"Let's forget about it," After pondering for a moment, Xiao Ming shook his head, declining Zi Yan's proposal.
As one of the Eight Great Elders of the Pill Tower, his position held significant responsibilities and power, unlike being an Elder at the Jia Nan Academy, which was relatively more leisurely. He had duties within the Pill Tower that couldn't be neglected.
Although there weren't many tasks to handle at the moment, being absent for an extended period was still not ideal.
Xiao Ming had recently been in conflict with the Hall of Souls, and he felt somewhat embarrassed about being a slacker.
Moreover, it had been nearly two months since he left the Pill Tower. If he were to go to the Ancient Dragon Island now, how long would it take for him to return to the Pill Tower?
Once he went with Zi Yan, she would most likely enter seclusion to absorb the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit. It wouldn't make much sense for him to accompany her during that time.
Additionally, Xiao Ming himself needed to enter seclusion to break through to the Dou Venerate realm. Whether he did it on the Ancient Dragon Island or elsewhere didn't matter much, but returning to the Pill Tower would be more convenient. After his breakthrough, he still had matters to attend to, such as seizing the Soul Essence.
Xiao Ming's refusal made Zi Yan pout, and she was about to say something when he suddenly threw a pair of storage rings at her.
"There are many pills inside."
"Really?!" Zi Yan's face lit up with joy as she quickly checked the storage rings, confirming the presence of numerous pills inside. She couldn't contain her excitement.
Seeing her joyful expression, Xiao Ming smiled faintly. With his current strength, refining those pills was child's play, and he could easily produce hundreds of bottles without much effort.
Zi Yan put away the storage rings, nodded, and said with a smile, "Well, since you don't want to go back with me, Xiao Ming, let's forget about it. Sister Medusa, do you want to come back with me?"
"... I'll pass," Medusa glanced at Xiao Ming and quietly declined.
Medusa's actions puzzled Zi Yan. It was one thing for Xiao Ming to refuse her, but why did Medusa also decline? And she even glanced at Xiao Ming before declining...
Zi Yan recalled that Medusa and Xiao Ming did not have a particularly good relationship back then.
A realization struck Zi Yan at that moment, and her expression changed abruptly!
'Oh no! Could it be that Sister Medusa and Xiao Ming are involved romantically?'
Her mind raced as she observed Medusa's enchanting figure and mesmerizing appearance. Medusa seemed even more mature and captivating than when they first met, which reminded Zi Yan that Xiao Ming had a preference for mature women...
Zi Yan didn't beat around the bush and decided to ask directly.
"Sister Medusa, what is your relationship with Xiao Ming?"
Medusa was taken aback by Zi Yan's sudden question. She had been wanting to tell Zi Yan the truth for a while, so after a brief moment of silence, she decided to confess.
"... I'm sorry, but I'm already carrying his child."
Zi Yan's guess turned out to be correct, and she couldn't help but feel infuriated!
'Damn it! I was the one who came first, whether it was meeting Xiao Ming or anything else...'
'It must be because of my figure! How annoying! I knew Xiao Ming preferred mature women. Why haven't I grown up all this time? I still look so small!' Her mind started to race with thoughts of self-doubt and frustration.
Sensing Zi Yan's ever-changing expression, Xiao Ming tilted his head. Could it be that Zi Yan was feeling jealous? His attention shifted to Medusa, noticing a hint of avoidance in her eyes.
"When do you plan to leave?" Xiao Ming decided to redirect the conversation.
"Hmph! Immediately, right away," Zi Yan wrinkled her nose and huffed.
With determination, she raised her jade-like hand and gently slashed through the air, creating a rift in the void. The rift revealed an endless expanse of darkness.
Xiao Yi Xian, who had been quietly observing, covered her smile with her slender hand. She then turned to face Qing Lin, who was standing beside her, and offered some words of encouragement.
"Little sister, remember that this will only be a temporary separation," she gently stroked her green hair.
Xiao Ming also turned his gaze to Qing Lin, his smile filled with affection.
Qing Lin's heart swelled with emotion as she heard the comforting words from Xiao Yi Xian and saw the loving expression on Xiao Ming's face.
"Hmm, Sister Xian'er, please take care of Young Master for me..." she leaned in closer to Xiao Yi Xian and whispered softly.
Even though Qing Lin didn't want to leave Xiao Ming, she was aware of the importance of their separation. It was critical for her to refine the soul of the Ancient Heaven Serpent in order to eliminate the threat it posed to her. Despite the sadness it brought, she was willing to endure it.
After bidding farewell to Xiao Yi Xian, Qing Lin turned to look at Xiao Ming and took a few steps forward to approach him, her flushed face and moist eyes betraying her intentions.
"Young Master, before I depart... I would like a kiss-"
"Hmph! Time's up. Qing Lin, let's go!"
"Ah- Sister Zi Yan, please wait!"
Zi Yan grabbed Qing Lin's arm and dragged her into the spatial rift, hastening their departure. She refused to witness any more tender moments.
What was this? Putting salt in the wound? If they wanted to do that kind of stuff, it shouldn't be in her presence!
As Zi Yan and Qing Lin disappeared into the closing spatial rift, it returned to its original state, erasing any traces of its presence...
"The Ancient Void Dragon's mastery of space is truly extraordinary," said Venerable Tian Huo, observing the restored space. He then asked, "Xiao Ming, what should we do next?"
After witnessing Zi Yan's jealous outburst, Xiao Ming felt a little helpless inside. This little girl had been so eager to leave that she forgot to leave any means of communication. Dragon Island was hidden in the realm of emptiness, and he couldn't access it with his current strength. Any Dou Venerate who was not an Ancient Void Dragon would not dare to barge into that place.
However, he didn't dwell on it for long. He knew that with the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit in Zi Yan's possession, it was likely that her tribe members would seek his help in due course.
"Sigh... Let's rest for a day first, and then we'll return to the Pill Tower," Xiao Ming sighed, making the arrangements after a few moments of silence.
Xiao Yi Xian and Venerable Tian Huo left shortly after, leaving Medusa behind.
"What's the matter? Do you have something to discuss?" Xiao Ming glanced at her, curious about her reason for staying. He didn't assume it was for any intimate matters, as he had refrained from touching her since she became pregnant. So, her staying probably meant she had something important to discuss.
Remaining seated on a chair, Medusa opened her lips, and her enchanting voice echoed in the room, "It's about our child."
Xiao Ming's expression turned serious upon hearing this.
"Our Snake-People Tribe, especially with the strength of Medusa's powerful bloodline, requires numerous spiritual pills and medicines to nourish the baby during its development within the mother's womb. This nourishment will greatly enhance the baby's strength and unleash their terrifying potential upon birth."
"According to our tribe's secret techniques, the nourishment of a Medusa baby is divided into three levels: upper, middle, and lower. Each level corresponds to varying potentials for the child's future cultivation. The lower-level secret technique may result in the baby reaching only the Dou Emperor realm, without significant growth opportunities. With the middle-level secret technique, their potential would be sufficient to reach the Dou Ancestor realm. And with the upper-level secret technique, their potential would be even greater."
"In three years' time, we must undergo the nourishment secret technique. You are the child's father, and you know our Snake-People Tribe's situation… Therefore, I request that you refine the seventh-tier Heaven Soul Blood Bone Pill, which is required for the upper-level secret technique, to prepare for our child's future."
Xiao Ming repeated the name of the pill, deep in thought. Then, he shook his head and responded, "The Heaven Soul Blood Bone Pill? That pill is merely in the seventh tier. You're underestimating me. After all, I'm already an eighth-tier Master Alchemist."
Medusa's eyes brightened as she sensed Xiao Ming's intention.
"What do you mean?"
"I will refine some eighth-tier pills for foundational cultivation. These pills will benefit both you and the child, helping the fetus establish a perfect foundation in the womb," Xiao Ming explained.
He naturally wouldn't be stingy when it came to Medusa and their unborn child. He had secretly searched for several eighth-tier pill recipes suitable for foundational cultivation. During their visit to the Dou Saint Remains, he had collected all the necessary medicinal herbs from the medicinal garden. Once he broke through to the Dou Venerate realm, he could start refining them.
Upon hearing his words, Medusa looked at Xiao Ming with a soft expression. Although she had conceived their child to break free from the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python's influence, Xiao Ming's profound care for their child filled her with nothing but happiness.
Moreover, regardless of the circumstances, Xiao Ming was the man in Medusa's life, and he would be the only man for her. Their conflicts in the past were just that - in the past. Xiao Ming had been treating her well recently, and Medusa's feelings had subtly changed.
"If you've made up your mind, then I have no objections. However, can you tell me which pills you plan to refine?"
"First Start Pill, the Celestial Unity Pill, the Life Enlightenment Pill, the Nine-Element Nurturing Aperture Pill, and the Pure Yang Condensing Pill. All of them are eighth-tier pills. What do you think? If they're not enough, I can find more."
"It's enough! Actually, we don't need that many…" Medusa's once cold face had become incredibly gentle.
"... These days in the Dou Saint Remains have been quite exhausting; you must be tired. So, you should get a good rest..."
"Let's forget about it," After pondering for a moment, Xiao Ming shook his head, declining Zi Yan's proposal.
As one of the Eight Great Elders of the Pill Tower, his position held significant responsibilities and power, unlike being an Elder at the Jia Nan Academy, which was relatively more leisurely. He had duties within the Pill Tower that couldn't be neglected.
Although there weren't many tasks to handle at the moment, being absent for an extended period was still not ideal.
Xiao Ming had recently been in conflict with the Hall of Souls, and he felt somewhat embarrassed about being a slacker.
Moreover, it had been nearly two months since he left the Pill Tower. If he were to go to the Ancient Dragon Island now, how long would it take for him to return to the Pill Tower?
Once he went with Zi Yan, she would most likely enter seclusion to absorb the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit. It wouldn't make much sense for him to accompany her during that time.
Additionally, Xiao Ming himself needed to enter seclusion to break through to the Dou Venerate realm. Whether he did it on the Ancient Dragon Island or elsewhere didn't matter much, but returning to the Pill Tower would be more convenient. After his breakthrough, he still had matters to attend to, such as seizing the Soul Essence.
Xiao Ming's refusal made Zi Yan pout, and she was about to say something when he suddenly threw a pair of storage rings at her.
"There are many pills inside."
"Really?!" Zi Yan's face lit up with joy as she quickly checked the storage rings, confirming the presence of numerous pills inside. She couldn't contain her excitement.
Seeing her joyful expression, Xiao Ming smiled faintly. With his current strength, refining those pills was child's play, and he could easily produce hundreds of bottles without much effort.
Zi Yan put away the storage rings, nodded, and said with a smile, "Well, since you don't want to go back with me, Xiao Ming, let's forget about it. Sister Medusa, do you want to come back with me?"
"... I'll pass," Medusa glanced at Xiao Ming and quietly declined.
Medusa's actions puzzled Zi Yan. It was one thing for Xiao Ming to refuse her, but why did Medusa also decline? And she even glanced at Xiao Ming before declining...
Zi Yan recalled that Medusa and Xiao Ming did not have a particularly good relationship back then.
A realization struck Zi Yan at that moment, and her expression changed abruptly!
'Oh no! Could it be that Sister Medusa and Xiao Ming are involved romantically?'
Her mind raced as she observed Medusa's enchanting figure and mesmerizing appearance. Medusa seemed even more mature and captivating than when they first met, which reminded Zi Yan that Xiao Ming had a preference for mature women...
Zi Yan didn't beat around the bush and decided to ask directly.
"Sister Medusa, what is your relationship with Xiao Ming?"
Medusa was taken aback by Zi Yan's sudden question. She had been wanting to tell Zi Yan the truth for a while, so after a brief moment of silence, she decided to confess.
"... I'm sorry, but I'm already carrying his child."
Zi Yan's guess turned out to be correct, and she couldn't help but feel infuriated!
'Damn it! I was the one who came first, whether it was meeting Xiao Ming or anything else...'
'It must be because of my figure! How annoying! I knew Xiao Ming preferred mature women. Why haven't I grown up all this time? I still look so small!' Her mind started to race with thoughts of self-doubt and frustration.
Sensing Zi Yan's ever-changing expression, Xiao Ming tilted his head. Could it be that Zi Yan was feeling jealous? His attention shifted to Medusa, noticing a hint of avoidance in her eyes.
"When do you plan to leave?" Xiao Ming decided to redirect the conversation.
"Hmph! Immediately, right away," Zi Yan wrinkled her nose and huffed.
With determination, she raised her jade-like hand and gently slashed through the air, creating a rift in the void. The rift revealed an endless expanse of darkness.
Xiao Yi Xian, who had been quietly observing, covered her smile with her slender hand. She then turned to face Qing Lin, who was standing beside her, and offered some words of encouragement.
"Little sister, remember that this will only be a temporary separation," she gently stroked her green hair.
Xiao Ming also turned his gaze to Qing Lin, his smile filled with affection.
Qing Lin's heart swelled with emotion as she heard the comforting words from Xiao Yi Xian and saw the loving expression on Xiao Ming's face.
"Hmm, Sister Xian'er, please take care of Young Master for me..." she leaned in closer to Xiao Yi Xian and whispered softly.
Even though Qing Lin didn't want to leave Xiao Ming, she was aware of the importance of their separation. It was critical for her to refine the soul of the Ancient Heaven Serpent in order to eliminate the threat it posed to her. Despite the sadness it brought, she was willing to endure it.
After bidding farewell to Xiao Yi Xian, Qing Lin turned to look at Xiao Ming and took a few steps forward to approach him, her flushed face and moist eyes betraying her intentions.
"Young Master, before I depart... I would like a kiss-"
"Hmph! Time's up. Qing Lin, let's go!"
"Ah- Sister Zi Yan, please wait!"
Zi Yan grabbed Qing Lin's arm and dragged her into the spatial rift, hastening their departure. She refused to witness any more tender moments.
What was this? Putting salt in the wound? If they wanted to do that kind of stuff, it shouldn't be in her presence!
As Zi Yan and Qing Lin disappeared into the closing spatial rift, it returned to its original state, erasing any traces of its presence...
"The Ancient Void Dragon's mastery of space is truly extraordinary," said Venerable Tian Huo, observing the restored space. He then asked, "Xiao Ming, what should we do next?"
After witnessing Zi Yan's jealous outburst, Xiao Ming felt a little helpless inside. This little girl had been so eager to leave that she forgot to leave any means of communication. Dragon Island was hidden in the realm of emptiness, and he couldn't access it with his current strength. Any Dou Venerate who was not an Ancient Void Dragon would not dare to barge into that place.
However, he didn't dwell on it for long. He knew that with the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit in Zi Yan's possession, it was likely that her tribe members would seek his help in due course.
"Sigh... Let's rest for a day first, and then we'll return to the Pill Tower," Xiao Ming sighed, making the arrangements after a few moments of silence.
Xiao Yi Xian and Venerable Tian Huo left shortly after, leaving Medusa behind.
"What's the matter? Do you have something to discuss?" Xiao Ming glanced at her, curious about her reason for staying. He didn't assume it was for any intimate matters, as he had refrained from touching her since she became pregnant. So, her staying probably meant she had something important to discuss.
Remaining seated on a chair, Medusa opened her lips, and her enchanting voice echoed in the room, "It's about our child."
Xiao Ming's expression turned serious upon hearing this.
"Our Snake-People Tribe, especially with the strength of Medusa's powerful bloodline, requires numerous spiritual pills and medicines to nourish the baby during its development within the mother's womb. This nourishment will greatly enhance the baby's strength and unleash their terrifying potential upon birth."
"According to our tribe's secret techniques, the nourishment of a Medusa baby is divided into three levels: upper, middle, and lower. Each level corresponds to varying potentials for the child's future cultivation. The lower-level secret technique may result in the baby reaching only the Dou Emperor realm, without significant growth opportunities. With the middle-level secret technique, their potential would be sufficient to reach the Dou Ancestor realm. And with the upper-level secret technique, their potential would be even greater."
"In three years' time, we must undergo the nourishment secret technique. You are the child's father, and you know our Snake-People Tribe's situation… Therefore, I request that you refine the seventh-tier Heaven Soul Blood Bone Pill, which is required for the upper-level secret technique, to prepare for our child's future."
Xiao Ming repeated the name of the pill, deep in thought. Then, he shook his head and responded, "The Heaven Soul Blood Bone Pill? That pill is merely in the seventh tier. You're underestimating me. After all, I'm already an eighth-tier Master Alchemist."
Medusa's eyes brightened as she sensed Xiao Ming's intention.
"What do you mean?"
"I will refine some eighth-tier pills for foundational cultivation. These pills will benefit both you and the child, helping the fetus establish a perfect foundation in the womb," Xiao Ming explained.
He naturally wouldn't be stingy when it came to Medusa and their unborn child. He had secretly searched for several eighth-tier pill recipes suitable for foundational cultivation. During their visit to the Dou Saint Remains, he had collected all the necessary medicinal herbs from the medicinal garden. Once he broke through to the Dou Venerate realm, he could start refining them.
Upon hearing his words, Medusa looked at Xiao Ming with a soft expression. Although she had conceived their child to break free from the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python's influence, Xiao Ming's profound care for their child filled her with nothing but happiness.
Moreover, regardless of the circumstances, Xiao Ming was the man in Medusa's life, and he would be the only man for her. Their conflicts in the past were just that - in the past. Xiao Ming had been treating her well recently, and Medusa's feelings had subtly changed.
"If you've made up your mind, then I have no objections. However, can you tell me which pills you plan to refine?"
"First Start Pill, the Celestial Unity Pill, the Life Enlightenment Pill, the Nine-Element Nurturing Aperture Pill, and the Pure Yang Condensing Pill. All of them are eighth-tier pills. What do you think? If they're not enough, I can find more."
"It's enough! Actually, we don't need that many…" Medusa's once cold face had become incredibly gentle.
"... These days in the Dou Saint Remains have been quite exhausting; you must be tired. So, you should get a good rest..."
