As Medusa’s chest continued to vanish, a wave of discomfort washed over everyone. Because of Hei Mingba, and because the demon’s blood flowed within her, they had never fully trusted her. Yet now, she was gravely wounded, suffering injuries that refused to heal, all for their sake. How could they bear such a thing?

At this moment, however, a faint smile touched Medusa’s lips; she showed no concern for the imminent destruction. Her brown eyes turned toward Jiu Feng, who had been tending to her side, fixing her gaze upon Jiu Feng’s equally brown eyes.

Felt beneath Medusa’s gentle scrutiny, Jiu Feng suddenly felt as if she had finally found a relative.

But she knew perfectly well that her father belonged to the Chi Yi Clan, and her mother was a woman stolen by her father; it was impossible for her to have a relative of the Demon King level like Medusa.

“Don’t overthink it. We share no blood relation, but the first time I saw you, I saw my younger self,” Medusa said with a light laugh, having instantly discerned Jiu Feng’s thoughts.

Ye Jingyu, Liang Xiaoke, and the others nearby stiffened. Did this Queen Medusa have some secret history from her youth?

Ye Jingyu, in particular, knew for a fact that Medusa recognized his Master, Dugu Ba Chen. Could there be something between them?

But clearly, Medusa had no appetite for gossip. She merely extended a pair of slender, fair, and smooth hands, gently stroking Jiu Feng’s cheek.

“To meet is fate. This, I give to you!” Without many words, Medusa spoke softly, then spat a silver bead from her mouth. Seeing the bead, Ye Jingyu and the others’ expressions shifted drastically. This... this was her Inner Core. She intended to give her Inner Core to Jiu Feng? Did she not know that once she expelled her Inner Core, she would be completely unable to force the destructive power of Yuan out of her body, leaving only annihilation as her fate?

Ye Jingyu tried to intervene. Though he wished for Jiu Feng’s power to increase immensely, he didn't want it to come at the cost of Medusa’s life, especially since she sustained such severe injuries to earn their trust.

But before Ye Jingyu could act, Medusa pressed the silver Inner Core directly against Jiu Feng’s forehead. Instantly, silver light erupted across Jiu Feng’s body.

Perhaps the power of this single Inner Core was too immense. Before Jiu Feng could even utter a word, she fainted completely, caught just in time by Ye Jingyu.

“Queen Medusa, you…” Ye Jingyu and the others were filled with astonishment at her decision. While the destructive force seemed to hold absolute dominance now, shattering her vitality, if she exerted herself fully, and they assisted, forcing the power out wasn't impossible, was it? But this action had severed all her chances of survival.

“Heh heh, when a person has nothing left to live for, death is the best escape!” Medusa’s simple statement cut off everything Ye Jingyu was about to say.

“Quickly find a place to help her stabilize the power within her. Her current physical body cannot withstand my strength!” Facing the stunned crowd, Medusa continued speaking, her words filled with doting affection for Jiu Feng, utterly unconcerned with her own rapidly vanishing form.

Hearing Medusa, Ye Jingyu stood up. He looked at the emptiness in her eyes and nodded slightly. Perhaps, when one has lost the will to live, death truly is a form of release.

Bowing deeply and respectfully to Medusa, he hoisted Jiu Feng up and shot into the sky. The others followed Ye Jingyu’s departure, only Liang Xiaoke lingered behind. Catching sight of Medusa’s face, impossibly perfect, his eyes were filled with a lingering sigh.

Sigh. Back then, I wasn't skilled enough to court you. Now that I finally have the ability, why have you decided you don't want to live? Does having a handsome and perfect man like yours truly an’ Unc— no fun at all?

He sighed in bewildered contemplation, and Liang Xiaoke’s figure gradually vanished. Only after he was completely gone did Medusa, now reduced to just a head, look toward the heavens, murmuring softly, “My Queen, the bloodline of the Feng Li Xi Clan has finally been passed on. You don’t need to worry anymore!” As she spoke this final sentence, Medusa’s body completely dissolved into the void.

And with Medusa’s passing, memories spanning generations began to surface in Jiu Feng’s mind, though currently unconscious, she knew nothing of it.

While Ye Jingyu was dispatching scouts back to Jiuzhou and carefully tending to Jiu Feng’s body, back in the imperial palace of the Fan Long Empire, Yuan, covered entirely in black blood, was slumped in a chair. Mu Helin stood respectfully before him, looking with horror at the shredded flesh on Yuan’s shoulder.

“Do you know the might of the Human Realm now?” Seeing the shock on their faces, Yuan snorted coldly. One careless moment, and that magical artifact had smashed his entire shoulder to pieces. The pain almost made him faint.

If he hadn't reacted quickly enough to flee the instant it happened, he might have been reduced to a pulp by now.

“We know, my Lord!” Having personally experienced the power of Ye Jingyu and the others, and now seeing their Lord reduced to this state, if they still didn't understand, they might as well die.

“It’s good that you understand. Though this Human Realm lacks supreme experts, there are far too many ancient relics passed down. Unless we can reach the Yu-level realm, there are too many things capable of harming us. Never be careless. I need to enter seclusion to recuperate. You two stand down. Remember, do not initiate any attacks until my injuries are healed!”

“Yes!” Mu Helin nodded, and their figures gradually faded away.

“Jin Lisi Jun, come out!” Once the two had completely vanished, Yuan suddenly called out softly to the air. A silver figure then shimmered out of the void.

“Haha, Lord Yuan, what do you think of my proposal from last time?” Seeing the scraps of flesh on Yuan’s shoulder, Jin Lisi Jun licked his lips with obvious craving and smiled as he spoke.

“I can help you become the Demon Emperor, but you must find me something capable of countering that artifact!” Yuan said with deep reluctance. If he had known this would happen, he shouldn't have refused Jin Lisi Jun initially. How could he have been injured by someone weaker than himself today?

“Heh heh, that’s naturally no problem. My Lord, please look…” Jin Lisi Jun smiled, relaxed his tightly clenched right hand, and a golden-yellow book appeared out of thin air in his grasp...

To the Readers: More this afternoon.

[Ti: Dear readers, the current chapter has reached the final page of this book]