In the end, Zhang Nian managed to put a stop to the fighting by sacrificing his own room. After Ya Fei and Yun Yun left, he looked at Medusa, whose expression had yet to soften, and felt a little puzzled. The two of them had no connection at present. Could it be that, because of the Snake-People Tribe, she was prejudiced against people from the Misty Cloud Sect?
That wouldn't do. They'd be living under the same roof from now on, and he couldn't keep stepping in to deal with these things. What if he had to leave for ten days or half a month to take care of something? The sect gate might be torn down by the time he got back.
Inside the room, Zhang Nian pulled out a chair and sat down. He quietly studied Medusa, then sensed her cultivation. If nothing unexpected happened, she would break through to Dou Emperor in two or three days.
Though the matter had been settled, Medusa's icy expression made it clear that she was deeply displeased with Yun Yun's actions. Zhang Nian couldn't help feeling a headache coming on, so he tried to comfort her.
"All right, the matter's settled now, isn't it? Don't be angry. Once you reach my level, you won't let things like this bother you."
Zhang Nian tried to steer the conversation toward cultivation. He had his own understanding of how to placate a girl: change the subject and draw her attention elsewhere. If they chatted long enough, she would forget about it.
"I don't know when I'll reach your level, Master. You're a Dou Sheng, and I haven't even become a Dou Emperor yet." Medusa quickly retorted, her face full of defiance. Perhaps the two of them had simply been at odds by nature, and certain other factors had led to this situation.
"Do you know the potential hidden within you?"
He left his words hanging on purpose, then asked Medusa.
She shook her head, a puzzled look on her lovely face. Ever since she had swallowed the Heaven-Seizing Creation Pill, she had felt different. Or rather, her once-weak Snake-People bloodline seemed to have been replaced, and cultivation had become much easier. At her old pace, it would have taken at least half a year to break through to Dou Emperor. Now, she could clearly sense the barrier in her cultivation growing more distinct. She knew it was the final obstacle between Dou Wang and Dou Emperor.
"I don't know... In the past, I could vaguely sense something as my strength increased. But ever since I took the pill you gave me, Master, I've felt that the power hidden within me has fully awakened... I don't know exactly what it is, though..."
"I sensed an unusual presence hidden in the Tagor Desert back then. It was faint, but I still managed to detect it..." Zhang Nian wasn't telling the truth. Besides, a trace of the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python's bloodline wasn't enough to make a Dou Sheng Expert covet it. But, truth be told, only someone like Medusa—a Snake-Person—would inspire a one-star Dou Sheng to seek her out. That was also why Zhang Nian hadn't chosen any other disciples.
"You possess the bloodline of the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python. In ancient times, it was one of the strongest magical beasts. According to the ancient records, at its peak, the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python could contend with a Dou Sheng Expert. It could even rival the Ancient Heaven Snake."
He paused for a moment. Medusa listened attentively beside him, her snake tail swaying from side to side. He drew back his gaze and continued, "The pill I gave you elevated the bloodline within you. To be precise, the bloodline you now possess has surpassed that of the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python. It's the legendary Nine-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python. This also exhausted the pill's full medicinal power. I'm sure you can feel it yourself: from now on, your cultivation will only get faster, and breakthroughs will come as if the heavens were helping you."
"The Nine-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python..."
Medusa murmured thoughtfully, her heart shaken. She hadn't yet broken through to Dou Zong, so her bloodline hadn't truly awakened, but she had already begun to reap its benefits.
Zhang Nian nodded and leaned closer. "That's right, the Nine-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python. As long as you focus on your cultivation, you'll sense the changes within you more deeply once you reach Dou Zong. Your bloodline will awaken completely, and then you'll understand just how powerful this force is."
As he spoke, Zhang Nian gently reached out to stroke the exposed part of Medusa's tail. He was simply curious. People said you shouldn't touch a tiger's rear, but he wondered if a Snake-Person's tail was fair game.
A strange sensation spread through Medusa's lower body. Her skin tingled, as if an electric current had passed through her, and her neck flushed. She shot Zhang Nian a reproachful look. His eyes were still clear and bright, with no hint of teasing or lechery. Only then did Medusa understand that her master had probably just been curious...
But Snake-People only rubbed their tails together when they were in love, so their tails were extremely sensitive. It was like the soles of a human woman's feet. After all, there was a saying: men shouldn't touch a woman's head, and women shouldn't let men touch their feet...
"Master..."
There was a bewitching allure in that single word. Her voice was soft and enticing, lingering in Zhang Nian's ears. His heart stirred, and he felt heat rise in his lower abdomen, his blood beginning to race.
Realizing he had lost control of himself, he hurriedly pulled back his guilty hand and laughed awkwardly. "Sorry, sorry. I... lost control for a moment. Don't get the wrong idea. Your master isn't a lecher, it's just..."
What kind of filthy nonsense was he spouting?
Zhang Nian cursed himself inwardly. The atmosphere in the room was awkward. The sweltering heat of midsummer only added to the restlessness inside them, leaving both at a loss. If there had been an Ice Heart Pill in front of him, Zhang Nian would have swallowed one without hesitation—and casually given one to Medusa as well.
"Anyway... focus on your cultivation. I just remembered that I still have some things to take care of. The Snake-People Tribe should send word soon. For now, focus on your breakthrough. There's no need to rush into swallowing the Huangji Pill. You can use the Dou Ling Pill when you're ready to break through. I'll give the others their instructions later. Zi Yan probably won't bother you for a while, so just concentrate on your cultivation."
As soon as he finished speaking, he fled the room in a fluster. He didn't notice the little head bobbing quietly by the window, two bright eyes taking in everything that had just happened inside.
Sister Medusa's tail looked like fun. Master had just touched it... If I had a tail, it would be so much fun too. No, I have to grow up as soon as possible! Then I can ask Master for more medicinal ingredients!
At the thought, her twin ponytails bounced as her small body hopped along, tracing graceful arcs through the air. With light steps, she followed in the direction Zhang Nian had just gone.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the mountain gate.
"All right, this is the room where the Saint usually lives. It'll be yours from now on. I've already had someone clean it up, and everything inside is brand new."
Ya Fei led Yun Yun to the quiet chamber. When she opened the door, a modest-sized living room came into view. There were two doors on the left: one led to the bedroom, and the other to a meditation room for cultivation.
"You're more familiar with this place than I am, so I won't explain it in detail."
Ya Fei said no more and turned to leave, but Yun Yun called after her.
"Please wait a moment."
A slight smile curved Ya Fei's lips. She turned around and gave Yun Yun her signature smile,
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