Chapter 33: Distributing the Treasures

Xiao Se frowned, feigning anger, and said, "What were you doing running around here? If it hadn't been for me just now, you would have already perished."

"I..." Faced with Xiao Se’s glare, the Little Fairy Doctor’s gaze flickered. After a long moment of silence, she laughed sheepishly and said, "I... I had my eye on a medicinal herb and wanted to pick it. Yes, that’s it."

"You really don't even know how to lie. This cliffside is nothing but bare, precipitous rock. Aside from that White Orchid Fruit at the top, where would there be any herbs?" Xiao Se rolled his eyes at her and pointed toward the cave, sneering, "I think you were interested in that cave."

Hearing this, the Little Fairy Doctor’s heart tightened. Her slender hand, snaking from under Xiao Se’s arm, instinctively reached for her waist to retrieve a pouch of medicinal powder. Just as she was about to scatter it, Xiao Se’s voice sounded in her ear again: "We are currently hanging on a cliff face. If you want us both to die together, then by all means, go ahead."

"You... you wouldn't be planning to kill me to silence me, would you? I’m telling you, don't you dare try anything! Many of the mercenaries above have benefited from my kindness; if they find out you killed me, they won’t let you off!" The Little Fairy Doctor gasped in shock.

"Killing you is a bit extreme, but as for other things..." With a playful laugh, Xiao Se’s gaze slowly drifted downward, lingering on the budding bosom of the Little Fairy Doctor.

"Ah! You pervert!" Stung by his gaze, the Little Fairy Doctor prepared to scatter the powder, regardless of the consequences.

Realizing he had pushed the joke too far, Xiao Se immediately spoke up to stop her: "Alright, alright! You’re as flat as a board—I have no interest in you. I was just teasing you."

"Hmph, if you try anything, I’ll make sure we both go down together," the Little Fairy Doctor huffed, clutching the powder pouch tightly, clearly ready to use it at the slightest provocation.

Xiao Se tilted his chin toward the cave and said calmly, "Since we’re already here, let’s go take a look together. Hold on tight."

Without waiting for a reply, he tightened his grip on her waist, pushed off the cliff wall with his toes, and vaulted into the dark cave.

Releasing her, Xiao Se raised his right hand, and a ball of cyan-white flame ignited, instantly illuminating the entire cavern.

Staring blankly at the dancing flame in his palm, the Little Fairy Doctor exclaimed, "Condensing physical flames? Are you a fourth-rank alchemist?"

Xiao Se shook his head, took a torch from his storage ring, lit it, and handed it to her. "I’m not that talented. This is just a beast flame. Let’s go, inside."

Taking the torch, the Little Fairy Doctor nodded and, with a mixture of apprehension and curiosity, followed him into the cave.

Upon entering the depths of the cave, Xiao Se lit several more torches and threw them into place like hidden projectiles, lighting up the entire area.

"Wow, so many precious herbs!" Seeing the medicinal garden in the corner, the Little Fairy Doctor’s eyes sparkled. She hurried over, treating the plants like long-lost treasures.

She then looked at the stone table in the center, noticing that two of the three stone boxes had already been opened. She turned to Xiao Se and asked, "Has someone been here before?"

"No one else has been here. I opened those two boxes myself and was just about to leave when I heard movement outside," Xiao Se lied without batting an eye, then removed his mask.

Seeing his handsome, youthful face, the Little Fairy Doctor’s cheeks flushed, and she couldn't help but exclaim, "I didn't expect you to be so young! I truly admire you for daring to venture into the Magical Beast Mountain Range all by yourself at such an age."

"You’re not much older yourself; we’re two of a kind," Xiao Se replied with a shrug. He walked to the final stone box and said, "Let’s be clear: while I don’t mind sharing, I won’t give you the contents of the first two boxes. Let’s open this last one together—if it’s of more use to you, you can have it."

"Hehe, thank you then..." The Little Fairy Doctor smiled and walked to his side. It must be said that women are visual creatures; after seeing his face, her previous vigilance seemed to have vanished entirely.

Under her expectant gaze, Xiao Se used the key to open the stone box, revealing a seven-colored scroll.

"The Seven-Colored Poison Scripture." As Xiao Se slowly unfurled the scroll, the Little Fairy Doctor’s eyes lit up instantly.

Seeing how desperate she was for it, Xiao Se smiled slightly, rolled the scroll back up, and handed it to her. "I am an alchemist, but this poison scripture is useless to me. You look like you’re about to drool, so take it."

"Hmph, who’s drooling?" The Little Fairy Doctor’s face flushed slightly as she pouted, avoiding his gaze. "Thank you," she murmured.

Xiao Se smiled faintly. "Didn’t we agree? If it’s useful to you, it’s yours." He then turned to the garden and the pile of gold coins. "Now, let’s divide the rest."

"Mm." The Little Fairy Doctor tilted her beautiful, fair chin and smiled. "You discovered this cave yourself. Take whatever you want; getting this Poison Scripture has already made the trip worthwhile."

Xiao Se stroked his chin, walked to the garden, harvested the Ice Spirit Flame Grass along with a few other herbs used for third-rank Energy Recovery Pills, and turned to her. "I’ll just take the Ice Spirit Flame Grass and these few herbs."

"You certainly have a sharp eye, taking the best ones. But there are still so many rare herbs here—are you sure you don't mind me taking the rest?" she asked with a playful smile, biting her red lip.

"Hehe, the rest are of little use to me. If you like them, take them all," Xiao Se said with a wave of his hand.

The Little Fairy Doctor smiled radiantly. "That’s true, I almost forgot you’re an alchemist. In that case, I won't stand on ceremony."

As she moved to harvest the remaining herbs, she asked casually, "By the way, I still don't know your name."

"I am Xiao Se," he replied calmly.

"Xiao Se... what a lovely name." She nodded slightly and continued her work.

"The gold coins are mine," Xiao Se said, pointing to the hundreds of thousands of coins in the corner.

"Take them all. I only care about the herbs; money is optional for me. Besides, you discovered this cave, so I’ve already gained quite a bit from you," she answered without hesitation.

Xiao Se nodded and, with a wave of his hand, swept the gold into his storage ring.

A moment later, the Little Fairy Doctor finished harvesting.

"I’m planning to return to the gathering team. What about you? Want to come along?" she asked with a smile.

"I intend to stay in the Magical Beast Mountain Range for a while to cultivate," Xiao Se replied, shaking his head. He hesitated for a moment, then looked at her with a serious expression. "You should not tell anyone about today’s events—not even your closest maid. I don't care much, but wealth stirs the heart, and the human heart is the most unpredictable thing. Those mercenaries won't care if you’ve saved them once they are faced with absolute profit."

Hearing his warning, the Little Fairy Doctor nodded solemnly. "I understand. Take care of yourself in the mountains; I wouldn't want to lose a friend like you."

Almost as if driven by impulse, she reached out her slender, delicate hand.

Xiao Se nodded slightly and took her hand in his. "I will."