The next morning.
Xiao Tian, still half-asleep, felt something unusual in his hand—as though he had touched something extraordinary.
Assuming it was one of them, he paid it no mind, adjusted his posture, and continued sleeping.
Suddenly, Xiao Tian remembered. They had teamed up last night, declaring that as sisters they wished to have a heartfelt conversation. He was sleeping alone tonight.
He forced open his bleary eyes and looked down. A beautiful sleeping face materialized before him.
Xiao Tian searched his memory and guessed. Medusa had emerged because he had fed the Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python too much the night before.
He attempted to withdraw his hand.
"Mm~"
The instant he stirred, Medusa's eyes snapped open.
"Cai Li, why did you put my hand in there?"
Xiao Tian resolved to seize the initiative, then casually extracted his hand.
Medusa stared at him, utterly bewildered. She pointed a finger at herself. *Me? Put your hand there? Do you even listen to the nonsense you spout?*
In the quiet room, a crisp, refined, elegant, yet rather uncouth female voice rang out.
"Funny mud go pee!"
Before Xiao Tian could respond, four figures abruptly materialized in the room, standing beside the bed with their arms crossed.
"Did we arrive at an inopportune moment? Why is she here?"
Medusa, still on the bed, quietly revealed a hidden smirk.
She had deliberately leaked a trace of her aura moments ago. That had drawn the four of them in.
"This..."
Xiao Tian glanced at Yun Yun and the other three, then back at Medusa.
*Oh no. This is now impossible to explain.*
Seeing the mischievous glint dancing in Medusa's eyes, Xiao Tian understood she was the architect of this entire scene.
Xiao Tian briefly explained the connection between Medusa and the Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python to the four women.
"She is Medusa?"
Everyone present had naturally heard of Medusa's infamous reputation.
Ya Fei and Qing Lin inched closer to Xiao Yi Xian, frail and helpless, seeking shelter. As for Yun Yun, she had encountered Medusa before in the Snake-People Tribe. Initially, she was merely curious as to why Medusa was here at all.
"I never imagined the esteemed Medusa would be so utterly shameless as to burrow into a man's bed."
Yun Yun faced Medusa without a trace of fear, her voice like ice.
"The legendary, aloof, and ethereal Sect Master Yun is hardly any different."
Medusa's aura flared equally. Her tone carried a distinct edge of provocation.
"He is my rightful man. I can do as I please. And what of you?"
Yun Yun sneered, a mocking smile curling her lips. Her voice brimmed with undeniable authority.
"Then I also had sex with him for three entire days..."
Enraged by Yun Yun's words and bearing, a flash of fury ignited in Medusa's eyes. The words spilled out before she could stop them. Realizing her blunder, she hastily clamped her mouth shut.
"Hmph. I can do as I please, and you have no say over me."
Medusa rose slowly from the bed, her gaze frigid and unyielding, as though it could freeze the world solid.
Yun Yun's long hair billowed in an unfelt wind. Her eyes blazed with indomitable fighting spirit, her posture ramrod straight, like a plum blossom standing proud against the snow.
Sensing the two were on the verge of blows, Xiao Tian swiftly moved to their side, ready to mediate.
"Alright..."
Before Xiao Tian could finish his sentence, Medusa turned her head, her stare locking onto him. "Xiao Tian, this matter has nothing to do with you. The grievances between Yun Yun and me must be settled by us alone."
Yun Yun spoke as well, her voice clear and resolute. "Xiao Tian, you need not interfere. This is between Medusa and myself."
"Enough. Both of you, be silent." Xiao Tian's command cut through the air like a blade. His expression was unusually stern.
Both were startled by Xiao Tian's sudden shift. Their auras collapsed instantly. Their hands, previously clenched, fell loosely to their sides.
Yun Yun stepped to Xiao Tian's side. "I will heed your words."
Medusa stood silently to the side, offering no retort. Yet her bearing made it plain she would not continue stirring trouble.
"Cai Li will remain with us for a long time. You must all learn to coexist peacefully."
Xiao Tian gently wrapped an arm around Yun Yun's waist and nodded toward Xiao Yi Xian and the others.
"Very well. You are the head of this family. Your word is law. I will not seek fault with her either."
Yun Yun's earlier clash with Medusa had been intended solely to suppress her arrogance. She had already recognized that Medusa would, in time, become her sister.
From the way Medusa looked at him, and the way Xiao Tian regarded her in return—not to mention the name Xiao Tian had bestowed upon her—
And the fact that Xiao Tian and Medusa had already spent considerable stretches of time together—
Both harbored feelings for one another. It simply had not yet been made explicit. Only a catalyst was missing.
Xiao Tian affectionately stroked Yun Yun's head, his smile tender. "Yun'er, having you is a blessing. And the same holds true for all of you."
Yun Yun rose on her toes and pressed a kiss to Xiao Tian's lips. Then she turned her head and cast Medusa a look of open challenge.
Medusa felt herself stiffen, her fists clenching until they were like iron.
Casting all restraint aside, she strode before Xiao Tian, gently nudged Yun Yun aside, seized Xiao Tian by the collar, and kissed him square on the lips.
Xiao Tian's eyes flew wide. His mind went utterly blank for an instant.
The kiss was brief. She lifted her head slightly and regarded Yun Yun with an expression of pure arrogance. *If you can do it, so can I.*
Suddenly, her mind snapped back into focus. She sobered in an instant and immediately felt as though she had done something utterly outrageous. Two crimson blushes stained her cheeks.
Forcing herself into composure, she shot Yun Yun two challenging glances. Her body trembled faintly. Then she transformed back into the Seven-Colored Little Snake.
Yun Yun had not expected Medusa to be so utterly brazen.
Xiao Tian could not suppress a sigh. These two were truly both fragile at heart yet hopelessly addicted to their games.
Gazing at the Seven-Colored Little Snake on the ground, Ya Fei, Yun Yun, and the others promptly crouched down, fixating on the tiny serpent with rapt attention.
"Is this Medusa's true form?"
"She looks so adorable."
The rather audacious Ya Fei prodded the little snake's head with her finger.
The Seven-Colored Little Snake flicked her tongue at Ya Fei in clear displeasure.
There was also a trace of profound embarrassment flickering in her eyes—likely belonging to Medusa's soul consciousness.
"Enough. Stop teasing her. Right now, it is the little one's consciousness in control. She is equivalent to a child of only a few years."
Xiao Tian extended his hand. The little snake immediately slithered up onto it, for she sensed that the women's gazes were deeply, deeply abnormal.
*Snakey is scared. Seeking protection.*
Xiao Tian produced the companion Purple Crystal Source and fed her a few drops. Sated, she contentedly wound her way up Xiao Tian's arm and into his sleeve.
As for this little one, Xiao Tian had no desire to use the Soul Fusion Pill to obliterate her. But at present, he had no alternative. He could only hope to preserve a wisp of her soul later, or seek out other methods.
Yun Yun and the others naturally perceived the shift in Xiao Tian's emotions, though they did not understand its cause. In silence, they moved to his side and clasped his hands.
"It is nothing. I was merely pondering certain things. Do not worry."
"I may be leaving temporarily in the coming days to explore a secret realm."
Xiao Tian had not suddenly resolved to enter the secret realm on a whim. When he had first acquired the secret realm token, he had attempted to activate it, only for the system to inform him that it had not yet opened.
Just the day before, while searching for a particular herb in the Holy Radiance Golden Saint's ring, he had stumbled upon a map marking the location of a secret realm. He had decided then to venture inside and explore it.
"What secret realm? Will there be danger?"
Ya Fei's voice was laced with worry.
"I am uncertain. There should not be excessive danger. Do you lack confidence in my strength? I also possess unique secret techniques."
The secret realm token had provided no details—not even what manner of secret realm it was or where it lay.
"Then we wish to enter with you. Even if we die, we die together. You cannot abandon us."
Xiao Yi Xian's expression was resolute. The others mirrored it exactly.
Xiao Tian was profoundly moved. He gathered them tightly in his arms. With wives such as these, what more could a husband possibly ask?
"Only I can enter this one. I cannot bring any of you. Do not fret. For your sakes, I will also safeguard my life. I still intend to spend all my remaining years with you."
"Then remember your promise. We shall wait for your return."
"When do you intend to depart?"
"The day after tomorrow. I shall spend two more days with you first."
Xiao Tian lowered his head in thought before answering slowly.