บท 394: Chapter 393: Qing Lin Emerges from Seclusion

Xiao Ming and Medusa stayed on Dragon Island for a while longer. Putting aside the carnal desires of both of them for each other, Xiao Ming still needed to refine an eight-tier Foundation Pill for the child in Medusa's womb. Another reason was to await Qing Lin's emergence from seclusion.

During their time on the island, Xiao Ming noticed a subtle shift in the atmosphere. The previously concealed and powerful auras seemed to have grown in number. Xiao Ming had a faint understanding of the reason behind this change.

These formidable auras, which he had never sensed before, were most likely the predecessors of the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe who had been cultivating in the void. With the Dragon Emperor's return, these predecessors, who had previously engaged in infighting due to internal divisions within the tribe, had once again returned to Eastern Dragon Island.

One day, after Xiao Ming finished refining the final pill, he walked out of his room and heard a voice of joy from above.

"Young Master!"

Looking up, a graceful figure in green flashed and threw herself into his arms.

"Qing Lin." Xiao Ming was momentarily stunned by the presence of the lovely girl that embraced him tightly, but soon smiled and stroked her head, "You've finally emerged from seclusion. Did you completely refine the energy of the nine-headed Heaven Serpent?"

"Yes, thanks to the dragon energy in the Ancient Dragon Tomb, coupled with the assistance of several Ancient Void Dragon Elders in suppressing it, I was able to refine the soul of the nine-headed Heaven Serpent..." Qing Lin smiled sweetly.

"Hehe, although the soul of the nine-headed Heaven Serpent within Miss Qing Lin hasn't been completely refined, after this incident, it will no longer pose a threat. Sooner or later, it will be assimilated by her," Elder Zhu Li descended from the sky and laughed.

Xiao Ming's gaze swept over Qing Lin, and he paused briefly, realizing that her current cultivation stage was only slightly lower than his own.

"A six-star Dou Venerate? Your breakthrough speed is truly terrifying, even surpassing mine!"

Xiao Ming knew how formidable the nine-headed Heaven Serpent was, but he hadn't expected Qing Lin to make such significant progress. He had thought she would only reach the level of a three or four-star Dou Venerate.

Qing Lin nodded, and upon seeing Xiao Ming's slightly astonished expression, she couldn't help but let out a sweet giggle as she rested her face on his chest.

"No need to be amazed. The Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils is the most extraordinary pupil physique in the world. Throughout the entire continent, perhaps only she possesses it. Moreover, the soul of the nine-headed Heaven Serpent is likely the only one of its kind in the world. In addition to that, there is the secret medicine of our Dragon Island, if any one of these three factors were missing, Miss Qing Lin's strength couldn't have skyrocketed so dramatically... Furthermore, even for her, this opportunity is only once in a lifetime." Elder Zhu Li explained, stroking his beard.

Xiao Ming nodded, understanding that a significant power surge requires exceptionally demanding conditions. Qing Lin's remarkable growth was a result of the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils and the nine-headed Heaven Serpent, with the secret medicine of Dragon Island playing a major role as well.

'With Qing Lin's current Six-Star strength, coupled with the combat power of the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, even a seven-star Dou Venerate would be no match. Moreover, the sealing ability of the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils against members of the serpent race must have been greatly enhanced. It's possible that she has now attained the sealing power of a seven-star Dou Venerate as well. When we return, I'll provide her with some Dou Saint Bone Marrow, and it won't be difficult for her to reach the nine-star Dou Venerate stage,' Xiao Ming estimated, feeling a sense of joy in his heart.

With his current power, along with his two partners, Qing Lin, and Xiao Yi Xian, annihilating the Disha Halls of the Hall of Souls would be effortless, and he could even challenge some smaller branch halls on his own.

"Many thanks to Elder Zhu Li for the secret medicine given to Qing Lin!"

"Little friend Xiao Ming has shown great kindness to our Dragon Island. There's no need for such formalities," Elder Zhu Li said, pinching his white beard and shaking his head.

Xiao Ming smiled and changed the topic.

"I have been on Dragon Island for nearly five months now. It's probably not wise for me to stay here any longer. If I don't return soon, I'll have a hard time explaining myself to the Pill Tower."

Seeing that Xiao Ming had the intention to leave, Zhu Li didn't stop him but pondered for a moment before nodding. "Very well."

"Little Friend Xiao Ming, keep this Spatial Jade Slip. If you ever need to come to Eastern Dragon Island, crush it, and the spatial energy within will automatically form a spatial passage to transport you here."

Elder Zhu Li took out an exquisitely crafted silver jade slip from his storage ring and handed it to Xiao Ming with a smile.

Xiao Ming didn't refuse this gesture and accepted it with a smile. Such Spatial Jade Slip could only be refined by experts who have reached the Half-Saint Realm or above, and the process of refining them was quite intricate.

"Since that's the case, I won't stay any longer. If there's anything I can do in the future, as long as I am capable, I will do my best to assist," Xiao Ming said, clasping his hands together and smiling at Elder Zhu Li.

"Definitely," Elder Zhu Li replied with a slight smile.

Afterwards, Xiao Ming called for Medusa, and Elder Zhu Li arranged for Hei Qing, who was recovering from his injuries, to send the three of them off from Eastern Dragon Island.

Located deep within the void, Eastern Dragon Island had minimal contact with the outside world. If Xiao Ming and the others were able to come and go freely with their strength as Dou Venerates, then what secrets would the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe have left?

…

In the depths of the void space, silence and darkness prevailed, accompanied by raging spatial storms, which were the dominant elements here.

Suddenly, a fully formed spatial channel bloomed from the endless darkness. Within the channel stood Xiao Ming, Qing Lin, Medusa, and Hei Qing, who had come to bid them farewell.

Hei Qing had suffered a severe blow from Qing Yan's palm, and if not for the resilient body of the Ancient Void Dragon, an ordinary Dou Venerate would have perished. He had consumed numerous high-grade healing pills to recover from his injuries.

With a wave of Hei Qing's hand, an invisible spatial force spread out, tearing open a spatial rift in the dark void. Beyond the rift, vast mountain ranges and lush greenery came into view.

Wearing a cheerful smile, Hei Qing clasped his fists toward Xiao Ming, Qing Lin, and Medusa, saying, "Xiao Ming, my young friend, if you head north from here, you will reach Holy Pill City in less than half a day. Due to the current situation in the tribe, I need to hurry back, so I'm afraid I can't personally escort the three of you."

"It's not a problem, Senior Hei Qing. Thank you for your help." Xiao Ming replied with a slight smile, clasping his fists.

"Don't call me 'Senior'. If you don't mind, just call me Brother Hei Qing. Once things stabilize within the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe, I'll be able to come out anytime. The next time you come to Eastern Dragon Island, just give me a heads-up, and I'll immediately come to your aid, brother!" Hei Qing patted his chest and laughed.

Xiao Ming nodded with a smile. Hei Qing had a straightforward personality and was indeed a suitable person to befriend.

"Alright, I won't say much more. Let's bid farewell here!"

Hei Qing waved his hand towards Xiao Ming, not wasting any more words. He tore open the space once again, and with a swift movement, he disappeared into it.

"Let's go," Xiao Ming said after witnessing Hei Qing's departure. He smiled, turned his body, and flew towards the northern sky.

Qing Lin and Medusa lingered for a moment, exchanging glances. After a brief but awkward silence, Medusa finally spoke softly.

"I... I recognize that we didn't start off on the right foot, and I won't try to justify my previous actions. I want to apologize to you for how I behaved at that time."

Qing Lin's eyes widened in surprise. When Medusa motioned for her to wait, she hadn't anticipated this kind of conversation.

She and Medusa did not get along, or rather, they had not spoken to each other very much since that time, in contrast to Xiao Yi Xian who now had a good relationship with Medusa.

After a brief pause, Qing Lin collected her thoughts before responding.

"... It's okay, that's all in the past. You don't have to bring it up anymore."

"Is it really okay?" insisted Medusa.

"I'm not blind," Qing Lin said, looking at her. "I've gotten to know you better during our time with Young Master, and somehow, I can empathize with your previous situation. I wouldn't hold it against you even if you hadn't apologized. After all, our words were hurtful as well... You also don't have to push yourself to try to get along with me."

Even though they shared a distaste for one another derived from their bloodlines, they were both Xiao Ming's partners after all, so why harbor resentment?

"... I see, still, I wanted to tell you this, Qing Lin."

Qing Lin smiled slightly and nodded, her face softening. "Hmm."

The apology was gladly accepted by her. It would have been sufficient for each to go on minding their own business, so to some extent, Medusa's apology proved her sincerity.

They didn't say anything else after this and moved quickly to catch up with Xiao Ming.

Xiao Ming himself hadn't gone too far, and though he didn't know the content of the two girls' conversation since he didn't intentionally eavesdrop, he could see a hint of relief on Medusa's face and a mildly thoughtful expression on Qing Lin's.

Without questioning them, he smiled warmly and extended his hand, pulling them close and placing a kiss on each of their foreheads. Then, with their hands interlaced, they took a step forward, entering the spatial rift.