"How many materials have you collected?"
Yan Qingshan casually asked after taking the prescription, his spiritual sense immersing itself in the formula, seeking deeper information, which caused Hai Bodong's old face to twitch.
A complete prescription doesn't just contain dosages; it also includes numerous details such as usage, heat control, and techniques. For something as precious as a sixth-grade prescription, one can even perceive some of the creator's insights through spiritual sense, gaining refining experience, making its value extraordinary.
"I'm still missing a Sand's Datura. My cultivation was sealed by Queen Medusa, and I have ice-attribute Dou Qi, so it's easy for her to find me in the Tager Desert. If I'm discovered with my current cultivation, I'm finished."
Hai Bodong grumbled, "And the Sand's Datura is only found deep within the Tager Desert, growing more likely in hotter places. I've been searching in Mo City for years and still haven't found it."
"If you had found someone earlier, you wouldn't have so much trouble," Yan Qingshan said, shaking his head. The Sand's Datura was indeed an extremely valuable medicinal ingredient, but if a Dou Spirit were to make a move, the chances of encountering danger in the Tager Desert were relatively small.
Hai Bodong had excellent map-making skills and a deep understanding of the Tager Desert; the map Xiao Yan used to find the Heavenly Flame was even provided by him. With his cultivation as a Dou Spirit and strength of a Dou King, finding a Dou Spirit to help would be no problem.
If it didn't work once, he could try a few more times; it would always succeed. After all, even the later Xiao Yan managed to sneak one back when he was competing for the Heavenly Flame in the Snake-people Holy City.
Hai Bodong's face darkened further. For so many years, to conceal his secret, he had always acted alone, including collecting medicinal ingredients, never entrusting anyone else. But according to Yan Qingshan, it seemed... it could have worked!
"Give your token to Ya Fei. I'll instruct her to go to the Holy City to handle some matters," Yan Qingshan stated calmly. Hai Bodong hesitated for a moment but still handed over a token that emitted a slight chill.
"Ya Fei, when you reach the Sacred City, go to the Imperial Family..." Yan Qingshan transferred the token to Ya Fei while handing her a jade bottle. Then, he whispered to her for a while near her ear. Ya Fei's eyes went from bewildered to horrified, but finally settled into calm.
"I trust your abilities. Do as you see fit." Yan Qingshan kissed Ya Fei's cheek, then turned to the Yao three brothers beside him and said, "Yao Da, Yao Er, Yao San, you will accompany Miss Ya Fei to the Jia Ma Sacred City, obey her commands, and in times of crisis, prioritize her safety above all else."
"Understood!" The Yao three brothers replied in unison. With them accompanying her to the Sacred City, no third power in the entire Jia Ma Empire, other than the Imperial Family and the Misty Cloud Sect, could threaten Ya Fei's safety.
"I'll take these things for now. Once I find the Sand's Datura and settle everything, I'll naturally bring them to exchange for the other half of the incomplete map," Yan Qingshan said to Hai Bodong after arranging everything. The old fellow would remain in Mo City, and the other half of the incomplete map was also in Mo City.
…
Above the clear sky, the scorching sun hung high, its rays cascading onto the golden desert. The temperature even warped the air; this was the deepest part of the Tager Desert.
"Snake-people Race! Eight Great Tribes! Central Divine Hall!" Yan Qingshan flew with his Dou Qi wings, holding the map provided by Hai Bodong. It contained precise information about the Snake-people Race in the Tager Desert.
The Snake-people Race was primarily composed of numerous tribes, with the Eight Great Tribes and the Central Divine Hall being the core. The chiefs of the Eight Great Tribes held positions second only to Queen Medusa, each possessing at least the cultivation of a Dou King. The Central Divine Hall was Queen Medusa's capital, heavily guarded.
The Divine Hall was the ruling center of the entire Snake-people Race, while the Eight Great Tribes were satellite cities surrounding it. Between the Divine Hall and the Eight Great Tribes, and beyond them, there were also numerous medium and small-sized tribes, collectively forming the vast Snake-people Kingdom.
The core force of the Divine Hall was known as the Medusa Snake Guards, an elite unit that had earned immense renown during the great wars between the Snake-people Race and the surrounding kingdoms of the Tager Desert.
Yan Qingshan's speed was extremely fast, and he was alone. Although the Snake-people Race's patrol units were strict, none were able to discover him. After carefully crossing the defense perimeter of a large tribe, he continued to fly swiftly forward.
On the evening of the second day, a massive city finally appeared faintly at the edge of the horizon. In this vast expanse of yellow sand, the appearance of such a magnificent city was nothing short of a miracle.
On the city walls of the Divine Hall, the Snake-people Race's guards were strict. Among the many defense forces, there were occasionally some snake-people dressed in peculiar attire. These snake-people had cold expressions, standing like pillars on the city wall. Each of them had formidable auras and an aura of iron-blooded killing intent; they were likely the most elite Medusa Snake Guards of the Snake-people Race.
"Who dares to invade my Snake-people Divine Hall?" Yan Qingshan had no intention of stopping, flying directly towards the top of the Divine Hall. This abnormal action naturally aroused vigilance. Even the leaders of the Eight Great Tribes and the elders of the Snake-people Race had to stop a hundred meters away and announce their presence when coming to see the Queen.
A Dou King aura rose from within the city and quickly reached the city wall. This was a female snake-people warrior, her attire and demeanor somewhat similar to those of the Medusa Snake Guards.
"Human, why have you trespassed into our territory without permission? Aren't you trying to provoke a war between the human race and the Snake-people Race? I advise you to return to where you came from!"
"If I'm not mistaken, this elder sister is called Hua She'er!" Yan Qingshan pondered briefly. That old fellow Hai Bodong's understanding of the Snake-people Race was unusually thorough. Yan Qingshan had categorized this information, and now it was time to use it. He quickly found the relevant information in his database.
"Who are you?"
The Snake-people Dou King, Hua She'er, had a beautiful figure and appearance. Her figure wasn't voluptuous but well-proportioned, with a slender waist and a patterned snake tail, exuding a unique wild allure. She was surprised to hear Yan Qingshan call out her name.
Although she was one of the high-ranking Dou Kings of the Snake-people Race, unlike the leaders of the Eight Great Tribes, she constantly guarded the Divine Hall and the Queen, rarely moving outside, let alone having any fame.
"Yan Qingshan, from the Jia Ma Empire, but I suppose elder sister hasn't heard of me," Yan Qingshan replied with a smile. Hua She'er pondered briefly after hearing the name and indeed found no results. She knew all the famous strong practitioners in the Jia Ma Empire, and there seemed to be no one named Yan, not even among the famous Dou Spirits, let alone Dou Kings.
"What business do you have at my Snake-people Divine Hall?!" Yan Qingshan did not show hostility, and Hua She'er did not order an attack. One reason was his youth; a Dou King so young, no one would believe he had no background. Another reason was that he was good-looking and had a good attitude, so he wouldn't be as easily rejected.
Yan Qingshan smiled and spoke again, "May I ask elder sister to report to the Queen? I have presumptuously come here with something I wish to discuss with the Queen. May I request the Queen to appear for a meeting?"
"You wish to see Her Majesty the Queen? I apologize, I cannot convey that request for you."
Hua She'er shook her head, refusing without hesitation, and said softly with a hint of warning, "I advise you to leave as soon as possible. The Snake-people Race and humans have been at war for many years, and many here intensely dislike you humans. I may be in charge here, but others are also arriving."
"Offense taken!"
Yan Qingshan shouted lowly, suddenly flying directly towards Hua She'er. The vigilant Snake-people Race guards immediately shot countless arrows, and Hua She'er also adopted a defensive posture in the first instant.
Countless threads of Azure Silk Sword Qi poured out like a waterfall, instantly deflecting the numerous flying arrows, and Yan Qingshan's figure rapidly approached.
Hua She'er had barely formed any defense before Yan Qingshan got close. A hand on her shoulder instantly deprived her of the power to resist, then he embraced her with his right arm and flew up.
Yan Qingshan, acting with full force, subdued this Snake-people Race Dou King strong practitioner in a single encounter. After holding her in his arms, he whispered some things into her ear, almost cheek to cheek.
From the distant Divine Hall, several auras were rapidly approaching, and subtle spatial ripples stirred on the city wall. The strong practitioners in the Divine Hall had discovered that something was wrong with Hua She'er, and even Queen Medusa, who was on the verge of breaking through to Dou Ancestor, had already arrived.
"Elder sister, I hope you convey my words to the Queen!"
Yan Qingshan laughed loudly as he soared upwards. At the same time, Hua She'er spun and descended, carried by a nimble Dou Qi current, landing precisely on the city wall. Figures with powerful auras arrived. Not far from Hua She'er, a distorted space seemed to reveal a human figure.
Above the sky, the afterglow of the setting sun cascaded down. At the distorted spatial point, a graceful, curvaceous figure slowly appeared under the gaze of countless people.
This beautiful woman was clad in a majestic purple brocade robe. Beneath the robe, her delicate body was full and shapely, like a ripe peach, exuding a faint charm. Her long, dark hair cascaded casually over her fragrant shoulders, reaching down to her slender waist.
Beneath the brocade robe, a section of her purple snake tail was visible. The tail swayed slightly, emitting a wild and enchanting allure that inexplicably made people's bodies feel warm.
This woman, with her almost perfect countenance, was none other than the strong practitioner who had once appeared outside Rock Desert City, and also the supreme leader of the Snake-people Race, a being that caused countless human strong practitioners to be wary: Queen Medusa.
"Your Majesty the Queen!"
After Queen Medusa appeared, a vast crowd of snake-people immediately knelt on the city wall below. Even the many Snake-people Race Dou Kings, including Hua She'er, knelt without hesitation to welcome her, showing her unparalleled status.
"You have great audacity, human!" Queen Medusa's gaze locked onto Yan Qingshan in the sky, ready to strike. The kneeling Hua She'er suddenly bit her lip, stood up, and quickly approached Queen Medusa.
Queen Medusa frowned but, seeing that the disrespectful one was her own Snake Guard leader, did not retaliate. Hua She'er hissed a few words in a low voice, and Queen Medusa's expression changed, the sharpness of the Dou Qi on her jade hand receding somewhat.