Caishen took the initiative to invite Li Xuanxiao to accompany her, which would make many things more convenient for him. After a brief hesitation, Li Xuanxiao agreed. Caishen was delighted. However, Li Xuanxiao didn't leave with her immediately. Instead, he asked for her address, saying he would seek her out if needed, before departing alone. Watching his retreating figure, Caishen felt an inexplicable sense of loss. Her father, Miao Zhishun, noticed his daughter's mood and frowned.

At that moment—Boom!! A terrifyingly powerful aura tore through space. Miao Zhishun looked up at the sky. Mozi coughed up blood, his fury burning but with nowhere to direct it. He had promised his master he would eliminate the remnants of Mount Shushan, but instead of succeeding, he had fallen into their trap, helping them capture the Toad King while sustaining serious injuries himself. New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on novel_fіre.net

Emerging from the secret realm after continuous battles, Li Xuanxiao was completely exhausted, having drained the last of his energy. He couldn't continue traveling in this state—it was far too dangerous. This was also why he chose not to go with Caishen and her group. If they harbored ill intentions, he wouldn't stand a chance. Hidden in the shadows, Li Xuanxiao felt his Lifebound Flying Sword retract into his dantian as the ringing in his ears from spiritual energy depletion grew overwhelming.

The spiritual energy in his body began flowing in the opposite direction, coursing backward through his meridians. As it reversed, the energy underwent purification, shedding impurities and becoming increasingly refined. This purified energy was not only of higher quality but also regenerated several times faster than normal spiritual energy, swiftly nourishing every meridian and acupoint.

"Reverse Meridian Restoration Technique"—a method to rapidly recover spiritual energy, though Li Xuanxiao rarely used it unless absolutely necessary. Employing this technique would slow his energy absorption for months afterward, effectively borrowing power at a cost. But right now, he had no choice. Once he felt somewhat restored, he set off again. Reflecting on his recent experiences, he couldn't help but feel he had narrowly escaped death.

Inside the frosty cave, Di Nü Feng sniffled, suddenly feeling cold—something that should have been impossible for her. Temperature extremes meant nothing unless she chose to experience them, but the snake venom's effects were unpredictable. One moment, she shivered from unbearable cold;

the next, she burned as if submerged in molten lava.

The mechanized puppet transmitted Li Xuanxiao's voice, and Di Nü Feng nearly burst into tears. She couldn't recall exactly how long he'd been gone—only that it felt like an eternity. "Damn you... why aren't you back yet...?" (┭┮﹏┭┮) She curled into a ball, instinctively reaching for the snacks Li Xuanxiao had left behind to keep her occupied. But her hand grasped empty air. When she lifted her head with difficulty, tears streamed down her cheeks—the food was gone. It wasn't hunger that upset her, just overwhelming sadness.

In her daze, memories surfaced—being locked in a cage by her master, told she wouldn't eat until she killed the person inside. Then, a noise came from the cave entrance. Di Nü Feng perked up. Was Li Xuanxiao back? The sound of clumsy shuffling reached her ears. Had he become so inept he couldn't even open the cave? Without hesitation, she tore off the talisman Li Xuanxiao had placed at the entrance and scrambled outside. "Li Xuanxiao!" she shouted excitedly.

But instead of Li Xuanxiao, a massive polar bear stood before her. Di Nü Feng blinked. The bear roared and charged. Biting her lip against the freezing wind, she clutched her chest and raised a fist—then remembered Li Xuanxiao's warning: "Don't use any spiritual energy, or your condition will worsen." As she hesitated, the powerful bear lunged, its jaws clamping around her upper body with enough force to shatter mountains.

"Ah~" Yet even without spiritual energy, the bear's teeth couldn't pierce her skin. They scraped harmlessly as the beast dragged her several meters before freezing—it sensed something amiss. Di Nü Feng gripped its jaws and, with sheer physical strength, pried them open before hurling the bear dozens of meters away.

Just as she did, laughter rang from above. Di Nü Feng glared upward to see four figures. The leading young cultivator rested a hand on his saber—a flash of steel later, the bisected bear collapsed. "Are you alright, miss?" he asked. Di Nü Feng ignored him, turning back toward the cave. All that excitement for nothing! That stupid bear had drooled all over her, leaving a nasty smell.

As she strode away, the young cultivator chased after her. "Where do you cultivate, miss? I'm Ye Liang. That was nothing—no need for thanks." Di Nü Feng sped up, refusing to acknowledge him. "Miss!" He reached for her wrist—then froze. Veins of sickly green and purple spread beneath her skin, visible even under her robes. Yet nothing could diminish her breathtaking beauty.

"You seem poisoned," he persisted. "Tell me your symptoms—I might be able to help." A female cultivator overhead chuckled. "Third Brother, look—Second Brother's old habits are acting up again."