The clear sky stretched endlessly, dominated by a blazing sun that hung like a fiery orb, relentlessly scorching the earth below. The desert bore the brunt of its fury, the grains of sand glowing red-hot under the oppressive heat.
Waves of searing air rose from the yellow dunes, distorting the horizon into a shimmering illusion.
Suddenly, a massive golden figure cut through the sky.
Seated atop the giant golden eagle, Gu He surveyed the shifting landscape below before retrieving a sheepskin map from his spatial ring. His fingers traced a marked route, his lips—dry from the desert wind—parting in a low murmur.
"Judging by the map, we're nearing the heart of the Tagore Desert..."
'This damned desert is vast beyond measure. Even with Xiao Jin's speed, it's taken three full days to reach its depths.'
After leaving Stone Desert City with Qing Lin in tow, Gu He had followed the map's guidance toward the desert's core.
However, the desert's unpredictable climate and harsh environment forced him to prioritize safety, especially for Qing Lin's sake.
The girl's frail constitution couldn't endure prolonged high-altitude flight, so every half-day, Gu He would land and proceed on foot.
In the Tagore Desert, two threats loomed largest: the magical beasts lurking beneath the sands and the elusive snake-people. Most travelers dreaded the latter—their mastery of venomous snakes made them deadly ambush predators.
But to Gu He, a Dou Ancestor powerhouse, they were little more than ants. Any foolish enough to attack met swift, merciless ends.
Even with Qing Lin slowing their pace and relying on Hai Bodong's detailed map, three days had passed before they finally arrived at the desert's heart.
Behind Gu He, Qing Lin clung to his robes, her small hands trembling. The howling winds terrified her, and only by pressing close to her teacher could she find solace.
Noticing her pallor, Gu He urged Xiao Jin to slow.
"Hold on a little longer, Qing Lin. We're almost there," he reassured her softly.
As he spoke, his dou qi condensed into a protective barrier around her, shielding her from the buffeting winds.
Sensing his concern, Qing Lin nodded weakly. "I'm fine, Teacher..."
…
Contrary to the endless dunes, the desert's depths held scattered oases—lush sanctuaries that served as homes for the snake-people tribes.
At the edge of one such oasis, several lithe snake-women stood guard, their diamond-shaped pupils scanning the surroundings with lethal focus. Their weapons remained at the ready, poised to strike any intruder.
Their dark, sun-kissed skin and sinuous, alluring figures carried an exotic charm. Among humans, snake-dancers were famed for their hypnotic movements, often leaving male audiences spellbound.
This patrol consisted of four Dou Grandmasters, the rest being seasoned Dou Masters. Their vigilance suggested they were guarding something—or someone.
Nearby, a crystalline lake lay at the oasis's heart, its waters reserved for the elite.
There, a bewitching woman bathed, her crimson hair cascading over porcelain shoulders as water droplets traced the curves of her slender waist before vanishing into the lake.
With a languid motion, she turned, revealing a face of breathtaking allure. Beneath the water's surface, a cyan serpent's tail swayed, exuding wild sensuality.
This was Yue Mei, Mei Snake Tribe—one of the eight great tribes of the snake-people.
As she finished her bath and prepared to dress, her eyes snapped skyward.
A massive golden eagle streaked across the sky, its aura alone sending tremors through her body.
'This pressure… it rivals Her Majesty's!'
Her breath hitched as she spotted the figure riding the eagle.
'A human?'
If this golden beast was his pet, then his strength…
'At least a Nine-Star Dou Emperor. Possibly higher.'
Her blood ran cold.
Then came a realization.
'That direction—the Medusa Temple!'
Without hesitation, Yue Mei dressed and sprinted toward the temple.
…
The next day, the snake-people's sacred city stood cloaked in tension.
Martial law had been declared.
The gates were sealed, guards patrolled the walls, and aerial scouts circled overhead. Every corner bristled with armed warriors, their spears tipped with lethal venom.
"Who the hell dares invade our territory?" a snake-man captain growled, wiping sweat from his brow. "When we catch them, they'll wish for a quick death!"
His subordinates exchanged uneasy glances.
"Captain, why the sudden lockdown?" one asked.
The captain's expression darkened. "There an enemy—one said to rival Her Majesty herself."
Gasps rippled through the ranks.
'Someone as strong as Queen Medusa?'
The implications were dire.
"All eight tribes have been summoned," the captain continued. "The fastest will arrive by nightfall."
He smirked. "But with Her Majesty here, no enemy stands a chance."
As the patrol moved on, a black dot appeared on the horizon, hurtling toward the city.
Alarms blared, arrows nocked—until a thunderous voice rang out: "Mo Ba Si, Leader of the Mo Snake Tribe, requests an audience with Her Majesty!"
…
Inside the temple's lavish hall, Yue Mei reclined wearily, her gaze drifting to the empty throne.
At last, a shadow streaked into the room—a burly snake-man adorned with black serpent tattoos.
"Yue Mei," Mo Ba Si demanded, "what's this about an invader?"
Yue Mei sighed. "A Nine-Star Dou Emperor. With a tier 6 peak beast."
Mo Ba Si stiffened. "Her Majesty's response?"
Yue Mei's voice dropped. "She's awakened the Four Elders."
His face paled.
The Four Elders—each a Nine-Star Dou Emperor—only stirred for existential threats.
"Who is this enemy?" Mo Ba Si hissed.
Yue Mei shook her head. "I dared not approach. But if they've come this far…"
She didn't need to finish.
The snake-people's greatest trial had arrived.
…
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