Battle Through the Heavens: Starting with Cao Ying as an apprentice

The lifelong wish of every Medusa queen—to lead the snake people out of that scorching, deadly desert and find a fertile land where the tribe could thrive and multiply—this heavy responsibility never left her heart.

Cai Lin rubbed her temples and sighed in frustration. She didn't know when it started, but she found herself unconsciously becoming dependent on Su Baichen.

"Let's wait for Bai Chen to come back and ask him," she said softly, as if trying to convince herself.

“He has traveled the continent and has seen a great deal of strange places than I have. Perhaps… he knows of a secluded and rich valley, or an isolated island, that would be perfect for the snake people to recuperate.”

This thought brought her some peace of mind. Strange, the once autocratic Medusa Queen, who only trusted herself, was now thinking of relying on others. Was it because of Xiao Cai's influence, or because… she had become a married woman?

Just then, a stream of eight-colored light shot out from between her eyebrows, circled in the air once, and transformed into a delicate little snake, which landed on the windowsill.

The little snake was covered in scales of eight colors that shimmered across its body, and it exuded a wonderfully pleasant fragrance—it was the evolved form of the Eight-Colored Sky-Swallowing Python, Little Rainbow.

"Hiss—!" (Although I miss my master very much, I'm independent now, so don't project your "longing for my husband" feelings onto me.)

Xiao Cai raised its little head, its pale purple vertical pupils staring at Cai Lin, and let out a series of angry low growls.

Because of the technique, Cai Lin naturally understood Xiao Cai's meaning.

Cai Lin was taken aback at first, then her cheeks flushed slightly—this little guy actually tried to undermine her!

"You," she said, extending her slender finger and lightly flicking Xiao Cai's forehead, feigning anger, "I haven't mistreated you these past few days, with plenty of all kinds of pills. And yet you're so siding with him, only to undermine me the moment we meet?"

Little Cai nimbly dodged the second attack, its little tail wagging triumphantly. The message it conveyed was clear and self-assured:

"Hiss!" (You haven't mistreated me? Those pills were originally left to me by my master; they were just temporarily stored with you. Don't try to fool me just because I'm young!)

Cai Lin laughed in exasperation, hands on her hips: "Oh ho, he's the master, then what am I?"

Xiao Cai curled up in a small circle on the windowsill, tilted her head slightly, and a mischievous glint flashed in her eyes.

"Hiss~" (You? Aren't you the one who was defeated by the master?!)

"Hiss~ Hiss~" (The one who always gets beaten to his knees and begs for mercy in every sparring match~)

After saying this, Xiao Cai didn't give Cai Lin any time to react. With a "whoosh," it transformed into an eight-colored stream of light and instantly returned to Cai Lin's body. No matter how Cai Lin called out to it, there was no response.

“You…!” Cai Lin stood there, her cheeks flushed, whether from anger or embarrassment, it was hard to tell.

Certain unspeakable images involuntarily surfaced in her mind—those nights of "sparring," she did... she did beg for mercy a few times...

"You little brat, come out here!" she shouted into the air, biting her lower lip, her voice involuntarily lowered as if afraid of being heard by the people in the courtyard.

The only responses she received were the evening breeze blowing through the window and the clear clanging of the cauldron as Cao Ying opened the furnace to retrieve the elixir in the courtyard.

Cai Lin finally sat back on the soft couch with no other choice, but a smile involuntarily crept onto her lips.

Outside the window, the sky had completely darkened. Cao Ying had successfully refined a batch of top-grade Qingxin Pills and was carefully bottling them; Little Fairy Doctor finished her cultivation and got up to help Yun Yun prepare dinner; Xiao Xun'er also floated down from the Myriad Fire Green Lotus, her aura more solid than before.

Yun Yun sheathed her longsword and said softly to Cai Lin inside the house, "Sister Cai Lin, it's time for dinner. Today I made snow lotus chicken soup, which has the effect of warming and nourishing the meridians."

"I'm here," Cai Lin replied, straightening her clothes and temporarily suppressing her chaotic thoughts.

She pushed open the door and stepped out of the room, disappearing into the warm light and laughter. Far away, Su Baichen was striving to become stronger, and all she had to do was protect this home and wait for his return.

The starry sky slowly unfolded overhead, with countless stars twinkling like hopes scattered across the night.

No matter how far apart they are, they are all moving towards the same future—a future where everyone can live in peace and security.

……

At the dinner table, Cai Lin, Yun Yun, Cao Ying, Xiao Yi Xian, and Xun Er sat in a circle. Under the warm yellow light, their figures appeared gentle and intimate. The dishes on the table emitted a faint fragrance, but it was not as captivating as the undercurrents and laughter that flowed between them.

Just then, Xun'er suddenly raised her hand and gently pushed the Ten Thousand Flame Green Lotus, which was shimmering with faint flames, in front of Cao Ying. Her voice was soft but clear: "Sister Cao Ying, the Ten Thousand Flame Green Lotus is back to you."

Cao Ying didn't reach out to take it. Instead, the corners of her lips curved into a smile, her eyes gleaming with a bright and mischievous light, and a "truly sincere" smile appeared on her face: "Hehe, actually you can use it for a few more days. After all, you sometimes experience sudden bursts of strange fire, which is quite dangerous~"

As soon as he finished speaking, the room fell silent.

The next second, Cai Lin turned her face away, her shoulders trembling slightly; Yun Yun lowered her head and took a sip of tea, her eyelashes concealing her smile; Little Fairy Doctor bit her chopsticks, her eyes curving into crescent moons.

None of the three spoke, but the suppressed laughter spread through the air, making even the lights seem to flicker.

Xun'er sighed helplessly, thinking to herself: If your smile had been a little more sincere, and your hands had been a little more restrained... I might have actually believed it.

She raised her clear eyes and said calmly, "No need, Sister Cao Ying. During this time, the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame has become completely compatible with my battle qi and will no longer cause backlash or violence. Don't worry."

As she spoke, she raised her hand and gently slapped away the hand that had somehow reached out and was ruffling her hair.

The hand belongs to Cao Ying, but she is not the only one who has been "ambushed" like this in recent days.

For Xun'er, this period was probably the warmest yet most "difficult" time in her memory. Cao Ying and Little Fairy Doctor always managed to come up with all sorts of reasons that were both funny and exasperating to "get close" to her—

"There's a leaf in Xun'er's hair, let me remove it for you." Then she took the opportunity to ruffle her long hair.

"Your face looks a little pale today. Let me see if you've caught a cold." He gently pinched her cheek with his fingers.

"After the breakthrough (within the Battle Qi stage), your aura is unstable. Come here, let me transfer some spiritual energy to you~" Then a light kiss landed on her forehead.

Sometimes, in the middle of a conversation, she would suddenly be picked up and spun around twice, with a triumphant, clear laugh echoing in her ears.

Not only them, but even the usually aloof Yunyun, the majestic Cailin, and the gentle Caidie have unknowingly picked up this "habit". Sometimes they would casually stroke her hair when passing by, and sometimes they would gently pinch her shoulder when giving her guidance in cultivation, their eyes filled with tenderness and affection that Xun'er could understand.

It's like making up for the time we missed, wanting to condense all the unexpressed intimacy into this period of time we've spent together.

Xun'er lowered her eyes, but a very faint smile unconsciously appeared on the corners of her lips.

It's truly... both joyful and frustrating.

"Waaah, big brother, when are you coming back?"

"Please come and save Xun'er!"

Chapter 114 The Three Sisters Living in Harmony

After dinner, Cao Ying and Xiao Yixian each took Xun'er's hand, saying they were going to take her back to the Xiao family.

At first, Xun'er was quite happy, listening to her two older sisters talk about interesting things at the academy along the way, and her steps were light.

But as she walked, she gradually realized something was wrong—the road that originally led straight to the Xiao family's house had somehow turned into the most bustling night market street.

Meanwhile, the two older sisters who had promised to take her home had already set their sights on the dazzling array of shops along the street.

"Junior sister, look at this hairpin, the butterfly on it can move!"

Cao Ying stopped in front of a jewelry stall, picked up a silver hairpin, and examined it carefully in the lantern light. The butterfly on the hairpin's head, as thin as a cicada's wing, trembled gently with her movement, as if it were about to fly away at any moment.

Little Fairy Doctor leaned over for a look and nodded: "Hmm, the workmanship is exquisite, and it goes perfectly with your light blue dress."

"Right! I think so too!" Cao Ying's eyes curved into crescents as she paid for the hairpin and carefully put it into her bosom.

Xun'er stood behind the two women, watching their enthusiastic expressions, and sighed softly. This wasn't the first time she'd experienced something like this—every time she went out with these two older women, the promise of "coming back soon" always turned into a long "just stopping by for a stroll."

She herself often inexplicably transforms from "the one being escorted" into "the little tail accompanying her shopping."

After passing a few more stalls, Cao Ying and Xiao Yixian stopped almost simultaneously in front of the window of a clothing store.

"Oh my, this dress!" Cao Ying exclaimed, pointing to a piece of moon-white, shimmering satin in the shop window. "I didn't see it last time I came. The color, the subtle pattern... Junior sister, this dress is so beautiful!"

Little Fairy Doctor also showed an appreciative expression, her fingertips lightly stroking the satin through the glass: "The texture is also good, soft but not flimsy, with an excellent drape. It complements your new hairpin perfectly."

The two of them chatted animatedly, completely absorbed in brainstorming ideas for clothing combinations, and utterly forgot about Xun'er beside them.

Xun'er looked up at her two older sisters, whose profiles were completely ignited by their shopping enthusiasm, and finally couldn't resist anymore.

She gently tugged at Cao Ying's sleeve, her voice filled with obvious grievance: "Sister Cao Ying, Sister Xian'er...aren't we going home? If we don't leave now, the Xiao family's gates will be closed."

The soft, sweet voice of a child rang out, and the two girls, who were in the middle of their excitement, were both startled and turned their heads in unison.

Under the warm glow of the lanterns, Xiao Xun'er was looking up at them.

On her exquisitely beautiful face, a pair of large, clear eyes, like glass, were veiled with a light mist, her rosy lips were slightly pouting, and her soft hair swayed gently in the evening breeze.

That pitiful yet slightly temperamental look—wanting to complain but not daring to raise it—instantly struck a chord with Cao Ying and Little Fairy Doctor.

"Oh my god...so cute!" Cao Ying exclaimed softly, her eyes instantly brightening several degrees.

Little Fairy Doctor didn't speak, but she stared at Xun'er, a gentle smile unconsciously curving her lips.

Immediately afterwards, the two women's gazes shifted from Xun'er's face to the small items they had just bought—Cao Ying was holding a hairband embroidered with daisies, while Little Fairy Doctor was carrying a small box of newly selected rouge. Then, they slowly turned their gaze back to Xun'er, carefully examining her from head to toe.

An incredibly tacit idea flashed through their minds simultaneously, like a bolt of lightning.

Almost at the same moment, Cao Ying and Xiao Yixian both smiled with an extremely similar, almost "kind" smile.

That smile held the excitement of discovering a new continent, the playful eagerness to try it out, and an irrepressible creative impulse when faced with a "perfect work".

Xun'er, who had been paying close attention to their expressions, suddenly felt her innate sense of danger tighten up with a sharp "clang"!

Although she didn't know exactly what would happen, her countless painful past experiences told her that whenever these two older sisters showed that smile, she would soon encounter something strange and "uncontrollable".

For example, being forced to wear layers of complicated clothes that restrict movement; being forced to spend half an hour combing one's hair in front of a mirror; or being forced to try on various small shoes that are clearly beautiful but troublesome to wear...

run!

This thought occupied her little mind with perfect clarity.

Xun'er made a quick decision, letting go of the hand she was holding, turning around, lifting her foot, and darting towards the Xiao family like a startled little rabbit.

However, she had only taken three steps with her short legs, and before she could even exert any force, she suddenly felt her body lighten—her feet instantly left the solid ground.

She stiffly, slowly, turned her head.

On the left was Cao Ying's gentle yet undeniable smile, and on the right was Xiao Yixian's calm and determined gaze.

The two men each extended a hand and firmly supported her arm, lifting her up into the air, leaving her legs to kick futilely in the air.

Xun'er's heart sank.

But she didn't give up. She quickly mobilized all her facial expression management skills and spent about 0.1 seconds crafting the most innocent, pitiful, and irresistible expression.

She blinked her large, brighter eyes, her long eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings, and pleaded in a voice so soft it could melt your heart, "My dear sisters... really, there's no need to trouble you to take me. Look, I know the way, I can walk back by myself, it'll be quick!"

Upon hearing this, Cao Ying's smile vanished instantly, replaced by a serious and righteous expression. She said firmly, "How can this be! I'm the older sister, it's my duty to escort my younger sister home safely. It's late, and there are many people on the street. How can we feel at ease letting you go home alone?"

The little fairy doctor beside her immediately nodded in agreement, her tone gentle but equally uncompromising: "Yes, little Xun'er. Since we promised to take you, how can we back out halfway? If we let you go back alone and the Xiao family sees you, they'll think we're neglecting our guests."

Seeing that her "cuteness offensive" was ineffective, Xun'er pouted and decided to be direct: "Big sisters, actually... actually I have bodyguards with me! Really powerful ones! You really don't need to bother, please, please let me go home first, I'll come to play with you again tomorrow, okay?"

As she spoke, she desperately glanced around at the shadows out of the corner of her eye, hoping that Ling Ying, who was hiding in the dark, could receive her strong distress signal.

Help me, help me...!

However, how could Cao Ying and Little Fairy Doctor let her off so easily? The two women exchanged a glance, and saw the same determination and...excitement in each other's eyes.

"No way!" they both said in unison, their voices firm and resolute.