On the Path of Cultivation, the Accomplished Are the Masters!

Xuan Qing asked in his mind, somewhat puzzled.

"But that's not right. Why haven't I gotten any rewards after taking Cao Ying under my wing for so many years?"

[Host, Cao Ying has neither married nor become someone's beloved. What could you possibly plunder?]

"Hiss, I suppose that's true."

Xuan Qing stopped dwelling on the matter of rewards and instead asked what kind of technique the Heavenly Poison Scripture was.

[Heavenly Poison Scripture, a high-tier Xuan-class poison-element technique.]

"What kind of trash technique is that? System, couldn't you give a better reward?"

[I wasn't finished. The Heavenly Poison Scripture is a top-tier Xuan-class technique. Like the Flame Mantra, it possesses the ability to devour and evolve. It can continuously devour poisons and advance all the way to the Heaven class! It can also prevent the Calamity Poison Body from dying violently after absorbing toxic fumes!]

"What? It has the same devouring and evolution effect as the Flame Mantra? If I paired it with a Netherworld Poison Flame, wouldn't I be able to step on my own foot and fly to the heavens?"

"It can even stop the Calamity Poison Body from dying violently! Isn't this the technique best suited for Xiao Yi Xian? Looks like there's no need to rack my brains plotting for Yao Chen's poison pill method anymore."

Xuan Qing stopped thinking about the technique. He could not use it anyway, so there was no point in thinking about it further.

Xuan Qing stepped forward and helped Xiao Yi Xian up, smiling at her.

"Get up."

Xuan Qing's smile was as gentle as a spring breeze, like morning light and a soft wind.

For a moment, Xiao Yi Xian stared at him in a daze, the tips of her ears flushing faintly red.

After helping Xiao Yi Xian to her feet, Xuan Qing asked,

"How should I address you from now on? I can't keep calling you Xiao Yi Xian or disciple. That would make things seem too distant between master and disciple."

Xiao Yi Xian brushed back the green strands by her ear, her cheeks rosy as she said,

"Master, you can call me Xian'er."

Xuan Qing swept his gaze over the mercenaries and Mr. Yao before asking unhurriedly,

"Xian'er, after being here for so long, has anyone ever bullied you? Tell me, and I'll help you vent your anger."

Upon hearing those words, the mercenaries and Mr. Yao all lowered their heads unconsciously.

In particular, the mercenary who had spoken rudely to Xiao Yi Xian earlier buried his head in his chest like an ostrich.

Everyone was afraid of being targeted by a Dou Emperor.

Xiao Yi Xian looked at the lowered heads of the mercenaries and gently shook her head, choosing not to have Xuan Qing act.

Seeing this, Xuan Qing nodded and did not force his own wishes upon Xiao Yi Xian.

"Alright, then let's go."

There was plenty of time ahead. Sooner or later, Xiao Yi Xian would come to understand the cruelty of this world. There was no need to rush it now.

Xiao Yi Xian said eagerly,

"Master, wait for me to pack up. I'll be ready right away."

"Wait, do you have a Storage Ring?" Xuan Qing asked, taking hold of Xiao Yi Xian's soft hand.

Xiao Yi Xian lowered her head, a trace of embarrassment and inferiority in her voice.

"No, Master."

Xuan Qing took a finely crafted white Storage Ring from his clothes and handed it to Xiao Yi Xian.

"This Storage Ring is for you too."

Looking at the exquisite Storage Ring on her hand, Xiao Yi Xian could not help sniffing, the corners of her eyes reddening.

This was the first time anyone had treated her so well. Having a master felt so wonderful!

The last time had been when her mother was still around...

Xuan Qing waited outside for a while. By the time Xiao Yi Xian came out, only Mr. Yao remained in front of the Myriad Medicine Hall.

Everyone else had fled, afraid that Xuan Qing would attack them. Only Mr. Yao had stayed because he was the owner of the Myriad Medicine Hall. Otherwise, he would have run away long ago as well.

Who would want to face a Dou Emperor alone? That would be courting death.

Xiao Yi Xian looked around, paying no attention at all to the fleeing mercenaries. She turned and bowed to Mr. Yao.

"Mr. Yao, thank you for taking care of me. I'm going with my master now. Goodbye."

Seeing Xiao Yi Xian bow to him, Mr. Yao immediately broke out in a cold sweat. He waved his hands repeatedly and cried,

"You mustn't, you mustn't! You were my employee. Taking care of you was only proper."

Xiao Yi Xian's bow gave Mr. Yao a tremendous fright. In the past, he would certainly have accepted it openly, perhaps even felt a little proud.

But times had changed. Xiao Yi Xian was now a Dou Emperor's disciple. He could not bear such a grand gesture.

If Xiao Yi Xian's bow made Xuan Qing unhappy, his life might be forfeit.

For a moment, Xiao Yi Xian could not understand why Mr. Yao was reacting so strongly.

Xuan Qing immediately understood. Mr. Yao was afraid Xuan Qing would think Xiao Yi Xian's bow had damaged his dignity and would attack him.

Xuan Qing paid no heed to Mr. Yao's inner drama. He turned and headed toward the Magical Beast Mountain Range, calling to Xiao Yi Xian,

"Xian'er, let's go."

Watching Xuan Qing walk away, Xiao Yi Xian stopped thinking about Mr. Yao's strange behavior and hurried after him.

"Master, I'm coming!"

After leaving the Myriad Medicine Hall, Xuan Qing and Xiao Yi Xian entered the Magical Beast Mountain Range before long.

Xiao Yi Xian asked in confusion,

"Master, where are we going?"

Xuan Qing was naturally searching for the cave containing the Ancient Map of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame. However, Xiao Yi Xian should not know that he knew about that cave, so he could only wander around first and search with his soul power.

Xuan Qing casually made something up.

"On my way here, I heard a charlatan named Tian Canzi say there was a cave near the Magical Beast Mountain Range that hid treasure. I wanted to see whether it was true."

At the mention of a cave, Xiao Yi Xian could not help wondering whether it was the one she had found. Excitedly, she said,

"Master, I know of a cave, but I don't know whether it's the one you're looking for!"

Xuan Qing's eyes lit up at once, though he still pretended to remain calm.

"Then, Xian'er, lead your master there."

Seeing Xuan Qing's excited expression despite his attempt to remain composed, Xiao Yi Xian felt that her master was not very old.

Xiao Yi Xian blinked and asked curiously,

"Master, may I ask you something?"

"Ask whatever you want." Xuan Qing turned his head toward Xiao Yi Xian and nodded.

"Master, how old are you this year?" Xiao Yi Xian tilted her head slightly and stared straight at Xuan Qing, curiosity nearly overflowing from her eyes.

Meeting Xiao Yi Xian's curious gaze, a strange look flashed across Xuan Qing's face.

He was fifteen this year. If he remembered correctly, Xiao Yi Xian should be seventeen. It felt rather strange that, as her master, he was younger than her.

Xuan Qing coughed twice.

"Xian'er, on the path of cultivation, the accomplished are the masters. There's no need to care so much about your master's age."

Although Xiao Yi Xian had not noticed the fleeting odd look on Xuan Qing's face, she saw that he had not answered directly.

Xiao Yi Xian guessed that her master seemed to be younger than she was, but she did not expose him. After all, he was her master, so she still had to give him enough face.

Xiao Yi Xian walked ahead and changed the subject.

"Master, let's hurry to the cave I found earlier!"

Xuan Qing watched Xiao Yi Xian walk ahead as she changed the subject.

He knew Xiao Yi Xian had most likely guessed that he was younger than her. She had probably kept silent because she did not want to embarrass him.

This girl was not only quite intelligent, but also highly perceptive.