A date

Something stirred in Xiao Yuan's heart, and the Gilded Flame Canon he had just mastered surfaced in his mind.

The Gilded Flame Canon could harmonize different flames and untangle the lingering wills within flame seeds. Would it also work to channel and suppress the deadly poison of the Woeful Poison Body?

"I have a cultivation method that might help ease the unrest in your poison body," Xiao Yuan said.

Xiao Yi Xian abruptly raised her head, her eyes filled with disbelief. "Really?!"

"It still needs testing. I can't guarantee it will completely eradicate your poison body, but suppressing its unrest and lessening the backlash should be possible."

Xiao Yuan spoke honestly, without promising too much.

The source of the Woeful Poison Body was far too unusual. The Gilded Flame Canon alone could only channel and suppress it. Completely eradicating it would require a fortuitous opportunity.

Xiao Yi Xian clenched her fists, a spark of hope kindling in her eyes.

For so long, the deadly poison inside her had tormented her, leaving her living in fear every waking moment. How could she not be thrilled to hear there was a way to ease it?

"By the way, once Mu Li gets back, he'll definitely bring reinforcements. Mu She, the leader of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group, is a One-Star Dou Shi."

Remembering Mu Li's earlier flight in disgrace, Xiao Yi Xian knitted her brows slightly, her voice worried. "

He won't let this go. I'm afraid he'll come looking for trouble soon."

A faint, untroubled smile curved Xiao Yuan's lips.

A One-Star Dou Shi.

Three months ago, he would still have needed to handle such an opponent cautiously. But now he was a Six-Star Dou Shi, and he had made great progress with the Ninefold Thunder Spear.

With the power of lightning and fire bolstering him, never mind a One-Star Dou Shi—even against a Da Dou Shi, he would dare clash head-on.

"It doesn't matter," Xiao Yuan said calmly.

"If he comes, I'll take him on."

Seeing Xiao Yuan's calm certainty, Xiao Yi Xian's heart settled a little, though a few lingering concerns remained.

The Wolf Head Mercenary Group had been rooted in Qingshan Town for years and was accustomed to throwing its weight around. Ordinary cultivators simply did not dare confront it head-on.

Xiao Yuan saw the worry hidden in her eyes and smiled faintly, his gentle tone shedding its earlier severity.

"Don't keep yourself wound so tight. Even if Mu She holds a grudge, he may not dare come looking for trouble right away.

After that public defeat, he'll certainly need time to make plans and gather his men.

I might as well use this opening to buy some cultivation pills and supplies for heading into the mountains. Come take a walk with me."

Xiao Yi Xian paused slightly and lifted her eyes to the young man before her.

After three months apart, the roguishly handsome youth who had once needed to dart around and launch sneak attacks now carried himself with steady composure. His gaze was open and forthright, and every movement bore the bearing of a powerful cultivator.

Yet when he faced her, a gentle warmth lay hidden in his eyes, sending a faint warmth rippling through her heart.

She nodded lightly, her expression relaxing. The cold irritation she had shown toward Mu Li faded, replaced by a young woman's softness.

"All right, I'll go with you. I know all the shops in Qingshan Town, so I can help you pick the best supplies for your money."

The two walked slowly side by side along the bustling street.

Warm autumn sunlight spilled over the street, driving away the chill of the deep mountains. Cooking smoke curled up along the roadside, and vendors' cries mingled with the chatter of passersby, filling the air with the bustle of everyday life.

Passersby who saw them walking together could not help stealing glances.

The young man stood tall and straight, his bearing cool and otherworldly, his restrained presence steady and imposing; the young woman was lovely and refined, her plain clothing elegant and clean, her expression gentle and captivating.

With his talent and her beauty, they looked exceptionally well matched in the eyes of others.

Xiao Yuan deliberately slowed his steps to match Xiao Yi Xian's pace.

Away from the slaughter and dangers of the deep mountains, with the pressure of cultivation temporarily set aside, this leisurely stroll allowed the tension that had gripped his mind for months to melt away completely.

"Have you been in secluded cultivation in the Magical Beast Mountain Range these past three months?"

Xiao Yi Xian spoke softly, breaking the quiet between them, her voice carrying a hint of curiosity and concern.

"Yes. I focused on honing my Dou Techniques and stabilizing my cultivation."

Xiao Yuan nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the dazzling array of shops along the street as he answered casually.

"I found a few opportunities in the Magical Beast Mountain Range. After three months in seclusion, I've gained quite a bit, and my cultivation has advanced considerably too."

A flicker of amazement passed through Xiao Yi Xian's eyes, and she murmured in wonder.

"No wonder you're so powerful now. You've improved so much in just three months."

The two chatted along the way, the atmosphere relaxed yet subtly charged.

He was steady and gentle, she was sweet and serene, and a faint hint of romance lingered between them—not intense, but especially touching.

Xiao Yuan first visited a pill shop, purchasing a batch of high-grade pills to stabilize his qi and nourish his vitality, healing ointments, and the dry rations, waterskins, and concealment talismans he would need in the mountains.

Three months of secluded cultivation had consumed a great deal of his supplies. This was the perfect chance to replenish his reserves and make full preparations to return to the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame's valley and deal with the remaining beast spirits.

Xiao Yi Xian stayed by his side throughout, carefully helping him assess the pills' quality and choose durable supplies.

From time to time, she softly warned him about the pricing tricks used by the town's shops, gentle, attentive, and especially thoughtful.

Once their purchases were complete and all their supplies secured, Xiao Yuan noticed a basket of translucent candied spirit fruit at a roadside stall, its sweet, fresh fragrance wafting toward him.

Thinking of how she spent year after year in the medicine pavilion, keeping company with bitter medicines day after day and never tasting sweetness, he bought a skewer and offered it to Xiao Yi Xian.

"Try some. It's a local specialty—sweet and refreshing, and it cuts through rich flavors."

Xiao Yi Xian froze for a moment before instinctively reaching out to take it. Her fingertips inadvertently brushed Xiao Yuan's palm, the warm touch passing in a flash. The tips of her ears reddened slightly, and she quickly withdrew her hand, speaking in a small voice.

"Thank you."

She took a delicate bite. The sweet, fresh flesh melted on her tongue, its flavor dispelling the gloom that had weighed on her heart these past days.

Her eyes and brows unconsciously curved into a faint smile, her lovely face brightening with a lively radiance that drew a sidelong glance from Xiao Yuan.

Time spent strolling always seemed especially brief. They covered most of the long street and finished buying everything they needed, while the sun gradually sank toward the west.

"We've bought everything. I'll walk you back to the Myriad Medicine Pavilion first," Xiao Yuan said softly.

Xiao Yi Xian nodded in agreement. The spirit fruit's sweetness still lingered on her fingertips, and warmth filled her heart as she turned with Xiao Yuan and walked slowly toward the Myriad Medicine Pavilion.

But the instant they reached the street entrance near the Myriad Medicine Pavilion, the relaxed bustle around them abruptly vanished.

The entire street was deathly silent. Every passerby fled or cleared the way, and shops along the roadside shut their doors one after another. Fear showed on every face, and no one dared linger for even a moment.

Directly before the Myriad Medicine Pavilion's entrance, dozens of black-clad mercenaries stood in formation, blades drawn and bows strung. Their murderous aura was chilling as they sealed off the pavilion's entrance completely.

The man at their head was none other than the leader of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group—Mu She!

Mu Li stood beside Mu She, his face still showing traces of the fear left by the oppressive aura that had cowed him earlier.

The moment he saw Xiao Yuan, venomous resentment flooded his eyes. He pointed at Xiao Yuan and shouted harshly.

"Father! That's him! That's the brat who humiliated me in public! He even stopped me from pursuing Xiao Yi Xian!"