Chapter 442: Medusa's Private Deal
"What happened?"
In Zhu Xian City, located in the Northern Ming Continent, Xiao Tiance's voice rang out. Though filled with concern, his tone also carried unmistakable anger. Upon hearing him, Medusa, whose pale face was tinged with happiness, couldn't help but smile faintly.
Medusa gently shook her head and extended her hand. When Xiao Tiance took it in his own, she replied softly, "It's nothing. I just haven't been resting well lately, so my face looks a bit pale."
However, as soon as Medusa finished speaking, a middle aged woman standing nearby let out a cold snort. Her expression was filled with displeasure as she glared at Medusa and said harshly, "Nothing? Didn't we agree that after bringing you to Zhu Xian City, you'd return with us to the ancestral land of the Nine Colored Swallowing Python Clan? Now that Xiao Tiance is here, how much longer are you planning to make us wait?"
At these words, Medusa's face turned even paler, and her body trembled slightly.
Seeing this, Xiao Tiance narrowed his eyes and turned his gaze toward the woman. She was clearly showing him no respect, and her strength explained why she was a half step Saint Grade Heavenly Sovereign, a formidable level of power that few dared to provoke.
Additionally, with the powerful bloodline abilities of the Nine Colored Swallowing Python Clan, her combat prowess could likely rival that of an early stage Saint Grade Heavenly Sovereign.
"Who are you?" Xiao Tiance's voice was icy.
"I am Biyue, the Grand Elder of the Nine Colored Swallowing Python Clan. And you must be Xiao Tiance, the master of Bai Yujing. You're handsome and somewhat capable, but who gave you the audacity to speak to me in such a tone?"
As Biyue spoke, a powerful aura unique to a half step Saint Grade Heavenly Sovereign burst forth from her, pressing down on Xiao Tiance.
Xiao Tiance responded without hesitation. With a wave of his hand, his spiritual energy surged, and a golden figure shot forward a Heavenly Demon Puppet.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
In an instant, the golden figure clashed with Biyue, exchanging dozens of blows.
To Xiao Tiance's surprise, Biyue held her own against Qing Hou, the puppet who was also at the half step Saint Grade Heavenly Sovereign level. Generally, Qing Hou's incredible durability and strength allowed him to defeat even early stage Saint Grade Heavenly Sovereigns. However, Biyue not only fought on par with Qing Hou but did so with apparent ease.
Xiao Tiance smirked coldly. Without a word, he summoned two more golden figures a mid stage Immortal Grade Heavenly Sovereign puppet and an early stage Immortal Grade Heavenly Sovereign puppet.
As the two additional puppets joined the fray, Biyue's composed demeanor finally wavered. Her graceful movements became hurried as she struggled against the combined assault of the three puppets.
One on one, she could handle any of them. But against three at once, she began to falter. Qing Hou alone was challenging enough, and the relentless attacks of the other two only worsened her predicament.
"Stop, Xiao Tiance! That's our clan's Grand Elder!"
Two women, early stage Spirit Grade Heavenly Sovereigns from the Nine Colored Swallowing Python Clan, rushed forward, shouting angrily.
Unfazed, Xiao Tiance waved his hand again, and two more Heavenly Demon Puppets joined the battle. Each was at the mid stage Spirit Grade Heavenly Sovereign level, and they quickly overwhelmed the two women.
"Don't worry," Xiao Tiance said gently to Medusa, who watched in astonishment. "Just sit back and relax. Once I've subdued them, we'll figure out what's going on." He smiled warmly and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The fierce battles drew the attention of Dragon Lord, who arrived quickly.
Upon seeing the Heavenly Demon Puppets battling three women, he asked, "Immortal Sovereign, shall I step in?"
Xiao Tiance shook his head. "No need. This is a perfect chance to test the capabilities of my puppets."
As the battles continued, it became clear that the three women from the Nine Colored Swallowing Python Clan were running out of steam. Unlike the puppets, which never tired or worried about energy consumption, the women's spiritual energy reserves were steadily depleting.
If this continued, they would eventually lose due to exhaustion.
"Xiao Tiance, we mean no harm!" one of the early stage Spirit Grade Heavenly Sovereigns finally shouted, her tone betraying fear and submission.
Xiao Tiance ignored her plea and ordered his puppets to increase their attack intensity.
"Boom! Boom!"
With their enhanced attacks, the puppets quickly subdued the two early stage Spirit Grade Heavenly Sovereigns. In mere moments, they were restrained. Had Xiao Tiance ordered it, the puppets could have easily torn them apart.
With the two subdued, Xiao Tiance turned his attention to Biyue. Her clothes were torn in many places, revealing her fair skin and alluring figure. Even her chest area was faintly exposed, causing her face to flush with embarrassment and anger.
"Xiao Tiance, if you dare give me an opening, I'll make you regret it!" she shouted, both ashamed and enraged.
Xiao Tiance smirked coldly, utterly unimpressed. While Biyue was strong, she wasn't formidable enough to warrant his concern. If she were a late stage Saint Grade Heavenly Sovereign, perhaps he might have hesitated.
But as things stood, she was no threat to him.
Medusa's Private Deal
Xiao Tiance had just signaled his Heavenly Demon Puppets to intensify their attacks when Biyue began to falter.
Even her pride as a supreme divine beast, with her unparalleled physical strength, proved inadequate against the swords of the Heavenly Demon Puppets. In mere moments, several wounds appeared on her body.
"Enough, my husband," Medusa suddenly pleaded softly.
Hearing the sorrowful tone in Medusa's voice, Xiao Tiance looked down at her face, full of concern and supplication. After a moment, he nodded and transmitted a mental command to Ling'er.
"Ling'er, restrain her."
"Understood, Sir Xiao," Ling'er replied.
In an instant, ancient and intricate Spirit Array patterns appeared on the ground surrounding Biyue. Before she could even react, the array activated, completely trapping her.
"What? A Spirit Array? When did this happen?"
Biyue felt the constricting power of the array as her spiritual energy was rapidly drained. In less than a minute, her entire body went limp, and she fell to her knees, utterly powerless, as if she had been struck by a debilitating toxin.
For the first time in many years, Biyue felt genuine panic. Never before had she been rendered so helpless, reduced to a lamb awaiting slaughter.
"Xiao Tiance, are you declaring war on the Nine Colored Swallowing Python Clan? Don't forget, when Bai Yujing was attacked by the extraterrestrial demon clan, our clan sent two Heavenly Sovereigns to assist you.
"Furthermore, Medusa promised us that if we helped Bai Yujing through its crisis, she would send her unborn child to our clan's ancestral land to become the next Saintess of the Nine Colored Swallowing Python Clan.
"If you disagree, let us leave now, and we'll consider the previous agreement null and void!" Biyue shouted angrily, slamming her hands against the glowing barriers of the Spirit Array.
Hearing this, Xiao Tiance frowned slightly but said nothing. Instead, he turned his gaze to Medusa.
Medusa lowered her head, trembling slightly, unable to meet his eyes.
Seeing her distress, Xiao Tiance gently pulled her into his arms and spoke in a soothing tone, "Don't worry. I understand. You made this decision for my sake and for Bai Yujing's benefit.
"But now you see it yourself. With Bai Yujing's current strength, such sacrifices are no longer necessary."
"...My husband, I "
Medusa had been dreading Xiao Tiance's reaction ever since he left seclusion, expecting him to explode with rage. To her surprise, he wasn't angry but instead showed deep concern for her feelings.
Tears streamed down Medusa's face as she clung tightly to Xiao Tiance, overcome with emotion.
Xiao Tiance gently patted her back before instructing Ling'er to deactivate the Spirit Array and commanding the Heavenly Demon Puppets to release the two restrained Spirit Grade Heavenly Sovereigns.
Now free, the three members of the Nine Colored Swallowing Python Clan tended to their injuries while cautiously watching Xiao Tiance, who was still cradling Medusa.
They had assumed that with their combined strength, they could handle Xiao Tiance, especially since most of Bai Yujing's other experts were absent from Zhu Xian City. But to their astonishment, Xiao Tiance hadn't even needed to personally act. His puppets and a pre arranged Spirit Array were enough to subdue them effortlessly.
After some time, Xiao Tiance carefully laid the exhausted and now sleeping Medusa in a comfortable position. He instructed Ling'er to set up a small Spirit Array to block out noise and disturbances, ensuring she could rest undisturbed.
Once Medusa was settled, Xiao Tiance turned to the three Heavenly Sovereigns from the Nine Colored Swallowing Python Clan. His voice was calm but commanding. "Explain everything to me from the beginning."
Biyue glanced at one of her companions, an early stage Spirit Grade Heavenly Sovereign. At Biyue's nod, the woman began to speak.
"Immortal Sovereign, we did not intend to forcefully take your wife. It was she who made an agreement with our clan. She promised that if we helped Bai Yujing repel the extraterrestrial demon clan, she would become the Saintess of our clan.
"When our clan leader received this proposal, she agreed and sent us here to assist. Later, when we learned that the demon clan had broken through the northern front, your wife made another promise. She vowed that if we continued to defend Zhu Xian City, her child after being born would also join our clan and be raised as the next Saintess."
Seeing that Xiao Tiance remained silent and expressionless, the woman continued hesitantly.
"Our clan leader then sent Grand Elder Biyue to verify the bloodline potential of your wife's unborn child. Upon inspection, the child's bloodline talent was found to be exceptionally strong, so we agreed to the arrangement.
"A month ago, we were supposed to take your wife with us, but she insisted on waiting for you to come out of seclusion. She wanted to see you first and receive your blessing before leaving.
"However, our Grand Elder unfamiliar with your temperament misunderstood and acted offensively toward you. We sincerely apologize for that."
When the explanation ended, Biyue snorted coldly, visibly annoyed. As the Grand Elder of the Nine Colored Swallowing Python Clan, she was used to being treated with the utmost respect. Yet here she was, humiliated and helpless.
Xiao Tiance listened quietly, his gaze softening as it fell on the sleeping Medusa. He murmured to himself, "Foolish woman... If your man cannot protect you and our child, I might as well be dead."
Lifting his head, he looked at the Spirit Grade Heavenly Sovereign who had explained everything and said calmly, "Your Grand Elder didn't misunderstand. I am reneging on this agreement.
"My wife made this decision without my knowledge. If I had known, I would never have allowed it.
"As for your previous assistance, Bai Yujing is grateful. I will remember this favor. But let me be clear: because of that favor, you're still alive. Otherwise, I would have three more Heavenly Demon Puppets by now."
"You dare!" Biyue's anger flared. The idea that Xiao Tiance could so casually dismiss her clan sent her temper skyrocketing.
But before she could finish, Xiao Tiance's eyes glinted coldly, silencing her mid sentence.
As she bit back her words, Xiao Tiance's chilling gaze softened. He said evenly, "Grand Elder Biyue, whether I'm being reckless is none of your concern.
"I've made my stance clear. Medusa will not leave with you, and our child will not join your clan to become a so called Saintess.
"You're free to relay this message to your clan leader. If she's dissatisfied, she's welcome to come to Zhu Xian City herself. I'll be waiting for her."
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