The Strange Pair

Several hours later, everything seemed to have settled back into calm.

It was as though nothing had happened, yet the naked pair constantly attested to the intensity of the battle just now.

Ao Qing had already regained consciousness. Although he was still holding Medusa, he had no idea how to face her.

He also felt that he had wronged Medusa. Did he truly like her?

Medusa felt the same way.

She did not know how to face Ao Qing either. Would she really spend the rest of her life obeying Ao Qing like this?

Both were burdened with thoughts, and neither was willing to speak first.

But some things were bound to happen eventually, and some words had to be said sooner or later.

As a man, Ao Qing stepped forward in the end.

"Medusa, this time, it was my fault. I, Ao Qing, do not expect you to forgive me!!

"But I can take responsibility for you, if you are willing. If you are not, I will not stop you. In any case, from today onward, you are no longer my servant.

"Today, you saved my life. In the future, as long as you have need of me, Ao Qing, I will not hesitate even if it means dying ten thousand deaths!"

Ao Qing spoke softly behind Medusa. He knew that Medusa could hear him.

Filled with guilt, Ao Qing did not know how to comfort Medusa. These were the only words he could say.

Hearing Ao Qing say this, Medusa did not know what to do for a moment. Did she truly feel nothing for love? Or rather, did she feel nothing for Ao Qing?

That was hard to say. Medusa did feel that Ao Qing was somewhat special. But not to the point where she would simply give herself to him like this.

Neither of them had wanted this accident to happen today. But since it already had, Medusa did not know what she should do.

However, before long, a different thought began to show in Medusa's once-confused eyes.

"Oh? You want to take responsibility for me? That won't be necessary. I, Medusa, have been the Queen of the Snake-People Race for so many years. What kind of man have I not seen?

"Besides, I am merely one of your servants now, Master. Being able to help you is an honor for me, Medusa.

"Besides, I was the one who made the first move. If anyone should take responsibility, it should be me, Medusa."

Ao Qing's guilty mood could not help but turn into laughter at Medusa's words. What did she mean, she had made the first move? Was this the Queen's pride?

Besides, they were still holding each other. Medusa really dared to say such things.

"Heh, what do you mean, you made the first move? Are you saying that you forced me?

"Let me tell you, I, Ao Qing, refuse to believe it today. Since you've said so, then from now on, you, Medusa, are my woman!"

Without caring what Medusa thought, he pressed himself over her and directly kissed her red lips.

And so, the two began their second battle.

Meanwhile, outside, Qing Lin wandered around the Misty Cloud Sect with Zi Yan. When the sect disciples saw Qing Lin with an unfamiliar little girl, none of them said anything.

They knew Qing Lin's status, so there was no need to ask questions. Besides, she was only a little girl and would not affect them in any way.

By sheer coincidence, Qing Lin and Zi Yan ran into an awkward person by the lake.

That person was Nalan Yanran.

To be honest, Nalan Yanran and Qing Lin did not really have much of a relationship. But because of their respective teachers, they had never spoken or interacted with each other.

Looking at Qing Lin and the girl she did not recognize, Nalan Yanran's curiosity stirred.

Today, Yun Yun had gone elsewhere to handle sect affairs and had no chance to train her. Having escaped that ordeal, Nalan Yanran came to stroll by the lake, intending to clear her young mind.

"Hello, Qing Lin. Are you here for a stroll as well? And this is?"

Nalan Yanran did not choose to ignore them and instead greeted them directly.

"Oh, her? She's the younger sister of the big brother who lives next door to my teacher. You can call her Zi Yan."

"I see. Hello, Zi Yan! My name is Nalan Yanran. Can we be friends?"

They were all still young, without much scheming in their hearts. They were at the most innocent age, and their words were filled with sincerity.

Hearing Nalan Yanran say this, Zi Yan was rather happy as well. She did not have any friends at Jia Nan Academy, but here, she had suddenly met two.

"Sure! My name is Zi Yan. From now on, we're friends!"

As the three chatted sentence by sentence, they gradually became familiar with one another.

Before long, Qing Lin and Nalan Yanran began talking about their duel three years from now.

After this encounter, the initial sense of opposition between them had already vanished.

Relationships between people were just that wondrous. A single small matter could create a bond—or turn people into enemies forever.

Clearly, Nalan Yanran, Qing Lin, and Zi Yan were like that.

Zi Yan and the others continued strolling by the lake and chatting. Nalan Yanran complained about her teacher's strictness, Qing Lin spoke of her life in the desert, while Zi Yan talked about the amusing times she had snatched medicinal herbs from magical beasts.

Half a day passed amid their idle conversation.

In Ao Qing's secluded cultivation space, Ao Qing and Medusa had already put their clothes back on. Both had flushed faces, and the distance between them from before was gone.

Ao Qing finally understood what the saying "a tender haven is a hero's grave" meant. With someone like Medusa, what hero could withstand such a trial?

"Once we get out, move in with me. From now on, we'll be together..."

Before Ao Qing could finish—

Medusa reached out with her flawless white fingers and pinched the soft flesh at Ao Qing's waist. Ao Qing immediately shut his mouth.

Medusa neither agreed nor refused. She merely shot Ao Qing a sidelong glance.

Ao Qing also felt that he had been too rash, so he did not bring up that idea again. Instead, he changed the subject. "After some time, I'll carve out a space in the desert for the Snake-People Race. They can live there from then on."

Hearing this, Medusa was somewhat puzzled. Didn't only Dou Saints possess the strength to create a space? What did Ao Qing mean by this? Was he planning to have one of his clan elders do it?

However, Medusa never considered the possibility that Ao Qing himself was a Dou Saint.

She knew Ao Qing was not some old monster. As for how she knew... don't ask. If you had to ask, it was because of his clumsy movements and bashful expression just now.

"Hey, are you planning to have an elder from your clan do it?"

Medusa no longer knew what she should call Ao Qing. Calling him Ao Qing felt too distant; calling him brother was too mushy; and she could not bring herself to call him husband. In the end, she simply used "hey" instead.

Hearing Medusa's question, Ao Qing did not rush to answer. Instead, he cupped Medusa's little head in both hands and straightened it before leaning in, nearly pressing his lips to hers.

"Don't worry. There's no rush to introduce you to the elders of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan. I'll personally create a space for the Snake-People Race.

"Oh, right, I forgot to tell you—I'm not merely a Dou Zun, like you imagined. Your husband is already a Peak Two-Star Dou Saint. I'll even be breaking through to Three-Star Dou Saint soon. Creating a moderately sized space is quite easy for me."

After saying that, he gave Medusa's lips a light, fleeting peck.

Ao Qing had to admit that Medusa had him utterly captivated. The old Ao Qing had not been like this.

Medusa's damnable charm—her beauty, strength, and bearing—had him completely in her grasp. Ao Qing could only admit that he could not resist her.

"A Dou Saint?"

Medusa was clearly stunned. It was not that she thought Ao Qing would lie to her; it was simply that someone as young as him already possessing the cultivation of a Dou Saint made her mind go blank for a moment.

But she quickly calmed down. So what if he was a Dou Saint? He was still Medusa's man now.

At that thought, a smile appeared on Medusa's lips.

Then she wrapped her arms around Ao Qing's neck and kissed him as well.

"Since you've put it that way, then I'll thank you on behalf of the Snake-People Race. That just now was your reward!"

The two carefully discussed the details, and before long, they had a rough plan in place.

After that, they did not remain inside the secluded space. Instead, they left it.

When they emerged, Qing Lin and Zi Yan were nowhere to be seen. Neither Ao Qing nor Medusa was in a hurry; with a sweep of their soul perception, they found Zi Yan and the others laughing and playing by the lake.

Um, everyone, this book really isn't written that well. It's admittedly a bit of a beginner's novel, and there may even be mistakes, but please don't flame me. People grow gradually, and my writing will mature over time as well. Of course, you can point out errors or poorly written parts, and the author will revise them. Also, unless something unexpected happens, the author can update seven to eight thousand words daily from now on, rather than having intermittent breaks like before. Those interested in investing can give it a try. And I still hope everyone can offer support, whether through monthly tickets, recommendation votes, tips, or anything else. Thank you!