Outside the ivory tower, two figures stood silently in midair. Though their eyes were fixed upon the tower, their gazes pierced far deeper—watching the magma world below, where Xiao Hua and Cai Lin were currently located.
Their presence here was not without reason. With solemn expressions, they observed the scene with absorbed attention, concerned about the possibility of failure. After all, Cai Lin was no ordinary woman, and her relationship with Xiao Hua—whom they both regarded as a younger brother—was anything but simple.
They had originally prepared to intervene should things go awry, but it seemed they had underestimated the determination and willpower of their little brother. Against all odds, he had successfully refined and fused Cai Lin's spirit with that of the Heaven Swallowing Python.
Usually, having confirmed that everything was proceeding smoothly, they would have returned to the wooden cabin without delay. However, Lady Azure's curiosity was suddenly piqued by something unexpected.
"Hm… I wonder if that child has prior experience with women, judging by the way he moves..." she mused, her tone half-teasing.
Lady Azure stared with interest, a playful smile tugging at her lips as she observed the intimate interaction between Xiao Hua and Cai Lin.
"Sister, what are you doing?! That's not something we should be watching!" Xue Yue exclaimed, her face flushed as she scolded Lady Azure for her inappropriate behaviour.
"Have some decency, Sister! This is a blatant invasion of their privacy!"
"I'm merely confirming that our little brother possesses the technique, stamina, and ahem… adequate proportions to satisfy his beautiful ladies. After all, I have a feeling he'll have more than a few wives in the future," Lady Azure said with a playful shrug of her shoulders.
"From what I can see, he passed with flying colors!" she added, sticking out her tongue in a mischievously cute manner.
"Enough! We're going back to the wooden cabin. Stop watching—and forget everything you've seen here, Sister!" Xue Yue sighed in exasperation, her tone sharp as she shot a withering glare at Lady Azure.
Realizing she had pushed Xue Yue's patience a bit too far, Lady Azure relented and followed her back. Though she had teased her sister with lighthearted words, her interest wasn't driven purely by mischief.
Before turning away completely, her gaze flickered one last time toward the magma world. Within Cai Lin's body, the spirit of the Heaven Swallowing Python was doing something rather intriguing. A faint, knowing smirk tugged at her lips before vanishing without a trace.
She understood exactly what the serpent was planning—and had no intention of stopping it. In fact, she found it preferable this way. After all, this meant the little serpent would become the beast companion of Xiao Hua's future child.
'Ke ke... I truly wonder how he'll react once he learns of this,' Lady Azure chuckled inwardly, amusement bubbling deep within her heart.
For now, she had no plans to reveal this—neither to Xiao Hua, nor to Cai Lin, and certainly not to Xue Yue.
While she had only intended to observe quietly, Lady Azure suddenly noticed the space around the two figures—engaged in their intimate act—begin to ripple and distort. In the next instant, both Xiao Hua and Cai Lin vanished completely from her sight.
"…This…" Lady Azure was momentarily at a loss for words before letting out a helpless sigh. How could she not recognize what had happened? Xiao Hua had forcefully isolated them within a separate realm.
Though the realm itself was unstable and would likely collapse within a few days, it was more than enough time for them to finish their matters and safely depart before it unraveled.
'So, he acted purely on instinct... shielding them the moment he sensed someone watching. He's completely lost to reason, yet his body still reacts to protect her innocence and privacy,' she mused inwardly.
Lady Azure shook her head at Xiao Hua's subconscious reaction. Yet despite her initial surprise, she couldn't help but approve of his action. With a faint smile, she turned away and quietly followed after Xue Yue.
…
Upon returning, Lady Azure and Xue Yue made their way to the garden at the rear of the residence. They had to admit—this place possessed a rare tranquility. Even their hearts felt a surge of quiet satisfaction amidst the serene beauty of the garden.
Venturing deeper, they soon spotted Little Fairy Doctor gently tending to the blossoms. They recalled that before Xun Er's departure, Little Fairy Doctor had frequently sought her guidance on how to care for the flowers. Xun Er, with her usual warmth, had taught her with a delighted smile.
"Welcome back, Lady Azure, Lady Xue Yue. How are Xiao Hua and Cai Lin?" Noticing their presence, Little Fairy Doctor paused her work and greeted them with a gentle, respectful smile.
"They're fine. It seems they've successfully crossed the critical threshold," Lady Azure replied with a faint, reassuring smile.
Xue Yue gave a slight nod in greeting as well, her expression calmer now that the worst had passed.
A soft sigh escaped Little Fairy Doctor's lips, as visible relief washed over her. She had been truly worried for both Cai Lin and Xiao Hua, but with Lady Azure's words, the weight in her heart finally began to lift.
She gazed at Lady Azure and Xue Yue, her eyes brimming with curiosity. Though the question lingered on the tip of her tongue, she hesitated, uncertain whether it was appropriate to ask.
Noticing her hesitation, Lady Azure and Xue Yue exchanged a glance, then turned their attention back to Little Fairy Doctor.
"If something weighs on your mind, don't hesitate to speak it," Lady Azure said gently, encouraging her to give voice to her thoughts.
Prompted by her words, Little Fairy Doctor no longer held back and chose to ask what had been troubling her.
"Once Xiao Hua fully devours the essence of all the Primordial Heavenly Flames and refines the Celestial Ancient Frost… wouldn't that mean both Lady Azure and Lady Xue Yue will disappear?"
Lady Azure and Xue Yue blinked in surprise, clearly not expecting such a question. They exchanged another glance before quietly shaking their heads.
Lady Azure smiled wryly and let out a soft sigh. "So that's what you've been wondering about…"
After a brief pause, she lifted her gaze and spoke with a faint, reassuring smile. "Rest assured. We won't simply vanish just because he has completely swallowed and merged with all of the Primordial Heavenly Flames or refined the Celestial Ancient Frost."
"The reason is simple—we possess complete souls," Lady Azure explained calmly. "We're able to separate our souls from our original flame bodies and form new vessels. To put it plainly, even if that child swallows the Fire Source, it doesn't mean he swallows my soul. At most, I may need to fall into slumber for a few years, but it won't lead to my death."
"It's similar to how a soul, once exhausted, requires time to recover. That's all," Xue Yue added gently.
"Hence, there will be two Heavenly Genesis Flames—one residing within Xiao Hua, and the other is… me," Lady Azure said with a faint, serene smile.
"Naturally, the same applies to the Celestial Ancient Frost," Xue Yue added.
"I see…" Little Fairy Doctor nodded slowly. Though a hint of confusion still lingered in her heart, she felt reassured. Knowing that Lady Azure and Lady Xue Yue would not vanish was enough to put her worries to rest.
As they were speaking, a little girl dressed in purple suddenly burst into the room, her cheeks puffed up in mild frustration. Yet upon seeing Lady Azure and Xue Yue, her expression immediately brightened.
"Lady Azure, Lady Xue Yue! How are Xiao Hua and Sister Cai Lin?" Zi Yan called out cheerfully, lightly hopping as she ran toward them.
Lady Azure responded to Zi Yan's concern much the same way she had with Little Fairy Doctor, gently patting the girl's head with a soft smile.
"They're fine," she said reassuringly. "They've passed the critical point without issue."
"Ah, that's good." Zi Yan let out a small sigh of relief, her expression easing. Then she quickly lifted her gaze and asked, "How long will they be staying in the magma world?"
Lady Azure paused, withdrawing her hand as she tapped her chin in thought. After a brief moment, she gave a light shrug and replied, "That, I can't say for certain. Perhaps just a few more days… but it shouldn't take longer than a week."
"Then we still have some time left before heading to the Central Plains, huh…" Zi Yan crossed her arms and tilted her head from side to side, deep in thought, her brows furrowed tightly.
"You still haven't given up on taking those medicinal fruits from the garden, have you?" Little Fairy Doctor asked with a knowing smile, immediately understanding the source of Zi Yan's earlier frustration.
Ever since their arrival at the Inner Academy a month ago, Zi Yan had repeatedly attempted to take the medicinal plants from the garden—rich in natural energy and tempting beyond measure.
Unfortunately for her, every time she tried, she was caught by the array left behind by one of Xiao Hua's sworn sisters, Xin Yu. No matter how fiercely she struggled, she could never escape its grasp. Each time, it fell to either Little Fairy Doctor or Xiao Hua to retrieve her from the garden.
Little Fairy Doctor shook her head helplessly, a faint smile tugging at her lips. This wasn't the first time Zi Yan had acted this way—and it certainly wouldn't be the last.
She turned her gaze toward the distant Blazing Sky Refining Qi Tower, her eyes softening. A gentle smile rose at the corners of her mouth as she whispered affectionately to herself,
"Xiao Hua… Sister Cai Lin… enjoy your time together."
Ever since she learned that Cai Lin would remain in the Jia Ma Empire to watch over the Xiao Clan—particularly Xiao Yan, the younger cousin Xiao Hua had taken under his wing—Little Fairy Doctor hadn't interfered with the deepening bond between the two.
She understood that once Xiao Hua departed for the Central Plains, it would be a long while before the two could meet again. And so, she allowed Cai Lin to express her feelings freely, quietly observing from a respectful distance.
…
Time flowed like wax under a steady flame. By the fifth day, it had already slipped into weeks. Silent and unhurried, three months passed beneath the unblinking gaze of the tower ever since Xiao Hua and Cai Lin had first entered.
Within the magma world, the space in the surrounding quietly emits ripples quietly. Then, two figure suddenly emerge from the spatial tunnel affectionately holding hands.
"You truly are relentless, even though it was my first time!" Cai Lin shot him a sharp glare, a flicker of reprimand dancing in her eyes.
"Cai'er, I was just… excited to finally be with you," Xiao Hua turned his head and coughed awkwardly, clearly embarrassed.
Cai Lin continued to stare at him with a gaze full of reproach, but in the end, she sighed and shook her head. Her thoughts drifted back over the past few days, and even she had to admit—she was surprised she managed to endure it all.
Xiao Hua had snapped out of his berserk state after the first day, but upon realizing she could handle it, he continued—relentlessly—for four more days.
'I truly am fortunate to have the physique of a Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python…' she thought, her hand drifting to her aching waist and gently massaging it in gratitude. If not for her evolution, she doubted she could have withstood him.
Despite her current exhaustion and slight frustration, a sense of joy quietly swelled in her heart. His passion, his desire—it all spoke to how deeply he loved her. Warmth surged within her chest, and a gentle, graceful smile curved upon her lips.
Xiao Hua caught sight of that elegant smile and felt his heart flutter. He couldn't help but tease, his tone playful and full of admiration, "My lovely queen… has anyone ever told you that your smile could drive men mad with longing?"
A faint red flush rose on Cai Lin's snow-white cheeks. Her fingers gently twirled a strand of her long hair as she whispered softly, "Rest assured… this smile will belong to you alone."
Xiao Hua felt a rush of warmth and bliss sweep through his entire body at her words. In that moment, he truly believed himself the luckiest man alive to have her by his side. But as the feeling surged, so too did a familiar heat stir within him.
He swiftly suppressed it and sighed, his voice carrying a trace of loneliness and reluctant restraint. "Let's go. I imagine the First Elder must be growing anxious about my absence…"
Cai Lin gave a small nod of agreement. Though she sensed the lingering heat in his gaze and the subdued emotion in his tone, she chose to ignore it. What mattered most to her now was that he had restrained himself.
Her waist still ached, and her entire body felt heavy with fatigue. She knew that if he hadn't come to his senses, she might not have survived another day.
More importantly, she wasn't sure how much time had passed since they first entered the tower. What she did know was that they had been gone for far too long, and it was time to return to ease the others' concerns.
Together, they lifted their heads, eyes locking onto the opening that led back to the Blazing Sky Refining Qi Tower. Without further words, their figures blurred, transforming into twin streaks of light as they shot toward the exit.
…
Chi!
A sharp burst of wind echoed from the deep hole. In an instant, the six Elders of the Inner Academy immediately turned their gazes toward the source. Instinctively, the Dou Qi within their bodies began to circulate, responding to the sudden fluctuation in the atmosphere.
A moment later, two familiar figures emerged from the hole. Upon confirming their identities, the Elders exhaled in quiet relief, allowing their circulating Dou Qi to settle. Smiles surfaced on their faces as they clasped their hands respectfully toward the returning duo.
"Elders," Xiao Hua responded with a courteous nod, returning the gesture. Standing beside him, Cai Lin followed suit with quiet grace.
"Xiao Hua, you've finally come back," Su Qian's voice called out as he approached with steady steps while rubbing his chin. It was clear he had been waiting for Xiao Hua to returned ever since he had entered the hole.
"That cousin of yours—and that Yue girl—have been constantly asking about you…" Su Qian sighed, a weary look crossing his face as he recalled how many times he'd had to deal with their relentless questions.
"My apologies, First Elder," Xiao Hua said with an awkward chuckle, a hint of guilt in his voice as he scratched his cheek lightly.
Su Qian let out a long sigh and shook his head. "Never mind that. Just go. Those lass has been growing more impatient by the day…"
"Haha… Then I shall take my leave." Xiao Hua gave a wry smile and cupped his hands respectfully before departing the Blazing Sky Refining Qi Tower with Cai Lin, heading toward the wooden cabin.
Su Qian's gaze lingered on Cai Lin as she followed closely beside Xiao Hua. Though her outward expression remained cold and reserved, the warmth radiating from her presence as she stood beside him did not escape his notice.
He wisely chose not to question her sudden appearance. Still, he could not help but wonder what had transpired between them in the magma world to shift her demeanor so drastically.
'Don't tell me…' A certain thought flashed through Su Qian's mind as he turned his eyes toward the deep, glowing hole beneath the tower.
A strange expression flickered across his face.
"The luck this little fellow has with women is truly beyond comprehension," he muttered in quiet disbelief. The notion that Xiao Hua and Cai Lin had crossed a certain line in that hidden realm seemed more than plausible now.
Su Qian knew well—once a Medusa acknowledged someone as their man, their devotion would last a lifetime.
'Truly… an enviable little brat…' he thought, a faint mix of astonishment and resignation in his eyes.
…
"The two of you have finally returned."
Little Fairy Doctor rose gracefully, a soft, melodious laugh escaping her lips as her gaze fell upon Xiao Hua and Cai Lin entering the garden, hand in hand.
"Xian'er."
Xiao Hua offered her a gentle nod before stepping forward. Without hesitation, he pulled her into his embrace, his arms wrapping tenderly around her slender waist as if to confirm she was truly there.
"Xiao Hua…"
Caught off guard, Little Fairy Doctor's eyes widened slightly. But she did not pull away. A gentle blush crept across her porcelain cheeks, and though her heart fluttered with embarrassment, the comforting warmth of his presence melted her tension. She remained quietly nestled against him, a serene smile blooming at the corners of her lips.
Xiao Hua raised his gaze, taking in her delicate features—the shy joy dancing in her eyes, the affection radiating like soft moonlight. A tender smile emerged on his face, deep and genuine.
Then, he lowered his head, burying it in her long, silky dark-purple hair. The faint, sweet fragrance clung to each strand, like spring blooming in a quiet valley. The scent drifted into his soul, calming the restlessness that had taken root in his heart during their time apart. In that moment, the longing and nostalgia that had weighed on him vanished without a trace.
"It's been three months," he murmured softly, his voice thick with affection. "I've missed this gentle warmth of yours—the softness that always quiets my heart."
Little Fairy Doctor's heart stirred at his words. Though she stood as a powerful Dou Zun, her heart still carried the delicate tenderness of a woman in love. To be held like this, spoken to with such sincerity—it was more than comfort. It was reassurance.
A quiet joy welled up within her, filling her chest with warmth. This—this simple moment—was proof of the bond they shared, an intimate thread that needed no words to affirm.
Cai Lin watched the scene in tranquil silence, a gentle smile curving upon her enchanting lips.
Had the old generation experts of the Jia Ma Empire—those who once shuddered at the mere mention of Queen Medusa—witnessed this moment, they would be left in stunned disbelief. The same woman whose icy pride and ruthless nature once commanded fear now stood with serene grace, watching her husband embrace another woman whose beauty matched her own, and doing so with genuine warmth in her eyes.
But there was no trace of resentment in her heart. Instead, she felt a quiet joy. Xiao Hua's actions were not an affront—they were a testament to the sincerity of his feelings, not just for her, but for all those he held dear.
Cai Lin, proud and unyielding by nature, had already accepted Little Fairy Doctor and Xun Er not as rivals, but as sisters—sisters bound by the same unwavering affection for one man.
That said, her pride had not vanished. It had merely evolved. Should Xiao Hua ever waver in his devotion or fail to cherish her beloved sisters as he did her, then it would be his turn to witness just how sharp the edge of Queen Medusa's love could be.
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