Compared to the Medusa Serpent's soul-beast body, the Earth Dragon Golden Melon was much smaller, yet the energy contained within it was in no way inferior to the Medusa Serpent's own soul power.
The powerful medicinal force instantly spread throughout the Medusa Serpent's body. In just a short moment, sizzling sounds once again rang out from its body that had previously been charred by lightning.
This time, however, it was the sound of the Medusa Serpent's body healing itself.
Before long, the Medusa Serpent began to sense the special effects of the Earth Dragon Golden Melon.
One was an extremely powerful earth-attribute energy capable of overturning the land itself.
The other was a unique effect that caused its bloodline to boil.
That bloodline-boiling effect seemed to resonate with the surrounding dragon aura.
This was the awakening of its dragon bloodline.
Although with the Medusa Serpent's innate talent, even after awakening it wouldn't undergo a drastic change—
A Medusa Dragon?
Xiao Lin didn't believe the Medusa Serpent would actually evolve into a true dragon.
However, from Xiao Lin's perspective—
The Medusa Serpent's massive body had already begun to change.
Its countless "snake hairs" started transforming into winding dragons. Their eyes shimmered with gem-like light, mysterious like the stars themselves.
"Roar!"
Accompanied by an earth-shaking roar, the Medusa Serpent's body seemed to stretch further. Those "dragon hairs" gradually turned into true dragon manes.
Its snake heads slowly reshaped into crocodile-like maws, and two bulges appeared beneath its abdomen.
Seeing this, how could Xiao Lin not understand?
Although the Medusa Serpent had not transformed into a dragon, it had transformed into a flood dragon.
Just as Xiao Lin expected, the two bulges on its abdomen soon burst through its scales, extending into two four-clawed dragon limbs.
The dragon claws were incomparably hard, flashing with cold light, effortlessly tearing through the sulfurous ground of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Eyes.
Then, before Xiao Lin's eyes, the greatest change occurred in the Medusa Serpent's eyes.
They were no longer the petrifying demon eyes of before. Instead, they became deeper and more profound, as though they could see straight through a person's heart and soul.
Its body turned golden-yellow, like fully ripened wheat.
"Roar!"
With one final dragon's roar, Medusa's transformation came to an end, leaving behind an enormous shed skin on the ground.
Although it hadn't become a dragon, becoming a flood dragon was already more than good enough.
"This fellow's talent has really improved. It already has eighty thousand years of soul power cultivation now."
Inside the consciousness space, the Fire Dragon King spoke affirmatively.
"If it cultivates here, it won't take long before it breaks through to one hundred thousand years."
The Ice Dragon King's face was filled with astonishment. This method of evolving into a dragon race was truly incredible.
He had never realized that immortal herbs influenced by his spiritual energy and dragon aura could produce such an effect.
This was the power of fate and creation.
If Xiao Lin could hear the Ice Dragon King's inner thoughts, he would surely say—
Nature is just that miraculous.
Back in the real world, Xiao Lin collected the beautiful shed skin, then stood with his hands behind his back, stopping Mei Mei's (this name would be used from now on) roaring.
"Alright. From now on, you'll cultivate here properly."
"But before that, come inside with me."
As he spoke, Xiao Lin suddenly thought of something.
"Mei Mei, can you shrink down a bit?"
He couldn't let Mei Mei trample the surrounding immortal herbs to death while improving the soil.
"My lord, I can—just a little."
Mei Mei replied respectfully.
Originally, she wouldn't have been able to do this unless she had reached the level of a hundred-thousand-year soul beast.
But since she had awakened dragon bloodline power, being able to grow large or small was instinctive for dragon-kind.
As she responded, Mei Mei began shrinking.
Since it was her first time transforming, the process wasn't fast.
Her dragon head—originally as large as a small room—shifted between sizes, though overall it was steadily shrinking.
After about half an hour, Mei Mei finally reduced herself to a size that satisfied Xiao Lin.
Even so, her body was still massive—when she raised her head, she still stood five meters tall.
"Be careful when you come in. Don't injure the immortal herbs nearby."
"Yes, my lord."
Mei Mei was very obedient. She didn't dare resist Xiao Lin here.
This place was filled with vast, overwhelming dragon aura identical to the dragon might Xiao Lin had previously released.
Moreover, after evolving into a flood dragon, Mei Mei's instincts had become even sharper.
She could clearly sense that Xiao Lin could eliminate her in an instant.
Soon, under Xiao Lin's guidance, Mei Mei tiptoed carefully into the vicinity of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Eyes.
What lay before her was enough to leave her stunned.
What terrifying ice-and-fire spiritual energy—so dense it had condensed into liquid springs.
What irresistibly tempting immortal herbs—Mei Mei suppressed the desire in her heart and, under Xiao Lin's instructions, finally stopped in front of one particular immortal herb.
"This one. Next, you're going to gradually improve the surrounding soil and make it fertile."
"And you must absolutely not damage these immortal herbs or spiritual herbs."
"Yes."
Mei Mei dared not refuse Xiao Lin's instructions and quickly began mobilizing her soul power to improve the surrounding land.
After consuming the Earth Dragon Golden Melon, Mei Mei was now able to perfectly control earth-attribute energy.
With a gentle glare of her massive eyes, earth-attribute soul power infused with spiritual energy flowed into a patch of sulfurous ground.
Her eyes seemed to possess a scanning function—she not only avoided harming the surrounding immortal herbs but also completed the land improvement flawlessly.
"Good. Very good."
Xiao Lin was extremely satisfied with Mei Mei's abilities.
With her talent for working the land alone, Xiao Lin would never treat Mei Mei as a mere pet.
However, while observing, Xiao Lin also noticed changes in Mei Mei's abilities.
Originally, the Medusa Serpent was a combination of spiritual and earth attributes, with petrification through eye contact as its signature ability.
But now…
Xiao Lin was certain Mei Mei hadn't lost her petrification ability—but had it evolved into something else?
Could Mei Mei's eyes now see through objects?
With such precise control, Mei Mei's soul core was almost certainly located in her head, and her future soul bone would definitely be a head soul bone.
Perhaps it should be called a Spiritual Eyes Soul Bone?
It would pair perfectly with his Fiery Golden Eyes.
Since Mei Mei was evolving, Xiao Lin decided to guide her evolution according to his own plans.
He wanted Mei Mei's future hundred-thousand-year soul skills to be exactly what he needed.
First, since spiritual-attribute energy was clearly tied to her soul bone—
Her hundred-thousand-year soul bone skill should grow in two directions.
The first was Spiritual Petrification—her innate talent, which could not be abandoned.
The second was Spiritual Control. Xiao Lin needed powerful mental control, preferably executed through the eyes.
With sufficient mental control, he could then attempt to learn the Dragon Eye Beams of the two Dragon Kings without worrying about injury.
As for the two skills from the hundred-thousand-year soul ring, Xiao Lin decided Mei Mei should focus on gravity control.
If gravity became strong enough, it could influence space-time—something Xiao Lin greatly favored.
Additionally, gravity could assist Xiao Lin in tempering his physical body and blood energy.
And besides gravity, it would be even better if her earth attribute could enhance vitality and life force.
Xiao Lin conveyed his requirements to Mei Mei.
"My lord, I'll do my best."
Although Xiao Lin was essentially treating Mei Mei like a wishing machine, she was willing to try.
After all, Xiao Lin had promised to lead her to godhood one day.
Still—other abilities aside—this life-enhancing power…
She truly had no idea how to do that at all.
So what was she supposed to do now?
(End of Chapter)