Medusa had already anticipated the Great Elder's reaction. "The recent changes in the Snake-People Tribe," she said calmly, "must have already been noticed by you elders. This is simply the price required for evolution."
As she spoke, a rare blush appeared upon her stunningly beautiful face. In truth, even she had not expected things to develop this far.
Xiao Yan… Medusa's slender fingers lightly twisted together as her faint purple eyes reflected a complex mixture of emotion.
At first, she had thought everything between them was nothing more than a wager. Yet the more time she spent with Xiao Yan, the more she found herself thinking of him in a way she could not dismiss.
The Great Elder's turbid old eyes blinked softly. She and the other elders were the final trump cards of the Snake-People Tribe, rarely interfering in tribal affairs, spending most of their time secluded in cultivation.
However, the recent heavenly phenomenon that had swept through the tribe was simply too great to ignore. Even from deep within the tribe's territory, they could not avoid noticing it.
That human?! The Great Elder felt a wave of shock in her heart. That black-robed youth was far too young—and yet he had managed to have such an… intimate connection with their Queen.
The Great Elder slowly asked, "Your Majesty, what are your plans?"
"Plans? Evolution has already been completed—what else is there to do?" A deeper shade of red bloomed on Medusa's flawless cheeks.
It had only been twice… yet she had needed to rest and recover for so long afterward. There was absolutely no way she would let Xiao Yan do it a third time.
"It seems Your Majesty does not yet know," the Great Elder said evenly, her voice calm as still water.
The Second Elder, seated beside her, nodded lightly. "It is not surprising. During the baptism ritual, through the secret method, I sensed an extremely faint trace of life force… It resembles the early signs of pregnancy."
Her words struck like a thunderclap in Medusa's ears.
Even someone as strong-willed as Medusa fell completely dumbfounded.
"What?!" Her rosy lips parted slightly, her slender white throat trembled as she instinctively reached a delicate hand to her still-flat abdomen. "A… child…"
She—who could slay enemies without a blink—now stood frozen like a panicked girl, completely unsure of what to do.
It had only been a few days… How could it happen so quickly?!
The Great Elder continued, "Whether this faint life force truly signifies pregnancy, it is too early to confirm. It requires more time to be certain. But if it is indeed true…"
As she spoke, a flush of excitement crept across the Great Elder's wrinkled face, her eyes glimmering. "Then the Snake-People Tribe will once again have a descendant of Medusa's bloodline! This would be a monumental event for our entire race!"
The Queen had always been proud and aloof, and the elders had long been troubled about the continuation of their bloodline. Now, this long-standing problem had seemingly resolved itself.
Hearing that even the Great Elder was uncertain, Medusa let out a long sigh of relief. Perhaps… this was all just an accident. It was Xiao Yan's fault—he had done too much.
"Whether it is true or not, Your Majesty must be cautious," the Great Elder said gravely. "In time, the truth will reveal itself naturally."
She continued, "Furthermore, the reason the Medusa bloodline is so powerful is because, even while the child is still within the mother's womb, it is nourished with rare spiritual elixirs. This ensures that once the child is born, its potential and strength will both be extraordinary."
The Second Elder added, "Also, that human must be informed. I hear he is an alchemist. The secret medicinal formula of the Snake-People Tribe should be refined by him."
"Xiao Yan…" Medusa lowered her head slightly, her expression uncertain. She wasn't sure how Xiao Yan would react—given how things had unfolded so suddenly, it would be difficult to know how to bring it up.
After a brief silence, she said softly, "He intends to enter secluded cultivation for some time. When he next comes to the Snake-People Tribe, I will tell him then."
Seeing their Queen's rare display of hesitation, the Great Elder smiled faintly. "As long as that Xiao Yan still dares to come to the Snake-People Tribe, that is good enough."
The Snake-People's situation was unique; finding an alchemist capable of refining high-grade elixirs for them always came at great cost.If they had one readily available, it would save them much effort.
Moreover, this would greatly enhance the potential of the next generation. Perhaps they might even succeed in producing the legendary secret pill that had eluded the tribe for ages—the Heavenly Soul Blood Fusion Pill.
It was said that recently in the Jia Ma Empire, a renowned alchemist had appeared—Dan King Gu He—who had become a sixth-tier alchemist in his middle years.
However, compared to Xiao Yan, Dan King Gu He still fell far short. Alchemists of Xiao Yan's caliber were extremely rare.
The Great Elder's thoughts lingered on Dan King Gu He—who, after countless trials, had finally returned to the Yunlan Sect.
Grievously wounded, he had spent a long period in recovery, and only now had barely regained his spirit.
Yet though the body could heal, the wound in his heart was far deeper—an invisible scar that no medicine could ever erase.
Even the most miraculous elixirs in the world could not cure that pain.
"I thought I said I didn't want to be disturbed?" came a cold, harsh voice from within the room.
Yun Shan ignored it and slowly pushed open the door. A strong scent of alcohol hit him immediately.
Inside sat a disheveled man, hair unkempt, looking more like a beggar from the streets of Jia Ma Holy City than the once-glorious Dan King Gu He.
Seeing the visitor, Gu He's clouded eyes flickered with a bit of light. "Old Sect Leader…"
"Gu He, look at yourself," Yun Shan said sternly. "Is this the man once known across the Jia Ma Empire as the Dan King? Even Yun Yun wouldn't like to see you like this!"
"Yun Yun…" Gu He muttered softly, the scene from that fateful day replaying in his mind.
To be defeated effortlessly by a mere youth before the woman he adored—it made his entire life's accomplishments feel meaningless.
"So what if I was once the Dan King? In the end, she still—"
"Still what?" Yun Shan suddenly appeared before him, his aura flaring. "If you wish to change everything, then become stronger!"
"Old Sect Leader, I…" Gu He hesitated. Of course he wanted to grow stronger—to reclaim his pride, to fight for the woman he loved, just as he had once destroyed the Chek Family with ease and fulfilled his desires.
But he was Dan King Gu He—his cultivation techniques and Dou Skills were among the best in the Jia Ma Empire, his pills were masterpieces of his own making—and yet his strength… still fell short.
Yun Yun was the Sect Leader of the Yunlan Sect. Though Gu He had many connections, who would dare raise a hand against Yunlan Sect itself?
"Take this." Yun Shan snorted lightly and flicked his finger. A black scroll appeared before Gu He. "This is a special cultivation secret art—it can accelerate one's cultivation speed. All members of the Yunlan Sect now practice it, and the results have been remarkable."
"Secret art!" Gu He's eyes flared with renewed vigor as he accepted the scroll. "Yun Yun… wait for me."
Yun Shan nodded slightly in satisfaction. This secret art did not originate from the Yunlan Sect—it came from the Soul Hall. Once Gu He began cultivating it, he would undoubtedly undergo great change.
Though the Xiao Clan and Xiao Yan were growing stronger by the day, Yun Shan knew well—the Soul Hall was even more powerful.
Two tigers could not share one mountain; it was yet to be seen which would prevail in the end.
Dan King Gu He was a capable alchemist. Helping him become stronger was, in the long run, not a bad thing.
End of Chapter)
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