"This method is impossible to realize."
In the Pill Region's Cao City in Central Plains, Cao Ying bit into a crisp, sweet fruit and made a firm judgment.
Bodhisattva Body Transformation Saliva and the magic core of a seventh-rank Sky Poison Dragon Scorpion Beast were both peerless treasures among seventh-rank heavenly materials and earthly treasures—extremely hard to come by.
Even for a Dou Venerate, obtaining these two items would require tremendous effort, resources, and a bit of luck.
These two might still be theoretically obtainable, but having a seventh-tier alchemist who simultaneously mastered three Heavenly Flames was a complete fantasy.
Heavenly Flames were supreme treasures sought by all alchemists, yet even in the great Pill Tower there was no one who possessed one. All they had was a sealed Three Thousand Burning Flame.
The Pill Tower was the holy land of alchemists, where the greatest number of the continent's strongest alchemists were gathered—yet they still had no alchemist who actually possessed a Heavenly Flame. That alone showed how difficult they were to obtain.
Her own Cao Clan had Dou Venerates and multiple seventh- and eighth-tier alchemists; their top-tier combat power and connections were excellent, yet in hundreds of years they hadn't gotten hold of a single Heavenly Flame.
Even if Xiao Yan was the protagonist of the story and a Child of Fortune, there was no way he could collect three Heavenly Flames before becoming a seventh-tier alchemist.
"That said, he does become a Dou God, so he's bound to gather them eventually."
"Unfortunately, Little Fairy Doctor won't live to see that day."
"There's a method, but it can't be used on her—hence the 'lingering regret.'"
The more Cao Ying thought about it, the more confident she was in her deduction.
…
In fact, every girl with a Journal copy thought the same way—even Xun Er.
Everyone knew Heavenly Flames were incredible treasures, yet the Ancient Clan only possessed the Gold Emperor Incinerating Heavenly Flame. Could it be they simply didn't want more?
As for the Yao Clan and Yan Clan: the former was teeming with alchemists, while the latter specialized in fire; yet over tens of thousands of years, they had only two or three Heavenly Flames among them.
…
"Sister Little Fairy Doctor, congratulations." Xun Er smiled brilliantly. "I told you that receiving the Observation Copy would let you defy your fate."
"Huh?" Little Fairy Doctor, who had been wallowing in sorrow over her destiny, froze.
There was a method, yes—but she still couldn't use it.
As if reading her mind, Xun Er's smile grew sweeter. "Hehe, back then you couldn't use this method—but that doesn't mean you can't now."
"In the Jia Ma Empire, there are no seventh-tier alchemists, so naturally it's difficult for ordinary people to find one. But if I step forward, even an eighth-tier alchemist can be invited—my Ancient Clan has them."
"As for three Heavenly Flames, I know quite a few alchemists who possess them. I could gather five if I really wanted to."
"As for Bodhisattva Body Transformation Saliva and a Sky Poison Dragon Scorpion Beast—that's even simpler. It's a matter of one sentence for me."
Little Fairy Doctor: "…"
She had put herself and Xiao Yan in the same shoes—starting from nothing as ordinary people.
And she had completely forgotten that the person across from her was the one Xiao Ting had designated as the continent's number-one rich and beautiful heiress.
What was nearly impossible for her to accomplish might be as easy as Xun Er acting spoiled toward her father.
"And I'm just one backup option." Xun Er continued, "Brother Xiao Ting wants to recruit you as a maid, and he knows almost all of the major opportunities in this world. For him, gathering the conditions needed for the poison-pill method won't be difficult either."
"No matter what your original fate was, just like I told you yesterday—ever since you obtained the Observation Copy, your destiny in this life has already changed."
"…Mm." Little Fairy Doctor nodded vigorously.
…
[To me, the poison-pill method is only a backup option for helping Little Fairy Doctor.]
[Bodhisattva Body Transformation Saliva can be found at the Black Emperor Sect in Black-Corner Region, and the Sky Poison Dragon Scorpion Beast is near the Falling Star Valley in Central Plains. As for three Heavenly Flames and a seventh-tier alchemist, that's no big deal.]
…
"—!"
All the girls were shocked.
For the first time, the World Observer's "omniscience and omnipotence" took concrete form in front of them. They finally had a clearer sense of just the tip of the iceberg.
Opportunities that ordinary people could never even dream of touching were apparently just sitting somewhere, waiting for him to pick them up.
Heavenly Flames, these incredibly rare treasures, were "no big deal."
…
"Crack, crack, crack."
Cao Ying finished off her fruit in a few quick bites, spat out several seeds, and her eyes shone as brightly as lanterns.
"Three Heavenly Flames, 'no big deal'? Just 'no big deal'?"
"Then can you… maybe spare me a little bit?"
"I can also be… a 'little bit' into you."
"I mean, I could serve as your exclusive alchemist."
Cao Ying mentally calculated the timeline.
According to Xiao Ting's writing, she would become a seventh-tier alchemist in seven years.
By then, Little Fairy Doctor should still be alive. As long as she had a Heavenly Flame, she would gladly help.
"Even just one would be fine." Cao Ying wiped her lips.
Envious tears flowed from the corner of her mouth.
Other people treated three Heavenly Flames as a trifling matter, while she didn't even have one.
Even if there were no Plane Blessings, she would still want to befriend Xiao Ting for the sake of a Heavenly Flame.
No—mere friendship wasn't enough. She had to become his close, trusted friend.
…
"He definitely knows about opportunities that would benefit me."
In the Wind Lightning Pavilion within the Wind Lightning Mountain Range, Feng Qing Er extrapolated from a single clue to the whole picture.
With the Journal and Xun Er in the picture, she couldn't use force on Xiao Ting anymore; she had to use a softer approach.
But even if she used a gentle method, she had to find the right direction first.
…
"I told you so." Xun Er gave Little Fairy Doctor a proud look.
"That's wonderful." Little Fairy Doctor felt an unprecedented sense of security wash over her.
But then, all the girls' pupils shrank.
…
[However, that method only allows her to perfectly control the Woeful Poison Body. It's not true perfect mastery, nor does it upgrade her talent.]
[Before Little Fairy Doctor breaks through to Dou Venerate, I need to help her use the Perfect-Control Method for Upgrading the Woeful Poison Body that I obtained from the Plane Blessing.]
…
Little Fairy Doctor unconsciously clenched her hands, staring fixedly at the Journal copy, waiting for what came next.
All the other girls unconsciously held their breath along with her, nervous.
The Woeful Poison Body was already monstrous, though shackled by misfortune.
If its talent were upgraded and perfectly mastered, how monstrous would it become?
Three seconds. Ten seconds. Twenty-four seconds…
As time passed, there was no further update.
…
"Don't tell me he stopped writing there?" Yun Yun's eye twitched. Feeling oddly annoyed, she decided to go kill a few Chu Yun Empire experts to vent her frustrations.
…
"That's it? He stopped there?" Cao Ying's chest rose and fell. She felt itchy all over. "Why stop at the most exciting part, after hyping us up? Are you a eunuch or something?"
…
"Detestable man." Feng Qing Er spat out the words through gritted teeth.
…
"Heh." Medusa closed her eyes. "Don't let this Queen get the chance. To tease and then take no responsibility…"
Right then, the Journal updated again.
…
[Begin today's cultivation.]
…
All the girls: "!!!"
How thoughtful of you—to "tell" us there's no follow-up, so we don't have to keep waiting.
…
"Uh…"
Little Fairy Doctor's expression shifted like a color palette.
Xun Er had also been feeling a little stuck and uncomfortable, but when she saw Little Fairy Doctor's colorful expression, she couldn't help bursting into clear, tinkling laughter.
"What an infuriating man."
…
In the blink of an eye, evening arrived.
…
[Today's cultivation complete.]
[Cultivation experience… Cultivation insights…]
…
After finishing his tough training, Xiao Ting returned to his small courtyard, still full of energy.
After a bath and a change of clothes, he went to have dinner with Xun Er.
"Xun Er, the Miteer Auction House is holding an auction tonight. Want to come with me?" After eating and drinking his fill, Xiao Ting extended an invitation.
"Does Brother Xiao Ting want Xun Er to accompany you?" Xun Er had already finished eating earlier. Resting her chin on one hand, she blinked at him.
"Of course." Xiao Ting nodded without hesitation. "It would be best if you came with me."
"Unfortunately, Xun Er will have to disappoint Brother Xiao Ting tonight." Xun Er put on a helpless expression. "I feel like I can break through a bottleneck tonight, so I want to go into seclusion."
Knowing that Xiao Ting was going to abduct Little Fairy Doctor, she decided not to go. Otherwise, with her there, he might feel constrained.
"Cultivation comes first." Xiao Ting's expression turned serious. "We'll have plenty of chances to attend auctions together in the future."
After chatting a while longer, Xiao Ting reluctantly took his leave.
"Then tonight, I'll just cultivate for a bit." Xun Er stood and stretched lazily.
She really could break a small bottleneck; she wouldn't lie to Brother Xiao Ting, not even a harmless one.
…
[I wanted to experience the famous auctions on the Battle Qi Continent and invited Xun Er to come with me, but she refused because she wanted to break through.]
[On the bright side, it's easier for me to operate with Xun Er absent. I always feel guilty trying to flirt with another girl in front of my girl.]
[Now I can go all out and convince Little Fairy Doctor to be my maid, then slowly cultivate her into a powerful guard.]
[I can't have her as a maid directly. I wouldn't know how to answer if Xun Er asked.]
[I'll just find a legitimate-sounding excuse to keep her outside first.]
[Woeful Poison Body, here I come.]
…
Xun Er: "???"
Forget it—better not cultivate tonight. I might go into qi deviation.
…
Little Fairy Doctor: "…"
With you taking notes this seriously, you basically have no secrets.
…
"Clap, clap, clap."
Two quarter-hours later, in front of an inn near the Miteer Auction House, Xiao Ting emerged from the nearby alley, clapping his hands.
His gaze landed on Little Fairy Doctor, who had just finished treating an old man. His eyes were full of appreciation as he got straight to the point. "Miss Little Fairy Doctor, your medical skills are impressive. May I ask if you'd be interested in becoming the resident physician of the Xiao Family Pharmacy in our marketplace?"
Little Fairy Doctor: "…"
So this was the method Xiao Ting came up with?
Admittedly, it was a legitimate way to "keep her outside."
But wasn't it a bit too crude?
She honestly didn't know how she was supposed to play along.
…