Qinglin's Unease

Within the lava cave, the lingering warmth of the Heavenly Flames gradually faded.

The Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python obediently coiled up Lu Xia's arm, finally curling around his wrist and transforming into a lifelike seven-colored bracelet.

Lu Xia composed himself and swept his gaze over the empty lava cave.

Han Feng was dead, and the Sea Heart Flame was in hand. This trip to Feng City had ended perfectly.

However, as an alchemist, Han Feng often secluded himself for long periods to refine pills. Even if he vanished for ten days or half a month, probably no one would notice.

At least for the time being, Feng City would not see any unusual activity.

"Time to head back. Qinglin is probably getting anxious waiting for me."

Lu Xia muttered softly. His figure flickered, turning into an afterimage as he shot toward the cave exit.

Feng City, inn.

In a second-floor room by the window, sunlight streamed through the panes.

Qinglin sat on the edge of the bed with her chin resting in her hands, staring blankly at the bustling street outside.

Beside her, the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake lay coiled lazily. Its two heads faced left and right, occasionally flicking their tongues and letting out soft hisses.

Ever since Lu Xia had left a few days ago, she had remained in the inn without going anywhere.

Brother Xia had told her to wait here for his return, so she obediently waited.

But... several days had already passed.

Why had Brother Xia still not returned?

Qinglin pursed her little lips, and a trace of unease appeared in her eyes.

"Little Flame..."

She suddenly turned her head and murmured to the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake beside her.

The snake's left head lifted and looked at her, letting out an affectionate hiss.

"When do you think Brother Xia will come back?"

Qinglin's voice carried a hint of grievance.

"It's been so many days already. I'm so bored staying here alone..."

The right head also leaned over and rubbed against the back of her hand, but it had no way to answer her question.

Although the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake possessed intelligence, it was only at the level of a four- or five-year-old child. How could it understand its master's thoughts?

It only knew that its master was unhappy.

If its master was unhappy, it had to keep her company.

Seeing its innocent appearance, Qinglin could not help sighing.

"Brother Xia... he wouldn't leave me behind, would he?"

"Is it because I'm too weak that he doesn't want to take me with him..."

As she said this, her eyes reddened slightly.

These past few days, alone in her room, the more she thought about it, the more uneasy she became.

Brother Xia was so powerful, while she was only a tiny Dou Master who could not help him with anything.

Maybe... maybe Brother Xia thought she was a burden and had quietly left...

Once that thought emerged, it grew wildly in her heart like weeds.

"Hiss, hiss..."

The Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake seemed to sense its master's low spirits. Both heads moved close at once, one on each side, gently rubbing against her arms.

"Ah! That tickles!"

Qinglin could not help laughing as it rubbed against her. She hurriedly reached out to push the two snake heads away.

"Hahaha, Little Flame, stop messing around... it tickles so much..."

She laughed happily, and some of the worry in her eyes faded.

Seeing its master smile, the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake became even more enthusiastic, its two heads taking turns nuzzling around her.

"All right, all right, I'm not sad anymore."

Qinglin finally managed to hold down the two mischievous heads. Slightly out of breath, she wore a smile on her face.

Brother Xia was not that kind of person!

When he left, he had clearly told her to wait here for him to return.

Brother Xia must have gone to do something very important. It was only because it was too dangerous that he had not taken her with him.

It was all because she was too weak and would only become Brother Xia's burden.

At that thought, Qinglin's gaze became resolute.

She clenched her fists and earnestly told herself,

"Qinglin, you need to cultivate hard! Work hard to keep up with Brother Xia!"

"One day, I'll be able to help Brother Xia too!"

As soon as the words fell, she stopped hesitating. She sat cross-legged, took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and began cultivating.

Dou Qi slowly flowed through her meridians, carrying a faint jade-green glow.

The power of the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils also quietly nourished her body as she cultivated.

Seeing its master begin cultivating in earnest, the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake stopped fooling around.

It stretched its body, then obediently coiled itself at the room's entrance. Its two heads vigilantly watched the surroundings like dutiful guards, silently protecting their master.

Only the sound of steady breathing remained in the room, along with the occasional soft flick of snake tongues.

The sunlight slanted westward, then slowly faded away.

A day quietly passed.

The night was deep, with a bright moon and sparse stars.

A figure landed silently in the inn's rear courtyard without alerting anyone.

It was Lu Xia, who had returned to Feng City.

Standing in the courtyard, he looked up toward the second floor as his spiritual power quietly spread outward.

More than half of Feng City fell within the range of his perception.

Everything in the city was as usual, orderly and calm, with no sign of large-scale searches or unusual movements.

It seemed Han Feng's disappearance had not yet drawn the attention of those in Feng City.

As a sixth-tier alchemist, Han Feng usually kept to himself and rarely appeared in public.

Only a few days had passed. No one should have noticed that he was missing.

By the time they realized it, he would already have left Feng City.

Retracting his gaze, Lu Xia went upstairs and stopped outside Qinglin's room.

Through the door, he sensed the familiar aura within.

Qinglin was cultivating.

And... her aura had improved considerably compared to when he left.

"Looks like she's worked quite hard these past few days."

Lu Xia thought to himself, a look of approval appearing on his face.

He did not knock and disturb her. After standing outside for a moment, he turned and headed for his own room next door.

It was best not to disturb her while she was cultivating.

In any case, he had already returned. There was no need to rush.

Pushing open his door, Lu Xia closed it behind him and walked over to sit at the table.

He poured himself a cup of tea and began considering his next destination.

Han Feng had been dealt with, and the Sea Heart Flame was in hand. There was no longer any need to remain in Feng City.

Next... Jia Nan Academy.

The Fallen Heart Flame!

It was the third Heavenly Flame in his plan.

But Jia Nan Academy was filled with hidden experts. Not only was Su Qian there, but also Qian and Bai Elders. Their strength could not be underestimated.

With his current Six-Star Dou Zong strength, even with Medusa, a One-Star Dou Zong, his chances of successfully forcing his way in were not great.

"I'll first go and assess the situation."

"If it can't be done, I'll need to find another helper..."

Having made his decision, Lu Xia also sat cross-legged and entered meditation, beginning to consolidate his cultivation.

As the night deepened, the inn was tranquil both inside and out.

The next morning.

The sky had only begun to brighten when Lu Xia awoke from cultivation.

He rose and stretched his limbs, feeling refreshed. His Six-Star Dou Zong cultivation had already stabilized.

The benefits brought by the Woeful Poison Body's second transformation were also gradually becoming apparent.

Whether it was the purity of his Dou Qi or the strength of his physical body, both had improved greatly compared to before.

Lu Xia nodded in satisfaction, left his room, and came to Qinglin's door next door.

He raised his hand and gently knocked on the door.

Knock, knock, knock!

Inside the room, Qinglin, who had been meditating, abruptly opened her eyes.

A knock at the door?

Who was it?

Her heart stirred. She quickly got up, walked to the door, carefully opened it a crack, and poked her head out.