Medusa Returns

Although he could fight above his level, without actually reaching that realm, both his Dou Qi reserves and the power of his Dou Techniques would be much weaker.

This had been clearly evident in his battle against Yue Guan.

Although Shi Kang's Dou Qi reserves and Dou Technique power far surpassed those of others at his level, he still could not compare to Yue Guan. The reason he had won was entirely due to his formidable physical body.

As he had said before, Shi Kang's body far exceeded his current realm.

He did not need to worry about an unstable Cultivation Foundation from advancing too quickly. He just had to keep breaking through relentlessly.

Shi Kang sat cross-legged and began circulating his Cultivation Method.

Over the past few days, apart from fighting, the Fallen Heart Flame had been tempering Shi Kang's body every moment.

The Fallen Heart Flame was like a sharp carving blade, constantly damaging his bodily tissues, while the Dou Qi of the Myriad Spirits Body Refining Art was like a warm current, swiftly healing them.

After this repeated cycle, Shi Kang's Meridians not only became tougher than before, but also expanded and widened somewhat.

This accelerated Shi Kang's absorption of Dou Qi. Combined with the Fallen Heart Flame, a Heavenly Flame known as a cultivation cheat, his cultivation speed was indeed far faster than before. He believed it would not be long before he broke through to the Three-Star Dou Ancestor.

It can temper my body at all times and speed up cultivation too. What a treasure Cultivation Method! Shi Kang praised inwardly, becoming even more convinced that cultivating this method had been the right choice.

Shi Kang's cultivation session lasted two full days.

Had he not sensed a reaction from the Seven-Colored Heavenly Swallowing Python, he likely would not have stopped. He had the air of someone determined not to quit until he broke through to the Three-Star Dou Ancestor.

After finishing his cultivation, Shi Kang slowly opened his eyes and looked at the Seven-Colored Little Snake not far away.

It flicked its tongue with hisses, staring eagerly at Shi Kang's Storage Ring. Clearly, it was hungry.

Over these past days, Shi Kang had fed it plenty of Companion Purple Crystal Source. Nearly every time it finished digesting and woke up, Shi Kang would feed it. The little fellow had never forgotten that delicious taste.

Completely unlike Xiao Yan, who calculated every expense and pinched every penny, Shi Kang was exceedingly generous toward the Seven-Colored Heavenly Swallowing Python. Every feeding, he let it eat its fill.

It could not be helped. Shi Kang had deep pockets and the means to be this extravagant.

Having gained some intelligence, the Seven-Colored Heavenly Swallowing Python likely knew that Shi Kang had just been immersed in cultivation, fully focused and not to be disturbed. That was why it had obediently stayed to the side instead of coming over to cause trouble.

Now that it saw Shi Kang slowly open his eyes and leave his cultivation state, it immediately coiled around him like a child begging for attention.

The little snake pressed its tiny head tightly against Shi Kang's Storage Ring, its eyes glimmering with desire. Its meaning could not have been clearer—it was hungry and wanted Companion Purple Crystal Source.

Shi Kang looked at the adorable little fellow, the corners of his lips lifting slightly as he gently tapped its head.

Then, he took out a bottle of Companion Purple Crystal Source from his Storage Ring, opened it, and placed it before the little snake.

The little snake's eyes instantly lit up with longing. It hissed at Shi Kang a few times, as though expressing its gratitude.

Then it eagerly began eating, its little head stretching and retracting as it feasted with relish.

Shi Kang gently stroked its snake body. The smooth scales slid beneath his fingertips, bringing a strange sensation.

As he stroked it, he muttered, "After eating so much, I wonder when Medusa will return..."

Although the Seven-Colored Heavenly Swallowing Python was adorable, obedient, and endearing, Shi Kang still looked forward more to Medusa returning to her human form.

Between a pet and a beauty, Shi Kang chose the beauty.

Well, perhaps "beautiful snake" would be more accurate.

Shi Kang quietly watched as the Seven-Colored Little Snake finished more than half the bottle of Companion Purple Crystal Source. Then it pulled its head away from the bottle's mouth, wearing an utterly adorable expression of satisfaction.

Not only did it not dislike Shi Kang's still-stroking hand, it even rubbed its little snake head against him.

As it rubbed against him, the Seven-Colored Heavenly Swallowing Python's movements suddenly froze, as though it had been struck by a petrification spell.

Immediately afterward, intense light surged from its body, dazzling and brilliant.

When the light faded, the tiny Seven-Colored Heavenly Swallowing Python had vanished. In its place was a beautiful snake woman radiating deadly allure.

That was right. Medusa had returned.

That bewitchingly gorgeous face, that alluring delicate body with its exquisite curves, and those wild snake tail.

Because the Seven-Colored Heavenly Swallowing Python had just rubbed against Shi Kang's hand, when Medusa returned, Shi Kang's hand happened to be resting on a soft part of her body...

The sudden change and that soft sensation made Shi Kang unconsciously squeeze...

What a coincidence. Truly, what a coincidence.

This awkward yet delicate scene seemed to freeze the very air.

The moment Medusa returned, she immediately sensed Shi Kang's hand moving.

That electric numbness made her lovely face flush red with both embarrassment and anger.

She instantly sprang away from Shi Kang like a startled deer. Her narrow, beautiful eyes stared fixedly at him, while shame, indignation, anger, and wariness appeared on her bewitching face all at once.

If it had been anyone else, Medusa would have attacked long ago for doing such a thing to her. Her fiery temper would never tolerate such an offense.

But this person was Shi Kang. Whether it was Shi Kang's unfathomable strength or the powerful background behind him, both made Medusa deeply wary.

Thus, Medusa did not dare do anything. At most, she could only say, "You shameless bastard!"

Her voice carried both a hint of coy anger and genuine annoyance.

"Don't look at me like that. I didn't know you'd suddenly return, and besides, you were the one who made the first move." Though Medusa glared at him, Shi Kang was not the least bit intimidated. His expression was calm, as though he were merely stating a fact.

After all, it really had been the Seven-Colored Heavenly Swallowing Python that had rubbed against him first. He had not done anything excessive.

"Then why did you just..." Medusa's peerless face was somewhat flushed, though it was unclear whether from shame or anger.

She had wanted to question Shi Kang about that "squeeze," but she simply could not bring herself to say the word.

Shi Kang wore a serious expression and said solemnly, "Oh, you suddenly returned and startled me. It was an instinctive reaction."

In any case, Shi Kang would never admit that he had done it on purpose. He had no intention of taking the blame.

Medusa gritted her silver teeth, both furious and annoyed. She could not understand how Shi Kang's skin could be so thick. She shot him a resentful glare, yet could do nothing about it.

Shi Kang had no idea what Medusa was thinking. His gaze unconsciously fell upon her Snake Tail.

He shook his head with a regretful look and muttered, "You haven't completely transformed yet... Why is it still a snake tail..."

Medusa felt somewhat uncomfortable under Shi Kang's gaze. Remembering what he had said before her last evolution, how could she not know what he was thinking?

Fortunately, Shi Kang quickly withdrew his gaze.

To free herself from those complicated emotions, Medusa began examining her surroundings and asked with feigned composure, "Where is this?"

This Cultivation Chamber looked exceptionally high-grade. It could not possibly be within the Snake People Clan.

Moreover, although the Seven-Colored Heavenly Swallowing Python's soul had controlled the body during this period, she had still been able to learn some things about the outside world through faint perceptions.

She knew that Shi Kang had already taken her away from the Snake People Clan.

Of course, she also knew that Shi Kang had been raising her as a pet during this time!

"The Stone Realm," Shi Kang answered succinctly.

"The Stone Realm?" Medusa frowned slightly, unfamiliar with the name.