"Do you think I'm a fool? To believe your words? Queen Medusa, you are not that kind of person," Xiao Tian scoffed, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"It seems you are still somewhat different from those foolish humans."
Queen Medusa regained her composure, her expression turning serious. She vanished from Xiao Tian's arms and sat down on the chair beside him, gazing deeply at him.
"Tell me, what do I need to do for you to help me obtain the Soul Fusion Pill recipe?"
"Ah, why do I suddenly feel a bit tired in my shoulders?" Xiao Tian gently rotated his shoulder, speaking with obvious hidden meaning.
Upon hearing this, a sharp glint flashed in Queen Medusa's eyes. She narrowed them slightly as she stared at Xiao Tian.
Meeting his meaningful gaze, Queen Medusa lowered her head and remained silent for a moment.
Xiao Tian smiled faintly and said nothing more. He leisurely sipped the tea in front of him.
About half a minute later, Queen Medusa bit her lip. With complex emotions in her eyes, she stood up and walked behind Xiao Tian.
She extended her slender, jade-like hands, placed them on his shoulders, and began to massage him.
"Hmm, not bad. Cai Li, lighten up a bit. Do you think you're kneading iron?"
Who could enjoy a massage from Queen Medusa? Xiao Tian felt pleasure filling both his body and mind.
Queen Medusa's face was filled with indignation. Her silver teeth were almost ground to dust. But when she remembered that she still needed his help to get what she wanted, her anger quickly dissipated, and the strength in her hands gradually became gentler and more appropriate.
Having received the memories of the Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python, she knew very clearly that the man before her could already refine fifth-tier pills.
Fifth-tier alchemists were extremely rare in the Jia Ma Empire, and all of them were middle-aged or elderly men. In a competition among peers, if he participated, the championship would almost certainly be his.
"What exactly do you need in exchange for helping me get that pill recipe?" Queen Medusa's soft voice sounded from behind Xiao Tian, like that of an aggrieved young wife.
Upon hearing this voice, Xiao Tian shivered. Was this still Queen Medusa?
"Guess?"
Guess your big head! Medusa was speechless for a moment.
She was furious. When had she ever suffered such humiliation? It was too infuriating.
"Keep going. Don't stop. If I'm comfortable enough, maybe I'll just give you the pill recipe for free."
Queen Medusa had stopped massaging because she was sulking over Xiao Tian's previous words.
She wished she could smash Xiao Tian's head with a single palm.
In this situation, where he was the butcher and she was the fish on the chopping block, the masseuse Queen Medusa came back online.
About ten minutes later.
"After I obtain the Soul Fusion Pill recipe, I can exchange it with you," Xiao Tian said slowly as he lightly tapped the table with his finger.
"Then what are your terms?" Queen Medusa's previously numb expression suddenly brightened. She immediately moved in front of Xiao Tian.
"I want you, Cai Li, to stay by my side and work for me for three years."
The moment she heard the first part of his sentence, Queen Medusa immediately stood up and said loudly, her beautiful eyes filled with anger. "Don't even think about it! This Queen would rather die than be subservient to anyone!"
After hearing the rest of his words, her embarrassed eyes darted around.
"Just speak properly. Why are you gasping for air?"
"You interrupted me directly."
Queen Medusa felt a pang of guilt under Xiao Tian's gaze.
"Three years is too long," she said. She didn't outright refuse, but furrowed her beautiful brows in thought.
"What if I also help you refine the pill once you gather the ingredients?" Xiao Tian looked at Queen Medusa with a full smile.
She considered it. Even if she obtained the recipe, she would still need to find another alchemist, and whether they would help her was uncertain. Moreover, she didn't want to ask Gu He — she had already cooperated with Xiao Tian to capture him before.
"I can agree to your terms, but I also have one condition," Queen Medusa gritted her teeth and reluctantly accepted.
"You don't have the right to negotiate. You are the one who wants to make an exchange with me, so you must diligently carry out my orders."
Xiao Tian stood up, walked to the bed, sat cross-legged, and entered a state of cultivation.
"That damned bastard…" Queen Medusa couldn't help but curse inwardly, her face flushed with anger.
Before, she had called him "sweetheart." Now she called him "madam cow."
Knowing that she could only passively accept the situation without any power to make demands or object, she could only angrily pick up the teacup in front of her and drink all the water inside.
"Drink all your water, you damned bastard. May you die of thirst for being so overbearing when you have the upper hand."
Hearing Medusa's angry mutterings, Xiao Tian, who was sitting on the bed, almost twisted his mouth into a crooked smile.
Afterward, she transformed back into the Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python. Her time outside was almost up — the little one still had control of the body for now.
…
Time flew by. The sun set and the moon rose. Seven days passed quietly.
Xiao Tian, who was cultivating in his room, suddenly felt a smooth, tender body slip into his arms.
"The people from the Alchemist Guild came by just now. They said the Alchemist Grand Assembly tests will begin the day after tomorrow and want you to participate," Ya Fei said with a smile as she nestled in Xiao Tian's arms.
"Hmm. Then do you want to come with me?"
"No, I still have a lot of things to do tomorrow, so I won't accompany you. Besides, non-alchemists can't enter the inner arena. I'll wait here for your good news."
…
The next morning.
Xiao Tian, still half-asleep, felt something like a fine thread gently brushing against him — light and soft.
"Hmm…"
He instinctively waved his hand, wanting to dispel the disturbance. However, that sensation lingered, teasing him constantly and preventing him from falling back asleep.
Xiao Tian slowly opened his eyes. What met his gaze was a charming and alluring face. Her eyes were as deep as a pool, sparkling with captivating light, as if hiding endless tenderness.
It was Ya Fei. She was lying on her side, one hand propping up her cheek, while the other played with his hair.
Xiao Tian suddenly realized that the sensation just now had been caused by Ya Fei's hair.
Seeing Xiao Tian wake up, she smiled softly, a playful hint at the corner of her lips.
"Hey, you're finally awake."
Xiao Tian felt a little helpless, but seeing the love in her eyes, a warm current surged through his heart.
"What are you doing?" he asked gently, his tone carrying a hint of indulgence.
He had to spoil his woman. This kind of playful waking was just one way to add daily fun to their relationship.
"Seeing you sleep so soundly, I wanted to see if I could wake you up," Ya Fei blinked charmingly and mischievously.
"Asking for a beating."
"Pat, pat, pat."
Xiao Tian reached out, pulled her into his arms, and a series of light patting sounds echoed.
"Let's see if you dare to be mischievous next time."
Afterward, Xiao Tian gently stroked Ya Fei's hair.
"I won't dare next time. It's almost swollen," Ya Fei feigned a pitiful look and spoke in a sweet, coquettish voice.
On the surface, she wouldn't dare — but in her heart, she definitely would next time.
The two snuggled together quietly, enjoying this warm and happy moment.
…
"I'm taking you to a place to see two people."
"What place? What people?"
After helping Xiao Tian get dressed, Ya Fei asked curiously.
"You'll know soon. Don't resist."