Five days passed in the blink of an eye as the slow merging between Tian Huo Zun-zhe and the new body steadily progressed toward his revival.
Xiao Hua slowly opened his eyes, gazing at the floating body enshrouded by five distinct flames. Though he could sense faint signs of life, it was clear Tian Huo Zun-zhe would still need time before fully awakening.
"Well, it's not surprising. After all, the body I used belonged to a peak Dou Zun expert who had already undergone three changes…"
Xiao Hua murmured softly, his expression calm. He had anticipated this delay when choosing such a formidable vessel. In truth, this was among the weaker bodies stored within his ring—most had already endured five to seven changes.
"But once the merging is complete and he stabilizes, Tian Huo Zun-zhe will become a formidable ally—his strength will prove invaluable when you step into the Central Plains."
"That's right. It's not as if we're in a rush to head there. Waiting a few more days—or even weeks—won't disrupt our plans."
Two gentle voices interrupted his thoughts just as his gaze remained fixed on the unconscious Tian Huo Zun-zhe.
He turned and saw two figures of breathtaking beauty approaching.
One radiated an enchanting allure, her very presence stirring desire, while the other exuded a serene elegance that calmed the heart.
The first was a black-haired woman clad in a form-fitting crimson dress adorned with golden patterns. Her long hair flowed down to her peach-shaped hips, and her stunning face was so captivating it could ignite a flame in the hearts of men, awakening an uncontrollable urge to claim the majestic empress.
The second wore a refined robe of lavender and violet hues. Her soft smile held a gentle grace, warming the soul like spring sunlight. Her long, dark-violet hair cascaded down her back like a silken waterfall, flowing freely with a quiet charm.
A tender smile emerged on Xiao Hua's handsome face as he watched the two women approach—one noble and bewitching, the other elegant and radiant, both moving with the poise of elegance fairies.
"Cai'er, Xian'er…" Xiao Hua called softly, his voice laced with warmth and affection.
He paused for a moment, his gaze lingering on Cai Lin before he continued, "Cai'er, are you feeling better now?"
He had previously sent word to her, informing her that he had successfully refined the Soul Recovery Pill, though he couldn't leave to deliver it in person as he needed to oversee Tian Huo Zun-zhe's revival.
What he hadn't expected was that all three of them would arrive two days ago—and had remained by his side ever since.
"I'm fine," Cai Lin replied gently. "After consuming the pill and refining it, the lingering influence from the Heaven Swallowing Python's spirit has completely vanished."
"How much longer until Tian Huo Zun-zhe completes the merging process and awakens?" the Little Fairy Doctor asked, her curious gaze shifting toward the figure wrapped in flames.
Xiao Hua followed her gaze and calmly replied, "Judging from the current state, he'll need a few more days. The body he's merging with once belonged to a peak Dou Zun who had undergone three transformations. It's only natural that the process takes time."
"In that case, we can stay here for a while longer."
The Little Fairy Doctor let out a soft chuckle as she gracefully sat down beside Xiao Hua. Cai Lin remained silent, but after watching the other woman take her seat, she quietly shifted her body and settled down on Xiao Hua's other side—her movements elegant and wordless, yet full of meaning.
Xiao Hua smiled warmly as he raised his hands, gently embracing the slender, delicate waists of the two women at his sides—his wives, if not yet in name, then surely in heart. Drawing them closer, he pulled them into his chest, burying his face in their soft, fragrant hair. The unique scents of Cai Lin and the Little Fairy Doctor intertwined with their warmth, making his heart flutter and his mind momentarily light-headed.
Cai Lin and the Little Fairy Doctor exchanged a glance, their eyes meeting with quiet understanding. A soft smile formed on their lips as they leaned in, resting their heads against Xiao Hua's chest.
There, they listened to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat—a sound that soothed them, grounding their thoughts and easing their hearts.
Xiao Hua believed they would remain like this—wrapped in silence and tranquility—until Cai Lin's voice suddenly broke the peace, sharp and cool like a blade hidden beneath velvet.
"I heard from Lady Azure that you were enjoying Zi Yan's lovely body… naked, no less. It must've been quite the sight, enough to distract even you, if only for a moment."
'That damn sister of mine…!'
It was as if a bolt of lightning struck him. Xiao Hua's body froze, and his mind spiraled into chaos. His thoughts were in disarray, and he could only curse bitterly in his heart at Lady Azure, her words now echoing mercilessly through Cai Lin's voice.
Before departing for the mountain range, Lady Azure and Xue Yue had stayed behind. There was little for them to do even if they had followed, so Xiao Hua hadn't questioned their decision.
Naturally, he hadn't given it much thought—until he saw the pitying glance from Xue Yue and the mischievous, teasing smile on Lady Azure's face. In hindsight, he should have realized that Lady Azure would take this opportunity to toss the most dangerous subject imaginable straight into Cai Lin's hands… all for her own amusement.
'I can already picture her smug little smile and gleeful expression as she told Cai'er about it!' Xiao Hua's brows twitched in irritation at the vivid image flashing through his mind.
"Ah… about that… I'm sorry..." Xiao Hua forced the words out, his voice hesitant and dry. Beads of cold sweat rolled down his temples as he lowered his head in surrender. He knew well there was no point in making excuses—it would only make things worse.
After all, he understood exactly what Cai Lin meant. She had accused him of being distracted, not tempted—which meant she already knew that it was Zi Yan who had initiated the incident and caught him off guard.
But the problem lay in the fact that he had been distracted. Which meant he had enjoyed the view, even if only for a moment.
And that—that was what truly provoked Cai Lin's ire and made her bring up the matter now.
"At least you understand." Cai Lin gave Xiao Hua a sidelong glance, her eyes narrowing slightly before she spoke with a tone of quiet satisfaction—he had, at the very least, grasped the true meaning behind her words.
Had he tried to make excuses or shift the blame entirely onto Zi Yan—though she did agree the girl was at fault—Cai Lin would have scolded him mercilessly for lacking the courage to own up to his mistake.
"I've already punished Zi Yan for her behavior," she added with a trace of irritation. She had never imagined that the one she regarded as a younger sister would dare to act so brazenly the moment her back was turned.
Even recalling the moment she first heard about it made her brows draw together tightly, the arc of her frown growing sharper by the second.
'I am quite soft with her. Perhaps, I should teach her lesson once more once I returned!' Cai Lin thought in her heart.
Meanwhile, in one of the rooms at the wooden cabin, Zi Yan—currently lying on her stomach and cooling the redness and lingering sting on her sore backside—suddenly shivered, a chill creeping down her spine without warning.
"Now, now, Sister Cai Lin," the Little Fairy Doctor quickly interjected, sensing the growing storm. "How about we calm down and just enjoy the moment instead?"
Cai Lin said nothing in response, but after a long breath, she quietly leaned into Xiao Hua's chest. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat and the warmth of his embrace slowly began to melt the flames of anger in her heart.
Seeing that Cai Lin had finally calmed down, both Xiao Hua and the Little Fairy Doctor let out a quiet breath of relief, their tensed shoulders visibly relaxing.
Though Xiao Hua was tempted to point out that Zi Yan's bold behavior might very well have been influenced by Cai Lin's own teachings, he wisely kept that thought buried deep within his heart. Mentioning it now would only guarantee another harsh scolding—one he had no desire to invite.
With Cai Lin's anger quelled, peace settled once more. No one spoke. Instead, they basked in the warm, quiet atmosphere.
Xiao Hua's focus remained gently on Cai Lin, carefully observing her expression to ensure no embers of anger remained. The Little Fairy Doctor noticed, and rather than feeling left out, she felt a sense of comfort and appreciation toward Xiao Hua's attentiveness.
…
Time flowed swiftly like a quiet stream, and a week passed in the blink of an eye as Xiao Hua spent his days in tranquil bliss alongside his two beloved companions.
From time to time, Zi Yan would visit, but after sensing the mellow, intimate atmosphere surrounding the trio, she would quickly retreat, choosing instead to wander the surrounding lands in search of medicinal ingredients.
Now, the three sat once again in each other's embrace, eyes closed, sharing warmth and affection in serene silence.
But soon, Xiao Hua's eyes slowly opened. A faint fluctuation stirred in the air—the aura surrounding Tian Huo Zun-zhe had changed. The merging process was nearing its final stage.
Careful not to startle them, Xiao Hua gently roused the two women from their slumber. Once he confirmed they were fully awake, he stood up, turning his gaze toward the floating figure wrapped in flames.
Bang!
A blinding burst of light erupted from the floating figure, accompanied by powerful ripples that shook the air as Xiao Hua and the two women drew closer.
Reacting instantly, Xiao Hua unfurled his wings—one pair a majestic spread of crimson feathers laced with golden accents, the other crackling with vibrant arcs of lightning and infused with the might of wind.
He clenched his hand tightly, and in response, the space before them solidified like crystal. The violent ripples slammed against the invisible barrier, but not even a wisp of force reached Cai Lin or the Little Fairy Doctor.
Gradually, the radiant light faded, and the turbulent ripples dissipated into silence.
From within the dispersing glow, a figure slowly stepped forward—a man with long, flowing dark hair and a blazing flame insignia glowing upon his forehead. A calm, detached smile graced his fair and sharply defined features, carrying an air of composed aloofness.
From within the dispersing glow, a figure slowly stepped forward—a man with long, flowing dark hair and a blazing flame insignia glowing upon his forehead. A calm, detached smile graced his fair and sharply defined features, carrying an air of composed aloofness.
He was clad in flowing red robes adorned with golden embroidery and fiery patterns. A brown gourd hung at his waist, clearly his favored vessel for wine. Behind him, a radiant halo of yellow and crimson light pulsed gently, forming a flame that seemed to flow like a living spirit.
Seeing the man who had emerged, Xiao Hua remained outwardly composed, but a ripple of surprise stirred in his heart. The man's appearance bore an uncanny resemblance to Yun Shan's form back in Donghua.
'Strange… I didn't use Yun Shan's corpse, only a random body provided by the System. In addition, Yun Shan was merely at the Dou Zong level when he was defeated. But this body belong to a peak Dou Zun who has undergone three transformations…'
Despite his doubts, Xiao Hua chose not to dwell on the matter for now. His expression softened into a calm smile as he stepped forward, cupped his hands, and offered a respectful greeting.
"Tian Huo Zun-zhe, congratulations on your rebirth from flame."
"Congratulations, Tian Huo Zun-zhe," Little Fairy Doctor and Cai Lin echoed in unison, also offering a respectful bow.
Tian Huo Zun-zhe would accompany and protect the man they cherished when he enters the Central Plains in the future. Naturally, their hearts held a quiet gratitude for his help.
"Ke ke, you're too polite, Master Xiao Hua," Tian Huo Zun-zhe chuckled lightly. A kind smile graced his face as he cupped his hands in return. "It is only because of your efforts that I could return from the brink of death."
His voice carried warmth and genuine gratitude—after all, it was Xiao Hua who made his rebirth possible.
He paused briefly, then turned toward Cai Lin and Little Fairy Doctor, his expression respectful as he addressed them.
"Young Madams are far too courteous. This old man's revival was only made possible through the tireless efforts of Master Xiao Hua."
Xiao Hua smiled lightly at Tian Huo Zun-zhe after confirming that no abnormalities or lingering side effects remained.
"Tian Huo Zun-zhe," he said with curiosity, "what is your current cultivation level? From what I can sense, you're at least stronger than Xian'er, no?"
"Ke ke. I should currently be at the peak of 8-Star Dou Zun," Tian Huo Zun-zhe replied with a pleased expression. "But once I fully stabilize this body, there's little doubt I'll step into the 9-Star Dou Zun realm. Thanks to Master Xiao Hua's resources and support, my strength now surpasses what it was at my prime!"
His words carried genuine gratitude, and his smile was filled with satisfaction.
"That's truly incredible..." Xiao Hua murmured, his voice laced with astonishment. He hadn't done anything exceptional to the body, yet not only had Tian Huo Zun-zhe's strength been restored—it had actually surpassed his former peak.
Little Fairy Doctor nodded in agreement, though her reasons differed slightly. As a Dou Zun expert herself, she understood better than anyone present just how arduous it was to advance even a single star.
Still, she felt a quiet sense of relief—Tian Huo Zun-zhe's strength meant that, should danger arise, they would have a powerful expert by their side to fight alongside them.
Turning to Xiao Hua, she asked softly, "Shall we return to the wooden cabin, Xiao Hua?"
"I still have some matters to attend to, so I won't be heading back just yet," Xiao Hua replied, shaking his head with a gentle smile. "Besides, Tian Huo Zun-zhe still needs time to stabilize his condition and fully attune himself to this new body."
"In that case, we'll return first," Cai Lin responded softly, her lips curved in a faint smile. "Naturally, we'll bring Zi Yan with us as well."
Before departing, both Cai Lin and Little Fairy Doctor leaned in and gave Xiao Hua a light kiss on the cheek, their gestures filled with tenderness and affection.
"This old man shall find a quieter place to adjust his condition," Tian Huo Zun-zhe said respectfully, cupping his hands before turning to leave. He understood well that whatever Xiao Hua intended to do next had nothing to do with him—and there was no need to pry.
Xiao Hua stood in place, quietly watching the three figures depart. Once their silhouettes faded into the distance, the faint smile on his lips lingered as he turned around, shifting his focus to the matter that awaited his attention.
He took a deep breath and waved his hand. In an instant, four items emerged from his storage ring, floating silently before him, suspended in the air.
The first was a pair of bead-like, mystical eyes. Each orb glowed with a deep, luminous silver-blue hue, ringed by delicate traces of faint violet and soft starlight white. Within their depths, tiny specks of light shimmered and drifted slowly, like stars frozen in the stillness of the night sky.
The second was a smooth, flawless orb that radiated a gentle, otherworldly glow. Within its core, soft swirls of silver, pale azure, and faint violet moved like mist across tranquil waters. Distant points of light glimmered within—like stars scattered across a boundless firmament—giving the illusion of a miniature night sky held within glass.
The third was a pair of long, graceful wings. Each feather seemed woven from strands of moonlight, shimmering with a translucent sheen that shifted gently between pale silver, tranquil blue, and the lightest touch of lavender. The colors rippled subtly, as if stirred by an unseen breeze.
These wings bore no grandiose brilliance nor colorful glow, yet they exuded a serene, sacred beauty. Even in stillness, they seemed to breathe with the quiet rhythm of the stars. Faint trails of glowing motes—like stardust—fell softly behind them and faded into the air. To touch them would be like brushing against the silence of a dream.
Lastly, there were ten delicate frosted jade bottles. Though each was tightly sealed, Xiao Hua could still sense a faint, soothing aura gently brushing against his soul. When he uncorked one, a tranquil and ethereal wave of energy surged forth, sweeping through the cave like a silent breeze beneath the moon, carrying an elegance that calmed both mind and spirit.
Raising a single finger, he beckoned lightly. As if drawn by an unseen force, the liquid within slowly rose, following the arc of his gesture. It glowed with a luminous silvery-blue hue, flowing like liquid moonlight.
Within it, delicate strands of pale starlight and translucent violet mist swirled gently, forming shifting patterns that resembled constellations drifting through the heavens.
Its presence was quiet and serene—an essence that seemed to hold the very stillness of the night sky, condensed into a single, dreamlike drop.
These were the four parts of the Celestial Moon Phoenix, given to him by the System.
He had delayed refining them long enough. Now, the time had come to craft the third pair of wings for his Four Divine Phoenixes, Fly and Dance Across Heaven. Once complete, this would mark the awakening of his third pair of wings.
More importantly, the third sealed technique of the Four Mysterious Body would also be unlocked. Whatever that technique may be, he could only hope it would serve him well on the journey to the Central Plains.
Five flames curled up in the palm of his hand, dancing silently. With a flick of his fingers, they surged forward and enveloped the wings. He sat down and closed his eyes afterwards.
Before he could begin refining them into his own, the residual spirituality had to be erased completely. Only after purging the prior imprint could he begin the refinement of the wings!
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