However, gazing at the Black Cauldron that appeared in midair, Xiao Dong shook his head with a chuckle. Such a childish line of defense was plainly not even a sheet of thin paper before him.
"Little girl, you're certainly alert, but you have no room to resist me..."
A cold smile curved Xiao Dong's lips, and he flicked a finger lightly.
"Hum!"
A wisp of gentle, milky-white flame suddenly shot from his fingertip. Like a tiny streak of lightning, it tore through the air with lightning speed, pierced straight through the large black cauldron's defenses, and landed without resistance on Xiao Xiao's smooth, fair forehead.
Purifying Lotus Demon Flame!
"Hiss, hiss!"
The instant it touched her, the power of the Demon Flame quietly spread.
That power did not harm the girl's body in the slightest. Instead, like mercury spilling across the ground, it surged straight into the depths of the mud pill palace within her mind. In the next instant, all the fear, resistance, and desperate vigilance churning in her heart melted into nothingness beneath that domineering power of purification!
"Clang..."
The large black cauldron floating in midair gave a faint, clear ring, then quietly dissolved into a skyful of motes. The two yellow rings also withdrew into her body.
In the clearing, the cute girl with twin ponytails stiffened slightly. An alluring blush gradually spread across her little face, which had been as pale as paper.
The terror in her large eyes was replaced by absolute attachment and obedience arising from the depths of her soul.
"Come here."
Xiao Dong stood with his hands behind his back, looking down at the girl before him as he spoke indifferently.
"Tap, tap, tap..."
Almost as soon as Xiao Dong finished speaking, Xiao Xiao trotted over on her little legs without the slightest hesitation, utterly obedient. She finally stopped meekly half a foot before him.
The girl tilted her fair little face up slightly, blinking her large eyes as she gazed at the black-clad youth before her. She looked as docile as a little beast that had been completely tamed.
At the sight, a satisfied smile lifted Xiao Dong's lips. He reached out and rested his hand on Xiao Xiao's soft, smooth hair, rubbing her two swaying ponytails. The sensation against his palm was delicately smooth, neither warm nor cold.
Having her hair stroked like this instantly filled Xiao Xiao's delicate little face with bashful embarrassment, and even her earlobes grew burning hot. Yet she did not dodge. Instead, with a hint of infatuation, she took the initiative to nuzzle her little head gently against Xiao Dong's palm.
"You're quite an obedient little girl..."
Xiao Dong smiled faintly, then withdrew his hand and said seriously, "I have an errand for you."
"Whatever you command... I'll do everything I can to get it done." Xiao Xiao clutched the hem of her skirt with both hands, her voice soft and obedient.
"Go into the city for me. Visit the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's branch and find a girl named Ning Tian."
"Tell Ning Tian to bring all the medicinal herbs she bought for me and come out to this wilderness as quickly as possible to deliver them. If she dares delay even a little, she'll bear the consequences."
"Ning Tian..."
Xiao Xiao's large eyes flickered. Not daring to waste a moment, she quickly nodded earnestly. "I'll remember that. I'll go deliver your message right away!"
The girl obediently bowed to Xiao Dong, then turned around and lifted the hem of her pale-green skirt. Her twin ponytails bounced as she became a swift green blur, racing toward the towering city gates ahead.
Watching the girl's retreating figure, Xiao Dong smiled faintly and rested both hands behind his head. With a flicker, he leaped back onto a branch of the ancient tree, closing his eyes to rest as he waited for the medicinal herbs to arrive.
Shrek City, the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect Residence.
The hall in the rear courtyard of a luxurious, imposing manor was currently piled with large crates giving off a rich medicinal fragrance. The dense aroma spread through the air, refreshing the mind and lifting the spirits.
"Whew... I'm exhausted."
Inside the hall, Wu Feng, dressed in a fitted red outfit, slumped in a cushioned chair without any concern for appearances. She panted heavily, her chest heaving.
"Young sect master, that bastard's list had a full hundred and eighty varieties of rare, high-grade medicinal herbs. We practically turned the warehouses of every merchant association and auction house in the city upside down, and only just managed to gather them all."
Wu Feng rubbed her aching thighs and clenched her teeth, snorting indignantly. "That fellow casually tossed us a prescription and worked us like oxen and horses. He's a villain through and through!"
Ning Tian stood gracefully nearby. Though traces of fatigue lingered on her lovely face as well, she shook her head slightly at Wu Feng's complaints, an unusual gleam in her beautiful eyes.
"Don't talk nonsense. To casually write such an exquisitely ingenious and peculiar prescription, one that even accords with the fundamental principles of heaven, earth, yin, and yang... the resources behind Young Master Xiao Dong probably far exceed anything we imagined."
Ning Tian drew a deep breath, her slender, delicate hand brushing over those rare and costly medicinal herbs. She said solemnly, "If we can use this opportunity to befriend such a mysterious expert with heaven-reaching abilities, never mind emptying a few warehouses-even spending all this branch's wealth would be a tremendous opportunity for us, with a hundred benefits and not a single harm."
"Tap, tap, tap..."
As the two women conversed quietly, a sudden flurry of hurried, uneven footsteps sounded outside the tightly shut door.
Immediately afterward, the door was pushed open by a breathless Xiao Xiao. The girl with twin ponytails poked her little head inside and looked timidly into the hall. Her gaze paused on Ning Tian, and her large eyes immediately lit up.
"Excuse me... are you Young Sect Master Ning Tian of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect?"
Ning Tian and Wu Feng both froze in the side hall, looking in surprise at the unfamiliar girl who had suddenly burst in.
"I am Ning Tian. Little sister, what did you come to see me about?" Ning Tian raised her delicate brows slightly, then smiled and asked gently.
Xiao Xiao patted her chest and steadied her breathing before saying in a clear, sweet voice, "An extremely handsome big brother dressed in black sent me to give you a message!"
"He said... Young Sect Master Ning Tian must immediately bring all the herbs she prepared and go find him outside the city as quickly as possible to deliver them. If you're late, you'll bear the consequences!"
"Boom!"
Hearing that familiar, domineering tone, Wu Feng, who had been slumped in the cushioned chair, suddenly shuddered violently. Her narrow, beautiful eyes went round, and she sprang from her chair almost on reflex!
Meanwhile, Ning Tian's exquisite face, ordinarily so composed and dignified, abruptly changed!
"It's Young Master Xiao Dong?!"
Ning Tian's breathing caught slightly. Then her gaze fixed on the meek, obedient girl with twin ponytails before her, her expression becoming extraordinarily complicated.
Beside her, Wu Feng could not help sucking in a cold breath. The corner of her mouth twitched fiercely, and her chest churned like a sea overturned.
That utterly lawless fiend!
He had left the city less than half a day ago!
He had only just brought that fierce, strict Zhou Yi completely to heel, and now, out in the wilderness beyond the city, he had already subdued another sweet, innocent little girl who looked as though she had yet to finish growing, making her this obedient?!
Weren't his methods a little too terrifying?!
"Young sect master..."
Wu Feng swallowed with difficulty and turned to look at Ning Tian. Her expression was somewhat numb as she spoke hoarsely.
"Shouldn't we... hurry and deliver these medicinal herbs to that lord? Otherwise, heaven knows whether he'll tear our entire manor apart if he gets angry?!"
Before you continue