The despair in the eyes of the Duobao Snake vanished, replaced by ecstasy. Knowing this was a heaven-sent opportunity, it desperately absorbed the energy contained within the dragon pearl.
Its entire body shimmered with radiance, its bones, meridians, and flesh continuously strengthened under the cleansing of the dragon essence, undergoing a transformation.
"This Duobao Snake is likely to soar to unprecedented heights from now on," Ya Zi murmured, watching its dragon pearl become a snake's adornment, feeling a pang of bitterness.
However, it reasoned that old must make way for new. It was confident in its ability to nurture a new dragon pearl, and thus, it let go of its disappointment.
But should it reveal the news that Ji Mo possessed the ability to easily refine the power of a dragon pearl?
After a moment of contemplation, it decided to remain silent. Ji Mo had deliberately displayed such a heaven-defying technique in front of it, possibly harboring some ulterior motive. It would be best to understand his intentions first.
Furthermore, having been sealed in the dragon's lair by an elder of the Dragon Clan for so many years, it harbored resentment and had no desire to meddle in the Dragon Clan's affairs.
Ji Mo withdrew his silver needles and, seeing that the Duobao Snake was out of danger, casually placed it on his bed before heading to the kitchen to prepare dinner.
RUMBLE!
Thunder suddenly boomed.
The sky above Langya Academy churned with wind and clouds, quickly becoming obscured by thick layers of mist. Lightning flashed and thunder roared.
"What's going on?"
The teachers and students of the academy were struck with immense panic upon witnessing this display of heavenly retribution.
Song Zhenwei gazed at the sky with a worried expression. The consequences would be unimaginable if the lightning power in the sky were to erupt within the academy.
BOOM...
Silver serpents danced wildly, and thunder descended. A bolt of lightning as thick as a water bucket directly struck towards the academy.
The target was Ji Mo's courtyard.
"Oh my heavens!"
Ya Zi trembled in fear. Having lost its dragon pearl, its cultivation was reduced to a tenth of its former strength, and it could not withstand such heavenly punishment.
However, rules intertwined above the courtyard, and runes flew, directly obliterating this terrifying bolt of lightning.
Heavenly lightning rained down like pellets, turning the sky silver-white, with ferocious thunderous power blanketing the area.
"Heaven bless us! The lightning is striking the southern district of the academy, where no one resides, so there won't be any casualties."
"Who says no one lives there? I heard that scoundrel Ji Mo resides in the southern district."
"Heaven is merciful! It must be that the heavens also find that fellow displeasing, hence the descent of thunderous wrath."
"It's best if that fellow is struck dead, so he can no longer harm us."
...
Various discussions arose within Langya Academy.
Everyone resented Ji Mo's good fortune and wished for him to be struck dead by lightning.
The heavenly punishment was not directed at Ji Mo, but at the Duobao Snake.
However, the heavenly lightning was blocked by the mysterious power permeating the courtyard, causing no harm to the Duobao Snake whatsoever.
"I never imagined this courtyard to be so miraculous, capable of dispelling the power of heavenly punishment. If I were to undergo tribulation here in the future, wouldn't I have no worries?"
Ya Zi was extremely excited, feeling that this was its sanctuary and it would never leave, no matter what.
The light emanating from the Duobao Snake grew increasingly intense. In a flash, it transformed into a blurry figure.
The figure gradually became clearer, taking the form of a human.
It was a maiden in her prime, dressed in a green robe, with a graceful figure and a slender waist that could be held in one's hand.
Her features were exceptionally delicate, her skin like snow, her eyes holding a hazy gaze, and her lips curved upwards, revealing a breathtaking smile, unmatched in her elegance.
"I've transformed into human form!"
The Duobao Snake let out a soft voice, her small face showing a hint of surprise.
She had not expected the fortune to be so great; not only had she successfully transformed into human form, but her cultivation had also reached the Demon Emperor realm.
Hearing the terrifying thunder still rumbling overhead, the Duobao Snake revealed a trace of lingering fear and whispered, "It is all thanks to Mr. Ji who saved my life and protected me. From now on, I am Mr. Ji's snake."
Not long after, the dark clouds dispersed, and the heavenly punishment receded.
Song Weixi, her face filled with worry, hurried to check on Ji Mo's condition.
The power of the lightning just now was truly astonishing. She was concerned that Ji Mo might be in trouble, so she rushed to check on him after the heavenly punishment had subsided.
"Hiss..."
Upon arriving at Ji Mo's courtyard, she couldn't help but swallow.
Wasn't this place previously the most barren area in the academy in terms of spiritual energy? How could the spiritual energy be so abundant now that it had condensed into mist?
Here, without deliberate cultivation, spiritual energy automatically entered the body, and cultivation continuously increased. It was truly astonishing.
What puzzled her was that there were no signs of destruction from the heavenly lightning in the vicinity, as if the myriad flashes of lightning had not harmed a single blade of grass or tree here.
Song Weixi walked towards Ji Mo's bedroom, wanting to see his condition and whether he had been injured by the lightning.
Since their intimate encounter in the dragon's lair, she didn't know why, but a trace of concern had inexplicably arisen in her heart.
Pushing open the bedroom door, Song Weixi's body stiffened, and her face instantly turned pale.
Inside the room, a stunningly beautiful maiden lay lazily on the bed.
"You scoundrel! You put on a facade of a refined gentleman who is indifferent to women, but I never expected you to be so depraved inside, keeping a mistress. Judging by her appearance, this young girl should be quite young. You could actually do this to her. And you had the audacity to lecture me about not being demure before? I think you, this lecher, are the one who is not demure, but vulgar!"
Song Weixi's body trembled with anger, and the image of Ji Mo that she had finally built up in her heart instantly collapsed.
Although his strength was unfathomable, his morals were corrupt, and he had secretly harmed an innocent girl.
She had not recognized the Duobao Snake's true form, mistaking her for an innocent student whom Ji Mo had deceived.
"What is your relationship with Ji Mo?"
Song Weixi suppressed her anger, fearing there might be a misunderstanding, and felt she should clarify the matter.
The Duobao Snake looked bewildered. Considering it, she truly had no particular relationship with Ji Mo. She said with some hesitation, "These past few days, I've eaten and slept with Mr. Ji. And with what happened today, from now on, I am Mr. Ji's snake."
Eating together, living together?
Song Weixi's heart skipped a beat. She had overlooked the last word, "snake."
Seeing the Duobao Snake lying lazily on Ji Mo's bed, showing no signs of shyness or hesitation, and hearing about what happened today, she mistakenly believed they had already consummated their relationship, and her heart felt a sharp pang.
"You truly are such a hypocrite."
Song Weixi gritted her teeth, believing she had finally seen Ji Mo's true colors.
She hated herself for being blind and developing feelings for such a person. Angrily, she slammed the door shut and left.
The Duobao Snake was confused, not knowing why Song Weixi was so angry. She stretched lazily, then transformed back into her small green snake form, feeling that it was more comfortable and carefree to interact with Ji Mo in this form.
"Oh, Miss Song, would you like to have dinner together?"
Ji Mo, having finished preparing the meal, emerged from the kitchen and happened to encounter the furious Song Weixi, greeting her warmly.
Hospitality was an inherent excellent tradition of his, so he intended to invite her to share a meal.
"Dream on! I will not eat with someone like you."
Song Weixi's face was covered in frost, and she snorted coldly, "Ji Mo, I specifically came to inform you that Teacher Wu Kong has accused you of stealing his students. The academy has now accepted the case, and you must provide an explanation tomorrow."
Initially, Song Weixi had intended to suppress this matter, but seeing Ji Mo now had ignited her anger, so she changed her mind.
She intended to rescue that female student from Ji Mo's clutches.