Shapeshifting, Entering the Mountains

Qinglin stood there dumbfounded.

The Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python erupted with dazzling light once more!

This time, the light was even more brilliant than before.

Within the radiance, its massive snake body rapidly shrank and transformed.

Its scales faded away, turning into smooth, pale skin. Its serpentine body shifted, outlining a slender, graceful figure. Its snake head changed, becoming a breathtakingly beautiful face...

A few breaths later, the light dispersed.

A figure stood quietly in the center of the cave.

She wore a crimson dress, her figure slender and exquisitely curved.

Her purple hair cascaded down like a waterfall, reaching her waist.

Her face was devastatingly beautiful, cold and noble, while her violet eyes carried an aloofness that kept others at a distance.

Beneath her skirt was no longer a cold snake tail.

Instead, there was a pair of long, straight, fair, delicate legs.

Her feet were bare, her ankles exquisite, her toes rounded, and her skin lustrously pale.

She stood there quietly, surrounded by the formidable aura of a Dou Zong, like a queen high above all others—sacred and inviolable.

The shapeshifting had succeeded!

Lu Xia sat atop a rock, his gaze fixed directly on her, momentarily lost in a daze.

When Medusa's lower body had still been a snake tail, she had been beautiful too, but she had always carried a somewhat bewitching air.

But now... Medusa, completely transformed into human form, was even more stunning and captivating than before.

Her waist was so slender it could be encircled with one hand, and her gorgeous face held pride amid its cold beauty.

Lu Xia's gaze involuntarily lingered on those long legs for several extra seconds.

He had to admit, they really were... alluring.

Medusa naturally noticed Lu Xia's gaze.

Meeting his eyes and seeing his slightly dazed expression, an inexplicable flicker of delight rose in the depths of her heart.

That bastard... he was stunned by me, wasn't he?

Hmph, at least he has some taste.

Though secretly pleased, Medusa showed none of it on her face.

She raised her chin slightly, her eyes filled with pride and cool aloofness, every inch the queen.

Because of the Soul Contract, the way she looked at Lu Xia unconsciously carried a trace of reliance.

Only after watching for a while did Lu Xia slowly come back to his senses.

He coughed lightly to conceal his earlier lapse, his face returning to calm.

His gaze fell upon Medusa. Sensing the Dou Zong pressure around her, Lu Xia raised a brow and spoke sternly.

"Medusa, restrain your aura."

"Don't draw the people from Sky Serpent Mansion over here."

Medusa's delicate brows furrowed slightly at his words.

This guy had only just woken up, and he was already ordering her around?

He really wasn't polite at all!

Dissatisfied, she instinctively wanted to retort.

But deep within her soul, the power of the contract suppressed her.

Her body reacted faster than her will.

The formidable Dou Zong pressure around her slowly withdrew.

Medusa: "..."

She gritted her pearly teeth, irritation appearing on her face, yet there was nothing she could do.

Her body was being too honest. What could she do about it?

She could only glare fiercely at Lu Xia to express her displeasure.

Seeing her haughty, tsundere look, Lu Xia's lips curved slightly upward.

Only after Medusa restrained her aura did Qinglin react. She raised her face and said excitedly.

"Big Sister Medusa! You've finally changed back!"

"And... and you have legs now! They're so pretty!"

Her face was full of admiration, her eyes glittering with stars.

Medusa lowered her head and looked at the innocent little girl before her. The coldness on her face eased.

She nodded slightly. Though she remained aloof, her tone was much gentler.

After spending these days together, she had grown rather fond of Qinglin.

Lu Xia rose to his feet, brushed the dust from his clothes, and walked over to the two women.

"Since you've recovered..."

His gaze turned toward the outside of the cave, his tone calm.

"Let's go."

"Come with me to Sky Serpent Mansion."

The Entwining Snake Mountains were shrouded in clouds and mist.

The mountains were steep and perilous, while waves of hissing came from deep within the forest, sending chills down one's spine.

Three figures sped through the mountain woods. They were Lu Xia and the others.

"Let's rest for a while."

Lu Xia suddenly stopped and glanced back at Qinglin, who was panting heavily. His tone was gentle.

Qinglin hurriedly shook her head and said between breaths, "No need, Brother Xia. I can still walk!"

Lu Xia laughed softly and reached out to rub her hair. "No rush. Sky Serpent Mansion isn't going anywhere."

As he spoke, he looked toward the depths of the mountain range.

"Ten Thousand Snakes Gorge is ahead."

"Ten Thousand Snakes Gorge?"

Qinglin blinked, somewhat curious.

Medusa also looked up, a trace of surprise flashing through her eyes.

The gorge ahead contained an enormous concentration of snake auras. Their numbers were astonishing.

"Mm."

Lu Xia nodded and explained.

"Ten Thousand Snakes Gorge is Sky Serpent Mansion's breeding ground for snake-type magical beasts, and it also serves as one of their natural barriers."

"Countless fourth- and fifth-tier venomous snakes dwell inside. Even a Dou Wang would come out sideways."

Qinglin's face turned slightly pale at his words.

So many venomous snakes...

Medusa, however, did not care. Her tone was indifferent. "They're only a few venomous snakes."

With the bloodline pressure of a Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python, those low-tier venomous snakes were not even qualified to approach her.

Lu Xia smiled. "Let's go take a look."

The three continued onward. The deeper they went, the denser the snake auras around them became.

In the grass, on tree branches, and within cracks in the rocks, colorful venomous snakes could be seen coiled everywhere, their icy vertical pupils watching the intruders.

A faint stench filled the air, making one nauseous.

Qinglin unconsciously moved closer to Lu Xia.

Though her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils naturally restrained snakes, the sight of so many venomous snakes gathered together was simply too overwhelming.

A gorge appeared before the three of them.

Upon seeing the scene within, Qinglin sucked in a cold breath, every hair on her body standing on end.

The enormous gorge was packed full of snakes!

Venomous snakes of every kind filled the place. Some were several zhang long, while others were only as thick as fingers, layered upon layer in numbers beyond counting!

The rustling of scales scraping together and the hissing of flickering tongues intertwined, forming a sound that made one's scalp tingle.

An ordinary person would probably have their legs go weak at the sight.

"Th-this many..."

Qinglin's voice trembled as she pressed tightly against Lu Xia's side.

Lu Xia remained calm. He turned to Medusa beside him and said with a smile, "Your turn to perform."

Medusa glanced at him, somewhat displeased by his commanding tone.

But the power of the Soul Contract made her unable to defy him.

She gave a cold snort and stepped forward.

Boom!

A powerful pressure erupted from within her body!

The Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python—the pinnacle bloodline among snake-type magical beasts!

Her pressure surged outward, instantly enveloping the entire Ten Thousand Snakes Gorge!

Within the gorge, the countless venomous snakes that had been restlessly hissing seemed to have been frozen in place.

The next moment.

Rustle!

The densely packed venomous snakes retreated to both sides like a receding tide!

The pressure of a superior bloodline filled them with terror from the depths of their souls.

The entire Ten Thousand Snakes Gorge fell silent in an instant.

A straight passage automatically opened before the three of them.

On either side stood countless snake-type magical beasts bowing their heads in submission.

The scene was magnificent, yet somewhat eerie.

Qinglin stared in stunned amazement.

"S-so amazing!"