Inside the underground chamber of the Black Mountain Fortress, the air was thick with heat and silence.
Liu Xi sat cross-legged on the stone bed, his eyes calm yet focused. Slowly, he called out, "Zi Ling."
A soft hiss answered him as a small lavender serpent's head poked out from his sleeve. Raising his hand, Liu Xi brought her up to his face, his tone unusually serious.
"Zi Ling, they say one raises a serpent for a thousand days just to use it once. Don't disappoint me now."
For the past year, Liu Xi's life had followed an almost unchanging rhythm—cultivation, serpent training, and studying the Flame Mantra.
Of course, it was only study; he hadn't truly switched to practicing it. Switching from a low-class Qi Method to a higher one was natural, but regressing from a high-tier Qi Method to a low one was nearly impossible. The higher the cultivation, the greater the danger—it would require dispersing all Dou Qi and starting from scratch.
A low-tier Qi Method could never fully control the refined Dou Qi of a superior one. Hence, Liu Xi hadn't replaced his Mid Di Class Qi Method with the Low Huang Class Flame Mantra.
Yet, the Flame Mantra's ability to fuse Heavenly Flames filled him with envy. That yearning had planted a bold, almost reckless idea in his heart—one that still needed time and study to take form.
Drawing his thoughts back, Liu Xi looked down at Zi Ling, whose crystalline purple eyes shimmered with intelligence. She let out a soft hiss, as if assuring him that she wouldn't fail.
"Good girl."
Smiling faintly, Liu Xi placed her in his palm. Invisible flames quietly rose from his hand, pouring into Zi Ling's small body.
The little serpent trembled at first, letting out a faint, confused hiss. But when she realized the flames weren't harming her, she calmed, waiting obediently for what came next.
Closing his eyes, Liu Xi's Spiritual Power flowed alongside the flames, entering Zi Ling's body—into her inner world.
It was a vast ocean of seven-colored energy. From the sky above, invisible fire cascaded down toward the center, where two intertwined souls rested—one serpentine, one human.
The serpent-shaped soul was Zi Ling, while the human-shaped one bore the flawless beauty of the once-feared Queen Medusa.
Medusa still slept deeply. A year ago, beneath the searing purification of the Fallen Heart Flame, she had relied on the Snake-People's secret technique to evolve into the Seven Colored Heaven Swallowing Python. But the process had consumed nearly all her strength, leaving her in her current fragile state.
The Heaven Swallowing Python's body had already reached the strength of a 7th Rank beast, yet Zi Ling's new soul was far too young—only able to wield power equal to a 5th Rank beast at best.
Only by merging Medusa's soul entirely could that strength be unleashed to its peak. But given how many times Medusa had tried to kill him, Liu Xi could never allow her consciousness to remain.
He planned to refine her soul completely, turning it into nourishment for Zi Ling's growth—allowing her soul essence to reach the level of a true 7th Rank magical beast.
---
From the void above, invisible flames poured down, engulfing both souls.
Medusa's brows furrowed faintly, her lashes trembling as she let out a low groan—signs of awakening.
Zi Ling, whose soul was bound with Medusa's, also endured the fire's heat. Yet the flames upon her were gentle—purifying and strengthening rather than burning.
The Fallen Heart Flame's power was terrifying, not inferior even to a Dou Zong's might. Endless invisible fire burned through the soul sea, relentlessly consuming Medusa's essence.
The pain struck deep into her soul, wrenching Medusa from her slumber. Her eyes snapped open, her voice echoing through the sea of fire. "Liu Xi!"
In fury, she drew upon the seven-colored energy around her. The ocean roared, waves surging to smother the flame.
"Zi Ling!"
Liu Xi's calm voice resonated from the void.
Responding instantly, Zi Ling stilled the chaotic energy waves. After all, both she and Medusa shared a measure of control over the Heaven Swallowing Python's body. Medusa's soul was stronger, but Zi Ling's bond with the body was far deeper.
Medusa's effort failed. Forced to endure the burning, she fought both the flames and Zi Ling for control—her long, narrow violet eyes filled with pride, defiance, and unwillingness.
But she was only a disembodied soul. How could she resist the Fallen Heart Flame? As time passed, her soul imprint weakened, her connection to the body fading almost completely.
"Zi Ling, be ready."
When Liu Xi sensed the right moment, his voice rang out.
Controlling the blazing invisible flame, he began merging Zi Ling's and Medusa's souls.
By now, Medusa's awareness was nearly gone, her consciousness dulled to emptiness.
Though their soul imprints differed, their essence shared the same origin. The fusion was seamless—like water and milk blending together, driven gently by the Fallen Heart Flame's purifying strength.
The human-shaped spirit gradually dissolved, melting into the serpent's form, until only a single, radiant serpent remained—stronger, brighter, complete.
Three days later, Medusa's soul had vanished entirely. In her place, a massive, ten-zhang-long serpent spirit coiled serenely, its eyes closed in peace.
Then, a soft glow spread from its body. The immense form shrank rapidly, condensing into a slender, voluptuous figure of jade-like skin and breathtaking beauty.
When her eyes opened, they were bright and bewitching—the unmistakable gaze of Queen Medusa.
---
At that same moment, light flared in the physical world.
The tiny serpent resting in Liu Xi's palm burst into seven-colored radiance. The light swirled, shifting form—until a naked, perfect woman appeared in his arms, her beauty ethereal yet dangerously real.
Liu Xi's expression tensed. The Fallen Heart Flame surged within him, ready to strike at a moment's notice. Though her skin was soft and warm in his arms, he didn't forget—this was Queen Medusa, the same deadly woman who once sought his life.
He had confidence that the Fallen Heart Flame had mostly erased her soul imprint, yet he remained vigilant.
The woman's long lashes fluttered open. Her violet eyes flickered with confusion, then sharp clarity. Her red lips parted.
"Liu Xi…"
Her voice was a mixture of hatred and longing, killing intent and unwilling affection intertwined.
Liu Xi's pupils contracted. Invisible flames rippled beneath his skin.
'Damn… I underestimated it. Personality comes from memory. Zi Ling's soul is too new, while Medusa's hundreds of years of willpower still dominate. She's changed, but not erased.'
He shoved her away abruptly, invisible flames erupting around him as his aura surged to that of a Dou Zong.
Across from him, Medusa raised her jade-like hand. Seven-colored light gathered at her fingertips—but she hesitated.
Seeing the conflict in her eyes, Liu Xi spoke softly. "Zi Ling?"
Medusa's gaze sharpened. "This queen is Medusa! You dared to treat me as a pet—I should kill you where you stand!"
Liu Xi exhaled lightly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Then do it."
Her killing intent flared; her teeth bit through her red lips, blood trickling down. But her raised hand refused to fall.
Liu Xi's smile deepened. "Let's talk. Fight by my side today, and I'll grant you freedom. I won't try to control you again."
Medusa's eyes flickered with cold amusement. She thought him mad… yet before she realized it, her lips had already replied, "Fine. This queen agrees."
She froze, stunned by her own words.
"Put on some clothes," Liu Xi said evenly. "We're leaving."
He turned and strode toward the exit without another glance.
Behind him, Medusa's cheeks flushed red. With a flicker of light, a crimson dress appeared around her flawless form. Her eyes lingered briefly on Liu Xi's back, her expression unreadable, before she followed him out of the chamber.
(End of Chapter)
---
A Huge Shoutout and Welcome to Alexandre Souza silva and Peter for Joining us on Patreon and Becoming a Member of Bronze and Diamond.
---
This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on Patreon, There is 2 Chapters Ahead of Release for Free Members on my Patreon.
Support me if you like this Fanfiction.
Patreon,com/Fallen_Archangel_
(Remove comma for dot.)
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.