Donghua had been worried about Xiao Bai since he heard that she was dealing with the Pareesi Dragons by herself.  He knew her cultivation was not enough for her to fight all three of them at the same time.   He was so worried in fact, that he had expended a fair amount of his cultivation to get to Qingqiu as fast as he could eschewing the normal modes of transport through the cloud riders.  Therefore, he appeared in the front of the Fox Cavern less than a day after receiving the missive.

"Where's Xiao...Her Highness Bai Feng Jiu?"  Donghua asked without preamble as soon as he phased into the entrance of the Fox Cavern and saw someone.  Migu, who was about to send off missives to the Fox elders as to the current situation, was surprised by the sudden appearance of the White haired deity.  

"She's in the forest by herself with the three dragons..." he blurted out without thinking, intimidated by the intense mien of the God in front of him.  It was only after the Immortal disappeared that he wondered why Donghua Dijun was in Qingqiu.  He had seen the old God once thousands of years ago at a banquet but his aura was such that you would never forget him once you've seen him.  But, how did he know Her Highness?  Why wasn't he looking for General Bai Zhi or Bai Yi Dijun? He suddenly recalled the initial instruction of Her Highness to inform Tai Chen Palace.  Did he and the Princess know each other?  He seems to be familiar with her.  Regardless of the reason why he was there, Migu can only breathe a sigh of relief that help has arrived.  

***

The first thing Donghua saw when he phased into the forest was the two dragons converging towards Xiao Bai.  Xiao Bai had formed some type of shield in front of her to ward of the flames that the dragons were emitting towards her.  Because of the dragons proximity to Xiao Bai, he knew that he could not blast them away just yet as she might also be hit by accident.   As he slowly advanced upon them not wanting to alert them to his presence, he saw one of the dragons pounce and hit her directly from the back.  She fell immediately no longer able to withstand the pain.

Donghua immediately flew to her catching her before she could hit the ground.  At the same time, he blasted his harnessed powers toward the black dragon rendering it unconscious.   She was whimpering now but he couldn't concentrate fully on her as the blue dragon was advancing on them clearly seeing that he could not do a lot with her in his arms.  Fortunately, his Cang'he an extension of himself could be summoned at will to appear wherever he wanted.   When the dragon saw the sword which had split into hundreds surrounding it, he quickly flew out of the way with the swords in pursuit of it.   

Xiao Bai had already fainted.  Frantically, Donghua felt for her pulse feeling a trace of poison in her body.  He started to blast healing powers on her knowing that a dragon's poison was one of the most toxic in the universe, even an immortal would have a hard time detoxifying herself.  He felt for her pulse again as the blood that were seeping out of her now had turned black as ink.  He startled at the sight.  Her body seems to be able to purge the poison.  He suddenly remembered that the blood of the nine tailed fox could cleanse impurities.  Her blood was actually acting as the antidote.  But he knew she could do it only to a certain extent as her cultivation had been heavily depleted.  Quickly, he created a divan and placed her on it putting her under a stasis ward  to allow her body the chance to recover while cleaning out the poison.  In the distance, he could see that the blue dragon had not been able to escape the Cang'he.  It was now effectively trapped within a circle of his sword.  He swept his hand as the multiplied swords plunged themselves onto the dragon's body.  At the same time, he took stock of the surroundings looking for the red dragon.  He only saw the 2 when he entered the forest.   After a few minutes, he espied the red dragon in a marshy pit seemingly unconscious and bound by an enchanted spell.  She was able to trap it?  The red dragon was the more powerful of the three dragons.  Donghua was familiar with Xiao Bai's cultivation and he knew that even with her full strength, she should not have been able to overpower and bind it and even rendered it unconscious.   He quickly sealed a ward around the dragon not wanting to kill it yet before he could investigate exactly how it escaped its ward in the first place.

He turned his attention back to her and could only sigh in relief when he saw that some of the wounds were healing and the black blood had turned red again.  He touched her other wounds and burns healing them with his power.  Some of the cuts were deep and he knew they would leave a small scar.  He didn't want to phase her out yet back to the fox cavern as he was afraid her body couldn't take it.  He could only lift her head and lay it on his lap.  He conjured a small knife in his hand and cut one of his palms.  He placed his hands against her lips to allow his blood to enter her mouth.  Donghua's golden blood was reputed to be the most powerful elixir in the Universe, just a few drops of it can increase an Immortal's cultivation exponentially.  However, no one has been able to test its potency because it cannot be used indiscriminately.  An Immortal who has absorbed this golden blood would inevitably have a smidgen of the old God's power so Donghua has never allowed anyone access to his blood.  Donghua could feel the increase in Xiao Bai's cultivation.  He knew though that he could not put too much into her lest it overwhelms her.   After sealing the wound in his palm, he brushed an errant strand of hair away from her face.  He kept a close eye on the open wound on her chest knowing that he couldn't seal it as long as there was still poison in her body.  Seeing the small rise and fall of her chest as she breath, Donghua felt his own chest constrict.  It had been a close call.  If he hadn't gotten the missive or hadn't gotten here on time, he didn't even want to imagine what he would do if something had really happened to her.  He closed his eyes thinking that he should marry her soon to keep her tied to his side.    

His eyes snapped open when he felt a disturbance in the ward that Xiao Bai had created.  He summoned his Cang'he as he placed an individual ward around Xiao Bai and himself.  He also quickly summoned his sword.  It was only when High God Zhe Yan, the God of Medicine,  and his husband Bai Zhen, the fourth Uncle of Xiao Bai, materialized in front of him that he removed the ward.  

Both had a look of surprise on their faces when they saw Donghua Dijun.  However, as soon as they saw the unconscious Xiao Bai in Donghua's arms, Zhe Yan quickly approached her, kneeled down as he felt her pulse checking her meridians.  Bai Zhen hovered at his back, worry filling his face.  Both ignored the incongruous position she was in as her head was on Dijun's lap.

"She was poisoned? Let me probe her to see how wide the poison has spread." Zhe Yan said alarmed.  Although he knew the power of the fox blood in cleansing impurities, there was still a risk especially with some of the more toxic poisons.  He moved to lift Jiu'er in order to place her flat on the ground to make it easier for him to see the extent of the damage to her.  However, before he could do anything, Donghua automatically tightened his hold on her.  

"En.  I already healed her to a certain extent but her blood is doing the purifying itself.  She's fine.  She just needs a little time"  Donghua said.  "I fed her some of my blood to speed up the process of healing as she lost most of her cultivation."

Zhe Yan nodded in relief.  It seems Donghua had already fully examined her.  A sudden thought struck him though. "You gave her your blood?"  Zhe Yan asked.    As one of the oldest Immortal alive and the God of Medicine, he knew how powerful Donghua's blood was and how it was not something that could be indiscriminately shared with anyone as it carried the essence of the Heavens themselves.  Even though he was grateful that the recipient was his niece, he still could not understand why Donghua had done something like this.  Xiao Jiu's body could have healed itself, there was not need for Donghua to give her blood.  Was the situation more dire before they came and that's why the old God had no choice?  Or was it something else? Donghua had effectively transferred a part of his primordial spirit to Xiao Jiu.  In the annals of history, Zhe Yan knew that Donghua has never shared his blood with anyone.  He furrowed his brows in suspicion.  "Why are you even here?  Aren't you supposed to be in the Eastern Realm? How do you know Jiu'er" he asked, his eyes narrowing.   All of a sudden, he realized how strange the present tableau looked.  The old God, who never let anyone in his close vicinity, especially a female one, was now holding his niece tenderly in his arms with her head on his lap.  As far as Zhe Yan knew, they have never met each other.  Even if the old God had temporarily abandoned his legendary indifference to all things not intrinsically connected with the survival of the Universe and had decided to save Xiao Jiu, based on his personality, he should have immediately turned her over to him when he came in.  But now, he was holding on to her as if his life depended on it.   As one of Donghua's oldest friend and comrade, Zhe Yan was one of the few that can speak frankly with Dijun, or in this case can daringly question him on his actions.  

"She's my wife."  His said bluntly and coldly as if that statement explained everything.  Zhe Yan and Bai Zhen looked momentarily confused wondering if they had misheard.

"What are you talking about?  Who's your wife?"  the normally unflappable Bai Zhen exclaimed agitated.  "How do you even know Xiao Jiu? How can she be your wife?"  he continued protectively.  The Bais were very close to each other and very protective of their own even more so than any other families in the Immortal Realms.  Xiao Bai was their baby.  They would definitely know if she had gotten married.  Even if this was Donghua Dijun and Bai Zhen was a little frightened of him, the latter glared ferociously at him.  

"She's going to be my wife soon enough.  The important thing is to get her out of here so she can recuperate more comfortably."   Donghua declared, again, not elaborating on their relationship.  Bai Zhen  was about to say something else incensed at the maddening statements of Dijun but Zhe Yan shot him a look.  Bai Zhen unwillingly shut his mouth.  Zhe Yan knew from the closed off look in Donghua's face that he would not be explaining anything at the moment. But he did not doubt his words.  Their Xiao Jiu would be married to the old God whether or not they liked it.  As of now, it was better to see to Jiu'er first before they start asking for a more elaborate explanation. 

"We can't move her yet.  The forest is the most spiritual area in Qingqiu so a fox can recuperate faster and better here."  Zhe Yan said thoughtfully.  "We have to move her to the Northern portion, Bai Yi Dijun has a small cabin there so she would be more comfortable.  I'll assign some of the Cavern fairy maids and Migu to stay with her."  At those words, Donghua started to shake his head empathically.

"I'll be the one to take care of her."  he said firmly, his voice brooking no opposition.  Bai Zhen was about to protest this unconventional arrangement but stayed quiet when he saw Zhe Yan nod his head in agreement.   What in the world was happening?

***

It was only two weeks later that Xiao Bai finally stirred.  Donghua was reading a scroll beside her when he felt a slight movement in the hand that he was holding.  He looked at her just as she moved her head a little.  Slowly, she opened her eyes.  She still felt a little dizzy and her view was fuzzy but as what she was seeing became clearer, her mouth curved up.  "Donghua, you're here."  Her voice was still hoarse but Donghua could see that special smile that she reserved for him on her lips.  Unable to resist, he gave her a small kiss.    

"Here's some water.  Sip slowly."  he said, a tinged of relief in his voice because she was finally back with him. Her body had fully purged the poison from her system from a week ago but her body had received so much injury that Donghua had continually placed her under a sleeping spell.  He quickly checked her vitals.  "How do you feel?  Do you hurt anywhere?"  

"I'm fine."  Donghua assisted her as she tried to sit up.  "How long was I asleep? What happened to the dragons?  Why are we here in the cabin?"  she said realizing where they were when she was able to look around.  

"The blue and black dragon are dead, I've sealed the red dragon."  Donghua said.   He didn't really want to think of the dragons knowing how close he was to have lost her because of them.  "You've been unconscious for a fortnight." he continued more gently.

"Thank you for coming to save me.  What happened?  I can only remember trapping the red dragon and being attacked by the black dragon.  But I did see you."  Thinking about it, she was actually surprised that it was him who showed up in Qingqiu at that moment.  Wasn't he supposed to be in the Eastern Realm? Her surprise turned to dismay.  "Did I take you from where you're supposed to be?" she felt guilty and a little horrified knowing without being told that he had been staying by her bedside for the past two weeks taking care of her.  

"There's no where I should be when something is happening to you.  There's no one more important than you."  he said.  "Don't worry, I made sure that what needs to be taken care of have been assigned to others.  Mo Yuan is now in the Eastern Realms." he patted her hands.  

"Oh, that's good."  Xiao Bai smiled relieved that she had not unduly inconvenienced him.  

"Xiao Bai, how could you think of going to the forest by yourself with those dragons.  What if something had happened to you before I could get here?"  Donghua wanted to tell her not to do something like that again but held back.  She was her own person and should decide on her own but it didn't take away the upset and fear he felt when he first saw her being confronted by the two dragons.   

"I had no choice.  I'm the only one here."  she said in a soothing voice hearing the uncharacteristic agitation in his.  "I'm the future queen, I can't just hide. I just wanted to divert them while I waited for reinforcement.  I'm sorry for worrying you." she continued earnestly.  He nodded.  She wouldn't be his Xiao Bai if she acted differently.  He could only comfort himself by gripping her hand tighter.

"How did you trap the red dragon and even render it unconscious?" This was the one thing he was most curious about.  The red dragon was one of the most powerful and intelligent creature in the Immortal Realms.   Even though the trap she made was sophisticated, it wouldn't have been able to hold it for a long period of time. 

"I weakened it first by taking its golden talisman.  I read somewhere before that a substantial part of a dragon's strength was stored in it as it was connected with its primordial spirit.  I thought if I did that it would weaken considerably.  And it worked."  She smiled as she recounted her thought process.  

"How...how did you even get the talisman?"  he asked a little wary, knowing that he probably wouldn't like the answer..  The golden stone was embedded on the dragon's head.   To be able to get it, the person must be very near the dragon's head risking both life and limb.    

"I blasted the dragon with my power and then transformed to my fox form and climbed on it.  It was hard at first to dislodge it but I was able to gouge it out." she said.  He could hear the small note of pride in her voice.    

"You climbed the dragon?" he said, faintly at first.  It was even worse than what he was imagining.  "You climbed the dragon?  Do you know how dangerous that was?"  Xiao Bai was oblivious to the increasingly ominous countenance of Donghua.

"I had to get it so that they will follow me into the forest.  Good thing also that I got it because when I lured it into the swamp, it would have overpowered me if I hadn't weakened it."  she then casually narrated how she used herself as bait to make sure that the dragon would follow her into the pit and the magic spells she weaved to render it unconscious.    "You use yourself as bait? Do you know how reckless that was? How can you do something like that?" Donghua was no longer calm now.  His voice has gotten louder   The more he thought about it, the more upset he was.  Did she not have even a smidgeon of common sense?  "How can you play with your life like this?"  It was one thing to stand up and fight the dragons but to actually continually use herself to further agitate them into attacking her?   

"I'm sorry Donghua."  Xiao Bai said, a little flustered, seeing the distress in his eyes.  She realized belatedly that she should have tempered her recounting a little.  If their positions have been reversed, she would have been scared for him also.  It was just that he was Donghua Dijun.  She's never seen him so upset.  "I'm really sorry.  I won't do something like that again." she murmured contritely.  "Please don't be angry my Donghua."  She took him into her arms to hug him.  Enclosed in her arms, he calmed down a little.  He placed his forehead against hers as he wrapped his arms around her also.  

"What's done is done.  But don't do something like that again."  he admonished sternly.  She nodded quickly.  "It was well done though my Xiao Bai." he finally praised, giving credit where credit was due.  She was really so brave, he just needed to work harder to protect her better.  The important thing now was that they were together and she was safe.