"Fine, if you don't want it, I won't insist. I respect your decision."
Snapping out of his reverie, Xiao Bai waved a hand dismissively, understanding her temperament and dropping the matter.
Had it not been for the soul seal allowing her to speak freely, her lofty pride might have kept them from interacting as they did now.
Speaking of the seal, a playful smirk tugged at Xiao Bai's lips, his eyes glinting with mischief. Stepping closer to the enchanting woman before him, he stopped mere inches from her captivating face, their gazes locked. Her faint fragrance filled his senses as he stared into her phoenix-like eyes.
Medusa, warmed by his understanding, felt a flicker of inexplicable joy. But his sudden advance puzzled her. Catching the look in his eyes, a subtle unease stirred within her.
"Human, you're too bold!" Her voice was icy and regal, though a slight tremor betrayed her composure.
Xiao Bai, undeterred by her reprimand, smiled softly at the queen's attempt to remain composed. "Your Majesty, have you ever heard of a soul's resonance?"
Boom!
Medusa's mind reeled, as if struck by lightning, her thoughts scattering. One realization consumed her: That damned connection is mutual!
He could sense her, too. She'd clung to a sliver of hope that he was unaware, but now it was clear—he knew.
Of course he did. The seal was his creation; how could he not feel it? She'd been deluding herself.
In her daze, Xiao Bai gently drew her into his arms. Feeling her exquisite curves and the soft pressure against his chest, he took a deep breath to quell the stirring within.
Regaining her senses, Medusa didn't resist. Instead, she lifted her head, her eyes cold as the depths of the netherworld, locking onto his. Her voice was frigid. "So, you knew from the start. These past few days, you've been laughing at me!"
She didn't care about the embrace. What mattered was whether he'd known all along.
A chill settled in her heart. This connection allowed them to faintly sense each other's emotions—joy, anger, sorrow, love, hate. If Xiao Bai had known from the beginning, pretending ignorance while teasing her with words, had he been mocking her? Treating her like a fool?
Is my heart so cheap to him?
Xiao Bai paused, then gave a wry smile inwardly. She's misunderstood.
Shaking his head solemnly, he met her narrow, beautiful eyes with sincerity. "No. I only sensed it today, after recovering some soul force."
"I know you, your pride. That's why I'm telling you now. If I hid it and you found out later, you'd probably never see me again."
Medusa's heart thawed, the ice in her eyes melting slightly.
He was right. If he'd been toying with her, once she repaid his kindness, they'd part ways forever. Every Medusa Queen cherished love unto death, valuing it above all. Her pride wouldn't tolerate such deception.
Xiao Bai exhaled silently. That was close.
He'd only felt the faint connection today upon seeing her, initially confused by it. Reflecting on their months together, he pinpointed the soul seal as the cause. It was the only thing that could forge such a bond.
He wasn't sure how it happened. He'd distinctly felt the seal shatter that day. Perhaps her soul, sheltered within it during the tribulation, had triggered some mystical change.
Regardless, it was no drawback for him.
This explained Medusa's shifting attitude. If she shared this connection, her recent behavior—her subtle tests to see if he sensed it too—made sense.
Feeling her emotions, even vaguely, thrilled him. He'd thought winning over this proud woman would take years, but now, it might not be so long.
He'd hesitated to tell her, but her words about her pride convinced him to be honest. Concealing it would have caused irreparable misunderstanding.
"Release this queen!" Medusa, her doubts resolved, noticed he still held her. She squirmed lightly, unable to break free, and huffed.
Xiao Bai let go gently, a smile playing on his lips. Meeting her gaze, his deep eyes softened with warmth as he murmured:
"Souls in resonance, hearts aligned."
"All things with spirit can entwine."
"A thought reveals the other's mind."
"Silent, yet love's depth we find."
Medusa's face remained calm, but her heart rippled faintly. Her eyes lowered, and in a cool, steady voice, she said, "This queen doesn't know what you're talking about."
Xiao Bai sighed inwardly. This proud woman—always that line at the crucial moment.
He could guess her thoughts: until she repaid her debts and clarified her heart, she'd hold back. Fine, let her have her principles. There's time.
"Since we're parting soon, let me give you something," he said with a smile.
Medusa's bright eyes studied him, puzzled. She'd refused more debts, and he'd agreed—why bring it up again?
"How about a name?" Xiao Bai winked, grinning.
"Human, this queen has a name!" Medusa snapped, teeth gritted, as if he'd insulted her intelligence.
"Oh? And what might Your Majesty's noble name be?" Xiao Bai asked, genuinely surprised. The original story never mentioned it.
"This queen is Medusa. Medusa is my name!" She tilted her chin, casting him a disdainful look, as if he were an idiot.
Xiao Bai pressed a hand to his forehead, inwardly consoling himself: Calm down, don't get mad. This silly queen's the one I chose. She's mine to deal with.
"From now on, I'll call you Cai Lin. Keep calling you Sha Sha, and you'll really turn silly!" he declared fiercely.
Medusa's brows shot up, her voice icy. "You're calling this queen silly?"
Seeing her ready to pounce, Xiao Bai stepped back. He was no match for her now. With the crown on, he had no defense. Besides, after her charm attempt, he suspected her soul force surpassed his—fused with the Heaven-Swallowing Python's soul and his own soul force.
"Haha, Cai Lin, you're brilliant, wise, and mighty—how could you be silly?" Xiao Bai laughed, hastily praising her.
"Hmph!" Medusa glared, too lazy to argue.
"Alright, I'm really leaving now." Xiao Bai stepped closer, giving her a deep look. "Cai Lin, take care."
Turning, he waved, scooping the feigning-dead golden dragon into his sleeve. Purple wings sprouted, and he soared skyward.
In the distance, Hai Bo Dong hurried after him, eager to leave. The Snake-People's city had kept him on edge, dreading encounters with that fearsome woman.
Medusa watched the shrinking speck in the sky, a complex emotion flickering in her eyes. Faint spatial ripples surrounded her, and as her figure faded, a barely audible, sultry murmur lingered:
"Cai Lin, hmm?"
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