"Did Queen Medusa crush the Profound Chaos Token?" Xiao Hua raised his head, his voice filled with shock.
While Gu He and the others were negotiating with Queen Medusa, and everyone's attention was focused on that area, Xiao Hua quietly slipped into the enormous shrine without anyone noticing.
Unlike Gu He and the rest, he possessed the Primordial Green Lotus Core Flame within him. Guided by the reaction of the Heavenly Flame, it wasn't difficult for him to sense its presence and approach the Green Lotus Core Flame.
However, just as he continued walking forward, the space around him suddenly trembled, followed by a violent fluctuation of heaven and earth's energy. In that instant, he realized—Queen Medusa had crushed the Profound Chaos Token.
As a bearer of the token, he could naturally sense when it was activated—and what kind it was.
"It seems Queen Medusa entrusted the token to one of her subordinates who will arrive soon…" Xiao Hua's sharp gaze narrowed as he spotted a beautiful snake-woman surrounded by five-colored energy.
He recognized her instantly and understood the situation at once. He had assumed that after Yun Yun destroyed Queen Medusa, the enraged Snake-People would retaliate. However, he hadn't expected Queen Medusa to be so decisive in her actions.
'No wonder people call her terrifying… Her methods for dealing with enemies are truly ruthless and resolute…'
Even so, he wasn't concerned about Yun Yun's safety. After all, he had carefully embedded a spiritual imprint when storing the Dou Technique—it would not harm her. As for the others, they merely needed to stay close to Yun Yun. Though they might suffer serious injuries, they would not die.
It wasn't that he didn't want to help—there simply wasn't a compelling reason to. Besides, staying out of it would spare him from being placed in an awkward position if they were forced to retreat from the sacred city of the Snake-People.
…
As Xiao Hua made his way through the shrine, Queen Medusa emerged from a dark-green lake and moved toward a small island. Her long snake tail glided forward, swaying gracefully with an enticing charm as she passed along narrow, winding paths.
Before long, she arrived at a round, open area where smooth pebbles were scattered across the ground. These pebbles were slightly sunken, forming a natural basin that held a pool of crystal-clear liquid at the center of the island.
A thick mist of white fog hovered over the surface of the pond, and even from a distance, one could feel the bone-chilling cold radiating from it.
Surrounding the pond were clusters of translucent, blue-hued crystals that sparkled brilliantly under the light. At the very center of the small pond, a lotus-shaped seat floated silently. Upon it, a cluster of green flames gently flickered and soared—an awe-inspiring sight of power and serenity.
She gazed at the lotus seat in silence for a moment before slowly raising her arm. In response to her gesture, the lotus seat began to rise, unfolding like a blooming flower. From within, a beautiful turquoise flame emerged, gradually agglomerated into an eight-petaled lotus.
"The Green Lotus Core Flame takes ten years to awaken, a hundred years to take form, and a thousand years to bloom."
Queen Medusa murmured inwardly, her eyes fixed in quiet contemplation on the elegant flame that had been entrusted to her.
As the turquoise flame fully revealed itself and solidified into a blazing lotus, a powerful yet steady aura spread throughout the chamber—extremely hot and destructive.
Under this cluster of intense flame, the small pond began evaporating at a rate that was visible to the naked eye.
"A thousand years have passed... Just as our clan has endured a thousand years in this harsh desert,"
She thought solemnly, her expression shadowed by reflection. A lingering melancholy flickered in her gaze as memories surfaced—of countless retreats, of oppression, and of the unyielding sun that had scorched the lives of her people in this desolate land.
…
Continuing deeper into the dimly lit hallway at a leisurely pace, a massive circular chamber gradually came into view.
Xiao Hua knew that within this chamber, certain tiles were rigged to activate traps when stepped on. While these traps wouldn't affect him, they could alert the Snakemen guards to his presence.
The tiles engraved with golden runes were the triggers, so he carefully navigated around them, avoiding each one. Eventually, he came to a stop at the center of the chamber, standing atop a circular platform adorned with golden patterns and intricate linings.
He slowly raised his foot and lightly stomped, creating a small hole just large enough for him to fit through. Without hesitation, he jumped down, falling nearly fifty meters before landing steadily on the ground. Thanks to the toughness of his body, he didn't need to worry about injuries despite the sharp drop.
Straightening his posture, his gaze swept across the surroundings. He found himself in the midst of a forest of dead trees. From their appearance, they didn't seem to have simply withered—they looked corroded, as if eaten away by some invisible force.
This place was under a flight-restriction seal, leaving him no choice but to proceed on foot. As he ventured deeper into the eerie forest, he eventually arrived at a small, dark-green lake that shimmered with a faint transparency.
At the center of the lake stood a tiny island. The water around it sparkled quietly, yet there was no bridge or path leading across. A faint, dark-green mist hovered above the surface, giving the lake an oddly enchanting, yet ominous feel.
Though it appeared beautiful, the lake was highly corrosive. Even a brief touch could severely injure a Dou Wang.
To him, this was merely a minor obstacle. He stepped onto the surface of the water, coating his feet with Dou Qi, and calmly walked forward. His movements were so light that not even the faintest ripple appeared, and the huge snake swimming in the lake remained unaware of his presence.
...
Queen Medusa gathered the surrounding energy, compressing it into a round sphere before sending it toward the ceiling. As it ascended, it halted a few meters below the top.
A faint glow flickered across its surface before the sphere dispersed, expanding outward to envelop the entire small island in a clear, translucent blue barrier.
With the barrier in place, Queen Medusa turned her gaze back to the Green Lotus Core Flame. Her eyes calm but unwavering, she spoke in a resolute voice, "If I die a martyr's death… you shall remain here, undisturbed for eternity."
She spared no thought for the humans outside. She knew full well—they would flee the moment Yue Mei shattered the token. Even she, despite her strength, would be forced into a miserable retreat if caught in the face of such an overwhelming strike.
Just as she was about to continue, something stirred within her senses. She turned around, extending her spiritual perception toward the lake.
Through her spiritual sense, she saw a striking black-robed young man walking calmly across the surface of the dark-green lake—completely unaffected and unbothered by its corrosive nature.
"It's him…? Is Zi Yan with him as well?"
Her eyes trembled in surprise at the sight of the young man. She had never expected him to appear here. Her gaze swept the area, searching for a small, purple-clothed figure—but she saw no sign of the little girl. Her lips curled into a faint, downcast smile.
She had truly wished to see her again. But she also knew that, the last time they met, Zi Yan had been preparing for a breakthrough. That little girl's cheerful and caring nature had always been uplifting, and Queen Medusa had no doubt that she would have rushed here upon learning of her evolution.
Whether she would succeed or not, no one could say. And that uncertainty left a lingering weight in Queen Medusa's heart. It was precisely because of that doubt—because of that silent fear—that she had hoped to see Zi Yan again, to feel that infectious joy that could so easily lift her spirits.
Taking a slow breath, she gently shook her head and calmed her thoughts. Her gaze returned to the turquoise-colored flame, as if silently waiting for her guest to arrive.
…
As he continued, Xiao Hua suddenly sensed that Queen Medusa had noticed him—she had seen him walking atop the lake. Knowing that stealth was no longer necessary, his figure blurred, and in the next instant, he appeared directly at the center of the island.
He stood a short distance from Queen Medusa, his eyes quietly observing her. For the first time, he saw a rare trace of hesitation and melancholy on her face.
Looking at her lonely, fragile back, it causes one's heart stirred with the sudden urge to embrace her gently even him.
A soft sigh escaped his lips—barely audible—as he dismissed the thought as quickly as it came, forcing himself to calm down.
He truly wished he could promise to help her reach the Dou Zong level, to do everything within his power for her. But he couldn't. He had already made that offer once, during their negotiation at the magma crypt—and she had firmly refused.
'Her stubbornness is no less than Xun Er's…' Xiao Hua smiled helplessly at the thought, reflecting on the similarities between the proud queen before him and his future wife.
"I take it Zi Yan is in the middle of advancing…?" Queen Medusa suddenly asked.
"She is," Xiao Hua replied with a smile, though slightly startled by the question. "She'll probably want to see you once she wakes up—just to proudly tell Your Majesty she's advanced."
He understood what Queen Medusa was doing. She wasn't just making conversation—she was steadying her heart. And he didn't mind playing along if it could ease her unease.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips, softening her usually cold and regal face. She cast a brief glance at Xiao Hua, her gaze filled with subtle gratitude. She could feel the weight in her chest slowly lifting.
'Somehow… knowing someone will witness this moment eases my heart. And strangely, I'm glad that person is him.'
Queen Medusa lowered her head, thoughts stirring quietly as she looked at the young man who stood behind her, silently offering warmth with just a gentle smile.
Then, she raised her head. The smile vanished, and the hesitation in her gaze was replaced by unwavering determination. Slowly, she lifted her snow-white hand, her eyes never leaving her palm.
"Even if I fail to swallow the Heavenly Flame and die because of it… I will prove that I am worthy of being the Queen of the Snakemen," she said softly, her voice steady and filled with iron resolve.
Xiao Hua said nothing—but in his silence, there was more support than any words could offer.
Xiao Hua truly believed that Queen Medusa was the right ruler for the Snake-People in this era. She was willing to sacrifice herself—her freedom, her very life—for the sake of her people, so they could one day escape the scorching desert and find a better future.
Right after declaring her resolve, Queen Medusa raised one hand and used a sharp nail from the other to cut her snow-white wrist. A brilliant crimson light flashed the moment blood was drawn, and a surge of powerful red energy wrapped around her arm as the entire chamber trembled violently.
Turning her hand over, she allowed a drop of her golden blood essence to fall. The moment it touched the ground, molten gold in color, glowing vein-like lines spread outward from the point of contact, forming an intricate pattern across the platform.
"I cannot hesitate any longer. Snake Spirit, bless me—please!" she called out, her voice strong and clear as she lifted her head.
As her words echoed through the chamber, the golden veins pulsed and spread faster, weaving through the floor like living threads. When the spread finally halted, a powerful force surged from her body, rippling through the air.
Xiao Hua stood unmoving, completely unfazed by the rumbling ground or the explosive burst of energy. His eyes remained fixed on her, not even blinking.
"Hngh…" A muffled groan escaped Queen Medusa's lips as she clutched the glowing, crimson-wrapped hand in pain.
"Ahh!"
Her cry rang out as the crimson light blazed even brighter, and another wave of violent force burst forth, shaking the very air around them.
As the blinding light gradually faded, hues of red and purple bathed the entire lake in a glowing radiance. Hovering in the air above the small island, where Queen Medusa had stood moments before, was an enormous serpent—over a hundred feet long—suspended in midair like a divine manifestation.
A moment later, a thunderous roar erupted from the serpent—somewhere between the fierce roar of a lion and the deep growl of a tiger—echoing across the lake.
"So, this is Queen Medusa's original form…" Xiao Hua's eyes calmly swept across the majestic creature. Her serpentine body radiated a fearsome beauty, but what drew his attention most were the four pairs of golden scales atop her head. Unlike ordinary scales, they gleamed with a metallic luster, forming a pattern that resembled a regal crown.
Xiao Hua was not surprised by the transformation. He had read about the unique nature of the Snakemen.
At birth, a secret technique was performed to embed the soul of a snake-type Magical Beast into their bodies. Over time, that beast would fuse with their soul and become one.
When a Snakeman summoned this original form, their strength would rise dramatically—an overwhelming boost that served as their ultimate trump card. However, it came at a steep price: the energy consumption was immense, making it a form they could not call upon lightly.
He let out a faint, helpless smile. "Even in her true form… she wears a crown of gold."
Then his expression turned serious, his eyes sharpening as he focused intently on the scene before him.
"Now begins the real thing… the devouring of the Heavenly Flame."
Xiao Hua watched intently as the enormous purple serpent—Queen Medusa's true form—opened her mouth. Without the slightest hesitation, a golden beam of light burst forth from her maw, streaking toward the cluster of soaring turquoise flames.
The beam struck the Green Lotus Core Flame head-on. In an instant, the turquoise-colored lotus folded its eight petals tightly before flaring them open again, releasing a blinding light and a burst of terrifying power.
The Green Lotus Core Flame had been completely provoked!
Just as it prepared to retaliate, the small island trembled violently. The once-dormant vein-like lines on the platform—molten gold in color—suddenly lit up with brilliance and activated once more, spreading quickly until they reached the edges of the platform.
The Green Lotus Core Flame surged even higher into the air, burning with increasing intensity. Queen Medusa remained still for a moment, her serpentine eyes locked onto the flame. Then, without warning, she spun her massive body in midair and lunged forward, aiming directly for the blazing lotus.
The enormous purple snake sliced through the air with astonishing speed, and the lotus flame moved with equal agility, weaving and spiraling to avoid her. The two forces—one a majestic serpent, the other a Heavenly Flame—clashed and danced in the air, circling each other in a fierce struggle: the snake attempting to devour, and the lotus fiercely resisting.
The fierce struggle continued for some time until, at last, Queen Medusa managed to seize the fiery lotus in her maw. However, just as she attempted to swallow it, the Green Lotus Core Flame erupted with a violent resistance, forcing her to release it with a sharp recoil.
Infuriated, the turquoise lotus flared with rage. Moving like lightning, it launched a barrage of attacks, striking the colossal serpent again and again with wild intensity.
Zhi…! Zhi…!
Each impact sent out a piercing shriek as the strikes landed. The serpent's beautiful seven-colored scales began to fall one after another, torn from her body by the savage onslaught. As the scales scattered through the air, fresh blood spurted from the open wounds.
Yet, before the blood could even hit the ground, it was instantly incinerated by the terrifying heat of the Heavenly Flame. The sheer intensity of its temperature left no room for weakness.
By the end of the exchange, Queen Medusa's massive body was marred with fresh, blood-colored scars—each one a testament to the pain and violence she endured in her attempt to tame the Heavenly Flame.
As the blows continued, multiple parts of Queen Medusa's body were scorched black, the charred scars marring the once-pristine beauty of her radiant scales. Yet, the fiery lotus showed no mercy—it continued its relentless assault, striking her again and again.
Seizing a brief opening in the flame's pattern, she suddenly surged forward and forcibly swallowed it. However, the turquoise flames ignited across several parts of her body almost instantly, setting her ablaze from within.
Roooaaaarrr—!
A moment later, a guttural roar echoed through the air as her colossal form began to descend slowly from the sky.
Bang!
As she slowly descends, a powerful crimson aura erupted from her, spreading outward in violent waves. With a thunderous crash, her massive body struck the ground.
Black smoke curled from her scorched body as her head slowly lowered, her energy visibly fading. Her enormous form lay motionless upon the platform, shrouded in silence.
At that very moment, several floating stones outside the enormous shrine—stones once used to invoke the Snake Spirit's blessing upon Queen Medusa—suddenly plummeted to the ground.
The entire Sacred City fell into a chilling, deathlike silence.
Watching the sacred stones fall, the Snake-People across the city collapsed. Their upper bodies bowed low to the ground as sorrow, disbelief, and despair swept through them like a storm.
"Your Majesty…!" The old snakeman, leaning on his wooden staff, called out in a voice thick with sorrow.
"My Queen…!" Yue Mei stumbled forward, her hand pressing against the ground as she stared at the enormous shrine. Her trembling voice broke the silence.
The falling of the sacred stones signaled one thing—Queen Medusa had failed her evolution and fallen. To the Snake-People, nothing was more devastating than the loss of their beloved queen.
Meanwhile, Yun Yun, who had silently infiltrated the city, saw this as her chance and rushed toward the enormous shrine. Just as she reached the entrance, her steps abruptly halted. She slowly raised her head, her expression solemn as her noble gaze fixed on the darkening sky.
At the same time, the old snakeman stood at the foot of the shrine's stairs, flanked by Yue Mei and a snakeman clad in silver armor. His voice rang out, filled with anguish and disbelief.
"My Queen… why do we, Snakemen Clan, have to go through such an ordeal?" the old Snakeman murmured, now standing on the steps leading to the shrine. Beside him were Yue Mei and a silver-armored Snakeman, both silent in grief.
His voice trembled with despair, each word soaked in the pain of centuries. "It has been a thousand year. We've paid such heavy prices for a thousand years!"
Finally, the old Snakeman slumped to the ground, his strength failing him. His serpentine tail could no longer support his body as he collapsed in overwhelming sorrow.
Yet, just moments later, the ground trembled faintly, followed by the sky churning as it gradually darkened with each passing second. The energy of heaven and earth surged violently, causing the atmosphere to grow heavy with tension.
Sensing the shift, the old Snakeman abruptly lifted his head. Yue Mei and the others did the same, their expressions filled with confusion.
The once bright and clear sky was now shrouded in an ominous gloom. A dense cluster of dark clouds, origin unknown, slowly spread across the heavens.
"This natural phenomenon… Could it be that the ancient records were true?" Yun Yun whispered, amazement and disbelief coloring her voice as she stared upward.
Bang!
A deafening crack of thunder echoed from within the clouds, and streaks of silver lightning leapt across the sky, weaving erratically like a swarm of long, silver serpents.
"When a powerful, ancient Magical Beast is born—or when one advances in strength—it often triggers a natural phenomenon due to the overwhelming surge of uncoordinated energy within its body."
Yun Yun furrowed her brows, causing faint lines to form on her elegant forehead. Her voice carried a deep seriousness that was impossible to conceal.
"However, such legendary Magical Beasts are exceedingly rare. The strongest among them are said to rival even human experts at the Dou Zong or Dou Sheng level. In today's Dou Qi Continent, encounters with these ancient beasts are almost unheard of…"
Her expression darkened with solemnity. If this was truly such a phenomenon, then there could be only one explanation. She stepped aside as a stray bolt of thunder crashed into the earth near her.
"Perhaps... she hasn't failed. She might be gathering the last of her strength—to rise from the ashes!" Yun Yun's gaze swept toward the shrine, a hint of frustration in her eyes.
Without hesitation, she unfurled her Dou Qi wings and swiftly retreated into the sky. The shrine, at this moment, had become the most dangerous place to remain—one strike from those thunderbolts could easily injure a Dou Wang and pose a serious threat even to a Dou Huang.
She flew toward one of the floating stones that had risen during the phenomenon and hovered there, her gaze fixed on the shrine as she silently observed the unfolding scene. However, her retreat had not gone unnoticed—her presence was quickly discovered by the three commanders of the Snake-People.
"The Queen hasn't failed!" the old Snakeman exclaimed, his expression brightening with sudden hope. The joy in his eyes was unmistakable, shining through the wrinkles of his aged face.
Just then, another thunderbolt struck the earth, sending shards of debris flying at lightning speed toward the trio.
Reacting with practiced swiftness, the old Snakeman raised his wooden staff, summoning a protective barrier before them. The flying debris shattered against the shield, harmlessly falling to the ground and shielding both Yue Mei and the armored Snakeman beside her.
As the debris shattered in front of the old Snakeman's barrier, his sharp gaze caught sight of a familiar figure retreating from the shrine.
"It's her again?!"
His startled exclamation drew Yue Mei and the silver-armored Snakeman's attention. Both turned quickly and spotted Yun Yun, standing calmly atop one of the floating stones.
"That woman actually survived that strike…!" Yue Mei's voice trembled with disbelief—she was clearly the most surprised of the three.
She had been informed beforehand that the strike was significantly weaker than its original form, lacking even half the strength it possessed when wielded directly by Xiao Hua. After all, the token simply couldn't contain the full might of such a devastating attack.
But even so, she had clearly sensed the terrifying power in that golden-green finger when she crushed the token. In her judgment, it should've been enough to severely wound—if not incapacitate—anyone who faced it, even if they had combined their strength to resist.
"Calm yourself, Yue Mei," the old Snakeman said gently, understanding her disbelief. "I've heard that she and Xiao Hua are close. Most likely, he gave her some powerful defensive treasure that protected her from the brunt of the strike."
"The proof lies in the fact that she came to the Sacred City alone—not with the entire group," Elder Yin Shi continued, his aged eyes scanning the surroundings and noting the absence of Gu He and the others' auras.
"Besides, she's injured. The wounds may be minor, but they're clear signs that Xiao Hua gave her a protective artifact to shield her from the worst of the attack." His gaze locked onto Yun Yun, quietly sensing her condition.
Though it wasn't the full truth, it was close enough. In reality, Xiao Hua had placed a spiritual imprint on the strike, deliberately weakening it when aimed at Yun Yun. He had no intention of truly harming her.
"…You might be right, Elder Yin Shi." Yue Mei nodded slowly after a moment of thought. She trusted the elder's insight.
If Yun Yun had emerged completely unscathed from that kind of strike, Yue Mei would have begun to question whether Xiao Hua must have done something to it.
But seeing Yun Yun lightly wounded, and with Gu He and the others nowhere in sight, Yin Shi's words made sense. Xiao Hua had likely granted her a powerful defensive artifact, just as he had done for them.
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