Queen Medusa froze at Xiao Bai's sudden move, a sinking premonition gripping her heart.
It was too late to pull back.
A large hand shot out like lightning, seizing her outstretched jade-like hand in an iron grip, unyielding as a vice. She couldn't break free.
And those ripples from his hand just now… spatial power?
This bastard!
He'd hidden so much. All this time, she'd kept her attacks at a distance, wary of falling into his trap.
But he was a sly fox, feigning weakness while secretly preparing a lethal strike, waiting for her to get close.
She regretted it!
Xiao Bai, having grabbed Medusa, didn't give her a chance to react. A dragon's head phantom materialized above him, its ferocious maw opening wide. A heaven-shaking dragon roar erupted, reverberating through the sky.
"ROAR!"
The deafening sound carried an ancient, desolate aura, sending water-like ripples surging through the air, rushing straight at Medusa's face.
"Ugh!"
A pained groan escaped her red lips. Her exquisite, demonic face contorted under the sonic assault, her rosy complexion draining to a ghastly white.
Agony!
Unbearable agony!
Medusa felt her ears scream, a piercing pain in her eardrums giving way to her soul shuddering under the abrupt, ferocious impact.
Her narrowed, phoenix-like eyes dulled, their vibrant pupils dilating, growing vacant.
Her near-fading gaze managed a weak glare at Xiao Bai, her lips parting.
"Bastard…"
Her murmur was frail, soft, and almost coquettish, stripped of her earlier bravado.
Seeing her like this, Xiao Bai's heart clenched as if stabbed, a sharp pang cutting through him.
But his face betrayed no emotion, his gaze steady as he maintained the relentless roar, the sonic waves unrelenting.
He knew this was his only shot. If he faltered now, subduing her again would be near impossible.
"Teacher, I'm going deaf!"
Xiao Yan collapsed to his knees, cold sweat streaming down his face. His hands pounded the sand, his head spinning, nausea overwhelming him.
He wanted to flee, but his legs were jelly. Covering his ears did nothing—the sound pierced through, resonating in his soul.
Just as he thought he'd pass out, a surge of potent soul force enveloped him, cocooning his body.
A thin film seemed to shield him, the sonic waves rippling harmlessly against it.
"Phew!" Xiao Yan exhaled heavily, relief flooding him.
"Brother Bai didn't even try to control it! That indiscriminate attack nearly killed me!" He slumped onto the sand, grumbling.
"Hah, weakling!"
A crisp voice nearby made Xiao Yan roll his eyes. "Sure, I'm weak, but you're not faring much—wait, you're fine?"
He gaped at Zi Yan, arms crossed, looking utterly unfazed.
"Nonsense, why would I be affected? It's such a pleasant sound, and you're acting like this? No taste!" Zi Yan tilted her head proudly.
… Xiao Yan.
"Your Majesty!"
Yue Mei's heart twisted with fear and rage as she watched her queen's face pale. This human's heart is ruthless!
She wanted to help but was powerless, her face ashen, her body limp on the ground.
The moment the dragon roar began, her mind blanked, dizziness overwhelming her, nearly fainting.
Even covering her ears was futile—the sound bypassed flesh, striking her soul directly.
And this was just the distant aftermath. She couldn't imagine the torment her queen endured, facing the sound's source head-on.
Medusa didn't know how bad it was, but one thought consumed her: Tear this deceitful bastard to pieces to sate my fury!
It was her last thought before her eyes rolled back, and she fainted.
As her limp body began to fall, Xiao Bai halted the roar, pulling her into his arms.
Her curvaceous form was warm against him. His gaze softened, his fingers gently brushing her pale, enchanting face. Staring at her closed eyes, he murmured, "I'm sorry."
Whatever this Cai Lin was, she bore no intent to kill him—only to capture him and take him to the Snake-People's royal city.
Sighing, Xiao Bai lifted her long, slender legs, cradling her in a princess carry. He glanced toward the royal city.
He needed a place to examine her condition quickly.
Suddenly, his expression shifted. A piercing whistle tore through the air behind him, a sharp arrow streaking like a meteor.
"Human, how dare you! Release Her Majesty!"
Xiao Bai tilted his head, eyeing the approaching arrow. Lightning surged at his feet, and with a swift turn, he lashed out a whip-like kick, smashing the arrow.
Boom!
The arrow shattered with a thunderous crash.
In an instant, the distant streak of light reached him.
"The Snake-People's eight commanders?"
Xiao Bai sensed the Dou Wang aura, identifying the newcomer.
The male Snake-Person, wielding a massive bow, glared at Xiao Bai holding Medusa, fury in his eyes. "Human, whoever you are, release Her Majesty, or the Snake-People will hunt you to the death!"
Xiao Bai gave him a cursory glance. The man was burly, clad in a thin shirt, his arms covered in intricate tattoos extending to his palms, where two snarling snake heads seemed ready to leap out, exuding a ferocious aura.
After a moment, Xiao Bai looked away, ignoring the punkish Snake-Person. He turned to Yue Mei, still slumped on the ground, and said calmly, "Lead the way to the royal city."
Time was critical. He had no patience for this man. During his last visit to the Snake-People, he'd stayed mostly in the temple, rarely seen. Only Cai Lin's guard commander, Hua She'er, knew him.
Without Yue Mei guiding, other Snake-People commanders might delay him further.
"Human, you're courting death!"
The burly Snake-Person, Mo Ba Si, seethed at being ignored. A cold glint flashed in his sharp pupils.
He raised his bow, nocking an arrow in one fluid motion, aiming at Xiao Bai.
"Mo Ba Si, don't—"
Yue Mei snapped to, seeing Mo Ba Si's actions and Xiao Bai's darkening expression. A chill ran through her, and she shouted to stop him.
Too late. The bowstring twanged, and another streak of light shot forth.
Xiao Bai's face turned grim. He gently set Cai Lin down, one arm around her slender waist.
His other hand extended, index and middle fingers parting to catch the arrow inches from his face. The arrow's immense force made it quiver, but his fingers held firm, like unyielding mountains.
Five-colored light surged at his fingertips, faint thunder rumbling. His fingers bent slightly, and a subtle roar of a thunder dragon echoed.
With a flick, he sent the arrow back, now a slender five-colored thunder dragon streaking through the air.
Pfft!
Mo Ba Si barely registered the blur before the arrow pierced his shoulder, blood spraying as it passed through.
Boom!
The arrow continued, striking a distant dune. The desert shook with a deafening explosion, the dune flattened into a ten-meter-wide crater as dust settled.
"Mo Ba Si!"
Yue Mei's gaze snapped to him. He clutched his shoulder, pale and terrified, staring at the black-robed human.
"For Cai Lin's sake, I'll spare you once. Next time, it won't be your shoulder—it'll be your head," Xiao Bai said coldly, lifting Cai Lin again. He looked at Yue Mei. "Lead the way."
"You… you're helping our queen?"
Yue Mei recalled the queen's earlier state and her exchange with Xiao Bai. Worry flickered in her eyes. Though she had a hunch, she needed confirmation.
"Yes," Xiao Bai nodded.
"Alright, I'll guide you!" Yue Mei hesitated, then, thinking of the queen's bond with him, nodded firmly.
"Yue Mei, you—"
Mo Ba Si's eyes widened in disbelief. Humans and Snake-People were sworn enemies. With the queen unconscious in this human's hands, why was Yue Mei not only refusing to fight but aiding him?
"Mo Ba Si, I'll explain in the royal city. The queen's safety comes first!" Yue Mei shook her head, her energy wings flaring as she prepared to leave.
"The queen's safety? Yue Mei, explain! What's wrong with her?"
Mo Ba Si's face paled, wanting to check on the queen but too wary to approach Xiao Bai. He grabbed Yue Mei's arm.
"Get lost!"
Xiao Bai's patience snapped. A rolling sonic wave, laced with soul force, surged toward Mo Ba Si.
"Ugh…"
Mo Ba Si stumbled back, blood trickling from his mouth. Yue Mei sighed, noting the worry and urgency in Xiao Bai's eyes. This human's not heartless.
"Let's go!"
She transformed into a streak of light, speeding toward the royal city.
"Zi Yan, stick close and don't wander. Little Yan Zi, come along if you want!"
Xiao Bai glanced at the tall and short figures nearby, issuing a quick instruction before following Yue Mei with Cai Lin in his arms.
With Yue Mei leading, the journey was smooth. An hour later, the Snake-People's royal city loomed on the horizon.
"Insolence! Don't you know flying is forbidden above the temple?"
A sharp rebuke rang from the Snake-People's temple. A figure shot into the sky, blocking their path.
"Hua She'er, forget the rules—the queen's in danger!" Yue Mei stepped forward urgently.
"What's wrong with Her Majesty?" Hua She'er's gaze swept over, landing on the unconscious queen in someone's arms. Her heart sank.
Then her eyes shifted upward, locking onto the man holding her.
"You… Young Master Xiao!"
"Indeed." Xiao Bai nodded, cutting pleasantries short. "Commander Hua She'er, arrange a room. I need to handle Cai Lin's situation."
"Right away, follow me!" Seeing Xiao Bai's grave expression, Hua She'er didn't hesitate, leading him to the queen's chambers.
Moments later, Xiao Bai laid Cai Lin on a fragrant bed. With a wave, he addressed Hua She'er and Yue Mei behind him, "Leave. No one enters until I'm done."
"But—"
"Alright, we entrust Her Majesty to you. We'll be outside—call if you need anything!" Hua She'er cut off Yue Mei's hesitation, pulling her out and closing the door.
"Hua She'er, we're just leaving like that?" Yue Mei frowned at the shut door.
"I trust Young Master Xiao. The queen's matters with him are none of our concern," Hua She'er said, shaking her head.
"You know him?" Yue Mei realized Hua She'er seemed familiar with the human.
"I do," Hua She'er nodded, seeing Yue Mei's curiosity. "You all know the queen reached Dou Zong, but do you know how she did it?"
"Because of him?" Yue Mei gasped, quickly covering her mouth to avoid disturbing the room, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"Exactly," Hua She'er confirmed. "And after that, our queen seemed… different toward him."
"I see…" Yue Mei nodded inwardly. No wonder she favored a human so much.
Inside, Xiao Bai frowned at Cai Lin, still showing no signs of waking.
Logically, with the other Medusa subdued, Cai Lin should've resurfaced quickly.
But along the way, he'd sensed no stir in her consciousness, deepening his concern.
"Let's see what's going on in your sea of consciousness." Xiao Bai's expression grew solemn.
Entering another's consciousness was perilous, requiring absolute trust and no interruptions. That's why he'd chosen the royal city.
His fingers lightly touched Cai Lin's picturesque brow, his eyes closing as his soul force flowed through his touch.
Instantly, his consciousness entered a misty space.
His gaze swept around, then froze, his pupils contracting, disbelief surging in his eyes.
"This… black mist?!"
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