Nalan Yanran found a relatively clean spot and sat down.
Her legs folded. Her hands clasped her knees. Her head rested upon her arms.
Her gaze fixed upon the lava below—churning, crimson, alive.
One of her fingers traced idly along the strand of hair Xiao Yan had tucked behind her ear.
The corner of her mouth curved upward—unconsciously, involuntarily.
What am I thinking about?
Her ears turned crimson.
Outside the Qi Refining Tower.
Well.
Former Qi Refining Tower.
What remained was a massive, gaping crater—and the sealed entrance to the underground world.
Xiao Jietian stood at its edge.
Medusa stood behind him.
Hai Bodong and Bai Ya had already returned to the Eternal Heaven Realm. Su Qian had observed their abrupt appearances and disappearances with barely concealed curiosity, but he had not pressed.
Other people's secrets. If I pry too deeply and they take offense… I cannot handle the consequences.
"What are you thinking about?" Medusa's voice was soft.
"Nothing." Xiao Jietian's gaze remained on the seal. "Just… this Heavenly Flame is quite formidable. Its eruption reduced this place to such a state."
He did not speak of the Dou Di remains. There was no point.
"Indeed." Medusa's voice carried a faint tremor. "The Green Lotus Core Flame I absorbed possessed no intelligence. Even so, it severely wounded me. I required an extended period to recuperate."
A pause.
"This one possesses intelligence. It is far more formidable."
She remembers.
The burning. The pain. The brink of death.
Her body trembled—almost imperceptibly.
Xiao Jietian felt it.
His hand found hers.
Warmth seeped into her palm. An inexplicable sense of security flooded her chest.
The trembling ceased.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk."
Yun Yun's teasing voice drifted toward them.
"Feeding us a heaping serving of dog food, and in broad daylight no less."
Han Yue stood silently beside her.
When Han Yue had attempted to charge onto the battlefield earlier, it was Yun Yun who had intercepted her.
Xiao Jietian had arranged this in advance.
Han Yue. Xiao Yu. The Pan Gate members.
They are the future fresh blood of Boundless Heavenly Hall. Potential pillars of the sect.
The Black-Corner Region filth will not corrupt them.
Medusa's gaze shifted to Han Yue.
"She is?"
"Sister Fei Yan, hello." Han Yue's voice was respectful, composed. "My name is Han Yue."
Hidden beauty.
Sensible. Polite. Addresses me as "sister."
Medusa's approval was instant.
"Since you address me thus, if you ever require anything, come to me. I will handle it."
"Thank you, Sister Fei Yan."
Han Yue's smile was sweet.
Infiltration successful.
"Hmph." Medusa turned to Yun Yun, her chin lifting slightly. "I think you're merely envious."
She raised Xiao Jietian's hand—the one clasping hers—and gave it a deliberate little shake.
Yun Yun's smile was serene.
"Yes," she said. "I am very envious."
Her hand drifted downward.
And gently, deliberately, stroked her belly.
Medusa froze.
Silent flexing.
The deadliest kind.
Her heart shattered into approximately seventeen pieces.
Han Yue observed the exchange in prudent silence.
Yun Yun had already informed her about Xiao Jietian's… situation.
Many confidantes.
She had been momentarily stunned by the revelation.
But she was a latecomer. And she was not rigid.
They have accepted me. What right have I to object?
Besides—
Being with Xiao Jietian is already a step up for me.
A Dou Huang at his age. A background force that could crush my Han Family like ants.
Their highest combat power is a mere Five-Star Dou Zong. Incomparable.
And more importantly…
I have truly fallen for him.
She had once considered leaving silently.
He is surrounded by such exceptional women. What place is there for me?
But Yun Yun had seen through her thoughts.
Gentle words. Patient guidance.
The idea had dissolved.
Han Yue watched Medusa and Yun Yun bicker.
It's not a power struggle. It's… teasing.
Flirtation, even.
Her gaze drifted to Xiao Jietian—who was staring intently at the sky, pretending to notice absolutely nothing.
A funny smile tugged at her lips.
Why did Sister Fei Yan become unhappy when Sister Yun Yun touched her belly?
She observed. Yun Yun's gentle strokes. The maternal glow on her face.
…Ah.
Approximately eighty percent certainty.
Medusa stared at Yun Yun's radiant, contented expression.
Then she turned her resentful gaze upon Xiao Jietian.
Before we became intimate, I did not feel this emotion.
Now—
Now it is different.
We are together. We have… consummated.
And yet.
Xiao Jietian felt her gaze.
He also felt a similar resentful gaze emanating from the space beside him.
Little Fairy Doctor.
He touched his waist.
Fortunately, this item's blessing renders me fearless.
…Still, I feel slightly guilty.
"Ahem." He cleared his throat. "I should assist with the aftermath."
He took a step.
His body did not move.
Restrained.
"…Xian'er. There's no need for this, surely?"
Dou Zun. Full restraint. No escape.
Medusa raised her hand.
"I have something to say regarding this matter." Her voice was calm. "I possess the deepest personal experience."
A pause.
"What? Are you unwilling?"
Another pause.
"What a pity. I had prepared many of those… items you previously requested."
Her voice dropped to a silken murmur.
"It seems I shall have to burn them."
A pause.
"Alas. What a shame."
Innate charm ability.
Comparable to a super-enhanced aphrodisiac.
And she said she prepared many.
Items I brought out before. Which she had refused.
Now she says she will use them.
Xiao Jietian's hesitation lasted approximately zero point five seconds.
To hesitate even one second would be disrespectful to passion.
"I am a gentleman." His voice was steady, righteous. "How could I possibly go against a woman's wishes?"
A pause.
"This is my duty."