On his way toward the Medusa Serpent's head, Xiao Lin was reflecting on and summarizing this battle.
It could be said that he basically didn't know how to fight.
Although in this battle Xiao Lin had revealed almost all of his trump cards and managed to suppress the Medusa Serpent, the damage he inflicted was actually insufficient.
This was what forced him to use a hundred-thousand-year soul skill that he shouldn't have needed to use.
The people from Tianshui Academy hadn't seen a red soul ring appear, but would they really fail to realize just how heaven-defying Xiao Lin's soul skills were?
Although Xiao Lin had intended to persuade the Medusa Serpent, the fact that he was not good at combat remained unchanged.
Since he had already used his external soul bone, he could have directly attacked with extreme-heat and extreme-cold lasers.
In addition, if he had used his fourth soul skill, Comet Star Trace Slash, to attack the Medusa Serpent, the effect would also have been guaranteed.
He could also have used the Battle God Cloak for defense and as support for offense.
In short, because Xiao Lin's hundred-thousand-year soul skill was far too overpowered, it had led to a lack of real combat experience.
It was like an ordinary person who had killed enemies with a handgun.
After that, their mind would become lazy—under normal circumstances, they would stop thinking and only want to solve problems by shooting the enemy.
That might be convenient and fast, but it wasn't necessarily the best solution.
Xiao Lin's thoughts raced. What he was most satisfied with about himself was his ability to summarize and reflect.
Since he hadn't used abilities like the Battle God Cloak to solve the problem this time, he would just pay more attention next time and experiment more.
Before long, Xiao Lin arrived at the Medusa Serpent's head.
At this moment, the Medusa Serpent—almost completely charred black by lightning—lay weakly in the swamp. If one didn't look carefully, they would definitely think it was already dead.
If not for the faint traces of air still flowing in and out of its nostrils, Xiao Lin would have considered whether to deliver the final blow.
"Medusa Serpent, can you hear me?"
Xiao Lin said softly inside the Medusa Serpent's mouth.
He didn't want the people of Tianshui Academy to know that he was preparing to make a deal with a soul beast, so he spoke as quietly as possible—quiet enough that only the Medusa Serpent could hear.
Speaking from inside the Medusa Serpent's mouth, Xiao Lin had no need to worry about it not hearing him.
Very soon, Xiao Lin began to sweet-talk the Medusa Serpent.
"You should understand that I don't want to kill you. Otherwise, you'd already be dead by now."
"If you still have consciousness, you can consider what I'm about to say."
"I am a soul master who has received the sacrifice of a powerful hundred-thousand-year soul beast. In the future, I will certainly become a god. If you want to live, you can choose to submit to me. When you reach the hundred-thousand-year level, you can also sacrifice yourself to me."
"When I become a god, I'll grant you a position as a divine official."
As Xiao Lin finished speaking, Lei Lei started shouting noisily inside the consciousness space.
"Wait, Xiao Lin, why does it deserve that?"
It wasn't that Lei Lei was jealous—he genuinely looked down on the Medusa Serpent.
"For a hundred-thousand-year head-type spiritual soul bone, this is negotiable,"
Xiao Lin replied calmly within the consciousness space.
In the real world, the Medusa Serpent still hadn't fully understood what Xiao Lin was saying. It was extremely weak right now.
But it knew one thing: if it didn't agree, it would die.
"What do I need to do?"
Soon, a strand of consciousness entered Xiao Lin's mind. This was the Medusa Serpent communicating with him.
"It's very simple. Become my pet, acknowledge me as your master. I'll help you recover your injuries, then help you grow into a hundred-thousand-year soul beast. Finally, I'll give you the chance to sacrifice yourself and become the soul ring of my second martial soul."
As Xiao Lin finished speaking, the Medusa Serpent finally understood.
So what Xiao Lin had said earlier about becoming a god was real.
A hundred-thousand-year soul beast's sacrifice. Twin martial souls.
Recalling Xiao Lin's combat strength, the Medusa Serpent naturally had no intention of refusing.
However… becoming a pet was another matter. It still had its pride.
"I will not become your pet—"
Just as the Medusa Serpent's consciousness was transmitted into Xiao Lin's mind, it was abruptly interrupted.
"You little worm, don't refuse kindness after being shown favor."
This was Lei Lei's consciousness, coming from within Xiao Lin's consciousness space.
Through Xiao Lin, Lei Lei directly transmitted his thoughts to the Medusa Serpent.
"Xiao Lin allowing you to be his pet is already honoring you. Even I am only a future high-ranking divine official under Lord Xiao Lin."
Lei Lei's consciousness, accompanied by overwhelming dragon might and lightning-like stimulation, made the Medusa Serpent shudder uncontrollably.
In an instant, the Medusa Serpent realized that the being who had sacrificed itself to Xiao Lin probably hadn't done so because it couldn't survive the heavenly tribulation.
A being that exerted such terrifying bloodline pressure—how could it possibly fail to overcome a mere hundred-thousand-year tribulation?
And this also proved that Xiao Lin's words were true.
While the Medusa Serpent was thinking, inside the consciousness space, Lei Lei was quite dissatisfied with Xiao Lin's behavior.
Xiao Lin was good in every way—except that he was too kind.
Why say so much to a long worm that had already been beaten flat?
However, inside the consciousness space, Xiao Lin also subtly warned Lei Lei.
The Medusa Serpent and Lei Lei would be colleagues in the future—they should get along peacefully.
If the Medusa Serpent refused, then killing it would be fine.
Xiao Lin treated his own people well, but that didn't mean he would treat outsiders the same way.
"I agree."
Despite hating humans, the Medusa Serpent—feeling its injuries worsening—decisively accepted.
"But I have one condition."
Just as Xiao Lin was acknowledging that the Medusa Serpent knew what was good for it, the Medusa Serpent made a request.
"I still have a son. He must also become a god together with me."
The Medusa Serpent wanted to advance together with its family. Xiao Lin naturally wouldn't refuse this.
"Fine. When the time comes, you'll sacrifice yourself to me, and your son will sacrifice himself to my brother."
"He also has the potential to become a god."
Xiao Lin promptly made the decision on Tang San's behalf.
Given the Medusa Serpent's attributes and its powerful vitality, its son was indeed qualified.
Of course, their cultivation levels were still too low, so Xiao Lin would need to nurture them properly.
"Later, pretend that you were defeated by me and that I ate you. Then swim straight north."
"Yes, Master."
As Xiao Lin finished speaking, the Medusa Serpent adopted a submissive posture and respectfully responded.
"From now on, your name will be Mei Mei. Just call me Lord Xiao Lin."
"But, my lord… how will I recover from my injuries?"
The Medusa Serpent's question left Xiao Lin stunned. It seemed he didn't actually have any ability to heal it.
The healing crystal from before had already been given to Tang San to save Ah Yin, and the materials were used to create a healing formation.
"Ahem! Enough talk. As long as you can endure until we reach the destination, you'll recover."
Xiao Lin coughed awkwardly, then ordered the Medusa Serpent to depart quickly.
At that moment, countless Coiling Dragon Rods that had been embedded in the Medusa Serpent's body vanished one after another.
Enduring its severe injuries by force, the Medusa Serpent swiftly swam northward.
(End of Chapter)