Xiao Jietian studied Earth Demon Old Ghost, now utterly crippled and bereft of combat ability.
"Xian'er," he said calmly, "cripple him first."
Little Fairy Doctor extended a single finger.
A thread of energy pierced Earth Demon Old Ghost's abdomen.
His Qi Sea shattered.
The old man's body convulsed once, then went limp—sprawled on the scorched earth, barely clinging to the fragile thread of life.
Xiao Jietian brought Little Fairy Doctor, Medusa, and Shui Ye to stand before him.
"Xian'er. Seal this entire void."
Space folded inward. The surrounding hundred metres became a cage—impenetrable, inescapable.
Those who live long value their lives the most. No chances.
Xiao Jietian turned to Medusa.
"Fei Yan. You kill him."
Medusa didn't hesitate.
She stepped forward.
Her leg swung.
CRACK—
Her foot connected squarely with his chest.
Earth Demon Old Ghost's body launched backward like a broken doll. His sternum caved inward. His eyes—wide, disbelieving, eternally fixed on some distant point—stared at nothing.
Dead.
Xiao Jietian glanced at Medusa's long, straight leg, still extended from the kick.
He gave her a thumbs-up.
First Han Feng. Now Di Mo.
This woman kicks men to death.
"All of you, withdraw."
Little Fairy Doctor, Medusa, and Shui Ye instantly retreated—appearing high in the sky, watching from above.
Flames erupted from Xiao Jietian's palm.
The very air around him warped, distorted by the heat. Space itself seemed to recoil from the blaze.
He covered Earth Demon Old Ghost's corpse.
He covered the space around it.
He left nothing.
When the flames subsided, only scorched earth remained—and a massive, black crater where the old man had lain.
A pity, Xiao Jietian thought idly. The raw materials for the 'One Life to Lose, Just Do It' Heavenly Demon Puppet… gone.
He turned and led the others back to Boundless Heavenly Hall.
The moment they arrived, Qing Lin, Yun Yun, and the others surged forward.
Hands reached out, touching Medusa's arms, her shoulders, her face.
"Fei Yan! Are you alright?!"
"Sister, you're not hurt?"
Medusa stood motionless beneath their anxious ministrations.
Her heart—that cold, guarded heart she had worn for so long—softened.
They were genuinely worried.
"I'm fine." Her voice was steady, but quieter than usual. "The pill healed everything."
A collective sigh of relief.
Then—
The atmosphere shifted.
Ya Fei's eyes curved mischievously. "Fei Yan really is… blessed in certain areas." Her gaze drifted meaningfully. "I'd say her chest ranks at least second among us."
Medusa blinked.
Weren't we just talking about injuries?
Little Fairy Doctor rolled her eyes at Ya Fei. "What you really mean is that you rank first, don't you?"
Then Medusa was swept away—pulled, giggling and protesting, toward her own palace. Her robes were torn, dust-covered, dishevelled.
She didn't resist.
Xiao Jietian watched them go.
No one looked back at him.
…Of course. I've been completely abandoned.
He smiled ruefully, shook his head, and turned away.
But before he left, his Divine Sense reached out—brushing against Medusa's consciousness, leaving behind a single message.
Then he exited the Eternal Heaven Realm and returned to the base of the Heavenly Flame Training Pagoda.
Su Qian and the two elders turned to face him.
"Xiao Jietian." Su Qian's brow was furrowed. "Where did you disappear to? And what were those methods just now?"
"I had some matters to attend to." Xiao Jietian's tone was smooth, unhurried. "Also, I've informed Boundless Heavenly Hall. They will arrive shortly."
Su Qian's expression shifted. "Should we arrange a reception?"
"No need." Xiao Jietian smiled. "They will appear when the time comes."
They chatted idly for a while.
Xiao Jietian had already decided on the deployment: three Dou Zongs—Shui Ye, Jin Mo, and Medusa.
Boundless Heavenly Hall's current high-end combat power was respectable:
Little Fairy Doctor – One-Star Dou Zun
Shui Ye – Eight-Star Dou Zong
Medusa – Two-Star Dou Zong
Jin Mo – One-Star Dou Zong
Yun Yun – Half-Step Dou Zong
Hai Bodong – Seven-Star Dou Huang
Bai Ya – Equivalent to Eight-Star Dou Huang
Enough. For now.
Two or three hours later.
Within Xiao Jietian's palace in the Eternal Heaven Realm.
A figure appeared at his door.
Red tight-fitting dress. Generous cutouts at the waist, revealing swathes of fair skin. A waist like a water serpent—so slender it seemed impossible to encircle with two hands.
She moved lightly, each step a graceful sway. Like a crimson flower blooming in slow motion.
Lamplight caught her face.
Queen Medusa.
She entered his sleeping quarters and sat directly at the table.
What does he want?
Her fingers traced idle patterns on the tabletop.
He wouldn't dare try anything… would he?
A flush crept across her cheeks. The corners of her lips curved—almost against her will.
…Audacious man.
After a moment's hesitation, she withdrew a message stone and sent a brief transmission.
Xiao Jietian, monitoring Han Yue and Xiao Yu's conditions from afar, felt his message stone pulse.
He found a secluded corner and re-entered the Eternal Heaven Realm.
Medusa was already seated in his palace.
Good. She came.
He sat across from her.
She was breathtaking—even more so in the soft lamplight. Regal. Proud. Unapproachable.
He spoke.
"Have you gathered all the ingredients for the Soul Fusion Pill?"
Medusa froze.
Of the hundred possibilities she had imagined for this meeting—confessions, declarations, perhaps even advances—this was not among them.
Her brows drew together.
"What?" Her voice cooled. "Now that you have powerful subordinates, you find me burdensome? You wish to be rid of me quickly?"
Her eyes sharpened, fixing him with a piercing, almost wounded glare.
Xiao Jietian reached across the table and took her hand.
"How could that be?" His voice was gentle. "I would never drive you away. You may stay as long as you wish. There will always be a place for you here."
Medusa's anger faltered.
He's… not trying to get rid of me.
He's concerned.
"…Then why did you ask?" Her voice was softer now, the sharp edges blunted.
"Because I care about your condition." His thumb traced slow circles on the back of her hand.
Medusa's lips pressed together.
Don't smile. Don't show him you're happy.
You're the proud Queen Medusa. You don't soften for anyone.
She didn't withdraw her hand.
"I think you're more concerned about that little fellow inside me," she said, her tone deliberately dismissive. "I haven't gathered enough ingredients yet. But—"
She hesitated.
She had been about to say: I'm fine as I am. There's no need to erase her soul.
The other women had taught her warmth. The cold, guarded queen had… changed.
But before she could speak—
"If you haven't gathered enough, then don't bother."
Xiao Jietian's voice was quiet. Certain.
"I've recently found another solution. One that will benefit both your souls."
Medusa shot to her feet.
Her eyes burned—fierce, desperate, unbelieving.
"What did you say?"