Eight-Star Dou Huang, Little Fairy Doctor's Request

Time slipped away.

In the blink of an eye, three days had passed.

During these three days, under Xiao Ze's guidance, Little Fairy Doctor successfully converted her cultivation technique to the "Heaven and Earth Poison Canon," a manual specifically designed for the Woe Poison Body.

Because of the previous eruption of her Woe Poison Body, her cultivation level soared after switching to the "Heaven and Earth Poison Canon." In a mere three days, she successfully broke through to the Dou Shi realm.

Just as Little Fairy Doctor achieved her breakthrough, Xiao Ze returned to the Magical Beast Mountain Range and appeared before the Amethyst Winged Lion King.

"Little lion, three days have passed. Have your wounds healed?" Xiao Ze hovered before the Amethyst Winged Lion King, his voice indifferent.

"Hmph! Damnable human, you actually dare to return to this King's territory!" The Amethyst Winged Lion King spat out a torrent of scorching flames, its purple beast eyes filled with bloodlust and ferocity.

"Oh? Three days later and you're acting cocky again, little lion." Xiao Ze raised an eyebrow and mocked, "Have you forgotten the sight of you kneeling before This Seat and begging for mercy three days ago?"

"Roar!" The Amethyst Winged Lion King let out a furious bellow, instantly spewing purple flames. Its voice boomed, "Damnable human, last time it was because this King was not in top condition that you managed to win by a fluke."

"Today, this King is fully prepared. You will absolutely not be my match!"

"Retreat at once, or don't blame this King for being impolite!"

"Is that so?" Hearing this, the corners of Xiao Ze's mouth curled up. A majestic battle intent surged forth, and the Taixiao Sword let out a clear ring as it left its sheath, its tip pointing diagonally. "I hope you keep your word and can last a little longer under my sword today."

"Damnable human, you dare to look down on this King?" The Amethyst Winged Lion King's eyes blazed with fire, and a pillar of purple flame shot straight into the sky. "Take this!"

Rumble!

A great battle erupted once more!

Two beams of crimson light illuminated the entire sky. That apocalyptic scene of destruction appeared before everyone's eyes again, and a great turmoil quietly unfolded within the depths of the Magical Beast Mountain Range.

Two hours later.

"Stop, stop, stop!"

"This King surrenders, this King surrenders!"

"Stop fighting, stop fighting!"

The panting Amethyst Winged Lion King scrambled away, clutching its head. After exhausting every means at its disposal and still failing to defeat its opponent, its four limbs went limp, and it collapsed to the ground to beg for mercy.

"It's only been two hours, and you're surrendering again?"

"Weren't you bragging quite a bit just now? What? Is that all you've got?"

"Get up quickly. I just thought of a new combo technique. Survive this strike, and then you can beg for mercy!"

Looking at the Amethyst Winged Lion King sprawled on the ground, Xiao Ze felt deeply dissatisfied. Although it had lasted longer than last time, it was still not enough.

However, this battle allowed him to absorb a great deal of practical combat experience.

Many of the shortcomings from last time had been corrected.

He could now wield the three Earth-tier Dou Techniques—the Holy Spirit Sword Technique, Myriad Transformation Phantom, and Heaven Burning Palm—with ease. While he hadn't reached the level of perfection, he had mastered them thoroughly.

His overall strength was at least twice as powerful as it had been two months ago!

"No more fighting, no more fighting!" The Amethyst Winged Lion King gasped for air, its massive body lying like a pile of mud amidst the mountain rocks.

It shook its hideous head, refusing to move no matter how much Xiao Ze urged it.

"Hmph! Truly useless!"

"I'll give you five days. Five days from now, This Seat will come looking for you again!"

Xiao Ze snorted coldly, dropped these words, and took to the air to leave.

"Phew~" Watching Xiao Ze's departing back, the Amethyst Winged Lion King immediately flipped over and stood up. "That damnable human has finally left. I'm absolutely exhausted."

"How is his strength so terrifying? I am, after all, a high-level Rank 6 Magical Beast. Ordinary Dou Huang experts would be swatted to death by me with a single paw!"

"Yet, before him, I didn't have the slightest power to fight back."

"Could it be that he isn't human? Is he a magical beast wearing a human skin?"

The Amethyst Winged Lion King rested for a while, and as its strength returned, its confidence began to swell once more.

"Hmph! This time, this King was careless and didn't prepare the right countermeasures."

"Next time, this King will surely avenge today's humiliation!"

It flicked its massive tail and waddled back into its cave, secretly swearing in its heart that it would make this damnable human taste the feeling of being trampled under a beast's feet!

And so it went.

Xiao Ze would come to find the Amethyst Winged Lion King for sparring every few days.

And every single time, it ended with the Amethyst Winged Lion King failing and begging for mercy.

Facing the kneeling, pleading beast, Xiao Ze chose not to kill it, instead giving it time to recover its wounds before fighting it again and again.

Through these repeated battles, Xiao Ze continuously absorbed practical combat experience.

As a month passed.

His entire being had undergone a heaven-defying transformation.

His aura had become steady, his temperament profound, and his sharp, piercing gaze—framed by sword-like brows—was as deep as a frigid pool, concealing terrifying energy.

"Counting the time, I have been in the Magical Beast Mountain Range for two months now."

"The battle with the Amethyst Winged Lion King has also lasted for about a month."

"In these two months, I have gained a great deal. Not only has my practical combat experience improved, but my cultivation has also unexpectedly reached the level of an eight-star Dou Huang."

"In terms of combat power, I am far superior to what I was before."

"With three mastered Earth-tier Dou Techniques at my disposal, even a peak Dou Huang would likely be no match for me!"

"Even a powerhouse who has just stepped into the Dou Zong realm is someone I could contend with!"

Green Mountain Town.

In the courtyard of the Little Fairy Doctor's residence.

The scorching summer sun hung high in the sky.

Intense heat permeated every corner of Green Mountain Town.

Xiao Ze was hiding under a large willow tree in the courtyard to escape the heat, leisurely summarizing the gains of the past two months.

At this moment, a graceful figure enveloped in a fragrant breeze arrived at his side.

"Xiao Ze!"

As her light, delicate voice rang in his ears, Xiao Ze lazily opened one eye and looked over.

What met his eyes were a pair of fair, slender legs, the smooth ankles glistening under the sunlight. Her pale white dress outlined her graceful, curvaceous figure, and the magnificent jade peaks on her chest obscured most of his view.

"Why are you back?"

"Weren't you supposed to follow the people from the Myriad Medicine Pavilion into the Magical Beast Mountain Range to gather herbs today?"

After seeing who it was, Xiao Ze closed his eyes again.

"Don't even mention it!" the Little Fairy Doctor said with a resentful tone. "I was originally prepared to head into the mountains to gather herbs today."

"But who would have thought that the areas that were safe in the past are now completely occupied by magical beasts."

"We hadn't even officially entered the Magical Beast Mountain Range before we encountered several beast attacks. The mercenary bodyguards suffered heavy casualties, and in the end, we had no choice but to give up on this herb-gathering trip."

The Little Fairy Doctor sat down beside Xiao Ze, complaining slightly.

"Oh?" Xiao Ze opened his eyes, curious. "Something like that happened?"

"Did this happen often in the past?"

As soon as he said this, he saw the Little Fairy Doctor staring at him with a resentful gaze. "Things like this never happened before."

"The hierarchy in the Magical Beast Mountain Range is very strict."

"High-level magical beasts almost never come to the low-level areas."

"The reason this situation is occurring might be related to the disturbances deep within the Magical Beast Mountain Range over the past month."

"Some suspect that a battle between high-level magical beasts occurred deep in the mountains, forcing other beasts to flee to the peripheral areas."

"Therefore, areas that were originally safe have now become fraught with danger."

Upon hearing the Little Fairy Doctor's words, Xiao Ze's expression stiffened.

"Is, is that so?" He gave a dry laugh, never having imagined that this matter actually had something to do with him!

"Yes!" The Little Fairy Doctor sighed, then waved her small fist and said fiercely, "It's all the fault of those two high-level magical beasts that keep fighting at the drop of a hat. If it weren't for them, how could I be unable to enter the mountains to gather herbs?"

"Do you know how many gold coins are lost every time I miss an opportunity to gather herbs?"

"Tell me..."

"Are those two magical beasts deep in the mountain range not being too excessive?"

The Little Fairy Doctor held up her small fist, staring at Xiao Ze without blinking. Her eyes held a hint of a smile, and her clear pupils seemed to be able to see right through his heart.

"Excessive!" Xiao Ze said righteously. "Truly too excessive!"

"How could they be like this?"

"Another day, I will head deep into the Magical Beast Mountain Range and help you question those two beasts."

While speaking with righteous indignation, Xiao Ze gently took hold of her soft, pink fist and quietly pressed it down.

"Uh, okay!" With her fist held, a blush appeared on the Little Fairy Doctor's cheeks. She darted her eyes around and stammered, "Xi, Xiao Ze."

"Hmm?"

"Are you free tomorrow?"

"What for?"

"There are a few high-level herbs that will mature in the next two days. I need to make a trip into the Magical Beast Mountain Range, but these herbs grow in a Tier 3 area. I hope you can accompany me tomorrow."

"Sure!"

"Really? Is it a deal?"

"..."