4: Ice Thunder Out of Control

The absorption of the Mist Lightning of Extreme Cold caused Xiao Bing's Dou Qi to surge within his body, but it also brought unexpected side effects.

"Warning: Host's Ice-attribute Dou Qi is imbalanced."

"Recommendation: Immediately find an extremely Yang object to harmonize."

Xiao Bing gritted his teeth, attempting to suppress the chaotic cold Qi coursing through his body.

Each of his breaths condensed into tiny ice crystals in the air, and the grass beneath his feet was already covered in a layer of white frost.

"You look terrible." Xiao Yan offered a water skin, but was forced back by the cold Qi the moment he touched it. "What's going on?"

"Spiritual Thunder backlash." Xiao Bing forced a smile. "I need to find a place to recuperate."

Yao Lao's Soul body floated closer, and after a careful observation, he said in a deep voice, "The cold Qi in his body is excessive; it must be balanced quickly, otherwise his Meridians will be frozen."

Xiao Yan frowned in thought, then his eyes suddenly lit up. "Qingshan Town! There's a highly skilled Little Fairy Doctor there, she might be able to help."

The three immediately set off.

Along the way, Xiao Bing's condition fluctuated.

Several times, the cold Qi suddenly erupted, and the surrounding trees instantly became covered in icicles.

Yao Lao had to intervene multiple times, using his Bone Chill Cold Fire to temporarily suppress it for him.

"Strange," Yao Lao murmured, "Logically, the Mist Lightning of Extreme Cold shouldn't have such a strong backlash..."

Xiao Bing did not explain.

On the System interface, a line of red text continuously flickered:

"Abnormal Status: Mystic Ice Spiritual Lightning's compatibility with host is insufficient."

"Reason: Pre-requisite task 'Extreme Cold Body Forging' not completed."

He secretly smiled bitterly.

In order to quickly improve his strength, he had skipped the System's recommended basic training, and was now tasting the bitter fruit.

At dusk, the three finally arrived at Qingshan Town.

This small town, located on the outskirts of the Magic Beast Mountain Range, was bustling with activity, its streets filled with mercenaries and merchants.

"The Myriad Medicine Pavilion is just ahead." Xiao Yan supported Xiao Bing. "Hold on."

However, just as they were about to arrive, the cold Qi within Xiao Bing's body suddenly surged violently!

"Get back!" He abruptly pushed Xiao Yan away.

"Crack—"

With Xiao Bing at the center, the ground within a ten-meter radius instantly froze!

Several passersby who couldn't dodge in time had their feet frozen directly, screaming in terror.

"This is... Dou Qi out of control?" Xiao Yan tried to approach, but was forced back by the surging cold current.

Yao Lao's expression was grave. "No, it's the Spiritual Thunder fighting for control!"

Xiao Bing knelt on the ground, painfully clawing at his chest.

His skin began to turn an unhealthy pale blue, and blue light surged in his eyes.

The System's alarm blared sharply in his mind:

"Emergency! Host's consciousness is about to be eroded by the Spiritual Thunder!"

"Activating forced measure: Consciousness Freeze."

Just as Xiao Bing was about to lose consciousness, a fresh scent of medicine drifted over.

A fair hand gently pressed against his forehead, and a warm energy flowed into his body.

"Don't resist, relax."

The gentle female voice seemed to possess magic, and Xiao Bing's taut nerves involuntarily relaxed.

In his blurry vision, a white-robed young woman appeared—long light green hair, emerald-like eyes, and various medicine pouches hanging at her waist.

"Little Fairy Doctor..." Xiao Yan's surprised voice came from a distance.

The young woman did not respond, fully concentrating on guiding the energy within Xiao Bing's body.

The jade bracelet on her wrist emitted a faint green glow, forming a subtle balance with the cold Qi.

"Take him to my medicine garden," she said without lifting her head. "It's too noisy here."

The medicine garden was located in a secluded valley outside the town.

The Little Fairy Doctor had Xiao Bing lie in a hot spring, continuously adding various Medicinal Materials to the water.

"His condition is very special," she explained while preparing the medicine. "It's not an ordinary Dou Qi backlash, but rather external energy eroding his Meridians."

Yao Lao was pensive. "Can you cure him?"

"I can temporarily suppress it." The Little Fairy Doctor crushed a purple herb. "But a complete cure requires finding the source of the energy."

Xiao Yan clenched his fist. "Is there anything we can do?"

The Little Fairy Doctor looked at Xiao Bing in the hot spring. "He himself knows best."

With the help of the medicinal power, Xiao Bing regained some of his senses.

He weakly opened his eyes and saw three concerned faces.

"The Mist Lightning of Extreme Cold... is too strong..." He said intermittently. "Needs... fire to harmonize..."

"Heavenly Flame?" Yao Lao immediately reacted.

Xiao Bing nodded slightly.

Xiao Yan unhesitatingly extended his hand. "Use Teacher's Bone Chill Cold Fire!"

"No!" Yao Lao sharply stopped him. "Heavenly Flame and Spiritual Thunder are incompatible; rashly introducing it will only cause an explosion!"

The Little Fairy Doctor suddenly spoke. "It doesn't necessarily require a Heavenly Flame.

I have an ancient formula that describes a method for refining a Balance Medicinal Pill using Volcanic Green Rock and Flaming Sun Grass."

"There's an active volcano on the east side of the Magic Beast Mountain Range," Xiao Yan immediately said. "I'll go get the Materials!"

"I'll go with you." Yao Lao attached himself to the ring. "Little Fairy Doctor, please take care of my disciple's brother."

The two hurried away.

Only the Little Fairy Doctor and the sometimes-awake, sometimes-unconscious Xiao Bing remained in the medicine garden.

"You have quite a few secrets on you," the Little Fairy Doctor said softly as she changed the dressing. "The purity of that cold Qi is something no ordinary Dou Practitioner can withstand."

Xiao Bing did not answer.

He was fully battling the Spiritual Thunder within his body, and the System was continuously adjusting the energy parameters:

"Emergency Harmonization Procedure Initiated."

"Consuming 100 points to stabilize Meridians."

"Current points balance: 30."

As night fell, Xiao Yan finally returned with the Materials.

The Little Fairy Doctor immediately started her Alchemy furnace, while Yao Lao guided her from the side.

"The Balance Medicinal Pill is a Fifth-grade Medicinal Pill," Yao Lao explained. "Fortunately, its main function is guidance rather than healing, so the requirements for the heat are not as strict."

Three hours later, a crimson Medicinal Pill emerged from the furnace.

The Little Fairy Doctor placed it into Xiao Bing's mouth, then quickly retreated.

"Boom!"

Red and blue energies erupted from within Xiao Bing's body, forming a small energy vortex above his head.

The hot spring instantly boiled, then immediately froze.

After repeating this several times, the energy finally gradually subsided.

Xiao Bing slowly opened his eyes, his pupils returning to their normal color.

He felt his internal condition—the Mist Lightning of Extreme Cold had been completely tamed, quietly residing in his Dantian.

"Success!" Xiao Yan rushed over excitedly.

Xiao Bing stood up and solemnly bowed to the Little Fairy Doctor. "Your life-saving grace, I will never forget."

The Little Fairy Doctor waved her hand. "We each got what we needed.

The cold Qi in your body..." She hesitated. "It's very special, and it's helpful for my research."

Yao Lao gave her a meaningful look, but said nothing more.

When the night was deep and quiet, Xiao Bing sat alone at the edge of the medicine garden.

The System interface unfolded, displaying new messages:

"Crisis averted."

"Gained new ability: Ice-Fire Balance (Passive)."

"Next stage task: Head to Canaan Academy."

"Special reminder: Detected E Nan Poison Body fluctuations (Source: Little Fairy Doctor)."

Xiao Bing's pupils constricted slightly.

He turned to look towards the direction of the thatched hut, vaguely seeing the Little Fairy Doctor studying medical texts under the lamp.

"So that's how it is..." he murmured to himself.

The next morning, the three bid farewell to the Little Fairy Doctor and continued their journey.

Before leaving, Xiao Bing quietly left a crystal Talisman.

"If you need anything," he said to the Little Fairy Doctor, "crush it and I will sense it."

The Little Fairy Doctor accepted the Talisman, a hint of complexity flashing in her emerald-like eyes. "Take care."

After leaving Qingshan Town, Yao Lao suddenly spoke. "Did you two notice? That girl..."

"E Nan Poison Body." Xiao Bing said calmly.

Xiao Yan looked at him in shock. "How did you know? Teacher only told me last night!"

Xiao Bing smiled without answering.

On the System's taskbar, a new side quest was flickering:

"Future Choice: Save the Little Fairy Doctor (Can prepare in advance)."

At the same time, in the distant Yun Lan Sect, a white-haired elder suddenly opened his eyes:

"The fluctuations of the Mist Lightning of Extreme Cold have reappeared... This time, I will never let you escape!"