Battle Through the Heavens: Oh no, I've become the succubus Xiao Yan!

The evolution took place in the temple's backyard.

The two flew directly across the poisonous lake:

The evolution took place in the temple's backyard.

Passing through layers of halls, a breathtaking view suddenly unfolds before you. A clear lake lies nestled deep within the temple grounds, its surface vast and its waters a deep, dark hue. In the center of the lake sits a small island, its lush bamboo groves and wildflowers swaying gracefully in the moonlight, a stark contrast to the somber atmosphere of the surrounding temple.

Xiao Yan and Medusa flapped their wings, transforming into two streaks of light as they flew directly across the highly poisonous lake. Although the lake water was extremely poisonous, the two released their battle qi, preventing the venom from getting close. In the center of the small island was a circular, open area covered with small, smooth pebbles. A pool was sunken in the center, filled with crystal-clear, icy spring water, its chilling vapors rising and even causing tiny ice crystals to condense in the air. In the center of the pool stood a strange crystal lotus throne, used to suppress and contain the power of the strange fire.

Medusa sat cross-legged in the center of the altar, with Xiao Yan behind her, his hands resting on her back. Blue-red flames surged from his palms, flowing slowly along Medusa's meridians like a warm river.

He said no more, focusing his mind on Medusa's meridians. The flames of the Fire God and the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame intertwined in the chilling air of the Ice Spirit Spring, achieving a strange balance between the two opposing forces within her. Medusa's breathing gradually became steady, and the fine beads of sweat on her forehead evaporated into wisps of white smoke.

"Xiao Yan," she suddenly spoke, her voice a few decibels lower than before, "If I fail..."

"There is no 'if'." Xiao Yan interrupted her, his tone calm but undeniable. "Since you chose me, I won't let you die here."

Medusa remained silent for a moment, the corners of her mouth seemingly turning up slightly, or perhaps it was just an illusion. She closed her eyes, no longer speaking, letting the warm flames coursing through her body.

Outside the lake, the elders of the snake-people stood guard on the shore, their eyes fixed on the small island in the center of the lake. They could not see what was happening on the island, but they could feel the aura that was sometimes scorching hot and sometimes icy cold emanating from the lake.

"Your Majesty... can you really succeed?" a young snake-man murmured.

"Shut up." Yue Mei glanced at him coldly, but her gaze remained fixed on the center of the lake. "If we fail, we will perish with the Queen."

A night breeze rustled through the bamboo grove.

As Xiao Yan sensed the increasingly violent energy within Medusa's body, he knew that the real test had only just begun.

Medusa sat cross-legged in the center of the altar, with Xiao Yan behind her, his hands resting on her back. Blue-red flames surged from his palms, flowing slowly along Medusa's meridians like a warm river.

"Relax," Xiao Yan said, "Give me your soul."

Medusa gritted her teeth and closed her eyes.

Evolution has begun.

The snake-human bloodline within her began to stir, a violent power surging from the depths of her genes, attempting to reshape her body. This was an inevitable step in evolution—the old body had to be broken down so that a new one could be born.

  

Normally, this process is extremely painful. Medusa's body was torn apart and reassembled, and her soul almost collapsed in the pain, which eventually led to the birth of a companion soul to share the burden.

But this time is different.

The flames of the Vulcan erected a barrier within her body, protecting her soul and meridians from the impact of evolution. The violent forces that should have torn her body apart were dissolved, guided, and soothed by the flames. Evolution continued, but the pain was almost nonexistent.

Medusa felt only warmth.

It felt like soaking in a hot spring, like being enveloped in sunlight, like someone gently embracing her from behind.

Her body was undergoing a transformation. Her snake scales hardened, her snake eyes deepened, and the dormant power within her bloodline awakened. Her cultivation level began to climb from the peak of the Dou Huang realm, breaking through an invisible barrier—

Dou Zong.

She succeeded.

But the evolution was not over. The transformation of her bloodline continued, and finally, her body transformed into a gigantic, seven-colored, sky-devouring python—stronger and more perfect than her original snake-human form.

However, at the same time, another result of evolution emerged—the juvenile form of the Seven-Colored Sky-Swallowing Python.

A tiny snake, no thicker than two fingers, lay coiled silently on the altar. Its body was covered in tiny, multicolored scales that shimmered with an eerie glow in the moonlight. Its eyes were pale purple, clean and pure, with a hint of the uncanny. A strange, refreshing fragrance wafted around the snake, a stark contrast to its ferocious state during its evolution—like a flower quietly blooming after a storm.

The magnificent Seven-Colored Sky-Swallowing Python, a fearsome ancient beast, now looks like a harmless pet snake.

At the same time, a companion soul was born.

This is a side effect of evolution—the new body needs an adaptation period, during which a companion soul is born to help with the adaptation. Normally, this companion soul will eventually merge with Medusa's original body, but the process is long and painful.

This time, the birth of the companion soul still occurred, but thanks to the protection of the Flame of the God of Fire, the process was much smoother. The new soul did not conflict with the original body, but instead slumbered quietly within the body of the Seven-Colored Sky-Devouring Python, awaiting the day of natural fusion.

Medusa regained her human form.

She looked down at her hands—their strength was more than ten times greater than before. She had truly broken through to the Dou Zong realm.

"Success," Xiao Yan said, withdrawing the flames. "Congratulations."

Medusa raised her head and looked at Xiao Yan.

Her eyes were filled with complex emotions. There was shock—he had truly achieved risk-free evolution. There was gratitude—she would never forget the warmth she felt during the evolution process. And there was a hint of something else—just who was this young man before her?

"A year," she said, her voice a little softer than before, but only a little, "I took care of them for a year."

"it is good."

Medusa stood up and walked to the edge of the altar. After a few steps, she stopped and did not look back.

It stopped for a long time.

"...Your flame is so warm."

The sound was very soft, so soft that it was almost inaudible.

Xiao Yan was stunned for a moment, then laughed.

"Thank you for your trust."

Medusa's shoulders stiffened slightly, and she didn't say anything more, but her steps were a beat slower than when she came.

The old man chuckled inside the ring: "You're quite the ladies' man, kid."

Xiao Yan replied in his heart, "Master, please stop complaining."

-

When they left the palace, Little Fairy Doctor and Qinglin were waiting outside.

Little Fairy Doctor breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Xiao Yan emerge safely. Then she saw Medusa following behind Xiao Yan—a stunningly beautiful woman with pale purple snake eyes, wearing an elegant purple brocade robe, beneath which her purple snake tail swayed gently, radiating the pressure of a Dou Zong level expert.

The corners of Little Fairy Doctor's mouth turned down slightly.

"Who is this?"

"Queen Medusa," Xiao Yan said, "she promised to take care of you for me."

"Take care of us?" Little Fairy Doctor glanced at Medusa, then at Xiao Yan. "Do I need someone to take care of me?"

Just in case.

Medusa's gaze swept between Xiao Yan and Little Fairy Doctor, and the corners of her mouth curled up slightly.

"Your relationship is quite close."

Little Fairy Doctor blushed for a moment.

"us--"

"Yes," Xiao Yan said.

Little Fairy Doctor glared at Xiao Yan, but didn't deny it. The tips of her ears were as red as if they had been roasted.

Medusa's snake eyes flashed, but she said nothing more.

The setting sun sank into the sand dunes, turning the sky a fiery red. The four people's shadows were stretched long, moving slowly across the undulating dunes.