Chapter 97: Don't Worry, I've Got a Good Grip
After Xie Bi Yan fled, Hai Bodong didn't pursue. In fact, he even stopped Caidie from chasing after him. As an experienced veteran, he knew well the consequences of pushing a half-step Dou Zong into a corner. Someone like that could easily take one or two people down with them before dying.
In a battle between similarly ranked powerhouses, it was rare to determine life and death—unless one side possessed a high-level Dou Technique.
But such techniques were extremely rare and difficult to master. Few below the Dou Zong level could use them effectively, much less unleash them at full power.
"Letting that old man off easy…" Caidie huffed in frustration. Her Dou Qi wings fluttered behind her as she turned into a streak of light, flying toward her sister. But when she saw Queen Medusa resting gently in Yao Yan's arms, her bright eyes blinked, and she looked suspiciously at Yao Yan's hand on her sister's waist. Instinctively, she recalled what he'd said earlier:
"Your sister used a secret technique and shouldn't circulate her Dou Qi for now, or it could become difficult to treat."
Yao Yan, perfectly composed under Caidie's probing gaze, calmly replied, "It's true—her condition is unstable. Best to avoid overexertion."
"Oh~"
Caidie nodded, seemingly convinced and asking no further questions.
Queen Medusa couldn't help but twitch at the corners of her lips. Her alluring gaze rolled sideways at her naïve little sister. Did she really not think to come help her own sister up? She was just going to let her big sister be held by her man in front of her?
But seeing how calm Yao Yan was, saying anything now would make it seem like she was inventing a problem where there wasn't one.
She didn't even know what to say at this point.
Hai Bodong arrived shortly afterward. Seeing Yao Yan carrying Queen Medusa, he was momentarily stunned and looked at him with admiration. But under Queen Medusa's icy glare, he quickly sobered and said seriously, "Xie Bi Yan's strength isn't low. Killing him wouldn't have been easy."
"Forcing someone like him into a desperate situation wouldn't be wise."
Queen Medusa, for once, didn't argue. She acknowledged Xie Bi Yan's power. Among all her past opponents, he was clearly the strongest. Even with a secret technique that consumed her potential, she couldn't defeat him—in fact, she was suppressed the whole time.
Yao Yan nodded slightly and said, "Once your injuries are healed, we'll go settle the score."
Hai Bodong knew the Scorpion Sect well. After years of traveling, he was quite familiar with the Chu Yun Empire. "The Scorpion Sect is no pushover. Aside from that old man who's nearly Dou Zong, their current sect leader is also a formidable Dou Huang. Plus, their elite disciples aren't weak either."
"This has nothing to do with you. Today's debt will be repaid in time—by me," Queen Medusa said coldly, glancing at Yao Yan. She didn't want to owe him a favor—especially considering his relationship with her sister. It made her instinctively want to keep things clear between them. She had never been someone who tolerated ambiguity.
"Your Majesty, I never said I was doing it for you," Yao Yan replied with a light chuckle. Compared to vengeance for Queen Medusa, he was far more interested in the Scorpion Sect's Magic Venom Scar. In the original story, it was like a powerful tonic. Xiao Yan's early rapid advancement had a lot to do with it.
If Yao Yan activated his Devouring Spirit Tribe mode, he could level up quickly through slaughter. But Dou Qi obtained that way would be unstable, and he didn't want to ruin his future path. Instead, he preferred to balance things out—like the Evil Spirit Tribe from the original story, who could use both spiritual energy and demonic energy from the outside world.
Otherwise, in the future, once he reached the Great Thousand World, he'd probably get killed as soon as he landed.
And that was something Yao Yan definitely wanted to avoid.
Queen Medusa frowned slightly, her gaze settling on Yao Yan's almost unfairly handsome face. Just as she was about to speak, Caidie leaned in and smiled sweetly, "I know, Young Master was doing it to vent for me!"
Her sister's words immediately shut down whatever Queen Medusa had been about to say. She looked at Caidie helplessly, irritated. She could tell Yao Yan was likely being honest—he probably had other reasons.
"Big Sister, where are the rest of the tribe's powerhouses? Why did they leave you to fight that old guy alone?" Caidie asked curiously, blinking.
"They were held off by others from the Scorpion Sect," Queen Medusa replied softly. Still, she wasn't worried about her tribe. If things truly got out of hand, those four old monsters wouldn't sit idly by.
Yao Yan added, "Now that Xie Bi Yan retreated, the rest will likely follow. Still, we should check in with the others."
"Should I hide first?" Caidie asked a little nervously. She knew about the Four Great Elders' decree—only one of the two sisters could survive. She'd broken that rule and returned home. There was no way those old guys would just let it go.
"No need," Queen Medusa and Yao Yan said in unison.
They glanced at each other afterward. Queen Medusa immediately looked away, while Yao Yan grinned and kept staring. Then he turned to Caidie and said, "It's fine. Your sister and I already discussed everything."
"…Really?" Caidie tilted her head and looked at them both. Something about their atmosphere felt off.
"Really. Let's go," Queen Medusa replied a little awkwardly, eager to move things along.
Caidie nodded sweetly, then looked at Yao Yan still holding her sister. She added warmly, "Hold her tight!"
"…Don't worry, I've got a good grip," Yao Yan blinked, then smiled and nodded.
This time, Queen Medusa didn't stay silent. She shot him a cold look and said flatly, "Put me down. I'll recover with some breathing."
Yao Yan sighed in disappointment but didn't argue. He carried her down and gently set her on the ground. With a flick of his hand, he pulled out two bottles of pills and handed them to her. "One to restore Dou Qi, one to nourish your core. It'll help stabilize your energy. As for your lost bloodline power, we'll handle that back at your palace."
He still had some unused Companion Amethyst Source, which could be used to refine pills for her recovery.
Caidie didn't react much.
Queen Medusa, however, pursed her lips and glanced sideways at Yao Yan. She almost asked: "Was the hug comfy?"
But in the end, she held it in.
She wasn't about to start that kind of conversation in front of her sister.
(END CHAPTER)
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