Medusa arrived at Xiao Tian's residence and saw the door already wide open. She knew he had sensed her approach.
Dragging her enchanting purple snake tail, she walked gracefully into the room.
Xiao Tian sat casually on a chair. His gaze unconsciously lingered on Medusa's exposed, perfectly toned abdomen and slender waist. No matter how many times he saw it, he never grew tired of the sight.
"May I know why Queen Medusa has come to find me?" he asked calmly, his eyes finally moving up to meet hers.
Medusa sat down directly on the chair beside him, turning her body sideways to face him. A faint smile played on her lips.
"You've been staring at me ever since I entered. Do you have some improper intentions toward this Queen?"
"Queen Medusa is breathtakingly beautiful. It's only natural for a man to take a few extra glances," Xiao Tian replied without the slightest embarrassment. "A fair maiden is worth a gentleman's pursuit."
Medusa chuckled softly, her voice carrying a seductive charm. "Since you like this Queen so much, why don't you stay with the Snake-People Tribe? I can grant you the position of an Elder."
Xiao Tian smiled faintly. "Queen Medusa must be joking. I'm not someone who serves others. I'm more accustomed to being served. I wonder if Your Majesty has any such thoughts?"
Medusa covered her mouth and laughed lightly, an alluring aura radiating from her. "What a pity. It seems we are the same kind of people."
She waved her hand, and a storage ring appeared on the table between them.
"These are the medicinal ingredients from your list. However, one is still missing."
Xiao Tian picked up the ring and scanned its contents with his soul. Indeed, only the Han Sui Zhi (Cold Marrow Branch) was absent.
"Perhaps it will arrive soon," he said with a meaningful smile.
Medusa didn't understand what he meant and was about to ask when she suddenly sensed several unfamiliar auras approaching the city gates.
At the same time, a loud voice echoed across the Snake-People Tribe:
"I am Gu He of the Jia Ma Empire. I apologize for my sudden visit. I have something important to discuss with Queen Medusa. May Your Majesty grant me an audience?"
Xiao Tian's lips curved into a faint smile. They've finally arrived.
He turned to Medusa and said, "These visitors are here for your Heavenly Flame. I want to make another deal with you."
Medusa frowned slightly. "Haven't I already promised you the Heavenly Flame after I evolve? My word is my bond. What other deal do you want?"
"I need you to capture everyone except that Dou Huang woman. I will personally deal with her. Afterward, provide me with a secure place to imprison and guard them. They are of great use to me."
Xiao Tian continued, "In exchange, I will give you the Han Sui Zhi you need, and I will also owe you one favor."
Medusa's eyes flickered. Whether it was the last missing ingredient or a favor from someone protected by a Dou Zong, both were conditions she could not easily refuse.
"Alright, I agree."
"Then, a pleasant cooperation."
Xiao Tian stood up and extended his hand. Medusa also reached out. Their palms touched briefly — a cool, soft sensation passing between them — before they separated.
Medusa stood, unfurled her purple wings, and flew toward the outer perimeter of the city.
Xiao Tian put on a black cloak, and with Wen Yan's help, concealed their presence as they silently followed behind her.
...
Outside the city.
After Medusa appeared, Gu He politely offered his conditions to exchange for the Heavenly Flame. However, compared to Xiao Tian's earlier proposal, Gu He's offer seemed utterly insufficient.
Medusa directly refused.
Seeing that negotiations had failed, Gu He and his group prepared to leave.
"You trespassed into my territory, injured many of my people, and caused significant damage. Do you really think you can just leave like this without discussing compensation?" Medusa said with a dangerous smile.
The three Snake-People leaders — Mo Ba Si, Yin Shi, and Yue Mei — along with Hua She Er, quickly surrounded Gu He's group. Four Dou Kings blocked their escape route.
Gu He's expression changed. "May I ask what kind of compensation Your Majesty requires?"
"Let's discuss it properly inside the city. It's not sincere to talk out here," Medusa replied, releasing her peak Dou Huang aura.
Yun Yun stepped forward immediately, her peak four-star Dou Huang aura rising to resist Medusa's pressure.
"Something's wrong. I'll hold them off — you all retreat first!"
Gu He and the others realized the situation had turned sour and tried to flee on their flying magical beast.
Medusa waved her hand, signaling her subordinates to intercept them.
Yun Yun moved to block Medusa again, but the Queen smiled faintly and said, "There is only one female Dou Huang in the Jia Ma Empire, isn't that right… Sect Master Yun Yun?"
Yun Yun's expression changed. She knew her identity had been exposed. A rapier appeared in her hand as she said coldly, "If you want to fight, then fight. I also want to test Queen Medusa's strength."
"Your opponent isn't me."
Medusa curled her lips into a slight smile, then turned her head and spoke toward the empty air.
The next moment, Yun Yun felt her body suddenly immobilized in mid-air. She couldn't move even a finger.
Wen Yan appeared above her, directly sealing her Dou Qi with spatial power.
Yun Yun looked up at the old man and the black-cloaked figure hovering above her. "You are not from the Snake-People Tribe either. Who exactly are you?"
Xiao Tian remained silent beneath his cloak. Although he felt a pang of heartache, this step was necessary.
On the other side, Gu He and his group sensed the terrifying aura, saw Yun Yun captured, and realized resistance was futile. They gave up struggling.
Medusa swiftly sealed their cultivation and ordered Hua She Er to watch over them.
Once the situation was under control, Xiao Tian and Wen Yan took the immobilized Yun Yun and headed back toward the Snake-People Temple.
...
Inside the main hall.
Medusa sat lazily on her purple crystal throne, looking at the cloaked Xiao Tian seated below with a puzzled expression.
"Why are you wearing a cloak?"
"The situation is special. Let's not discuss that for now," Xiao Tian replied in a deliberately hoarse voice.
Medusa frowned. "That voice of yours… how peculiar."
"Don't worry. You still have value to me, so I won't kill you."
Xiao Tian stood up and walked toward the center of the hall.
There, Yun Yun stood upright, while Gu He and the others were tied up like caterpillars on the ground, their cultivation and voices sealed.
Xiao Tian approached Gu He and calmly took the storage ring from his finger. Toward this future love rival, he showed zero politeness.
"Wuwuwu—" Gu He could only glare fiercely, unable to speak or move.