"I want a snake like yours too," Little Fairy Doctor said, lying almost against Xiao Jietian, her breath like a delicate orchid.
"There aren't any others. This might be the only one in the world. This is the Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python, not an ordinary snake," Xiao Jietian replied calmly.
"Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python?"
Little Fairy Doctor and Qing Lin both tilted their heads, confused.
Xiao Jietian briefly explained the snake's origin and potential.
When the explanation ended, both girls stared at the little snake perched on his shoulder, eyes wide in disbelief.
"You mean this little fellow, when fully grown, could reach Dou Zun level and rival even Dou Sheng powerhouses?"
"That's right," Xiao Jietian confirmed.
The little snake seemed to sense the praise. It raised its head proudly, as if puffing out its tiny chest. If it had hands, it might have placed them on its hips.
"No wonder the Fire Spirit Snake has been trembling," Qing Lin murmured, producing her own small snake from her sleeve. The Fire Spirit Snake coiled its head tightly with its body, looking utterly terrified.
If it could speak, it would have screamed: Not only is it the suppression of bloodline, that snake radiates the aura of that terrifying existence from the lava before! I was sleeping peacefully, and then—whap!—she smacked me! You don't know how much that hurt!
"I didn't expect this little fellow to have such potential," Little Fairy Doctor said, her voice tinged with envy.
"No need to be jealous. Your Calamity Poison Body and Qing Lin's Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils are nothing to scoff at," Xiao Jietian said, comforting them gently.
"That's right! I've already surpassed you. From now on, I'll protect you both!" Little Fairy Doctor proudly patted her chest, which had grown considerably with the activation of her Calamity Poison Body.
Xiao Jietian froze.
"You… pervert," he muttered.
Seeing his gaze, Little Fairy Doctor followed it downward and tried to stand up.
"Trying to run? Too late," Xiao Jietian said, effortlessly scooping her into his arms.
"Sister Qing Lin is still here. Don't corrupt her," he warned.
"I've covered my eyes! I can't see anything," Qing Lin called, tossing the Fire Spirit Snake aside and hiding her face behind her hands. Peeking through, her emerald eyes shone with curiosity.
Xiao Jietian ignored her and leaned down, pressing his lips to Little Fairy Doctor's.
He only released her after she gasped for breath.
"Let's see if you dare be smug in front of me now."
"You pervert! You big bad guy!" Little Fairy Doctor exclaimed, scrambling away with Qing Lin in tow. The Fire Spirit Snake scurried after her, clearly intimidated by the Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python.
"Sister Little Fairy Doctor, what does kissing feel like?" Qing Lin asked, tugged along by Little Fairy Doctor.
"You're still young. You'll understand later," she replied, cheeks flushed.
"I'm not small anymore! Where are you taking me? I still need to serve Young Master!" Qing Lin exclaimed.
Little Fairy Doctor glanced at her, realizing how much Qing Lin had matured. "If you stay, your bad Young Master will bully you."
"Really?" Qing Lin's eyes sparkled.
Xiao Jietian shook his head, smiling as he watched them disappear.
"Ouch! What are you doing, little fellow?"
The Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python nudged him repeatedly, flicked its tongue, then burrowed back into his sleeve.
Could it be Medusa's consciousness at work? Xiao Jietian wondered.
Standing, he gradually disappeared from the pavilion. When he reappeared, he was outside Poison Spirit City.
Draped in a black robe, he silently approached the city. One step, and he was over two hundred meters away from the main hall, moving like a phantom.
Inside the hall, he removed his hood. Tang Jue, seeing him, immediately rose and stepped down from the high seat.
Xiao Jietian slid into Tang Jue's former seat with casual authority.
"Your Excellency, what task requires your subordinate's attention?" Tang Jue knelt, eyes lowered.
"How many poisonous herbs have you collected?" Xiao Jietian asked coolly.
"All the high-grade herbs recently collected are here, Your Excellency." Tang Jue produced a gray storage ring and held it aloft.
Xiao Jietian waved, sending the ring into his hand. Using soul power, he scanned its contents: Hundred-Year Blood Moon Cold Poison Grass, Fifty-Year Ghost Fire Red Lotus Fruit, Ghost Black Pearl, Nine Nether Poison Emperor Flower, Five Poisons Spring Water…
"Well done." Xiao Jietian nodded in approval.
"For Your Excellency, I would go through fire and water without hesitation," Tang Jue said respectfully.
"Has the Myriad Scorpion Gate made any unusual moves recently?" Xiao Jietian's hand tapped lightly on the armrest, his gaze sharp.
"Yes. Sect Master Xie Shan sent a secret order recently." Tang Jue produced a folded scroll and handed it over.
Reading it, Xiao Jietian realized the Hall of Souls was coordinating with the Myriad Scorpion Gate, searching for powerful poison masters and alchemists with strong souls.
"You continue gathering information, but do not reveal yourself," he instructed.
With that, he vanished from the hall.
Outside the city, Xiao Jietian returned to his quarters in Eternal Heaven World. Sitting cross-legged in his cultivation room, he continued refining the Deep Water Lightning.
The next day, at noon, Xiao Jietian prepared a large medicinal bath, swirling herbs to enhance vitality and strengthen the body.
Little Fairy Doctor entered, heart fluttering at the sight of him diligently at work.
He pulled out a jade bottle and jade box, containing the Poison Dragon Inner Core and Poison Dragon Blood.
"I will use my spirit lightning and strange fire to stimulate your origin, dissolving it into poison power and guiding it to your Dantian. It may be very painful, but you must endure it," Xiao Jietian said, voice serious.
Little Fairy Doctor nodded firmly, determination shining in her eyes. For his efforts, for the chance to stay by his side forever, she would endure anything.
"I believe in you," she whispered.