Awakening

The Snake-People Tribe.

Medusa sat on the Throne, her face clouded with worry, for Long Xiao was still unconscious.

She had exhausted every means of waking him, but nothing worked. He seemed to have suffered grievous injuries, and the thought sent a wrenching pain through her heart. After this ordeal, she understood: she truly had fallen for Long Xiao.

Below her, the commanders were reporting on the reconstruction of the Snake-People Tribe, but she heard none of it. All her thoughts were tied to Long Xiao.

Medusa's heart grew heavier and heavier.

"Your Majesty?"

Seeing this, Yue Mei stepped forward and called out in puzzlement. Only then did Medusa come back to her senses.

"What is it?"

Medusa drew a deep breath and spoke calmly.

"Are you worried about Young Master Long Xiao? Heaven watches over good men like him. He'll surely be all right," Yue Mei reassured her with a smile.

"Mm." Medusa answered faintly, but her thoughts still refused to settle.

"What a shame. Young Master Long Xiao has so many treasures. If he'd left a few with you, Your Majesty, we might have found a way. He's so clever, yet he didn't foresee this."

Yue Mei felt some regret herself. Unfortunately, they could not open Long Xiao's Storage Ring; otherwise, they should have been able to find a sacred healing treasure.

Medusa rubbed her forehead irritably. "Treasures..."

Something suddenly occurred to her. She jerked her head up, a gleam of delight flashing through her eyes.

She remembered that Long Xiao had handed her a jade bottle before facing the Snake God. Could that bottle contain a sacred healing treasure?

At the thought, Medusa's heart pounded. She hastily took out the jade bottle.

"Your Majesty, this is..."

Medusa raised a hand to stop Yue Mei, then opened the jade bottle with utmost care. A rich, fresh fragrance wafted out, refreshing her heart and soul.

Vast vitality poured from the mouth of the bottle, with pale green light shimmering within.

When she looked inside, she found a single drop of water.

The breath of life emanated from that drop.

If a single drop held such immense energy, it had to be Long Xiao's backup plan.

Joy surged through her heart. She looked up at Yue Mei. "You were right. That fellow was prepared all along. He never fights a battle unprepared."

Yue Mei smiled too.

Wonderful. Her Majesty finally no longer has to worry about Young Master Long Xiao's injuries. The Snake-People Tribe will surely rise to new heights.

Medusa wasted no time. She quickly put away the drop of breath of life and returned to her room.

She quietly approached the bed and gazed at Long Xiao lying there, a mist gathering in her eyes.

That fellow, what a fool!

She sighed softly, bent down, and gently pressed a kiss to Long Xiao's forehead.

Then she took out the jade bottle again and fed the drop of water emanating the breath of life into Long Xiao's mouth.

The drop entered Long Xiao's throat and was immediately assimilated into his blood, transforming into a strange energy.

His body began to emit a faint green glow. The entire room filled with the aura of life, and Long Xiao's injuries began healing at a speed visible to the naked eye.

His pale complexion gradually regained its rosy color.

His eyelashes trembled.

At the sight, Medusa covered her mouth in excitement.

He's awake!

He's finally awake!

Medusa's eyes reddened with excitement. As she watched Long Xiao slowly open his eyes, tears spilled down her face.

"Shasha, why are you crying?"

Long Xiao opened his eyes and immediately saw Medusa, her makeup smeared by tears.

He sat up and tenderly wiped away her tears, speaking softly.

"I wasn't crying!"

Medusa spoke awkwardly, trying to regain her usual icy aloofness, only to discover that she could not. Instead, she looked even more caught between laughter and tears.

Seeing her like this, Long Xiao felt even greater tenderness for her. Unable to resist, he drew her into his arms and murmured, "What a rare sight. My queen actually shed tears for a man."

"You're still talking! Believe me, I'll throw you into the desert to feed the magical beasts." Medusa pushed him away and glared fiercely at him.

"All right, all right, I won't say another word. Not another word."

Long Xiao laughed and begged for mercy, then pulled her into his arms again, holding her tenderly with an indulgent look, as though she were the most precious treasure in his heart.

Long Xiao could feel that, after this ordeal, Medusa's feelings for him had deepened further.

Medusa did not struggle. In a rare display of docility, she leaned against his chest and listened to his heartbeat, like a gorgeous, coldly proud flower coming into bloom.

She could be utterly domineering before others, yet in front of him, she always unwittingly revealed her vulnerable, helpless side.

"A fiercer queen really does have more presence..."

Long Xiao accidentally let the thought slip out.

Hearing it, Medusa grew annoyed. She raised her head and glared ferociously at him, her eyes brimming with warning.

That bastard!

He always brings that up whenever I show my true feelings. Absolutely infuriating!

Long Xiao scratched his head awkwardly, glanced at Medusa's luscious red lips, and swallowed.

Then he immediately put on a pained expression.

"Hiss..."

Long Xiao sucked in a sharp breath.

"What's wrong?" Medusa asked with concern.

"Hiss... that water of life is a supreme treasure. Its life energy is powerful enough to heal every injury and nourish the soul. Even though there was only one drop, I can't absorb it all. The energy is rampaging through my body..."

"Unless I share some of that energy... hiss..."

The sight of Long Xiao softened Medusa's heart into a wad of cotton. Of course she knew what he meant by sharing his energy. Wasn't it simply "combat cultivation"?

"Fine. I'll reluctantly help you this once!"

Medusa parted her red lips slightly, biting her pearly white teeth together.

A moment later.

Gulp...

That surge of energy was like a mouthful of yogurt settling into her stomach.