Nine-Star Dou Zhe!

Su Zhao murmured softly, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Retracting his gaze, he looked at Little Doctor, who was squatting on the ground and tirelessly sorting through medicinal herbs. Su Zhao had already made up his mind.

There was no rush. He could wait until his cultivation was more solid before leaving the Magic Beast Mountain Range to study it.

"Enough, stop looking."

Su Zhao walked over and lightly flicked the top of Little Doctor's head.

"These herbs aren't going to grow legs and run away. Let's get our living quarters sorted out first. It's getting late—we need somewhere to shelter from the wind and rain tonight."

"Ow!"

Little Doctor covered her forehead and glared up at him.

"You hit my head again!"

"I'm reminding you to get to work."

Su Zhao smiled, turned around, and headed toward the flat clearing at the center of the valley, beginning to survey the terrain.

Little Doctor grumbled a few words, patted the dirt from her hands, and got to her feet. Together with Su Zhao, she began planning out a little nest for themselves.

Time drifted by, and another month passed in the blink of an eye.

Over that month, the sounds of herbs being pounded and a youth's bright laughter could be heard in the valley almost every day.

During the day, Su Zhao fought Magic Beasts outside the valley to hone his combat skills. At night, he sat in the clearing before the wooden cabin, using his Origin Flame to devour and refine the Beast Flames he had obtained during the day.

Meanwhile, Little Doctor cultivated in the valley, gathered herbs, and cooked medicinal meals. Her days were peaceful yet fulfilling, as though this valley shrouded by thick mist and surrounded by mountains were a paradise beyond the world.

Little Doctor's cultivation progress was astonishing.

Under Su Zhao's guidance, she began exposing herself to low-grade poisonous herbs in moderation, using the Calamity Poison Body's innate ability to refine poison and turn toxins to her own use.

In just one month, she successfully broke through the Dou Zhe barrier. Her momentum did not slow in the slightest as she consecutively advanced two more stars, becoming a three-star Dou Zhe.

If ordinary people saw her cultivation speed, they would likely be so envious their scalps went numb. She had gone from merely the fourth stage of Dou Qi to a three-star Dou Zhe in only around two months. The terror of the Calamity Poison Body truly lived up to its reputation.

Su Zhao's progress likewise satisfied him greatly.

In one month, he had cultivated to the peak of the nine-star Dou Zhe realm.

Since leaving Black Wind City, he had devoured a total of three Beast Flames. Two had come from third-tier fire-attributed Magic Beasts, while one had come from a fourth-tier one.

Though none were particularly powerful Beast Flames, they were still great nourishment for him at his current Dou Zhe stage.

Each devouring and refinement strengthened his Origin Flame further, making the Dou Qi within his body ever more pure and abundant. The barrier separating him from the Dou Shi realm also drew ever closer.

That evening, Su Zhao returned from outside the valley, dragging his weary body along.

After a full day of fighting Magic Beasts, several parts of his robe had been torn, and a few shallow bloody marks remained on his arms. Still, he was otherwise unharmed.

Following the familiar path into the valley, he spotted the elegant little wooden cabin deep within it from afar.

The cabin had been built by the three of them together over the past month. Though simple, Little Doctor had kept it clean and tidy. A low fence stood around it, enclosing several clusters of fragrant medicinal herbs.

A graceful young girl was busy at the cabin entrance. Her light-purple hair was casually pinned up with a wooden hairpin, with several loose strands falling over her shoulders and gleaming softly in the sunset's afterglow.

She wore a coarse linen apron, and a small pot had been set up before her. Steam bubbled from within, carrying the rich fragrance of meat mixed with the fresh scent of herbs. It was enough to make one's mouth water even from far away.

From a distance, Su Zhao raised his voice and called out, "What delicious thing has our Chef Xian'er made today? I could smell it from so far away!"

Little Doctor tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and replied without turning around, "The same as yesterday."

Su Zhao quickly stepped forward and craned his head over the pot. It was Magic Beast meat stewed with several medicinal herbs and mushrooms. The broth was thick and white, the meat tender and soft, with a glistening layer of oil floating on top. Its aroma filled the air.

Unable to resist, he reached in, picked out a mushroom, and popped it into his mouth. It scalded him so badly that he sucked in cold air, yet he still nodded repeatedly. "Mm, tastes great!"

Little Doctor turned around with several wooden bowls in hand and shot him an annoyed look. "Wash your hands before eating!"

Su Zhao chuckled and ran to the stream to wash his hands. By the time he returned, Little Doctor had already served him a bowl.

Taking the bowl, he squatted on a wooden stump in front of the cabin and began wolfing it down.

This was how the three of them lived these days.

Su Zhao and Su You cultivated outside during the day, fighting all sorts of Magic Beasts to hone their practical combat experience. Little Doctor mainly remained in the valley. Besides cultivating, she cooked, tended the herbs, and prepared medicinal meals, making this peaceful life vibrant and full.

Little Doctor loved this kind of life. In more than ten years of living, she had never known such relaxed and comfortable days.

Every day, she woke to green mountains and clear waters, with rare medicinal herbs to study and hunters returning from outside to share dinner with her.

Yet she also knew that because of her constitution, no matter how much she loved it, she could not live such a carefree life forever.

The Calamity Poison Body was like a sword hanging over her head. If she did not press onward, that sword would fall sooner or later.

Thus, she cultivated harder than anyone else. Yet within this small valley, there was warmth beneath that diligence.

After eating and drinking his fill, Su Zhao stretched lazily in satisfaction and teased Little Doctor, "Ahh, Xian'er, your cooking just keeps getting better! Tsk, tsk. Whoever marries Xian'er in the future will be over the moon, won't they?"

Little Doctor was clearing away the bowls when she heard this. Her face reddened slightly, and she glared at him. "Hmph, keep dreaming!"

"Hehehe."

Su Zhao laughed, clapped his hands, and stood up. His expression grew somewhat more serious, and his tone followed suit.

"All right, Su You. We still have something important to do today."

"Yes, Young Master."

Su You put down his bowl and chopsticks.

Su Zhao looked toward the depths of the lush forest beyond the valley, his eyes narrowing slightly.

The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King. After being here for so long, it was finally time to make a move against it.

Su Zhao was now at the peak of the nine-star Dou Zhe realm, just one step away from becoming a Dou Shi.

To cross this realm barrier quickly, relying on ordinary Beast Flames and slowly polishing his cultivation was far too slow. The fastest way was to use the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King's Companion Purple Crystal Source and directly assault the barrier with the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King's natal purple flame, breaking through in one stroke.

With the Fire Spirit Body's control over flames, the Companion Purple Crystal Source was the ideal breakthrough resource for him.

Of course, the Companion Purple Crystal Source was one of the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King's most important treasures. It would never hand it over so easily. If he wanted it, a battle was unavoidable.

"Xian'er."

Su Zhao turned to look at her.

"Stay in the valley. We'll be back soon."

Little Doctor set down the bowls in her hands, concern in her eyes. "Be careful. The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King is the ruler of this Magic Beast Mountain Range—a sixth-tier Magic Beast, equivalent to a human Dou Huang expert."

Su Zhao smiled, his tone relaxed. "Don't worry. With Su You here, one Purple Crystal Winged Lion King can't stir up much trouble. If we're lucky, I'll catch you a little lion as a pet later."

Without waiting for Little Doctor's response, he turned and darted toward the outside of the valley.