Deep within the Tagor Desert, in the Snake-People Tribe's Holy City—
This was a city built from massive stone blocks. Scattered around its outskirts were remnants of colossal rocks, suggesting that the materials had been sourced locally during its construction.
Unlike the luxurious and refined architecture of the Jia Ma Empire, the buildings here were rugged, exuding a primal, untamed aura.
At the center of the city stood a towering grand temple, the tallest structure in the entire Holy City.
At this moment, atop the roof of one of the temple's side halls, Xiao Bai stood under the moonlight, admiring the exotic charm of the city.
Since arriving in the Holy City, Medusa had arranged accommodations for him here. Three days had already passed in a flash.
That woman had told him that she needed time to settle the affairs of her tribe before proceeding with her breakthrough. Xiao Bai had agreed without hesitation.
He knew that Medusa wanted to make sure everything was in order before she could focus on her evolution without worries.
From the resolute look in her eyes, Xiao Bai could tell she didn't have much confidence in this evolution. In a way, she had already prepared for the worst—staking everything on this one gamble.
Success, and the Snake-People might finally fulfill their long-cherished dream—leaving the Tagor Desert and finding a new homeland.
Failure, and the tribe could decline, eventually fading into history like so many other races lost in the river of time, remembered only in the pages of ancient books.
To bear the rise and fall of an entire race on one's shoulders—Xiao Bai had never experienced such a burden, but he knew how heavy it must be.
---
"You're here."
Xiao Bai didn't turn around—he already knew who it was.
"Mm."
Medusa stepped beside him and handed him a jade bottle, speaking in a calm tone, "This is the Ice Spirit Cold Spring you wanted."
Xiao Bai accepted it and stored it in his spatial ring. He didn't actually need it—he had only requested it to give Yao Lao some peace of mind after dragging him along to the desert.
Besides, it wasn't a rare treasure to her. Medusa had an entire pool of Ice Spirit Cold Spring—perhaps even a natural spring source.
As for whether this would expose anything? Xiao Bai didn't care. Who in this world didn't use Ice Spirit Cold Spring when subduing a Heavenly Flame?
Medusa's stunningly beautiful face carried a trace of exhaustion. She hadn't rested since returning, and now, she seemed hesitant, as if struggling with something.
"This Queen may need three months to settle the affairs of my people. You—"
Her voice was uncertain, unsure if Xiao Bai would grant her that time.
Seeing him remain silent, she bit her lip lightly, feeling a touch of bitterness in her heart. She let out a helpless sigh.
"Forget it. This Queen will hurry. I'll strive to finish as quickly as possible."
This had all happened too suddenly. She needed to set everything in order, even prepare for the worst-case scenario in case she perished. Three months was already the absolute minimum time she could afford. She hadn't even considered making special preparations for herself.
"Fine."
"What…?" Medusa blinked, caught off guard.
"I said… Fine."
Xiao Bai's voice was calm. Three months—even after returning, there would still be about a month left before the Xiao Clan's Coming-of-Age Ceremony. Time wasn't an issue.
Medusa turned and stared at Xiao Bai for a moment before whispering an almost imperceptible "Thank you."
"No need to thank me! It's not free, though!"
Xiao Bai grinned, a mischievous glint flashing in his eyes.
"Not free?"
Medusa's expression froze for a moment, slightly puzzled.
"Mhm! I want all the medicinal herbs and Magic Cores of Rank Four and below that you have. As many as you can gather!"
Xiao Bai smiled as he looked at the bewitching queen under the moonlight.
"Fine! I'll have them sorted and delivered to you tomorrow!"
Medusa agreed without hesitation. Those things meant little to her—the only thing that mattered to the Snake-People Tribe was herself.
As long as she remained their Queen, their tribe would never collapse!
For someone of her pride, coming to ask for help had already been unprecedented. If not for her people, she would never have lowered herself to make such a request.
That Xiao Bai framed it as a transaction made it slightly easier for her to accept.
"Think more about yourself. Only by breaking through and becoming stronger can you truly protect what you wish to protect."
Seeing the exhaustion in Medusa's expression, as well as how she had put aside her pride for the sake of her tribe, Xiao Bai spoke softly.
Medusa stood with her hands behind her back, gazing at the countless lights illuminating the Holy City below. She remained silent, and for a moment, the rooftop of the side hall was enveloped in stillness.
The two of them simply stood there, each lost in their own thoughts as they watched the city.
After a long while, Medusa's figure shifted slightly before vanishing from the rooftop. A cool, distant voice drifted through the night wind.
"Thank you!"
Xiao Bai shook his head, the corners of his lips curving up slightly. What a prideful woman!
---
"Tsk tsk… Boy, are you planning to charm another one?"
Yao Lao sighed with a hint of amusement. This kid had barely been out for long and had already entangled himself with two women. It seemed like every place he went, he left with another admirer.
"With such emotion in your voice, Elder, it seems you must have quite the history yourself. Care to share some stories?"
Xiao Bai smirked. There were certain things about Yao Lao that he wasn't quite sure of yet. But if his suspicions were correct, then this old man had been far more of a playboy than he was.
"Ahem… This old man devoted himself entirely to cultivation—how could I have wasted time on trivial romantic affairs?"
Yao Lao, caught off guard, stiffened slightly before hurriedly defending himself.
"Oh? If that's the case, why are you getting all flustered?"
Xiao Bai smirked playfully. Judging by Yao Lao's reaction, could those rumors about him actually be true?
"Who's flustered?! I was just… just—"
Yao Lao stammered, unable to come up with a convincing excuse.
"Just reminiscing about the past?"
Xiao Bai coaxed him further.
"That's right, I was… No, wait! You little brat, are you trying to trap me?!"
Realizing he had fallen for Xiao Bai's trick, Yao Lao grew a little exasperated.
"Come on, don't be shy, Senior! Why don't you tell me about your past and share some of your wisdom?"
Xiao Bai laughed heartily.
"Hmph! You should focus on what's waiting for you back at the Xiao Clan! That little girlfriend of yours is no simple character!"
Yao Lao sneered, unwilling to let him have the upper hand.
He knew that the Golden Emperor's Burning Sky Flame was the inherited flame of that clan. If that girl truly belonged to them and carried their ancestral Heavenly Flame, her status within the clan must be extraordinary.
If everything turned out to be true, then based on what he knew about those arrogant and proud ancient clans, Xiao Bai would have a hard time even dreaming about marrying her! Let alone keeping other women around. Wishful thinking!
"Hmph, let's see you laugh now!"
Yao Lao watched with satisfaction as Xiao Bai's laughter abruptly died. *With centuries of experience, did you really think I couldn't handle you? Keep laughing, why don't you?*
---
"Sigh…"
Xiao Bai exhaled heavily, his thoughts drifting to that little girl. A pang of melancholy struck him.
By now, Ling Ying had surely reported everything to her. She must be furious.
He had been deliberately avoiding this headache-inducing problem, but now that Yao Lao had forced it into the open, he was at a loss. *This really is troublesome.*
*How I wish I had the protagonist halo from those novels in my past life—where a single domineering aura would make all the girls swoon and submit!*
"Elder Yao... how did you handle situations like this back in your day?"
Xiao Bai asked gloomily.