Chapter 294: Changes
It turns out that women can slow down a man's progress.
Yao Yan, who had originally planned to leave the next day, was helplessly detained for three days by Yun Yun's soft tactics. Only after spending a fortune was he able to finally break free. Sitting on the first-grade blue eagle, his mind inevitably wandered back to their deep exchanges over the past few days. Who would have thought that the elegant and cool Yun Yun had such a wild side when she took the initiative?
For a moment, he wondered if giving her that technique was a mistake. He couldn't help but feel like in the future, Yun Yun might use it on him.
With this thought in mind, Yao Yan's smile became even more radiant, as if eagerly anticipating that day. Xiao Yi Xian, sitting next to him, couldn't help but glance at him repeatedly. She couldn't help but think to herself that Yao Yan wasn't really here to see an old friend at Yun Lan Sect, but rather to meet an old lover.
She wasn't stupid. During their time wandering around the capital of the Jia Ma Empire, she had naturally gathered information about Yun Lan Sect. The sect's leader, Yun Yun, was a woman who seemed to have the cultivation level of a peak Dou Huang. She was stunningly beautiful, tall, with exceptional grace... and still single!
Important point: Single!
"What are you looking at? Never seen a handsome man?" Yao Yan raised his hand and lightly tapped Xiao Yi Xian on the head, laughing lightly.
Xiao Yi Xian covered her head, sticking out her tongue and playfully saying, "Right, I've never seen someone as handsome as you, Young Master... I haven't seen you for days, so I naturally need to take a good look!"
She blinked her bright eyes, not hiding her admiration for Yao Yan's appearance. Men like beautiful women, and women—why wouldn't they like handsome men? Surely no one would think that women would prefer ugly men.
"You're quite sweet with your words." Yao Yan laughed. It felt nice to have Xiao Yi Xian around. Compared to Zihuo, who only ever cackled, this was much more pleasant.
"Young Master, are you going to Yun Lan Sect to see the sect leader?" Xiao Yi Xian's eyes glinted mischievously, unable to resist asking curiously, "People in the capital say the leader of Yun Lan Sect is incredibly beautiful. Is that true?"
She had been looking for Yao Yan in Yun Lan Sect, but hadn't seen Yun Yun, and it was only today that she saw Yao Yan. If the two of them had nothing going on, she certainly wouldn't believe it.
"If there's a chance, I'll introduce you to each other."
"Alright~"
Hearing this, Xiao Yi Xian didn't press further. She turned to look at the scenery whizzing by. She had felt earlier that her companion's speed seemed a bit exaggerated. This was no longer flying—it had reached the level of speeding through the air, so fast that in the blink of an eye, they had already left the range of the Jia Ma Empire's capital.
Clearly, this exaggerated speed had something to do with the Young Master.
After thinking for a moment, she asked, "Young Master, where are we going after leaving the Jia Ma Empire?"
"First, we'll head to the Chu Yun Empire, where I'll help you gather some techniques and fighting skills from poison masters, along with the cultivation resources you'll need for the future. I hope you can break through to the Dou Zong level within two years. Then, I will help you refine a poison pill to reach Dou Zun... Three years in total should be enough." Yao Yan calculated the time and spoke.
"Three years..." Xiao Yi Xian felt as though she was floating. It didn't seem real. Dou Zun!
"Don't doubt your physique. If you're worried about being unable to control the rapidly increasing power, reaching it within a year is not impossible," Yao Yan looked at Xiao Yi Xian, sighing slightly.
Her poisonous physique was as precious as a heavenly root in the world of cultivation. It was practically guaranteed to reach Dou Sheng. If Xiao Yi Xian had been born in a great world, Yao Yan even suspected she could have stepped directly into the supreme realm. While others needed countless years to temper their bodies and build their foundations, Xiao Yi Xian already represented the origin of poison.
The only thing to worry about was whether she could control this power.
Xiao Yi Xian obediently replied, "I'll listen to the Young Master... as long as you don't sell me out~"
"Even if I sold you, no one would dare take you. Your poison body is now activated, and even in its initial form, its power isn't something ordinary people can withstand. The further it develops, the more powerful it will become. Eventually, it will be a death sentence to touch you... even Dou Qi could be corroded!" Yao Yan teased.
"As long as the Young Master isn't afraid, that's fine!" Xiao Yi Xian smiled, her eyes like crescent moons.
Yao Yan smiled, crossing his legs and entering a meditative state. The Jia Ma Empire was still far from the Chu Yun Empire. He was heading there not just for Xiao Yi Xian. The Chu Yun Empire had already been taken over by the Snake People, and Yao Yan needed to go there to confirm the whereabouts of Cai Lin and the others.
The Northwestern Continent was not small, and he couldn't afford to fly aimlessly.
It had been many years since he last saw the two women. He wondered how they were doing.
And the little foodie, Ling'er... he wasn't sure if she had gained weight.
...
...
Xuan Huang Tian Jian, one of the unique landforms of the Northwestern Continent.
It lay at the junction of two mountain ranges, and due to its terrain, it had become a natural fortress that was easy to defend but hard to attack. The skies above Xuan Jian were filled year-round with harsh, cold winds. Even a Dou Huang wouldn't dare to be exposed to it. The mountains on both sides were smooth as if cut by a giant axe, and their grandeur was such that even a Dou Huang couldn't fly across. Only a Dou Zong could force their way through using spatial power.
This place was the only passage within a thousand miles. Many forces and empires had to pass through here to communicate, making it a coveted strategic location. As a result, it had often led to large-scale battles, even involving Dou Zun-level fighters.
However, six months ago, this place had been taken by the Snake People!
Medusa, the Queen of the Snake People, defeated the previous ruler of this area, a Dou Zun from the Heavenly Snake Mansion, and claimed it as part of her forces. Since then, one-sixth of the Northwestern Continent had been occupied by the Snake People.
The rise of the Snake People caused a huge stir across the Northwestern Continent.
For decades, the dozens of small and large forces had been stable, rarely engaging in large-scale battles. But the rise of the Snake People had shattered this peace. In just a few short years, they had destroyed several empires and sects. Under the threat of Medusa, many forces chose to submit.
It wasn't because they lacked strength—Medusa's power was overwhelming. Those who fought her were either dead or severely wounded, and her bloody path had made her name known far and wide. Her beauty, by comparison, was secondary.
At the center of the fortress stood a grand palace.
At this moment, the leader of the Snake People, Medusa, reclined lazily in her chair at the head of the palace. Her face, cold and enchanting, radiated an air of detachment. Her eyes, filled with a unique charm, held the arrogance and pressure of someone who had long held power.
The years had done nothing to change her. If anything, her seductive maturity had only deepened.
She was the dreaded queen of the Snake People, Medusa.
Cai Lin, with one hand propping up her chin, listened as a girl in green reported various matters. A cold glint flickered in her narrow, alluring eyes. After a long while, her crimson lips slowly parted, her voice, captivating yet cold, echoed throughout the hall: "Those who disrupt the rules should be dealt with swiftly... According to the previous custom, execute everyone related to them."
As her words rang out, a cold shiver ran through those present. Any small thoughts they had vanished. The leader of the Snake People was not someone to cross. Her reputation for ruthlessness was not exaggerated—once she broke her rules, she showed no mercy.
Her cruel methods were more terrifying than her beauty.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" The crowd responded in unison, not daring to disobey. Some were fervent loyalists, while others feared her power.
But one thing was clear: no one dared challenge her authority, unless they were willing to die.
Once the crowd dispersed, Cai Lin's eyes showed a trace of fatigue. Clearly, managing such a large force was not easy. But once you took that first step, stopping became impossible. Many people below would push her forward.
In the end, it was Yao Yan's fault—he had caused trouble by establishing the so-called Celestial Hall in the Black Corner Domain and collaborating with Canaan Academy. This had led to nearly a hundred new recruits every year.
These recruits were all highly talented, at least at the Dou Ling level, and with the right resources, they could quickly break through.
At first, everything was fine, and the Celestial Hall in the Black Corner Domain could manage. But gradually, conflicts arose between the new recruits and the locals. They were from different paths, and this led to infighting. To solve this problem, Cai Lin had discussed with Hai Bo Dong to send Canaan Academy's students to the Jia Ma Empire. As for the lack of resources there... they would expand their territory. Once the territory was large enough, they could take in these people.
Once war began, it was impossible to stop. Too many forces had benefited, and the situation had only gotten bigger. At this point, stopping was not an option. If they didn't keep moving forward, they would fall behind.
Without enough cultivation resources, strength could not grow. And without growth, they would become targets for rival forces!
If it had just been the Snake People, Medusa wouldn't have expanded to this extent. The land of one empire alone would have been enough for their development.
"Your Majesty, should we return?" The green-clad girl, standing respectfully by her side, asked.
Her age appeared to be around thirteen or fourteen, with a youthful appearance. However, her figure was perfectly developed—what should be full was full, and what should be slim was slim. If one looked closely, they would notice faint snake scales on her white skin, which only enhanced her exotic beauty.
She stood there like a little adult, and if someone saw her eyes, they would notice a unique pattern deep within her turquoise pupils, exuding a mysterious charm.
Her strength was also considerable. She had already reached the Dou Zong level, with the strength of a three-star Dou Zong.
"Mm." Cai Lin nodded slightly. Even though Qing Lin hadn't spoken, she had already planned to return. As for the Xuan Huang fortress, after conquering it, the land they had claimed had already connected into a single piece. It was time to slow down and allow the area to develop for a while, while also clearing out some people.
Those who were just looking for an opportunity to betray her—she wasn't blind, but she hadn't cared much about them before.
She stretched lazily, her stunning figure standing tall, a beautiful smile blooming on her face that no one had ever seen. She turned to Qing Lin and said, "Now that we're free, let's go hunt some magical beasts… your progress has slowed down."
At the mention of this, a hint of awe appeared in Cai Lin's eyes. After all, the Bi-eye Three-Flower Eye technique was incredibly powerful. As Qing Lin fully activated it, the technique's ability to control snake-type magical beasts had reached its peak. Even top-tier bloodline beasts couldn't resist, and they were immediately subdued.
Over the last two years, Qing Lin had reached the Dou Zong level, and her cultivation speed had been nothing short of miraculous.
It was hard to believe.
"Alright, Your Majesty." Qing Lin obediently replied.
"Let's go~" Cai Lin nodded, taking Qing Lin with her as they flew toward the Snake People's stronghold. It had been half a year since she last visited. She missed Cai Die, and as for that man... she chose to forget him. There was nothing to miss.
Without a man, Queen Medusa wouldn't be unable to live!
(END CHAPTER)
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