As Xiao Tian walked past Yun Yun to retrieve Gu He's storage ring, a familiar scent suddenly wafted into her nose.
Yun Yun's heart trembled. A strong sense of familiarity surged within her. She turned her head sharply, staring intently at the cloaked figure, as if trying to see through the hood and mask.
However, Xiao Tian's cloak completely covered his face — not even his eyes were visible.
Xiao Tian calmly instructed Wen Yan to erase Gu He's soul imprint from the ring. The moment the imprint was shattered, Gu He's soul suffered a sharp, piercing pain, causing his body to twitch violently.
After scanning the contents, Xiao Tian found a vast collection of treasures inside. Among them was the Han Sui Zhi (Cold Marrow Branch) he needed.
He took it out and tossed it casually toward Medusa.
"This is the Han Sui Zhi you wanted."
Medusa caught it effortlessly. Looking at the precious ingredient in her hand, then at Xiao Tian who was still calmly looting the spoils, she felt a strange sense of oppression — as if she was witnessing the power of "capitalism" in action.
She glanced at Hua She Er. The latter immediately understood and began collecting storage rings from the other captives — Yan Shi, Feng Li, and the four Dou Lings.
When Hua She Er approached Yun Yun and reached for her storage ring, a hand suddenly grabbed her wrist.
"You cannot touch hers."
The voice belonged to Xiao Tian.
Hua She Er froze, then looked toward Medusa for instructions.
Medusa subtly moved her fingers, signaling her to retreat. She then narrowed her eyes and stared thoughtfully at Xiao Tian, a peculiar glint flashing in her gaze.
Xiao Tian ignored the looks and ordered Wen Yan to shatter the ropes binding Dou Wang Feng Li and unseal his cultivation.
Feng Li stood up shakily, looking confused but not daring to make any sudden moves.
The others, including Medusa, watched in bewilderment, unsure what Xiao Tian was planning.
"I'm releasing you because I need you to return to the Cloud Mist Sect," Xiao Tian said calmly. "Tell them that their Sect Leader and Chief Alchemist have been captured. If they wish to retrieve them, they must come to the Snake-People Tribe to discuss ransom."
He took ten Dou Qi recovery pills from Gu He's ring and placed them in Feng Li's hand.
"Don't even think about running away without delivering the message. You've already been marked."
Feng Li's face paled, but he quickly nodded. "Can… Can I leave now?"
"Go."
The moment he received permission, Feng Li bolted out of the hall. Once outside, he summoned his Dou Qi wings and fled desperately toward the horizon.
The Snake-People guards outside, having received Medusa's orders, did not stop him.
"Take the rest away and guard them well," Medusa commanded. "As for Sect Leader Yun… arrange a separate room for her. Do not mistreat her."
She could sense Xiao Tian's special attitude toward Yun Yun. Although she didn't understand his full plan, she chose to cooperate for now.
As Yun Yun was being led away, her eyes remained fixed on the cloaked Xiao Tian, as if trying to confirm something deep in her heart.
Once everyone had been taken away, only Xiao Tian, Wen Yan, and Medusa remained in the grand hall.
Medusa sat on her throne, fingers gently tapping the armrest. After a long moment, she spoke:
"Is your real target Sect Leader Yun Yun… or the entire Cloud Mist Sect?"
Xiao Tian smiled faintly beneath his cloak. "I have my own objectives. You'll know when the time comes. I'll be leaving for now. We can begin your evolution once I've settled everything else."
With that, he and Wen Yan turned and walked out of the Snake-People Temple.
Medusa remained seated on her throne, her beautiful eyes deep in thought as her fingers continued tapping rhythmically.
...
Three days and three nights later.
A figure covered in dust and exhaustion flew desperately toward Yunlan Mountain and landed heavily in the Cloud Mist Sect's main plaza.
"Who dares trespass upon the Cloud Mist Sect?!"
Great Elder Yun Ling appeared instantly, shouting angrily. When he recognized the intruder as Dou Wang Feng Li, his expression changed.
"Dou Wang Feng Li? Why have you come to our sect in such a state?"
Feng Li, panting heavily, delivered the message in a trembling voice, recounting everything that had happened in the Tagore Desert.
"What?! This is impossible!" Yun Ling's face turned pale with shock.
"Believe it or not, I've delivered the message. How you handle it is up to you. I'm just a messenger…"
Having completed his task, Feng Li didn't dare stay any longer. He immediately fled the Cloud Mist Sect.
Yun Ling stood frozen for a long time before his expression hardened. He quickly summoned an emergency elders' meeting.
After intense discussion, they realized the opponent hadn't stated any clear demands, and with Queen Medusa's strength involved, sending people to negotiate would be no different from sending them to their deaths. In the end, no conclusion was reached.
Yun Ling's face turned grim. He took out a cloud-white flute — a treasure Yun Shan had given him before entering seclusion.
He put the flute away and headed straight for the forbidden area in the back mountain.
Arriving before a secluded cave dwelling, Yun Ling knelt outside the stone door.
"Yun Ling requests an audience with the Old Sect Leader!"
The stone door slowly opened. Yun Ling stood up and walked inside.
In the stone chamber, a white-robed figure sat cross-legged on a stone platform, cultivating quietly. His skin was as smooth as warm jade, and if not for his snow-white hair, one might mistake him for a young man.
This was the previous Sect Leader of the Cloud Mist Sect — Yun Shan.
"Yun Ling, I told you — unless it is an extremely important matter, do not disturb my meditation."
Yun Ling knelt on both knees, his voice mournful. "I beg the Old Sect Leader to emerge and preside over the situation."
"What happened?"
Yun Ling recounted the entire incident in detail.
After listening, Yun Shan fell into deep contemplation. A long moment later, he spoke indifferently:
"So that's how it is… You may leave first and stabilize the sect. I will personally handle Yun'er and Gu He's matter."
"Yes, Old Sect Leader."
Yun Ling's heart finally settled. With the Old Sect Leader taking action personally, there was nothing that couldn't be resolved.
Just as Yun Ling left the cave, a wisp of black mist suddenly appeared beside Yun Shan.
From within the black mist came a sinister, eerie laugh:
"Hehehe… Yun Shan, your Cloud Mist Sect is truly useless. Even the Sect Leader has been captured and used as a bargaining chip."
"I will handle my own affairs. There is no need for you to comment," Yun Shan replied coldly, a trace of apprehension flashing in his eyes.
"Hehehe, that would be best. Otherwise, this Protector would start to doubt whether choosing you for cooperation was a mistake. I hope you won't disappoint me."
The voice in the black mist carried clear disdain.
"Hmph."
Yun Shan felt the contempt but could only endure it. His current strength had been granted by this mysterious existence — he was not yet capable of defeating him.
"Also, do not expose our relationship. Before the mission is complete, I cannot appear in public. If I am discovered, not only will I be in trouble — you won't fare any better either."
"I naturally understand. There is no need for you to keep reminding me," Yun Shan said detachedly.
"You are a smart man. That is one of the main reasons this Protector chose to cooperate with you. Take care of yourself… hehehe…"
The black mist gradually dissipated, leaving only the strange, sinister laughter echoing throughout the stone chamber.