Before long, Xiao Se and his companion flew over the valley from the original novel, riding on the Xiao Lan.
Looking at the valley below, shrouded in clouds and mist, Xiao Yixian couldn't help but gasp, exclaiming, "Isn't this the area where Wan Yao Zhai typically gathers herbs?"
Xiao Se nodded slightly and smiled. "The very bottom forms a natural gorge, surrounded on all sides and sealed off with no direct access. With the clouds acting as a barrier overhead, few people are aware of it."
"Mm." Xiao Yixian slightly lifted her delicate, fair chin and guided the Blue Eagle to descend into the valley.
As they passed through the thick fog, both noticed that the energy within the valley was significantly richer than that of the outside world.
Landing at the bottom of the valley, Xiao Yixian found the scene exactly as Xiao Se had described—various rare medicinal herbs grew in abundance, with the fragrant aroma of the herbs, mixed with the rich energy, filling the air. Breathing it in instantly invigorated her spirit.
"What do you think of this place?" Xiao Se asked with a faint smile, observing the look of enjoyment on Xiao Yixian's face.
"It's wonderful. I didn't expect you to discover such a treasure trove, Xiao Se." She turned her head, her face beaming as she looked at him with a smile.
"As long as you're satisfied. I'll be staying here until I break through to the Dou Shi level. There are many herbs here, so you can focus on studying the Seven-Colored Poison Scripture. Just remember to leave the roots intact when gathering herbs. I've prepared a special solution that will help them regrow quickly." Xiao Se smiled back, his tone suggesting that he was merely stating facts, but there was a hint of negotiation in his voice.
Xiao Yixian nodded lightly without hesitation, agreeing eagerly. This treasure-filled place was something she had only dreamt of.
A sudden thought crossed Xiao Yixian's mind, surprising even herself: "Perhaps living here with him wouldn't be so bad."
Seeing that she agreed, Xiao Se chuckled. He then took out a single-person tent from his storage ring and began setting it up, saying, "It's getting late now. You can use this tent for the night, and tomorrow I'll build two wooden huts."
"Mm. What about you?" Xiao Yixian asked with a soft smile, watching Xiao Se skillfully pitch the tent.
"Me?" Xiao Se was momentarily taken aback before a mischievous grin appeared on his face. He looked at Xiao Yixian and teased, "There's only one tent, so of course, we'll share it."
"Go to hell!" Xiao Yixian's smile immediately froze. She pulled out a pouch of harmless powder from her robes and tossed it toward him.
As night fell, the two finished their dinner and chatted about their experiences. Amid Xiao Se's teasing, Xiao Yixian's face flushed red, and she quickly retreated into the tent.
Meanwhile, by the campfire, Xiao Se had just harvested another batch of herbs needed for refining medicine. After applying a diluted solution from the Heaven Controlling Vial, he sat cross-legged on a cool stone slab, activating both the "Flame Mantra" and "Returning To Origin" soul technique to absorb the energy from the surrounding world. The valley's abundant energy greatly accelerated his cultivation speed, nearly several times faster than before.
After an hour of training, Xiao Se felt his meridians begin to swell. He stopped cultivating and sighed inwardly, "Sigh, my technique's rank is still too low. Even with such rich energy here, breaking through to Dou Shi will still take months. I'll have to see what I can trade for by the end of this month. If nothing else works, I'll have to find a way to obtain the Amethyst Source. I wonder if Hong Kui can handle that mother lion."
"Brother, what are you thinking about?" Long Kui's graceful figure emerged from the Demon Sword and gently landed beside Xiao Se. She linked arms with him and smiled softly.
Xiao Se tenderly stroked Long Kui's beautiful face and smiled. "Nothing much, just thinking about how to improve my strength as quickly as possible. By the way, what do you think of Xiao Yixian?"
Long Kui's mischievous face glowed as she teasingly asked, "Brother, are you planning to make Xiao Yixian my sister-in-law? If it were any other time, I'd probably object, but after spending time with her today, I actually think she's a pretty good girl."
Xiao Se blushed slightly. He pinched Long Kui's cheek in mock anger, "Oh, so even you dare to tease me now?"
"Hehe," Long Kui giggled as Xiao Se playfully pinched her cheek. Her smile became even softer, and she muttered, "But Brother, you really do treat Xiao Yixian differently."
After a brief playful exchange, Xiao Se pulled Long Kui into his arms and, with heartfelt sincerity, whispered, "If I ever get married one day, the first person I'll marry is you."
Long Kui, nestled in his arms, blushed deeply. She nodded shyly before turning into a stream of blue light and retreating back into the Demon Sword.
Watching her disappear in embarrassment, Xiao Se shook his head with a smile. He took out his cauldron and began refining medicine, alternating between cultivation and potion-making throughout the night.
The next morning, the sun shone brightly over the valley.
As the warm light filtered through the mist, reflecting off Xiao Se's pale face, he lazily stretched. Seeing that Xiao Yixian hadn't awakened yet, he started building the wooden huts.
With precise movements, he cut trees, shaped the wood, and laid the foundation. Using his acute spiritual senses, the Demon Sword's sharpness, and his excellent sword skills, Xiao Se easily transformed the wood into the perfect shapes.
Soon, a two-room cabin was built, complete with beds and furniture, resembling a small, luxurious villa.
Satisfied with his work, Xiao Se turned toward the tent to wake Xiao Yixian. However, when he noticed she hadn't stirred even though it was already nearing noon, a sense of unease crept over him.
Carefully opening the tent, he discovered a poisonous mist lingering inside. With a wave of his hand, he summoned a surge of Dou Qi to expel the mist.
As the poisonous vapor dissipated, Xiao Yixian's curled figure became visible. Her eyes remained shut, and her once-pale face now glowed with a radiant, seven-colored sheen.
"The Woeful Poison Body has finally been activated..." Xiao Se muttered in awe. He stepped back a few paces and sat on the cold stone, waiting in silence.
"Brother, is this the Woeful Poison Body you mentioned?" Long Kui's curious voice echoed in his mind.
"Yes." Xiao Se nodded heavily, gazing at the sky as he quietly whispered to himself, "Maybe... I can help her overcome this fate."
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