"Your turn!"
Xiao Bai ignored Hua She'er's question, his eyes glinting with icy menace as he advanced toward the terrified Mo Ba Si.
"I told you yesterday—next time, it's your head. Seems you didn't listen at all!"
"Y-you can't act recklessly! This is the Snake-People's royal palace!" Mo Ba Si's face drained of color, his voice quaking as the black-robed figure closed in.
He wanted to flee, but some strange force from the human pinned him in place.
"Snake-People's royal palace?" Xiao Bai's hand shot out, seizing Mo Ba Si's neck and lifting him off the ground. "Guess if I'm scared."
"Cough… how long are you all going to watch?" Mo Ba Si gasped, struggling to turn his head toward a shadowed corner, his voice breaking with desperation.
"Human, release Mo Ba Si," an aged voice called from the darkness, followed by several figures stepping into view.
"The eight tribal commanders of the Snake-People?"
Xiao Bai's cold gaze swept over the seven figures, each radiating a Dou Wang aura. His eyes lingered on a familiar one, his tone mocking. "What, planning to gang up?"
"Sigh." Yue Mei sighed, her voice soft as she addressed the stern black-robed figure. "Young Master Xiao, for Her Majesty's sake, please spare him."
"And if I don't?"
Xiao Bai's lips curled into a smile, but his dark eyes, set against the night, held no warmth, only a chilling edge.
Aside from Yue Mei, he saw no goodwill in the others' gazes.
"Form the array! Save Mo Ba Si first!"
The lead elder Snake-Person, seeing Mo Ba Si's struggles weaken, waved a withered arm and barked.
The figures moved, arranging themselves in a formation, hands weaving seals.
"Looking for a fight?"
A crisp, youthful shout rang out. A small figure darted to Xiao Bai's side, her big eyes sparkling with excitement, eager to jump in.
… Xiao Bai.
What's Zi Yan so hyped about?
"Xiao Bai, I'll take one, you handle six. We'll wipe them out, no problem, right?"
Zi Yan tugged his robe, standing on tiptoes, whispering conspiratorially behind her hand.
… Xiao Bai.
So that's your plan? I do the slaughtering, and you cheer?
Hua She'er's ears twitched, her face paling at the little girl's words. She shot Xiao Bai a pleading look. "Young Master Xiao, please don't! I'll fetch Her Majesty to handle this. She'll give you a satisfactory resolution, alright?"
"No need."
Xiao Bai waved her off, his peripheral vision catching something. Lightning surged at his feet, his form blurring into afterimages as he vanished.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Muffled impacts echoed in the dark, almost simultaneous.
"Xiao Bai, leave one for me!"
Zi Yan stomped in frustration as Xiao Bai's afterimages flickered past the Snake-People, who collapsed one by one. She rushed forward.
"You… you're really a Dou Wang?"
The elder commander, slumped on the ground with blood trickling from his mouth, stared at Xiao Bai holding Mo Ba Si, shock spilling from his eyes. "We're all peak Dou Wangs—how are you this strong?"
"Heh, you're not young. To think you'd ask such a foolish question!" Xiao Bai sneered. "Strength isn't just about Dou Qi realm. Cultivation techniques, Dou Techniques, combat talent, physical body, soul force, treasures, secret arts—so many factors elevate one's potential!"
"It's not that I'm too strong—it's that you're too weak!"
His words sent the group into self-doubt. Are we really that weak?
Ignoring them, Xiao Bai tossed Mo Ba Si to the ground. "I know why you're so hostile. You admire Queen Medusa, don't you?"
"Y-you're spouting nonsense!" Mo Ba Si, gasping for air, flushed red, stammering loudly.
"Look at you, too spineless to admit you like someone, resorting to petty schemes in the shadows. That's the difference between us!" Xiao Bai crouched, his gaze dripping with contempt.
"I-I…" Mo Ba Si shrank under that commanding stare, shame and rage churning within.
"Do better. This is your second chance. There won't be a third—next time, you die." Xiao Bai patted Mo Ba Si's shoulder three times.
The sharp pain from his injured shoulder made Mo Ba Si pale, his teeth clenched.
This human had targeted his wound, the force nearly knocking him out.
"Exactly! If you've got the guts, fight one-on-one! Calling backup's no skill!"
Zi Yan's crisp voice rang out, and Mo Ba Si promptly fainted.
"Hm?" Zi Yan raised her small, fair hand, inspecting it curiously before her face fell. "Xiao Bai, you've gotta back me up! I barely tapped him—didn't expect him to be so fragile!"
Xiao Bai's mouth twitched at the unconscious Mo Ba Si, giving Zi Yan a discreet thumbs-up.
Zi Yan blinked her bright eyes, a sly smile flashing before she resumed her pout.
… Hua She'er.
From her angle, she caught their subtle exchange. These two are in perfect sync.
Likely due to the queen, Xiao Bai held back, and Zi Yan seamlessly stepped in to finish the job.
Scanning the scene, Xiao Bai felt a twinge of boredom. He looked skyward, his tone sharp. "Seen enough? Come clean up!"
As the group puzzled, a cool voice laced with amusement echoed.
"Vented enough?"
"Hmph! If I really wanted to vent, I'd have slaughtered them all!" Xiao Bai rolled his eyes, snorting.
His chilling tone sent shivers through the crowd.
"I know you wouldn't."
A figure in a gold-red robe appeared in the air, her narrowed, enchanting phoenix eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!" The group scrambled to their feet, bowing.
"Mm." Cai Lin nodded, her gaze sweeping over them, her regal aura intensifying, her voice turning cold. "You're getting bolder. Did I not say today that Xiao Bai and his companions are honored guests of the Snake-People?"
Her icy, authoritative tone made their faces pale. They dropped to one knee, sensing her genuine anger.
"Hua She'er!"
"Your Majesty, I'm here!"
"Note this: Hei Du, for defying my decree, faces tribal punishment. Mo Ba Si is banished from the royal city—without my command, he's not to return. As for the rest of you…"
Her cool eyes scanned the other commanders, pausing as she glanced at Xiao Bai.
"What're you looking at me for? I'm not the one who got jumped!" Xiao Bai yawned, glancing at the hesitant queen. "Do what you think is right."
He understood her dilemma. These were pillars of the tribe—too harsh a punishment might breed resentment, too light, and he might feel slighted.
Hearing him, and seeing Cai Lin's expression, the Snake-People—save Yue Mei—exchanged stunned looks. Our queen, defending a human to this extent?
Is this still the untouchable goddess of our tribe?
"Then it's on record. Any further unprovoked harassment, and tribal law will deal with you!" Cai Lin's voice carried a hint of cheer.
"Thank you for your mercy, Your Majesty!"
The group bowed, crestfallen, envious of Xiao Bai while worrying for the tribe's future.
If the queen wed this human, given her deference to him, what would become of them?
Their gazes turned to Xiao Bai, as if he were a seductive enchantress destined to disrupt the court.
"Enough. Disperse. Hua She'er, take Hei Du and Mo Ba Si away," Cai Lin said, assessing the group.
"Yes! But Young Master Xiao…" Hua She'er hesitated, mid-escort.
"Leave him be," Cai Lin waved.
Hua She'er nodded, dragging the unconscious pair away. The others gradually dispersed.
Cai Lin stood with hands behind her back, pretending not to notice Xiao Bai's intense stare. Her eyes followed the departing crowd, a faint blush on her cheeks as she murmured, "You remember the way back, right?"
"What?" Xiao Bai rubbed his ears, a surge of joy rising, scarcely believing the figure in the air.
"Hmph! Didn't hear? Forget it!" Cai Lin flicked her sleeve in mock anger, spatial ripples swirling as she vanished.
"Haha, Cai Lin, wait for me!" Xiao Bai's eyes gleamed like stars in the night. He stepped forward, ready to follow.
A small hand grabbed his robe, a crisp voice piping up.
"Xiao Bai, where're you going? Take me!"
"Go play somewhere else! No time for you!" Xiao Bai brushed off the hand, slipping free.
Zi Yan was adorable, but cuteness paled next to allure!
Zi Yan pouted, crossing her arms, shouting, "Hmph! If you don't take me, I'll tell Xun—mmph!"
A beam of light shot from nowhere, landing in her open mouth, silencing her.
Her tongue flicked, eyes lighting up. Tasty!
Chewing the energy-rich pill, a sly glint crossed her eyes. She started again, "I'll tell Xian—mmph!"
Another streak of light hit, a new flavor. Her eyes squinted happily, ready to repeat the trick.
As she opened her mouth, Xiao Bai's furious voice boomed. "Don't push it, kid!"
"Heh…" Zi Yan grinned sheepishly, covering her mouth and nodding silently.
Xiao Bai's face darkened. This sly little brat.
He'd just bribed her with two fifth-tier herbs to shut her up.
Moments later, he stood before a familiar door, pushing stray thoughts aside. Taking a deep breath, he gently opened it.
The room was as he'd left it, but the gauzy figure was no longer at the desk. His gaze drifted to the bed.
Time flowed, and the night passed.
___
Morning sunlight filtered through the palace windows, casting dappled shadows that stretched to the bed.
"Xiao Bai! Are you done? Hug properly or get off!" Cai Lin's exasperated shout shattered the quiet.
Nestled in his arm, she glared up, cheeks flushed, her eyes blazing at the grinning man.
This jerk, aside from the arm she rested on, had hands that wouldn't stay still, driving her mad.
"Alright, my queen, I'll behave!" Xiao Bai chuckled, stroking her hair and kissing her smooth forehead.
Cai Lin huffed, grabbing his wandering hand with her fair arm and placing it on her slender waist. Burying her face in his chest, she warned, "Behave!"
"Got it." Xiao Bai tightened his hold, savoring her fragrance, his heart torn.
Last night's mood had been electric, but at the crucial moment, she'd told him they couldn't!
He'd nearly exploded, tempted to tear the roof off!
"Damn that altar ritual!" He cursed the Snake-People's rules inwardly.
Sensing his frustration, Cai Lin's lips curved slightly. Last night showed he respected her beyond mere desire, warming her heart.
Recalling something, she asked softly, "That little girl last night—what's her deal with you?"
Xiao Bai's heart raced. Did she hear Zi Yan's threat?
"She's a Jia Nan Academy student. Why?" He kept his tone calm despite his nerves.
"She's not human," Cai Lin said firmly.
"Heh." Xiao Bai exhaled in relief. That's what this is about. "You sensed it?"
"Yes. Her bloodline's extraordinary. My Seven-Colored Heaven-Swallowing Python felt suppressed near her!" Cai Lin frowned, incredulous.
"It's a bit of pressure, but once you reach Nine-Colored, that should fade," Xiao Bai said lightly.
"Hah, Nine-Colored? You think highly of me. That supreme bloodline hasn't appeared in ages!" Cai Lin shook her head.
"Anything's possible!" Xiao Bai smiled. "People should have dreams—what if they come true, right?"
"Don't worry, my queen, I'll help you."
Cai Lin rolled her eyes, scoffing, "That's not a dream—that's a delusion!"
"No faith in me?" Xiao Bai pinched her rosy cheek, feigning menace. "What if I pull it off?"
"Heh." Cai Lin swatted his hand, smirking. "If you actually do, I'll grant your every wish!"
"Really?" Xiao Bai's eyes gleamed, a wicked grin spreading.
Seeing his look, Cai Lin knew what he was thinking, recalling his bold requests last night. Shameless scondrel!
Her phoenix eyes shimmered, and she leaned to his ear, her sultry voice whispering, "If you can, why wouldn't I indulge you?"
His excited expression made her smile inwardly. He can't possibly do it, so what's the harm in agreeing?
____
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