Doupo: When Yan DI returns to the three-year agreement!

The air in the square grew heavy, as if the world itself was holding its breath. Queen Medusa's presence was like a storm cloud, dark and electrifying, casting a shadow over everyone present. Her piercing, serpentine eyes locked onto Xiao Yan, a mix of cold indifference and simmering anger swirling within them. The faintest hint of a smirk played on her lips, but it was far from warm—it was the kind of smile that promised danger.

"Pet?" she repeated, her voice low and velvety, yet laced with a venomous edge. The word hung in the air, sharp and cutting, as her gaze bore into Xiao Yan. "Do you truly dare to treat me as one?"

Xiao Yan's heart raced, but he kept his composure. He knew he had overstepped, but he also knew Queen Medusa better than most. Her cold exterior often masked a deeper complexity, and he was willing to gamble on that. He met her gaze head-on, his expression calm but his eyes filled with a quiet intensity.

"How could I ever think of you as a pet?" he replied, his voice steady but tinged with a playful undertone. "With someone as breathtaking as you standing so close, I couldn't help myself. I just... couldn't hold it back."

The words were bold, almost reckless, but Xiao Yan knew what he was doing. He was testing the boundaries of their relationship, pushing her to reveal more of herself than she usually would. To the onlookers, it seemed like sheer audacity, but to Xiao Yan, it was a calculated move. He had seen her vulnerable before, and he knew there was more to her than the icy facade she presented to the world.

Queen Medusa's eyes narrowed, her lips curling into a faint sneer. "If it weren't for the Sky-Swallowing Python's attachment to you, I wouldn't have bothered intervening," she said, her voice dripping with disdain. She released his wrist with a flick of her hand, as if touching him any longer would taint her. "Consider yourself lucky."

The square was eerily silent, the tension so thick it felt suffocating. The name "Queen Medusa" was whispered among the crowd, each syllable carrying the weight of fear and awe. Her reputation was legendary—a beautiful but ruthless ruler who had carved her name into the annals of history with blood and fire. To see her standing here, in the heart of the Yunlan Sect, was nothing short of surreal.

Nalan Yanran, watching from the sidelines, felt a mix of shock and disbelief. "Is Xiao Yan out of his mind?" she thought, her eyes wide. "He just acted so familiarly with Queen Medusa! Does he have a death wish?"

In the sky, Hai Bodong's face paled. He had managed to maintain his composure when Yun Shan appeared, but Queen Medusa's presence was a different matter entirely. The memories of their past encounters in the Tagor Desert flooded back, and the fear she instilled was as potent as ever. "This kid," he muttered under his breath, "he's been traveling with Queen Medusa all this time and didn't even warn me? What kind of madness is this?"

Ling Ying, standing nearby, couldn't help but shake his head in admiration. "Tsk, tsk, Queen Medusa... No wonder Xiao Yan was so confident coming here. This little guy really has some formidable backing."

On the ground, Jia Xingtian and Fa Ma exchanged uneasy glances. The appearance of Queen Medusa had shifted the balance of power, and they were struggling to process the implications. "Queen Medusa," Jia Xingtian murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "I never thought I'd see the day she would stand beside a human."

Gu He, the alchemist, was equally stunned. "Didn't she fail her evolution in the Snake Tribe Holy City?" he muttered, his brow furrowed in thought. He glanced at Xiao Yan, a realization dawning on him. "It seems she didn't fail after all. Xiao Yan must have taken her away after her evolution. This kid... he's either incredibly brave or incredibly foolish."

Nalan Jie, Mu Chen, and the others stood in stunned silence, their fear of Queen Medusa outweighing any desire to intervene. The atmosphere was charged with tension, every eye fixed on the unfolding drama.

Xiao Yan, however, remained unfazed. His eyes never left Queen Medusa's face, as if he couldn't get enough of her presence. "Queen Medusa," he said softly, his voice carrying a note of familiarity that made her stiffen. "I never expected that the strange, colorful snake was actually you. No wonder I always felt something was off."

Yun Shan, who had been preparing to attack Xiao Yan and Ling Ying, now hesitated. The appearance of Queen Medusa had changed the dynamics of the confrontation. He glanced at Xiao Yan, his expression unreadable. "Queen Medusa," he said, his voice cautious, "I didn't expect you to evolve successfully. And to think you would choose to help a human... That's quite surprising."

Queen Medusa took a step forward, her movements deliberate and graceful. She stood parallel to Xiao Yan, her gaze sweeping over Yun Shan. "I didn't expect you to break through to the Dou Zong level either," she replied coolly. "But as for helping him... I don't particularly care about his life or death. If it weren't for the Sky-Swallowing Python's attachment to him, I wouldn't have intervened."

Her words were sharp, but there was an underlying tension in her tone. Xiao Yan's actions had clearly affected her, even if she refused to show it.

Yun Shan's mind raced as he tried to assess the situation. He had noticed Xiao Yan's bold behavior toward Queen Medusa earlier, and her lack of retaliation was telling. It suggested that their relationship was more complex than it appeared.

"Old Sect Leader," Yun Leng interjected, his voice filled with urgency, "if we let Xiao Yan leave like this, it will damage the reputation of the Yunlan Sect!"

Yun Shan's expression darkened as he considered the implications. The stakes were higher than ever, and the presence of Queen Medusa had added a new layer of complexity to the situation. He turned to Queen Medusa, his voice firm but cautious. "Queen Medusa, this matter does not concern you. I suggest you stay out of it."

Queen Medusa's eyes flashed with a dangerous light. "Do not presume to tell me what to do, Yun Shan," she said, her voice icy. "I act according to my own will, not yours."

The tension in the air was palpable, the standoff between the two powerhouses sending ripples of fear through the crowd. Xiao Yan, standing between them, felt the weight of the moment pressing down on him. He knew this was the turning point—the moment that would determine the outcome of the battle.

"Queen Medusa," he said, his voice calm but filled with resolve, "thank you for coming. But this is my fight. I will handle it."

Queen Medusa glanced at him, her expression unreadable. For a moment, it seemed like she might argue, but then she simply nodded. "Very well," she said. "But remember, Xiao Yan, I am not here to save you. I am here because of the Sky-Swallowing Python. Do not mistake my actions for loyalty."

Xiao Yan smiled faintly. "Understood."

With that, Queen Medusa stepped back, her presence still looming large but no longer directly involved. The focus shifted back to Xiao Yan and Yun Shan, the tension between them reaching a boiling point.

Yun Shan's eyes narrowed as he assessed Xiao Yan. "You truly are full of surprises, boy," he said. "But do not think that Queen Medusa's presence will save you. This ends here."

Xiao Yan's expression hardened, his resolve unwavering. "We'll see about that."

The battle was about to begin, and the fate of the Yunlan Sect—and perhaps the entire Jia Ma Empire—hung in the balance.