The room was sealed the moment the barrier descended.
A faint blue shimmer spread across the walls, isolating the interior from the rest of the inner courtyard. Sound, aura, and even spiritual fluctuations were completely blocked. Inside, only the gentle glow of spirit lamps illuminated the space.
On the wooden table lay a jade bottle.
Inside it, thick crimson liquid slowly rolled like molten lava, releasing waves of scorching energy. Even without opening the bottle, the heat distortion in the surrounding air made it obvious—this was no ordinary medicinal solution.
This was a fire-attribute spirit liquid refined personally by Xiao Se.
Using extreme-hot spring water from the Ice–Fire Yin–Yang Well, combined with rare high-grade fire herbs, its energy density was terrifying. Ordinary cultivators would have their meridians burned apart the instant it entered their bodies.
But for the Seven-Colored Heaven-Devouring Python—
It was a feast.
The small snake raised its head the instant the bottle appeared.
Its pale-violet pupils instantly lit up like gemstones catching sunlight.
With a soft hiss, it rubbed affectionately against Xiao Se's fingers, its body coiling around his wrist before flicking its tongue eagerly at the bottle. When the cork was opened, the snake wrapped its tail around the jade neck and greedily began licking the thick red liquid.
Each swallow caused faint crimson runes to flicker across its scales.
It ate with terrifying speed, as if afraid someone might steal it away.
Xiao Se watched with a faint smile.
"That thing's appetite is getting worse every day."
Curious, Xiao Yixian leaned closer.
The moment she approached—
"Hiss!"
The little snake instantly reared up, baring its tiny fangs and releasing a threatening hiss. Its eyes were filled with hostility, as if guarding treasure.
"…You little tyrant."
Xiao Yixian twitched and stepped back, then deliberately made a face at it.
"Greedy little thing."
The snake snorted proudly and turned its head away, continuing to drink.
Xiao Yixian sighed and crossed her arms beneath her chest, her lips pursed.
"Alright, enough mystery. You dragged me in here, sealed the room, and even activated a barrier. What exactly are you planning?"
Xiao Se smiled.
"Yixian… take your clothes off."
The words fell plainly.
Silence.
Then—
"…Huh?"
Her brain froze.
Her eyes widened, lips parting slightly as heat rushed violently to her cheeks.
"T-Take… my clothes off?!"
She instinctively hugged herself, stepping back half a pace, her voice trembling.
"Y-You—don't go too far! We're adults now, yes, but—if you take one more step I'll scream!"
Xiao Se stared at her blankly.
Then rubbed his temple.
"Why does every woman say that line?"
She blinked. "You mean… other women too?!"
"…That's not the point."
He exhaled helplessly.
"Relax. Even if I wanted to do something, I wouldn't choose this timing."
As he spoke, his hand flickered.
A deep-purple object appeared in his palm.
The air instantly turned heavy.
It looked like a crystallized human spine—transparent yet solid, emitting faint violet light. From it extended eight spider-like bone branches, each sharp and curved like blades forged from poison itself.
Strange runes pulsed across its surface.
The moment it appeared, the entire room filled with a cold, sinister pressure.
Xiao Yixian froze.
Her pupils contracted violently.
"This is…!"
Her breathing grew rapid.
As the possessor of the Calamity Poison Body, her sensitivity to toxins surpassed that of ordinary cultivators by countless times. From the moment the object emerged, her blood began to stir uncontrollably.
The poison aura within it was unbelievably pure.
Terrifying.
Seductive.
Almost calling to her.
Xiao Se nodded slowly.
"An external soul bone."
"The Eight Spider Spears."
He explained calmly:
"It doesn't occupy the six standard body positions. It fuses directly with the spine."
"It contains extremely concentrated venom, can absorb and refine poison, strengthen your toxin control, and increase overall offensive power by at least fifty percent."
He paused.
"And unlike ordinary soul bones…"
"It can evolve."
Her breath caught.
Even someone like her, who had already fused multiple ten-thousand-year soul bones, understood exactly what that meant.
An evolving external soul bone was priceless beyond imagination.
Yet after a long silence, she shook her head.
"No."
She met his eyes firmly.
"You should keep it."
"With your combat style, it would be even more terrifying in your hands."
Xiao Se shook his head.
"If your Calamity Poison Body were already completely resolved, I would."
"But it isn't."
He stepped closer, his tone growing serious.
"As your cultivation rises, the poison within you will grow more violent. Your soul bones have limits—one day, they won't be able to contain it."
"This Eight Spider Spears can."
"It can continuously absorb, refine, and evolve alongside your poison."
Her eyes trembled.
For a moment, she couldn't speak.
Then tears welled up unexpectedly.
She stepped forward and pressed herself into his chest, arms wrapping tightly around his waist.
"…Thank you."
Her voice trembled.
"Thank you, Xiao Se."
He lowered his chin gently against her hair.
"You're my woman."
"Who else would I give it to?"
She stiffened.
"…Your woman?"
His lips curved faintly.
"Is that wrong?"
Her face turned red again—but she didn't deny it.
After a moment, she suddenly remembered something and pulled back.
"…Wait."
She stared at him nervously.
"You still said I need to take my clothes off…"
Xiao Se coughed lightly.
"The fusion point is your back."
"If you keep everything on, the soul bone won't integrate properly."
Her ears burned crimson.
She hesitated for a long time before finally turning around.
"…No peeking."
"I won't."
He replied solemnly.
(Technically true. He would be sitting directly behind her.)
Slowly, she loosened the clasp of her robe.
The gray-purple fabric slid down her shoulders.
Moonlight from the window traced every curve of her exposed back.
Smooth.
Snow-white.
Unblemished.
Her slender waist tapered elegantly, forming lines so perfect they seemed sculpted by heaven itself.
Xiao Se swallowed unconsciously.
Beautiful.
Too beautiful.
She untied the final silk strap and knelt onto the prepared mat, clutching her clothes to her chest.
"…I'm ready."
He moved behind her and sat down cross-legged.
"Fusion will be extremely painful."
She smiled softly.
"My body has been devoured by poison more times than I can count."
"This pain won't defeat me."
He placed the Eight Spider Spears against her spine.
Then—
The Ice–Fire Dragon Flame surged.
Purple light erupted violently.
The soul bone dissolved into pure energy and pierced into her back.
"Ah—!"
A hoarse cry escaped her lips as lightning-like agony tore through her nerves.
Eight phantom spider spears burst outward behind her, formed of condensed violet energy.
Her body arched sharply.
Sweat drenched her skin instantly.
Her fingers clawed into the mat as the bone fused, rewrote, merged.
Every meridian screamed.
Every nerve burned.
The poison within her body surged wildly—then was devoured, absorbed, transformed.
Minute by minute.
Pain became numbness.
Numbness became heat.
Finally—
The light faded.
The spider spears retracted.
The markings sank beneath her skin.
She collapsed backward.
Straight into his arms.
Her entire body was burning hot, chest rising and falling violently, soft gasps brushing against his neck.
"It's… done…"
She whispered weakly.
Xiao Se held her tightly.
Behind her shoulder blades, faint purple spider patterns shimmered briefly before vanishing completely.
She lifted her eyes slowly.
"…You didn't peek?"
He smiled.
"I behaved."
She snorted quietly.
"…Liar."
But she didn't push him away.
Instead, she relaxed fully against his chest.
Her voice softened.
"I feel… different."
"Stronger."
He lowered his head and kissed her forehead gently.
"This is only the beginning."
Outside the window, moonlight flowed silently across the inner courtyard.
The road ahead was dangerous.
But from tonight onward—
She would never walk it alone.
(End of Chapter)
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