The Queen's Chamber
Xiao Bai's consciousness returned, his eyes slowly opening. A wave of intense dizziness hit him, nearly blacking out his vision.
His sword-like brows furrowed, and he rubbed his temples.
Such a heavy toll on my soul force!
After a moment, the dizziness subsided. He released his brow and surveyed the room.
The chamber was bright and clean, with a beast-fur carpet covering the floor. Aside from the large bed beside him, there was a desk, a vanity, and a screen concealing a bathing tub.
"Fits her personality perfectly," Xiao Bai thought, shaking his head.
His gaze settled on the enchanting figure lying on the bed, exuding an irresistible allure.
Her black hair cascaded like a waterfall across the sheets, her features delicate and demonic. Below her fair collarbone, her curves were captivating.
Her slender waist was a perfect handful, and her long, rounded legs sparked an urge to pull them close and savor them.
"Am I beautiful, Your Majesty?"
A sultry, electrifying voice sent a jolt through Xiao Bai's heart. His breathing quickened, his throat dry as he nodded, swallowing hard.
"Stunning."
Cai Lin followed his gaze to her ample curves, her luminous eyes seeming to drip with charm. She inwardly scoffed.
Pervert!
Seeing Xiao Bai's entranced look, a flicker of pride passed through her narrowed, enchanting eyes.
But his burning stare, as if piercing her clothes, brought a faint blush to her alluring cheeks.
"Vixen!"
Gazing at the queen sprawled on the bed, her languid pose radiating boundless temptation, Xiao Bai's heart raced, his eyes blazing as if to melt her.
Just as he was about to pounce, the air rippled with spatial fluctuations.
"You're toying with me!"
A roar of indignant fury echoed through the room.
Cai Lin stood by the door, adjusting her disheveled robes. Glancing at Xiao Bai, sprawled on the bed and glaring at her, her rosy lips curved upward.
Serves him right!
That's for tormenting me in the consciousness!
"Heh, I have tribal matters to attend to. Enjoy yourself!"
Her expression shifted to cold, regal dignity, the earlier pervasive allure vanishing.
She opened the door and left.
… Xiao Bai.
Staring at the empty room, Xiao Bai calmed his surging emotions, seething inwardly.
That woman had unleashed her Medusa charm to its fullest, only to slip away when his blood was boiling.
Pure retaliation!
"Playing with spatial power, huh? Just wait—one day, I'll keep you in that bed!"
Xiao Bai rolled over, arms behind his head, inhaling the bed's lingering fragrance as he closed his eyes.
Perhaps due to mental exhaustion, he drifted into sleep.
Time slipped by like a fleeting steed. Hours passed, and dusk settled in.
In the chamber, moonlight stones cast a soft glow, illuminating the crimson gauze draped over the figure at the desk, accentuating her voluptuous silhouette with a hazy allure.
Her slightly damp hair framed her face, one hand propping her fair chin, the other idly tapping a map on the desk.
Her lips pursed, her eyes distant.
Suddenly, her brows twitched, and she glanced at the figure snoring on the bed.
Xiao Bai stirred, blinking groggily before recalling where he was. He rubbed his temples.
"Cai Lin, how long was I out?"
"From morning to night—a full day!" Cai Lin snapped, exasperated. "When's the last time you slept? You were out like a dead pig!"
For a Dou Wang, such prolonged sleep was rare.
Xiao Bai lounged on the bed, thinking. "Last time I slept in a bed was… a year ago, I think."
After entering Thunderfall Valley, he hadn't touched a bed. Emerging, he dove into the magma depths, then teleported to Black Seal City, fought, and secluded himself to heal, meditating instead of sleeping. This was his first real rest in ages.
Cai Lin paused, realization dawning. No wonder his cultivation surged so quickly.
She'd thought it was raw talent, but now saw it was also grueling discipline.
"Come eat something."
Her voice was unusually gentle.
Yue Mei had recounted yesterday's events—how he'd fought her other self, subdued her, and rushed to the royal city to resolve her soul issue. He must be exhausted.
Leaping from the bed, Xiao Bai stretched, then strolled to the desk.
Gulp.
A swallow broke the room's silence.
The translucent gauze revealed tantalizing glimpses of her beauty, exuding a subtle, constant allure. Xiao Bai froze, eyes locked.
"What're you staring at? Sit!" Cai Lin shot him a frosty glare, her tone sharp.
"Heh." Xiao Bai chuckled, sitting opposite her. Leaning forward, he teased, "Cai Lin, you're practically devouring me."
"This is my chamber. I dress like this here," Cai Lin retorted, rolling her eyes.
Her hand pushed a food box toward him.
"Eat, you lech!"
Xiao Bai grinned, captivated by the lamplit beauty before him.
After a moment's admiration, he opened the box, digging in ravenously. His peripheral vision caught the map on the desk, its marked patterns making him pause.
"See something?" Cai Lin asked softly, noticing his expression.
"Mm." Xiao Bai kept eating, nodding.
"Thoughts?" Her narrowed eyes fixed on him, her hand beneath the desk clenching into a fist.
"When do you start?" Xiao Bai asked between bites.
"You don't mind?" Cai Lin looked surprised.
Xiao Bai set down his chopsticks, pushed the box aside, and sighed. "What gave you the idea I'd mind?"
"I'm from the Jia Ma Empire, sure, but the land from the Magical Beast Mountain Range to the Tagore Desert means nothing to me. That's the royal family's business."
"The Jia Ma royals are strangers to me. Their fate doesn't concern me."
Cai Lin's fist relaxed. She'd worried Xiao Bai would oppose the Snake-People's migration, putting her in a bind if he sided with the empire.
"I'll undergo the tribal altar ritual in a few days. Once it's done, I'll start," Cai Lin said, her tone lighter, relieved of a burden.
"Altar ritual?"
"It's a Snake-People ceremony. Every clan leader goes through it to…" She trailed off, her cheeks flushing.
"To what?" Xiao Bai blinked, puzzled by her sudden blush.
"Nothing!" Cai Lin shook her head, swiftly changing the subject. "You came here for something, right?"
Seeing his attention shift to her expression, she exhaled, amused. "Relax, I'm not mad."
"In two months, I'd like you to come with me to Yun Lan Sect."
"Yun Lan Sect?" Cai Lin's eyes flickered with curiosity. "You have a grudge with them?"
"Uh…" Xiao Bai hesitated. He had no personal beef with Yun Lan Sect, but the Xiao Clan had raised him, and their kindness wasn't small.
Knowing their near-destruction and doing nothing would be indefensible.
"Yeah, a minor feud."
"Fine. I've been itching to test the Jia Ma Empire's strength. I'll take them on!" Cai Lin nodded, a chill in her eyes.
The migration would inevitably clash with the empire. Had her soul issues not delayed her, she'd have acted already.
"Think it through," Xiao Bai said, chuckling at her battle-ready demeanor. "We might face a mid-tier Dou Zong, plus Yun Shan, who's likely a Dou Zong now."
He wouldn't hide the risks. If she declined, he wouldn't force her—she carried the weight of her entire tribe.
"Mid-tier Dou Zong?" Cai Lin's face shifted, frowning. "Yun Lan Sect has such a powerhouse? Who? Yun Shan?"
"No, someone from a major Central Plains faction tied to Yun Shan," Xiao Bai said, shaking his head.
"Central Plains?"
Cai Lin's brows knitted tightly. Though she'd spent her life in the Tagore Desert, tribal records spoke of the Snake-People's past glory in the Central Plains, a land teeming with powerhouses far beyond the northwest continent.
She inwardly rejoiced at not clashing with the empire prematurely.
Who'd have thought the unassuming Jia Ma Empire, ruled by Dou Huangs, hid such strength?
"I'll go with you," Cai Lin said after a moment, her tone resolute.
"Not afraid?" Xiao Bai raised an eyebrow.
"Hah! Only others fear Queen Medusa!" Cai Lin lifted her chin proudly, a sly smile creeping in. "Besides… would you let harm come to me?"
Xiao Bai's heart warmed at her mix of regal and playful charm, shaking his head gently. "How long's this altar ritual?"
"About ten days or so."
"Alright." Xiao Bai pondered. "When you start the ritual, I'll head to the Jia Ma Empire. You can join me after handling tribal affairs."
Cai Lin's eyes flickered, studying him silently, her gaze unreadable.
"What? Can't bear to part with me?" Xiao Bai teased.
"Heh, it's late. Hua She'er's outside—she'll take you to a guest room. Go," Cai Lin said with a faint smile, dodging his jest.
"Not going!" Xiao Bai shook his head. This place was spacious, and the view was… exceptional.
"Really staying?" Cai Lin's clear eyes met his, playful, fully aware of his intentions.
"Staying!" Xiao Bai nodded firmly, determined to stick it out.
"Fine, then I'll go!"
As Cai Lin rose, she suddenly smacked her forehead, muttering in mock dismay, "Walking out like this? Everyone would see me!"
"I'll go!"
Xiao Bai shot up, fists clenched, seething. "You win!"
"Thanks for the compliment! Goodnight!" Cai Lin's lips curved, her eyes sparkling with delight at his bull-like fury.
"Hmph!" Xiao Bai stormed out, slamming the door.
Cai Lin blinked, surprised by his reaction. She'd only meant to needle him, not spark such anger.
Did I overdo it?
What a petty man.
Sighing, she gazed at the closed door, her eyes softening. "Rest assured, in this world, only you have the right to see me."
___
Outside the grand hall, Xiao Bai stood on the steps, the cool night breeze brushing his face. He took a deep breath, quelling his anger.
"Young Master Xiao, as per Her Majesty's orders, I'm here to escort you to a guest room," Hua She'er said, her eyes lighting up as she approached with a bow.
"Thank you, Commander Hua She'er. Lead on," Xiao Bai said, forcing a smile.
"My pleasure!" Hua She'er rose, beaming. "This way."
"Is this… the path to my old room?" Xiao Bai asked, the surroundings growing familiar.
"Indeed!" Hua She'er said, leading the way. "After you left, Her Majesty had it cleaned regularly and barred others from staying. Everything's as you left it."
Xiao Bai fell silent, but recalling Cai Lin's earlier taunt, his anger flared again.
"Brother Hei Du, it's him—the human who defiled Her Majesty!" A sinister voice cut through the darkness.
"Mo Ba Si, what are you doing? Young Master Xiao just saved Her Majesty!" Hua She'er snapped, stepping in front of Xiao Bai as figures emerged.
"Hmph! The queen's been deceived by this despicable human. Maybe he caused her trouble, now playing the hero to win her favor!" Mo Ba Si glared at Xiao Bai, venom in his voice.
Another figure stepped from the shadows, his voice low. "Human, whatever your game, stay far from our tribe. Leave. The Snake-People want no dealings with humans."
"Second Commander, do you hear yourself?" Hua She'er's face darkened, indignant.
"Hua She'er, don't forget your place. You're the queen's guard, but you're still Snake-People!" Black Venom shot her a cold glance, his triangular pupils locking onto Xiao Bai.
"Two-star Dou Huang!" Xiao Bai pushed past Hua She'er, stepping forward. Glancing at the unfamiliar Snake-Person, then at Mo Ba Si, he sneered, "This is your confidence to challenge me?"
His mood was foul, and now someone was stoking the fire, begging for trouble.
"Heh, human, I admit I'm no match for you. But my brother Hei Du is a Dou Huang. A peak Dou Wang like you should show some humility!"
Mo Ba Si retreated a step, fear in his eyes, but bolstered by the Snake-Person beside him, he sneered.
"A Dou Huang, huh? Truly formidable!" Xiao Bai's gaze shifted to the stern Black Venom, cracking his wrists. "A few days ago, I killed a three-star peak Dou Huang in three moves. Wonder how many punches you'll take!"
The group froze, disbelief in their eyes. Bragging? A three-star Dou Huang? In three moves?!
Before they could process, the black-robed figure blurred.
Boom!
A muffled thud rang out. Mo Ba Si dazedly wiped warm liquid from his face, staring at his hand. His pupils shrank—Snake-People blood.
Hua She'er gaped, covering her mouth as the Second Commander flew back, blood spraying.
"Young Master Xiao… you didn't kill him, did you?" she asked anxiously, staring at the black-robed back.
If he'd killed the commander, explaining it to the queen would be a nightmare!
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