Hai Bodong let out a bitter sigh. Reaching into his storage ring, he pulled out a partial map and handed it to Xiao Zhitian.
Xiao Zhitian accepted the map, glanced at it casually, then stored it inside his system space.
"I can agree to join your faction," Hai Bodong said after a moment of thought, "but I will only listen to you. I will not be ordered to do anything against my conscience, nor will I slaughter innocents indiscriminately."
"That's only natural," Xiao Zhitian replied calmly. "I am not a bloodthirsty person. Creating a faction is only for establishing a foothold and protecting those I wish to protect. I will not restrict your freedom."
"Good. Then I agree."
"Welcome, Elder Hai." Xiao Zhitian stood up with a smile. "In the future, you will realize this was the wisest decision you ever made. What strength have you recovered to now?"
"Hall Master Xiao… before I was sealed, I was a Five-Star Dou Huang. Currently, I have only recovered to Two-Star Dou Huang," Hai Bodong said, correcting his tone.
"Just call me Xiao Zhitian for now. No need for 'Hall Master' yet." Xiao Zhitian then took out a prepared list of medicinal ingredients."Since you've joined us, I won't hide things from you. There is a pill that can help restore your cultivation to its original peak, but I lack the ingredients."
He handed the list over.
"This is the Spirit Recovery Purple Pill, a high-grade fifth-tier pill. Its effect is to restore cultivators whose strength declined due to seals or internal injuries back to their original realm. You will need to collect these ingredients yourself. If I encounter any along the way, I will also gather them."
Hai Bodong's eyes lit up. He carefully read the list, memorized every ingredient, then stored it in his ring.
"Since everything is settled, let's go out. It's freezing here," Xiao Zhitian said, pulling the Little Fairy Doctor along as they walked back.
They soon returned to the ruined shop.
"Elder Hai, do you plan to remain here, or do you have other arrangements?" Xiao Zhitian asked.
"There is no reason to stay anymore. I only remained here to break the seal. Now that it's gone—and since I still need that Spirit Recovery Purple Pill—I'll follow you for now. You don't mind, do you?"
"Of course not. You're familiar with this region, and having a Dou Huang escort is quite reassuring."
Xiao Zhitian's expression became serious."If there's nothing left to pack, let's depart."
"Everything important is already in my storage ring."
"Then let's head to Stone Desert City. We'll gain experience along the way. Elder Hai, you'll lead."
Xiao Zhitian summoned his Thunder Peng Wings.
Hai Bodong studied them carefully."Your Flying Dou Technique seems… different from ordinary ones. I can't quite explain why."
"It has its secrets. You'll understand eventually."
Hai Bodong nodded and summoned his own ice-formed Dou Qi wings. Comparing them to Xiao Zhitian's magnificent thunder wings, he couldn't help but feel slightly embarrassed.
Xiao Zhitian wrapped the Little Fairy Doctor in his arms. She instinctively hugged him tightly. With Hai Bodong present, her face flushed red and she buried her head against his chest. Xiao Lan stood proudly on Xiao Zhitian's shoulder.
"Let's go."
Hai Bodong took the lead, flapping his wings and soaring forward. Xiao Zhitian followed closely behind.
Two streaks of light pierced through the sky.
Hai Bodong deliberately increased his speed, testing Xiao Zhitian. Yet no matter how fast he flew, Xiao Zhitian remained beside him.
Such terrifying technique… What kind of monster did this youth come from?
Below them stretched an endless golden desert. Apart from raging sandstorms, nothing else could be seen.
"Elder Hai, stop."
Both halted midair.
Hai Bodong followed Xiao Zhitian's gaze and spotted a second-tier magical beast: a Sha Bi Scorpion.
"It's only a second-tier beast. What's special about it?"
"Nothing. But it's perfect for Xian'er."
"For me?" The Little Fairy Doctor frowned at the ugly scorpion. "But it's disgusting. Xiao Lan is much prettier."
Xiao Lan chirped proudly in agreement.
"This isn't about taming it," Xiao Zhitian said calmly. "It's training. You will fight it."
He descended, placing her on the sand, then retreated to a nearby dune.
Hands behind his back, he watched silently.
"System, check-in."
[Ding! Check-in successful at Tagor Desert.Reward obtained: Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python Heart Blood ×1Reward obtained: Thunder Origin ×1]
A purple, domineering yet strangely innocent snake-like silhouette appeared in Xiao Zhitian's mind. A plan slowly formed.
Hai Bodong appeared beside him.
"You just tossed her into battle like that?"
"Elder Hai, watch your words. This is training. An unpolished jade can never become a masterpiece. She will be one of the pillars of our faction."
"Hmph… then I look forward to seeing her growth."
The Sha Bi Scorpion, disturbed from its sunbathing, raised its tail aggressively.
The Little Fairy Doctor activated her Dou Qi.
The two clashed.
Sand exploded into the air.
"She's a poison master?" Hai Bodong asked after noticing her purple Dou Qi.
Xiao Zhitian nodded.
"Strange. An alchemist walking with a poison master… though she is quite beautiful."
"Whether alchemist or poison master makes no difference. All cultivators walk different paths toward the same destination. The most terrifying thing in this world isn't poison…"
He paused.
"It's the human heart."
Hai Bodong fell silent.
His perspective had changed.
As they spoke, the Little Fairy Doctor continued battling fiercely, swallowing a poison pill mid-fight as her aura intensified…