Only one last dose of strong medicine

Jiang Lanzhi’s jade-like hands clenched into fists, the indifference in her eyes completely vanished, replaced by a gaze full of worry.

Xiao Fan looked at the three monsters before him: their bodies covered in black-purple scales, their pupils crimson, and their fangs and claws sharp.

Two curved tusks protruded, resembling elephant tusks but lacking their pristine white color; instead, they were entirely black.

Each stood over a zhang tall, silently guarding the suspended demonic object. When they discovered Xiao Fan, they did not attack.

Instead, they gathered more tightly, protecting the Demonic Core even more securely. It was clear that this Demonic Core was incredibly important.

Xiao Fan paused.

How much strength should he use? To what extent should he fight? A narrow victory, a mutual defeat, or a crushing loss?

He had to think carefully, as this concerned the direction of his acting.

Seeing Xiao Fan halt his steps, Jiang Lanzhi’s heart tightened involuntarily, her face filled with worry. She quickly called out,

“Let’s go back. This thing isn’t absolutely necessary.”

Xiao Fan turned his head and smiled,

“Are you worried about me?”

Jiang Lanzhi wanted to say yes, but seeing his sly expression, the words she wanted to say simply wouldn’t come out.

Looking at the worry on Jiang Lanzhi’s face, Xiao Fan knew which acting method to choose.

A mutual defeat!

He first, inadvertently, took a Medicinal Pill, specifically making sure Jiang Lanzhi saw it.

As for the Medicinal Pill bottle, he wouldn't put it in his Storage Pouch this time, or else it wouldn't fall out later.

He simply put it in his pocket, planning for an accidental drop later to let her see what kind of Medicinal Pill it was.

Jiang Lanzhi’s attention was on the three monsters. She saw Xiao Fan’s action and assumed it was just some Medicinal Pill for healing or replenishing spiritual energy, so she didn’t think much of it.

Xiao Fan took out a Qingfeng sword from his Storage Ring.

Its cold light was sharp and unstoppable.

Wielding the three-foot Qingfeng, he inherited a bit of his father’s Sword Immortal Aura.

With his back to Jiang Lanzhi, that graceful figure was deeply etched into her heart.

Xiao Fan took the initiative to attack, engaging in a fierce battle with the three great monsters.

At first, the monsters were very cautious, sending out only one, with the other two remaining on guard.

Xiao Fan confronted it, and the clash of claws and Qingfeng sparked tiny flames.

At the same time, Righteous Qi emanated, restraining the demonic evil. The monster’s movements were hindered, and its attack speed slowed down considerably.

Xiao Fan’s sword carved hundreds of wounds into the monster’s body, leaving it bloody.

The monster’s sharp claws also tore Xiao Fan’s clothes to rags. Fortunately, he had the Demon-Slaying Armor underneath, so there weren’t many flesh wounds.

The sharp claws, filled with Killing Intent, grazed Xiao Fan’s chest, neck, and forehead countless times.

The closest call was when it brushed past his forehead, cutting off a strand of his hair.

Watching this scene, Jiang Lanzhi’s heart was in her throat. “You absolutely cannot get hurt!”

Xiao Fan was very focused. He not only had to suppress his strength but also had to act as if he couldn’t win, and that he was being grazed by sharp claws, nearly losing his life.

This situation continued for a quarter of an hour, and Xiao Fan’s Aura began to rise.

It was time for the real acting to begin.

Xiao Fan was seen transitioning from being suppressed by the Void Refining Heavenly Demon monster to being evenly matched.

After another half-quarter of an hour, the Heavenly Demon monster was actually steadily suppressed by Xiao Fan.

The Heavenly Demon monster even had its right arm severed by Xiao Fan, making it shriek in pain.

“What’s going on? How is his Qi getting stronger and stronger?”

In the intense magical battle, Xiao Fan’s Aura and stamina surprisingly became fiercer and fiercer.

This situation was too abnormal, causing a hint of unease to arise in Jiang Lanzhi’s heart.

The Heavenly Demon monster, unable to win, began to call for help, leaving only one to guard the Demonic Core. This was a major matter concerning the safety of the mother nest, and it could not be neglected.

Xiao Fan was ambushed by two Heavenly Demon monsters, but he was still able to fight them to a draw. Moreover, his Qi grew stronger and stronger, once again steadily suppressing the two Heavenly Demon monsters.

The remaining Heavenly Demon monster roared, casually set up a Restriction to protect the Demonic Core, and also joined the chaotic battle.

Three against one!

Finally, Xiao Fan was inadvertently ambushed from behind by a Heavenly Demon “sixth man,” who knocked the Medicinal Pill bottle he was carrying flying.

Inadvertently, the bottle happened to fly towards Jiang Lanzhi.

And, inadvertently, Jiang Lanzhi opened it.

Xiao Fan’s Qi no longer increased, but he fought the three Heavenly Demons to a standstill. He fought desperately, using a trade-injury-for-injury tactic, severely wounding the three Heavenly Demons.

Although his own body was also covered in wounds.

Jiang Lanzhi looked at the flying Medicinal Pill bottle, caught it with her hand, and upon seeing the name on it, her pupils constricted.

“Blood Burning Pill!”

She naturally recognized it; this was a Medicinal Pill that caused one to consume their vital essence to temporarily enhance their strength.

The consequence of this Medicinal Pill was that the user would suffer from a severe depletion of Qi and blood, even damaging their Foundation.

“No wonder, no wonder his Qi increased. So he used this kind of Medicinal Pill.”

Jiang Lanzhi looked at Xiao Fan, whose face was flushed and whose Aura was powerful, and a touch of emotion arose in her heart: unease, worry, and that long-hidden affection.

She no longer cared about anything else; even if she got hurt, she had to help him.

Jiang Lanzhi joined the battlefield, but Xiao Fan reprimanded her, “What are you doing here? Get out!”

Jiang Lanzhi was stopped short and wanted to say, “I…”

“Didn’t you hear what I said?” Xiao Fan said coldly, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

Jiang Lanzhi stopped midway. “He scolded me?”

“Is he concerned about me?”

As the Empress, she had always been the one to scold and command others. This feeling of being scolded made her cheeks flush and her delicate body tremble slightly.

She could only answer softly, “I’ll listen to you.”

Xiao Fan was also stunned for a moment. “Something’s not right. Your tone and wording just now were off.”

[Ding! You scolded Jiang Lanzhi. Her attitude towards you has improved. Capture progress: 70%.]

“Could it be that you’re that kind of person?” Xiao Fan thought of a possibility.

This momentary lapse of concentration caused him to be directly sent flying by a monster, landing heavily on the ground, creating a human-shaped crater.

He even coughed up a mouthful of black blood.

“This should be enough acting, right?”

The time was almost up; it was time for the final performance.

A single Blood Burning Great Art, burning every drop of blood Qi in his body, created an image of him glowing red all over, with boiling blood Qi.

“Blood Shadow Sword!”

The Qingfeng sword was covered in a layer of blood Qi, and he began to strike fiercely. Sword Qi crisscrossed and flew everywhere, attacking the three Heavenly Demons.

The might emanating from him had already surpassed the Refining Void Initial Stage Early Stage, directly approaching the Refining Void Initial Stage Middle Stage.

Although this situation only lasted for three breaths, it was enough for him to knock down all three Heavenly Demons before him, leaving them on the verge of death.

And after doing all this, Xiao Fan’s Qi began to drop rapidly, his face pale, gasping for breath.

He slowly landed, kneeling on one knee, supporting himself with his sword so as not to lie on the ground.

But this wasn’t over yet. He secretly injected a drop of Demonic Blood into one of the Heavenly Demons, and that Heavenly Demon’s consciousness instantly dissipated.

Its eyes lost their luster, turning it into his puppet.

Good, the props are ready.

Looking at Xiao Fan on the ground, his body covered in blood, his face pale, Jiang Lanzhi’s heart felt as if it were being twisted by a knife.

She immediately went up and helped Xiao Fan.

“Are you alright? I told you not to overexert yourself, but you wouldn’t listen.”

“You really are something. Is there anywhere you feel uncomfortable? Don’t move, take this Withered Wood Rejuvenation Pill. Your Qi and blood are too depleted, and this Medicinal Pill is suitable for you.” She poured out a fragrant Medicinal Pill and held it between two jade fingers, putting it into his mouth.

The worry in Jiang Lanzhi’s voice was almost overflowing. She took out a clean handkerchief, carrying her unique faint fragrance, and wiped the blood from Xiao Fan’s face.

She looked like a little wife, completely unlike the Empress of Unfeeling.

Even she herself didn’t realize the change in her emotions towards Xiao Fan.

Xiao Fan forced a smile, though it was a bit strained.

However, he was truly beaming inside.

“Little girl, your schemes aren’t as deep as mine.”

“Cough, cough, didn’t you want the Demonic Core? It’s over there, go get it.”

Jiang Lanzhi looked annoyed and reprimanded, “Don’t you know how to cherish your own life?!”

“I said it, a betrothal gift for you, and I’ve delivered.” He smiled brightly, saying this in a very casual tone.

The bloodstains on his face were not yet dry, making him look somewhat ferocious.

But as soon as he said this, tears welled up in Jiang Lanzhi’s eyes, on the verge of spilling.

“Hey, hey, hey, don’t cry. You’ll ruin your face, and it won’t look good. I’m warning you, if you turn into an ugly duckling, don’t blame me for breaking off the engagement.” Xiao Fan said heartlessly.

He knew that in such a painful moment, the more indifferent he appeared, the more emotional impact it would have.

As expected.

Jiang Lanzhi’s face hardened, and she said coldly, “You wouldn’t dare!”

Xiao Fan looked at her with a half-smile. Jiang Lanzhi also realized the problem and quickly changed the subject, turning her face away, afraid that the blush would be discovered.

“Hmph, you can’t make that decision. I only listen to Auntie. If you want to break off the engagement, go tell our mother.”

After speaking, she turned and left to retrieve the Demonic Core.

“Our mother?”

She let it slip, didn’t she?

[Ding! Jiang Lanzhi would rather repeat her mistakes than fall for you. Current capture progress: 89%.]

[90% is the warming-the-bed point, also the critical point. Whether you can win her over depends on your ability.]

Listening to the System’s voice, Xiao Fan knew that the day he would win over Jiang Lanzhi was not far off.

Just one last strong dose!

This strong dose would be a bit painful, but as long as he could win over Jiang Lanzhi, it would all be worth it.

— — — — — —

Thank you to Fellow Daoist [If you are well, then the world will be turned upside down] for the inspiration capsules and small blades, and to all Fellow Daoists for the love letters, flowers, and power for love. Thank you.