The object in Xiao Jietian's hand was a black token, carved with the image of a brown flame.
"Th-that's the Ancestor's identity token!" Fang Yan's voice was a strangled whisper, his eyes wide with disbelief. "How did you get that?!"
"You can ask him yourself when you see him."
The three elders' hearts turned to ash.
The Ancestor... fallen?
A long halberd materialized in Xiao Jietian's grip. He took a single step—and appeared directly before them.
The halberd swept out.
Three heads, their faces frozen in expressions of terror, flew into the air.
An instant later, raging flames consumed both heads and bodies, reducing them to drifting ash.
Xiao Jietian stood in the void, gazing down at the valley below. Fires raged. Explosions echoed. The ancient sect was being systematically erased.
After about two minutes, figures began flying up from within, approaching to report.
Many were stained with blood—some their own, some their enemies'. But all who had come from Boundless Heavenly Hall were high-level combatants. There were no fatalities, only minor injuries. The kind that would heal even if treatment was slightly delayed.
As the last of the personnel gathered, it marked the official end of Demon Flame Valley. A long-prosperous sect, reduced to history.
Many wore joyful expressions. Xiao Jietian had announced beforehand that all wealth and belongings of those they killed would belong to the individual slayer.
The true treasures—the sect's hidden vault—that would be handled separately. But the surface wealth was more than enough to win loyalty.
"You all clean up the battlefield." Xiao Jietian's voice carried across the gathered crowd. "Leave nothing behind."
The elders and deacons nodded eagerly and dispersed.
Xiao Jietian led Medusa, Xiao Li, and Little Fairy Doctor deeper into the valley.
They passed through a long tunnel until they reached a stone wall. It appeared desolate—overgrown with weeds, utterly unremarkable.
Xiao Jietian studied it intently.
Medusa tilted her head. "Is something wrong with this wall?"
He touched its surface. "Demon Flame Valley's treasure vault is right here."
Xiao Li stared at the wall, confusion plain on his face.
"This just looks like a stone wall. How could anything be hidden here?"
Medusa, relying on her powerful senses, could vaguely detect a slight abnormality now that Xiao Jietian had pointed it out. But if he hadn't mentioned it, she might not have noticed at all.
Little Fairy Doctor, however, had sensed it long ago. The restrictions laid down by Earth Demon Old Ghost were child's play to her perception.
Medusa's expression soured.
His realm is the same as mine—Seven-Star Dou Zong. Yet he noticed, and I didn't.
That means... my strength is inferior to his?
Unacceptable.
Except for that first time when she had been on top, she had always been beneath him since. Unless Xiao Jietian willingly let her be the "knight," she could never turn the tables. She could only sing the song of a serf trying to overthrow her master.
Frustrated, she punched the wall.
Her multi-coloured Dou Qi slammed into the stone with devastating force.
The "incredibly hard" stone wall exploded. Rocks flew everywhere.
Behind Xiao Jietian, Little Fairy Doctor hummed softly. The flying debris turned to ash before it could even approach them.
Xiao Jietian blinked at Medusa.
Why is she suddenly angry?
Is it her time of the month?
No, cultivators don't have those...
He was genuinely confused.
But Little Fairy Doctor, who had fought alongside Medusa many times, understood immediately. A knowing smile curved her lips.
Always so competitive. Always wanting to be on top. And every time, she loses so thoroughly...
She recalled their joint battles against Xiao Jietian. Medusa was always the main attacker, throwing herself into the fray with everything she had. And every time, she ended up the most thoroughly "defeated."
Even as a cream puff, she's the fullest one.
After throwing her punch, Medusa felt much better. She shot Xiao Jietian a proud glance, then went to Little Fairy Doctor's side. The two began chatting softly.
Xiao Li, watching Medusa's violent display, silently gave Xiao Jietian a thumbs-up.
My sister-in-law is terrifying. And you conquered her?
Impressive, brother. Very impressive.
"Let's go." Xiao Jietian stepped toward the opening Medusa had created. "Let's see how rich Demon Flame Valley's collection is."
He paused, glancing at Xiao Li.
"Second Brother, stay close to me. There might be guardians or magical beasts inside."
Xiao Li nodded and followed.
Little Fairy Doctor and Medusa brought up the rear, still whispering to each other.
They walked for about ten minutes through the tunnel before reaching a tightly shut stone door.
The door was entirely black, immensely heavy-looking. Fierce magical beast patterns were carved into its surface—designed to intimidate, to captivate, to warn away intruders.
To Xiao Jietian and his companions, it posed no threat.
Xiao Li studied the door, then began searching for a mechanism.
"This door is huge. There must be some way to open it."
Xiao Jietian pulled him back.
"Second Brother. No need for such trouble." His voice was calm, confident. "In the face of absolute strength, no mechanism can stop us."
He turned to Little Fairy Doctor.
"Xian'er. Blast it open. There's a Fifth-Tier magical beast inside. Smash it along with the door."
Little Fairy Doctor nodded. She stepped before the stone door, her slender palm gathering power.
Medusa moved to Xiao Jietian's side. Her eyes narrowed.
"How did you know there was a magical beast inside?"
"I was just talking nonsense."
Her eyes narrowed further.
Liar.
She knew him too well now. Every word he spoke was calculated.
"Sooner or later," she said, her voice carrying the weight of absolute determination, "I will surpass you. And when I do, I will make you call me Queen."
Xiao Jietian's eyes lit up.
He wrapped an arm around her slender waist and pulled her close. His lips brushed against her ear.
"So that's your wish?" His voice was a warm whisper. "You should have said so earlier. I can fulfill that request tonight."
Xiao Li, standing nearby, very tactfully moved several steps away.
I'm not being sensible, he thought. I just don't want to eat dog food. I've been abused enough. I have a conditioned reflex now.
Women? I don't need them.
I only want to practice my marksmanship.
Medusa felt Xiao Jietian's warm breath against her ear. It tickled.
She knew his nature. If an ordinary person's body was seventy percent water, his was seventy percent... other things.
She glared at him.
"You wish! I meant the kind where you willingly surrender and call me Queen!"
Xiao Jietian's smile widened.
"Well... that might be a little difficult."