Chapter 271: The Subdued Queen
As a six-star Dou Zong-level expert, Ye Zhong's strength was undoubtedly formidable. At this moment, he enveloped the spatial ship in Dou Qi and injected an overwhelming torrent of it into the ship's control panel, causing its speed to skyrocket!
Although Xiao Yuan wasn't yet a Dou Sheng, within the Dou Zong realm, aside from prodigies like Zi Yan, no one understood spatial power better than him.
The spatial storm before them was formidable—but not beyond handling.
His eyes sharpened. A dark-golden flame erupted. At the same time, he activated the Heavenly Fire Three Mysterious Transformations and the Qi Palace Infusion Technique, causing his aura to surge at an unbelievable rate.
Three-star… Four-star… Five-star… Eight-star!
In an instant, Xiao Yuan's aura soared to the peak of the eight-star Dou Zong level! And in terms of combat power, he was second to none beneath the Dou Sheng tier.
As his energy reached its peak, a crimson-gold bloodline aura began to radiate faintly. Xiao Yuan's strength climbed even further—he had reached the pinnacle of Dou Zong!
Everyone was left wide-eyed at this godlike transformation.
To leap from two-star Dou Zong to peak Dou Zong in mere moments?
Even though it wasn't the first time they had witnessed Xiao Yuan's absurd breakthroughs, even Xiao Yan couldn't help but marvel at the profundity of the Qi Palace Infusion Technique… and that ridiculous Dou Di bloodline.
Ye Zhong and Xin Lan were seeing this for the first time, completely dumbfounded.
Was this guy really not some heir cultivated by a supreme clan? How could one man have so many techniques?
"Heh!"
With a low growl, Xiao Yuan tore open the space storm right down the middle! Behind the severed storm lay the concealed space passageway and, in the distant darkness, a faintly glowing silver ring—that was the spatial wormhole's exit!
With the spatial storm torn open, the speeding ship seized the opportunity and darted through.
At full acceleration, the spatial boat became a silver blur, zipping across several thousand meters in an instant as it carried the group toward the exit.
Xiao Yuan sighed in relief and was just about to follow when—
"Brother, look out!"
Xiao Yan's anxious voice rang from afar. On the ship, everyone looked horrified; the women's eyes were shimmering with tears.
Turning his head, Xiao Yuan saw it.
Another spatial storm was barreling toward him.
He quickly shielded himself with Dou Qi and managed to block the first impact, but the sheer force took him by surprise.
Before their terrified eyes, Xiao Yuan was struck and flung out of the passageway—disappearing from sight.
"Brother!"
"Xiao Yuan!"
Everyone cried out. Xiao Yan, desperate to save him, was about to leap out—but the ship was already passing through the exit, vanishing into a flash of silver.
…
In the central plains of Zhongzhou, a stone-paved square lay still and silent. Runes etched into the center glowed with faint silver light, emitting faint spatial ripples.
Suddenly, a gust of wind arose from nothing, and a silver ring appeared in the center. A streak of light flashed out of the ring, shrinking quickly as six disheveled figures landed on the plaza.
The silver light faded.
"Damn it! I'm going back for Third Brother!"
Xiao Yan unfurled his bone wings and shot toward the wormhole's remnants—
But a force pulled him back.
"Teacher!"
Recognizing the familiar power, Xiao Yan's panic eased slightly.
"Don't worry. That kid won't die so easily. With the Heavenly Flame Venerable by his side, he'll be fine," Yao Lao said reassuringly.
"But…"
Xiao Yan still looked uncertain.
"Calm down first. With Xiao Yuan's means—and the Venerable's soul, who was a five-star Dou Sheng in life—he'll survive even if the wormhole collapsed."
Finally, Xiao Yan settled down. After a moment, he remembered the soul beacon he and Xiao Yuan had placed on the Ancient Emperor Jade for emergencies.
He retrieved the jade and saw that the light representing Xiao Yuan hadn't dimmed. Relief washed over him, and he put the jade away.
Third Brother was still alive.
Seeing Xiao Yan relax, the others were puzzled, but they soon saw him land with a peaceful expression.
"Don't worry. Third Brother has his own ways. He's probably already escaped the wormhole—it's just that we don't know where he is yet."
His words were mostly for Little Doctor Immortal, Yun Yun, and Zi Yan.
The pale complexions of the three women finally showed signs of life.
If Xiao Yuan had really died, they couldn't have accepted it.
"Let's rest at my Ye Clan first, then begin searching for news of Young Master Xiao Yuan. How about it?" Ye Zhong offered with a bow.
Xiao Yan looked to the three women, who all looked back. Understanding their thoughts, he nodded. "Alright, Elder Ye, lead the way."
—
Meanwhile, Xiao Yuan's condition wasn't as optimistic as Yao Lao had assumed.
He had landed in a vast red-yellow desert.
Winds howled, carrying sand that blanketed the barren landscape. It was eerie and desolate—no signs of life, just endless dunes and moaning gusts.
Today, however, something new echoed in the dunes.
"Ahh!"
With a shriek, Xiao Yuan fell from the sky like a meteor.
Duang!
His back slammed into a skeleton of an unknown beast, then he plunged face-first into the sand.
Thankfully, he didn't lose a shoe—there was still hope.
Pushing himself up, he spat out a mouthful of grit.
"Ptuh ptuh! Ugh!"
Grimacing, he clutched his aching back.
"Ow—my spine…"
Xiao Yuan looked more disheveled than ever—torn clothes, bruises, and cuts.
Oddly, there wasn't much blood, only faint red smears around his worse injuries.
A tired voice emerged in his mind:
"You unlucky brat… You ran into both a space storm and a shard current. If not for my tricks, we'd both be dead."
"It's not my fault! My luck's usually great!" Xiao Yuan groaned, rubbing his back.
"Yeah, yeah… shut up. I'm going dormant for a while. Wake me with some soul-nourishing stuff later."
And with that, the Heavenly Flame Venerable fell silent.
Old people really could fall asleep anywhere, huh?
Xiao Yuan sighed, assessing his wounds and the locked-up spatial ring.
Well… at least he could move. That was something.
"Is my luck really failing?"
Looking around at the endless sand, he sighed again.
No use moping. First things first—recover some Dou Qi.
He sat cross-legged, wincing from the pain. He didn't dare absorb energy too aggressively—his meridians had been badly damaged.
All he needed was a little Dou Qi… enough to access the pills in his ring.
Half an hour later, Xiao Yuan opened his eyes.
Finally.
He retrieved a fifth-rank healing pill and swallowed it. Lying on his back, he sighed in relief as his wounds began to mend.
Then his arm twitched.
His eyes snapped open—but before he could react, he was immobilized.
Seven-colored light shimmered, and a tall, curvaceous figure emerged. Pale feet stepped lightly on his chest.
"Took me long enough to catch you in a weakened state, alone."
A sultry, queenly voice spoke.
Dressed in a high-slit red qipao, a golden crown atop her head—Queen Medusa gazed down at him with a half-smile.
…
Xiao Yuan stared at the stunning woman in silence.
Of all times, she showed up now?
He could barely think straight.
"What, cat got your tongue?"
She leaned in, eyes glinting.
"Just… mesmerized by Your Majesty's beauty," Xiao Yuan replied calmly.
"In three, four years, you went from Dou Shi to Dou Zong. That pace is unheard of in the Jia Ma Empire."
Clearly, she didn't intend to kill him—she was in a talking mood.
"I've fully fused with the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python's soul. But it still influences me. I need a Soul-Melding Pill. You'll refine it."
She continued, "I saw what your woman did for my people. Whatever your motive, I acknowledge the favor."
Then her tone turned icy.
"But we've got other matters to settle. Enjoyed watching me evolve, didn't you?"
She pressed her foot down.
Xiao Yuan felt the pressure—it didn't even crack a rib. Was this queen into… dominating?
"Didn't you spy on me with Ya Fei every night too?"
He grabbed her ankle.
Smooth. Surprisingly satisfying.
She flushed, then glared. "Want to lose that hand?"
"You're the one begging me to make your pill. Show some respect!"
"I could find someone else!" she snapped.
"Then go!"
"Let me go then!"
"Your people are already safe in the Magic Beast Mountains. As long as they behave, the Xiao Clan and Mittel Family will support them. But your elders—those fossils—still think I'm scheming. I killed Yun Shan. What need have I for schemes?"
Ignoring her pouty resistance, he stated plainly.
"Why tell me all this?"
She growled—this man always found her weak spot.
"Let's not play games. You don't hate me. I'm lecherous, yes. But since the moment I saw you, I've never forgotten your figure or beauty. One day, you'll be mine."
He said it with absolute sincerity.
She narrowed her eyes. "Aren't you afraid I'll leave you here to die, feed you to the beasts?"
"Nope. If you do, I'll broadcast your people's location and get them wiped out."
"You bastard!"
Her foot pressed harder—his ribs creaked.
"I should've killed you the first time I saw you."
"Because I told you I liked you?" he grinned despite the pain.
She remembered the boy who dared flirt with her—a fearsome queen.
Her heart fluttered.
"Shut up!"
She slapped a nearby sand scorpion to death and unleashed her aura, scaring off other beasts.
"Thanks for the protection, Your Majesty."
"I only did it because they annoyed me! Had nothing to do with you!"
She pulled her foot free and turned to leave.
Spatial force lifted him, floating behind her.
"What's this?"
"One more word and I'll drop you."
"Hehe…"
(END CHAPTER)
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