Medusa and Xiao Yi Xian appeared directly before Xiao Tian.
"Now will you tell us what's inside?" Medusa fixed him with a stare. "If it turns out to be nothing, I'll..." Her hand tightened slightly in a "fierce" threat.
Xiao Tian felt a distinct chill travel down his spine, a very real sense of mortal danger washing over him.
"Ahem. Let's talk this through. No need to be hasty."
"Hmph. Out with it."
Medusa released her grip. She couldn't actually do something like that to him anyway.
Xiao Tian raised one hand, and the Qilin Burning Heaven Holy Fire roared to life in his palm. In his other hand, he held the Bodhi Transformation Saliva. Without preamble, he tossed the saliva directly into the flames. The moment it touched the fire, the substance churned violently, thrashing as though it were alive, trying desperately to escape the searing heat of the Heavenly Flame.
Xiao Yi Xian and Medusa watched with open curiosity. They rose quietly, draping only a translucent veil over themselves, and drew closer to observe the strange substance writhing within the flames. After about two minutes, they settled beside Xiao Tian again, their eyes fixed on the object he continued to roast.
By now, the Bodhi Transformation Saliva had stopped moving entirely. It looked as though all life had drained from it.
Xiao Tian opened his eyes. "Watch closely. The thing inside is about to emerge."
Both women leaned in. They could see countless particles of emerald-green dust settling slowly to the bottom of the saliva. As the particles accumulated, they gradually coalesced into a thumb-sized, emerald-green sphere.
Xiao Tian separated the Transformation Saliva from what lay within. The sphere—the Bodhi Seed—wasn't particularly smooth, but it radiated an intense, vibrant vitality.
Seeing the curious and questioning looks on their faces, Xiao Tian simply tossed the Bodhi Seed toward them. Medusa fumbled to catch it and immediately pinched his arm. "How can you just throw it around? If the Transformation Saliva is so precious, then what's hidden inside has to be even more valuable. What if you broke it?"
"What is this?" Xiao Yi Xian asked, curious despite herself. She had already shifted position and leaned back into Xiao Tian's embrace.
"It's a Bodhi Seed."
Xiao Tian's hand slipped through the thin gauze draped over Xiao Yi Xian's body. One hand gently stroked her lower abdomen before slowly moving upward to grasp an entire world. He breathed in the fragrance of her body and answered softly.
"What? You said this is a Bodhi Seed? The one that can sense the Bodhi Heart?" Medusa's hand trembled as she held it, her voice rising in shock. Even Xiao Yi Xian, still nestled against Xiao Tian, fixed her gaze intently on the emerald-green sphere.
"That's exactly what it is." Xiao Tian's voice was perfectly calm. He already knew the Bodhi Tree's location without needing the Seed. But there was no entering that place now—doing so would be no different from offering himself as a meal.
"Put it away. Now. Never take it out casually. It's far too dangerous." Medusa pressed the Bodhi Seed into Xiao Tian's free hand, her voice tight with urgency.
Xiao Yi Xian nodded beside him. "Yes, keep it absolutely safe. No outsider can know. If Dou Zun-level experts catch wind of this, they'll swarm here like mad. I might not be able to protect you." Having the Bodhi Seed meant the Bodhi Heart was within reach. And the Bodhi Heart—that was the key that could dramatically raise the odds of breaking through to Dou Saint.
A warm current flowed through Xiao Tian's heart at their words. He understood perfectly. Both of them were genuinely terrified for him. Knowing their personalities, if it ever came to it, they would die in front of him without hesitation. Their hearts belonged to him completely.
He pulled Medusa into his embrace as well, holding both of them close. "Don't worry. I'll handle whatever comes. You just stay by my side in peace."
Neither of them argued. They knew Xiao Tian's character well enough. He would arrange everything. He never fought an unprepared battle.
"This Bodhi Transformation Saliva—who wants to consume it?" Xiao Tian's hand, still wrapped around Medusa, slid inside.
"Give it to Xian'er. I have a feeling… something else is waiting for me." Medusa let out a soft sound, her body going limp. Her voice came out drenched in allure.
"I—" Xiao Yi Xian started to refuse, but Medusa propped herself up and placed a finger gently against her lips. "Sister Xian'er, you need this more than I do. And you're the strongest among us. Only when you're strong can you truly protect our home."
Xiao Tian watched the two of them talk, choosing to stay silent. This wasn't a moment for him to decide. They were both his women. He had to treat them equally. Better to let them settle it between themselves.
Xiao Yi Xian and Medusa held each other's gaze. In Medusa's eyes, Xiao Yi Xian saw nothing but sincerity. At last, she nodded. "Alright. I will."
The two smiled at each other. Medusa glanced at Xiao Tian, whose hands had been moving ceaselessly this entire time, a satisfied smile on his face as he watched them. She pushed his hand away with playful exasperation. "Why don't you hurry and let Xian'er use the item? You can play later. Let's focus on the main task first."
Xiao Tian gave her a pinch—neither too light nor too heavy—and shot her a provocative glance. Then he reached for the Bodhi Transformation Saliva floating in the air.
Medusa's legs instantly tensed. Her toes curled. Her whole body shuddered several times, and she bit down hard on her lip.
With a wave of Xiao Tian's hand, the thin gauze on Xiao Yi Xian's body floated away. The Bodhi Transformation Saliva drifted through the air and pressed directly against her abdomen. The moment it touched her skin, it began seeping into her pores, flowing into her body.
Xiao Tian used his Dou Qi to condense a platform and laid Xiao Yi Xian upon it, careful to prevent the impurities her body would soon expel from soiling the bed.
Medusa rolled her eyes at the sight.
Xiao Tian caught the gesture and leaned close to her ear, his voice a low, "fierce" whisper. "Later, I'll make you roll your eyes for real."
"Bring it on. Who has this King ever feared?" Medusa lifted her chin with queenly pride. Her reasoning might be shaky, her composure already fractured, but a queen's dignity could not be broken.
"Is that so? Then what was going on with you just now?" Xiao Tian's hand pressed against the bed as he asked, his voice drawn out in a teasing lilt.
At his words, Medusa's face flooded with color. Among all her sisters, she was the most sensitive. But she was also the most stubborn. Even exposed, how could she possibly admit to such embarrassment?
So she propped herself up, leaned into Xiao Tian's embrace, and found a comfortable position to rest against him. She let out a soft snort, her ears flushing faintly pink. She turned her face away, feigning complete indifference. "Hmph. This King's affairs are not for you to casually inquire about. That was merely a whim of this King just now."