"Ugh..."
After patiently waiting for Fairy Doctor to awaken, Xiao Hua finally heard a faint groan from the bed.
Lifting his gaze, he noticed the seven-colored hue on her face gradually fading.
"It seems she's waking up..."
He muttered softly but remained still. Moments later, the Fairy Doctor, who had kept her eyes tightly shut, slowly opened them. Her fingers twitched slightly as her gaze shifted toward the ominous black poison.
A bitter smile curled at the corners of her lips, and soon, that bitterness deepened. Without a word, she pulled the quilt over her face, muffling the quiet sobs that escaped from within.
"I failed to control it… Why did I possessed this constitution…"
Seated nearby, Xiao Hua listened to the fragile, sorrowful sobs. His heart felt inexplicably heavy. With a quiet sigh, he stood up and moved to sit beside the bed, his hand gently patting the quilt that concealed her trembling form.
The moment she felt his touch, the quilt was yanked down abruptly. Her teary eyes widened in surprise as she saw the young man sitting by her bedside. Quickly, she wiped away the traces of her sorrow and asked in a soft voice,
"When did you come in…?"
"A little while ago," Xiao Hua replied with a gentle smile.
He was about to tell her what he had learned from Xue Yue and explain the method to seal her constitution when Fairy Doctor suddenly seemed to recall something. She hurriedly spoke up,
"Did you… touch me?"
Xiao Hua blinked, momentarily caught off guard. Then, he let out a dry laugh and shook his head helplessly.
"Haven't we known each other for so long already? You should know by now—I'm not the kind of person who would take advantage of you in such a situation."
"That… that's not what I meant… You didn't touch any part of my body, did you?"
Fairy Doctor hurriedly waved her hands, flustered upon realizing how her words could be misinterpreted.
Understanding her true concern, Xiao Hua let out a dry chuckle. He took a deep breath and reassured her, "No, I didn't."
Fairy Doctor exhaled in relief. She tucked her legs against her chest, resting her snow-white chin on her knees. Just as she was about to speak again, Xiao Hua's voice interrupted her thoughts.
"I learned about your Poison Woeful Body some time ago from someone I share an extremely close bond with."
Fairy Doctor's eyes widened in shock. A tense silence filled the air as she instinctively stiffened, her gaze turning suspicious.
"How do you know about this?" she asked warily.
Xiao Hua didn't answer right away. Instead, he stood up and extended his hand toward her.
"Before I explain, let's leave the cottage. Zi Yan has been worried about you ever since you lost consciousness."
Fairy Doctor hesitated. Seeing her reluctance, Xiao Hua smiled reassuringly.
"Don't worry. The poison in your body is far too weak to affect me."
Fairy Doctor stared blankly at Xiao Hua's heterochromatic eyes. There was unwavering confidence in his gaze, a certainty that made her want to believe in his words. After a brief hesitation, she slowly raised her hand and placed it in his.
The moment her fingers touched his palm, warmth spread through her fingertips. She felt as if a heavy stone had been lifted from her heart—especially when she realized that her poison had no effect on him. Her grip tightened involuntarily, as if fearing that he would let go and leave her behind.
Xiao Hua could sense the frustration, the gloom, and the bitterness in her touch. He sighed softly before gently pulling her up, steadying her as she stood.
"Thank you…" Fairy Doctor murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Xiao Hua smiled warmly and gave a small nod. He turned to leave, but just as he took a step forward, he felt a slight tug on his hand. Pausing, he glanced back—only to see that Fairy Doctor was still holding onto him, unwilling to let go.
"This… This is…" Fairy Doctor muttered nervously. She wanted to let go, yet, for some reason, she found herself unable to release his hand.
Xiao Hua offered a reassuring smile before gently tightening his grip around hers. His voice was soft, almost tender.
"Let's go."
After leaving the wooden cottage, they spotted Zi Yan sitting at their usual dining table, chatting merrily to pass the time.
The moment she saw them approaching, Zi Yan's face lit up with joy at the sight of Fairy Doctor awake. However, her excitement quickly faded as she noticed the lingering sadness in Fairy Doctor's expression, a sorrow that couldn't be concealed.
"Are you okay, Sister Fairy Doctor?" Zi Yan asked worriedly.
Having spent an entire month together, she had come to see Fairy Doctor as family, as an older sister. Now, seeing the gloom in her eyes, Zi Yan couldn't help but feel anxious.
Fairy Doctor forced a small smile. "Don't worry about me, Zi Yan. I'm fine."
Yet, despite her reassurance, the sadness in her smile was unmistakable, only deepening Zi Yan's concern.
Before she could press further, Xiao Hua spoke with confidence. "Don't worry, Zi Yan. I promise you, Fairy Doctor will be fine."
His certainty eased her tension, and Zi Yan finally relaxed.
Seeing this, Xiao Hua turned to Fairy Doctor. "Let's sit down before we begin talking."
Fairy Doctor nodded and quietly took her usual seat, the same one she always sat in when sharing meals with Xiao Hua and Zi Yan. Once she was settled, Xiao Hua was about to speak about the Woeful Poison Body—
—but before he could, Fairy Doctor suddenly interjected, her voice carrying a quiet weight.
"You both must already know about the Woeful Poison Body."
Seeing them nod in confirmation, Fairy Doctor let out a sorrowful smile, her delicate teeth sinking into her soft, moist lips. Her voice trembled slightly as she asked, "Then… you must be afraid of me too, aren't you?"
"Huh?"
Xiao Hua and Zi Yan blinked in confusion, exchanging glances. In each other's eyes, they saw nothing but bewilderment.
Then—
"Pfft… Haha!"
Laughter suddenly bubbled up between them, rich and unrestrained. The warmth in their voices filled the air, catching Fairy Doctor off guard. For a brief moment, she simply stared at them, her confusion deepening.
Noticing the uncertainty flickering in her eyes, Xiao Hua gradually stopped laughing. His expression softened as he looked at her, his voice carrying a gentle warmth.
"I've told you before… No matter what, I will always be by your side—even if the world sees you as a fearsome Poison Master. The Woeful Poison Body may terrify others, making them keep their distance, but to us, it is simply a part of who you are. It will never change our bond, nor will it ever push us apart."
Zi Yan nodded firmly. Though she understood the terrifying nature of the Woeful Poison Body, she never truly feared it—because the one who possessed it was Fairy Doctor.
Xiao Hua's gentle words and Zi Yan's unwavering trust stirred something deep within Fairy Doctor's heart.
Before she knew it, warm tears slid down her delicate cheeks.
She had spent countless sleepless nights burdened by unease, the weight of the Woeful Poison Body pressing heavily upon her ever since she first read about its terrified power in the Rainbow Poison Book.
Yet now, in this moment, all that fear and doubt seemed to dissolve like mist in the morning sun.
She had always believed that once people learned the truth, even the two she cherished most—the ones who had filled her days in the small valley with warmth and peace—would come to fear her. And she wouldn't have blamed them. After all, even she had been terrified upon discovering the truth.
But never had she imagined that they wouldn't fear her at all.
That they would accept her so completely.
A surge of overwhelming joy blossomed within her chest. In this moment, she truly felt blessed to have met them.
Xiao Hua watched as a single tear traced a path down her fair cheek, and his heart stirred with emotion. Even Zi Yan, usually carefree and spirited, grew quiet, her expression tinged with quiet sorrow.
The two exchanged glances before sighing softly. Then, without hesitation, they stood up and stepped closer to her.
Xiao Hua gently patted her head, his touch light and reassuring, while Zi Yan clung to her hand, offering a bright, unconcerned smile—one filled with pure sincerity.
Feeling the warmth and tenderness of their gestures, Fairy Doctor's tears wavered, halting in her luminous eyes. She lowered her gaze slightly, her voice soft and hesitant as she whispered,
"…Will you still eat the food I cook for you?"
"Anytime!"
Xiao Hua and Zi Yan responded in unison, their voices bright and unwavering. Their faces were adorned with carefree smiles, their eyes free of even the slightest hint of fear or hesitation.
As Fairy Doctor gazed at their warm, sincere expressions, a gentle warmth spread through her heart. Their smiles reminded her of the first time she had offered to cook for them.
Back then, she had hesitated—afraid of rejection, afraid they would look at her with wariness because of her identity as Poison Master.
Poison Masters had long been shunned, their very existence met with fear and caution. Their mastery of poisons made it nearly impossible to form genuine bonds with others. Even so-called friends could never fully let down their guard, knowing that a single mistake could mean an inescapable death.
But Xiao Hua and Zi Yan had been different.
They hadn't hesitated in the slightest. Instead, their eyes had lit up with excitement, eagerly nodding at her offer—not because they were unafraid, but simply because they couldn't cook and were excited to try her food despite knowing her identity.
At that moment, the walls around her heart had begun to crumble. The warmth she had long suppressed slowly seeped in, and for the first time in a long while, she felt what it was like to be accepted. From that day onward, she had treated the two of them with a softness and affection she had never dared to show before.
Wiping the lingering tears from her cheeks, she took a deep breath, inhaling through her slightly stuffy nose. Then, lowering her gaze, she whispered in her heart,
"Thank you, Xiao Hua, Zi Yan… With the two of you by my side, I no longer fear this terrifying Woeful Poison Body. Even if the world one day sees me as the most feared existence in the Dou Qi Continent, in front of you two… I will always be the same Fairy Doctor from Qingshan Town."
…
Once the emotions settled, they all returned to their seats. Xiao Hua's gaze swept across them before he gave a small nod and finally spoke.
"As I was about to mention before in the cottage, I learned about your Woeful Poison Body from someone else."
Fairy Doctor recalled this matter—Xiao Hua had indeed brought it up earlier, but because of the turmoil of her emotion in her heart, she had interrupted him and forgotten about it.
Now that she had calmed down, a trace of hesitation flickered in her eyes. She knew the method to identify a dormant Woeful Poison Body, but it was… an embarrassing one, as the unique marking appeared on her lower abdomen.
However, she quickly dismissed any doubts. She trusted Xiao Hua—he was not someone who would resort to such means. And with Zi Yan always by his side, she doubted the mischievous girl would ever allow him to act improperly.
Zi Yan's thoughts mirrored Fairy Doctor's. She was merely curious about the person who had informed Xiao Hua of the Woeful Poison Body's existence.
"Sister Xue Yue, if you don't mind."
Xiao Hua's consciousness shifted into the depths of his spiritual sea as he spoke to the one who had long resided within it.
A moment later, a soft white light emerged from his body, gradually taking form. As the radiance faded, an ethereal beauty was revealed—an unparalleled cold goddess with long, flowing white hair cascading gracefully down to her slender waist. Draped in pristine white robes tinged with a faint blue hue, she exuded an aura of divinity, more like a celestial ruler of ice and snow than a mere fairy.
The instant she appeared, the temperature in the valley plummeted drastically. Frost began to form in the air, and with every exhale, visible white mist escaped from their lips.
Fairy Doctor and Zi Yan shivered as they felt their Dou Qi slow and solidify, a thin layer of frost creeping onto their skin. The sheer intensity of the cold made it clear—they could not withstand the terrifying, bone-chilling aura radiating from her.
Without hesitation, a verdant-green flame flickered into existence in Xiao Hua's palm. With a casual wave of his hand, the flame spread across the valley, dispersing its warmth.
He had chosen the Execution Life Flame deliberately—its gentle yet potent energy ensured that the medicinal herbs in the valley would not be harmed. On the contrary, with its life-nourishing properties, the flame would even strengthen their vitality and growth.
As the warmth seeped into their bodies, Fairy Doctor and Zi Yan let out quiet sighs of relief, their expressions relaxing. Grateful for Xiao Hua's quick response, their gazes instinctively turned toward the ethereal woman before them—untouched by impurity, seemingly beyond mortal reach.
"She is Sister Xue Yue." Xiao Hua's voice softened, laced with a rare warmth and respect. "To me, she is both a sister I rely on and a master who has guided me."
Zi Yan and Fairy Doctor were momentarily startled before they quickly composed themselves. Understanding just how much Xiao Hua treasured this woman, they exchanged a glance before respectfully offering their greetings.
"Greetings, Lady Xue Yue."
"I merely taught him a few things. Most of the time, he was guided and trained by my sister," Xue Yue replied, her voice cold and distant. Yet, despite the icy tone, a subtle warmth surfaced when she spoke of Xiao Hua and her sister.
After speaking, her gaze shifted toward Fairy Doctor, scrutinizing her intently. She had observed everything about this girl over the past month while Xiao Hua remained by her side. Even someone like her—unmoved by most matters—couldn't help but feel a trace of pity for this girl's fate.
However, sentiment had no place here. This matter needed to be addressed swiftly. Shaking her head slightly, Xue Yue continued, "The child would never have sensed the Woeful Poison Body while it remained dormant. But due to my unique nature, I was able to perceive it. That was how I informed him of your constitution while you were still gathering medicinal herbs with your previous affiliation."
"I see…"
Fairy Doctor nodded in understanding. She knew Xue Yue was referring to the Thousand Medicine House when she mentioned her past affiliation—likely the time when they had discovered the hidden cave.
She did not question Xue Yue about her unique nature or why Xiao Hua hadn't told her sooner. For the former, she was wise enough not to pry. Everyone had their own secrets, and she was no exception.
As for the latter, she understood well enough. The seven-colored lines marking her lower abdomen were the unmistakable sign of the Woeful Poison Body—yet it was a place that no one but herself could possibly see unless they deliberately peeked at it.
If Xiao Hua had approached her during that time and bluntly claimed she possessed the Woeful Poison Body, there would have been only one outcome—he would have received a resounding slap across the face and been branded a shameless pervert and scoundrel.
Moreover, leaving the Woeful Poison Body dormant was never an option. She wanted to continue being a physician, to heal others. If it remained sealed for now while she remained ignorant of it, it would inevitably erupt in the future—endangering not only the people of Qingshan Town but also those who had treated her with warmth and kindness.
At that moment, she knew most people would fear and resent her. Yet, what she truly couldn't bear were those who didn't—those who would look at her with the same gentle, unwavering eyes, filled with love and affection rather than hatred.
If that day ever came… if they were hurt because of her…
She knew her heart would shatter beyond repair.
Even if it took years, she would have no choice but to bury the kindness of Little Fairy Doctor and become an emotionless poison woman—one who would never again allow herself to be touched by warmth.
"I had planned to stay by your side until the Woeful Poison Body inevitably erupted, ever since I first learned about it," Xiao Hua said with a small smile. "But fortunately, the poison book in that hidden cave contained information about your constitution."
His words carried an undeniable sincerity. Even if he hadn't read the novel and had only learned of her condition by chance, he would have still remained by her side when the Woeful Poison Body awakened.
"Anyway," Xue Yue interjected to continue speaking. "just as I can sense its presence, I also have a method to temporarily seal it. For at least two years, you won't have to worry about the Woeful Poison Body. However, the sealing technique can only be performed once you reach the Dou Wang realm—otherwise, it would do more harm than good."
As she finished speaking, Xue Yue stepped forward, her cold yet delicate fingers gently stroking Fairy Doctor's head in a rare show of comfort.
Fairy Doctor felt a faint blush rise to her cheeks but didn't pull away. Instead, she took a deep breath, steadied her emotions, and asked the question that truly weighed on her heart.
"Is there… any way for me to control the Woeful Poison Body?"
Though relief washed over her at the possibility of sealing it, she knew she could never truly be at ease until until she could truly control it.
"Unfortunately, I don't know." Xue Yue shook her head, her voice calm but honest.
Fairy Doctor's expression darkened, the weight of uncertainty pressing heavily upon her. But just as despair threatened to take root, Xue Yue's next words brought a glimmer of hope.
"However, my sister does. She is an expert in this field—if anyone can help you control it, it's her."
A brief silence followed before she added, "But… she is currently in slumber, and even I have no way of knowing when she will awaken. Until then, we will seal the Woeful Poison Body to prevent it from erupting and causing harm."
Fairy Doctor let out a quiet sigh of relief. While she didn't fully understand the situation with Xue Yue's sister, it was enough to know that there was a method—a path forward.
"Regardless," Xue Yue continued, "your Woeful Poison Body is still in its initial stage, so it won't affect your daily life too much for now."
"Um…"
A hesitant voice interrupted, drawing their attention to Zi Yan, who had her hand raised slightly. Her gaze flickered between Xue Yue and Xiao Hua as she asked, somewhat uncertainly, "Do Sister Li Mei and the others know about Lady Xue Yue's existence?"
"Not only do they know," Xiao Hua replied with a small smile, "but Sister Xue Yue is also the one currently teaching Sister Xin Yu about formation arrays, while Sister Mei Ling and Brother Wei Jie are learning alchemy from her sister."
"Meanwhile, I am learning both formation arrays and alchemy from Sister Xue Yue and from the same sister that Sister Mei Ling and Brother Wei Jie are receiving guidance from."
Since the topic had already been brought up, he decided it was best to explain everything rather than keep it vague. It wasn't as if anyone here would betray his trust. He had complete faith in them.
Glancing at Xue Yue, he saw her give a small nod—a silent indication that she had no objections. With that, he continued, explaining everything: the existence of lower planes and Great Thousand World, as well as the truth about Xue Yue and her two sisters.
After Xiao Hua's long explanation, Fairy Doctor was left speechless. She had never imagined that the Dou Qi Continent—the very world she was born into—was merely one of many lower planes, with an even greater realm beyond it. Yet, even that revelation paled in comparison to the shock she felt upon learning about Xue Yue's true nature.
"This is truly unbelievable..." she murmured in disbelief. Her gaze lingered on Xiao Hua's smiling face, her expression filled with wonder. "So, Lady Xue Yue, Lady Azure, your flames and lightning… they aren't from the Dou Qi Continent at all?"
Meanwhile, Zi Yan sat frozen, staring into space. Overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information Xiao Hua had just revealed, her head throbbed painfully, a clear sign that her brain was working at maximum capacity.
"Because of the descent of four different Primordial Heavenly Flames, Sister Azure is currently in slumber, busy merging her four consciousnesses," Xiao Hua concluded.
He scratched his head sheepishly, a hint of embarrassment in his voice. "Sorry if I got your hopes up a little…"
"I see. I don't mind," Fairy Doctor reassured him with a gentle smile. "I can wait until Lady Azure awakens. In the meantime—"
She turned her gaze to Zi Yan, watching as a faint wisp of imaginary smoke seemed to rise from her head. Unable to hold back, she giggled softly.
"How about we end this conversation and let her process everything first?"
"Then, we might as well prepare for dinner," Xiao Hua suggested with a smile.
Fairy Doctor nodded. Just as she was about to ask Xue Yue to join them, a soft glow enveloped Xue Yue's figure before she transformed into a small orb of light and returned to Xiao Hua's spiritual sea.
"It seems Lady Xue Yue doesn't require anything," Fairy Doctor remarked before standing up. "In that case, I'll cook something for dinner. Meanwhile, you can buy some sweets for Zi Yan while you wait."
Xiao Hua watched as Fairy Doctor hummed a light tune, heading toward the kitchen with an excited demeanor. The sight brought a warm smile to his face. Seeing her like this reassured him—she was fine now.
She was certainly a resourceful and intelligent girl, and all she needed was the unwavering trust she had now received from both him and Zi Yan.
With that thought, Xiao Hua stood up, donned a robe, and made his way toward Qingshan Town. He knew his presence stood out and that his reputation in the small town was exceptionally high. To avoid drawing unnecessary attention, he had no choice but to disguise himself while buying sweets for Zi Yan.
"Anyway," he mused to himself, "I should probably return to the Xiao Clan after spending a few more months here. Cousin Xiao Yang has been sending letters, urging me to attend the Adulthood Ceremony…"
Given his current strength and status as Supreme Elder, there was no real need for him to attend such an event.
Yet, as he recalled the desperation in Xiao Yang's repeated pleas, he sighed and shook his head. "I suppose I have no choice but to attend, even if it's just a formality."