As Xiao Tian walked past Yun Yun to take Gu He's storage ring, a familiar scent suddenly drifted into her nose.
Yun Yun's heart trembled violently. A strong sense of familiarity surged up, and she turned her head, staring intently at the black-robed figure as if trying to see through the cloak and mask.
However, Xiao Tian's hood 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 shattered, Gu He felt a sharp pain in his soul and his body twitched uncontrollably.
After scanning the ring's contents, Xiao Tian found a vast collection of treasures. Among them was the Han Sui Zhi (Cold Marrow Branch) he needed.
He took it out and casually tossed it to Medusa.
"This is the Han Sui Zhi you wanted."
Medusa caught it and looked at the precious ingredient in her hand, then at Xiao Tian who was still calmly looting the spoils. She couldn't help but feel a strange sense of oppression.
She glanced at Hua She Er. The latter immediately understood and began collecting storage rings from the other captives.
When Hua She Er reached Yun Yun and extended her hand toward her storage ring, Xiao Tian suddenly grabbed her wrist.
"You cannot touch hers."
Hua She Er froze and looked toward Medusa for instructions.
Medusa subtly signaled her to retreat, 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 unseal Dou Wang Feng Li's cultivation and remove his bindings.
Feng Li stood up shakily, looking confused but not daring to move.
The others, including Medusa, watched in bewilderment.
"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.
"Take the rest away and guard them well," Medusa ordered. "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 fully understand his plan, she chose to cooperate for now.
As Yun Yun was being led away, her eyes remained fixed on the cloaked figure, as if trying to confirm something deep in her heart.
...
Later that day, Xiao Tian arrived at the room where Yun Yun was being held.
He pushed open the door and saw Yun Yun sitting distractedly on a chair, her cultivation sealed.
Looking at her somewhat dejected state, Xiao Tian sighed inwardly.
Hearing the sound of the door, Yun Yun raised her head and looked at the black-robed man standing at the entrance.
"Why have you come? What is your ultimate goal?" she asked indifferently.
"I came to check on my hostage," Xiao Tian replied in a hoarse voice. "As for my goal, it is naturally to collect the ransom."
"I don't believe the Cloud Mist Sect has anything that would make someone with a Dou Zong subordinate covet it."
"Perhaps there is."
Yun Yun was silent for a long time before asking softly, "What about my companions?"
"They are all fine. We treat our hostages quite well and do not torture them."
Xiao Tian had mainly come because he was worried she might do something foolish or be mistreated.
He turned to leave.
Suddenly, Yun Yun stood up and grabbed the edge of his cloak.
"Tian Xiao… I know it's you. Although the Dou Zong helped you change your aura, I still remember your scent."
Xiao Tian let out a soft sigh.
He lifted his cloak and removed his mask, revealing his true face.
The moment Yun Yun saw his familiar features, tears welled up in her eyes.
"Why… What is all this for?" she murmured, her voice trembling.
"Didn't I tell you? I covet a treasure of your Cloud Mist Sect."
"What treasure? What could my Cloud Mist Sect possibly have that would attract you?"
"You."
"Me?"
Yun Yun pointed at herself, her expression filled with disbelief.
Xiao Tian waved his hand, closing the door with Dou Qi. He then pulled the dazed Yun Yun into his arms and gently stroked her hair.
"Because I know that the previous Sect Leader of your Cloud Mist Sect, Yun Shan, is cooperating with an evil organization called the Hall of Souls. The Hall of Souls will definitely clash with me in the future. If you were caught in the middle, how would you choose?"
"My teacher…? Isn't he in seclusion?" Yun Yun's face turned deathly pale. After so much time together, she finally realized just how deeply she had fallen for this man who was younger than her.
If the person she liked and the teacher who had raised her came into conflict… the only path left for her might be to end her own life.
"Yes, but your teacher was unable to break through while in seclusion," Xiao Tian explained gently. "Later, a Protector from the Hall of Souls found him and helped him break through using certain means. In exchange, your teacher had to cooperate with them. I cannot tell you the exact details of their cooperation yet."
Yun Yun's body trembled slightly in his arms.
"So… you captured me to lure out my teacher? Then what do you plan to do when he comes?"
"Naturally, I will make him stand on my side. Moreover, I am fully confident I can achieve that."
"Then… do you need me to cooperate with you in anything?"
"Yes." Xiao Tian smiled and tightened his embrace. "Let me hug you properly. I missed you."
"Stop talking nonsense…" Yun Yun pretended to struggle for a moment, but eventually rested quietly in his arms.
"Should I call you Yun Yun or Yun'er from now on?" Xiao Tian asked softly.
"You'd better call me Yun Yun. Yun'er sounds too strange… You're so much younger than me."
Thinking that she was now like an old cow eating tender grass, Yun Yun couldn't help but feel embarrassed.
"Understood, Yun'er."
"Aiya, so embarrassing! Shut your mouth!"
Yun Yun hurriedly covered Xiao Tian's mouth, her face flushed red. At this moment, she looked just like any woman deeply in love — her usual intelligence nowhere to be found.
After a long, passionate kiss, the two finally separated.
Before leaving, Xiao Tian told Yun Yun his real name.
Just after Xiao Tian left the room, Yun Yun sat down with a happy smile, but suddenly stood up again as if struck by lightning.
"Xiao Tian…? Isn't that the person Nalan Yanran mentioned she met at the Xiao Family? The one who felt extremely terrifying… It really is a fated tragedy…"
The more she thought about Nalan Yanran meeting Xiao Tian in the future, and then discovering that he had become her own sweetheart, the more Yun Yun felt she had no face left to see her disciple.
...
Two days later.
At a supply point somewhere in the Tagore Desert.
Xiao Yan arrived to replenish his freshwater supplies.
"Have you heard? Pill King Gu He brought one Dou Huang, two Dou Wangs, and four Dou Lings to the Snake-People Tribe to exchange for something, but they ended up being detained after causing trouble in the city."
"What I heard is that Pill King Gu He knew Queen Medusa had a Heavenly Flame and brought experts to snatch it, but they were all suppressed and captured by Medusa and two mysterious experts."
Xiao Yan listened to the mercenaries' conversation with great interest.
After hearing no more useful information, he left the supply point.
"Teacher, do you think the news about the Heavenly Flame is true?" Xiao Yan asked Yao Lao.
"I cannot be certain. But if Pill King Gu He really came here, then it might be true. We are not far from the Snake-People Tribe's territory. We can sneak over later and investigate."
Yao Lao pondered for a moment before giving his reply.
"Then let's go ask around. This is the first time we've heard news of a Heavenly Flame. At that time, I might need Teacher's help to conceal my aura."
Xiao Yan chuckled.
"Hmm."
Yao Lao nodded.
...
In the Snake-People Temple, inside the courtyard of Xiao Tian's residence.
Xiao Tian sat at a stone table, slowly sipping wine.
A purple figure descended gracefully from the sky and landed on the stool opposite him.
For the past few days, Medusa had been frequently visiting to probe Xiao Tian's true purpose. Through their repeated exchanges, the two had gradually become more familiar with each other.
"Does Your Majesty wish to have a drink?" Xiao Tian asked with a smile, raising his wine cup.
Medusa leaned forward on the table, looking at him with charming eyes. "If I drink with you, will you finally tell me your real purpose?"
Xiao Tian's gaze involuntarily drifted to the snow-white expanse revealed by her slightly leaning posture.
Noticing his stare, Medusa quickly sat back upright. A faint blush flashed across her beautiful face.