A young man dressed in a black robe adorned with vibrant orange patterns and milky-white linings stood silently in the sky. His long hair was tied into a high ponytail, secured with a purple hairband and a blue hair ornament intricately shaped like a flaming crown.
His sharp gaze fell upon the massive fortress in the distance. It looked as though it had been carved directly from the mountain itself. The grand front gate, etched with elaborate designs, and the towering walls—forged from incredibly resilient materials—gave it the appearance of a fortress born from nature itself.
Within the fortress, numerous houses lined both sides, also carved into the mountain. At the very center stood a shrine and a large plaza, where the members of the Snake-People tribe gathered to pray and offer their sincerity to the Snake Spirit. These prayers were meant to increase the chances of Queen Medusa successfully evolving.
"I wonder how these prayers actually work…" Xiao Hua crossed his arms, lost in thought.
He knew that faith and prayer had real effects in this novel world. There were at least two clear examples.
Mu Chen once gathered the faith of the people across the Great Thousand World to stop the overwhelming demonic flood unleashed by the Heavenly Evil Monarch, and he ultimately killed him with that power.
Zhou Yuan, too, relied on the prayers of the people to ascend as the Heaven Master of Cangxuan Heaven.
No matter which example he recalled, one thing was certain—faith and prayer truly held power in this universe.
Unfortunately, Sister Azure and Sister Xue Yue weren't around to answer his question, as they had stayed behind in the small valley. To them, the evolution of a Magical Beast wasn't anything special, even if it transformed into an ancient magical beast.
So, they remained in the valley, simply watching over Zi Yan, who was in the midst of her advancement, and guiding Qing Lin with her unique eyes, the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils.
"Anyway, it looks like it'll take some time before she begins her evolution. I might as well focus on my System for now..."
As Xiao Hua spoke, a blue-colored panel appeared, floating in front of him. He glanced at the amount of ACP he had—6,195,030 ACP.
While that number might seem enormous, he knew it wouldn't last. The Sign-In Function and Gacha Event would disappear once he reached the Dou Sheng realm.
Now that he could refine Tier 9 Treasure Medicinal Pills, stepping into the half-step Dou Di realm was only a matter of time—reaching Dou Sheng, which was one realm lower, would be even easier.
He decided to perform 195 Gacha draws, silently praying to Xun Er, his Goddess of Luck, hoping to earn some extra ACP as a reward.
Once the System finished sorting the rewards, he found himself with an abundance of high-class Dou Techniques and Qi Methods of various affinities, rare medicinal ingredients, countless magical beast corpses, and large amounts of valuable treasures.
But despite the impressive haul, there was one thing he didn't receive—the only reward he truly wanted: not a single ACP...
"Looks like I was just lucky last time…" Xiao Hua sighed in disappointment, shaking his head helplessly.
Afterward, he upgraded the ACP Rate twice, raising his passive gain to 180 ACP per hour. Once he saw that only 67,530 ACP remained, he promptly closed the panel.
Lifting his gaze, he noticed a Flying Beast approaching in the distance, carrying several people on its back. The group emitted a mix of strong and weak auras. Among them, two felt familiar—one of which he recognized very well.
"Looks like Gu He has finally arrived… I wonder how he found out that Queen Medusa possesses the Green Lotus Core Flame," Xiao Hua murmured thoughtfully, rubbing his chin.
He had sensed their approach earlier but hadn't bothered to go inside. He was simply curious.
Unlike in the original novel, Queen Medusa didn't forcefully seize the Green Lotus Core Flame, nor was she injured during the process. As a result, she didn't leave behind any traces—such as the seven-colored snake scales—that Gu He could use to track her. By all logic, there should have been no clues for him to follow or suspect that Queen Medusa had obtained it.
That was the reason Xiao Hua had stayed here after sensing them coming here. He was simply curious—how exactly did Gu He come to know about the Heavenly Flame and Queen Medusa's connection to it?
"Queen Medusa, I am Gu He of the Jia Ma Empire! I have not come to start a war with your race—I only wish to discuss something important. Please, reveal yourself!"
As Xiao Hua pondered silently, Gu He and his group arrived at the city. Stepping forward, with Yun Yun standing slightly behind him, Gu He shouted aloud, his voice carried by Dou Qi as it rolled across the entire city like thunder.
The moment his voice echoed through the city, the atmosphere grew tense. Yet, none of the Snake-People made a move to stop him. Clearly, they had chosen to wait for their Queen to appear—knowing they were powerless to act if Gu He's group chose to use force.
But they also believed that, with Queen Medusa's strength, Gu He and his companions would retreat on their own… if they didn't suffer a miserable end first.
Gu He's booming voice continued to reverberate through the city for a while, before it slowly faded into silence.
After the shout faded, silence fell over both the city and its surroundings. Time passed, but still no response came. Gu He frowned slightly at the lack of reaction and was just about to call out again when the air above the city wall began to distort strangely.
Seeing this sudden phenomenon, Gu He's group was visibly startled. Except for Yun Yun, the others instinctively took a cautious step back, their expressions turning serious as they watched the twisting space with wary eyes.
Under the bright sun, golden rays spilled down from the sky, illuminating the distortion, which shimmered with a mesmerizing red glow. In the next moment, a graceful, alluring figure slowly emerged from the rippling space—elegant, seductive, and stunning in every aspect.
"Your Majesty!"
The moment the enchanting woman appeared, all the Snake-People within the city bowed respectfully. Their voices—filled with admiration and deep reverence—rose in unison, echoing across the city like a solemn chant.
As Queen Medusa stood in the air, radiating a mesmerizing and regal presence, Gu He and his companions unconsciously edged closer to the silent Yun Yun. In this place, she was the only one who could stand on equal footing with Queen Medusa, whose fearsome reputation loomed large throughout the Jia Ma Empire.
"You were looking for me?" Queen Medusa's cold gaze settled on Gu He, her crimson lips lifting slightly to form a delicate, narrow smile. In that instant, her already exquisite features were enhanced by an enchanting aura. Her every frown and smile seemed to carry a natural charm, causing the Dou Lings near Gu He to momentarily lose their focus.
Beneath her captivating gaze, Gu He took a deep breath and calmly suppressed the emotions stirring in his heart. Lifting his head, he returned her gaze with a courteous smile.
"Queen Medusa, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Gu He of the Jia Ma Empire. I've heard that Your Majesty have obtained the Green Lotus Core Flame half a year ago."
"From my investigation, I believe Young Master Xiao Hua was the one who gave it to you—likely due to the deep bond between you and the purple-clothed girl who is always by his side."
He paused briefly, watching Queen Medusa for any reaction. However, she remained impassive and unimpressed.
She had already anticipated that Gu He might come seeking the Heavenly Flame. With his sharp senses, it was impossible to completely mask the scent of the Green Lotus Core Flame on her from him—especially after their last encounter, when they had jointly observed Xiao Hua battling two Honourable Elders.
Naturally, she showed no emotion. Her expression remained calm and unreadable, as she patiently waited, intending to stall the two until the ritual could begin.
At that moment, Yun Yun shot a glance at Gu He, a glint of impatience flashing in her eyes. Gu He noticed it and felt a wave of embarrassment.
He understood well—this was enemy territory, and lingering too long could worsen their situation. And before them stood a fearsome Queen, whose reputation alone demanded caution, even from someone like him.
Knowing this, he stopped beating around the bush and continued directly.
"Your Majesty surely understands the importance of Heavenly Flames to an alchemist. In my pursuit of one, I've traveled across countless strange and perilous places within the Jia Ma Empire… But with the cold blood of the Snake-People, the Heavenly Flame won't bring you much benefit."
"Therefore, I am willing to offer pills of equal value in exchange for the Heavenly Flame currently in your possession."
Queen Medusa raised an eyebrow, a mocking glint in her eyes. "Pill King Gu He… I'm quite impressed that you managed to invite a Dou Huang to accompany you. Though your reputation has long been eclipsed by Xiao Hua's, it seems there are still those willing to curry favor on your behalf."
She recalled clearly the last time she saw him—the way Gu He's gaze had lingered on Yun Yun, filled with infatuation… and how his expression had darkened with frustration and irritation upon seeing Yun Yun smiling warmly at Xiao Hua.
Naturally, she now used that memory to strike at his heart. And it worked. Though Gu He maintained a composed facade, faint ripples of envy and frustration stirred within him. He dared not reveal them—especially not in front of Yun Yun.
Others might have missed it, but Queen Medusa's sharp eyes caught it clearly. She snorted inwardly with disdain before continuing in an intrigued, almost playful tone.
"I'm truly curious—what could you possibly offer that's equal in value to a Heavenly Flame? As an alchemist, you should understand its worth even more clearly than I do."
Gu He's expression brightened, thinking he had piqued her interest in an exchange. He said confidently, "I am willing to offer two Tier Six Fighting Spirit Pills and one Tier Seven Body Transformation Pill in exchange for the Heavenly Flame."
"I wonder if that is enough for Your Majesty to grant my request." He cupped his hands and smiled, convinced that the offer was generous enough to be accepted.
Even for him, offering those pills was a significant loss. But for the sake of obtaining a Heavenly Flame, he believed it was a sacrifice worth making.
The moment Gu He's words left his mouth, the expressions of those in his group shifted dramatically. Their eyes widened in shock as they stared at him in disbelief. Even Yun Yun, standing quietly at his side, tilted her head slightly, a dumbfounded gaze flashing from beneath her calm exterior.
Clearly, none of them had expected Gu He to make such a generous offer for the Heavenly Flame. Not even Yun Yun—Sect Leader of the Misty Cloud Sect to which Gu He belonged—had anticipated such a generous proposal.
In the sky above, Queen Medusa remained silent for a long while, her figure bathed in sunlight as countless gazes fixated on her. Finally, she let out a soft sigh, her alluring red lips pursing slightly. She looked at Gu He, her beautiful eyes carrying a trace of regret.
In a gentle yet resolute tone, she spoke. "I must admit, your offer is indeed tempting... but…"
"Unfortunately, I cannot exchange the Heavenly Flame."
Upon hearing Queen Medusa's firm rejection, many were left stunned. While the Heavenly Flame was undeniably powerful, it shouldn't have held much appeal for the Snake-People race.
After all, a wild and devastating force like the Heavenly Flame was the natural enemy of their cold-blooded constitution—like fire to ice.
While confusion spread among Gu He's party, the reaction was starkly different among two elder Snake-People within the city. From Her Majesty's refusal, they understood exactly what she intended.
"As expected…Her Majesty truly plans to go through with the ritual, Yin Shi," a mature Snake-Woman whispered softly, a faint sigh slipping from her lips. Her gaze was filled with worry as she turned to the old Snake-Man beside her, who holding on a wooden cane.
"She must know that, even with all the prayers being offered, it only barely increases the already minuscule chance of success…" she murmured, biting her lower lip in frustration.
Yin Shi shook his head, his expression heavy. His voice was low and bitter.
"It cannot be helped. Her Majesty has remained at the peak of the Dou Huang realm for far too long. Though she may appear calm, I know deep down she longs for more power. If she can reach the Dou Zong realm, the strength of our Snake-People race will rise with her."
"Perhaps then, we won't have to remain trapped in this endless desert. We've adapted to it over countless years… but this barren land is not where our people truly belong. Our blood may be cold, but we yearn for more than survival."
Yue Mei could only offer a faint smile, laced with both resignation and concern. She lifted her gaze, her bitterly curved lips trembling slightly as her eyes turned toward Queen Medusa, who floated imposingly above.
Naturally, the one most shaken by the refusal was Gu He. He had never imagined that Queen Medusa would outright reject such a tempting offer.
"Why? As the Queen of the Snake-People, you should understand better than anyone just how precious a Body Transformation Pill is!" he said, his voice tinged with disbelief.
But before he could finish, Queen Medusa's cold voice cut him off sharply. "Are you… questioning me?"
Her icy gaze pierced through him like a blade. Gu He's eyes trembled as the force behind her words made his heart clench. Under that chilling pressure, he finally regained a shred of rationality. Hesitation flickered across his face, and he dared not utter another word.
Seeing his silence, Queen Medusa turned her back on him. Her voice, now colder than before, echoed through the sky:
"Before I lose my patience… return to where you came from."
Just as the Snake-People and the others thought the matter would end peacefully, Yun Yun suddenly moved. She stepped forward slowly, her cool and calm voice breaking the silence.
"I once came across an ancient text that mentioned the Queen of the Snake-People. It stated that when Queen Medusa reaches the peak of the Dou Huang realm, she can undergo a mysterious evolution—if fortune is on her side."
She paused briefly, her gaze fixed on Queen Medusa. "Not only would this evolution allow her to freely transform into a human form, but it would also raise her strength to the Dou Zong realm."
As she drew closer, Yun Yun stood beside Queen Medusa. Tilting her head slightly, she continued in a composed yet probing tone, "And the most crucial requirement for this evolution… is a Heavenly Flame."
At those words, a flicker of change passed through Queen Medusa's expression. Her alluring eyes sharpened as they locked onto Yun Yun, whose presence now radiated a chilling pressure. With a soft voice laced in frost, Queen Medusa replied, "I didn't expect you to know such things. That truly surprises me."
"But that's not all," Yun Yun added, raising her hand gracefully and studying it as if inspecting something trivial. Her voice remained casual, but there was a dangerous undertone in her words. "I also know… that the one standing before us now is merely a body of condensed energy—with only a trace of the Queen's consciousness."
The moment she finished speaking, Yun Yun suddenly acted. Her jade-white hand shot forward, gently tapping Queen Medusa's shoulder in a motion that seemed slow—yet moved with lightning speed.
Queen Medusa turned her head, ready to react—but realizing she was a fraction too late, she merely cast a cold, piercing glare at Yun Yun. The moment Yun Yun's hand made contact with her shoulder, wisps of red smoke began to rise from Queen Medusa's body, gradually dissipating into the air.
"I suppose Her Majesty's true body must not be disturbed at this time, hmm?" Yun Yun said with a faint smile, her voice light but sharp. "Otherwise, you wouldn't have allowed us to act so boldly. What a convenient opportunity…"
She gazed calmly at the slowly fading figure of Queen Medusa, who remained poised and composed despite her form dissipating.
Just before she vanished completely, Queen Medusa looked at Yun Yun with a leisurely gaze, then spoke in a quiet, unhurried voice—free of panic, as though everything was unfolding as planned.
"Yue Mei, activate the token."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
At her command, a flicker of light appeared in Yue Mei's hand, revealing a beautiful crimson token appeared out of thin air, glowing with a gentle radiance. The surface shimmered with delicate rose-pink patterns, like blooming petals etched in jade, making the token look as exquisite as a piece of expensive craftmanship.
At the very front of the token, a five-colored finger was carved, pointing downward in a majestic and imposing manner. Though the aura it emitted was faint, it carried an overwhelming sense of power. On the back of the token, a single word was etched in elegant script: 'Chaos.'
Yun Yun's eyes trembled the moment she saw the token. She had seen it once before—back when her strength had been sealed in the cave.
It was the very same token Xiao Hua had revealed to her.
According to him, the token had the ability to store a single powerful technique—be it an attack, defense, or seal—and could unleash it upon being crushed.
"It seems Sect Leader Yun recognizes this token," Yue Mei said with a mocking smile, clearly pleased as she noticed the change in Yun Yun's expression.
"Gu He! Withdraw immediately! Retreat as fast as you can!" Yun Yun suddenly shouted, her voice sharp with urgency as she dashed toward Yue Mei in a desperate attempt to stop her from activating the token.
Gu He and the others were caught off guard. None of them understood why Yun Yun—who was usually calm and composed—had suddenly become so panicked and alarmed. But even in their confusion, not a single one hesitated. They turned and quickly retreated far from the area, sensing the danger was real.
Whatever it was, it was dangerous enough to make even someone like Yun Yun act in a state of visible panic. No one was foolish enough to remain in the city after witnessing that.
As for Yun Yun, the moment she saw the five-colored finger shimmering brilliantly on the token, she understood exactly what was sealed within it. That technique—the one responsible for leaving a massive crater in the Tager Desert just a few months ago—was something she absolutely couldn't allow to be unleashed.
Unfortunately, she was a second too late.
With no hesitation, Yue Mei crushed the crimson token.
Boom!
Instantly, the surrounding space trembled violently, as if heralding the arrival of some destructive force. The energy of heaven and earth surged in chaos, becoming wild and uncontrollable, while an overwhelming pressure descended upon the city and within fifty meters radius away from the city, filling the air with the aura of destruction.
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