That's definitely not Queen Medusa!
Xiao Bai scrutinized the object in his hands, his certainty growing with each passing moment.
Medusa was associated with seven-colored brilliance, but this thing was entirely golden, occasionally flickering with arcs of golden lightning. When those arcs struck his palm, they sent a tingling, painful sensation through him. Considering his body had been tempered by Xiao Yi, Xiao Bing, and Xiao Wu, ordinary lightning shouldn't affect him like this.
In his hands, Xiao Bai held a golden, egg-like object—massive enough to call it a giant egg, though he wasn't entirely sure. It wasn't a thunder orb, as it felt solid.
Suddenly, the egg flashed and vanished from his grasp, reappearing beside Xiao Yi, pressing close to the cyan thunder orb.
Xiao Yi seemed displeased, darting around Xiao Bai erratically. The golden egg pursued relentlessly.
"This thing's alive!" Xiao Bai exclaimed, watching the egg chase Xiao Yi. He'd sensed no life from it earlier, which had convinced him it wasn't Medusa. But now, doubts crept in. Could this be Medusa? Did the lightning tribulation change her appearance? A seven-colored Medusa turned into a gaudy golden one?
Rubbing his chin, Xiao Bai reached out, snatching the egg mid-chase. But in an instant, it vanished again, accompanied by faint spatial fluctuations, reappearing before Xiao Yi.
"What the—? An egg using spatial power? Does it have the bloodline of the Taixu Ancient Dragon?" Xiao Bai's mind reeled. If this were Medusa, spatial power wouldn't be surprising, but he sensed neither his seal nor her familiar soul fluctuations within it.
Summoning Xiao Yi to his palm, he planned to use it as bait. The egg's spatial abilities made it tricky to catch. With Xiao Yi in hand, the egg obediently returned, allowing him to grab it without resistance. He tapped the shell, intending to study it closely.
Then, he felt something brush against his robe. Focused on the egg, Xiao Bai instinctively reached back, grabbing something long and smooth. Curious, he squeezed it.
Wait, this texture… His heart skipped a beat as he brought it into view.
Seven-colored scales!
Faintly purple pupils!
A subtle fragrance!
Immense power!
The Seven-Colored Heaven-Swallowing Python!
Xiao Bai's eyes lit up, a surge of joy flooding him. She's alive!
Stowing Xiao Yi within his body, he tossed the golden egg aside. Who cares about this knockoff gold version when the real seven-colored deal is here? It's obviously a fake!
Cradling the tiny python in his hands, Xiao Bai laughed heartily.
The golden egg, now frantic, circled him rapidly. Moments later, spatial fluctuations rippled from it.
Bang!
Pain exploded across Xiao Bai's forehead, stars dancing in his vision. He touched the swelling lump, fury rising. With his soul force depleted, he hadn't reacted in time to the sneak attack. Damn, what's this egg made of? That hurt!
But its spatial power left him helpless. Can't even catch the thing—what am I supposed to do?
The little python in his hands let out a soft hiss, as if cooing affectionately. Xiao Bai's anger melted, and he ignored the egg.
The python's scales were pure white, shimmering with seven-colored light. Its large, purple eyes blinked curiously at him, its adorable demeanor utterly charming. A smile tugged at Xiao Bai's lips as he retrieved an Earth Fire Lotus Seed from his storage ring, offering it to the python.
The python eagerly swallowed it, as if savoring a delicacy. Moments later, it let out a contented burp-like sound, exhaling a wisp of cyan mist.
"Get lost!" Xiao Bai shoved the golden egg away as it tried to join the fun, waving his sleeve irritably.
Releasing Xiao Yi, the orb flashed and darted into the distance. The golden egg chased after it, no longer pestering him.
Relieved, Xiao Bai turned his attention to the python slithering between his palms. Curious, he gently grasped it, determined to figure out what was going on.
___
In a realm of darkness, a soul drifted aimlessly, occasionally absorbing fragmented shards of light. The soul murmured, confused:
"Who am I?"
"I'm Medusa!"
"No, I'm the Heaven-Swallowing Python!"
"Wait… I'm a queen!"
Suddenly, the soul clutched its head, screaming as memories flooded back.
Moments later, it calmed, a regal authority gleaming in its eyes. She remembered.
She was Queen Medusa, ruler of the Snake-People!
When the lightning tribulation struck, Xiao Bai had urged her soul to retreat into his seal, reinforcing it with all his soul force. Her body, controlled by the nascent python's soul, faced the tribulation's first wave. The lightning's impact nearly shattered her, but Xiao Bai's seal protected her, though she was heavily affected.
In this sea of consciousness, she'd nearly dissipated but ultimately endured.
___
Outside, Xiao Bai examined the python's body. The little creature, for reasons unknown, didn't resist, letting him turn it over and inspect it.
But in the next instant, the python froze, eyes flashing red. Its body glowed crimson, the light spreading rapidly, engulfing Xiao Bai.
The sensation in his hands changed—warm, smooth, soft, like jade. Instinctively, he squeezed.
A sultry, tingling moan followed, laced with cold fury and embarrassment. "Feel good?"
"Very smooth," Xiao Bai replied absently, still squeezing, lost in the pleasant sensation.
"Remove your filthy hands, or this queen will chop them off!" The voice was icy, like a chilling wind from the netherworld.
Xiao Bai shivered, snapping back to reality. He stared at the curvaceous figure in his arms, hastily withdrawing his hands and rubbing his nose awkwardly.
A faint fragrance lingered on his hands, momentarily distracting him. Then dread hit. Oh no!
As expected, the figure in his arms saw his gesture, her anger flaring. "Pervert!" she snapped, slamming a palm into him, sending him flying.
Uninjured, Xiao Bai stood, his expression solemn. He coughed. "Ahem, Your Majesty, let me—cough—explain!"
"This queen has no interest in your excuses. Try that vile behavior again, and I won't be lenient!" From within the crimson mist, her voice was frigid, punctuated by a cold huff.