Green Mountain Town, the back hills, inside the formation.
Xiao Yi Xian's hair, which had been drained of its color, turned from white to black.
She slowly opened her eyes, feeling light all over. The agony the Woeful Poison Body had inflicted on her for years seemed to have vanished completely.
Her skin had also become more translucent, as pure white as jade.
Xiao Yi Xian looked at Xiao Fan, her eyes filled with gratitude.
She said softly, "Thank you. If it weren't for you, I don't know how much longer I would have had to endure that torment."
But she was celebrating too soon...
"Your poison body can't be cured completely at this stage..."
Xiao Fan said bluntly.
Of course, he was only bluffing Xiao Yi Xian. He cultivated the Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Art, which, in theory, could absorb her very constitution.
But that would be like draining the pond to catch the fish.
As long as she wasn't afraid of the risk of an outbreak, the Woeful Poison Body allowed her to cultivate at an astonishing pace. She could soon become a reliable fighter.
And she could serve as his experience farm, too—a pretty young woman to boot. He'd get several benefits at once!
"From now on, stay with me. I'll help you gain complete control over the Woeful Poison Body."
Xiao Fan continued.
In the early stages, those who possessed the Woeful Poison Body couldn't control it properly, mainly because its power was too potent and violent.
The poisonous energy within the body was incredibly fierce, like a raging flood that had burst its banks.
And the possessor's strength and mental power weren't sufficient to suppress and guide that poisonous energy. As a result, the poison body's power could easily turn against them, causing tremendous harm to both themselves and those around them.
But with him by her side, there was nothing to worry about. If the poison turned against her, he could simply absorb it all.
Xiao Fan rose to his feet, standing tall and straight like a pine tree. He said to Xiao Yi Xian,
"When the time is right, I'll establish a faction: the Heavenly Court. You'll be my first great general."
His voice was gentle, giving her an overwhelming sense of security.
Xiao Yi Xian obediently nodded and followed behind Xiao Fan.
"I... I'm willing to follow you..."
And so, Xiao Yi Xian was happily whisked away by him.
Moonlight poured down like water over the two of them, casting their slender shadows as they walked farther and farther away, until they vanished into the night.
The next day, Xiao Yi Xian bade farewell to everyone at the Myriad Medicine Pavilion and left Green Mountain Town with Xiao Fan.
The sun was shining brightly, its heat and brilliance dazzling.
Xiao Fan spread his wings. His Dou Qi wings refracted a resplendent glow, a sight straight out of a dream.
Nimble and graceful, he swept Xiao Yi Xian into his arms in a bridal carry and flew toward Wutan City, riding the currents of air.
The wind howled past their ears, and Xiao Yi Xian's hair streamed wildly in the breeze.
Nestled in Xiao Fan's arms, Xiao Yi Xian blushed faintly, an unfamiliar feeling rising in her heart.
By the time they returned to the Xiao Clan, it was midafternoon, with the sun slanting westward. The warm light cast dappled shadows across the Xiao Clan's ancient courtyard.
The Xiao Clan youths were all taken aback at the sight, their eyes filled with curiosity and surprise.
Their clan's genius, Xiao Fan, had returned with a pretty young woman following behind him.
When Xiao Yu saw them, the light in her eyes dimmed at once, and an indescribable sadness welled up inside her.
She bit her lip, a bitter feeling quietly rising in her heart. "Who is she? Why is she by Xiao Fan's side?"
Xun Er, not far away, saw them too. Her delicate brows furrowed slightly.
Confusion and displeasure flashed in her eyes as she wondered silently, "Just where did this woman come from?"
Just then, Xiao Mei, who had been away, finally spotted Xiao Fan. Like a cheerful little bird, she rushed straight toward him.
"Brother Xiao Fan!"
Her soft body pressed tightly against Xiao Fan, her face beaming with joy and excitement.
Xiao Fan's mouth twitched slightly, helpless in the face of his cousin's enthusiasm.
Though they weren't related by blood, such intimacy still made him a little uncomfortable.
"Hello, I'm Xiao Yi Xian..."
Xiao Yi Xian greeted Xiao Mei with a smile.
Only then did Xiao Mei notice Xiao Yi Xian beside her. She looked her up and down.
Convinced that she was no less beautiful or well-built than the other girl, she pouted and said, "Brother Xiao Fan, why did you bring a woman home?"
There was a hint of displeasure in her voice.
Clan Chief Xiao Zhan happened to be passing by. Seeing the scene, he stopped as well.
Xiao Fan had no choice but to explain. "Xiao Yi Xian was gravely ill. Her parents went into the Magical Beast Mountain Range to gather medicinal herbs for her, but they never returned."
"Seeing her all alone and helpless, I brought her home."
It was the story he and Xiao Yi Xian had agreed on beforehand.
Hearing this, Xiao Yu's eyes reddened, and the hostility on her face faded.
She felt pity for what Xiao Yi Xian had gone through. "So that's what happened..."
Xiao Mei, however, remained suspicious, keeping a wary eye on Xiao Yi Xian.
She regarded the other girl as an enemy who had come to steal what she loved most. "Brother Xiao Fan, don't let her fool you!"
"I've met people who gave me the same sob story while I was away on business! They were all just trying to swindle people out of their money!"
Xiao Fan could only sigh. He raised a hand and gently patted Xiao Mei's head, saying softly, "Xiao Mei, don't make a fuss."
After he patted her on the head, Xiao Mei seemed to have been struck by a body-binding spell. Her face flushed crimson, and she stood rooted to the spot.
Seeing this, Xiao Zhan gave Xiao Fan a slight nod of approval, then turned and left.
Xiao Fan brought Xiao Yi Xian home, where they ran into Xiao Yan.
Seeing Xiao Yi Xian behind Xiao Fan, Xiao Yan grinned and teased, "Brother Fan, you sure have plenty of luck with the ladies!"
For some reason, Xiao Yi Xian seemed to him like a petite, delicate girl next door.
So cute... Was she a new maid Brother Fan had taken in?
Xiao Fan's expression was calm, as if he'd already expected the boy to say something like that.
He said evenly, "Xiao Yi Xian is already a Six-Star Dou Zhe."
At that, Xiao Yi Xian played along, lifting her chin slightly and puffing out her chest.
Hearing this, Xiao Yan felt a sudden tightness in his chest, as if he'd taken a heavy blow.
He clearly hadn't expected that the Xiao Yi Xian he'd just mistaken for an ordinary maid was actually a Six-Star Dou Zhe!
Unconvinced, he widened his eyes and said, "No way! How could a genius girl like her be with you?"
"I'm destined to become a powerhouse. I carry great fortune, so naturally people follow me."
Xiao Fan remained composed, brimming with confidence as he spoke, as if everything under heaven were within his grasp.
This imposing air left Xiao Yan struggling to breathe. He cursed inwardly, This guy is such a show-off!
Then Xiao Yan spun around and sprinted away, shouting as he ran, "Damn it! I'm going to train harder!"
But after only a few steps, he stopped abruptly and called back to Xiao Fan, "Brother Fan, just you wait! I'll definitely surpass you!"
The veins on his forehead bulged. It was clear that learning this pretty young woman was a Six-Star Dou Zhe had hit him hard.
The corners of Xiao Fan's mouth lifted into a faint smile.
He didn't reply, instead leading Xiao Yi Xian inside.
Inside, Xiao Yi Xian looked around curiously. The unfamiliar surroundings made her seem a little uneasy.
Her fingers unconsciously tugged at the hem of her clothes, and a hint of anxiety showed in her eyes.
She fretted inwardly, I wonder if he'll truly accept me.
Xiao Fan said softly, "From now on, this is your home. You don't need to feel constrained."
His voice was warm and kind, full of reassurance.
Xiao Yi Xian nodded slightly, deeply moved. Her eyes reddened, and she said softly, "Thank you, Xiao Fan."
Xiao Yi Xian had endured a bitter life since childhood, and somehow, she felt a sense of home.
The Xiao Clan members discussed Xiao Yi Xian's arrival among themselves.
Some praised him: "Young Master Xiao Fan is kindhearted, taking in this poor girl. He has a heart of gold."
Others worried: "I wonder what this girl's background is. Could she bring trouble to the Xiao Clan?"
Regardless, Xiao Yi Xian settled in with the Xiao Clan for the time being.
In the days that followed, Xiao Yi Xian worked hard to fit into life with the Xiao Clan...