38. Chapter 38: Serpent Empress Ji Yan

The girl in purple within the cavern immediately ceased cultivating and rose to her feet, alert.

Her flawless cheeks were covered in heavy makeup, revealing an enchanting and coquettish beauty beyond reproach. Delicate golden ornaments were woven through her raven-black hair, lending her an air of extraordinary splendor. Her pair of bright, beastlike eyes fixed intently on the cave entrance, radiating an undisguised bloodlust, while her graceful figure beneath the purple robes embodied the very height of妖艳.

This girl in purple was none other than the Snake Empress, Ji Yan.

Ji Yan took a step forward and peered outside carefully. There truly was a human squirming about near the cave entrance, apparently unsure of what he was doing. A trace of curiosity stirred in her heart.

“A human?” Ji Yan flicked out her slender, forked tongue and rolled her dark eyes. “How would a human dare come to a place like this?”

She remained puzzled for a moment before her gaze drifted toward a stone pillar beside her. At its center hovered a primordial core, radiating an intense green light, while lightning coiled around it. The sight alone was enough to make anyone shudder.

Although the sudden appearance of a human left her utterly bewildered, her curiosity still overpowered her doubts. Ji Yan let out a wicked chuckle.

“Since you’ve delivered yourself to my doorstep, this Snake Empress might as well have some fun with you!”

Muttering to herself, Ji Yan prepared to leave the cave. But just as she took her first step outside, she sensed that something was amiss. She stopped and examined her clothing, then clicked her tongue and murmured, “Honestly, I nearly forgot what I look like. Wouldn’t I scare him to death dressed like this?”

As she spoke, Ji Yan recited an incantation and spun around. With a sharp swish, her heavy makeup faded considerably, and her garments changed to a pale violet. Her entire appearance became far more similar to that of an ordinary human.

Meanwhile, the bandit chief stood timidly by himself near the entrance to the Snake King’s Cave, his legs trembling nonstop. Although Ming Xi had made him take the antidote, still... still...

While the bandit chief wrestled with his thoughts, a melodious voice suddenly drifted toward him.

“Well now, young sir, what are you doing all alone in these desolate mountains?”

The bandit chief turned his head and saw an alluring woman walking toward him. Violet robes draped over her body, while beneath her slender, jade-white neck lay a glimpse of creamy, snow-white cleavage, half concealed and half revealed. Her long, smooth, shapely legs were bare, and an evil, bewitching smile curved across her lips, as though she meant to steal his very soul.

Good heavens!

The bandit chief had roamed these mountains for many years, yet he had never seen a woman like this. How could such a breathtaking beauty exist in these mountains?

Blood immediately gushed from his nose. He hurried forward and asked, “Miss, miss, how did you come to be alone in this wilderness?”

“Well... sigh... I originally came up the mountain to gather herbs with my grandfather, but we were separated by accident. Now I have no idea where he is, and I’m terribly frightened all by myself...”

“Oh, you poor thing...” The bandit chief stepped closer and patted her, then lecherously took her hand. “My, miss, why are your hands so cold? Are you freezing?”

“Yes, it’s terribly cold in these mountains...”

“Then come here quickly. Let me warm them for you.”

From behind the cave, Ming Xi poked out his head and clicked his tongue. Just as he had expected, that lustful fellow could never reform. He even dared to flirt with the Snake Empress!

Had he forgotten that this was the Snake Empress’s territory? How could there possibly be an ordinary human here? The enchanting woman standing before him was...

She was the Snake Empress herself!

Tsk, tsk, tsk. When someone truly wanted to die, no one could stop them.

“Miss, miss, what’s your name?”

“My name is Ji Yan.”

“Ji Yan? What a lovely name!”

Lovely? Ming Xi was speechless. What was so lovely about that name? It plainly reminded her of a stye.

But then again... how had the Snake Empress, Ji Yan, left her cave so easily? Could it be that she intended to... to...

This was bad!