The clear lake shimmered under the sun. From within its depths, a voluptuous snake-woman slowly emerged, her delicate hands brushing away strands of water-soaked hair.
Her long, dark-green locks cascaded down her back like a peacock unfurling its tail, scattering droplets that sparkled like crystals in the air. The wet strands clung tightly to her smooth, snow-white back. Beads of water rolled down the flawless skin of her shoulders, tracing along her slender waist before dripping into the lake belowârippling its calm surface.
At that moment, Liu Xi was hiding quietly behind a large tree at the edge of the lake. Having mastered the Illusionary Heart Technique, he manipulated spiritual power to distort the five senses of othersâblinding their sight and muffling their hearing. With this technique, he and Qing Lin remained completely unseen and unheard. It was under such perfect concealment that Liu Xi unintentionally witnessed this rather enticing scene unfold before him.
However, even the most careful plan can falter.
As the snake-woman's slender fingers lifted her hair over her shoulder, she turned slightly. Her gaze drifted to the far side of the lakeâwhere a small pile of light-blue clothing lay carelessly discarded.
Her eyes narrowed. A faint, playful smile curled on her lips as she called out sweetly, "Yue Xing."
One of the snake-woman guards immediately stepped forwardâa cold-eyed, sharp-looking female Da Dou Shi. She bowed with deep respect. "Lady Yue Mei, your orders?"
Yue Mei lifted her chin slightly, cupping a handful of cool water over her flawless chest before pointing toward the pile of clothes on the bank. Her lips curved. "It seems we have⊠guests bathing in my lake. They must be hiding nearby. Bring them to me."
Yue Xing's eyes flickered with cold intent as she nodded sharply. "Yes, Lady Yue Mei."
She turned and spoke briefly with the other guards, and soon, the group fanned outâsearching the dense foliage surrounding the lake.
Behind the tree, Qing Lin's face turned pale. Her wide emerald eyes filled with panic as she whispered, trembling, "Master, I⊠I'm sorry! It's my fault! If I hadn't wanted to bathe, they wouldn't have found us!"
Liu Xi, calm as ever, smiled faintly and reassured her, "It's fine. They can't find us. It's my fault for not noticing them approaching. You've done nothing wrong."
Indeed, his words were true.
One of the Da Dou Shi snake-women passed barely a few steps away from where they hid, glancing briefly in their direction. Yet her eyes saw nothing amiss and she walked on, oblivious.
Qing Lin exhaled softly in relief, murmuring to herself, 'Thank goodness⊠Ling Shuang said that snake-woman in the lake is a true Dou Wangâone rank above her. If she discovered us, Young Master would be in real dangerâŠ'
The snake-women searched for nearly ten minutes before regrouping, frustration written on every face. They had found nothingâas if their quarry had vanished into thin air.
Yue Xing bowed her head. "My apologies, Lady Yue Mei. We found no trace."
Yue Mei's expression darkened. She let out a cold snort.
"Useless! Hmphâshe didn't even have time to dress! I'd like to see how far she can run today!"
Her hands swiftly formed a seal, and her aura surgedâmid Dou Wang power erupting forth. "Serpents' Descent!"
Ripples spread across the once-still lake as countless serpentine shapesâformed entirely of multi-colored energyâemerged, writhing across the water's surface.
"Go," Yue Mei commanded, her voice low and dangerous. "Find her for me!"
At once, the spectral serpents slithered outward in all directions, a wriggling tide that flooded through the oasis.
Liu Xi's mouth twitched in exasperation. 'Seriously? Just because someone bathed in your lake, you're this mad? This isn't even your private pond! Do you have to make it a life-or-death matter? I'm not hiding because I fear you!'
As the swarm drew closer, he sighed. Illusion could hide him from the eyes, but not from touch or scentânot from this many serpents. Even clay idols had tempers; Liu Xi was no exception.
'Fine,' he thought, his eyes glinting coldly. 'If you insist on making trouble, then don't blame me for teaching you a lesson.'
He turned to Qing Lin, voice calm but firm. "Stay hidden. Keep Ling Shuang with youâdon't let her leave your side."
Qing Lin looked up at him anxiously. But Liu Xi only smiled with quiet confidence. "Even among Dou Wangs, your young master stands unmatched."
With that, he reached within himselfâcommunicating with the Acceptance Soul.
A surge of blazing power burst forth. The Green Lotus Core Flame roared into existence, wrapping around his body like a living vortex. Waves of searing blue-green fire spun outward, reducing the approaching serpents to ash before they even touched him.
Of course, the moment the Green Lotus Core Flame appeared, Liu Xi's presence could no longer be concealed.
He stepped out of the inferno, calm and composed, facing Yue Meiâwho stared at the divine flame with a mixture of shock and awe.
Liu Xi's tone was cool as ice. "You really didn't have to push it this far. You could've just finished your bath and left. But noâyou had to make me come out and spank you first, didn't you?"
Yue Mei's alluring eyes flickered with surprise as she beheld himâa tall, striking young man with jet-black hair and sharp, confident eyes. Behind him stood a small, delicate girl wearing an oversized azure robe.
For a moment, silence. Then Yue Mei's lips curved into a teasing smile.
"Well, well⊠I was wondering which little vixen dared to bathe in my lake. Turns out it's a handsome young man. Tell me, pretty boyâwant to visit my tribe for a while? I promise you'll enjoy yourself~"
Liu Xi's lips twitched. "Oh, I see. Planning to lure me into your den, call in three hundred guards, and chop me into stew, is that it?"
Yue Mei chuckled, brushing a strand of wet hair from her face, eyes brimming with mischief. "How could you think such nasty things? We Snake-People are very hospitableâespecially to handsome humans like you. The girls in my tribe would pamper you far better than that little one behind you."
Liu Xi arched a brow. "I've heard Snake-People are⊠exceptionally gifted in certain waysâfar surpassing ordinary women. But ordinary snake-girls don't interest me." His smirk turned sharp. "Why don't you serve me instead? I'll gladly come take a look then."
A flicker of killing intent flashed in Yue Mei's half-lidded eyes, though her seductive smile remained. She rose from the water in one graceful motion, revealing her perfect, snow-white form glistening with droplets. Her voice dripped with honey.
"Oh? That can be arranged⊠handsome."
Liu Xi's heart, however, grew cold. His right hand subtly shifted behind his back as he said with feigned delight, "Perfect. Then let's begin."
Yue Mei's smile deepened. Her emerald snake-tail flicked, swaying her hips as she slithered toward himâeach step sending the generous curves of her body into rhythmic motion.
"Don't worry," she purred. "Elder Sister will make you feel wonderfulâŠ"
But the sweetness in her tone turned venomous in an instant.
"Die, human! Binding Serpent Hand!"
A burst of Dou Qi exploded from her right hand, twisting into a massive serpent of energy whose fanged maw lunged straight for Liu Xi's throat.
Liu Xi didn't flinch. His concealed right hand erupted with blazing heat as he countered with a single palm strike.
"Blazing Fire Palm!"
The two forces collidedâpoison and flameâhissing violently as clouds of acrid white smoke filled the air.
Though Yue Mei's Dou Qi far outmatched his in quantity, her venom couldn't withstand the purity of the Green Lotus Core Flame. Within seconds, her energy serpent sizzled into ash.
Failing her ambush, Yue Mei leapt back, seething. Having her sneak attack failâand worse, being seen in her unclothed stateâwas more humiliation than she could bear. She clenched her teeth so hard she nearly shattered them.
(End of Chapter)
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