"You can try harder next time."
Medusa's fingers found the soft flesh at Xiao Tian's waist and pinched.
Xiao Tian endured the pain, caught her small hand, and caressed it. Medusa quickly pulled away.
He had figured her out by now. Despite her devastatingly alluring appearance, Medusa was actually a naive, easily embarrassed sweet girl at heart. Every night, as long as he played along with her tsundere whims, he could lure her into his trap within minutes. Then, with a little push and pull, she'd agree to new tricks, thinking she was still in control. *"You are the greatest Queen. You can't go back on your word now."*
*Boom!*
A deafening sound echoed through the narrow space. Fortunately, everyone present was a cultivator. Ordinary people would probably have been scared to death.
Xiao Yi Xian had blasted the door open with brute force. Intense light flooded in, illuminating the previously dim passage. She fanned away the dust, and Xiao Tian led the way inside.
Medusa followed behind him, glancing at the monster remains strewn across the ground. Her gaze shifted to Xiao Tian. He gave her a slight smile. She snorted softly and looked away. But Xiao Tian didn't see the immense pride and satisfaction that bloomed across her face the moment she turned. The man of Queen Medusa had to possess formidable strength. Xiao Tian clearly met the requirements.
The four surveyed the storeroom before them. It was spacious, built entirely of black metal. Rows of shelves lined the walls, scrolls arranged neatly upon them. On the other side stood several crystal cabinets. Rare medicinal materials could be glimpsed through the glass.
"As expected of an old, entrenched power. Their collection is truly rich. This will significantly strengthen Heaven Punishing Divine Palace's foundation." Xiao Li's eyes gleamed as he surveyed the treasures.
"This is exactly what you always said—destroying a sect is the fastest way to get rich," Xiao Yi Xian said with a smile, picking up a scroll.
"These are all categorized." She opened the scroll in her hand. The label read "Profound-tier Low-grade." The shelf bore the same characters.
"Indeed. Second Brother, collect these Profound-tier items and add them to Heaven Punishing Divine Palace's storeroom."
Xiao Tian glanced casually at a few scrolls. Ordinary Profound-tier Dou Techniques. Nothing special. He put them down.
Xiao Li nodded, smiling. His horizons had broadened considerably. After seeing so many Earth-tier techniques and cultivation methods, Profound-tier no longer stirred his blood. If he had seen this storeroom back in his mercenary days, he probably would have fainted from joy. He sighed inwardly. Broadening one's horizons was essential. How else could those in high positions remain calm when mountains crumbled before them?
Xiao Yi Xian had no interest in these scrolls either. Neither did Medusa. Though she noted that once these techniques and methods were stored in the Palace, her Snake-People Tribe could learn them in the future. No other reason—she herself belonged to Xiao Tian now. Therefore, the Snake-People Tribe was equivalent to the people of the Heaven Punishing Divine Palace. She never doubted that if the old fellows of her tribe saw Xiao Tian and the Heaven Punishing Divine Realm, she wouldn't need to say a word. They would humble themselves and speak to him with utmost respect.
After Xiao Li had collected all the shelves labeled "Profound-tier," the group moved toward the medicinal materials. They began pulling out, counting, and categorizing everything inside. Medusa even spotted many Soul Fusion Pill ingredients among them, though they were no longer needed now. She stared at the herbs in her hand, her thoughts drifting for a moment.
Once everything was sorted, Xiao Tian took a portion of the materials he needed, along with the most precious ones, and handed the rest to Xiao Li.
"I finally understand why you brought me here. You couldn't bear to make your beloved wife do hard labor, so you made me do it instead." Xiao Li laughed, scolding him as he looked at the several storage rings now in his hand.
"How could you think that? You and I are blood brothers. I'm giving you benefits. Look at all these scrolls—can't you pick first?" Xiao Tian smoothly began his manipulation. He certainly couldn't admit he had thought exactly that.
"It seems so… but something still feels off." Xiao Li scratched his head. It itched, as if his brain was growing.
"Cai Li, let's go." Xiao Tian reached out, gently stroking her smooth hair.
Medusa heard his voice and felt the warmth of his hand. Her thoughts snapped back. Recalling what she had just been thinking, she smiled brightly at him.
Xiao Tian was instantly captivated. That smile—at this moment, Medusa's smile was pure, from the heart. The most perfect smile. More alluring than any enchantment.
The group continued deeper into the storeroom. Medusa followed behind Xiao Tian, her hand tightly gripping his. Xiao Yi Xian watched them with an aunt-like smile.
Before long, the four arrived at the very end of the chamber. Only a single bookshelf stood there. Four ancient-looking boxes rested upon it, their appearance extraordinary. A faint energy shield surrounded the shelf, dense energy protecting its contents.
"Is this… Earth-tier?" Xiao Li read the label and exclaimed.
"Correct. All the real treasures are here." Xiao Tian nodded with a smile. He had a general idea of what was inside, but changes could have occurred because of his presence.
"This protective shield is no simple thing. It can't be broken by brute force—the energy would damage what's inside." Xiao Li's heart tightened at Xiao Tian's words. Earth-tier items. If they were ruined, the loss would be immense. "Then what do we do?"
"Xian'er, can you retrieve the items directly before they're damaged?"
Xiao Yi Xian stepped to the shelf and extended her hand, sensing the barrier.
"I have about an eighty percent chance. The main issue is that this shield is exquisitely constructed. The energy inside is completely linked to the boxes."
"Then try. Do your best. The items inside won't be particularly earth-shattering anyway." Xiao Tian didn't hesitate. He had forgotten about this aspect before coming; otherwise, he would have brought Zi Yan. Such things truly required the right expertise.
Xiao Yi Xian nodded firmly, continuously adjusting her state. She had to operate with absolute precision. She couldn't disappoint him. Everything she had achieved, she owed to Xiao Tian's help. She had to give her all for him. She had to prove her worth.
Xiao Tian watched her, choosing to stay silent. He wouldn't disturb her now.
About three breaths later, Xiao Yi Xian opened her eyes. Purple-brown Dou Qi condensed in her hands. She struck the protective shield with both hands simultaneously.
*Boom!*