Ya Fei covered her mouth and chuckled, immediately reading Xiao Tian's thoughts.
"That should be it. During the Strong Ranking Tournament, Xiao Tian even tried to recruit Zi Yan, but the Grand Elder showed up and interrupted him."
Han Yue nodded in agreement and explained Zi Yan's relationship with the Grand Elder to the others.
"So he was basically trying to abduct someone's granddaughter right in front of her grandfather? No wonder the Grand Elder couldn't sit still. Hehe!"
Ya Fei heard Han Yue's words and pictured Xiao Tian's actions. She laughed so hard she swayed, her ample chest rising and falling in stunning curves.
The others laughed too, though none as dramatically as Ya Fei.
"A transformed Magical Beast? I'm rather interested in meeting her. Next time you give her something, I'll come along."
Queen Medusa focused entirely on Zi Yan's identity as a Magical Beast. Her own Snake-People Tribe was also considered a type of Magical Beast. It was that identity—and the Snake-People's alluring nature—that had led to their tribe being so easily ostracized and coveted in the Jia Ma Empire.
"Alright. I'll call you then, Cai Li. What about the rest of you?"
Han Yue agreed without hesitation, then turned to ask the others.
Everyone else shook their heads. "We'll pass. We'll meet her eventually anyway."
Ya Fei, who always understood Xiao Tian best, actually had another guess about his current actions. Her sixth sense told her his schemes weren't that simple. But she wasn't entirely sure, so she kept it to herself.
---
Meanwhile, Xiao Tian—the one being gossiped about—appeared at the peak of his palace.
He sat cross-legged on the ground, adjusted his emotions, and emptied his mind. Once he felt his state had reached its peak, he took out the Heaven Devouring Cauldron from his Heavenly Poison Pearl and immersed his mind directly into it. The energy of his palace, like a black hole, was sucked inward.
Xiao Tian concentrated fully on guiding the Heaven Devouring Cauldron's energy into his body. He was extremely cautious throughout the entire process. He could feel that the power within the cauldron this time was incredibly potent. He even had a feeling—if he absorbed it carelessly and failed, his cultivation realm might drop. A significant portion of the Dou Qi he had painstakingly condensed would simply dissipate.
During seclusion, one does not perceive the passage of time. No one knew how long had passed. Outside, the sun set and the moon rose over and over. The petals in the lake fell, withered, and were replaced by new ones.
---
After finishing their day's cultivation, the women sat together, talking.
"It's already been half a year. Why hasn't Young Master come out yet? If it goes on another two months or so, the Young Master will miss the deadline. Could he be in danger?"
Qing Lin stared at Xiao Tian's palace, then at Yun Yun and Ya Fei, whose bellies were now visibly rounded. She nervously gripped Xiao Yi Xian's hand.
"Impossible. Without this King's permission, it would be difficult for him to die. This King will not allow him to die. He is meant to be with this King… hmm, and with all of you. Forever."
Medusa leaned against a pillar, her domineering voice ringing out. But halfway through, she felt her words were a bit off and quickly adjusted them.
"Sister Qing Lin, don't worry. Xiao Tian is fine. His aura is very stable right now. I feel he'll emerge from seclusion soon."
Xiao Yi Xian pulled Qing Lin into a hug and gently comforted her.
Yun Yun, Ya Fei, and Han Yue stayed silent, all gazing quietly toward the palace.
At this point, everyone's cultivation realms had improved significantly.
Xiao Yi Xian, relying on the poisons collected by Eternal Heaven Divine Palace and those sent by Tang Jue from the Chu Yun Empire—combined with the enhancement of the Netherworld Poison Flame—had already broken through to Three-Star Dou Zun.
Yun Yun had broken through to Three-Star Dou Zong.
Queen Medusa had also broken through to Seven-Star Dou Zong. Her cultivation had sped up considerably now that she no longer suffered from the affliction of dual souls.
Ya Fei had broken through to Two-Star Dou Wang. She had chosen not to take the Dou Ling Pill.
Qing Lin had completely refined the Nine-Headed Snake's soul. With the addition of the Dou Ling Pill, her strength had reached the peak of Nine-Star Dou Wang.
Han Yue, with the help of the Heart Flame Body Tempering from before, plus the abundant heaven and earth energy of the Eternal Heaven Realm and the energy crystals from the Trial Tower, had directly broken through to peak Four-Star Dou Wang. She, too, chose not to take the Dou Ling Pill.
---
Inside the palace, Xiao Tian guided the last wisp of energy stored in the Heaven Devouring Cauldron into his body. As it was completely absorbed, his aura began to surge.
Four-colored lightning erupted around his body, crackling violently. A massive pillar of lightning shot from him, piercing straight through the palace roof and into the sky.
The women in the pavilion were jolted by the commotion. They shot to their feet, staring at Xiao Tian's palace with surprise and wonder.
"Is he coming out? What a powerful aura."
"He should be. It seems he gained a great deal from this seclusion."
Xiao Tian's body rose within the pillar of light, ascending until he sat cross-legged ten meters above the palace roof. Under the women's watchful eyes, his aura continued to swell. Lightning of different colors flickered across his entire body.
His realm climbed from Four-Star Dou Huang all the way to the peak of Dou Huang. Then, before this overwhelming energy, the threshold of Dou Zong shattered instantly.
"Oh heavens, what speed is this? He's already broken through to Dou Zong—and it looks like he's still climbing."
Han Yue's mouth hung open in shock.
"This is a characteristic of Xiao Tian's cultivation technique. But the conditions are also extremely harsh. Not just anyone can cultivate it—only those who are compatible. If he had been cultivating normally, Xiao Tian would probably already be a Dou Zong by now."
Yun Yun explained to Han Yue from the side. The others nodded silently.
Xiao Tian's aura surged again. The Dou Qi wreathing his body grew even more explosive, distorting the surrounding space. One-Star Dou Zong… Two-Star… Four-Star…
About half an hour later, his aura had climbed to Six-Star Dou Zong. It still showed signs of rising further, but the pace had clearly slowed.
Medusa felt Xiao Tian's realm settle at Six-Star Dou Zong, and a small knot of unease formed in her heart. If he surpassed her—what would she do when he tried to suppress her in the future? Should she submit obediently? Or struggle a little first, then submit? Truly, a difficult choice.