Seeing Xiao Bai's resolute expression, Hai Bo Dong sighed inwardly, knowing retreat wasn't an option. Suppressing the tremble in his legs, he stepped forward to stand beside Xiao Bai.
Xiao Bai gave a slight nod of approval. Good. You're still the real deal, Elder Hai—when things get tough, you don't back down.
"By the way, Yao Lao, can you possess someone?" Xiao Bai remembered the purpose of bringing Hai Bo Dong down here.
Although he knew Elder Yao was fire-attribute while Hai Bo Dong was ice-attribute, the Bone Chilling Flame could freeze someone solid before incinerating them to ashes. What if it works?
"Possess? Possess who? You? Don't even think about it!" Yao Lao shuddered at the thought. Just remembering the lightning around Xiao Bai made his soul tremble. Last time, I got zapped just by being near him. Possessing him would be suicide!
"Who said it's me? It's for Hai Lao!" Xiao Bai rolled his eyes. Want ossess me? Not a chance—the talisman would obliterate Elder Yao instantly.to possess him?
"No good. Our attributes clash. Possessing him would be worse than me fighting directly!" Elder Yao shook his head. "Besides, he's still under a seal—his strength is limited."
Xiao Bai was disappointed. In the original story, Xiao Yan could reach Dou Huang-level power when possessed as a Dou Shi. Hai Bo Dong is a Dou Ling—shouldn't the boost be even greater?
He had imagined the two elders merging—one wielding "Blade of Fiery Joy," the other "Frostmourne"—dominating even peak Dou Huangs. But it seems that's not happening.
"Human, it seems you've made an unwise choice." Medusa's voice was icy as she observed Xiao Bai and Hai Bo Dong's defiant stance.
"*Heh.* Whether it's wise or not, we'll see after the fight." Xiao Bai smirked.
"A young human and a defeated has-been! Who gave you the audacity to oppose this queen?!"
Though Medusa couldn't fully gauge Xiao Bai's strength, his youth made her wary but not hesitant.
"Elder Yao, time to show yourself." Xiao Bai disliked her condescending tone.
'As a wife, Medusa might be exceptional—but only if you can make her submit. Otherwise, she'll always be a thorned rose... with venomous thorns.'
A ghostly light flickered from the black ring as a spectral figure materialized before them.
"Th-This…!" Hai Bo Dong's eyes widened. He could sense the immense power radiating from the soul. Xiao Bai had a powerhouse's soul hidden on him this whole time?!
Wiping cold sweat, he silently thanked his past self for never acting on any ill intentions toward Xiao Bai. This kid's secrets keep piling up—each one more shocking than the last.
Medusa's expression turned grave as she studied the soul. A faint but undeniable sense of danger emanated from it.
Coupled with the enigmatic Xiao Bai, the outcome of today's confrontation was now uncertain. But the sight of the Heavenly Flame she'd sought for years hardened her resolve.
She wouldn't give up this opportunity. She needed the Heavenly Flame.
"A mere remnant soul. This queen fears nothing!" Crimson energy surged around Medusa as she prepared to fight. The Heavenly Flame was hers for the taking, no matter the cost. This was the hope for leading the Serpent People out of the desert.
Then—
"Another Heavenly Flame?!"
Her energy faltered as a pale-white fire coiled around the soul's form, its eerie glow pulsing with sentience.
The Green Lotus Core Flame atop the lotus platform shrank back, as if intimidated. This new flame was stronger.
After searching for over a decade, two Heavenly Flames now stood before her in this underground chamber. Since when were these legendary flames so common?
"An Heavenly Flame changes nothing! A remnant soul can't sustain its power for long!" Medusa gritted her teeth, her wariness warring with desperation.
She couldn't—wouldn't—back down.
If she gave up now, she might have to wait years for another chance to evolve. She had already been stuck at this level for far too long.
"Elder Yao, engage her head-on. Elder Hai, provide support. Create an opening for me to seal her soul," Xiao Bai transmitted silently to the two.
"Got it." Neither doubted Xiao Bai's soul-sealing technique, so they agreed without hesitation.
"Now!"
Elder Yao's soul manipulated the Bone Chilling Flame, shaping it into a serpent of pale fire that lunged at Medusa.
Hai Bo Dong knew ordinary techniques were useless against her. Instead, he began charging a major attack, biding his time for the perfect moment to strike.
Xiao Bai cloaked himself in yellow-gray thunder armor and summoned two of his thunder seeds—Little Yi and Little Bing.
Channeling Little Yi's energy into Little Bing, crimson lightning erupted, its intensity warping the surrounding space.
Xiao Bai's eyes widened. This is the first time I've combined these two. Could their fusion really reach the peak Dou Huang level?
A closer look revealed it was merely an illusion—the sheer heat of the Bing Fire Yang Thunder distorting the air, not actual spatial distortion. Relieved yet slightly disappointed, he steadied himself.
The entire space now crackled with crimson lightning arcs. Hai Bo Dong, waiting for his chance, gritted his teeth as the tingling energy prickled his skin.
He complained inwardly:Is Xiao Bai trying to fry his own allies?!
"Strike!"
Seizing the moment, Xiao Bai unleashed a blinding crimson bolt toward Medusa, who was still entangled with the pale fire serpent.
"Frost Dragon's Roar!"
Hai Bo Dong's ice dragon surged forth alongside the lightning.
Medusa's expression tightened at the sight of the crimson thunder. She could sense its destructive potential—even her magical beast physique wouldn't withstand it unscathed.
Crimson energy erupted around her, coalescing into a gigantic serpent that coiled protectively around her, bracing for the impact.
"Perfect timing!"
Elder Yao seized the opportunity, unleashing a tidal wave of Bone Chilling Flame, threatening to engulf Medusa entirely.
CRACK!
The emerald-green space trembled under the onslaught, fissures spiderwebbing across its walls. Magma seeped in through the cracks.
Faced with three simultaneous attacks, Medusa knew she could only block two. The ice dragon was the weakest—its power already waning in this fire-dominated environment.
She chose to tank the ice dragon while deflecting the thunder and flame.
Now, she had gauged Xiao Bai's true strength—a six-star Great Dou Master. No matter how potent that thunder is, how many times can he unleash it at his level?
As for the soul, she sensed its growing exhaustion. If I endure, none of them can threaten me.
Hai Bo Dong? She dismissed him outright. An ice-attribute fighter in this fiery hell? His recovery alone is a struggle, let alone breaking her seal.
Seeing Medusa brace for the ice dragon, Xiao Bai acted.
Hands weaving seals, he blinked forward the instant she was frozen, his finger aimed at her forehead for the soul seal.
Just as success seemed assured—
Glow!
The ruby eyes of the serpentine crown on Medusa's head flared with an eerie crimson light, blocking his seal.
"Soulward Gemstones?!"