"Can I have a hug, Brother Xiao Fan~"

Inside the room, thin wisps of smoke curled from the incense burner in the corner, diffusing a faint scent of ambergris as the two locked eyes.

Little Doctor Fairy opened her eyes slightly and stretched her arms out wide.

"I want a hug, Brother Xiao Fan."

Her voice carried a hint of languor and coquetry that made it impossible to refuse.

She seemed to enjoy this, using it to confirm his affection for her.

Xiao Fan smiled helplessly and gave her a gentle hug, feeling her warmth and her soft body.

The young man and the young girl leaned against each other, their arms wrapped lightly around one another.

Time seemed to stop flowing in that instant, and no one knew how much time had passed.

Xiao Fan lifted his head slightly.

Hmm...

Being at an age where his blood ran hot, his body could not help but have a slight reaction.

Little Doctor Fairy naturally sensed it, and her face flushed red, like a ripened apple.

However, she still blinked playfully, adding a hint of temptation to her tone.

"Brother Xiao Fan, I heard that doing that will cause the poison to erupt even more violently~"

Her eyes shone with a touch of mischief.

"Want to try? It just so happens that it's about to flare up again~"

Don't get the wrong idea; she was talking about her Woeful Poison Body about to erupt again.

Xiao Fan felt his vision go dark for a moment and pinched her cheek.

"What are you thinking about!"

His tone carried a hint of reproach.

"You're still too young..."

Xiao Fan shook his head helplessly.

Little Doctor Fairy's body had not fully matured yet, her strength was still weak, and his own physique was far too formidable—more terrifying than a magical beast—so an ordinary person simply could not withstand it.

"Tch~ So you really do prefer that big sister, don't you?"

Little Doctor Fairy pouted, her face full of dissatisfaction.

"It's true, I'm just a pitiful little girl, no one loves me, no one likes me."

Little Doctor Fairy lamented, her expression enough to make anyone feel a surge of pity.

Xiao Fan had no choice but to promise, "When you reach Dou Zong..."

"Heehee, okay..."

Having received Xiao Fan's promise, Little Doctor Fairy smiled.

It was as if she had received the most precious gift in the world; her smile was as brilliant as the brightest star in the night sky.

Having never felt such a sense of security from childhood, she only wanted to hold onto this young man tightly.

Even if it were only for a moment of peace, even if she had to give her life for him...

Xiao Fan lay beside her, smelling the girl's fresh fragrance, and said.

"Time to sleep..."

His voice was soft and soothing.

"Mm, goodnight, Brother Xiao Fan~"

As she spoke, she moved with lightning speed to plant a kiss on his lips.

Feeling the sweetness on his lips, Xiao Fan smiled, turned to hold Little Doctor Fairy, and slowly closed his eyes.

In the darkness, Little Doctor Fairy, nestled in Xiao Fan's arms, blinked her lively eyes.

Her heart was filled with joy and contentment before she drifted into a deep sleep.

The next day, the morning sun shone through the gaps in the window, casting mottled light onto the floor of the room.

Xiao Fan stretched his body, let out a yawn, and slowly walked out the door.

In his hurry to leave, he did not notice Xiao Xun'er's expressionless face in the corner.

Xiao Xun'er stood in the shadows, her beautiful face currently wearing a look of cold severity.

Her delicate features seemed covered in frost, and a trace of golden flame slowly rose in the depths of her autumn-water-like eyes.

She had seen with her own eyes yesterday as Little Doctor Fairy snuck into Brother Xiao Fan's room. Thinking of how the girl stuck to him all day, calling him "Brother Xiao Fan" with such sweetness, Xiao Xun'er could not help but feel a surge of irritation.

What is this! I was the one who was here first! I have known Brother Xiao Fan for much longer, so why does she get to be so close to him?

She felt that if she didn't do something, she might lose Brother Xiao Fan.

Xiao Fan made his way to the back mountain, where the trees grew in lush shade and the rustling leaves whispered in the passing breeze.

Just then, he felt a stir at his sleeve; the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python had awakened.

Its body was small and exquisite, yet it radiated a sense of agility and mystery.

Its head was round and adorable, with a pair of crystal-clear eyes that shone as brilliantly as gemstones.

The seven-colored scales on its body were arranged in perfect order, shimmering and interweaving in the sunlight to create a breathtaking, magnificent display.

Upon waking, it affectionately rubbed against Xiao Fan's finger, its movements gentle and warm, as if it were acting spoiled.

Xiao Fan smiled, his eyes filled with doting affection. He took some food from his Storage Ring—a type of magical beast meat suitable for consumption—and handed it over, saying, "You must be starving. Eat up."

"Hiss, hiss~"

Xiao Cai let out a cheerful sound, appearing delighted and feeling that it had followed the right person.

It began to feed, and despite its tiny size, it displayed an astonishing appetite.

The mountain of magical beast meat vanished rapidly as it wolfed it down, until not a scrap remained.

Sated, it lay lazily on the ground, showing no signs of change other than a slightly rounded belly.

Furthermore... Xiao Fan keenly sensed that its aura had grown a fraction stronger.

The sight made Xiao Fan click his tongue in surprise, followed by a gratified smile. "The little one is growing quite fast."

If the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python was already like this, how miraculous must the Nine-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python of the Great Thousand World be?

This kind of magical beast was quite well-suited to follow him.

Perhaps in the future, he could pass the Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Art to her, which would make her even more formidable.

"Not bad. Follow this Emperor from now on, and I guarantee you will become an Empress of the demon race." Xiao Fan stroked the little snake's head and said with confidence.

"Hiss, hiss!"

The little snake nodded happily, seemingly convinced of his words.

[Beep! Xiao Cai is extremely convinced by your words. Gained 3000 Bragging Points!]

Xiao Fan chuckled, his mood pleasant.

"Now, it is time to continue deducing the cultivation technique."

Xiao Fan muttered to himself.

He sat cross-legged, wisps of Dao rhythm floating around him like a dream. Having achieved minor success with the Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Art some time ago, the formidable comprehension granted by his Innate Sacred Body Dao Fetus had given him a flash of insight. He had already deduced more than half of the derivative techniques for the Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Art, and he intended to finish the rest over the next two days.

After all, the Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Art was not something just anyone could comprehend.

It was a highly sinister technique with harsh cultivation requirements; due to its overbearing and wicked nature, it demanded a great deal from the practitioner's physique and willpower.

Xiao Fan pondered this in his heart.

It wouldn't be appropriate to pass it on to the women by his side just like that, so Xiao Fan decided to create a version better suited for them.

Xiao Cai mimicked him by coiling its body, its crystal-clear eyes watching the Dao rhythm surrounding Xiao Fan.

It seemed to gain some insight, gradually becoming entranced, and its aura began to grow stronger...

Central Plains, Soul Hall branch.

The hall was dimly lit, with ghostly green flames flickering on the walls and stone pillars, as if countless vengeful spirits were whispering and wailing.

The floor was paved with cold black stone that chilled to the bone, occasionally revealing mottled marks left by dried, dark red bloodstains.

Black iron chains crisscrossed in mid-air, swaying slightly and emitting a hair-raising clinking sound.

Venerable Mu Gu received the mission from the Hall Master, and he smiled.

"Interesting. People from the Ancient Clan have gone to that backwater place again..."

"In that case, send a few protectors to take a look..."

To be safe, he deployed ten protectors this time, two of whom were nine-star Dou Zong, while the others were mid-to-high-tier Dou Zong...

As for their safety? Whether they would be discovered and killed by the experts of the Ancient Clan?

It didn't matter. The Soul Hall had countless such protectors; if they died, they died.

In any case, once he finished the matters at hand, he would go there himself...