Xiao Yi Xian

At dusk, as the sun slowly set, Huo Yuhao did not stop to rest. He continued leaping across the sea of trees.

I've gathered almost enough herbs. Once I return and make a medicinal cauldron that can control its temperature, I can begin refining medicine, Huo Yuhao thought. After I repair the Spiritual Sea, the missing memories should more or less return as well.

Thinking of the materials needed to make a medicinal cauldron, Huo Yuhao let out another long sigh and grumbled inwardly. Alchemists were clearly the most revered profession on the Battle Qi Continent, so why had no one thought to improve medicinal cauldrons? Anyone without both fire- and wood-attributed Dou Qi could not use one at all!

Roar!!!

A familiar roar suddenly interrupted his thoughts. Huo Yuhao stopped and looked toward the sound. At present, his Spirit Probe could only reach five or six hundred meters in a single direction, not as far as he could see directly with his Spirit Eyes.

That Snow Demon Ape from before? I should take a look! After thinking briefly, Huo Yuhao made his decision.

When he arrived, a thick stench of blood washed over him. Huo Yuhao frowned, just about to examine the situation carefully when he saw the Snow Demon Ape suddenly leap up and pounce toward a purple-haired girl at the edge of the battlefield.

"Don't move!" Without time to think, Huo Yuhao roared. He kicked hard off the trunk, dropping like a hunting hawk. He grabbed Xiao Yi Xian and darted out of the Snow Demon Ape's landing spot.

Bang—!

Shattered stones flew everywhere, and a crater half a person deep appeared beneath the Snow Demon Ape. Having been toyed with once again, the little reason it possessed vanished completely. Ice spikes formed in its right hand, and it began hurling them wildly in every direction.

Ignoring the expression on the girl's face, Huo Yuhao set her down and immediately turned around. He withdrew a spare short blade from his storage ring. His spiritual power and Dou Qi fused instantly and flooded into the blade. An icy-blue glow emerged as the elemental energy of heaven and earth resonated and gathered.

Unparalleled Ice Extremity!

From the moment Huo Yuhao activated his Dou Qi to the moment he threw the short blade, only an instant had passed. Yet in the Snow Demon Ape's eyes, time seemed to slow. The blade flew toward it inch by inch, and even every snowflake swirling around it was visible in perfect detail. But its thoughts seemed to have stopped altogether. Its body could not move, and it could not even close its eyes.

The short blade pierced through the Snow Demon Ape's injured eye, burst out through the back of its skull, and pinned itself into a tree trunk behind it without bringing out a single drop of blood. The Snow Demon Ape looked as though it had fallen asleep. It made no more sound and no further movement.

Without paying attention to the dead Snow Demon Ape, Huo Yuhao pressed a finger to his brow, mobilized his spiritual power, and accurately struck every Magic Beast.

Soul Blast!

The mercenaries who had been struggling desperately were astonished to see the Magic Beasts before them suddenly let out anguished cries, their bodies shaking as if seized by convulsions.

The mercenaries present were all veterans. None of them let this excellent opportunity pass. They unleashed their ultimate moves and wiped out the Magic Beasts. When the battle ended, the mercenaries either sat or lay sprawled on the ground. Not one of them could remain standing.

When Mr. Yao had fallen, he had thought everything was over. He never expected the situation to change so drastically in an instant. However, unlike the other mercenaries, he did not lower his guard. Instead, he struggled to his feet and limped over to Huo Yuhao, giving him a deep bow. "Thank you, Senior, for saving our lives."

Huo Yuhao lowered his hand and returned the salute with clasped fists. "It was nothing. There is no need to thank me." With that, he prepared to leave.

Xiao Yi Xian had been sitting on the ground with her little mouth open, staring blankly at Huo Yuhao. When she saw that he was about to leave, she hurriedly rose to her feet and blurted out, "Wait!" Seeing both Huo Yuhao and Mr. Yao turn to look at her, her cheeks flushed. She patted the dirt from her clothes. "Senior, you saved us just now. Why not rest for the night at our camp?"

Huo Yuhao looked around at the mercenaries, most of whom had lost their ability to fight. After pondering for a few seconds, he nodded.

"All right. Then I'll trouble you."

"Not at all! Xian'er, take Senior back to the camp first," Mr. Yao replied hurriedly.

"Okay, Senior, this way."

"No need to call me Senior. Let's wait for them and go together."

Huo Yuhao silently watched as the mercenaries, having recovered a little strength, carried the wounded toward the camp. Seeing this, Xiao Yi Xian's expression also dimmed, and she followed after them with Huo Yuhao.

The campfire was still burning, crackling from time to time. Huo Yuhao sat beside the fire, his awareness entering his storage ring as he took stock of what he had gained during this trip into the Magic Beast Mountain Range. In the distance, Mr. Yao was discussing something with several mercenaries.

"We can't go any deeper, Mr. Yao. We suffered heavy losses this time. If we continue farther into the Magic Beast Mountain Range, I'm afraid we won't make it back."

Mr. Yao nodded. "We'll return to Green Mountain Town tomorrow morning. Myriad Medicine Hall will cover all of the brothers' losses this time!"

After calming the mercenaries, Mr. Yao walked over to Huo Yuhao and asked, "Brother Huo, we plan to set out for Green Mountain Town tomorrow morning. Will you return with us, or do you have other plans?"

Huo Yuhao replied, "I'm planning to return as well. I'll leave with you tomorrow."

"That's wonderful." Mr. Yao was somewhat pleased. With such a formidable person traveling alongside them, the return journey would surely be much safer. "Once we reach Green Mountain Town, just tell me if you need anything. As long as it is within my ability, I will help."

Catching sight of Xiao Yi Xian approaching from the corner of his eye, Mr. Yao said, "I won't disturb your rest any longer. Please excuse me." With that, he went to help tend to the wounded mercenaries.

"Brother Yuhao, thank you for earlier. These are some herbs I collected. They're for you." After learning Huo Yuhao's age, Xiao Yi Xian immediately changed how she addressed him from Senior to Brother. At the same time, she began finding every excuse to stay near him.

Huo Yuhao hesitated slightly before accepting them.

Seeing Huo Yuhao accept the herbs, Xiao Yi Xian was a little happy. She began chatting with him about all sorts of random things.

While responding to her, Huo Yuhao continued taking stock of his gains.

Nothing unexpected happened on the way back, and the group returned safely to Green Mountain Town. In front of Myriad Medicine Hall, Mr. Yao stopped Huo Yuhao as he was about to leave. He took a small box from the shop and handed it to him.

"This is a stalk of Soul-Nourishing Grass. I obtained it by chance before. Xian'er said that Brother Huo might need herbs related to the soul."

Huo Yuhao looked at Xiao Yi Xian in surprise, feeling somewhat puzzled. I don't think I ever mentioned that?

Xiao Yi Xian blushed slightly and explained, "I noticed that Brother Yuhao kept pressing his temples along the way, as if you had a headache. Then I remembered what those Magic Beasts were like that night, so I guessed that Brother Yuhao had overused his soul power?"

Huo Yuhao nodded. "I do need this herb." He accepted the box, then said, "I didn't bring much gold, so I'll use these Magic Cores in exchange." With that, he took out a bag and handed it to Mr. Yao. It was filled with Magic Cores from all kinds of Magic Beasts.

Mr. Yao firmly refused, insisting that the herb was meant to thank Huo Yuhao for saving their lives, not as part of a transaction.

Huo Yuhao shook his head and casually tossed the bag in his hand, hanging it from the gates of Myriad Medicine Hall. Then he turned and left.

"Until we meet again."

"Goodbye, Brother Yuhao!" Xiao Yi Xian watched Huo Yuhao leave until his figure could no longer be seen. Mr. Yao teased her from the side, "Xian'er, don't tell me you've fallen for him? A grown daughter can't be kept at home!"

"No," Xiao Yi Xian explained with a red face. "I'm only grateful to Brother Yuhao for saving my life."

"Ha ha!"

"Father, you're awful. I'm not talking to you anymore." Xiao Yi Xian turned her head away, looking once more in the direction Huo Yuhao had left. At most, it's because my Dou Qi circulates more comfortably when I'm beside Brother Yuhao. There's no other reason, hmph!