"Master, if I cultivate to a level higher than yours, can I cure the poison in your body?" Wen Yaxian asked, her eyes filled with hope as she gazed at Xiao Fan.
At this point, she could only place her hopes on something distant and uncertain.
Xiao Fan fell silent. He knew that in the cultivation world, the stages of cultivation from low to high were Body Refinement, Qi Refinement, Foundation Establishment, Transformation, Dragon Form, Heaven-Transcending, Sage, Great Sage, Quasi-Emperor, Emperor, and Immortal.
He was currently at the Qi Refinement stage. To mortals, this might seem impressive, but in the vast world of cultivation, it was just the beginning. He had no means to deal with the poison in his body, only waiting for death.
For powerful cultivators at higher levels, perhaps removing the poison would be a simple task. However, disregarding Wen Yaxian's potential, the cultivation technique he had stolen from Qingyun Sect only reached the Foundation Establishment stage. It couldn't solve his current predicament.
But to steer Wen Yaxian towards cultivation and away from futile efforts, Xiao Fan decided to hide the truth.
He spoke earnestly, "Yes! If your cultivation surpasses mine by far, you can easily expel the poison from my body."
"Really?" Wen Yaxian's eyes lit up, wiping her tears and leaning closer to Xiao Fan, her whole demeanor brightening.
"Master, you're not lying to me, are you?" she asked, scrutinizing his face intently.
Xiao Fan could sense her gaze but, knowing he was truthful, he replied calmly, "I'm telling the truth. However, reaching such a level will be extremely difficult and demanding, more than you can imagine."
Seeing no deceit in his expression, Wen Yaxian's resolve hardened. "No matter how hard it is, I will do it!"
This was her last chance. She was determined to cure Xiao Fan, no matter the cost, even her life.
Outside the Haotian Mirror.
The Taiyin Empress, Wen Yaxian, watched her younger self with mixed emotions. She had poured her heart into saving Xiao Fan, only to see her village slaughtered and herself imprisoned like an animal.
She thought she knew Xiao Fan well but underestimated human nature's darkness.
Given another chance, she would choose to spend Xiao Fan's last days with him, and die together. At least then, Xiao Fan would remain the man she loved in her memory.
"No, no..." the Northern Nether Empress, Leng Ruoxue, muttered to herself. She couldn't believe her master would commit such atrocities, suspecting there was more to the story.
Inside the Haotian Mirror.
Wen Yaxian finally began her cultivation journey, starting with Body Refinement. But Xiao Fan chose not to use the ancient refinement liquid he had obtained from Qingyun Sect for her.
Firstly, some ingredients were hard to find. Secondly, the liquid's effects were too intense, akin to enduring a thousand cuts, unbearable for most.
He had hesitated even when using it on Leng Ruoxue, deciding only because she had become extremely resilient after her traumatic experiences.
Wen Yaxian, though equally strong-willed, might not withstand its harsh effects. And he couldn't bear to see her suffer.
His intention was for Wen Yaxian to protect herself and the village after he was gone, not to turn her into an unparalleled genius.
So, he chose a milder refinement liquid, less effective but without the pain.
Outside the Haotian Mirror, Leng Ruoxue's heart broke seeing her master's tenderness towards Wen Yaxian, feeling she had been less favored.
The Taiyin Empress, Wen Yaxian, felt conflicted. Xiao Fan's past actions made his later monstrous deeds harder to accept. She believed his care was genuine, yet his subsequent atrocities were undeniable.
Cultivators who initially sought secrets of power from Xiao Fan's life were now filled with confusion. From his birth to now, Xiao Fan had shown no signs of being a peerless prodigy, but rather a constantly ailing individual.
Even the powerful ancient refinement liquid, while noted down for future generations, wasn't the key to his eventual dominance as the Underworld Demon Emperor.
They realized they needed to watch further to uncover the true source of his strength.
Inside the Haotian Mirror.
Though Xiao Fan used a mild refinement liquid, an unexpected event occurred.
In the room, Wen Yaxian soaked in the liquid-filled bath, while Xiao Fan, blind, stood outside, guiding her absorption of its power.
Suddenly, she exclaimed, "Master, something's happening!"
Alarmed, Xiao Fan asked, "What is it? What's happening?"
"Master, come see! My body is glowing blue!" she said excitedly.
"Blue glow?" Xiao Fan was puzzled.
This was unheard of. Instinctively, he wanted to go in but hesitated, suspecting a trick.
Before he could think further, Wen Yaxian cried out, "Master, help me! Master, help!"
Without hesitation, Xiao Fan rushed in, his blindness ensuring he saw nothing.
The moment he entered, a slender figure leaped into his arms, a sweet fragrance filling his senses.
"Master, I'm so scared!" Wen Yaxian trembled in his embrace.