Serpent Kingdom's Secret Treasure: The Queen's Trial and the Younger Brother's Divine Assist

Inside the Ten Thousand Snake Cave of the Snake-People Kingdom, Queen Medusa sat regally upon her throne, her gaze shifting between Xiao Feng and Xiao Yan. She tapped her fingertips against the armrest, producing a crisp, rhythmic sound: "You want the fragment of the Nether Chapter? Very well. But you must pass the Three Trials of the Snake-People Kingdom—and Xiao Feng must challenge them personally."

Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow: "Your Majesty, why specify my brother?"

Medusa's lips curled upward: "He once blocked an attack from King Nine-Nether for me. If I were to simply hand over the fragment, wouldn't that make the Snake-People Kingdom appear ungrateful?" She turned to look at Xiao Feng: "Young Master Xiao, do you dare to accept the challenge?"

Xiao Feng nodded helplessly, though he understood in his heart that this was Medusa's "disguised compensation"—even though the system bug had been fixed, she still wanted to use the trials as a pretext to gift the fragment to the Xiao family.

In the first trial, the Snake Shadow Labyrinth, countless Spirit-Devouring Snakes darted between stone pillars. Xiao Feng activated his Heavenly Demon Wings to dodge and weave, yet he intentionally left an opening, allowing the swarm to corner him. Medusa chuckled from the shadows and waved her hand to withdraw the snakes: "First trial, passed."

In the second trial, the Fire Python Trial, Xiao Feng faced a Nine-Headed Fire Python infused with Heavenly Flame. He unleashed the Heavenly Fire Three Mysterious Transformations, but at the final moment, he "exhausted" his strength and was ensnared by the python. Just as Xiao Yan was about to intervene, he saw Medusa beat him to it, her snake tail sweeping out to extinguish the python: "Second trial, passed."

Before the third trial, the Realm of Heart and Soul, Xiao Yan sent a telepathic message: "Third Brother, this trial tests emotional weaknesses. Beware of Queen Medusa's illusions!"

Xiao Feng nodded and stepped into the illusion. The scene before him was identical to the marriage recruitment at the Gu Clan; Medusa, Xun Er, Yun Yun, and Gu Ling appeared simultaneously, each pouring out their love for him. He shook his head with a bitter smile: "The system bug is fixed, so why is the illusion still so absurd?"

He channeled Soul Movement Three Thousand, his soul power manifesting as Xiao Yan's sarcastic voice: "Third Brother, is this a trial of romance or a nightmare?" The illusion shattered instantly. Medusa's phantom appeared, a flicker of approval in her eyes: "Your heart is firm. Third trial, passed."

As the trials concluded, Medusa handed the Nether Chapter fragment to Xiao Feng, but her fingertips trembled slightly as they brushed his palm—the "contract memory" left behind by the system bug was still lingering. She quickly pulled her hand back and said sternly: "Take the fragment. But the next time we meet, I will completely dissolve our contract."

Xiao Feng bowed: "I shall keep the appointment." As he turned to leave, he heard Medusa whisper softly: "Actually... you are better suited to be an ally than Xiao Yan."

Xiao Yan held back his laughter until his face turned bright red. Only after exiting the Ten Thousand Snake Cave did he burst out laughing: "Third Brother, Queen Medusa is basically confessing to you!"

Xiao Feng rubbed his forehead in resignation: "You were the one who was supposed to get the fragment, so how did it end up with me taking the trials?"

Xiao Yan shrugged: "Who told you to be so charming? But seriously, Third Brother, which girl do you have your eye on? I'll help you set it up."

Xiao Feng glared at him: "Worry about yourself first—have you replied to Xiao Yi Xian's letter yet?"

Xiao Yan's smile froze on his face. Ever since the system was repaired, Xiao Yi Xian had written to him frequently, her letters filled with concern, yet he didn't know how to respond. He scratched his head: "Let's deal with Hun Dan first."

Just as the two were speaking, a thunderous roar echoed from afar. A snake-tribe scout came stumbling toward them: "Your Majesty! The Soul Clan's Emotion Mirror has attacked Medicine Saint Mountain! Miss Xiao Yi Xian has been captured!"

Xiao Feng and Xiao Yan exchanged a glance and leaped into the air simultaneously: "Let's go!"

Inside Medicine Saint Mountain, Xiao Yi Xian was imprisoned within an Emotion Cage. Standing opposite her was a mirror-image of Xiao Feng, his eyes flickering with cold system code. He raised a hand and unleashed a wave of black mist, which instantly corroded all of Xiao Yi Xian's poisons: "Hand over the Starfall Chapter fragment, or else..."

"Impossible!" Xiao Yi Xian gritted her teeth, "That was left for me by Brother Xiao Yan!"

"Oh?" The mirror-image raised an eyebrow, "But Xiao Feng is right here—" He reached out to stroke Xiao Yi Xian's cheek, "He told me to tell you that he is the true Child of Destiny."

Xiao Yi Xian's pupils constricted. While she had feelings for Xiao Yan, she was also grateful to Xiao Feng for saving her life. Seeing "Xiao Feng" acting so strangely, she was filled with confusion.

Just as the mirror-image was about to strike, Xiao Yan's fire lotus shattered the window, followed closely by his Heavy Xuan Ruler: "Let her go!"

Xiao Feng simultaneously threw out the Emperor Flame chains, binding the mirror-image's neck: "Little Yan, save Xiao Yi Xian! Leave this to me!"

Xiao Yan nodded, swinging his ruler to shatter the cage and shielding Xiao Yi Xian behind him. She looked at Xiao Yan, tears welling in her eyes: "Brother Xiao Yan, that Xiao Feng..."

"He's a fake!" Xiao Yan urged, "He's a mirror-image created by Hun Dan!"

The mirror-image Xiao Feng suddenly chuckled, his form dissolving into black mist that burrowed into Xiao Yi Xian's body: "Since you cannot tell the real from the fake, then suffer together!"

Xiao Yi Xian let out a painful groan as incantations made of system code appeared on her skin. Xiao Feng's pupils constricted; he pushed his Emperor Flame to its limit, forcibly purging the black mist from her body.

"Third Brother, use the Dual Emperor Resonance!" Xiao Yan shouted, "Just like last time!"

The two simultaneously channeled their Heavenly Flames. The fire lotus and the Emperor Flame merged in the air to form the character "Purify," which cleansed the mirror-image's black mist into mere specks of light. Xiao Yi Xian collapsed softly into Xiao Yan's arms, whispering: "I knew it... you are the real one."

Xiao Feng watched the red flush on his brother's ears and coughed twice intentionally: "Ahem, Miss Xiao Yi Xian, are you alright?"

Xiao Yi Xian hurriedly stood up, her cheeks burning red: "Brother Xiao, thank you... and Brother Xiao Yan."

A system prompt sounded:

Ding! Successfully rescued Xiao Yi Xian. Obtained "Emotion Purification" potion (can break mirror-image illusions).