"You die for me!"
Yun Ling roared as Dou Qi erupted from his body. Power surged into his fist, and without hesitation, he hurled himself toward Xiao Jietian.
"Yun Ling! You dare lay a hand on him? You're courting death!"
Yun Yun's expression changed instantly. In a flash, she leapt forward in fury.
Yet Yun Ling noticed that Xiao Jietian did not move at all.
A cruel smile crept across his face.
His fist passed cleanly through Xiao Jietian's body——but no blood splashed forth.
Instead, the figure before him slowly dissipated like mist.
"Damn it… an afterimage!"
Yun Ling howled in rage.
Before he could react, a bone-chilling wind swept past him. A sharp sense of danger exploded in his mind. He spun around—
—and met Xiao Jietian's mocking gaze.
Lightning crackled violently around Xiao Jietian's fist.
Under Yun Ling's horrified stare, that fist slammed heavily into his waist.
Bang!
Yun Ling was sent flying like a broken sack, blood spraying from his mouth. Even fragments of shattered organs could be seen within the crimson mist. His internal injuries were devastating—his kidneys had likely been completely destroyed.
Before his body could even stabilize in midair, a green figure appeared beside him.
Wham!
A ruthless whip kick landed squarely on Yun Ling's body, sending him flying in a different direction.
Immediately after, a purple silhouette flashed past.
Boom!
Another powerful kick smashed Yun Ling straight into the ground, creating a deep crater.
Three Dou King elders rushed forward at once.
Xiao Jietian glanced at the broken Yun Ling and clicked his tongue lightly.
"Those kicks were clean. Looked painful, too."
Despite his shattered bones, Yun Ling still clung to life—clearly, Yun Yun and Little Fairy Doctor had held back.
First a Fire Lotus to the face, now a coordinated double strike.
Truly pitiful.
"Yun Ling."
Yun Yun stepped forward, her voice cold and merciless.
"By the authority of the Sect Master, I hereby strip you of your position as Grand Elder, along with all official powers."
Yun Ling's eyes widened in fury. His mouth trembled as if he wanted to speak—
—but only blood poured out, soaking the ground beneath him.
In the modern world, such injuries would have meant instant death.
"Take him away," Yun Yun said indifferently, waving her hand."He brought this upon himself and nearly plunged the sect into chaos."
Two Dou King elders lifted Yun Ling and carried him away. The remaining elder approached Gu He.
Before leaving, Gu He paused and looked deeply at Yun Yun and Xiao Jietian. After a long moment, he let out a soft sigh—one that seemed oddly relieved—before turning and departing.
"Are you hurt?"
Yun Yun quickly moved to Xiao Jietian's side, carefully examining him.
"Do you really need to ask?" Xiao Jietian smiled faintly."Yun Ling was never a threat. Xian'er was calm the entire time—otherwise, he wouldn't have survived the first move."
He raised his gaze toward the sky.
A faint residual aura lingered above, evidence that someone had been watching.
"…Master?" Yun Yun asked hesitantly.
Xiao Jietian nodded slightly, the corner of his lips curling.
Yun Shan had indeed been there.
At first, he had intended to intervene—but after sensing Little Fairy Doctor's terrifying strength, he had withdrawn without acting.
Soon after, Yun Yun dismissed the gathered elders and disciples, restoring order to the sect.
Eternal Heaven World
Within Xiao Jietian's palace, his aura surged violently.
Boom!
His cultivation broke through—Six-Star Dou King.
After stabilizing his realm, Xiao Jietian proceeded with his usual alchemy. Once finished, he bathed briefly and lay down to rest.
The moment he closed his eyes—
A tall, cold, exquisitely proportioned woman in a crimson dress appeared beside him.
"Fei Yan," Xiao Jietian sat up and smiled."So you finally couldn't resist coming out."
"I appear when I wish," Medusa said arrogantly."You don't control me."
"Oh?" Xiao Jietian raised an eyebrow."Then should I tell the little one to never let you out again—even if it kills her?"
He could clearly sense it now.
The two souls were already beginning to assimilate.
This Medusa Queen no longer bore a serpent's tail. Instead, she possessed a pair of long, flawless legs—so long they seemed almost unreal.
"Hmph!"
Shame and fury flashed across Medusa's face.
"What, are you planning to curse me now?" Xiao Jietian asked teasingly.
"Curse you?" she scoffed."This queen has better things to do."
She paused, then spoke seriously.
"I know you've been waiting for me. Give me the item, and I'll work for you for three years."
In truth, the idea had once been unacceptable.
Yet now, as her soul merged with the other, the thought of remaining by Xiao Jietian's side no longer felt unbearable.
She couldn't even tell whether it was soul influence… or her own heart.
After all, among the Medusa lineage, only a man stronger than the Queen was worthy to stand beside her.
Xiao Jietian took out a purple-silver scroll and casually tossed it onto the bed.
"The formula for the Soul Fusion Pill."
"As for the ingredients," he continued calmly,"you can gather them yourself. Of course, I can help—but nothing comes free."
"Hmph. I know that much."
Despite her prideful tone, a faint smile surfaced as her eyes lingered on the scroll.
This man might bully her relentlessly——but he always honored his promises.
"Fei Yan," Xiao Jietian asked, watching her closely."What realm are you in now?"
She thought for a moment.
"In my Seven-Colored Sky-Swallowing Python form, I'm equivalent to a Tier-Five magical beast. In human form… a Dou Zong."
"Barely passable," Xiao Jietian chuckled.
He lifted her smooth chin with his fingers, his voice low and amused.
"Behave well, and I might reward you with some of the ingredients."
Medusa's pupils shrank.
That temptation was irresistible.
"Then how do you want me to behave?" she asked softly, her long legs swaying slightly as a captivating smile appeared.
"That," Xiao Jietian replied lazily,"depends on you."
Her expression instantly cooled.
She slapped his hand away and said sharply,"And if I refuse?"
In the blink of an eye, Xiao Jietian flipped her beneath him, pressing her firmly onto the bed.
"You are mine now," he said calmly."I am the butcher. You are the fish. If you want the pill, don't play Queen with me."
"Xiao Jietian—let go of this queen!"
Medusa struggled furiously, humiliation and anger burning in her eyes.
Yet she strangely forgot—or perhaps chose to forget—that her strength had already recovered.
She resisted only with her body.
Feeling his gaze sweep over her, memories of his past ruthlessness surfaced in her mind.
Panic crept into her heart.
After a moment, Xiao Jietian released her and rolled aside.
"I'll keep my word," he said casually."As for everything else… we'll discuss it later."
Without another word, Medusa transformed back into a seven-colored little snake.
What Xiao Jietian did not notice—was that just before transforming, her ears were burning red, as if about to bleed.
"…Later, you say?"
Xiao Jietian's expression became oddly complicated.
If Medusa knew what he was thinking, she might have whipped him to death on the spot.
Outside a lavish building within the Cloud Mist Sect, several shadowy figures silently emerged under the cover of night and disappeared into the distance.
At the same time, a lone woman arrived quietly before the door.