A cold snort echoed in the room as Medusa's figure materialized in the hall.
"Fei Yan, why have you come out? Where are Xian'er and the others?"
Xiao Jietian looked at Medusa in surprise, not expecting her sudden appearance.
"They're helping to manage the Xiao Family's affairs—acting the part of the diligent daughters-in-law."
"Hmph, I didn't come out to help you with anything. I only wanted to see if the Blood Sect had any of the medicinal ingredients I need."
Under Xiao Jietian's gaze, Medusa felt a hint of guilt.
The real reason she emerged was because she had no excuse to stay inside. Unlike the others, she lacked a proper standing to involve herself.
"Why are you still standing there? Aren't we leaving?"
Seeing Xiao Jietian standing there watching her with an amused look—as if he had seen through her pretext—Medusa spoke up irritably.
"Let's go then. One more person will make things easier."
Xiao Jietian and the two women arrived directly above the Blood Sect's stronghold.
Looking down, the entire Blood Sect lived up to its name—structures of bloody red stretched out below, radiating an eerie aura.
The Blood Sect's cultivation method relied on fresh blood. It was precisely because of this that Mu City had the smallest population and was the most chaotic, disorderly place in the entire Black-Corner Region.
"Old Shui, I'll leave Fan Lao to you. As for the other Dou Kings, Fei Yan and I will handle them."
Xiao Jietian made a simple plan. If he weren't worried about accidentally damaging their treasury, he would have simply let Old Shui flatten the place with one palm, just as they had done with the Mo Family.
The three nodded to each other and began their operation.
About five breaths later, screams erupted from within the Blood Sect.
As the sounds faded, the Blood Sect was officially annihilated. All the Dou Kings and Dou Spirits inside had been eliminated by Xiao Jietian and Medusa.
The two arrived at the main hall of the Blood Sect's Sect Master, only to find Fan Lao already dead in his seat, bleeding from all seven orifices, his face frozen in terror and confusion.
He had died with his eyes wide open, never having seen who killed him.
"Pitiful, truly pitiful."
A respectable experience pack meant for Xiao Yan had died here silently, without even getting a chance to appear.
Xiao Jietian searched the entire Blood Sect but could not find Fan Ling. He was probably already on his way to Black Seal City.
Just a minor Dou Spirit, he thought. He can be dealt with later. He definitely cannot be left alive. When eradicating weeds, you must pull out the roots. A Dou Spirit still poses a significant threat to the current Boundless Heaven Hall, and Old Shui and the others can't watch over everyone all the time.
The three located the Blood Sect's treasury and confiscated numerous Dou Techniques and cultivation manuals, including the sect's foundational method, the Blood Fiend Art.
Xiao Jietian glanced at it and immediately set it aflame. This technique required blood, was too sinister, and could even affect one's sanity. It was not suitable to keep within the Boundless Heaven Hall.
Old Shui was organizing the cultivation methods and Dou Techniques, while Medusa was engrossed in searching through the medicinal ingredients.
Xiao Jietian summoned the system, which had a very low presence. "System, check in."
[Successfully checked in at the Black-Corner Region. Obtained: Soul Stripping Scroll * 1, Unknown Monster Egg * 2 (one with life signs, one without), Heaven Burning Rage Art cultivation method * 1 (Earth Tier High Grade), Thunder Origin * 1.]
Soul Stripping Scroll: Can extract souls upon use.
Monster Egg: Having life signs means it can hatch; lacking life signs means it cannot.
"System, does that mean this egg is dead? Why give it to me? So I can boil it for breakfast?"
Xiao Jietian mentally sent the system a big question mark.
[Ding. Host, you can use it with the previous scroll.]
Xiao Jietian instantly understood. So it was a bundled deal.
He turned to look at Medusa, who was painstakingly opening box after box. A meaningful, mischievous smile touched his lips. Don't blame me—the system told me to mess with you. It's not my fault.
Medusa suddenly felt an inexplicable chill, as if something was wrong. But when she focused, the feeling was gone, vanishing in an instant.
Suddenly, Medusa revealed a stunning smile that froze Xiao Jietian in place. This genuine, heartfelt smile was like a sacred lotus blooming atop a snowy peak—exquisitely beautiful amidst solitude and chill.
Medusa tightly clutched a flower-like medicinal ingredient in her hand, one of the components required for the Soul Fusion Pill.
Finding only one, Medusa felt a twinge of disappointment, but joy outweighed it. After searching for so long, she had finally found one. This was undoubtedly a good start, and the corners of her mouth lifted slightly.
"Ghost Dream Spirit Flower, a main ingredient for the Soul Fusion Pill. It seems your luck is quite good."
Xiao Jietian came to Medusa's side, glanced at the ingredient in her hand, and spoke.
"Yes, I didn't expect to find a main ingredient so quickly. It seems my luck isn't bad."
Medusa's voice carried a note of happiness.
Xiao Jietian thought to himself, When you later find out I have other, better ways to help you with your soul issue, I wonder how you'll take it.
He waved his hand and stored all the remaining medicinal ingredients in his storage.
"Xiao Jietian, why don't we go destroy a few more sects? We might find other ingredients inside."
Medusa suddenly spoke up, her tone eager.
Three metaphorical black lines appeared on Xiao Jietian's forehead. As expected of Medusa, the queen who killed as easily as slaughtering chickens, speaking the coldest words from that warm mouth.
Xiao Jietian ignored her and turned to leave.
"Wait! If that really won't work, we could sneak into other factions' treasuries to search. You can keep the items—I only want the Soul Fusion Pill ingredients."
Watching Xiao Jietian's retreating figure, Medusa hurried after him, chattering incessantly.
She wanted to search alone, but she lacked the capability. Only Shui Ye could use spatial power to quietly infiltrate others' treasuries.
Xiao Jietian pretended not to hear and continued walking away without looking back.
Returning to the Boundless Heaven Hall and then entering the Eternal Heaven World, Xiao Jietian briefly informed Xiao Ding and Xiao Li that the Blood Sect had been destroyed and instructed them to take over Mu City.
"We just chatted with Father for a bit, and the Blood Sect is gone?"
Xiao Ding's teacup fell to the floor, his mouth agape in disbelief.
Beside him, Xiao Li was even more stunned. Folks, can you believe it? In less than half a day, Mu City had changed hands.
"With Old Shui around, you could have destroyed the Blood Sect long ago. Why bother with this 'balance of power' act?"
Xiao Jietian sat in a chair, his expression indifferent.
"We were afraid of drawing attention from other forces, of becoming a target."
Xiao Ding replied with a bitter smile, while Xiao Li nodded fervently.
"Don't worry about that anymore. From now on, act freely. We now have three Dou Zongs and four Dou Huangs, plus quite a few Dou Kings and Dou Spirits. We can walk sideways through the Black-Corner Region without issue—just pay a little attention to Maple City."
Xiao Jietian directly revealed the top combat power of the Boundless Heaven Hall, giving them a strong dose of confidence.
"What? Three Dou Zongs? Did I hear that right?"
Upon hearing Xiao Jietian's words, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li jumped up, gripping his hands tightly, their eyes wide with shock.
"You heard correctly. The Dou Zongs are Old Shui, Xian'er, and Fei Yan."
"The Dou Huangs are Old Mo, Old Hai, Yun'er, and Qing Lin's pet—the Rank 6 magical beast, the Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor."
Xiao Jietian briefly introduced the top fighters of the Boundless Heaven Hall to the two of them.
Xiao Ding and Xiao Li exchanged a look of astonishment. They naturally knew Yun Yun and the others, but they never imagined their brother's other companions included Dou Zong powerhouses. Medusa was also considered a sister-in-law in their eyes; though their relationship wasn't explicitly stated, everyone could see it.
What surprised them most was the seemingly innocent and delicate Qing Lin, who actually had a Rank 6 magical beast as a pet—equivalent to a human Dou Huang powerhouse.
It seemed their third brother wasn't the only monster; even the women he found were incredibly formidable.
"Little Tianzi, impressive, truly impressive."
"Indeed, birds of a feather flock together, you rascal…"
Xiao Ding and the other gave Xiao Jietian a thumbs-up, truly impressed.
"Keep it low-key, low-key. Anyway, there's no need to worry anymore. Xian'er and Yun'er will both be stationed at the Boundless Heaven Hall from now on. You can act freely, without fear or hesitation."
With that, Xiao Jietian waved his hand and sent them out of the Eternal Heaven World.
He took something out of his system space and tossed it in his hand.
"It's time for you to be useful."