A date?

Inside Medusa's bedchamber.

Long Xiao suddenly shivered, sensing that something was wrong.

Why did I suddenly feel a sense of danger for no reason?

Medusa opened her eyes and looked at Long Xiao in confusion.

"Long Xiao, what's wrong?"

"Nothing." Long Xiao shook his head, though he still wasn't sure where that sense of danger had come from.

Medusa didn't press him. Instead, she gazed at him tenderly. "I've broken through to seven-star Dou Zong."

Long Xiao's mouth fell open in surprise. "You..."

He hadn't expected Medusa to break through so quickly. Her rate of advancement was downright frightening. Even with the boost from his life essence, wasn't this far too fast?

Could a divine beast's body absorb energy that quickly?

He was still a five-star Dou Zong, yet Medusa had already reached seven-star Dou Zong.

"You're a real cultivation fiend," Long Xiao said ruefully.

At those words, Medusa's eyes dimmed for a moment.

She was a fiercely determined woman, but she knew even better that if she stopped cultivating, the gap between her and Long Xiao would only widen.

Long Xiao's origins were surely earth-shattering. If she wanted to remain by his side, she needed sufficient strength.

All she wanted was a shoulder to lean on in this world, without becoming a burden to him.

The battle with the Snake God had also shown her what true power was. It was then that she had become Long Xiao's Achilles' heel, and she refused to let that happen a second time.

"Shasha, have you been busy lately?"

Long Xiao's words interrupted Medusa's thoughts. She looked up and smiled at him. "Not too busy."

Then she asked, "What do you want to do?"

Long Xiao thought for a moment. "Let's go out and have some fun. Go on a date."

"A date?" Medusa froze for a moment. This was the first time Long Xiao had heard the term. She blinked, not understanding.

"What does a date mean?"

Seeing her expression, Long Xiao understood what was on her mind and hurried to explain. "It means a world just for the two of us. Just you and me, out roaming the mountains and enjoying the rivers. And you can buy anything you want. How about it?"

After hearing him out, Medusa fell silent.

Seeing this, Long Xiao asked worriedly, "What is it? Don't you want to go?"

"No." Medusa shook her head. "Wouldn't I lose face if I simply agreed like that?"

Pfft!

Medusa's blunt words left Long Xiao choking.

She'd lose face over this?

If I revealed my identity, who knows how many empresses or divine maidens would throw themselves at me? Still, my Shasha is the most special of them all. I have to give her all the face she deserves.

He mostly wanted to visit the Imperial Capital anyway. His little brother's three-year agreement was fast approaching, and as his big brother, he naturally had to go take a look. After all, he had already promised Senior Evil Keyboard Immortal that he would help Xiao Huohuo reach the Primordial Star Domain.

He was also curious about what sort of world his little brother could carve out for himself.

"All right, I'll give you face."

Long Xiao rose with a smile, straightened his appearance, and approached Medusa with a gentlemanly air.

Medusa looked at Long Xiao, waiting for his next words.

Long Xiao coughed and cleared his throat before saying, "Your esteemed Majesty, I sincerely invite you to join me in witnessing the splendor of this world. Might I have that honor?"

With that, he extended his hand in invitation.

Looking at the utterly solemn Long Xiao, Medusa almost burst out laughing.

"Of course."

She placed her slender, jade-like hand in his.

Long Xiao's palm instantly grew hot. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it, then took her hand and leisurely led her outside.

"Where do you get all these little tricks?"

Medusa looked at her right hand and couldn't help smiling.

Long Xiao really was becoming more and more like a child, but she knew he only acted that way in front of her.

Holding Medusa's hand, Long Xiao reached the doorway. A fragrant breeze drifted over, and Yue Mei caught the two of them in their intimate pose.

"Your Majesty."

Yue Mei lowered her head in a panic.

Medusa immediately withdrew her hand and said sternly, "Yue Mei, Long Xiao and I have matters to attend to outside. You will oversee the tribe's affairs in my absence."

"Yes."

A trace of disappointment flashed through Yue Mei's eyes. Long Xiao was now Her Majesty's man, his standing far above her own.

Her heart ached a little.

But she knew she shouldn't harbor such feelings.

Even so, she couldn't help feeling sad. After all, she had taken a liking to this warmhearted young man from the very first moment she saw him.

"Mei'er, this is for you."

Long Xiao walked up to Yue Mei, took out a small porcelain bottle, and handed it to her. "These are a Dou Ling Pill and a Breakthrough Pill. Keep at it and seize the time to break through to Dou Emperor."

Yue Mei accepted the porcelain bottle. Seeing Long Xiao's smile, the gloom in her heart was swept away.

She bowed to Long Xiao in gratitude.

"Thank you, Young Master Long Xiao."

"No need to be so polite. It was no more than lifting a hand."

Long Xiao waved. "Go on with your work, then. I'll be off."

With that, he left with Medusa.

Yue Mei stood rooted to the spot, watching their departing figures as her eyes reddened.

Long Xiao's words still echoed in her ears.

Meanwhile, Medusa began questioning Long Xiao. "Long Xiao, have you taken a fancy to Yue Mei?"

Long Xiao rubbed the tip of his nose helplessly, not expecting even the queen to get jealous. "I only see her as a friend. There's nothing else to it. Besides, don't I already have you?"

"Hmph, such a slick tongue. I don't like that."

Medusa gave a soft snort, then rose into the air first.

Long Xiao flew up after her. Their figures receded into the distance and vanished beyond the horizon.

Like shooting stars, the two flew across the Jia Ma Empire.

"Where do you want to go?" Medusa asked.

Long Xiao stroked his chin, his eyes shifting as he thought over the places on the Jia Ma Empire's map. "Shall we take a look at the Magical Beast Mountain Range?"

"All right." Medusa nodded.

She hadn't visited the Magical Beast Mountain Range in a long time either, and wondered who its current ruler was.

Back when she was a Dou Wang, she had spent some time training there. The overlord of the Magical Beast Mountain Range had still been a lion that could breathe purple fire.

The two flew toward a mountain range in the southeastern Jia Ma Empire. It stretched for thousands of li and was incomparably vast. In some places, towering trees grew, their crowns reaching a hundred zhang high.

Looking at those enormous trees, Medusa couldn't help sighing.

The environment here was ideal for magical beasts.

If only we could move the Snake-People Tribe here. They've already lived in the desert for hundreds of years.

This was also one of the most dangerous places in the entire Jia Ma Empire.

For the Magical Beast Mountain Range gathered all manner of the empire's ferocious magical beasts.

"So this is the Magical Beast Mountain Range. The scenery's pretty nice."

As soon as Long Xiao landed, he released his soul power and surveyed a hundred li around him, but found no aura that posed any danger to him.