Xiao Yi Xian's Decision

The enormous blue eagle pierced through layers upon layers of white mist and glided down into a hidden valley blooming with vibrant colors below.

"What abundant natural energy. This really is a treasure land." Mu Chen leaped down from the Blue Eagle's back and exclaimed in amazement.

With his cultivation technique circulating slightly, Mu Chen could sense that the natural energy in this valley was far denser than outside. No wonder medicinal herbs grew everywhere. This was practically a blessed land. If one cultivated in the valley for a long time, their cultivation speed would certainly far surpass that of the outside world.

"That's right. This valley is completely cut off from the outside world, and the natural white mist overhead conceals it. Even if powerful experts passed above, they probably wouldn't discover anything unusual here unless they came down to investigate.

"If Xiao Lan hadn't carried me in here by chance back then, I probably wouldn't have discovered this place either." Seeing Mu Chen's astonished expression, Xiao Yi Xian let out a somewhat proud, lovely laugh.

When she had first arrived here, she had also been filled with amazement. The medicinal herbs covering the ground had especially delighted her.

After releasing the Blue Eagle, Xiao Yi Xian led Mu Chen to a corner of the valley. Pointing at a simple thatched hut, she smiled. "Let's stay here for a few days. We'll be leaving soon, and who knows how long it'll be before we return here again."

Mu Chen was briefly stunned, then a mischievous smile appeared on his face. He teased, "I don't mind. With a beauty by my side, even the scenery is a feast. These days won't be lonely."

Xiao Yi Xian shot Mu Chen an annoyed glare and raised her fair little fist threateningly. "That hut is where I live. You're not allowed inside. Find somewhere else to stay.

"And you'd better put away those dirty thoughts of yours. Be careful, or I'll poison you to death."

At the mention of poison, both of them fell silent. Looking into Xiao Yi Xian's rippling, bright eyes, Mu Chen said gravely, "Are you going to make poison again? Although the Woeful Poison Body will continuously produce poisonous gas once it awakens, you can rest assured. My physique is rather special. I can completely absorb the poisonous gas from your body and spare you the pain of poison corroding your body.

"You don't need to swallow poison according to the method recorded in that Poison Scripture to ease the pain. That will only make the poisonous gas inside you grow stronger."

"So even you despise my physique?" Xiao Yi Xian brushed back her somewhat messy hair, turned around, and faced away from Mu Chen as she spoke with self-mockery.

"How could you think that?" Mu Chen stepped forward and took Xiao Yi Xian's jade-like hand, allowing the purplish-black poison to slowly seep into his body.

"I don't know what nonsense you're thinking, but in my heart, you're still the kind Xiao Yi Xian."

"Don't touch me. I don't want my poison to hurt you." Xiao Yi Xian pulled back her hand and wiped away the tears gathering at the corners of her eyes.

As she gazed at the white clouds and mist in the sky, images of corpses strewn across the ground and the villagers' angry curses surfaced in her mind. Xiao Yi Xian said firmly, "Kindness is the most useless and burdensome thing. Though it is beautiful and something I long for, it has no power to deter anyone.

"The Woeful Poison Body has brought me pain, but it has also given me the possibility of becoming strong.

"I'm different from you. To increase my strength, I only need to swallow poison. For me, the more potent the poison, the greater the increase in my strength.

"Heaven granted me this physique. Since I possess such a shortcut to becoming strong, why should I give it up?

"Just as you said before, this ability is something countless people could only dream of. Now that I have the chance to rise above countless others, why should I abandon it?"

Mu Chen slowly withdrew his hand. After a moment of silence, he gave a self-mocking smile as well.

I was being too presumptuous. Xiao Yi Xian is a living person too. She has her own thoughts and pursuits. What right do I have to make her live according to the ideal image in my heart?

If I were in her position and possessed the Woeful Poison Body, I probably wouldn't be able to resist the temptation of rapidly gaining such powerful strength either.

But if I let Xiao Yi Xian continue cultivating like this, then just as in the original story, she will eventually lose control of the poisonous gas in her own body. That is something I cannot allow.

With a smile, Mu Chen stepped forward and boldly wrapped his arms around Xiao Yi Xian's slender waist from behind, pulling her into his embrace. Breathing in the fragrance of her hair, he said softly, "Fine. Since a certain disobedient little white rabbit likes being a little poison fairy, I can't force her to obey my wishes.

"But just like cultivation, everything must be done step by step. You can't rush it.

"Perhaps Heaven intended for the two of us to be together. I just happen to be able to regulate the poisonous gas in your body and drive away the pain tormenting you. I have to say, this is a fated bond ordained by Heaven."

Xiao Yi Xian's delicate body trembled. A flush rapidly spread across her cheeks, and even the tips of her crystal-clear ears turned red. Her temperature rose quickly, making her crimson face especially adorable.

Once she was certain that Mu Chen truly did not fear her poison, Xiao Yi Xian grabbed his arm and viciously bit down on it.

"I'll teach you to put your hands where they don't belong! I'll teach you to take advantage of me! I'll bite you to death, bite you to death..."

"Hiss..." The little white rabbit in his arms had turned into a fierce little leopard at the slightest disagreement. Mu Chen bared his teeth in pain, and the hand around Xiao Yi Xian's slim waist involuntarily slid downward.

With a soft sound, Xiao Yi Xian broke free from Mu Chen's embrace in shame and anger, then viciously stomped on his foot. She scolded him in embarrassed fury, "You bastard! I'll teach you to bully me! Teach you to bully me!"

"You're so fierce, just like a tigress. Be careful, or you won't be able to get married in the future." Mu Chen teased, his palm seeming to retain a soft, delicate sensation.

"I am fierce. What's it to you?"

Xiao Yi Xian covered her cheeks, feeling them burn intensely. Without even looking, she knew they must be red through and through.

Seeing how ambiguous the atmosphere had become, Xiao Yi Xian glared fiercely at Mu Chen and said in a fluster, "I... I'm going to gather herbs."

Watching Xiao Yi Xian's graceful figure flee in panic, Mu Chen chuckled continuously.

"I never expected Xiao Yi Xian to be such a tsundere. Hahaha, she's simply too adorable."

There were quite a few natural caves in the rock walls surrounding the valley. Mu Chen and Xiao Yi Xian's relationship was now separated only by a thin layer of paper, but both of them seemed to enjoy this wonderful feeling, so neither took the initiative to break through it.

He chose a relatively spacious cave, carefully cleaned it, and embedded a Moonlight Stone inside. That became his temporary little nest.

After clapping his hands, Mu Chen sat on a cool stone and took out the items he had extorted from the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King.

First was the fifth-tier Magic Core. It resembled a diamond in shape, though it was somewhat plump, about the size of a peeled lychee. Its surface was not particularly regular, and when Mu Chen held it in his palm, he could feel the enormous energy contained within.

Magic Cores were essential materials for refining pills, and they were far more valuable than medicinal herbs. High-tier Magic Cores in particular were often priceless and unavailable on the market.

Mu Chen naturally would not sacrifice such an essential material.

The Companion Purple Crystal Source contained pure Fire Attribute energy. For those who cultivated Fire Attribute techniques, it was an exceedingly rare treasure. It would also be of great help to Mu Chen, and he could even obtain a fairly powerful Purple Flame from it.

After pondering for a moment, Mu Chen ultimately sacrificed most of the Companion Purple Crystal Source and received 1,200 points.

With a thought, the Wheel Prize Pool appeared before him.

"There are twelve prizes left. I wonder what I'll get this time."

Mu Chen did not hope for any overly high-tier reward. As long as what he obtained was worth roughly the points he invested, that would be enough.

"Draw!"

After investing the required 600 points, the wheel began spinning rapidly. Before long, the result appeared.

Mu Chen rubbed his eyes fiercely, hardly daring to believe what he was seeing. The pointer had landed on an Earth Tier low-grade battle skill light orb.

The corners of his mouth twitched as if he were trying to suppress the smile rising to his lips, but his eyes twitched violently. In the end, Mu Chen could not hold it in any longer and burst into loud laughter.