140: Tempered by dragon blood, affection deepens.

The "Dragon Blood Brew" that Hei Qing sent was truly extraordinary. The immense power of Qi and Blood and the faint trace of Ancient Dragon Origin contained within had a powerful nourishing effect on the Physical Body. After Li Ao drank it, he felt his entire body's Qi and Blood boiling, his Meridians widened slightly, and even his Cultivation of the Black Iron Hegemon Body showed subtle progress.

His heart stirred, and he looked toward the spiritual spring. Since the Dragon Blood Brew had such a miraculous effect, Cultivating while using this spiritual spring, which nourished the Meridians, would surely yield even better results.

He acted immediately upon his thought. Li Ao removed his upper garment, revealing a sturdy but not bloated physique, with smooth muscle lines that seemed to contain explosive power. He stepped into the spiritual spring, sat down cross-legged, and the warm spring water enveloped his body. Strands of gentle energy seeped in through his pores, nourishing his Meridians and internal organs.

He drank another mouthful of Dragon Blood Brew while simultaneously circulating the Black Iron Hegemon Body and the Burning Technique. The scorching heat of the alcohol and the gentle power of the spiritual spring converged within his body, feeling like a duality of ice and fire, bringing waves of soreness, numbness, swelling, and pain. Yet, Li Ao could clearly sense that his Physical Body was steadily becoming tougher at a slow and determined pace; his bones faintly shimmered with a metallic luster, and his Qi and Blood grew even more immense.

He was immersed in the pleasure of this advancement, completely unaware that a cold, clear gaze was fixed upon him from the window of the stone house nearby.

Medusa had finished the first stage of her recuperation and was about to step out for some air when she happened to see Li Ao Cultivating in the spiritual spring. The misty steam blurred his outline, but his well-proportioned and robust physique, along with the focus and determination evident in his brow while Cultivating, caused her purple eyes to flicker slightly. For a moment, she forgot to look away.

She recalled the sight of him going mad for her in front of the palace gate, the wisp of gray Qi at his fingertip that made even Dou Saints wary, and his sense of responsibility in always shielding her and Xiao Yi Xian when facing powerful enemies... This human man was unlike anyone she had ever met. He was domineering, yet not without tenderness; he was decisive in killing, yet valued loyalty and righteousness.

A softness that she herself had not noticed quietly crept onto her perpetually cold and glamorous face.

"Is he handsome?"

A voice tinged with teasing suddenly sounded in her ear, startling Medusa out of her trance. She turned abruptly, only to see that Xiao Yi Xian had arrived beside her at some unknown time, smiling brightly, a hint of mischief in her eyes.

A rare, extremely faint blush rose on Medusa's cheeks, but she suppressed it instantly, reverting to her usual coldness. She glanced at Xiao Yi Xian and said plainly, "This King was merely observing that his Cultivation Technique is somewhat peculiar."

Xiao Yi Xian covered her mouth and chuckled softly, choosing not to expose her. She also looked toward Li Ao in the spiritual spring, her eyes filled with undisguised admiration and tenderness: "He really is amazing, isn't he? No matter what danger we encounter, it seems as long as he is here, we have nothing to fear."

Medusa was silent for a moment, looking at Xiao Yi Xian's pure profile, and sighed softly in her heart. This silly girl had a simple mind, and her affection was practically written all over her face. She was different from herself; Medusa bore the rise and fall of her clan, accustomed to coldness and calculation, while Xiao Yi Xian was more like a snow lotus stubbornly surviving in desperate straits yet still yearning for sunlight.

"Mm." After a long pause, Medusa gently acknowledged, agreeing with Xiao Yi Xian's words. Perhaps even she did not realize that this agreement was mixed with emotions she had not fully understood herself.

Li Ao in the spiritual spring was completely oblivious to the thoughts of the two women outside. He had reached a critical moment in his Cultivation; the energy of the Dragon Blood Brew and the spiritual spring achieved a subtle balance within him, continuously washing over his limbs and body. He let out a low shout, a faint black iron color appearing on the surface of his skin, his muscles tight, veins bulging, as if undergoing some kind of transformation.

Finally, an aura significantly stronger than before erupted from his body, causing the surrounding spring water to ripple outwards.

He suddenly opened his eyes, a sharp light flashing momentarily within them.

"Eight-Star Dou Zong!" Li Ao felt the surging power within his body, and a satisfied smile curved his lips. With the help of the Dragon Blood Brew and the spiritual spring, his Dou Qi Cultivation had finally advanced another step. Although the increase in his Dou Qi Rank seemed somewhat insignificant compared to his Soul Realm and his mastery over Origin, accumulating small gains and having a solid Foundation was always beneficial.

He stood up, water droplets sliding down his sturdy muscle lines. Looking up, his gaze met the eyes of two stunning women, each with a distinct style, standing at the stone house window.

Medusa was still cold and clear, but her expression was not as distant as before. Xiao Yi Xian, however, was smiling, her eyes filled with delight.

Li Ao paused slightly, then smiled openly. He stepped out of the spiritual spring, used Dou Qi to evaporate the water from his body, put on his clothes, and walked toward them.

"It seems you gained quite a lot," Medusa said, looking at him. Her tone was flat, but it lacked some of her usual sharpness.

"A slight Breakthrough," Li Ao nodded. His gaze swept over her, and he keenly noticed that her aura was more solid than before. "Your Origin Qi has also almost recovered."

"Mm," Medusa replied.

Xiao Yi Xian stepped forward, took out a plain white handkerchief, and naturally wiped the water droplets from Li Ao's forehead that hadn't fully evaporated. She said softly, "Congratulations on your Breakthrough."

Her movements were gentle, carrying a maiden's shyness and concern. Li Ao lowered his head, looking at her peaceful face so close to him, smelling the faint medicinal fragrance on her, his heart warming slightly as he allowed her to continue.

Medusa watched this scene, an almost imperceptible ripple flashing deep within her purple eyes. She said nothing, only turning to walk to a stone bench nearby and sitting down, her gaze fixed on the barrier above the valley, lost in thought.

Li Ao felt the subtle atmosphere, and his heart was also complicated. Medusa and Xiao Yi Xian, one cold and noble, the other gentle and resilient, had both shared life and death with him, and their bond had long surpassed the ordinary. He was not oblivious and naturally sensed their feelings, but currently, they were in a dangerous situation with an uncertain future; it was not the time to discuss matters of romance.

"We still need to stay here for a while," Li Ao said loudly, breaking the silence. "We should take advantage of the resources here to quickly increase our strength. I have a premonition that the undercurrents inside the Dragon Domain will not allow us to remain peaceful for long."

Medusa withdrew her gaze and looked at him, her eyes sharp: "What did you discover?"

"Just a feeling," Li Ao walked over and sat beside her. "That Savage Rock won't let the matter rest, and the Ancient Void Dragon Clan seems not to be entirely unified. We must prepare to handle any sudden changes."

Xiao Yi Xian also walked over and sat on Li Ao's other side, saying softly, "I will familiarize myself with the method of controlling my Poison Body as quickly as possible; I won't drag you down."

Li Ao looked at her determined eyes, smiled, and reached out to hold her hand: "You are already doing very well."

He then looked at Medusa and said in a deep voice, "Especially you. The Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python Bloodline seems to be somewhat special here. You must be extra careful."

Medusa met his gaze, seeing the concern and seriousness in his eyes, and that unusual emotion surged within her again. She nodded slightly: "This King knows."

The sunset glow spilled into the valley, stretching the shadows of the three figures. Within this Hidden Dragon Abyss, isolated by the barrier, danger and opportunity coexisted, and the complicated emotional threads between the three were quietly growing, adding an indescribably warm color to this cold place of confinement.