The next morning, the sun hung high in the sky. Xiao Tian woke in Qing Lin's palace, flanked by two stunning women—one with emerald-green hair, the other with flowing silver. Both wore expressions of deep satisfaction and utter exhaustion.
Recalling the exotic flavors of the night before, Xiao Tian couldn't suppress a smile. But since everyone dislikes hearing about such delicacies in detail, he kept the memories to himself.
"You two lazy pigs, time to get up." He gave each of their bottoms a light pat. They stirred groggily, eyes fluttering open.
"Qing'er, I'm taking you to retrieve something today. Yue'er, would you like to come along?" Xiao Tian pulled the drowsy Qing Lin into his arms.
"No, Young Master. You've already given me far more than enough." Qing Lin shook her head hastily, her body instinctively curling inward.
Han Yue crossed her arms in matching refusal. "Go find the others. We don't want any more."
Xiao Tian took in their guarded expressions and immediately understood the misunderstanding. He rubbed his forehead. "What are you two thinking? Do I look like that kind of person?"
"No."
"Because you *are* that kind of person."
Han Yue and Qing Lin answered in perfect, synchronized unison.
Slap! Slap!
Xiao Tian's palm connected with both their backsides. "I'm planning to take Qing Lin to obtain something she desperately needs. Something that will serve her greatly in the future."
"Really?" Han Yue's eyes narrowed with pure suspicion.
"What is it, Young Master?" Qing Lin leaned close, curiosity threading through her voice, a hint of unconscious seduction woven into the question.
"It's similar to the snake soul I gave you before. But far, far better." Xiao Tian cupped her small face, his tone sincere.
"When we retrieve this soul… will Young Master be in danger? If there's any risk, Qing Lin doesn't want it."
Xiao Tian's heart swelled at her words. He pulled her into a tight embrace. This soul would require Qing Lin herself to subdue it, but the danger shouldn't be excessive. "I won't be in danger. But you will have to tame this item on your own. Are you willing to try?"
"Qing Lin can do it." Her voice was firm. She would never disappoint Young Master. "Qing Lin will serve Young Master now. Time to get up and wash."
She slipped from his embrace. Han Yue rose as well.
Under the two women's attentive care, it took Xiao Tian over ten minutes to get dressed—a process that earned him many a sharp glare. Once washed and presentable, the three of them stepped through the palace gates.
Xiao Tian gave Yun Yun, Xiao Yi Xian, and the others a brief explanation of their errand. None of them chose to follow, content to let the three enjoy their own world.
---
Outside the Heaven Punishing Divine Realm, the three were in no particular hurry. They strolled through the cities along their route, the two women pausing to buy gifts—some for themselves, many for their sisters. Xiao Tian, in turn, browsed apothecaries for rare medicinal herbs, picking up more than a few overlooked treasures along the way.
The journey was filled with constant laughter. Han Yue, especially, had shed her usual icy reserve—the aloofness that had always made her seem detached from worldly concerns. Now she was simply a young woman, holding hands with Qing Lin, turning her head at every sight. Xiao Tian followed close behind, watching them. In truth, Qing Lin and Han Yue shared a similar heart. Qing Lin had been crushed by discrimination since childhood, her self-worth shattered. Han Yue, burdened by obligations, had forced herself to abandon girlish joy, cloaking herself in cold detachment. Now, because of Xiao Tian, both had been freed from those fates. They worried no longer. They had returned to their true selves.
They traveled at leisure, stopping often, and three full days passed before they finally arrived within the territory of the Heavenly Serpent Mansion in the Heavenly Serpent Nation. To travel from the Black-Corner Region to this place, one had to cross the Black Domain Great Plains—but with Xiao Tian's strength, such obstacles were meaningless.
---
Guided by the intelligence network of Heaven Punishing Divine Palace, they soon neared the Heavenly Serpent Mansion's stronghold. The entire mansion was built into the face of a mountain. At its base sprawled a massive city.
Xiao Tian and the two women chose not to head directly to the mountain. Instead, they explored the foreign city, satisfying their curiosity. The architecture was strange—snake motifs coiled across the eaves of houses, serpent totems adorned the walls. The effect was faintly eerie.
"This place isn't half as good as our Heaven Punishing Divine City," Qing Lin remarked, her gaze traveling over the serpentine designs.
"It certainly lives up to its name," Han Yue agreed.
After inspecting the local wares, the two women's interest quickly waned. Most girls, after all, only like cute things. And most girls generally dislike snakes. Naturally, there was one exception: Xiao Tian's great python.
Xiao Tian's senses swept upward and touched a Five-Star Dou Zong presence within the mansion above—the Mansion Master, he presumed.
"Still want to look around?" He noted their dimming enthusiasm.
"No. The things here are ugly, and we've seen enough. Time for business." The two women spoke in near-perfect unison. Comrades who had weathered trials together, their understanding was absolute.
"Then let's move."
Xiao Tian patted their heads. They nodded in response.
"You lowly commoners—do you even know who my master is?"
"Your daughter should count herself honored that our master even glanced at her!"
Several arrogant voices cut through the air, reaching the three of them. A few dozen meters away, a group of guards in uniforms emblazoned with snake totems had surrounded a middle-aged man and a young woman. The crowd watched from a distance, pity etched on their faces, but no one dared speak. At the front of the guard formation stood a handsome young man with an unnaturally pale complexion—the look of someone drained hollow by wine and women.
Xiao Tian sensed the same bloodline aura on this young man as the Dou Zong above. A plan instantly crystallized in his mind. He had originally intended to seize the Ancient Heavenly Serpent's soul by force. Now that seemed unnecessary. It might even be acquired with ease. The world, after all, wasn't only about fighting and killing. It was also about "social graces."
The two women caught the sly curl of Xiao Tian's lips and immediately began mourning the young man in their hearts. Whenever that expression appeared, mischief was certain to follow.
"Beauty, I suggest you come with me obediently. Don't waste your energy on futile resistance, understand?" The young man's smile was lecherous. He signaled his guards.
The men rubbed their hands eagerly and advanced on the father and daughter with hungry leers.
*Bang!*
Before they had taken three steps, an invisible force sent them flying in perfect arcs through the air. They were dead before they hit the ground.
The young man found himself hoisted by the throat.
"Who are you?! Do you know who I am? I suggest you stay out of business that isn't yours—unless you want to throw your life away!" Even now, the threat rolled off his tongue with practiced ease. Arrogance was clearly a lifelong habit.
"You don't need to know who I am. You answer what I ask. Understand?" Xiao Tian's voice was winter-cold, a whisper from the depths of hell. The hand around the young man's throat tightened slightly.
Feeling death's approach, tasting suffocation, the young man nodded frantically.