BTTH: REBORN AS HALF-SAINT

"You think you can just leave?"

Xie Tianxiao's gaze locked onto Elder Yinshi, his voice cold and emotionless.

Admit defeat? Surrender? If not for the overwhelming difference in power between them—his mastery of Heavenly Flame and his ability to annihilate their so-called immortal Spirit Serpent with a single move—these snake-men would have never accepted defeat so easily.

They would have undoubtedly tried to use Medusa's name to threaten him a few more times.

"If the great Dou Zong has no further matters, we certainly wouldn't dare disturb you any longer."

Elder Yinshi bowed his head low, his voice dripping with forced humility.

"Oh? In that case… just go die."

Xie Tianxiao's lips barely moved as he spoke, but within his eyes, a murderous glint flashed like a blade.

Moments ago, he had considered sparing these Dou Wangs out of respect for Medusa.

But now that he thought about it—why should he, a Half-Saint, hesitate over a few insignificant insects?

What was the point of wasting words?

Just kill them and be done with it!

At that moment, a terrifying pressure began to leak from his body.

Even though he hadn't fully released his aura, the mere hint of it made Yun Yun's heart tighten involuntarily.

"Even though this power isn't directed at me… it's still absolutely terrifying."

Yun Yun took a deep breath, feeling a chill creep up her spine.

She had never doubted that a Dou Zong was a supreme existence, but this… this felt beyond what she had expected.

In fact…

Something about Xie Tianxiao's presence felt eerily familiar—similar to the aura she had sensed on the Jia Ma Empire's borders some time ago, when she suspected a mysterious Dou Zong had appeared.

"Could it be…?"

A thought flashed through her mind.

If Xie Tianxiao was that mysterious Dou Zong, then… why had he come to the Jia Ma Empire?

What was he after?

Her expression turned serious as she glanced at him, her eyes now carrying a hint of wariness.

"Forget it. I'll ask him later."

With a silent sigh, Yun Yun pushed her concerns to the back of her mind.

Regardless of his identity or motives, this wasn't something a mere Dou Huang like her could interfere with.

All she could do was focus on protecting misty cloud Sect—the legacy entrusted to her by her master.

On the ground below—

"What?!"

Elder Yinshi's face changed dramatically.

Just a moment ago, Xie Tianxiao had seemed indifferent, but in the blink of an eye, he had turned hostile.

Why the sudden change?!

But before he could even process what was happening—

That suffocating pressure intensified.

"RUN! HE WANTS TO KILL US!"

Elder Yinshi shouted in panic, spinning on his heel to flee at full speed.

He needed to report this to Queen Medusa—only she could decide how to handle this unstoppable force.

"Serpent Art: Division Escape!"

The remaining Dou Wangs reacted instantly.

Forming rapid hand seals, their bodies shattered into dozens of smaller snakes, scattering in all directions like a living explosion.

This was one of the Snake-People Tribe's signature escape techniques—splitting into multiple snake clones to evade capture!

Unfortunately for them—

"Hah. You think you can leave?"

Xie Tianxiao scoffed.

Without releasing Yun Yun from his hold, his figure flickered, instantly appearing on the ground.

With a single step, he lightly tapped the sand beneath him.

And then—

"RUMBLE—!"

A massive shockwave erupted outward.

The air itself trembled, and an invisible force swept across the desert like a divine decree.

"BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!"

One by one, the escaping snake forms burst apart mid-air, reduced to nothing but ashes before they could even reach safety.

"NOOO—!!"

Their agonized screams vanished into nothingness, leaving behind only silence and dust.

Yun Yun's eyes widened in pure shock.

Her heart pounded furiously.

"What… what kind of terrifying power is this?!"

It wasn't even a visible attack.

No weapon.

No spell.

No technique.

Just a simple step, and the entire battlefield was wiped clean.

Could a Dou Zong really reach such a level?

"This is beyond my comprehension…"

For the first time, she truly grasped the gap between herself and Xie Tianxiao.

This wasn't just a difference in ranks—

It was like the difference between a mortal and a god.

A single breath, and five Dou Wang powerhouses had ceased to exist.

She shivered slightly as the desert wind picked up, whipping at her robes.

"Sect Leader Yun Yun… you seem quite fond of leaning on me."

Xie Tianxiao's voice carried a teasing note as he glanced at her.

It was only then that Yun Yun realized—

She was still leaning against him.

Her face instantly flushed red, and she hurriedly pushed herself away, taking two steps back.

"T-Thank you, Senior, for saving me."

She forced herself to remain composed, though the lingering warmth of his arm around her waist still burned on her skin.

Xie Tianxiao cast a brief glance at her wounded shoulder, where the Spirit Serpent's fangs had torn through her robe, exposing smooth, snow-white skin beneath the bloodied fabric.

"Heal yourself first."

With a flick of his wrist, he retrieved a small pill bottle from his storage ring and tossed it to her.

Yun Yun caught it and frowned slightly.

"Thank you, Senior, but I already have my own healing—wait… is this…?"

Her eyes suddenly widened as she examined the pill.

"A… Seventh-Tier Healing Pill?!"

Even though she wasn't a potion master, as a Dou Huang, she understood its value.

This was a grade of elixir that no alchemist in the Jia Ma Empire could refine!

Not even Gu He, the so-called "Alchemist King," could dream of producing a Seventh-Tier pill.

Even a Dou Zong wouldn't casually hand over something this rare!

"Senior, I… I cannot accept this. You have already saved my life—I cannot ask you to waste such a precious pill on me."

Yun Yun immediately tried to return it.

"It's fine."

Xie Tianxiao's voice was indifferent.

"A mere Seventh-Tier pill isn't rare to me. If I run out, I'll just take more from some unlucky faction."

Yun Yun was stunned silent.

A Seventh-Tier pill… a "mere" pill?

Did this mean he was also… a high-level alchemist?!

"...Very well. Thank you, Senior."

After a moment, she reluctantly accepted the pill.

She knew arguing further would be pointless.

Sitting down cross-legged, she closed her eyes and focused on healing.

Xie Tianxiao, meanwhile, allowed his gaze to wander.

His eyes drifted downward to her exposed shoulder, then a bit lower—

His face flushed slightly.

"Ahem. Truly… an exceptional sight."

With a light cough, he quickly looked away.

Even a Half-Saint wasn't immune to the charms of a woman like Yun Yun.