The Little Medical Fairy was gently held by Ye Feng as the two landed steadily on a protruding ledge just outside the cave.
"It's inside," said the Little Medical Fairy, her voice soft yet certain.
Ye Feng waved his hand. A small whirlwind surged forth, sweeping away the rubble and broken wood blocking the cave's entrance. The darkness within was immediately revealed.
"Who's going in first?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.
"Me." Ye Feng raised his index finger. A cluster of multicolored flames ignited at the tip.
The instant the flames appeared, the surrounding temperature rose sharply. Moisture on the cave walls evaporated in an instant, forming faint mist in the air.
"What is that?" the Little Medical Fairy asked, surprised.
"Heavenly Flame," Ye Feng replied simply.
"Heavenly Flame? What does that mean?"
"It's a rare natural treasure, bred over countless years. Its temperature is terrifyingly high. Possessing one is enough to rival a Dou grandmaster."
As he answered, Ye Feng led the way into the cave. After walking for a few minutes, he suddenly came to a stop.
"Ah!"
The Little Medical Fairy bumped into him from behind, her chest pressing against his back. Her expression turned slightly red as she felt the contact. "W-What are you doing?!"
"There's no path ahead," Ye Feng said, pointing at the stone gate before them.
"Let me see."
The Little Medical Fairy stepped forward and examined the stone gate. After fumbling around for a moment, she pressed a hidden mechanism. With a heavy rumble, the stone gate slowly opened.
Ya Fei, who had followed closely behind, asked in surprise, "You know how to deal with mechanisms too?"
The Little Medical Fairy smiled. "I've read a few books."
Without another word, she picked up a stone from the ground and tossed it into the cave. After a few silent moments, seeing no movement, she said calmly, "Let's go."
"You're so cautious. If we tossed you into the Magical Beast Mountain Range, you'd probably survive better than the beasts themselves," Ya Fei joked with a chuckle.
The Little Medical Fairy smiled faintly. "It never hurts to be careful when venturing outside."
Inside the cave, a mound of glittering gold lay in the center. But further in, nestled within the shadows, was a small flowerbed of dark soil. Strange light swirled above it, as if a vision lingered over the bed of herbs.
Ignoring the pile of gold, Ya Fei and the Little Medical Fairy made their way straight to the flowerbed.
"Purple-blue leaves... White ginseng fruit... Snow lotus seeds…"
One by one, the names of rare and precious herbs slipped from their lips.
Suddenly, both of their gazes locked onto a peculiar plant at the center of the flowerbed.
"Ice Spirit Blazing Grass!" they exclaimed in unison.
The plant had alternating red and white leaves. The white branches looked frozen, encased in ice-like crystals, while the red crown held a flickering orb like a flame. Two opposing elements—ice and fire—manifested simultaneously on the same plant. It was mesmerizing.
"Little Medical Fairy," Ye Feng said, "aside from two things in this cave, the rest of the treasures belong to you."
"Two things?" She paused for a moment before asking, "Don't tell me you're after this Ice Spirit Blazing Grass?"
"Yeah," Ye Feng replied without hesitation.
"Hmph! Of course you'd go for the most valuable herb right away." She pouted, but then glanced at the other herbs in the flowerbed. "Fine, take it. There's still plenty left for me."
Ye Feng nodded, then took out ten jade bottles from his storage ring. Right in front of the two girls, he used his Heavenly Flame to refine the bottles into small jade shovels.
He carefully transplanted the Ice Spirit Blazing Grass into one of the jade bottles before handing the rest of the shovels to the Little Medical Fairy.
"Sister Ya Fei, what are you going to pick?" the Little Medical Fairy asked.
"I…"
"She doesn't need to pick anything," Ye Feng interrupted coldly.
Ya Fei froze for a moment, but said nothing and quietly followed him.
Ye Feng walked to a corner where a human skeleton rested against the wall. Ya Fei gave the herbs one last glance before standing beside him.
Noticing her expression, Ye Feng asked calmly, "You're not happy?"
"I wouldn't dare."
"Good."
He glanced back at the Little Medical Fairy, who was carefully transplanting herbs, and continued, "Her body possesses the Sacred Poison Physique. These herbs will be of immense use to her. In her hands, they will display their true value."
"…I see," Ya Fei responded, her tone softening.
"After this is done," Ye Feng added, "I'll give you a gift."
"Gift?" Ya Fei blinked in surprise.
"Yes. A gift valuable enough to make you the next patriarch of the Miteer Clan."
"…What is it?"
"That's a secret," he said with a small smile.
Soon, the Little Medical Fairy finished her transplanting and approached Ye Feng.
"There are three stone boxes here," she said, glancing at the stone table. "Is the second thing you want something inside one of them?"
The boxes were embedded in the stone table, sealed shut with a lock. A small key rested in the skeletal hand.
"No," Ye Feng shook his head.
"Then what are you after?" she asked curiously.
Ye Feng walked to the skeleton and snapped its brittle fingers without hesitation. From within the hollow bone marrow of the hand, he pulled out a small scroll.
"This," he said.
"What's that?" she asked, brows furrowed.
"An incomplete map of the Pure Lotus Demon Flame."
"The Pure Lotus Demon Flame… a Heavenly Flame?"
"Yeah."
"You're so greedy," the Little Medical Fairy complained. "First the Ice Spirit Blazing Grass, now another rare treasure. Fine, whatever. Then the items in those three stone boxes go to me and Sister Ya Fei?"
"Sure," Ye Feng nodded.
With the key in hand, the Little Medical Fairy unlocked the boxes one by one.
Inside were three rare treasures: the Seven-Colored Poison Scripture, the Purple Cloud Wings, and the Mad Lion's Roar.
The Seven-Colored Poison Scripture naturally went to the Little Medical Fairy.
As for the Mad Lion's Roar, a battle technique requiring an exceptionally masculine body to practice, she initially offered it to Ye Feng. However, he handed it over to Ya Fei instead. As an auctioneer of the Miteer Auction House, she would know how best to utilize or trade such a technique.
"And this… Purple Cloud Wing?" The Little Medical Fairy hesitated. "It's a flying-type spirit technique. Extremely rare…"
"It's yours, Sister Ya Fei," she said suddenly.
"Mine?" Ya Fei blinked.
"Yes. I've already claimed so many herbs. This one's for you."
"Wait—"
"It's still yours, Little Medical Fairy," Ye Feng interrupted.
"Me?" She was taken aback.
Even Ya Fei was stunned. She was already eligible to cultivate, and a flying technique like this was extremely enticing to her.
"It's just a technique from a fifth-rank spirit beast," Ye Feng said casually. "Not worthy of my maid."
He turned toward the exit. "Alright, gather your things. Let's head out. It's time to get that gift ready for Ya Fei."
---
PS: What do you think Ye Feng's gift to Ya Fei is? Feel free to guess in the comments! I'll reveal it soon—just know it's enough to make her the Miteer Clan's next patriarch!
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