Chapter 565: Chapter 1: The Bitter Sea Knows No Bounds, No Shore in Turning Back!

Bitter Sea, the extreme southern land of Linchuan.

It is said to be a passage leading to another dimension.

However, true masters from Linchuan who have walked out from here are few and far between. Those who can truly reach the Middle Ancient Realm and send back a message are even rarer.

Bitter Sea, adjacent to Linchuan, is like another world.

The waters of the Bitter Sea are dark green, like bitter bile. Perhaps this is the origin of the name Bitter Sea!

The dark green sea waters and the ancient floating ice exude a sense of eeriness everywhere.

It is said that a mysterious Yao tribe inhabits here.

They differ from Spirit Beasts, retaining some human characteristics while also maintaining beast-like appearances.

In those forgotten records, it was mentioned that their ancestors were a new race derived from the union of powerful humans and powerful Spirit Beasts a long, long time ago.

Gradually, humans came to call them ’demons’.

The Yao tribe is mysterious and their whereabouts hard to track. They only ever appear in the Bitter Sea, so the humans of Linchuan know very little about this tribe, with many people not even aware of its existence.

A gigantic ship, like a moving island, slowly sails into this serene sea area.

The ship’s hull slices through the dark green waters, moving forward and occasionally weaving between the floating ice. Bitter Sea is very cold. Cold enough that even wrapped in a coat, one can feel the biting chill.

Surviving in such extreme temperatures is a severe test for humans.

On the vast deck as wide as land itself, smooth and clean, a pair of dark-colored boots appeared on the deck, paused for a while, and then walked toward the red figure standing at the bow, facing the wind.

Coming up behind the figure, he stopped and respectfully called out in a low voice, "Little Lord."

"Mmm." The red robe, wrapped in soft armor, with the collar of fur bright black, made the face appear even more beautiful and flawless.

"Mo Yang, we are about to start a new journey." Mu Qingge gazed into the depths of the Bitter Sea, speaking with a slight curl at the corner of her lips, always giving off a sense of wildness.

Mo Yang followed Mu Qingge’s words and turned his gaze outside the ship.

Outside the ship, that dark green ocean seemed like another unfamiliar world, waiting for them to explore.

Mu Qingge raised the hand resting behind her back, opened her palm, and the purple earring that could disguise her gender lay quietly in her palm.

Her clear gaze fell upon the purple earring, and her bright red lips revealed a wild smile.

Withdrawing her gaze, she put the earring back on her left ear.

In an instant, the stunning beauty transformed into a handsome and wild gentleman before Mo Yang’s eyes.

...

On the rocks near the sea of the Ancient Witch Country, four people stood on the rocks, gazing at the Bitter Sea beyond the near sea. The dark green water was beyond their sight; they could only see a shimmer on the horizon.

"She still left, couldn’t wait for us." Zhu Ling laughed self-deprecatingly, with an indescribable sadness in her eyes.

Shang Zisu pursed her lips and said softly, "She has her own affairs and can’t stop to wait for us." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Standing beside the two women were Zhao Nanxing and Mei Zizhong.

They also had reluctance and loss in their eyes!

At the Medicine Tower Branch, they worked together and ventured into Mimeng Forest. They had promised to leave Linchuan together and roam the world someday.

For this dream, they all worked hard.

Unfortunately, no matter how they chased, they couldn’t catch up with Mu Qingge’s pace. They were fast, but Mu Qingge was faster!

When they were still striving towards the finish line, Mu Qingge had already reached it. Too many duties forced her to keep moving forward without being able to wait for them!

"We won’t let her wait long!" Mei Zizhong said determinedly.

Even though he had heard of the unprecedented courtship. Even though he knew Mu Qingge had someone she loved. Yet he still wished to protect Mu Qingge with his original intention.

Zhao Nanxing smiled bitterly at him, "Senior brother, you have already entered the Purple Realm; naturally, won’t let Qingge wait too long. But the three of us, yet..."

He didn’t finish his words, just shook his head helplessly.

He practiced diligently, and now he was only at a good Blue Realm cultivation. Since that incident, Shang Zisu had been practicing almost non-stop, but was only at high Blue Realm.

Not to mention Zhu Ling, who originally had the lowest cultivation among them.

Even though she now had better cultivation resources at the Medicine Tower Headquarters, she was still only at the peak of the Green Realm.

To cultivate to Purple Realm, or even break through it, who knows how many years it will take?

When they finally meet the requirements to leave Linchuan, and go to the Middle Ancient Realm to find Mu Qingge, who knows how far she will have gone?

His words brought loss to Zhu Ling and Shang Zisu’s hearts.

But Mei Zizhong looked at him with serene eyes, bringing a calming peace. "Junior brother Zhao, I always thought such discouraging words wouldn’t come from you."

Zhao Nanxing tugged his lips slightly, pursing them silently.

It’s not that he’s overly pessimistic, but the reality is just too overwhelming!

Mu Qingge’s monstrous cultivation speed, could they, ordinary people, hope to compare?

"Actually, finding her quickly isn’t really difficult." Suddenly a voice came from behind them.

The four turned around, seeing Jiang Li lazily walking towards the shore.

Her words made them forget to be amazed by the beauty of the Ancient Witch Empress.

Looking at her, Mei Zizhong asked, "Empress, what do you mean?"

Jiang Li smiled wickedly, saying to them, "You all wish to go to the Middle Ancient Realm to find Mu Qingge?"

Without hesitation, they all nodded in agreement.

This was their promise; how could they break it?

Her golden gaze sweeping across their faces, Jiang Li chuckled, "I do have a way, though I wonder if you dare."

"What way?"

All four spoke almost simultaneously.

The excitement in their voices made Jiang Li glance at them.

Looking at the four, their expressions were remarkably consistent, without any falseness. She couldn’t help a sigh in her heart: ’Mu Qingge, Mu Qingge! You have indeed left, but you left behind so many people who deeply care for you.’

"In the Ancient Witch Country, there is a Secret Realm. Once cultivators enter, they cannot come out. The only way out is to conquer it. It’s said that inside it’s a life-and-death situation, fraught with danger. Every entry sees a very low survival rate. But if you manage to come out alive, your strength will increase exponentially." Jiang Li said as she watched their expressions change.

Listening to Jiang Li’s words, their expressions grew more solemn, yet did not show signs of retreat.

Jiang Li was very satisfied with this and continued, "Your talents are quite good, better than average, picked from thousands. If you have the courage to try, perhaps once you emerge, you’ll meet the standards to leave Linchuan."

"Can we really?" Zhao Nanxing asked. "After all, it’s the Ancient Witch Country’s Secret Realm." Such a secretive place, not even natives can freely enter; how could foreign individuals like them?

His worries were dispelled by Jiang Li’s confident smile. "Why not? I am the Empress, if I say you can, then you can!"

The bold declaration stunned them.

What is willfulness? This is willfulness!

"I’ve given you the opportunity; whether you dare is up to you." Jiang Li said, then turned and walked away.

"I’ll give you three days to decide. After three days, if you decide to go, come to the Imperial Palace to find me." Jiang Li’s voice came from afar.

Watching her fade into the distance, the four remaining people exchanged glances.

After a while, Zhao Nanxing said to the others, "Do we need three days to think?"

"No, I’ve already decided." Zhu Ling smiled softly.

Mei Zizhong withdrew his gaze and looked at them, "There are three days, let’s each prepare."

With that, he turned and left.

Since the Ancient Witch Country’s Empress mentioned inside is life-and-death, their aim is to strengthen, not to seek death. In these three days, they naturally need to prepare many life-saving measures.

As alchemists, in three days, refining some life-saving elixirs for crucial moments shouldn’t be difficult.

...

The enormous ship, like a moving island, sailed through the Bitter Sea.

They had just left the coastal waters of the Ancient Witch Country two days ago, so now they were still on the edges of the Bitter Sea.

Endless ocean, the shore nowhere in sight, even they were confused about the direction. Prior prepared navigation instruments failed utterly upon reaching the Bitter Sea.

Five hundred Dragon Tooth Guards, Mo Yang, You He, and Hua Yue all stood neatly on the deck.

In front of them stood Mu Qingge.

Before her was the helm of the great ship.

On the circular helm was a circular depression.

It seems to have been intentionally left open.

Mu Qingge held a palm-sized disk, engraved with mysterious and complex totems and characters, giving it an aura of mystery.

This was given to her by Si Mo, who claimed it could enhance the ship’s defense, ensure the navigation remained unaltered, and smoothly transport Mu Qingge into the Middle Ancient Realm.

Si Mo could use his great magical power to directly send Mu Qingge and the Dragon Tooth Guards into the Middle Ancient Realm.

But he didn’t do so, and Mu Qingge didn’t request it.

Because they both knew that crossing the Bitter Sea was a trial. The growth of Mu Qingge and the Dragon Tooth Guards required trials!

So, he could provide some assurance, but he couldn’t help her pass through!

After examining the disk in her hand, Mu Qingge placed it into the depression on the helm.

The depression left out was slightly larger than the disk.

However, when the disk fell into it, it emitted a light, and the depression area changed, automatically adjusting in size to fit the depression.

The flash of light passed, leaving the disk perfectly fitted into the depression without a trace of a gap.

It seemed as if the disk was a natural ornament of the helm.

With the placement of the disk, the mysterious totem on its surface began to transform.

Mu Qingge gazed at the transformation on the disk’s totem, faintly surprised.

The totems, lines, and characters carved on the disk rapidly rotated, gradually enlarged, emitting golden light that extended from the disk, falling toward the surroundings.

They scattered around the ship, as if forming an invisible protective shield, guarding the ship as it sailed through the Bitter Sea, unharmed by external forces.

The golden light disappeared instantly.

As it vanished, the shock in everyone’s eyes had not yet faded.

At this moment, the helm began to undergo changes again.

The ship’s rudder, originally motionless, began to rotate automatically.

It swayed left and right, adjusting the ship’s direction, automatically avoiding floating icebergs and underwater reefs. It was as if an invisible old captain stood behind the helm, expertly steering the ship.

The route to the Middle Ancient Realm seemed as though it had sailed it all its life, well-acquainted.

"Things from His Majesty the Holy King are indeed treasures!" You He commented with a smile.

Mu Qingge raised an eyebrow, feeling slightly proud.

Hua Yue laughed, "Hehe, still calling him His Majesty the Holy King? Shouldn’t we start calling him husband?" She finished, sneaking a glance at Mu Qingge.

It seemed she wanted to see a shy expression on her master’s face.

Unfortunately, she was doomed for disappointment.

Mu Qingge’s clear eyes swept over, and she smiled at her, "It seems inappropriate for you to call me Lord and him husband."

The two girls froze, looking bewildered.

The Dragon Tooth Guards perked their ears, secretly listening, fearing they’d call him wrongly in the future.

"Then how should we call him?" Hua Yue asked curiously.

Mu Qingge’s clear eyes twinkled with mischief, "You can call him wife! Hahaha—!"

Leaving behind a group of petrified onlookers, Mu Qingge laughed and walked toward the cabin.

"Wife... wife?" Hua Yue showed a bitter face, looking at You He beside her.

You He was equally helpless, only able to smile wryly and shake her head at her.

Of course, they couldn’t call Si Mo as wife; otherwise, the consequence would be extremely dire.

"Previously, didn’t His Majesty the Holy King impersonate Little Lord’s cousin? At that time, Little Lord had us call him Uncle Mo. This sounds like a bit of a grudging aspect... hmm, we’ll call him Uncle Mo in the future," You He thought aloud, helpless.

The confused and chaotic titles rendered her powerless to act.

The Dragon Tooth Guards secretly remembered this title, all except Mo Yang remained unmoved.

It seemed, in his eyes, there was only Mu Qingge as his master, and he only needed to care about her alone. As for others, they were irrelevant to him.

...

Three days’ time passed in an instant.

As dawn broke, someone came to report to Jiang Li. They said Mei Zizhong and the others awaited before the Imperial Palace to seek an audience with the Empress.

Jiang Li set down the jade soup bowl, lifting a smile, "Truly impatient."

Wiping the corner of her mouth, she stood and ordered, "Bring them to the Demon Ghost Well."

Upon hearing the words ’Demon Ghost Well’, the female official beside Jiang Li’s expression changed, looking at her in shock.

But Jiang Li did not bother to explain her decisions to anyone.

She strode away from the sleeping palace, disappearing from the female official’s sight.

The female official was helpless, only capable of following Jiang Li’s orders.

The Demon Ghost Well was located within the Forbidden Area of the Imperial Palace of the Ancient Witch Country. Without the Ancient Witch Country Empress leading the way, no one could enter.

Jiang Li stood by the well for only a short while before Mei Zizhong and the others were brought to her.

She turned to look at them, teasingly smirking, "It seems only those unafraid of death can be friends with Mu Qingge."

The four said nothing, but their eyes showed determination.

"If you’re prepared, follow me." Jiang Li said, turning and leaping into the well!

This scene unfolded suddenly, without any warning.

Mei Zizhong and the others’ eyes narrowed, their faces slightly changed.

Zhao Nanxing calmed his heart racing from Jiang Li’s actions, murmuring, "Seems that’s the entrance." He finished, glancing at his companions, took the lead to walk toward the well.

Reaching the well’s edge, what he saw was an abyssal darkness.

What was inside, whether there was water, was impossible to determine.

Taking a deep breath, Zhao Nanxing closed his eyes, leaping into the well’s mouth, vanishing from the three’s view.

Zhao Nanxing encouraged his companions through action.

With Zhao Nanxing’s lead, the three returned to their senses from shock, each walking toward the edge of the well, jumping one after another.

In an instant, the exterior of the Demon Ghost Well was desolate and empty.

The fall seemed exceptionally long. The sensation of weightlessness caused Zhu Ling and Shang Zisu, the two girls, to scream despite themselves.

The seemingly endless fall made hearts panic.

The well seemed unfathomably deep, like it was an entrance to another world.

Just when the sensation almost devoured them, they finally caught sight of a faintly glowing golden light. That golden light seemed to represent hope.

Bang bang bang bang!

Four landing sounds resonated.

Below them were hard stones, damp with moisture.

Those stones seemed to exude a chilly atmosphere, icy to the bone.

Standing up from the ground, they found that the hope-bringing golden light was actually Jiang Li, wearing the Empress’s robe.

With golden eyes, she glanced at the four. Jiang Li nodded, saying, "Not bad." Her notion of ’not bad’ seemed to indicate their courage to jump down.

"Since everything’s fine, stay close to me." With those words, Jiang Li turned and proceeded forward.

The four had no choice but to quickly follow, silently observing the surrounding world.

This place seemed a massive cave, spacious inside, where only their footsteps echoed endlessly. After some time walking, they followed Jiang Li to stop before an immense stone door.

They gazed up, seeing the door’s enormity dwarfed them like ants.

The stone door had mysterious symmetrical patterns engraved, with lines seen on some Ancient Witch Country traditional decorations.

Jiang Li stood before the door, not rushing to open it.

Instead, she turned to look at them, once more asking, "Last chance to ask, beyond this door there’s no retreat path. Either pass or die inside. Moreover, there will be no breathing room inside, only unending slaughter awaits you. To go or not, it’s your final choice."

"Having come this far, is there any thought of retreating?" Zhao Nanxing chuckled.

Among the four, only he was most familiar with Jiang Li, so speaking bore more casualness.

Jiang Li gave him a look, then glanced at the facial expressions of the other three.

Suddenly, her lips curved into a peculiar smile. She turned, placing her hands on two small circles on the stone door. Initially flat circles suddenly extended spikes, piercing her palms.

Blood flowed from Jiang Li’s palm, more and more of it. Gradually, that blood spread across the entire stone gate through the engravings.

Jiang Li’s face also turned pale from excessive blood loss.

Seeing this, Shang Zisu quickly took out a blood-replenishing elixir, walked to Jiang Li’s side, and brought it to her mouth.

Jiang Li glanced at her, a hint of an unclear smile in her eyes. She opened her mouth, took the elixir in, and swallowed it.

After taking the elixir, some color returned to her face.

At this moment, the thorns that pierced Jiang Li’s palm also retracted, seemingly no longer needing her blood.

Jiang Li stepped back two steps.

Zhu Ling then stepped forward, took out a box of ointment, and handed it to Jiang Li. "This ointment can stop the bleeding and heal the wound without leaving any scars."

Accepting Zhu Ling’s kind offer, Jiang Li smiled warmly.

She neither said thank you nor anything else.

Zhu Ling didn’t mind and turned back to stand beside Shang Zisu.

The massive stone gate, as if satiated with Jiang Li’s blood.

The tightly shut gap in the door finally slowly opened, revealing the scene beyond to everyone present.

That seemed to be a world of bloody slaughter. What met their eyes was a red like fresh blood, and a nauseating stench filled their noses.

A biting chill blew out from the gap, causing those standing outside to involuntarily shiver.

"Let’s go in," Jiang Li said, then moved toward the gap.

"Wait!" The action startled Zhao Nanxing into blurting out.

Jiang Li stopped and turned to look at him.

"You’re going as well?" Zhao Nanxing’s voice was full of shock.

Jiang Li curved her lips into an extremely brilliant smile and calmly replied, "It’s not just you who wants to find that guy!"

With that, she stepped through the stone gate with one stride!

...

"The old man from the Medicine Tower actually set me up like this!"

On the giant ship sailing the Bitter Sea, inside a luxuriously decorated cabin, Mu Qingge’s grinding voice could be heard.

She sat cross-legged on a soft bed, holding a brocade bag in her hand.

This brocade bag was mysteriously handed to her by the dean of the Medicine Tower, who also said it would benefit her.

When she accepted the position of Medicine Tower Elder, the dean had said that when she reached the Treasure Level Alchemist, she should go to see him. Mu Qingge had broken through to Treasure Level Alchemist in the Li Palace, and the purpose was naturally not to fulfill a promise to the dean but to quickly refine a Holy Level Elixir to help Si Mo recover.

However, before leaving Linchuan, she finally remembered the dean’s words and made a special trip to the Medicine Tower Headquarters to see him.

When she told the dean she was a Treasure Level Alchemist, he mysteriously gave her this brocade bag, saying it was a congratulatory gift on her promotion.

She actually foolishly accepted it!

Crunch!

In the ship cabin, Mu Qingge ground her teeth again.

Her gaze fell upon the brocade bag clutched tightly in her hand, her clear eyes almost shooting out ice.

Inside this brocade bag, there was a letter and a token.

The letter contained the dean’s words to Mu Qingge. He instructed her to travel to the Middle Ancient Realm within five years and get accepted into the Alchemy Institute in East Continent at the Alchemy Conference, and to win the championship, to vent his personal grievances!

He also mentioned that she had agreed to this earlier and couldn’t go back on her word, otherwise, he would let all the alchemists in the Middle Ancient Realm know that the Heaven-Burning Furnace was in her possession.

That token served as her identification, proving she was a Pill Master!

The dean also specifically reminded her that alchemists in the Middle Ancient Realm without such a token were no better than barefoot doctors in the countryside, and no one would trust the medicinal efficacy of their elixirs.

"Damn old man! Just wait until I get back, and see how I deal with you!" Mu Qingge said through gritted teeth.

If the dean had directly told her there was an Alchemy Institute in East Continent and there was an Alchemy Conference, she might have been interested in taking a look.

But he just had to use such deceitful means to threaten her. This really irritated her!

Especially since he set a five-year deadline after entering the Middle Ancient Realm to go to East Continent. And all this, just to help him vent frustration?

Mu Qingge really wanted to turn the ship around, go back, and give that old man a good beating.

Unfortunately, reality didn’t allow her to waste time!

The time for the assumed revenge from the Le Family was running short. She had to reach the Middle Ancient Realm before the Le Family could make a move, find the Le Family, and resolve this matter in one go.

So Mu Qingge was destined to swallow this grievance.

However, the dean’s words did inadvertently reveal something to Mu Qingge.

"Is Little Black really that powerful? Even the Middle Ancient Realm’s alchemists are thinking about it?" Mu Qingge muttered to herself.

If it weren’t for that, why would the dean threaten her with the Heaven-Burning Furnace?

Mu Qingge’s chest slightly heaved as she pondered, "It seems that after entering the Middle Ancient Realm, Little Black mustn’t be carelessly exposed. Otherwise, it’ll attract a swarm of trouble unknowingly."

Mu Qingge had too much on her plate and didn’t want to stir up trouble!

The old man’s imposed timeline forced her to handle all tasks and solve every issue within a tight schedule.

"Qingge, let me out." Suddenly, a babyish voice echoed in Mu Qingge’s mind.

Mu Qingge was startled, asking, "What’s wrong?"

"I don’t want to stay with this smelly fox!" Bai Xi’s angry voice rang in Mu Qingge’s mind.

Mu Qingge twitched the corner of her mouth, waved her hand, and after the light dissipated, Bai Xi appeared before her.

Her snake tail turned into long, slender legs. As soon as she saw Mu Qingge, she clung to her, sitting next to her with her arms around her, rubbing affectionately.

"Qingge, I missed you." Bai Xi comfortably leaned on Mu Qingge’s shoulder, greedily inhaling Mu Qingge’s scent.

So comfortable!

"Can you mind your manners a bit?" Mu Qingge awkwardly dodged.

Truth be told, even though she was a woman, Bai Xi’s two... rubbing against her arm still made her extremely uncomfortable.

"What manners? I don’t understand," Bai Xi dismissively said, tightening her arms around Mu Qingge.

Just then, the cabin door opened, and You He and Hua Yue entered with food. "Young Lord, we..."

Clank—!

A sharp sound rang out as the trays in the two girls’ hands fell to the ground, the dishes and food scattering everywhere.

It’s not their fault for being startled; the scene before their eyes was simply too shocking!

No! It was too bizarre!

Their Young Lord was actually holding a seductive beauty in his arms, the two of them so close, what were they up to?

All of a sudden, they felt a green hue flash over Lord Mo’s distant head!

"Ahem ahem." Mu Qingge also felt a bit awkward; she pulled Bai Xi’s hand away, stood up, and said to the two girls, "She is Bai Xi, from now on she will be our companion."

You He and Hua Yue simultaneously looked at Bai Xi.

Bai Xi gave a charming smile, lying languidly on Mu Qingge’s bed, supporting her head with her hand. Her alluring curves made both You He and Hua Yue swallow involuntarily.

Too alluring!

You He and Hua Yue both exclaimed in their hearts.

Mu Qingge’s gaze fell on the scattered food on the floor and could only instruct the two of them, "Go fetch another portion."

The two girls hurriedly nodded and bolted out, even forgetting to clean up the mess on the floor.

After they had dashed out, crashing sounds of things colliding came from the corridor outside.

Bai Xi sneered, rolled once on Mu Qingge’s bed, supporting herself on the soft bed, and looked at Mu Qingge innocently, "Am I that scary?"

The corner of Mu Qingge’s mouth twitched, not knowing how to explain to this beautiful snake.

The way the two girls looked just now was indeed misleading. Especially since, in their eyes, she was currently in male disguise!

"Qingge, I want out too." Suddenly, another voice echoed in Mu Qingge’s mind.

This time, the voice was from Yin Chen.

Mu Qingge frowned and asked, "You want to come out too?"

"Yes." Yin Chen said calmly, "Once I’m out, I can keep an eye on that gluttonous snake and stop her from causing trouble."

Mu Qingge thought for a moment and felt that this might be for the best.

Bai Xi’s personality was unpredictable, never playing by the rules, making her somewhat difficult to manage. However, with Yin Chen watching over, Bai Xi would focus her energy on competing with Yin Chen, at least saving her some trouble.

With this thought, Mu Qingge immediately released Yin Chen.

As soon as Yin Chen appeared, Bai Xi, who had been lazily lying on Mu Qingge’s bed, indulging in Mu Qingge’s scent, changed her expression, furrowing her brows as she sat up from the bed.

She stared coldly at Yin Chen: "Smelly fox, what are you doing out here?"

Yin Chen glanced at her and sneered: "What does it matter to you whether I’m out or not, greedy snake!"

Upon hearing the nickname ’greedy snake,’ Bai Xi’s anger flared up! Her black pupils suddenly turned into striking purple-gold vertical slits, and her enticing red lips faintly revealed sharp fangs glowing with a blue hue, staring at Yin Chen, "Are you looking for a fight!"

Yin Chen was indifferent and unafraid, saying, "If you stop calling me a smelly fox, naturally you won’t hear the nickname you hate, greedy snake."

Bai Xi’s gaze darkened, her eyes on Yin Chen seemed ready to erupt at any moment.

"You two truly are quarrelsome lovers." Mu Qingge rubbed her temples in exasperation.

"Who is a lover with him?"

"Who is a lover with her?"

Bai Xi and Yin Chen shouted in unison at Mu Qingge.

The three of them were startled simultaneously, then Bai Xi and Yin Chen exchanged glances, their unyielding gazes fiercely colliding.

Bai Xi laughed coldly, "Snakes never share burrows with foxes."

"Foxes never fancy snakes that slither on the ground, cold-blooded and venomous." Yin Chen retorted, unwilling to concede defeat.

Mu Qingge was stunned by what she heard.

She had never known that Yin Chen had such a sharp tongue.

"Who are you calling cold-blooded and venomous? Who only slithers on the ground?" Bai Xi leaped from the bed like a flash of white light, lunging directly at Yin Chen’s throat, aiming at a vital point.

This strike showed no mercy whatsoever.

Mu Qingge’s eyes widened sharply, and she intervened immediately. In her current state, Yin Chen was no match for Bai Xi.

She moved to block Bai Xi, quickly seizing her wrist. However, Bai Xi did not stop; the wrist caught by Mu Qingge slipped, as if boneless, wrapping around Mu Qingge’s entire arm like a snake.

Mu Qingge’s eyes darkened, and she extended her other hand to seize Bai Xi’s collar.

They say to strike a snake at its seven-inch mark; for the humanoid Bai Xi, that would be her neck. Of course, she wasn’t an ordinary snake but the ancient Nine Extremes Sky-devouring Python. And Mu Qingge wasn’t trying to kill her, merely to restrain her impulse.

Just as Mu Qingge’s hand caught Bai Xi’s collar, a white light emanated from her body, shrinking instantly to transform into a small white snake, slipping free from Mu Qingge’s grasp and darting towards Yin Chen.

Yin Chen dodged aside, and Mu Qingge seized the opportunity to move forward, attempting to catch the snake.

However, in her snake form, Bai Xi was as agile as a slippery eel. She evaded Mu Qingge’s angle, circled around her, and went straight for Yin Chen. It seemed she wouldn’t rest until she had beaten Yin Chen soundly.

Yin Chen avoided her within the limited space.

He didn’t attack, as he didn’t want to damage Mu Qingge’s room. So, during the evasive maneuvers, he sought to grab this greedy snake, tie her up like a rope, and throw her out!

It seemed the heavens favored Yin Chen, as Bai Xi directly crashed into his arms.

Yin Chen’s blood-red eyes narrowed as he caught Bai Xi, only for her to retaliate with a bite, her sharp snake fangs piercing the skin on Yin Chen’s palm.

The scene unfolded suddenly.

It all happened so quickly that Mu Qingge and Yin Chen had no time to react.

And Bai Xi’s venom was incredibly potent. Yin Chen only felt as if his body plunged into an ice cellar, and he uncontrollably fell backward.

"Yin Chen!" Mu Qingge’s eyes narrowed, rushing over to catch Yin Chen’s collapsing body, her hand grasping the bite on his palm, where she saw the imprints of fangs and the skin turning black.

Bai Xi seized the opportunity to escape from Yin Chen’s grasp, landing on the ground.

"Little Lord."

Voices came again from outside the door.

This time, You He and Hua Yue seemed to have learned their lesson; they called out first, waited a moment, and then pushed the cabin door open.

But when the door opened, the sight before them once again caused the food in their hands to spill to the ground.

What did they see?!

The Little Lord was unexpectedly holding a silver-haired beauty, as handsome as a demon? That beautiful man had his eyes closed, seemingly asleep! And where was the previous beauty? She had vanished without a trace!

Silently, they seemed to see another green light fly over Si Mo’s head.

At this moment, Mu Qingge had no time to attend to them.

She looked at the small white snake on the ground and sternly said, "Bai Xi, the antidote." Bai Xi’s poison was one of her Nine Extremes. Only she could neutralize her own toxin.

The small white snake on the ground emitted a bright light at Mu Qingge’s voice.

Under You He and Hua Yue’s shock, it transformed into the previous enchanting beauty.

They stared blankly ahead, already petrified.

Reluctantly, Bai Xi walked up to Mu Qingge, glanced at the unconscious Yin Chen, and said, "I controlled the amount, he’ll be fine."

"Antidote," Mu Qingge demanded again with a deep voice.

Bai Xi pouted in grievance, looked at Mu Qingge, and seeing her unquestionable cold expression, finally grabbed Yin Chen’s hand and brought it to her lips.

As her lips gently touched Yin Chen’s hand, the poison that had entered his body began to flow back through the wound and was absorbed back by her.

Once the poison was removed, the unconscious Yin Chen opened his blood-red eyes.

When he saw Bai Xi kneeling beside him, holding his hand at her lips, he paused for a moment.

"It’s done." Bai Xi looked up pitifully at Mu Qingge.

This sentence woke Yin Chen who said in disgust, "Greedy snake, stay away from me!"

Hearing Yin Chen’s voice, Bai Xi’s eyes sharpened, baring her teeth at him.

"Enough from you two!" Mu Qingge released Yin Chen, stood up with a stern expression, and looked down at the two.

Sensing Mu Qingge truly angered, both Yin Chen and Bai Xi paused and quietly restrained their arrogance, standing up.

"Little...Little Lord...they..." Hua Yue stammered from the doorway.

Mu Qingge raised her eyes to them and instructed, "Find Mo Yang, gather the Dragon Tooth Guards on the deck— I have an announcement."

You He and Hua Yue nodded quickly and vanished from the doorway.

Only then did Mu Qingge look at Bai Xi and Yin Chen and coldly said, "You two follow me."

After saying that, she walked towards the door.

Bai Xi and Yin Chen exchanged glances and followed Mu Qingge out of the cabin.

Mu Qingge led Bai Xi and Yin Chen to the deck just as You He, Hua Yue, and Mo Yang arrived with the Dragon Tooth Guards.

When they saw the two stunning figures beside Mu Qingge, they were all taken aback. Countless curious glances fell upon them.

Bai Xi’s allure, Yin Chen’s enchanting beauty, the purple-golden eyes, and blood-red pupils stunned them.

Mu Qingge looked at them, with Bai Xi and Yin Chen instinctively standing by her sides.

"They, like you, are my companions, comrades. However, they are not human but transformed spirit beasts," Mu Qingge explained bluntly.

Transformed spirit beasts!

These four words shook their companions.

Mu Qingge pointed to Yin Chen, "His name is Yin Chen. Do you remember the Snow Fox King who fought alongside you several times?"

This statement undoubtedly revealed Yin Chen’s identity to everyone.

Many Dragon Tooth Guards had their eyes light up, and their gaze at Yin Chen became much friendlier.

"As for her..." Mu Qingge pointed to Bai Xi, "She is a new partner, her temper is not good, so stay away from her in the future."

The Dragon Tooth Guards always had immense trust in Mu Qingge’s words. Her statement made their gaze at Bai Xi shift from awe to respectful distance.

Bai Xi could only look at Mu Qingge with resentment, biting her lip without speaking.

Mu Qingge was her master; she could not refute her words.

Having introduced them to everyone, Mu Qingge turned to the snake and the fox and said, "They, are my life-and-death brothers, comrades. None of you can harm them! And your usual bickering, I’ll take as your way of communicating. But if you cross the line and cannot coexist peacefully, then please leave. My humble abode cannot house you two grand deities!"

For the first time, Mu Qingge spoke such stern words.

The Dragon Tooth Guards felt warmed and proud because of Mu Qingge’s words.

While Yin Chen and Bai Xi became contemplative and somewhat moved by her words...