"You are the Hall Master of Boundless Heaven Hall?" The central figure—the Great Elder of the Snake-People Tribe—spoke in a voice as hoarse and grating as dry leaves scraping stone. "This old woman is the Great Elder of the Snake-People Tribe. These are the Second, Third, and Fourth Elders."
She introduced her three companions one by one, then cast a glance at Medusa standing beside Xiao Jietian. Inwardly she sighed: Our Queen… has truly turned her back on us.
"Junior Xiao Jietian greets the four Elders." Xiao Jietian offered a faint, polite smile and gave a slight bow. "May I ask what business the four Elders have with me?"
The Great Elder's tone suddenly sharpened. "We summoned you today to discuss two matters: our Queen Medusa's pregnancy… and the future migration of our entire tribe."
Four piercing gazes locked onto him at once. A terrifying pressure erupted, thick with killing intent.
The Third and Fourth Elders' expressions instantly changed to alarm.
Didn't we already agree beforehand that Xiao Jietian is a Dou Zun and absolutely not to be provoked?
They frantically winked at the Great Elder.
Only then did the Great Elder seem to remember something. The ferocious aura around her abruptly receded. An awkward, almost embarrassed smile appeared on her ancient face.
"Ahem… We invited Hall Master Xiao here today primarily to express our deepest gratitude. You used a baptism method far superior to our tribe's secret ancient ritual to nourish the child within our Queen's womb."
Medusa had only used a mid-grade nourishing treasure. What Xiao Jietian had taken out, however, was an Eighth Grade Pill.
The four Elders were well aware that Xiao Jietian was an alchemist. Seeing him casually produce an Eighth Grade Pill, they naturally assumed he was a genuine Tier 8 Alchemist.
A Tier 8 Alchemist—even a Dou Zun would treat him with utmost respect.
"For my own child, naturally I must use only the finest things to nourish him." Xiao Jietian's tone was calm but carried unshakable resolve. He never skimped when it came to his own people.
Medusa gazed at him with eyes full of tender love, the corners of her lips curving into a perfect, blissful arc.
Hearing those words, the Great Elder's wrinkled face bloomed into a genuine smile of delight. Her impression of the young man before her grew even more favorable by the moment.
This is truly an invaluable ally for our Snake-People Tribe.
If they weren't worried about offending Medusa, they would have long since gathered every beautiful female of the tribe and offered them all to Xiao Jietian, binding him even more tightly to their side.
"Our Queen has already informed us of the tribe's planned migration. We fully agree to it. From now on, we will have to trouble Hall Master Xiao."
Although the Great Elder had not yet personally seen the Eternal Heaven World, from Medusa's vivid descriptions she already knew it was hundreds—perhaps thousands—of times superior to their current desert home.
After that, the six of them began discussing the various details of the migration.
…
Meanwhile, in the Ancient World—Gu Clan's grand deliberation hall.
The high-ranking members of the Gu Clan were in the middle of heated discussion regarding the so-called "key" of the Xiao Clan.
Suddenly, the heavy doors were pushed open without ceremony.
A figure entered, her expression cold as frost. Brilliant golden flames flowed around her like liquid sunlight.
It was Xun'er, who had been away for a very long time.
She walked straight to the center of the hall, standing before all the Elders and her father, the Clan Leader Gu Yuan. Looking at them calmly, she spoke in an icy tone:
"Xiao Jietian gege has already become a Dou Zun. If any of you still harbor ideas… I will not stop you. However…"
She did not finish the sentence.
Her gaze slowly swept across every face in the hall—calm, indifferent, yet carrying an invisible pressure that made hearts tremble.
Then she turned and left without another word.
The current Xun'er had long since been influenced by Ya Fei, Xiao Jietian, and the others around him. She was no longer the overly cautious, conflicted girl of the past. Now, her eyes and her heart were filled only with Xiao Jietian.
Watching her departing figure, the entire Gu Clan fell into stunned silence as they digested the news.
A twenty-one-year-old Dou Zun… and without any Dou Di bloodline.
How monstrous was this talent?
Even Gu Yuan himself had never achieved such a thing at that age.
And Gu Yuan knew even more.
From Xun'er's own lips, he had learned that Xiao Jietian possessed a small independent world—one that could suppress or even kill a Dou Sheng who dared enter it.
Gu Yuan had always been a man who placed absolute profit above all else. Even familial affection could be discarded when the gains were great enough.
And the benefits this single piece of news promised… far outweighed the vague, uncertain value of that so-called "key."
After a long silence, Gu Yuan finally made his decision.
He issued a single command, then rose and headed toward Xun'er's cultivation grounds.
Father and daughter spoke privately for a long time. No one knew exactly what was said.
They only knew that when Gu Yuan emerged, his expression was thoughtful… yet the corners of his mouth carried a faint, satisfied smile.
Xun'er, meanwhile, had red earlobes and a shy, happy curve to her lips.
She took out her transmission stone, fingers hovering over it. She wanted so badly to tell Xiao Jietian the good news her father had just given her today.
But after several hesitant attempts, she ultimately put the stone away.
Better to tell him face-to-face when we meet.
In the distance, Elder Ling also smiled gently.
Though he hadn't heard the conversation, seeing the expression on Miss Xun'er's face was enough for him to guess the outcome.
In his heart, he was truly happy for her.
Finally…
…
Back in the bamboo house.
After all matters had been thoroughly discussed, the four Great Elders were smiling so widely their faces resembled blooming chrysanthemums. They respectfully escorted Xiao Jietian and Medusa out.
The biggest condition for the migration was simple: the Snake-People Tribe must formally join Boundless Heaven Hall and become a full subordinate faction, contributing to its growth and development.
During the discussion, Xiao Jietian had not forgotten to paint them a grand, tantalizing vision—the "biggest pie" they could ever imagine.
By contributing to Boundless Heaven Hall and earning sufficient contribution points, they could exchange them for Break Sect Pills, allowing their experts to break through to Dou Zong.
Under the allure of that round, golden "pie," the four Elders had agreed with almost indecent enthusiasm.
"Big Sister… you nearly scared me to death just now. If he had gotten angry, even if all four of us attacked together, we wouldn't know how many times we'd die from a single slap."
After Xiao Jietian left, the Fourth Elder whispered to the Great Elder, face still pale with lingering fear.
"I… I simply forgot myself for a moment. Old habits die hard. I momentarily forgot his true strength."
The other three Elders: …If you want to die, don't drag us down with you.
"It is truly a great blessing for our Snake-People Tribe. From this day forward, we must obey the Queen's commands without question." The Great Elder spoke solemnly to the other three.
All three nodded gravely in agreement.
…
Outside, walking along the quiet path once more.
"I really thought your Elders were going to drag out some ancient clan rule like the Ten Thousand Snakes Devouring the Body or something. What a pity." Xiao Jietian clicked his tongue, smiling at Medusa.
"I think you just wanted an excuse to teach them a lesson, didn't you?" Medusa rolled her eyes. "Though honestly… those four stubborn old fossils really did need a beating. In the past, they were always acting superior and obstructing everything I tried to do."
She recalled how the four Elders used to interfere constantly, and a mocking curve appeared at the corner of her mouth.
"Exactly. And don't forget who your husband is. From now on, they'll obey your every word obediently. You'll be able to manage the Snake-People Tribe far more smoothly."
"You always know how to flatter yourself." Medusa shot him a charming glare, but her hand quietly slipped around his arm. Slowly, she leaned her head against his shoulder.
"Still… let the Snake-People Tribe be governed completely under Boundless Heaven Hall. I don't want any special treatment. That would set a bad precedent."
"My dream was always to lead the Snake-People Tribe out of this desert and toward greater glory. Now that dream has come true. As long as the tribe doesn't perish, that's enough. After all… we have already reached an unprecedented peak."
Medusa spoke her true thoughts.
Since the Snake-People Tribe was integrating into Boundless Heaven Hall, it should integrate fully. Granting special privileges would only breed problems.
A faction could not afford multiple independent voices. There might be no issues now, but such decentralization would plant countless hidden dangers for the future.
Xiao Jietian glanced at her and said nothing more. He simply tightened his arm around her waist and gently stroked her soft hair.
He understood.
Medusa was making this concession for him—and for her sisters.
After all, Ya Fei's Mittel Clan had received no special privileges. He couldn't start making exceptions now.
He had so many companions and sisters, many of whom had powerful families or forces behind them. If he granted one group special status, he would have to do the same for the others. Then he would be the one in a difficult position.
"I'm going to take my sisters on a stroll through the Snake-People Holy City. Do you want to come along?" Medusa reached out her hand, gazing at him tenderly.
If it weren't broad daylight, and if her sisters weren't waiting, she would have long since dragged him somewhere private to express her passionate gratitude in the most direct way possible.