I'll feel uneasy.
"But before that, I've got something to take care of in the Magical Beast Mountain Range. How about you wait here for me? It shouldn't take long..."
"No. I'm coming with you," Xiao Yi Xian interrupted firmly.
Xiao Yuan didn't refuse.
"All right, then let's go together."
He knew Xiao Yi Xian seemed to have changed somehow, but he chose not to look into it.
He casually gathered up the Spirit Gathering Array's flags.
Then, out of habit, he put an arm around Xiao Yi Xian's slender, graceful waist, condensed his Dou Qi Wings, and shot skyward in a streak of light.
What was he going to do in the Magical Beast Mountain Range?
Naturally, he was going to find the sixth-tier Amethyst Winged Lion King, a Magical Beast on par with a human Dou Emperor.
He was just short a Great Lion for a mount, and this was the perfect chance to try out his newly unlocked Dou Technique!