Chapter 33: Test Subject 003—The Empress of Qingqiu

Over the next two weeks, Xia Ye continued to design and improve the medicinal formula intended for Xia He. During this time, Xia He gradually grew familiar with the trio, becoming fully integrated into their small group.

Compared to the fear and anxiety of her past, her days were now filled with cultivation and helping to care for and guide Chen Duo. Breathing the fresh mountain air, she felt an immense sense of relief. Stripped of the inherent, unnatural allure caused by her innate ability, Xia He’s true nature was actually firm on the outside but soft on the inside; she always showed a gentle side to those she considered "her own."

Consequently, Chen Duo quickly accepted her, showing a sense of closeness. Through her newly awakened abilities, Chen Duo could clearly sense the goodwill emanating from this new big sister.

On a morning two weeks later, during breakfast...

"By the way, according to what you’ve told me, that Medicine Immortal Society only taught Duo Duo the most basic common knowledge, right? That is far from enough for her to understand the world..." Xia He looked at Duo Duo, a thought suddenly occurring to her, and she made a suggestion. "How about this? I can go get some elementary and middle school textbooks and teach her how to read and write. I see that Duo Duo has opened up quite a bit now, so it shouldn't be a problem."

"Hmm..." Xia Ye and Xiao Zizai exchanged glances and nodded. It was clear that they had already been considering the same thing.

After a month of living together and providing guidance, Duo Duo’s heart had already begun to open. The subsequent body modification had further heightened her perception of human emotions, making the changes even more pronounced. Although she was still shy, she was no longer reserved when facing them.

"Duo Duo, do you want to learn how to read and write? Just like how Uncle Xiao teaches you the Buddhist scriptures every day..." Xia Ye smiled and asked Chen Duo.

"..." Chen Duo tilted her head, clearly not quite understanding. However, she loved listening to Uncle Xiao recite scriptures, so she nodded. "Mhm."

"Good. Xia He, I'll leave this to you. Head to the bookstore once you finish breakfast. By the time you return, I should be just about ready here," Xia Ye arranged.

"Oh? Have you finished refining my medicine?" Xia He asked, pleasantly surprised, followed by a light chuckle. "Then I'll have to look forward to it. Hehehe~"

Shortly after, they finished breakfast. Xiao Zizai took Chen Duo to the waterfall to recite scriptures; it was a place with a natural ambiance that both of them enjoyed very much. Xia He tidied up the dishes, disguised herself, and headed out of the mountains to the nearest bookstore, while Xia Ye retreated into the treatment room to make the final adjustments.

"Hmm, just a little bit more..."

Closing the door, Xia Ye picked up the mortar on the table, squinting slightly. A flash of light passed through his eyes as he muttered to himself. After an entire night of integration, the medicinal liquid in the mortar had fully melded. The "mystical elements" and auxiliary herbs had merged into a harmonious whole. Now, only one final touch remained, though he wasn't entirely sure whether or not to add it.

"Maybe... I should just ask."

Thinking this, Xia Ye picked up his satellite phone and called Xia He. Nowadays, everyone had one, except for Chen Duo.

"Hello? Brother Ye, missing me already?"

"Not quite. I just wanted to ask you, do you like fox tails? The nine-tailed kind..." Xia Ye asked directly.

"Oh? A fox tail? The fluffy kind?" Xia He’s eyes lit up. "Of course! What girl doesn't like fluffy things? You absolutely must not forget that~"

With that settled, Xia Ye no longer hesitated. He took the "Fox Immortal Blood" from the hidden compartment in his medicine cabinet, poured the entire vial into the mortar, and used his Qi to refine it. Within moments, the pill was formed.

"Done."

Using "Clear Insight" to analyze and confirm that there were no issues with the pill's effects, Xia Ye smiled and put it away. The dosage corresponding to the number of fox tails was something he had figured out through his own personal trials. The remaining amount of "Fox Immortal Blood" was just right; everything was perfect.

About an hour later...

"I'm back~"

Xia He pushed the door open, carrying a bag of books. It contained not only elementary and middle school textbooks but also plenty of children’s books, which could be used to enlighten Chen Duo.

However, neither Chen Duo nor Xiao Zizai had returned yet, so she tossed the books onto the sofa. Just then, the door to the treatment room opened.

"You're back? Come in." Xia Ye beckoned to her with a smile.

Soon, Xia He sat on the hospital bed, holding the pill Xia Ye had handed her, examining it closely. "Is this the 'Qingqiu Pill'?"

The pill was pink and emitted a refreshing, exotic fragrance. Just a single sniff was intoxicating, making her narrow her eyes in enjoyment.

A moment later...

Without hesitation, Xia He swallowed the pill. The slightly sweet medicinal liquid flowed down her throat and coursed through her limbs and bones. Following Xia Ye’s instructions, she sat cross-legged and calmed her mind.

Immediately, in the vision provided by Xia Ye’s "Clear Insight," her body began to change. Her meridians became tougher as they were washed by the medicinal power, and strands of mysterious aura began to emerge. Driven by the reinforcement of her meridians, her skin, flesh, tendons, and bones also transformed, becoming as lustrous as jade and seemingly fragile yet far stronger. Both her physical strength and the density of her flesh were increasing rapidly.

It wasn't just her physical body. When the medicinal power surged into her Upper Dantian—the Niwan Palace—a phantom of a nine-tailed white fox, carrying the aura of an emperor, condensed in an instant. The auspicious aura of the divine fox and the imperial energy fused into her soul, causing her to have an immediate epiphany!

"Mm?!"

The next instant, Xia He’s body trembled, and her consciousness became deeply immersed. This was intentional on Xia Ye’s part, meant to help her enhance her soul cultivation and grasp the true meaning of the "Way of Control" sooner.

Beyond her "essence and life force," her unique True Qi was also changing under the influence of the medicine. The original deep greyish-pink seemed to have its impurities purged, gradually becoming bright and translucent.

Compared to Chen Duo, because she lacked the transformation of a Gu worm, the time required for Xia He’s modification was much shorter. About half an hour later, the modification of her essence, life, and Qi was complete, and her new abilities were fully integrated.

At this very moment, her coccyx suddenly twitched, and nine snow-white, fluffy, giant fox tails extended outward. Her ears also transformed into white fox ears, which twitched gently with her breathing.

The next second...

*Swish!*

Xia He opened her eyes abruptly. Her pupils had turned a bright pink, and her gaze was sharp and majestic, as if looking down upon everything. A powerful aura rippled outward!

However, she immediately arched an eyebrow, flashed a charming smile, looked at Xia Ye, and snapped her fingers...

*Snap!*

A flame of mixed blue and pink ignited at her fingertips. She looked at it with curiosity.

"What is this?"