"So you three actually caught him?"
"Of course. With the three of us working together, that old fellow's little tricks had no chance of slipping past us. We took him down without the slightest effort."
Queen Medusa crossed her arms over her chest, head tilted slightly, her entire demeanor radiating haughty pride.
"Impressive. Do you want a reward?"
Xiao Jietian stood up, walked over to the proud Medusa with a smile, and spoke in a teasing tone.
"Don't you already know this Queen's capabilities? Why would I need a reward for something so trivial? Absolutely not necessary."
Medusa raised an eyebrow at him. Her gaze carried both arrogance and a faint trace of anticipation. She even deliberately stressed the last few words.
Without another word, Xiao Jietian stepped right in front of her, reached out, pulled her slender waist into his embrace, and captured her red lips in a kiss.
Just as he was about to pull back, Medusa hooked her arms around his neck, stood on tiptoe, and deepened the kiss herself.
Watching the two of them lock lips in a passionate, unrestrained French kiss right in front of everyone, the two onlookers nearby instinctively covered their eyes—though the gaps between their fingers were suspiciously wide.
"Hey! Haven't you two had enough yet? We're still standing right here—you're treating us like we're invisible!"
Seeing them growing more and more brazen, Zi Yan hurriedly interrupted. Any further and the scene would definitely need to be censored.
Only then did Xiao Jietian and Medusa slowly separate. A thin, glistening thread still lingered between their lips for a moment.
Medusa's eyes were misty with desire as she gazed at him. Xiao Jietian gently caressed her cheek, then turned his attention to Zi Yan.
"You two aren't even human to begin with."
"Hui Ying, what reward would you like?"
Hearing those words, Zi Yan immediately assumed the worst. She stepped in front of the little dragon girl, shielding her protectively, and declared with fierce determination:
"She's under my protection, understand?"
Thump!
"Ow! What was that for?!"
Zi Yan clutched her head, glaring indignantly. But there was nothing she could do—her current cultivation was only at the Dou King level, while this bad guy had already reached Dou Zong. Beating her was as easy as playing with a child.
So even when bullied, all she could do was puff out her cheeks and sulk like an angry little frog.
"Sister Fei Yan, he's bullying me! You have to help!"
Medusa reached out and gently stroked Zi Yan's head. "Alright. I'll help you get revenge tonight."
Zi Yan looked up with a puzzled yet adorable expression. "Why tonight?"
"Because tonight is more suitable. I can't beat him by myself—but when Xian'er and the others get back, we'll have the numbers. We'll use a human-wave tactic and overwhelm him."
Medusa shot Xiao Jietian a provocative glance. He simply winked back, accepting the challenge with a grin.
"Fine then. I want to see it too. I want to watch that big scoundrel Xiao Jietian get bullied until he looks pathetic!"
Suddenly finding her backbone, Zi Yan was no longer tired or out of breath. She planted her hands on her hips and declared with magical confidence.
"No, you're still not suitable yet."
"Why not? Are you lying to me?"
Zi Yan stared at Medusa in disbelief, her little face full of incredulity, as though she suspected she was being tricked.
"I'm not lying. I'll definitely help you deal with him."
Listening to their exchange, Xiao Jietian almost burst out laughing.
One of them was already racing down the highway, while the other was still doing the Macarena at the starting line.
"Alright then." Zi Yan turned to Xiao Jietian and raised her chin proudly. "You're finished tonight, hmph hmph!"
Xiao Jietian narrowed one eye, looking at her with amusement, then glanced at the confident Medusa. She was clearly the weakest among them, yet also the most stubborn.
Truly both terrible at it and eager to play.
"Hui Ying, what reward do you want?"
Xiao Huiying gently shook her head. Her silver hair swayed softly with the motion.
"I don't want any reward. Being able to help Master is already the greatest reward for me."
Hearing this, Xiao Jietian reached out and tenderly stroked the strands of hair on her head without saying another word.
Xiao Huiying tilted her head slightly, eyes brimming with reliance and trust, quietly allowing his hand to caress her.
"Then I'll keep that in mind. You can tell me whenever you think of something later." Xiao Jietian smiled softly.
"Take me to see him. I want to see if I can subdue him."
"Let those two take you. I'm not going." Medusa had zero interest. She'd rather head back now and start preparing.
As she turned to leave, she gave Xiao Jietian a meaningful wink.
Led by Zi Yan and Xiao Huiying, Xiao Jietian arrived at the dungeon.
Inside the cell sat an old man with a sharp, aquiline nose and gray hair. His cultivation was at four-star Dou Zong.
"Who are you people? Why have you captured this old man?"
Elder Yingshan still had no idea what was going on. He had been peacefully cultivating in seclusion, about to obtain some much-needed resources, when three women suddenly ambushed and captured him alive.
"This is the Boundless Heaven Hall. You may also address me as Hall Master Xiao."
"You are the Hall Master of Boundless Heaven Hall?" Elder Yingshan looked at the young man before him in shock. He couldn't sense the other party's cultivation at all—and even felt a faint, deadly threat emanating from him.
From this alone, he knew the young man was far stronger than himself.
Though he had been in seclusion for many years, he wasn't completely cut off from the world. He had long heard that Boundless Heaven Hall had unified the entire Black-Corner Region.
"I came here today to discuss something with you." Xiao Jietian stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing calmly at Elder Yingshan.
Elder Yingshan was no fool. He quickly guessed the other party's intention.
Though imprisoned, he hadn't been treated like an ordinary criminal. Aside from being unable to move freely, his conditions were actually quite good.
"You wish to recruit me?" After a moment of silence, Elder Yingshan spoke in a low voice.
"Correct. I wonder if you have any such intention?"
Seeing Xiao Jietian's seemingly gentle and benevolent expression, Elder Yingshan frowned.
The strength of Boundless Heaven Hall far exceeded his expectations—especially the young girl standing beside the Hall Master.
He had tried to escape using a soul clone, yet both his main body and clone had been effortlessly captured by her in one grasp.
He vaguely sensed that she was definitely a Dou Zun.
"If I refuse… will I have to…"
"You're a smart man."
Xiao Jietian had no particular obsession with subduing him. It was simply that Boundless Heaven Hall still had far too few Dou Zongs. His women couldn't handle everything alone.
"I… I choose to surrender."
In the end, Elder Yingshan yielded.
He understood that refusal meant death—and reporting to the King of Hell.
"I believe you will be glad of the choice you made today." Xiao Jietian waved his hand, and the heavy door before them opened.
"However, you must take this."
A pitch-black pill appeared in Xiao Jietian's palm.
Elder Yingshan stared at it blankly for a moment, then picked it up without hesitation and swallowed it.
Since he had already chosen to submit, this was merely a control measure. Better to accept it decisively and leave a favorable impression.
Xiao Jietian's regard for him rose slightly because of this action.
"This pill is harmless to you. In fact, it can even repair your hidden injuries. However, it will leave a mark on your soul. As long as you harbor no ill intentions and perform well, it will be removed in the future."
"I understand. I hope what you say is true."
The true reason Elder Yingshan surrendered so readily was the presence of a Dou Zun in Boundless Heaven Hall.
In the Black-Corner Region, Dou Zongs were already considered the pinnacle.
And the Hall Master was so young—becoming a Dou Zun, or even higher, was only a matter of time.
Though he had been captured, wasn't this also a form of investment?
Betting on the future rise of this young Hall Master, he too might rise with the tide.