In the sky, Xun'er stood on a cloud, not only showcasing her beauty but also making it clear to everyone that she was now a genuine Dou Ancestor powerhouse. Her face was filled with the same confidence she had before her marriage to Gu Fei, ethereal and serene.
Below, many young members of the Gu Clan were captivated by Xun'er's stunning appearance and otherworldly demeanor.
On the black warship, the other women fell into a brief silence due to Xun'er's presence.
"Gu Fei's ex-wife seems a bit different from before."
"Her cultivation has progressed quickly. She was at the same level as me just a year ago, and now she's already a Dou Ancestor..."
"As a Gu Clan noblewoman, her cultivation talent is indeed impressive. No wonder my husband married her before... But now that they have that rift, it will be hard for her to win his love back."
Xiao Yi Xian, Zi Yan, and Cai Lin had many thoughts, even though they didn't voice them.
Xun'er's current demeanor did stir some memories in Gu Fei. But that was all.
"Daddy, are we there yet?"
Suddenly, a childish voice broke the brief silence.
In Xiao Yi Xian's arms, the drowsy Xian Yue woke up after hearing Xun'er's voice, rubbing her eyes with her small hands.
"Yue'er, you're awake. Come, let Daddy hold you!"
"We're almost home!"
Gu Fei smiled as he took the child from Xiao Yi Xian, his attention fully on Xian Yue, not giving Xun'er another glance.
"Hooray... Bunny, we're almost home!"
Xian Yue cheered, waving to the furry pill beast, which understandingly hopped over and nuzzled the little girl.
"Is that his child? She's quite adorable..." Xun'er, ignored by Gu Fei, focused her gaze on the little girl.
Watching the child's cute appearance, Xun'er unconsciously smiled, but soon, a wave of bitterness rose in her heart.
"If I hadn't separated from Brother Gu Fei back then, would I also have a child this cute now..."
Xun'er fell into memories.
Meanwhile, Gu Fei and his group disembarked from the warship and headed directly towards the small mountain peak.
Moments later, as Xun'er watched Gu Fei's departing figure, the slump on her face faded.
"As long as I persist, Brother Gu Fei will accept me again someday... At least I can feel that his gaze towards me just now wasn't as cold as before!"
…
On Gu Fei's small mountain peak.
"Sister Zi Yan, Bunny, wait for me!"
As soon as they returned to the mountain, Xian Yue got down and started playing, chasing the pill beast and laughing. Strangely, even Zi Yan, despite her age, joined in with the two little ones.
"It's time to extract the Dou Saint bone marrow!"
Gu Fei, shortly after returning, took out the Dou Saint skeleton again.
Then, he summoned his Heavenly Flame, enveloping the skeleton in fierce flames.
After burning for two hours, the skeleton gradually turned gray. Gu Fei reached into the flames and lightly tapped it with his finger.
"Poof!"
Upon touching the gray skeleton, it instantly crumbled into gray ash.
As the ashes fell, ten thumb-sized milky white gel-like droplets floated before Gu Fei.
These tiny gel droplets had a gelatinous layer on their surface, through which a liquid could be seen faintly flowing inside. A vast energy subtly emanated from them.
Next, Gu Fei took out a jade bottle from his storage ring and placed nine of the Dou Saint bone marrow droplets inside, then, without hesitation, popped the last one into his mouth.
As soon as the gel droplet entered his mouth, it instantly dissolved, and a surge of pure energy flowed down Gu Fei's throat, spreading through his entire body.
With such a massive influx of energy, Gu Fei immediately began circulating his cultivation technique to refine it.
An hour later, Gu Fei had fully absorbed the bone marrow's energy, slightly advancing his cultivation, bringing him closer to becoming a Nine-Star Dou Venerate.
One bone marrow droplet was equivalent to an eighth-grade pill that could enhance cultivation, but with far fewer side effects than a pill.
"Elder Zhu Li, call Zi Yan over!" Gu Fei didn't continue refining the Dou Saint bone marrow, as it no longer had much effect on him. However, for lower-level Dou Venerates and those below, it was a miracle drug.
In the original story, the protagonist only needed one droplet to break through from a One-Star to a Two-Star Dou Venerate.
"Thank you, Gu Fei!" Elder Zhu Li, seemingly understanding Gu Fei's intention, nodded deeply.
His only purpose in accompanying Zi Yan to the Gu Realm was to ensure she safely absorbed the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit. But with her current low cultivation, the success rate was very low; the higher her cultivation, the greater the chance of success.
…
"Ah... This really came from that bone?"
Soon, Zi Yan was brought over by Elder Zhu Li. She looked at the bone marrow droplet Gu Fei handed her, then at the scattered ashes on the ground, and seemed reluctant.
"Don't want it? Then never mind!" Gu Fei didn't force her.
This precious item was something most would beg for but never obtain.
"Zi Yan, stop being difficult. This is a rare treasure. Hurry up and take it..." Elder Zhu Li anxiously urged.
"Alright..."
Hearing this, Zi Yan, though still reluctant, quickly reached out and snatched the droplet from Gu Fei's retreating hand.
"I swallowed it!"
Then, closing her eyes, Zi Yan gulped the Dou Saint bone marrow droplet down in one go.
The next moment, her face turned red as the massive energy began flooding her body.
Such a sudden surge in energy caused Zi Yan's body temperature to rise rapidly, even making steam rise from her head.
Fortunately, being of the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe with a strong physique, Zi Yan could endure this energy wash for now.
"Sit down and focus!"
Gu Fei's voice reached Zi Yan's ears, and she followed his instructions without hesitation.
Soon, she felt a warm hand on her body, and the enormous energy started to be controlled by another force, circulating in an orderly manner.
Meanwhile, Zi Yan noticed her cultivation level rising swiftly, like drinking water.
In just one day, she advanced from early stage sixth rank to late stage sixth rank Magical Beast, with signs of breaking through to seventh rank Magical Beast (equivalent to Dou Ancestor). At this point, Gu Fei stopped assisting, allowing Zi Yan to naturally break through on her own.