Chapter 89: Medusa Reappears!
"Ah!"
Xiao Yi Xian, who had been watching the entrance nearby, turned bright red at his words. Both hands clutched the hem of her clothes, at a complete loss.
Even Qing Lin, who was always thinking of Jiang Yun, buried her small head shyly in her chest, her face flushed with embarrassment.
"Oh, the energy of the Earth Core Body-Tempering Milk is far too vast. With your current strength, ingesting it directly is basically impossible. That's why we can only use this method to achieve the effect of marrow-cleansing and bone-tempering."
Jiang Yun explained to the two of them. But seeing that Xiao Yi Xian was still in a shy state, he chuckled silently and stopped teasing them.
"However, after being neutralized by dozens of medicinal ingredients I added, you two can now safely absorb it. When you enter later, remember to only come out after the water has completely cleared. Don't waste it!"
"Ah— You won't be staying here to watch?" As Jiang Yun's voice fell, Xiao Yi Xian let out a startled cry and looked up at him in delighted surprise.
"You were really hoping I'd stay inside?" Jiang Yun glanced at her oddly and asked in a tone full of hidden meaning.
"No, no! Get out, quickly!" Xiao Yi Xian's face flushed even hotter. She pushed Jiang Yun, shoving him out the door.
Jiang Yun was pushed a couple of steps and went along with it, smoothly leaving the wooden hut. Before leaving, he casually set up a defensive array.
"Bad guy!" Watching Jiang Yun's departing back, Xiao Yi Xian murmured. Turning her head, she met Qing Lin's barely-suppressed smile, which made Xiao Yi Xian even more embarrassed.
"Qing Lin, you're actually laughing at your big sister! See if I don't strip you bare..."
Making a clawing gesture playfully, Xiao Yi Xian pounced on Qing Lin.
"Big Sister Xiao Yi Xian, you're not stronger than me, you know~"
Naturally, Qing Lin fought back. And because Qing Lin was the stronger of the two, it wasn't long before the clothes on Xiao Yi Xian slipped off piece by piece. A fair as jade, exquisitely curved and delicate body was laid bare within the room.
What a pity no one was there to see this scene!
A fiery red lotus flower bobbed up and down in midair, emitting strands of unusual fragrance that spread outward. Instantly, all the medicinal herbs in the valley seemed to grow more spirited and full of life, swaying in this direction.
"Xiao Yun, what is this?"
Just then, Zi Yan's head popped out from behind Jiang Yun's shoulder. Drool dripped onto Jiang Yun's shoulder. From the moment Zi Yan appeared, her eyes had never left the Dreamlike Fire God Lotus.
Her instincts told her that if she ate it, she could break through to Dou Zong—even Dou Zun!
But a sliver of remaining reason warned her it was extremely dangerous. If she did that, she would immediately be burst apart by the energy!
"This is the main ingredient for a ninth-tier pill, the Dreamlike Fire God Lotus..." Jiang Yun wrapped an arm around Zi Yan's slender waist and explained, lest she lose her reason.
"A ninth-tier pill!" Wiping the drool from the corner of her mouth, Zi Yan said longingly, "I wonder what it tastes like?"
Looking at the silly-dragon Zi Yan, a flash of amusement passed through Jiang Yun's eyes. Just at that moment, movement stirred against his chest. He looked down to see a colorful snake head poking out.
After the Nine-Colored Devouring Heaven Python appeared, it first glanced at the Dreamlike Fire God Lotus before it, a fiery look flashing deep in its eyes. It slithered onto Jiang Yun's shoulder, gave a slight wag of its tail, then raised its upper body and rubbed against Jiang Yun's cheek, much like a puppy currying favor with its owner.
"This can't be given to you!" Jiang Yun shook his head. The Nine-Colored Devouring Heaven Python immediately wilted. Seeing this, Jiang Yun chuckled softly: "You can eat this instead. At this stage, it'll be more than enough!"
As his voice fell, Jiang Yun flicked his finger. A single Earth Fire Lotus Seed was accurately shot into the Nine-Colored Devouring Heaven Python's slightly open mouth.
The moment the seed entered its mouth, the Nine-Colored Devouring Heaven Python first whirled around happily, then an intense radiance suddenly burst forth from within its body.
The light flashed and disappeared instantly, but in the instant after the light appeared, Jiang Yun and Zi Yan's expressions changed somewhat. The body of the Nine-Colored Devouring Heaven Python on Jiang Yun's shoulder suddenly emanated a nine-colored glow.
In the next second, an exquisitely soft, flexible body appeared in Jiang Yun's arms.
For a moment, three pairs of eyes met. Gazing upon that perfect face—worthy of the word 'bewitching'—Jiang Yun couldn't help but sigh that this woman was truly a masterpiece of creation, possessing an enchanting allure that was hard to conceal.
This woman was practically the dream lover in every man's heart.
At this moment, her pair of bright, beautiful eyes were fixed on him with a hint of embarrassment and anger.
"Have you held me long enough?"
Just then, an icy, frost-laced voice rang out. Zi Yan was staring coldly at Medusa in Jiang Yun's arms.
Hearing this, Medusa immediately snapped out of it and left Jiang Yun's embrace. Looking at Jiang Yun and the others, her brow furrowed slightly. Fragmented, disjointed memories surfaced in her mind. Gazing at Jiang Yun, her expression was somewhat complicated.
"Where are my people?" Although she already had a guess, Medusa still wanted to hear the answer from the other's mouth.
"Haven't you already figured it out?" Jiang Yun spread both hands and shrugged.
Hearing this, Medusa secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Then, regaining her composure, she looked at Jiang Yun and said icily, "Although I am very grateful for everything you've done, you actually treated the original body I evolved into as a pet to raise?"
"I've never treated you as a pet to raise. What I'm raising is the Nine-Colored Devouring Heaven Python, not Medusa!" Jiang Yun felt he shouldn't carry this black pot on his back. These were clearly two separate souls; how could they be lumped together?
Medusa frowned slightly, but didn't dwell on this matter. Looking around for a moment, she asked, "Where is this?"
"Hey— you stinking woman! The moment you come out, you just keep asking questions non-stop. Do you even realize your current situation?!"
Before Jiang Yun could answer, Zi Yan couldn't hold back anymore. She stepped past Jiang Yun, came right before Medusa, and said coldly.
"So it's you." Medusa naturally recognized Zi Yan. Seeing the other now, her heart felt a bit off-kilter too. Sensing the other's strength, she sneered coldly, "You are no match for This King now. For Grandmaster Jiang's sake, This King won't hold it against you!"
Toward Jiang Yun, this unfathomable alchemist, Medusa still chose to offer respect. But toward Zi Yan, she didn't have nearly as pleasant a face.
To earn her respect, one's strength first had to receive her acknowledgment!
"What—"
"Take your granny's fist!"
Zi Yan was instantly driven mad with rage. With a sharp cry, the aura of a Dou Huang erupted from her body, and a dragon fist shot straight toward Medusa's enchantingly beautiful face.
Medusa's brow furrowed. Before, toward Zi Yan's attacks, she would have had to face them with full seriousness. But times had changed; she had evolved into a Nine-Colored Devouring Heaven Python, her bloodline on par with Zi Yan's. Rank seven against rank six—there was no suspense.
As her Dou Qi circulated, suddenly, Medusa's expression changed drastically. In her panic, she looked at Jiang Yun and urgently called out, "I hope the Grandmaster will resolve the issue of the twin souls in one body. Medusa will certainly offer a generous reward afterwards..."
Before she could finish, an intense light burst forth. Medusa Queen's body slowly shrank, ultimately transforming back into that tiny nine-colored serpent...
The moment the nine-colored serpent appeared, Zi Yan's punch also missed its mark. She watched the harmless-looking Nine-Colored Devouring Heaven Python with supreme frustration, anger with nowhere to vent.
"Detestable—!"
The Nine-Colored Devouring Heaven Python glanced at the strange Zi Yan, shook its head as if declaring it wouldn't be friends with stupid dragons, flicked its tail, and darted to Jiang Yun's side. It abruptly raised its body, and seeing Jiang Yun's handsome face, its snake tongue flickered in and out, emitting soft hissing sounds.
"You little glutton, it was that mean sister who scared you. Why are you coming to me?" Jiang Yun rubbed the Nine-Colored Devouring Heaven Python's head somewhat amusedly.
Seeing this, the little Devouring Heaven Python immediately put on a pitiful, wronged expression. Realizing Jiang Yun remained unmoved, its pale purple snake pupils stared at his smiling face for a moment. Feeling a bit miffed, it curled its body onto Jiang Yun's shoulder sulkily and turned its little head aside in a huff.
Watching the Devouring Heaven Python act just like a child throwing a tantrum, Jiang Yun shook his head helplessly, reached out his hand, gently stroked its body, and said with a soft laugh:
"With me here, that fierce woman won't do anything to you. If she's mean to you again, I'll help you!"
Seeing the other still showed no reaction, Jiang Yun smiled and retrieved the Earth Core Body-Tempering Milk from his ring. He opened the bottle, and a faint, fragrant scent slowly wafted out.
The moment the Earth Core Body-Tempering Milk left the ring, the Devouring Heaven Python, which had been lazily sprawled and ignoring him on Jiang Yun's shoulder, immediately straightened up. A flicker of longing passed through its snake pupils.
Turning its head to look at Jiang Yun's smiling face, it hesitated for an instant, but ultimately couldn't resist the craving in its heart. Flicking its tail, it affectionately rubbed against Jiang Yun's cheek, its snake tongue flicking in and out with hissing sounds.
Seeing Jiang Yun didn't object, the Devouring Heaven Python flipped its tail, its body transforming into a streak of light, appearing before the bottle with lightning speed. It dipped its head down, extended its snake tongue directly into the bottle, and greedily lapped it up.
"Tch— look at that pathetic behavior. Truly shaming all Magical Beasts!"
Zi Yan, who had watched the entire spectacle, thought of Medusa inside the Devouring Heaven Python's body and how the little serpent growing stronger meant Medusa growing stronger. Immediately feeling a pang of sourness, she let out a mocking remark.
Of course, at this moment, the little Devouring Heaven Python didn't have time to pay Zi Yan any heed. After draining the Earth Core Body-Tempering Milk in the bottle in one go, it gave a satisfied burp and somewhat groggily pulled its head from the bottle's mouth. Swaying side to side, it slithered back into Jiang Yun's arms and continued its slumber.
"And you can only eat my leftovers!" Feeling ignored, Zi Yan watched the Devouring Heaven Python burrow into Jiang Yun's embrace and only then remembered: it had been lying in Jiang Yun's embrace the whole time! Didn't that also mean that annoying woman had been lying in Jiang Yun's embrace the whole time?
A sour feeling immediately bubbled up in her heart!
Hearing Zi Yan's muttering, Jiang Yun was at a loss for words. Truly a child—jealous even of a snake.
Thinking of what he needed to do next, Jiang Yun checked the ring in his hand, did a quick inventory of the treasures within, and said thoughtfully:
"I'm still short of a few medicinal ingredients." Jiang Yun turned his head to look at the Magical Beast Mountain Range behind him. "Hopefully, it has the ingredients I need!"
"Bai Ya!"
"Grandmaster Jiang Yun!"
As his voice fell, the enormous body of the Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor appeared behind Jiang Yun. It lowered its head, looking at Jiang Yun and Zi Yan respectfully, without the slightest trace of the ferociousness from their first meeting.
"After Zi Yan and I leave, you are to watch over the safety of Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin. Should they wake up early, inform them that we will return very soon!"
"Yes!"
Watching the Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor agree, Jiang Yun nodded and turned to Zi Yan with a smile: "Let's go. I need to search the Magical Beast Mountain Range for a few medicinal ingredients. I'll be counting on you for this!"
"Leave it to me!" Zi Yan patted her chest with full confidence and dragged Jiang Yun towards the Magical Beast Mountain Range with great enthusiasm.
"Bang—"
The Amethyst Winged Lion King collapsed on the ground, covered in blood. In pain, it stared ahead, where a small young Amethyst Winged Lion King was charging recklessly at that demon-like figure.
"Overestimating yourself!"
Yun Yi sneered coldly. He calmly stretched out his palm and suddenly swept it forward. A dark, gloomy black beam of light appeared, as if splitting the void asunder, cleaving space itself in two.
"Rumble—"
The young Amethyst Winged Lion King was sent flying backward. Without any suspense, it followed its mother's path and collapsed into a pool of blood.
"My child—" The Amethyst Winged Lion King let out a mournful cry, its eyes filled with poison and resentment as it stared at Yun Yi. Unwilling to accept its fate, it asked, "Who exactly are you? Why do you want to exterminate us, mother and child?"
Yun Yi stared at the Amethyst Winged Lion King expressionlessly and said in an icy tone, "Those who submit to me prosper; those who resist me perish. For anyone who refuses my Soul Hall, their fate is already sealed!"
Hearing this, the Amethyst Winged Lion King's pupils shrank violently. It recalled the scene when this person had first appeared: a quarter of an hour ago, this man had abruptly shown up at its doorstep.
He had immediately demanded that it become his mount. The Amethyst Winged Lion King had refused without a second thought. It was a perfectly fine overlord of its domain—why would it go pull someone's cart? Had its brain gone bad?!
And then, its nightmare had begun!
"Just because of this?" Even now, the Amethyst Winged Lion King found it hard to believe. Just because it refused, the other wanted to exterminate them entirely?!
"Isn't that enough?"
"Or have you forgotten? This has always been a world where the strong prey on the weak and the strong reign supreme. The weak have no right to refuse!"
Yun Yi coldly shattered the other's last shred of fantasy. "Whoosh—" A mass of black flames ignited in his palm as he slowly walked toward the Amethyst Winged Lion King.
The appearance of the flames made the Amethyst Winged Lion King feel an intense unease. It instinctively wanted to retreat, but the heart-wrenching pain wracking its body reminded it: it was no longer the overlord of the Magical Beast Mountain Range.
Walking up close, looking at the barely breathing young Amethyst Winged Lion King and the Amethyst Winged Lion King watching him warily, Yun Yi said, "The ending was already predetermined. No matter what, you cannot escape it."
As his voice fell, two streaks of black flame flew toward the two, and in an instant, they entered their bodies.
"Roar—"
Fierce flames blazed within them. The Amethyst Winged Lion King let out a painful, mournful howl. It felt as if it was about to be burned to ashes. But what was strange was that, as time passed, the auras of both steadily climbed, soon reaching the bottleneck of Dou Huang and entering an entirely different level.
And accompanying their rise in strength, right at the center of both their foreheads, a massive black flame mark was slowly solidifying into form.