Within the sea of consciousness, Xiao Bai stared at the sinister black mist, its tendrils writhing as it encroached upon nearly half of the soul space.
One side shimmered with pure soul mist, while the other was entangled with the dark, coiling black mist. The boundary was stark—gray versus black, sharply divided.
The black mist seemed to yearn to invade the pure side but hesitated, as if something there instilled fear, halting its advance.
How could such a thing exist in Cai Lin's sea of consciousness?
Xiao Bai's brows furrowed, his mind swirling with questions.
Isn't this the kind of thing I encountered in that eerie void while cultivating the Heavenly Heart Sensing Chapter?
That void had always unnerved him. He didn't know what it was, and the original story never mentioned it.
Recalling Medusa's earlier words—that he was the cause of her change—a theory formed. Could this be linked to the accident during her evolution, when the lightning tribulation caused her to fuse with my soul seal, triggering this transformation?
It was the only connection he could draw between Cai Lin and that void. Otherwise, the black mist's presence here was inexplicable.
"Ugh…"
A pained moan snapped Xiao Bai from his thoughts.
Before he could trace the sound, an enraged, melodious shout echoed through the silent sea of consciousness.
"Liar! Bastard! How dare you treat me like this? When I get out, I'll rip your heart out and see if it's as black as I think!"
Xiao Bai turned to the black-mist-shrouded side, where a voluptuous figure had appeared, steadying herself as she rose, clutching her forehead.
Seeing the cursing woman, a gentle smile flickered in Xiao Bai's eyes. He teased, "You want to… rip out my heart?"
"Who's there?"
Medusa startled. This was her sea of consciousness, the sanctum of her soul—how could another voice intrude?
Looking up, she saw a familiar black-robed figure. Her exquisite, demonic face darkened, her narrowed eyes blazing with fury.
"Bastard! Attacking me outside wasn't enough—you chased me into my consciousness? Are you really out to destroy me?"
Her eyes brimmed with frustration and sorrow. For a magical beast, soul force was a weakness, and without soul techniques, she had no defense.
She'd experienced his soul prowess firsthand, and even the old soul in the ring had acknowledged it.
If I'd known, I wouldn't have held back outside, foolishly hoping he'd show mercy.
"In your eyes, am I that kind of person?"
Xiao Bai strode through the consciousness, heading straight for Medusa.
Reaching the gray-black divide, he paused, then stepped into the dark side.
"Heh… aren't you?"
Medusa steadied her swaying body, hands behind her back, head held high with pride. Even if she faced dissipation, she refused to let him see her vulnerable. She sneered, "When you struck, I didn't see a flicker of hesitation in your eyes!"
Xiao Bai paused, silent for a moment, then shook his head as if unbothered. "If you say so, so be it."
He scanned the black mist swirling around his soul form, noting how it avoided crossing the gray-black line, as if wary. A thoughtful glint passed through his eyes before he met her gaze, asking softly, "Where's Cai Lin?"
Medusa's teeth clenched at his impassive demeanor. Turning her head, she spat, "Dead! There's no Cai Lin here—only Queen Medusa!"
"Is that so?" Xiao Bai's eyes lowered, his thoughts unreadable. After a pause, he sighed, "Fate is fickle. If she's gone, so be it."
"Heh… haha!"
Medusa burst into laughter, wiping tears of mirth from her eyes. She shot him a disdainful look. "I was right—you're a black-hearted bastard!"
"A beauty lost, my heart heavy… Would Your Majesty care to join me for a stroll over there?" Xiao Bai's face remained calm, gesturing casually to the gray mist side.
"Hmph!" Medusa scoffed, mocking, "What a heartless cad. You were all about Cai Lin before, but now she's gone, you're eyeing me? Looking for a replacement?"
"No way I'm playing your game!"
"That's not up to you." Xiao Bai shook his head, a faint smile curling his lips, his tone like a domineering rogue. "Today, you're coming with me, like it or not!"
With a wave, a palm-sized glow flashed, revealing a seal pattern. It streaked through the void, expanding rapidly.
"Bastard! You're sealing me?"
Recognizing the seal from her memories—having been bound by it before—Medusa panicked.
Before she could react, the seal transformed into a massive pattern, enveloping her mind entirely.
Light surged, encasing her like a transparent glass dome.
"Bastard! Release me! I'm not going!"
As the light contracted, a flicker of urgency broke through Medusa's composed eyes. Her hands pounded the barrier, sending ripples like water, but it held firm.
"Easy, easy!"
Xiao Bai beckoned, and the massive dome shrank back to a palm-sized seal, returning to his hand.
Looking at the tiny Medusa within, her exquisite face etched with anxiety and fear, he said softly, "You're sick."
"You heartless bastard! I'm not sick—you are!"
Medusa hammered the seal, but seeing the unyielding barrier, despair crept in.
"Look at yourself, shrouded in black mist. Does that seem normal?" Xiao Bai held the seal, stepping toward the gray mist side.
"Black mist? What black mist?"
"Huh? You can't see it?"
Medusa paused, inspecting herself—everything seemed fine. Realization dawned, and she exploded, "Xiao Bai! To think you'd stoop to lies to satisfy your selfish desires!"
"Whether it's nonsense or not, answer me this." Xiao Bai stopped at the black mist's edge, puzzled. "Why won't you go to that side?"
"None of your business! I go where I please!" Medusa's eyes darted away, avoiding his piercing gaze.
"Is it because, over there, you'd be Cai Lin?" Though phrased as a question, his tone left no doubt.
"You…" Medusa spun to face him, disbelief flashing in her eyes.
Her reaction confirmed Xiao Bai's suspicion, and he sighed softly.
There aren't two Cai Lins.
The one before him was Cai Lin, corrupted by the black mist.
She couldn't see it, unaware of her condition, believing another consciousness had formed in her sea.
This explained his doubts.
From the start, he'd noticed this "Medusa" wasn't drastically different from Cai Lin—similar traits, just more unrestrained, as if freed from moral shackles.
If she were truly a separate entity, how could they be so alike? This wasn't a copy-paste job.
And when this "Medusa" faded, Cai Lin's continued absence had deepened his suspicions.
"Xiao Bai, are you sure you want that weakling to return?" Seeing him step toward the unsettling gray mist, Medusa's narrowed eyes darkened, nearly dripping with menace.
… Xiao Bai.
What'll her face be like when she recovers and recalls calling herself a weakling?
"Be good," he said gently, noting her growing agitation in the gray mist. "You're sick, but I'll fix it."
"Hah, sick? Just an excuse to sacrifice me for her!"
Medusa's face calmed, her tone flat. "Say what you will—it's because you chose her."
Xiao Bai fell silent. He knew if left unchecked, Cai Lin would fully become this queen.
Though the same person, she wasn't wrong—in a way, he was choosing one over the other.
"Sorry," he said, watching the black mist begin to dissipate from her form, unable to say more.
He knew little about the black mist and feared its lingering dangers. He couldn't stand by and let it fester in her consciousness.
"No need for apologies," Medusa said with a carefree laugh, waving it off. "I lost, fair and square. She's luckier, having you to help her."
She sat cross-legged, her eyes fixed on Xiao Bai's face, lost in thought, a faint smile on her lips.
Xiao Bai wanted to speak, but words felt hollow in this moment. He stayed silent.
The atmosphere grew heavy.
After a while, faint signs of struggle appeared on her face. Medusa seemed to sense her end, chuckling softly, "For old times' sake, do me a favor."
"Alright."
"Watch over the Snake-People. It's her obsession—and mine."
"Alright."
Seeing the complex emotions in Xiao Bai's eyes, Medusa flashed a radiant smile, bright as dawn, breathtakingly beautiful.
"Treat her well. Every Medusa Queen, once in love, is devoted until death. A good man brings joy, but a bastard leaves them to wither in despair. So… don't you dare become that bastard!"
She winked playfully, then closed her eyes.
Xiao Bai, his mood somber, couldn't help but smile at her unexpected cheekiness. This domineering queen has such a side?
Was her final warning a jab at him, or Cai Lin's deepest truth?
They were one and the same, the black mist merely clouding her memories, making her think they were separate.
Her jest lightened the heavy air.
Moments later, Cai Lin's eyes began to flutter. Xiao Bai knew she was waking.
Her narrowed, phoenix-like eyes opened, dazed at first, then sharpening as clarity returned.
"Xiao Bai?"
"Mm."
"Hmph, didn't you leave? Why're you back?"
…
Staring at the woman back to her sharp-tongued, prickly self, Xiao Bai wondered if he'd made a mistake. A sudden urge to drag her back to the black mist for a "rewash" surged within him.
"What're you doing?"
Cai Lin stood, her phoenix eyes narrowing regally as Xiao Bai approached with a dangerous glint.
A glance around revealed they were in her sea of consciousness, startling her.
What was that personality doing, letting him into our consciousness?
With his soul force, he could do whatever he wanted here!
Before she could think further, the black-robed figure closed in. Her waist tightened as he pulled her close.
"Release—mmph!"
The word "me" was cut off as his face loomed, a scorching breath meeting her lips.
Their lips touched, both trembling at the contact.
The soul-to-soul sensation sent a jolt through Xiao Bai, his eyes blazing with heat, his kiss growing hungrier.
They say a soul's touch is divine, but I never knew…
In this moment, he understood the ecstasy of a soul's kiss.
Cai Lin, feeling his hands roam her body, snapped from her dazed state.
Fury mingled with shyness. Her hands pushed against his chest, but he didn't budge.
"Mmph…"
"Xiao Bai, you… phoenix… thief!"
Unable to break free, she gave up, hands falling as she glared, venting her displeasure with her eyes.
"Phew."
Xiao Bai released her tempting lips, exhaling to quell his inner fire.
As her flushed cheeks cooled, Cai Lin twisted her serpentine waist, snapping, "Had enough? Let go!"
Reluctantly, Xiao Bai released her soft form.
Noticing him rub his fingertips, savoring her touch, Cai Lin's enchanting face flushed faintly. She growled, "I'll chop those paws off one day!"
"Heh, would you bear to?" Xiao Bai winked, chuckling.
"Hmph! I've chopped off plenty of hands—yours won't be missed!" Cai Lin shot him a sidelong glance, her lips curving in disdain.
Stepping aside, she sensed her surroundings, then asked curiously, "Where is she?"
____
If you want to support me and read advanced 40+ chapters and other stories: patreon.com/Caluem