"Do you think I'm a fool? To believe your words—you, Queen Medusa, are not that kind of person."
Xiao Jietian scoffed, a smile playing on his lips.
"It seems you are a little different from those foolish humans."
Queen Medusa regained her composure, her expression serious. She vanished from Xiao Jietian's arms and sat on the chair beside him, gazing deeply at him.
"Tell me, what must I do for you to help me obtain the Soul Fusion Pill?"
"Ah, my shoulder feels a bit sore…"
Xiao Jietian gently rotated his shoulder, speaking with hidden meaning.
Hearing this, Queen Medusa's eyes flashed sharply, and she narrowed them at Xiao Jietian.
Meeting his meaningful gaze, Queen Medusa lowered her head and remained silent.
Xiao Jietian smiled faintly, saying no more, and leisurely sipped the tea before him.
About half a minute later, Queen Medusa bit her lips, her eyes complex. She stood up and walked behind Xiao Jietian.
She extended her slender, jade-like hands, placed them on Xiao Jietian's shoulders, and began to massage.
"Hmm, not bad, Fei Yan. Lighten up a bit—do you think you're kneading iron?"
Who else could enjoy Queen Medusa's massage? Xiao Jietian felt his entire body and mind filled with pleasure.
Queen Medusa's face was full of indignation, her silver teeth nearly ground to dust. But remembering she still needed him to obtain what she wanted, her anger subsided, and the strength in her hands gradually softened to an appropriate level.
Having received the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python's memories, she knew clearly that the man before her was now capable of refining Tier 5 pills.
Tier 5 Alchemists were rare in the Jia Ma Empire, and all were middle-aged or elderly. In a competition among peers, if he participated, the championship was assured.
"What do you need in exchange for helping me obtain that pill formula?"
Queen Medusa's soft voice sounded gently from behind Xiao Jietian, like that of a wronged young wife.
Hearing this voice, Xiao Jietian shivered. Was this still Queen Medusa?
"Guess?"
Guess? I'll guess your big head! Medusa was momentarily speechless.
She was furious—when had she ever suffered such indignity? It was infuriating.
"Keep going, don't stop. If I'm comfortable enough, maybe I'll just give you the pill formula for free."
Queen Medusa had stopped massaging, sulking over Xiao Jietian's earlier words.
Medusa wished she could smash Xiao Jietian's head with one palm.
In this situation where he held the knife and she was the fish, the masseuse Queen Medusa resumed her work.
About ten minutes later.
"After I obtain the Soul Fusion Pill formula, I can exchange it with you."
Xiao Jietian lightly tapped the table with his finger, speaking slowly.
"Then what are your terms?"
Queen Medusa's previously numb expression—caused by being threatened—suddenly brightened, and she immediately stepped in front of Xiao Jietian.
"I want you, Fei Yan, to stay by my side and work for me for three years."
Hearing the first few words from Xiao Jietian, Medusa immediately stood up and said loudly, her beautiful eyes filled with anger.
"Don't even think about such a thing. This Queen would rather die than be subservient to anyone."
But after hearing Xiao Jietian's later words, Queen Medusa's embarrassed eyes darted around.
"Just speak—why are you breathing so heavily?"
"You interrupted me directly."
Under Xiao Jietian's gaze, Medusa felt a pang of guilt.
"Three years is too long."
Queen Medusa didn't outright refuse but rather furrowed her beautiful brows in thought.
"What if I also help you refine the pill once you gather the ingredients?"
Xiao Jietian looked at Queen Medusa with a full smile.
She considered it. Even if she obtained the formula, she would still need to find another alchemist, and whether they would help was another matter.
Moreover, she didn't want to seek out Gu He—she had previously cooperated with Xiao Jietian to capture him.
"I can agree to your terms, but I also have a condition."
Queen Medusa gritted her teeth, reluctantly agreeing to Xiao Jietian's terms.
"You don't have the right to negotiate. You are the one seeking an exchange, and you must diligently carry out my orders."
Xiao Jietian stood up, went to the bed, sat cross-legged, and entered a state of cultivation.
"That damned bastard." Queen Medusa couldn't help but curse inwardly, her face flushed with anger.
Before, he called her "sweetheart"; now he called her "Madam Cow."
Knowing she could only passively accept, without any power to make demands or object, she angrily picked up the teacup before her and drank all the water inside.
"Drink all your water, you damned bastard. May you die of thirst for being so overbearing when you have the upper hand."
Hearing Medusa's angry words, Xiao Jietian, on the bed, almost twisted his mouth into a crooked smile.
Afterward, she would revert to the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python. Her time outside was almost up—the little one still controlled her body now.
Time flew by. The sun set and the moon rose, and seven days passed quietly.
Xiao Jietian, cultivating in his room, suddenly felt a smooth, tender body in his arms.
"People from the Alchemist Guild came earlier. They said the Alchemist Grand Assembly tests begin the day after tomorrow and want you to participate."
Ya Fei, nestled in Xiao Jietian's arms, said with a smile.
"Hmm, then do you want to come with me?"
"No, I still have many matters to attend to tomorrow, so I won't accompany you. Besides, non-alchemists can't enter the inner arena. I'll wait for your good news."
The next morning.
Xiao Jietian, still asleep, felt something like a fine thread gently brushing against him, light and soft.
"Hmm."
He instinctively waved his hand, wanting to dispel the disturbance. However, the sensation lingered, teasing him constantly, preventing him from continuing to sleep.
Xiao Jietian slowly opened his eyes. What met his gaze was a charming and alluring face, with eyes as deep as a pool, sparkling with captivating light, as if hiding endless tenderness.
It was Ya Fei. She lay on her side, one hand propping up her cheek, the other playing with his hair.
Xiao Jietian suddenly realized the earlier sensation was Ya Fei's hair at work.
Seeing Xiao Jietian awake, she smiled softly, a playful hint at the corner of her lips.
"Hey, you're finally awake."
Xiao Jietian felt a bit helpless, but seeing her eyes full of affection, a warm current surged in his heart.
"What are you doing?" Xiao Jietian asked gently, his tone carrying a hint of indulgence.
He had to spoil his woman—this kind of playful awakening was just one way to add daily fun to their relationship.
"Seeing you sleep so soundly, I wanted to see if I could wake you up." Ya Fei blinked charmingly and mischievously.
"Asking for a spanking."
Pat, pat, pat.
Xiao Jietian reached out, pulled her into his arms, and a series of patting sounds echoed.
"Let's see if you dare to be mischievous next time."
Afterward, Xiao Jietian gently stroked Ya Fei's hair.
"I won't dare next time—it's almost swollen."
Ya Fei feigned a pitiful look, speaking in a sweet, coquettish voice.
On the surface, she wouldn't dare, but in her heart, she thought, I'll dare next time.
The two snuggled together quietly, enjoying this moment of warmth and happiness.
"I'm taking you to a place to see two people."
"What place? What people?"
After helping Xiao Jietian get dressed, Ya Fei asked curiously.
"You'll know soon. Don't resist."