"You can try harder next time."
Medusa's fingers found the soft flesh at Xiao Jietian's waist and pinched—hard.
He endured the pain, then caught her small hand and began caressing it gently.
She snatched it back immediately.
Gotcha.
Xiao Jietian had long since figured out his queen. Beneath that alluring, dangerous exterior beat the heart of a shy, easily flustered girl.
Every night, as long as he played along with her tsundere tendencies, she would fall into his trap within minutes. A little push, a little pull, and she would comply with whatever new tricks he proposed—all while maintaining the inner conviction that she was the one in control.
"I am the Queen. I cannot go back on my word."
Every single time.
*BOOM!!! *
The sound was deafening in the narrow space. If any ordinary person had been present, they would have been scared to death on the spot.
Little Fairy Doctor had blasted the door open. Violently. Thoroughly.
Intense light poured through the shattered entrance, illuminating the previously dim area.
She fanned away the dust with a casual gesture. Xiao Jietian led the way inside.
Medusa, following behind him, glanced at the monstrous remains on the ground—the Fifth-Tier beast, now thoroughly deceased.
She looked at Xiao Jietian.
He smiled slightly.
She snorted and looked away.
But he didn't see the immense pride and satisfaction that bloomed on her face the moment she turned.
The man of Queen Medusa must possess powerful strength.
Xiao Jietian... clearly meets those requirements.
The four surveyed the storeroom.
It was spacious, constructed entirely of black metal. Shelves lined the walls, neatly arranged with scrolls. On the opposite side, several crystal cabinets glinted—inside them, various medicinal materials were visible.
Xiao Li's eyes gleamed.
"As expected of an ancient power! Their collection is incredibly rich. This will significantly boost Boundless Heavenly Hall's foundation."
Little Fairy Doctor picked up a scroll, smiling.
"This is what you always said—that destroying a sect is the fastest way to get rich."
"Everything is categorized." She examined the scroll in her hand. "Profound-tier Low-grade."
Xiao Jietian glanced at a few scrolls casually. Ordinary Profound-tier Dou Techniques. Nothing special.
"Second Brother, collect these Profound-tier items. They'll enrich Boundless Heavenly Hall's storeroom."
Xiao Li nodded eagerly. His horizons had broadened considerably since joining Boundless Heavenly Hall. After seeing so many Earth-tier techniques, Profound-tier no longer excited him much.
If this were back in my mercenary days, he thought, this room would have made me faint from joy.
Perspective changes everything.
Neither Little Fairy Doctor nor Medusa showed interest in the scrolls. But Medusa noted them mentally.
These techniques could benefit my Snake-People tribe in the future.
She belonged to Xiao Jietian now. That meant the Snake-People belonged to Boundless Heavenly Hall.
And if those stubborn old elders see this place—see Xiao Jietian's power, see the Eternal Heaven World—they won't need me to say anything.
They'll humble themselves before him willingly.
After Xiao Li collected all the Profound-tier shelves, the group moved to the medicinal materials area.
They began取出, counting, categorizing.
Medusa spotted several ingredients for the Soul Fusion Pill. But they were no longer needed.
She held a particular herb, her thoughts drifting.
When everything was sorted, Xiao Jietian took a portion of the medicinal materials he needed—the rarest, most precious ones. The rest he handed to Xiao Li.
Xiao Li looked at the several storage rings now in his possession. A realization dawned.
"I finally understand why you brought me along." His tone was mock-accusatory. "You couldn't bear to make your beloved wives do the hard work, so you made me do it instead!"
"How could that be?" Xiao Jietian's expression was the picture of innocence. "We're blood brothers! I'm giving you benefits! Look at all these scrolls—you get first pick!"
Xiao Li scratched his head.
That sounds right... but something feels off.
My brain feels itchy. Like it's growing.
"Fei Yan." Xiao Jietian's voice was soft. His hand gently stroked her smooth hair. "Let's go."
Medusa felt his warmth. Her thoughts snapped back to the present.
She remembered what she had been thinking about.
And she smiled.
Not her usual dangerous smirk. Not her seductive curve.
A pure, heartfelt, radiant smile.
Xiao Jietian was instantly captivated.
This smile... it's more alluring than any enchantment.
They continued deeper into the storeroom.
Medusa walked behind Xiao Jietian, her hand tightly gripping his.
Little Fairy Doctor watched them with an indulgent, aunt-like smile.
So sweet.
At the very end of the storeroom stood a single bookshelf.
On it rested only four ancient-looking boxes.
Around the shelf, a faint energy shield pulsed—rich energy protecting the contents within.
Above the shelf, words were inscribed.
Earth-tier.
Xiao Li's eyes widened.
"Is this... Earth-tier?!"
"Indeed." Xiao Jietian nodded. "All the good stuff is here."
Though I have a general idea what's inside, things might have changed because of my interference.
Xiao Li moved forward eagerly—then stopped.
"There's a protective shield. It's not simple."
Xiao Jietian examined it.
"It can't be destroyed by brute force. If we attack it directly, the energy will damage the items inside."
Xiao Li's heart clenched. Earth-tier treasures, damaged? Unthinkable.
"Then what do we do?"
"Xian'er." Xiao Jietian turned to her. "Can you retrieve the items without triggering the shield?"
Little Fairy Doctor approached the shelf. She extended her hand, sensing.
"About eighty percent chance." Her voice was thoughtful. "This shield is very well-constructed. The energy is completely linked to the boxes."
"Eighty percent is enough." Xiao Jietian's voice was calm. "And the items inside aren't irreplaceable anyway. Do your best."
I should have brought Zi Yan, he thought. This kind of thing requires an expert.
But it's too late now.
Little Fairy Doctor nodded. She closed her eyes, adjusting her state.
I must not disappoint him.
Everything I've achieved, I owe to Xiao Jietian. I must prove my value.
Three breaths passed.
Her eyes snapped open. Purple-brown Dou Qi condensed in her palms.
Then—she struck.
*BOOM!!! *