Ding! Successfully checked in at the Magical Beast Mountain Range's small valley, obtaining: one Poison Dragon Inner Core and one drop of Poison Dragon Blood.
Poison Dragon Inner Core: From a seventh-tier magical beast, the Blazing Blood Poisonous Flood Dragon. Though it failed to transform into a full Poison Dragon, its Inner Core had already condensed into a Dragon Core.
Poison Dragon Blood: Blood from a Poison Dragon, capable of strengthening the physique and granting immunity to all poisons.
Xiao Zhitian fell into deep contemplation. The Crossing Calamity Poison Sutra contained a method that could allow the Calamity Poison Body to fully control its poisonous nature.
According to the sutra, one must first swallow the Poison Dragon Inner Core, then use the Poison Dragon Blood to stimulate the Calamity Poison Body's origin. Finally, with the help of a super-powerful exotic flame and three types of spiritual lightning, the origin is dissolved into poison energy and guided into the Inner Core to form a poison pill, thereby fully mastering the poisonous physique.
"What are you thinking about?" The Little Fairy Doctor looked at him, curiosity shining in her eyes.
"I was thinking about how to spend this time with a great beauty," Xiao Zhitian said with a playful smile, snapping out of his thoughts.
"So, have you figured it out yet?" she asked.
"Not yet… but I have something important to tell you," he said, his smile fading into seriousness.
Seeing his expression, the Little Fairy Doctor's eyes widened nervously. "About me?"
"Yes. I presume you've already read the last page of the Seven-Colored Poison Art, haven't you? You also know you possess the Calamity Poison Body, right?"
"How do you know about my Calamity Poison Body?" Her body stiffened at his words, then she whispered forlornly, "Are you afraid of me—a person full of poison? Will you dislike me?"
Xiao Zhitian hugged her tightly, reassuring her, "No matter what you become in the future, I will never dislike you. The reason I know is because I too have a special physique and can sense yours. Moreover, I also know a method to help you control your poisonous body."
"Then it's a promise. You cannot dislike me, or I'll be very sad," she said earnestly. "No wonder your gaze was so strange when you saw the Seven-Colored Poison Sutra in the cave that time."
"Mhm," Xiao Zhitian nodded seriously.
"You said you can help me control my body? You're not lying?" she asked, pulling away slightly, doubt in her eyes.
"Everything I said is true." A black scroll appeared in Xiao Zhitian's hand. "This is a cultivation technique suitable for your physique: the Crossing Calamity Poison Art."
The Little Fairy Doctor took the scroll, her body emanating an eager sensation. She opened it and glanced through the control method, gasping, "The requirements are outrageous… I've never even heard of these things."
"I have the exotic flame, the Poison Dragon Inner Core, and the Poison Dragon Blood. I've condensed one spiritual lightning so far; the second is almost ready, and the third should take about half a year. For now, you should start cultivating this technique to strengthen yourself," Xiao Zhitian explained.
"You've prepared everything… how can I ever repay you?" Her eyes glistened with tears.
Before he could reply, a soft, moist sensation brushed his lips. Startled, Xiao Zhitian looked down to see the Little Fairy Doctor turning and leaving, saying, "I'm going to cultivate now. You can explore on your own."
Xiao Zhitian watched her depart, touching his lips with a smile.
He found a clean spot, sat cross-legged, and fully circulated the Five Elements Heavenly Thunder Art. Thanks to their previous dual cultivation, his body had absorbed a trace of primordial yin energy, and his realm was on the verge of a breakthrough. He frantically absorbed the surrounding heaven and earth energy, steadily increasing his aura.
As night fell, the aura around him surged to a critical point. A vortex of vital energy from heaven and earth formed above, pouring down upon him. Energy fluctuations erupted, and Xiao Zhitian's realm successfully broke through to two-star Da Dou Shi.
His aura gradually calmed, and he opened his eyes.
"Congratulations on your breakthrough. Are you hungry? Come, eat something," the Little Fairy Doctor's voice rang softly from the side.
Xiao Zhitian stood and walked over, sitting beside her. He sniffed the simmering mushroom soup in front of him. "You've been waiting a long time, haven't you? It smells incredible… how can such a simple soup be so fragrant? I wonder who's lucky enough to marry you."
The Little Fairy Doctor smiled, her eyes softening. She picked up a bowl of soup, filled it, and handed it to him.
Xiao Zhitian drank eagerly, praising the flavor. With the exotic flame, spiritual lightning, and Five Elemental Thunder God Body, mushroom poisoning was no concern.
She served herself a bowl as well, sipping slowly while watching him happily, feeling reassured by his trust.
"What are your plans next?" she asked.
"What, just because I drank some soup, you're going to kick me out?" he teased, taking another bowl.
"No, drink as much as you like," she said anxiously.
"Look at how flustered you are," he laughed.
Annoyed, she playfully punched him on the arm. "Be serious."
"I plan to travel, explore, and look for opportunities," he said.
"Then… I, this burden, also want to follow you. Will you let me?" she asked expectantly.
"I couldn't ask for more! With a beauty as a companion, the journey will be even more wonderful. Haha," Xiao Zhitian laughed.
Seeing his agreement, the Little Fairy Doctor's face lit up. "Then it's settled! You can't leave me behind."
"No problem. But we'll stay here for a while. For now, continue cultivating, but moderate the poisons. Bring out all your poison powders and herbs for me," he instructed.
"What do you need these for?" she asked, retrieving all her poisons from storage.
On the ground lay Nether Flower, Dream Vine, Jade Flame Demon Grass, and various powders. Xiao Zhitian wiped sweat from his forehead, incredulous. "You're too brutal… so much."
"Oh, as a weak little girl, self-defense requires plenty," she said, blushing.
"I'll help you refine these into poison pills. Easier to consume, better tasting. No need to eat handfuls of powder," Xiao Zhitian said, collecting the items, chuckling at the thought of her consuming raw poisons.
"You're going to die! Handfuls of poison? Eat it in small amounts, got it?" she scolded, leaping into his arms and punching him repeatedly.
"Hahahahaha~" Xiao Zhitian laughed, letting her hit him.
After a dozen strikes, he grabbed one of her flailing hands and wrapped his other arm around her waist.
The two laughed, teasing, and gradually their eyes met—filled with tenderness. The atmosphere around them was thick with subtle warmth and unspoken emotion.