"Would you like to expand your influence in Black Corner Domain?" Upon hearing Xiao Yan's words, Su Qian's brows furrowed immediately in the Elder Council chamber. "I understand that Black Corner Domain has always been a thorn in the side of the Gan Nan Academy. However, due to environmental factors, it has consistently maintained a strong aggressive stance. As the saying goes, 'it's better to accommodate than to block.' To eliminate ongoing troubles, a purely forceful approach is unlikely to succeed. If my second brother truly succeeds in expanding his influence there, the Inner Academy will save itself from many complications, and we'll also be able to monitor several other factions that currently harbor ill will toward us." Su Qian's response was exactly as Xiao Yan had anticipated. With a smile, he added. His slightly furrowed brows eased a bit—Su Qian, after all, was no fool, and with his experience, he naturally knew at a glance whether the proposal was beneficial. "Moreover, Elder, you must know my standing. My grievances with Yun Lan Sect are so deep that to seek revenge, I would need several strong, capable factions. Black Corner Domain would be an ideal venue for that." "Xiao Yan smiled calmly, "So even if our influence grows in the future, we won't pose any threat to the Inner Academy. If the Senior Elder doesn't trust my brother, at least he can trust me, can he?" Gently tapping the desk, Su Qian finally nodded after a while, saying, "You're quite right. Black Angle has always been a major concern for the Cangnan Academy. If a powerful faction truly aligned with the Academy emerges, the impact could indeed be profound and unforeseen." "So the Senior Elder has agreed?" Xiao Yan beamed with delight. "Ah, what else could I do? Right now, our Inner Academy's Tianfen Qi Tower still relies on you for a long time to replenish the fallen heart flame." Su Qian shook his head with a sigh. "The way the Senior Elder puts it... I, Xiao Yan, am no forgetful or ungrateful person. Receiving the fallen heart flame is indeed a debt I owe to the Inner Academy. If I now use this as leverage, wouldn't I be completely at a loss?" Xiao Yan said seriously. "Heh, you're quite a lad—truly loyal, something I truly appreciate." With a satisfied nod, Su Qian stroked his beard, always holding a strong regard for Xiao Yan, not only in terms of strength and potential, but also in his character. "Very well, let your second brother go ahead and handle it. Black Angular Domain is currently so chaotic; if he can stabilize things, it will be beneficial not just for him, but also for our Gan Nan Academy." With a wave of his hand, Su Qian smiled. Xiao Yan nodded in agreement. "Are you feeling better now?" As the conversation concluded, Su Qian changed the subject, smiling warmly and asking. "Yes, no serious issues." "You're quite a find, young man—your constitution is truly admirable. Such a severe injury, and yet you're back to full strength in just a few days." Su Qian nodded, clearly impressed, his tone full of admiration for this resilient, almost 'strong-again' kind of vitality. Xiao Yan smiled. His strong constitution had been forged through countless hardships—he hadn't simply inherited it; it had been earned. In this world, no benefit came without effort. Without sacrifice, there could be no reward. "What do you plan to do next?" Su Qian lightly tapped his fingers on the table. "Are you heading to Hejiao Domain to assist your second brother?" "He can handle the affairs in Hejiao Domain himself. Only if things truly require my direct involvement will he send someone to notify me," Xiao Yan shook his head and pondered. "I'll stay at the academy for a while longer, until I resolve her issues." Of course, there was one more matter—he would quietly practice the 'Opening Mountain Seal' from Xun'er's 'Imperial Seal Technique,' a high-tier ground-level technique. Such a technique would undoubtedly be powerful. If mastered, it would undoubtedly become another key asset in Xiao Yan's arsenal, adding an extra edge to his chances of victory against Yunshan. However, this matter needed to remain confidential, and Xiao Yan would naturally not mention it. "Her?" Are you referring to that woman at the Douzong level?" Su Qian raised an eyebrow, expressing genuine curiosity. "Just who is this powerful figure? Why have I never heard of such a strong presence in this region?" Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan hesitated slightly, realizing it wasn't exactly a secret, then shrugged and briefly outlined the origins of the Queen of Medusa. "Hmm, I never expected it to be the legendary Medusa Queen—especially the evolved one. No wonder..." With a look of astonishment, she pursed her lips. Then, Su Qian teased, "But you, young man, are quite strong indeed. To dare challenge someone like her—everyone says the successive Medusa Queens are cold-blooded, ruthless, like killing chickens. I never thought she'd actually come to your rescue. Truly astonishing. Back in the day, there was another evolved Medusa Queen who, by mere chance, was lightly touched by a young lord from a top-tier power. And instead of merely being flattered, she stormed straight into that power, slaughtering them thoroughly and leaving them severely weakened. Since then, men across the continent have been avoiding the Medusa Queens at all costs, dreading even a slight misstep that might cost them their lives. Haha—now you should understand just how fortunate you are, shouldn't you?" Wiping a cold sweat from his forehead, this ancient Queen Medusa truly was terrifying—she killed people without any need for reason. I hope the current Medusa can be a bit more rational... "Thank you so much for the reminder, Elder Su," smiled Xiao Yan, bowing slightly to Su Qian, then stepping out of the conference room under the latter's warm, smiling gaze. Watching Xiao Yan's retreating figure, Su Qian chuckled lightly, "Though this fellow seems unaware, Medusa may be fiercely decisive, yet once truly won over, she becomes utterly devoted—unwavering until the very end. This young one... well, quite a fortune indeed." After Xiao Li left the inner courtyard, life once again settled into quiet calm. After staying at Panmen for two days, Xiao Yan finally could no longer contain his curiosity about the "Imperial Seal Technique," and found an excuse to slip once more into the vast, deep mountains. Medusa lightly stepped through the void, appearing before Xiao Yan as if a celestial maiden had come upon the waves—only her aura of lethal intent was notably heavier. In a single blink, she stood before him, her voice cold. "Don't always die, die, die. I know you can't defeat me yet." Xiao Yan spread his hands, offering a wry smile. "What did I just say?" Medusa raised her brows, her long, narrow eyes filled with icy determination. "I said—well, you should already know—though you've merged with the soul of the Sky-Eating Python, you've still been affected by it. That's why you've never managed to strike me down, and why you've often stayed close to me." Xiao Yan sighed, watching as Medusa's expression grew increasingly stern. "Don't think the Sky-Eating Python's influence will last forever. I will eventually kill you!" Medusa's voice was as cold as ice, devoid of any emotion. "How about we make a deal?" Xiao Yan tapped gently on his slightly aching head, sighing in resignation. As for Xiao Yan's proposal, Medusa showed no reaction at all—over the past few years, it had been precisely through a series of transactions that he had finally managed to keep entangled with this particular individual. "I can completely eliminate the effects of the Sky-Eating Python on you, restoring you to a true Queen of Medusa," he said. Yet even though he had already decided to ignore all of Xiao Yan's flattery, when he said this, Medusa's heart still gave a strong, sudden leap. "Why should I believe you?" she asked, her long, narrow eyes narrowing into a lazy arc. With a cool smile, she scoffed. Xiao Yan raised his hand, and a shadow shot forth from his sleeve, landing in Medusa's hands. Upon closer inspection, it was a scroll. As she slowly unrolled it, the ancient script came into view—this was a prescription. The medicine formulated precisely addressed the symptoms affecting Medusa, caused by the influence of other souls. "This is a sixth-rank pill, the 'Revive-Soul Pill.' As for the herbs used in its preparation and other materials not listed on this scroll, if you agree to my terms, I will personally prepare pills for you in the future. How does that sound?" Xiao Yan spoke calmly. Folding the scroll with a fluctuating expression, Medusa asked, her voice still cold, "What terms?" "For the next year, stay by my side, never harboring any intent to kill me, and when necessary, allow me to call upon you to act—never refuse." Xiao Yan smiled. "At the end of this year, I will prepare the pills for you. Then, if you still wish to kill me, you may do so at your discretion. How about that?" Medusa's eyes sparkled, her mind caught in a deep struggle between conflicting desires. "Heh. Once you obtain the 'Revive-Soul Pill,' you will become a pure Medusa queen, unbound by any influence—such freedom is truly priceless," Xiao Yan's gentle laughter echoed softly in Medusa's ears, full of allure. With a sudden, firm grasp, Medusa stared at Xiao Yan with a cold gaze, and her clear voice caused a pleasant curve to form at his lips. "Very well—then, I'll go with you!"