Listening to Gongsun Xiangyi's account, it was not just Ye Jingyu who was amazed; even Nangong Shang was taken aback. He truly never imagined that this woman who spent her days dealing with snakes, this utterly cold woman, could possess such tenderness, and her tenderness was reserved for this colossal python...

"I gave you the blood of the Taotie; what's in it for me?" Snapping out of his daze, Ye Jingyu finally spoke. Although Gongsun Xiangyi's story was harrowing, who knew if she was telling the truth? Even if it were true, Ye Jingyu wouldn't perform such a foolish, unprofitable deed as saving someone who had just tried to kill him.

But as soon as Ye Jingyu mentioned it, Xiao Taotao, standing nearby, rolled her eyes. That was her blood; what right did he have to dispose of it?

"If the esteemed sir would bestow just one drop of Taotie blood upon Xiao Hua, this humble woman is willing to serve as your ox or your horse..." Gongsun Xiangyi bowed her head deeply again, her face etched with sincere earnestness.

"How am I to know you won't go back on your word?" Ye Jingyu wasn't a fool; he wouldn't trust this woman's promise so easily. Of course, if he could secure this poison-wielding expert by his side, his future endeavors would become infinitely easier.

"Isn't the esteemed sir a Soul Master? I am willing to swear the Soul-Devouring Curse and become your slave for life..." Gongsun Xiangyi raised her head, speaking with resolute determination, not a flicker of hesitation in her eyes.

"Hiss-hiss-hiss..." As if sensing the power of the Soul-Devouring Curse, the King Cobra behind Gongsun Xiangyi let out a sound, its massive head shaking constantly, clearly disagreeing with her decision.

Seeing that this great snake already possessed rudimentary intelligence, Ye Jingyu felt a subtle shock. He knew clearly that even the Unicellular Dragon Lion of Chi Yi hadn't achieved sentience back then.

"I beg the esteemed sir to grant the blood..." Gongsun Xiangyi ignored Xiao Hua's protest and kowtowed heavily to Ye Jingyu once more.

Seeing her demeanor, Ye Jingyu nodded slightly.

The Soul-Devouring Curse was a method of control, used to strip away a portion of the controlled person's soul origin—not all of it, but a fragment, which was then held within the caster's Sea of Consciousness. With a mere thought, the caster could easily erase this sliver of soul origin. Since it was the origin itself, even a tiny piece was enough to end the subject's life, and if the caster died, the person whose soul origin was stripped would also vanish.

However, the Soul-Devouring Curse could only be cast if the subject willingly consented, as the soul origin was an integral whole; it could not be separated without the owner's permission.

Since Gongsun Xiangyi was now willing to endure the curse, Ye Jingyu felt relieved. Securing a master poison expert like her would undoubtedly be the greatest gain from this journey to the Hundred Burials Valley.

Immediately, Ye Jingyu chanted the incantation for the Soul-Devouring Curse that Chi Yi had once taught him. A streak of silver light flashed from his eyes and plunged directly into Gongsun Xiangyi’s pupils. Instantly, a look of agony crossed her face, for forcefully peeling away a piece of one's soul origin was akin to tearing a strip of flesh from one's own heart.

But after only a moment, the silver light shot back out of Ye Jingyu's eyes, capturing a faint black shadow that submerged itself into his Sea of Consciousness.

"Gongsun Xiangyi pays respects to the Master..." With the Soul-Devouring Curse successfully cast, beads of cold sweat broke out on Ye Jingyu's forehead. This was his first time using it, and only he knew the perilous difficulty involved.

"Rise. From now on, address me as Young Master," Ye Jingyu nodded gently. Now that he held a portion of Gongsun Xiangyi's soul, he no longer worried about her harboring any ulterior motives.

"Thank you, Mas... Young Master. But about Xiao Hua..." Gongsun Xiangyi stood up respectfully, her face filled with hopeful anticipation as she looked at Ye Jingyu.

"Xiao Taotao," Ye Jingyu turned to look at the small creature.

Xiao Taotao simply ignored him. Go ahead and take a subordinate—that was his business—but exchanging it for her blood? That was utterly unfair!

"Hey, don't be so stingy, it's just a tiny bit of blood, isn't it?" Ye Jingyu knew exactly what Xiao Taotao was thinking.

But Xiao Taotao remained stubbornly unresponsive.

"Fine, fine. Xiao Hei is also a descendant of the Dragon Clan; he has dragon blood too. If you don't agree, fine, but don't expect any more roast chicken from me in the future," Ye Jingyu's expression darkened.

Upon hearing that she might never taste Ye Jingyu's personally roasted chicken again, Xiao Taotao immediately jumped up, making a scene as if she would never agree.

Finally, the human and the beast walked to a corner, muttering amongst themselves. No one knew how many delicious promises Ye Jingyu made to Xiao Taotao before she reluctantly offered a single drop of golden Taotie blood.

Gongsun Xiangyi’s face lit up with excitement as she gazed at the drop of golden Taotie blood. Xiao Hua could be saved; Xiao Hua truly could be saved...

Happily accepting the Taotie blood handed over by Ye Jingyu, Gongsun Xiangyi immediately made Xiao Hua swallow it down.

In that instant, Xiao Hua’s massive head contorted in agony, and its colossal body spasmed continuously, as if suffering immense pain. Everyone understood this was the aftereffect of integrating the energy contained within that drop of Taotie blood.

After an indeterminate period, Xiao Hua finally stopped convulsing. Its large eyes faintly shimmered with a golden light, and a subtle, ethereal majesty emanated from its entire body. On its forehead, a prominent lump had grown, resembling a single horn.

Gongsun Xiangyi was overjoyed. She knew that after one more tribulation of heavenly lightning, Xiao Hua would completely shed this serpentine form, transforming into a Jiao, achieving the status of a Sacred Beast.

Moreover, with the aid of the Taotie blood, it would not only be able to easily withstand the might of the heavenly lightning but also hold the hope of ultimately evolving into a true Dragon.

She bowed three more times to Ye Jingyu, her gratitude completely genuine. She seemed unconcerned that Ye Jingyu now held a portion of her soul.

Seeing Gongsun Xiangyi like this, Ye Jingyu sighed deeply, secretly resolving that if the opportunity arose in the future, he would return that portion of soul to her—provided, of course, that she demonstrated absolute loyalty to him.

He hadn't expected that the extremely perilous situation just moments ago would be so easily resolved thanks to Xiao Taotao's intervention.

Having successfully subdued Gongsun Xiangyi, Ye Jingyu turned his gaze toward Nangong Shang.