The next day.
Xiao Bai emerged from his cultivation, opening his eyes as a flash of silver lightning flickered within them before fading.
"Eight-Star Da Dou Shi," he murmured, exhaling a breath of turbid air. He sensed the stabilized Dou Qi crystal in his dantian.
Over the past three months, even while studying alchemy, he hadn't neglected his cultivation technique for a single day. Alchemy was merely a tool to enhance his strength, not the end goal. In this dog-eat-dog world, cultivation was the foundation, the utmost priority—a truth Xiao Bai held unwaveringly.
Knock, knock, knock!
"Master Xiao, the Queen summons you!" came the voice of Hua She'er, the commander of Medusa's personal guard, from outside the hall.
Rising, Xiao Bai stepped out, nodding to the messenger. "Lead the way."
Entering the temple through a side door, he followed a long, echoing corridor. After winding through the empty passage for over ten minutes, the path opened up.
A lake shimmered before him, its center holding a modest island, surrounded by rippling, glistening water.
"Master Xiao, the Queen awaits you on the island. I can only guide you this far." Hua She'er bowed and departed.
Once alone, Xiao Bai's feet sparked with lightning. With a few light steps across the water's surface, he landed on the island.
Surveying his surroundings, he noted the island's small size. It was adorned with vibrant flowers, patches of lush bamboo, and an air of vitality, creating a strikingly beautiful scene.
Who would've thought such a picturesque place existed in this sea of sand?
Xiao Bai lingered briefly before following a path through the bamboo toward the island's center.
The surroundings were silent. After navigating several trails, he glimpsed an open area through gaps in the bamboo.
A circular clearing lay ahead, devoid of flowers or bamboo, its ground covered in smooth pebbles. At its heart stood a small pool, shrouded in white mist, exuding a chilling aura.
"You're here," said a captivating figure by the pool, gazing at the water without turning.
Xiao Bai studied Medusa's back. She felt different today—her usual pride and resolve were sharper, more intense than ever.
Isolated, determined… He sensed a weight in her presence.
"Place the strange fire on the crystal platform in the pool," Medusa continued, unfazed by his silence, her voice calm and clear.
"Alright." Xiao Bai stepped forward, retrieving the lotus platform. A red glow enveloped him as he wrapped the flickering flame in his soul force, gently placing it on the crystal platform within the Ice Spirit Cold Spring.
"If you have no other matters, would you mind staying nearby?" Medusa suddenly asked as he finished.
Xiao Bai blinked, then nodded in agreement.
A faint smile curved Medusa's lips, fleeting but unmistakable.
Someone will witness my resolve to lead the Snake-People out of the desert, my loyalty to my tribe. Even if her evolution failed, even if she perished, she would have no regrets as their queen.
Her eyes hardened. She raised her left hand, red light surging from her right—
"Wait!" Xiao Bai interrupted.
Medusa turned, puzzled, unsure why he'd stopped her.
Xiao Bai summoned the Yi Wood True Thunder, holding the cyan orb in his palm, his gaze fixed on her. "Last night, you seemed like you wanted to say something. Is there anything on your mind?"
Medusa's eyes lingered on the thunder orb, feeling her bloodline stir, but she remained silent.
Xiao Bai sighed at the stubborn woman before him. Shaping the Yi Wood True Thunder with his mind, he guided it into her body. Medusa didn't resist.
As the thunder entered, she felt her bloodline surge with vitality. An instinct told her this would greatly boost her chances of breaking through.
Seeing her expression soften, Xiao Bai exhaled and stepped back to a distance.
Once he was gone, Medusa moved to the clearing's center. Her hands clasped, fingers weaving intricate seals. The ground glowed with complex patterns—an array she'd set up to mitigate some of the damage.
She glanced back at Xiao Bai one last time. A radiant red light burst from her, and the surrounding energy fluctuated wildly, growing more intense.
The fluctuations peaked, forming a powerful energy vortex above the island.
Under the blinding light, Xiao Bai squinted. Moments later, the glow faded, revealing a massive purple serpent, over ten zhang long, hovering above the island.
The serpent's sleek body exuded elegance, its pale purple eyes no longer cold but serene and composed. With a clear, resonant cry, it dove fearlessly toward the flickering cyan flame below.
The flame, as if sensing its approach, flared, erupting into a blazing inferno.
The moment the serpent plunged into the fire, Medusa's agonized scream pierced the air. For such a proud woman to cry out like this, the pain must be unimaginable.
Xiao Bai stood atop a boulder, his body cloaked in yellowish-gray light, watching calmly.
He'd done all he could. Once the evolution began, the outcome was out of his hands. Anxiety wouldn't help.
The purple serpent writhed in the fire, its scales charred and peeling, crimson blood flowing only to be incinerated by the flames. Xiao Yi, within her, tirelessly repaired the damage, but healing couldn't outpace destruction. It could only prolong her endurance, preventing the fire from consuming her instantly.
Medusa's cries grew faint, her strength waning. Xiao Bai's brow furrowed, a flicker of worry rising. Is she really going to fail?
Suddenly, his expression shifted.
Through repeated burning and healing, Medusa's bloodline began to change. A faint, almost imperceptible seven-colored glow emerged.
He hadn't noticed at first, but as the glow passed through Xiao Yi, it strengthened slightly, and Xiao Bai sensed it through their connection.
Is this… success? A spark of joy lit his heart.
As time passed, the bloodline grew steadily, nurtured by Xiao Yi, its strength mounting.
The purple serpent now seemed lifeless, silent except for the crackling of the flames.
Yet Xiao Bai wasn't anxious. He could feel it—success was near. The bloodline had stopped growing, and a distinct aura began to emanate.
Just then, the clear sky darkened. Black clouds gathered, slowly enveloping the heavens.
Boom!
A massive thunderclap echoed, silver lightning slithering like serpents through the clouds.
Relief washed over Xiao Bai. He recalled this scene from the original story—a sign of Medusa's successful evolution.
But as he looked up, his face froze, disbelief etched across it.
Wait… why is there golden lightning?