Chapter 721: Practice Is the Sole Criterion for Testing Truth

Hearing this, everyone was stunned—this guy really is an idiot! How dare he flirt with the Medical Immortal right in front of him!

If you truly mistake this beautiful, kind-hearted woman, who saves lives and heals the sick, for a defenseless girl and dare to flirt with her, forget her own power—even the mercenaries here would kill you on the spot!

"Hmph! Foolish to the point of death! Medical Immortal, if you give the word, I'll gladly drive this shameless scoundrel out!"

"Yes! We're willing to serve you as loyal hounds and horses!"

"Dare to speak disrespectfully! If this place weren't forbidden for combat, you'd already be a corpse!"

At this moment, the mercenaries present or those who had traveled thousands of miles seeking healing all glared with fury, shouting and cursing, believing this man had insulted their inviolable immortal goddess—eyes blazing with rage, longing to devour him alive.

Yet, just as these people prepared to watch a tragedy unfold, the white-clad girl, turning her head to arrange her medicinal mats, suddenly trembled, her jade-white hand shaking for an instant; her delicate face swiftly turned away—then, a familiar face smiling at her appeared before her eyes.

Without doubt, this man was Xiao Yan.

Seeing Xiao Yan's mischievous grin, Xiao Yixian gave him a withering glance and softly scolded, "Stop fooling around—I'm diagnosing patients."

Xiao Yixian's scolding, though sharp, sounded more like playful banter between lovers—no, husband and wife—and the furious crowd behind them froze in stunned silence, as if struck by lightning.

"Ah, then I'll leave?" Xiao Yan immediately feigned disappointment, sighed bitterly, and adopted an expression of utter despair, pushing himself up from the table as if to turn and depart.

That sorrowful back view was truly heart-wrenching to behold.

Hearing Xiao Yan's teasing, Xiao Yixian couldn't help but cover her mouth and giggle softly, saying, "Wait for me—I still need to finish examining these people."

Seeing the Medical Immortal, renowned far and wide as a solitary white blossom untouched by the world, react this way, the waiting crowd's hearts shattered into pieces, instantly turning cold—each of them heard the sound of their own hearts breaking.

Married!!!!!!

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan instantly flashed a sly smile, waved his hand, and summoned Yin-Yang Dual Flames—the white flame surged forth, enveloping all the injured mercenaries, while the remaining few patients were quickly treated by Xiao Yixian with precise remedies.

"Ladies and gentlemen, today's free clinic by the Medical Immortal ends here. When the next session will be held depends on fate." Xiao Yan wore the expression of the rightful owner, declared his claim, waved his hand, and expelled everyone from the small hut—the space twisted, and then he carried Xiao Yixian back into Zao Hua Gu.

Seeing the clinic door shut, many present felt as if their own hearts had been locked away.

"Is that man really the Medical Immortal's husband?!"

"Judging by this… it seems so."

"Oh my godddddd!!! Kill me now!"

"Wahhhhh! Tell me this isn't real! It's fake—it has to be fake!"

"I'm heartbroken!"

"No nooooo!!"

In an instant, Qingshan Town was plunged into wailing—entirely lifeless, everyone hung their heads, as if mourning the death of a parent.

Back in Zao Hua Gu, Xiao Yixian walked to the Pill Field, driving pre-prepared wooden stakes into the ground, then sprinkling powder along them to seal off the entire deep valley.

Xiao Yixian was harvesting a rare Spirit herb, which could not be pulled up by hand—special methods were required, even precise timing. After glancing at the sky, she began pouring a pre-mixed herbal solution into the stakes.

Once the specially prepared solution entered the stakes, they immediately emitted a peculiar glow.

Watching Xiao Yixian focus entirely on her task, ignoring him, what could Xiao Yan do but dote on her?

"Why not use Life Flame directly? Life Flame should be able to accelerate the growth of seeds into medicinal materials," Xiao Yan asked, watching her harvest.

Xiao Yixian looked at Xiao Yan, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and smiled. "Life Flame can only accelerate growth, but some herbs require specific conditions and habits—Earth Dragon Grass is one such example."

Xiao Yan smiled as he watched this scene, gazing at Xiao Yixian. Though she still wore the same simple cloth robe, utterly plain, with embroidery she had stitched herself during idle moments, she looked fresh and elegant.

Even if Xiao Yan had become an Emperor, and Xiao Yixian had become Empress, she remained plain and otherworldly, her features clear and lovely—especially her bright, spotless eyes—she herself resembled a quiet lotus in a secluded valley, refined and serene.

Entirely tranquil and graceful, she gave off a warm, jade-like aura. Every time Xiao Yan saw Xiao Yixian, his heart grew calm—within Zao Hua Gu, he felt as if he had entered the legendary Peach Blossom Spring, a place of perfect peace.

Xiao Yan did not disturb her, standing quietly, admiring her focused manner of harvesting—every movement, every gesture, felt serene to him.

For Xiao Yan, now a Dou Emperor, he had seen countless beauties—immortal-like maidens, proud noblewomen—he had seen them all—but Xiao Yixian, this gentle, plain, elegant girl, was the only one he had ever encountered.

Time passed slowly. In Zao Hua Gu, after Xiao Yixian's efforts, the Earth Dragon Grass finally emerged—a yellowish-brown Spirit herb, resembling Cordyceps; as it broke through the soil, it looked like a single earthworm slowly wriggling upward, strand by strand.

Finally, a sharp "snap" echoed as Xiao Yixian sealed the Earth Dragon Grass.

With Xiao Yixian and Xiao Yan's power, smashing open the earth would be easy—but high-quality Spirit plants and medicinal materials must be harvested using special methods, or all effort would be wasted.

Seeing the Earth Dragon Grass finally harvested, Xiao Yixian smiled in satisfaction.

Seeing Xiao Yixian finally done, Xiao Yan walked slowly over and wrapped his arms around her slender waist from behind, concerned: "You just suppressed the Eternal Calamity Poison with Life Flame—why rush so hard?"

Xiao Yixian turned gently in his embrace, leaning against his chest. "Growing herbs and healing people are my hobbies."

Hearing her words, Xiao Yan looked down at his beloved wife, pinched her delicate nose teasingly, and asked, "What about Spirit Refining?"

!?

At the mention of Spirit Refining, Xiao Yan clearly felt Xiao Yixian's body tremble—her eyes flickered with panic, her voice hesitant: "Progress… is decent."

Xiao Yan lifted his hand, gently tilting her chin upward. Seeing her guilty expression, he grinned. "Oh? Then I'll have to take a look. You've got Life Flame—the dual-elemental Fire and Wood Spirit Flame—your Spirit Refining should be far easier. Go ahead and make a Six Rank Pill."

Hearing Xiao Yan demand she make a Six Rank Pill, Xiao Yixian's eyes narrowed, her panicked expression oddly endearing.

"This… I…"

Xiao Yan didn't care—he simply hoisted her onto his shoulder and strode toward the small hut, giving her rear a light pat as he chuckled, "If you can't make it, hehehe, there'll be punishment."

"Wait, Xiao Yan! Give me two days to prepare!" Xiao Yixian cried out, struggling in his grip.

"No waiting."

Xiao Yan strode forward, carrying his own captured bride into the small hut, and slammed the door shut with a sharp "click."

Soon after, a loud "Boom—" erupted from the hut—the explosion of the furnace would have shattered the hut if Xiao Yixian hadn't reinforced it.

Thick black smoke billowed out of the hut.

"Cough cough cough."

The door flew open, and Xiao Yan and Xiao Yixian rushed out.

Xiao Yan looked at Xiao Yixian, who dared not meet his gaze, and burst into laughter: "You're the worst student I've ever had."

"Wuuu~" Xiao Yixian pouted, utterly humiliated.

Xiao Yixian excelled at growing herbs and crafting poisons—but had zero talent for Spirit Refining. Even Xiao Yan couldn't understand why she kept messing up the simplest Pill Refining Methods.

"Next time, I'll definitely succeed," Xiao Yixian declared stubbornly.

"Good, good, good—I'll stay by your side and watch you refine Pills during this time. But before that—" Xiao Yan's eyes slightly narrowed as he gazed at the plump little lamb before him, his wolf's claws twitching with anticipation.

Seeing Xiao Yan's expression, Xiao Yixian's fair face flushed red; she dared not meet his gaze. How could she not know what he meant? He was aiming to spread his lineage—no, to bear fruit!

Cai Lin had long ago given birth to twins, Xiao Xiao and Xiao Cai; Xun Er and Xiao Yan not only had little Yi, the fire child, but recently, after diligent cultivation, they too had successfully crossed the shore—now they had a second child.

Yet Xiao Yixian still had no children—this simply wouldn't do; the Emperor Emeritus would not be pleased.

Xiao Yan still didn't know whether the Eternal Calamity Poison body was truly safe, so practice alone was the sole standard to test truth.

A soft blush rose on Xiao Yixian's face; her eyes shimmered with nervous yet sweet emotion. Her fingers gently twisted the hem of her robe, her posture graceful, shy, and adorable. This tender, blushing demeanor made one yearn to protect her, to wrap her in the warmest embrace.

"I—I'll go take a bath first; my clothes are too dirty," Xiao Yixian said, her heart naturally tense—after all, this was different from back in the Demon Fire Space; this time, she was going to be a mother.

At this moment, how could Xiao Yan let this little lamb slip from his wolf's grasp? He scooped Xiao Yixian into his arms and said, "Your furnace explosion is my fault for not teaching you well—let me help you."

Xiao Yixian's eyes instantly softened and grew hazy; she turned her head and buried it in Xiao Yan's chest. They had never tried water play before—back in the Demon Fire Space, they'd played with fire, and it had been three of them!

Xiao Yan waved his hand, conjuring a massive pool; then he drew in clean water and hurled a cluster of flame—within moments, the pool became an open-air hot spring. Xiao Yan shed his clothes and sank into the steaming water.

(End of Chapter)