Chapter 214: Medusa Appears! Controlling the Puppet!
After collecting Zhuyang's body, only the cauldron with the inscriptions of the Taixu dragon tribe remained on the altar.
This cauldron must belong to the ancient Taixu dragon tribe.
After all, the Taixu dragon tribe has a long history; it's impossible they haven't accumulated alchemical knowledge over time.
Xiao Ze noticed many soul marks on the cauldron, likely left by generations of alchemists from the Taixu dragon tribe.
With so many overlapping marks, the cauldron could only be used by someone with the blood of the Taixu dragon tribe.
Xiao Ze wasn't very interested in the cauldron, as the Yunling Cauldron was sufficient for him.
At higher levels, a cauldron made of his own condensed flames would be no less than the cauldrons on the Tian Ding List.
After all, at the highest level of alchemy, imperial pills can be created.
That alchemy technique, which can fuse heaven and earth, couldn't be supported even by the best cauldron on the Tian Ding List.
Xiao Ze stood in front of the cauldron, aware that he couldn't refine the pill inside it.
Or rather, according to the concept of the Hunyuan Jiudan Pills, even if he managed to refine the pill, no one could consume it, not even the Taixu dragon tribe members.
This is because the pill was refined with Zhuyang's blood essence, and only he could consume it.
This is one of the limits of the Hunyuan Jiudan Pills: their high specificity.
"According to Zhuyang's notes, this pill is based on materials from the Nine-Grade Treasure Pill, but he never completed it."
"I could consider downgrading it and refining it as an Eight-Grade Nine-Colored Lightning Pill instead."
Xiao Ze thought to himself.
However, he had not yet refined an eight-grade pill, so it wasn't wise to attempt an Eight-Grade Nine-Colored Lightning Pill.
While he was thinking, the rainbow serpent on his wrist, called Tuntian Mang, slowly woke up, attracted by the faint scent of blood from the cauldron.
The little rainbow serpent rubbed against Xiao Ze's hand, with an inquisitive look in its eyes.
Xiao Ze, recovering from his thoughts, looked at the serpent and couldn't help but give it a small tap on the head.
He had left the rainbow serpent in Qinglin's care, and during that time, it had consumed many violet crystal sources, making it sleep frequently. Xiao Ze was reassured to see its power increasing steadily, ensuring there were no problems.
"No, little one, neither the Taixu dragon tribe's blood nor that pill is something you can handle."
Xiao Ze took out the last bottle of violet crystal sources and gave it to the little serpent.
He didn't want the serpent to consume the blood from the cauldron, both because it couldn't handle it and to avoid wasting the pill.
Plop, plop!
The little serpent gently tapped the bottle, and Xiao Ze realized it had finished all the violet crystal sources while he was thinking.
"Wow, little one! Has your appetite grown that much?"
Xiao Ze saw the longing in the serpent's eyes and smiled resignedly, taking out another jade bottle from his storage ring.
The strong energy emanated from the bottle, attracting the serpent's attention, which licked its lips eagerly.
"This is blood essence from a high-level magical beast, little one, use it sparingly."
Xiao Ze opened the bottle and extracted a drop of blood essence, presenting it to the little serpent.
The serpent immediately sucked on his finger, absorbing the blood essence.
After a while, when the serpent still clung to his finger, Xiao Ze tried to move it, thinking it was playing, but the serpent began to shine with a rainbow light.
The feeling of weight and texture on his finger changed, becoming soft and silky.
When the light faded, Medusa's charming and perfect face appeared before Xiao Ze.
With her soft, thin lips around Xiao Ze's finger, her face showed a slight blush and a shy look.
"Queen Medusa?"
Xiao Ze asked in surprise, not understanding why Medusa had appeared at that moment.
Medusa released his finger, leaving a silver thread between her lips and Xiao Ze's finger, with a complex expression.
"What's wrong? Don't you want to see me? Or do you only want me as a pet?"
Her tone was slightly displeased, surprising Xiao Ze and even herself.
Medusa's relationship with Xiao Ze wasn't like her original relationship with Xiao Yan, where she wanted to kill him. On the contrary, they got along well before her evolution.
Medusa, being the queen of the snake people, and Xiao Ze, a human cultivator, had an unusual relationship. Unlike her attitude towards other humans, Medusa had a positive view of Xiao Ze.
The main reason was that Xiao Ze had defeated her in their first encounter, balancing their positions and, in a way, placing him above her.
This made her queenly pride unable to manifest before him, leaving a strong impression on her mind.
Additionally, the second time they met, Xiao Ze gave her a precious seven-grade pill, the Revival Pill, saving her life.
This life-saving act further increased her positive impression of Xiao Ze, making her feelings towards him complex.
Instead of her usual hostility towards humans, Medusa had a good impression of Xiao Ze.
Afterwards, they agreed that she would be his bodyguard in exchange for his help in her evolution, allowing them to get to know each other better.
Medusa appeared today because she was a bit jealous of Xiao Ze's treatment of the rainbow serpent, wanting to see his reaction.
"I think you should put on some clothes first."
Xiao Ze broke the silence, taking out a cloak. Medusa, slightly blushing, didn't refuse and covered herself with the cloak.
"How do you feel after your evolution?"
Xiao Ze changed the subject, looking at Medusa. Despite the cloak, her movements revealed parts of her skin, creating a sense of mystery that attracted attention.
To ease the tension, Xiao Ze asked about her current state.
"My soul has fused well with that of the rainbow serpent; now I can gradually take control."
Medusa hesitated for a moment before responding honestly. Xiao Ze raised an eyebrow, noticing the difference from the original situation.
Soon he understood.
In the original story, Medusa wanted to kill Xiao Yan, while the rainbow serpent wanted to protect him, causing a conflict.
But in this case, Medusa already had a friendly relationship with Xiao Ze before her evolution.
Moreover, Xiao Ze was her savior, so she had no reason to have hostile intentions towards him.
Therefore, there were no conflicts between them, and the fusion had been quite successful.
And since the rainbow serpent was a newborn soul, in the fusion, Medusa would be the one to take primary control.
So, even though the situation had changed a bit, the current situation for Xiao Ze was still manageable.
When Xiao Ze fell silent, Medusa bit her lip slightly and then slowly said, "Don't worry, I won't break our promise."
"Of course, I believe you," Xiao Ze said with a smile, which puzzled Medusa.
Medusa frowned slightly, unable to fully understand Xiao Ze's attitude towards her.
At this moment, Medusa couldn't discern Xiao Ze's true strength, which was surely superior to hers.
In this situation, her role as a bodyguard seemed unnecessary.
However, Xiao Ze still wanted to fulfill his promise, and being close to him meant that the benefits she would receive afterwards would far exceed what she had given.
After all, Xiao Ze was a high-level alchemist!
Even Medusa felt that Xiao Ze was being too kind to her.
From defeating her in the desert and sparing her life, to reviving her in the snake temple with the Revival Pill, and then dedicating a large amount of heavenly and earthly spiritual resources to cultivate her.
Medusa wondered to herself how much help she had really given to Xiao Ze so far. While feeling a sense of debt in her heart, she was also somewhat confused. Had he taken notice of her?
As the guardian of the Rainbow Serpent alongside Xiao Ze, Medusa knew that her previous assumptions about Xiao Ze's identity were wrong. Xiao Ze was not an old hermit monster, but a true genius.
Thinking about this, Medusa couldn't help but adjust her cloak. Xiao Ze was unaware of Medusa's internal struggle. And of course, even if he knew, he couldn't say it clearly. Could it be that he coveted the Rainbow Serpent bloodline inheritance from Medusa after her evolution?
"Well, since you rarely show yourself, then perform your duty as a bodyguard," Xiao Ze said after picking up the medicinal cauldron.
"Okay," Medusa nodded gently, following Xiao Ze honestly.
Meanwhile, Xiao Ze conducted a thorough search throughout the Ancient Bronze Palace. Although he gained some loot, it did not compare to what he had obtained at the altar.
"This is enough. The harvest this time is quite rich," Xiao Ze said to Medusa.
Then, the two arrived at the main gate of the Great Bronze Hall. Just as they stepped outside, Medusa suddenly felt an oppressive terror descend upon her.
The next moment, Medusa instinctively stood in front of Xiao Ze and manifested a seven-colored long sword.
"Xiao Ze, there's danger! Run, I'll hold them off!" Medusa exclaimed.
Seeing Medusa standing in front of him, Xiao Ze was puzzled for a moment but soon realized it was the two Heaven Demon Phoenix puppets.
Xiao Ze looked up and saw that both were staring at him, or perhaps at the purple-gold ring on his hand.
"It seems that this purple-gold ring or something inside it makes them not see me as an enemy, but Medusa feels that hostility," Xiao Ze thought.
"Although she is facing the pressure of two strong Dou Zun level fighters, Medusa still stands firm in front of me..."
After understanding all this, Xiao Ze felt a warmth in his heart, whether it was because of the pact they had or for another reason. The fact that Medusa could stand firm in front of him at this critical moment, even when her life was at stake, moved Xiao Ze.
Xiao Ze's mind worked quickly. After understanding everything, he raised his hand and the two Heaven Demon Phoenix puppets began to move along with him.
Then he raised the other hand and gently patted Medusa on the shoulder.
"Don't worry, they are puppets that the previous owner of the Bronze Palace made. Now I have the ring of the Bronze Palace owner, so they are not hostile towards me."
Xiao Ze reassured Medusa. She instinctively looked at the two imposing Heaven Demon Phoenix puppets and confirmed that Xiao Ze's words were true, before letting out a sigh of relief.
"Sorry, I got nervous," Medusa apologized with some embarrassment, her face slightly flushed from her previous action.
"Usually I'm colder... Why did I stand up for a man?"
Was it because of the pact, or something else?
Medusa was confused and stood in place, while Xiao Ze showed interest in the two Heaven Demon Phoenix puppets. Initially, Xiao Ze had no intention of accepting them, as they seemed extremely powerful.
But now, it seemed there might be a way to do it safely.
Xiao Ze took out the blood-stained dragon scales and the dragon-shaped jade plate. Upon seeing these two objects, the two Heaven Demon Phoenix puppets immediately moved and knelt before Xiao Ze.
Seeing this, Medusa opened her mouth in surprise. These two puppets, which she found terrifying, were kneeling before Xiao Ze.
Xiao Ze held the dragon scales and the jade plate. Although he wasn't sure which of the two objects was having the effect, the result was what mattered.
Soul energy seeped in and entered the bodies of the two puppets, and after a thorough search, he found the soul marks left inside them.
Due to the long years, these soul marks had become extremely weak.
Xiao Ze easily replaced them with his own and left his soul mark in place.
Soon, Xiao Ze established a connection with the two puppets in front of him.
"Haha! I didn't expect to get two Dou Zun level puppets this time!"
After successfully taming the puppets, Xiao Ze couldn't help but laugh.
After all, they were Dou Zun level puppets, which were quite useful in the Central Continent.
After careful investigation, he discovered that the strength of the two puppets was around the five-star Dou Zun level. Originally, their strength was even more formidable, but due to the passage of time, it had diminished.
But Xiao Ze was quite satisfied.
"I don't know how strong you were before you died, to be able to refine two Dou Zun Heaven Demon Phoenix puppets."
Xiao Ze reflected in his heart, while Medusa pursed her lips, feeling less useful.
"Xiao Ze, we have finished investigating the ancient ruins. Now I need to go back to sleep."
Medusa secretly challenged herself, determined to wake up next time with even greater strength.
With that said, without waiting for Xiao Ze's response, she transformed into a small seven-colored snake that coiled around Xiao Ze's arm.
Xiao Ze grabbed the slowly falling cloak and stored it, not thinking too much about it. It was normal for Medusa to continue fusing with the Rainbow Serpent soul and keep sleeping.
"It's time to return to the Alchemy Tower."
Finally, Xiao Ze took one last look at the Great Bronze Hall, put the two phoenix puppets into his ring, and then left the ancient ruins.
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