Watching the young healer's figure fade into the night, Xiao Yan stretched lazily and turned to smile at Medusa. "Then let's go back." Medusa slightly furrowed her brow. "Does she trust us? If, when the attack began, we rushed in only to be surrounded by them, what then? The current alliance between the Gamma Empire and the Serpent People relies solely on you and me. Should we make even a small mistake, the outcome for the Flame Alliance would be predictable." Hearing Medusa's words, Xiao Yan's expression grew more serious. After a moment, he nodded slowly and said firmly, "I believe her." "I hope you don't misjudge her." Medusa gave a light hum. Then her gaze flickered slightly, hesitating a moment before adding, "You'll come with me to the Serpent People's clan tomorrow. Several of our elders would like to meet you." "Meet me?" Xiao Yan was taken aback, eyes widening in surprise. "Why me?" "Medusa's expression was slightly unnatural, her cheeks tilted slightly to one side as she said, 'The elders in our clan have a secret technique that allows them to easily detect physical conditions. I'm not a virgin—this fact has already been known to them.' Xiao Yan slightly opened his mouth, then turned slightly embarrassed, clearing his throat with a dry, awkward laugh. After a while, he carefully asked, 'Um... what do they intend to do?' Seeing Xiao Yan's demeanor, Medusa couldn't help but give a faint smile, yet her face remained cool and composed. 'According to clan regulations, you will undergo the ritual of ten thousand serpents consuming your body.' Hearing 'ten thousand serpents consuming one's body,' Xiao Yan shivered violently and offered a dry chuckle. 'Can't we just talk things over calmly? Why do we have to resort to such elaborate rituals? I'm currently the Grand Marshal of the Inflame Alliance. If they do this to me, it will surely strain the relationship between the Serpent Clan and the Gamma Empire further. That won't be good for anyone.' 'Then go speak with the elders yourself.' Medusa lifted her eyes slightly, speaking in a calm tone. Xiao Yan pressed his forehead, emitting a pained groan, silently thinking that trouble had indeed arrived. "I'll come find you tomorrow..." Medusa didn't pay attention to Xiao Yan's distressed expression, but turned around and began walking slowly toward the hill below. After a moment, her steps halted, and she hesitated before saying, "As for that matter concerning the 'Fused-Soul Pills,' you needn't worry about it anymore—the influence of the Sky-Consuming Python's soul on me has been gradually weakening." "You're coming to kill me?" Xiao Yan was startled, exclaiming in surprise. "King Medusa intends to kill you. Over the past year, you've already died countless times," Medusa coldly remarked. Xiao Yan smiled slightly, feeling a great relief in his heart. It seemed that this ever-present wildcard was now showing signs of calming down. He no longer had to live in constant anxiety as he had before. In the past, he could always rely on Yao Lao to serve as a steady watchful presence. But now that Yao Lao had been captured, if Medusa still clung to her old mindset, he might very well be silently eliminated without even realizing it. "Remember," Medusa said, laying down a sentence that carried clear threat, before slowly moving and fading into the deep night. Staring at the spot where Medusa had vanished, Xiao Yan opened his mouth, only to sigh wearily after a moment. Then, gritting his teeth, he said, "Alright, I'll go. I just don't believe you'll be able to kill me..." As he spoke, however, a sudden sense of unease washed over him. In his mind, he quietly added, "Just to be safe, I should also invite Hai Lao and Jia Lao along..." Once this decision was settled in his heart, Xiao Yan felt a great sense of relief. He summoned the Fire-Wing and began to fly slowly toward Black Mountain Fortress. "If this is a trap they've set, then your fate and that of Medusa will be extremely dire—once either of you makes a mistake, the Three-Forces Alliance will surely launch another assault!" Xiao Ding said, his face serious. At the side, Hai Boheng and the others nodded solemnly—this venture was truly risky. "Otherwise, once Yan Luo Tian and Mu Lan's three elders recover, and if we further commit our elite forces, it will become a major headache. The Dou-Zong-level warriors are too strong; we've already established grievances. Should they decide to retaliate in the future, we'll have to bear significant costs. Therefore, now is the perfect time to eliminate the root cause entirely." Xiao Yin said slowly, his gaze sweeping across the room, and with a smile added, "Isn't it true that every undertaking carries risk? Especially one of this magnitude?" "Seeing Xiao Yan's determination, the others could only sigh, yet they were well aware that although the risk was high, should the plan succeed, the crises facing Yan Alliance and Jiaema Empire would be completely resolved—this method was the most secure." "Master of the Poison Sect, do you truly believe he can be trusted?" Xiao Ding lightly tapped his fingers on the table, then spoke solemnly after a moment. "Indeed, I do. This war has always been a misunderstanding. If I were in charge of the Yan Alliance, this conflict would never have arisen." Xiao Yan nodded, adding a sigh. "Since you've made up your mind to proceed this way, then I shall follow your lead. On the day you take action, the elite warriors of the Yan Alliance will also mobilize, stationed around that city, ready to intervene immediately should any unforeseen developments occur." Hearing this, Xiao Ding knew that Xiao Yan's resolve was firm, and thus only nodded in agreement. Seeing the scene, Xiao Yan also smiled, looking at the somewhat serious atmosphere in the hall and saying, "You all need not worry so much. Once my Flame Alliance grows stronger, we won't have to be so constrained. But for now, we'll have to take some risks." Hearing this, everyone managed a smile, though their concerns remained largely unchanged. ... When Xiao Yan stepped out of the council hall with a somewhat nervous air, a soft voice came from beside him. "Let's go. I've been waiting for you a long time." Upon hearing the voice, Xiao Yan's body instantly went stiff. He struggled to turn around and found Medusa leaning against the stone balustrade outside the hall, standing lazily with her alluring eyes gently watching him. Clearing his throat, Xiao Yan managed a smile—rather forced—and then reluctantly made his way toward Medusa. As Xiao Yan approached, Hai Bo Dong and Jia Xing Tian were also just stepping out of the hall. Upon seeing the two, they were both momentarily taken aback, then exchanged warm greetings. Seeing Xiao Yan, Xiao Yan immediately brightened and was about to speak when Meidusa suddenly said in a cold tone, "I have some matters to attend to with Xiao Yan—please don't come along." Hearing this, Hai Bo Dong and Jia Xing Tian exchanged surprised glances, then gave each other a polite, awkward smile before casting a look of helpless hope toward Xiao Yan and quickly making for the exit. Watching the two elderly figures dash off faster than rabbits, Xiao Yan could only shake his head in resignation and turned to Meidusa, saying, "Then let's go—I'd like to see just how your elders intend to handle me." Seeing Xiao Yan's determined, almost fatal demeanor, a gentle smile appeared on Meidusa's lips. She turned and walked steadily ahead, unhurried, while Xiao Yan followed, looking rather grim. It's not unreasonable for Xiao Yan to be so slow—he couldn't control himself in his affair with Medusa, but regardless, the fact that he had occupied another person's body was real. Now, when he went to meet the elders of other clans, it felt very much like visiting their families. The defensive measures in this region inhabited by the Serpent People are equally rigorous. Serpent People armed with weapons constantly patrol back and forth, and upon seeing Medusa's presence, the guards instantly grow fervent, halting and bowing deeply before her. As they proceed through the area, after a while, they come to a halt before a vast courtyard. With a gentle wave of her hand, Medusa causes the courtyard gates to open automatically, and they enter. Xiang Yan hesitates slightly before following. As soon as Xiang Yan's feet step into the courtyard, a massive shadow bursts forth with a fierce gust of wind, crashing down with great force. Feeling the sudden assault, Xiang Yan's face flushes with surprise, then he emits a sharp breath, clenching his fists. Emerald flames surge rapidly from his palms and he delivers a forceful blow to the attacker. "Boom!" The deep gust of wind explodes within the courtyard, sending dust particles swirling out like ripples in a wave. Upon the first encounter, Xiao Yan's shoulder trembled, while the attacker spun several times in midair before crashing down. Xiao Yan slowly raised his head, his gaze slightly icy as it swept over the assailant, and then his eyes gradually softened.