Lin Yuan was by no means oblivious to matters of the heart. On the contrary, he was quite perceptive when it came to emotions.
The girl's undisguised feelings and the admiration in her eyes were naturally clear to Lin Yuan. He simply chose to let things develop naturally. There was still a long road ahead, and there was no need to rush many things.
As for why Qinglin had suddenly become so "aggressive," Lin Yuan glanced at Medusa.
The peerlessly enchanting Queen happened to meet his gaze, the corners of her lips curving into a playful arc.
Sure enough, this was her masterpiece.
After exchanging a glance with Lin Yuan, Medusa shifted her gaze toward Xiao Yixian and proudly raised an eyebrow.
When it came to this particular matter, Qinglin had been personally trained by her.
"See? I told you I was right. Are you about to lose to little Qinglin?"
Xiao Yixian somehow read that meaning from Medusa's eyes.
The corner of her eye twitched.
This woman... At this moment, Xiao Yixian became even more eager to condense the Poison Pill.
Sensing that the atmosphere was beginning to grow complicated, Lin Yuan decisively changed the subject.
"Speaking of which, Qing'er, Xiaocai, when did you complete your advancement? In less than a year, both of you have already reached the six-star Dou Emperor realm."
"Xiaocai and I broke through at the same time more than two months ago!"
Qinglin smiled softly.
After a brief pause, she continued, "As for why we were able to reach six-star Dou Emperor, it's because Xiaocai and I formed an 'Equal Contract.' With the two of us working together, our cultivation speed has increased considerably. And with the help of the Emperor's Extreme Pill."
"An Equal Contract? Qing'er, can you explain it in detail?"
Hearing this unfamiliar term, Lin Yuan immediately became curious.
"Yes, Young Master!"
Qinglin nodded and began explaining in detail.
"The Equal Contract is something I learned from the inheritance of my predecessors. It's an extended application of the ability of the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils to subdue its familiars."
"Under this contract, Xiaocai and I aren't master and familiar. We're partners."
"This contract has two major benefits. First, during battle, we can borrow part of each other's strength. Second, during cultivation, an energy channel is formed between us, allowing energy to flow in both directions."
"An energy channel that allows energy to flow both ways?"
Lin Yuan's eyes lit up.
"I suppose that's the key..."
"Mm!"
Qinglin nodded playfully before asking, "Young Master, do you know what innate ability the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python possesses as a pure-blooded Ancient Magical Beast?"
Pure-blooded Ancient Magical Beasts generally possessed extremely special racial talents.
For example, the Ancient Void Dragon possessed extraordinary spatial abilities and an innate talent for treasure hunting. According to the records, the Ancient Heavenly Phoenix possessed unparalleled speed and the ability to control multiple types of elemental energy. As for the Ancient Heavenly Serpent, there were rumors that it possessed special abilities related to deadly poison and the soul.
As for the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python, it had perished far too early, leaving behind very few records.
Although Lin Yuan had some guesses, he still looked toward Queen Medusa with a questioning gaze.
Seeing this, a proud smile appeared on Medusa's lips.
"The Heaven Swallowing Python's racial talent is exactly what its name suggests: swallowing."
"My clan possesses an innate advantage when it comes to devouring and refining energy."
"As long as there is sufficient energy, our rate of advancement is astonishingly fast!"
"It is precisely because of this ability that I was able to advance from the peak of two-star Dou Ancestor to my current six-star Dou Ancestor realm within a year."
"Swallowing... Just as I thought!"
Lin Yuan nodded and sighed.
"Simple and straightforward. What an enviable racial talent."
An ability that was simple and brutally effective could, in a sense, be the most terrifying kind of ability.
According to the original trajectory of fate, even in the remote northwestern borderlands, while Queen Medusa had to deal with countless trivial matters, she had needed only a little over five years to advance from four-star Dou Ancestor to the peak of the Dou Venerate realm.
After entering the Central Plains, once she had access to abundant heavenly treasures and resources, she had advanced from five-star Dou Venerate to the peak of the Dou Venerate realm in just two years.
Such a terrifying rate of progress would make even a Dou Emperor bloodline below the ninth grade weep in envy.
The ancient records stating that a fully matured Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python could contend with a Dou Saint powerhouse were certainly not an exaggeration.
As far as Lin Yuan knew, only two creatures possessed devouring and refining abilities that could surpass it: the Nihility Devouring Flame and the Ancient Devouring Insects.
There was naturally no need to say much about the Nihility Devouring Flame. It could devour virtually anything.
As for the Ancient Devouring Insects, they were small magical beasts that had lived in ancient times. They could also devour almost anything and continuously secrete pure energy.
Such creatures could only exist in an ancient place like the Heavenly Tomb.
Thinking of the Ancient Devouring Insects and the Heavenly Tomb, even Lin Yuan couldn't help feeling a little envious of Xiao Yan.
After all, Xiao Yan had a charming old Ancestor waiting for him inside the Heavenly Tomb: Xiao Xuan.
Xiao Xuan truly was an incredibly generous old Ancestor. The moment they met, he gave Xiao Yan an Energy Core, then bestowed upon him a ninth-grade Dou God bloodline, followed by an Ancient Insect Emperor Robe capable of withstanding a Half-Saint's attack.
And in the end, he even gave Xiao Yan a soul that had reached the Emperor Realm.
In terms of treatment, the treatment Xiao Yan received as a member of an Ancient Clan was enough to make the descendants of all the other Ancient Clans hang their heads in shame.
"Hehe..."
A crisp laugh sounded, pulling Lin Yuan back from his wandering thoughts.
His gaze once again fell upon Qinglin.
"Exactly. It's the ability to devour and refine."
Qinglin nodded confidently.
"As Young Master knows, the speed at which I can absorb the cultivation of my familiars is limited by my own ability to devour and refine energy. However, after Xiaocai and I established a two-way energy channel, this problem was solved!"
She lightly tapped her chin, excitement appearing on her cheeks as she continued with an even more detailed explanation.
"Once the two-way energy channel was established, energy could flow freely between Xiaocai and me."
"That allowed me to loosen some of my restrictions and extract the familiars' power to a greater extent. Xiaocai could then assist me in devouring and refining it. At the same time, Xiaocai could also devour and refine this energy herself, allowing the two of us to rapidly increase our strength together."
"Once our strength increased, we could further increase the speed at which we extracted, devoured, and refined the power of our familiars, forming a positive cycle."
"Excellent! Excellent!"
Lin Yuan clapped his hands and sighed in admiration, his eyes filled with undisguised approval.
This ingenious form of complementarity was exactly to his liking.
Under the Equal Contract, Xiaocai would never lack "food." She would have more than enough energy to devour and refine. Qinglin, meanwhile, would have her limitations in devouring and refining energy compensated for, greatly increasing her cultivation speed.
Among serpentine Magical Beasts, the only clan capable of complementing the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils to such an extent was naturally the Heaven Swallowing Python clan, with its powerful ability to devour and refine energy.
Moreover, the two of them would also become partners who were connected in mind and spirit during battle, allowing them to produce an effect greater than the sum of their individual strengths.
Lin Yuan looked at the women in the courtyard, the corners of his lips curving upward.
Their foundations had already been firmly established, and they had all accumulated enough potential for a meteoric rise.
Now that he had also become an Eighth-Grade alchemist, he was fully capable of becoming the wings that would help them soar.
With his support, Medusa, Xiao Yixian, Qinglin, and Xiaocai were all about to enter a period of rapid advancement.
As for Zi Yan, once they entered the Central Plains, it would be time to begin preparing for the matter concerning the Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit.
Everyone present would become the foundation upon which he would eventually contend for the pinnacle.
Lin Yuan gently rubbed Xiaocai's little head in his arms. The corners of his lips lifted as he laughed heartily.
"Today is a rare day for us to reunite. Although we're a few days late, we should still have a proper feast and celebrate together! I'll do the cooking."
"Young Master, I'll help you..."
Before long, the enticing aroma of food filled the air, accompanied by bursts of laughter and cheerful voices drifting from Lin Yuan's courtyard into the night sky.
It was the third watch of the night.
A sneaky figure moved with an extraordinary footwork technique. With a flicker of his body, he darted straight into a room filled with a faint, alluring fragrance.
Immediately, a cold gleam flashed.
"My Queen, don't scare me like that."
As he spoke, Lin Yuan gave an awkward smile and extended his right hand. Using his thumb and index finger, he gently pinched the gleaming blade and slowly moved it away from his neck.
Allowing Lin Yuan to move the blade away, Medusa looked at him with an amused expression and said indifferently, "What a shameless lecher. You actually dared to sneak into this Queen's room in the middle of the night. What are you planning to do? Are you trying to take advantage of this King?"
"Wasn't it Her Majesty the Queen who asked me to come?" Lin Yuan sheathed the sword and chuckled.
"Oh?" Medusa raised an eyebrow and gave Lin Yuan an intrigued glance. "Did I? Why does this Queen have no recollection of it?"
"Hehe!" Lin Yuan laughed mischievously. "During the feast just now, you drank three cups of the spirit wine I brewed. Wasn't that your way of hinting that I should come find you at the third watch?"
"It can be interpreted that way?" Medusa was momentarily stunned.
"Perfect opportunity!"
A sharp glint flashed through Lin Yuan's eyes. With lightning speed, he wrapped his arms around that soft, boneless "true snake waist" and pulled the alluring "true snake demon" before him firmly into his embrace.
Almost instinctively, Medusa bent her arm and rested it against Lin Yuan's chest, leaning comfortably into his embrace.
"Xiyue, I missed you."
Lin Yuan leaned close to Medusa's ear and whispered softly.
Upon hearing this, Medusa's slightly stiff body instantly relaxed. She adjusted her position slightly, making herself more comfortable in Lin Yuan's arms, before gently caressing his face with her delicate hand.
"Little man, I missed you too."
She gazed at the young man before her, who had completely shed his former childishness and now appeared even more heroic. The tenderness in her eyes deepened.
The two quietly embraced.
A warm yet slightly ambiguous atmosphere slowly spread throughout the room.
As their emotions deepened, a seductive flush gradually climbed across Medusa's cold and beautiful cheeks, making her appear even more enchanting.
Seeing such a captivating sight, Lin Yuan smiled slightly, lifted the beauty into his arms, and slowly carried her toward the bed curtains filled with a faint fragrance.
With a flick of his finger, the purple curtains gently descended.
Under Xiyue's slightly passionate gaze, he gently kissed her.
For a time, within the fragrant room, a hint of spring spread from behind the purple curtains.
In a clean room filled with the fragrance of medicinal herbs.
Xiao Yixian lay on the bed, unable to sleep as countless thoughts swirled through her mind.
Just then, a nearly inaudible sound suddenly reached her ears, inexplicably irritating her.
Xiao Yixian abruptly opened her eyes, slowly sat up, and glanced toward a certain direction.
"Is she trying to show off in front of me? Hah. I won't let her be pleased with herself for long."
"I'll have to speed up my cultivation of the Poison Pill Method."
With that thought, Xiao Yixian sealed her hearing, sat cross-legged, and began circulating the Heavenly Heart Soul Art.
Strands of spiritual energy began gathering toward Xiao Yixian.
Two days later, early in the morning.
Inside the fragrant room, the purple curtains, resembling a magnificent canopy, slowly opened.
Lin Yuan staggered down from the bed. His complexion was slightly pale, yet his eyes shimmered with a proud light.
After two days of arduous battle, he had finally subdued the unruly "snake demon" behind the curtains.
With trembling steps, Lin Yuan walked over to the dressing table and sat down. He slowly poured himself a cup of wine.
"After being worn down by wine and beauty, I've actually become this haggard."
Looking at his reflection in the mirror, Lin Yuan muttered to himself.
At the same time, a trace of confusion appeared in his eyes.
His current condition was rather strange.
Despite undergoing dual cultivation for two days, both his Dou Qi and physical strength were unquestionably at their peak. In fact, he was even stronger than he had been two days ago.
But why were his hands and feet still trembling slightly?
Just as he was wondering about this, a fair, slightly cool hand reached out from behind him and took the wine cup from his hand.
Lin Yuan turned his head.
A whiteness fairer than snow entered his sight.
The peerlessly beautiful woman exuded an alluring charm. She toyed with the half-full wine cup in her hand, a playful smile curling at the corners of her lips.
It was none other than Medusa.
She gently took a sip of the wine before bringing the remaining half-cup to Lin Yuan's lips. With a smile as beautiful as a blooming flower, she teased him, "I've already tasted this wine for you. It has quite a pleasant flavor. Since we have nothing else to do, how about you finish this cup and we continue our little contest?"
"Xiyue, weren't you the one who surrendered earlier."
Seeing the playful expression on her face, Lin Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly, and he decisively shut his mouth.
This wicked little snake demon was actually completely shameless. She had surrendered only to rebel again!
This time, he absolutely had to strike hard and make her admit defeat once and for all!
Lin Yuan drank the remaining half-cup of wine from her lips, then grabbed Medusa and refined her energy in an instant.
The battle to subdue the demon began once again.
"Great Might Heavenly Dragon, World-Honored Kṣitigarbha, Prajñā Buddhas, Prajñā Paramita..."
Another two days passed.
"Creak..."
With a soft sound, Lin Yuan opened the door and walked out of the room with Medusa's hand in his.
He was brimming with satisfaction, while Medusa followed obediently behind him, temporarily concealing her usual arrogance beneath a hint of submission.
There was nothing she could do.
When the King wins, the defeated become subjects.
Once again, she had suffered a humiliating defeat.
Under the extreme pressure, Lin Yuan had relied on his astonishing wisdom to push the Great Might Heavenly Dragon Dual Cultivation Method to an entirely new level.
The outcome had therefore already been decided.
When the two arrived in the courtyard, Xiao Yixian was quietly reading a volume of poison scriptures inside the stone pavilion.
Upon seeing the two of them, she smiled playfully and focused her gaze on Medusa. There was an unmistakable hint of teasing in her eyes.
Although she had not intentionally wanted to listen, the battle inside the room had continued for several days. There was no way she could avoid hearing the occasional "lamentations" of a certain Queen.
She had never imagined that the Queen could have such a side to her.
Sensing Xiao Yixian's teasing gaze, Medusa instantly returned to her usual cold and aloof demeanor. She walked over and sat directly opposite Xiao Yixian.
A faint smell of gunpowder slowly filled the air.
However, Lin Yuan, who was currently in his clear-minded state, was no longer nervous at all.
This faint sense of rivalry between the two might actually add a little more color to his otherwise long life.
"Where are Qing'er and Zi Yan?" Lin Yuan asked.
Xiao Yixian gently closed the poison scripture and answered warmly, "Little Qinglin said she discovered something interesting and went to investigate it. Zi Yan went with her..."
"Something interesting?"
Lin Yuan pondered for a moment. His eyes instinctively narrowed slightly before quickly relaxing again.
Qinglin had been personally taught by him, and she handled matters in an orderly fashion. She had also grown up considerably by now, so there was no need for him to worry too much.
Lin Yuan flicked his finger.
A map flew out from the Nethersea Ring and landed in his palm.
With a casual toss, the map landed steadily on the table.
"Xiao Yixian, Xiyue, starting today, I'll be refining pills for a while to fulfill my agreement with the Venerable Yao. Give this map to Qing'er. It marks the powerful Magical Beasts in the surrounding area. You can take her to subdue some powerful familiars."
"As for Zi Yan, if she says she wants to enter seclusion and advance, take her to find the Grand Elder. I've already made the necessary arrangements."
"Leave it to me." Xiao Yixian nodded.
Lin Yuan nodded as well before turning around and heading toward Xiao Yan, whose presence he had sensed.
After he left, Xiao Yixian looked at Medusa with a playful expression and said lightly, "I never expected that the Queen of the Snake-People Tribe could actually be like that."
Upon hearing this, the tips of Medusa's ears immediately turned slightly red.
However, she quickly suppressed the abnormality and calmly replied, "Hehe. Don't make sarcastic remarks. You'll have your own day like that too. Or do you think you can escape it?"
"Don't dwell on this matter too much. Let's continue our previous game."
As she spoke, she waved her delicate hand.
The chessboard and pieces on the table returned to their proper positions once more.
The unfinished contest from before would continue today.
----
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