"This… how is this possible!"
"Queen Medusa has actually broken through to the Dou Zong realm. Could it be that in such a short time, she not only devoured the Heavenly Flame but also successfully survived?"
Gu He murmured to himself, his face filled with disbelief.
Feng Li and Yan Shi also turned ashen the moment they saw Queen Medusa walking through the air.
Although both of them had accepted Gu He's invitation to accompany him to the Snake-People Race Holy City to trade for the Heavenly Flame with Queen Medusa, if they had known earlier that Queen Medusa had already broken through to the Dou Zong realm, even if they had ten times the courage, they wouldn't have dared to make this trip!
Meanwhile, Yun Yun, hidden within the white robe, focused her gaze on the young figure accompanying Queen Medusa in the sky.
Sir Qi Lin!
How could he appear in the Snake-People Race Holy City?
Could it be that Queen Medusa's breakthrough to Dou Zong was actually Sir Qi Lin's doing?
The moment she saw Qi Lin, a guess formed in Yun Yun's mind.
After all, Queen Medusa had been stuck at the peak of Dou Huang for twenty to thirty years without a breakthrough. Why didn't she break through earlier or later, but precisely at this moment?
But if it was with Qi Lin's help, then everything made sense.
She believed Qi Lin possessed such capabilities!
Furthermore, Qi Lin also had the motive!
After all, Yun Yun had already formed some judgment about Qi Lin's character back when he was still in the Yunlan Sect.
He was definitely a philandering man, even though he treated each of his women very well.
And Queen Medusa was renowned for her beauty across several countries surrounding the Tagor Desert, with a temperament and appearance rarely seen in the human world.
Given this, it was not surprising that she could attract Qi Lin!
However, Yun Yun, having guessed the reason, inexplicably felt a hint of melancholy.
Although Queen Medusa was renowned for her beauty, she, as the Sect Master of the Yunlan Sect, didn't seem too bad either.
But clearly, she hadn't gained Qi Lin's favor, otherwise.
Of course, Yun Yun wouldn't humble herself just because Qi Lin had the ability to help her improve her strength.
But not being favored by Qi Lin, didn't that also indicate she wasn't charming enough?
It was well-known that women greatly valued their charm and possessed a certain competitive spirit, and even Yun Yun was no exception.
However, upon thinking of Queen Medusa's peerlessly beautiful face, even Yun Yun had to admit that she was not as good as Queen Medusa.
Besides Yun Yun, Gu He, Feng Li, and Yan Shi also noticed Qi Lin.
Watching him walk through the void, their expressions were equally shocked.
The Snake-People Clan actually had another Dou Zong expert!
No, that's not right. He might not necessarily be a Snake-People Clan Dou Zong, but from his appearance, even if he wasn't a Snake-People Clan Dou Zong, his relationship with the Snake-People Clan was definitely not shallow.
Furthermore, Gu He's heart stirred.
He already didn't believe that Queen Medusa could break through to Dou Zong by means of a Heavenly Flame.
Now, Qi Lin's appearance undoubtedly led him to suspect that Queen Medusa's breakthrough to Dou Zong was inextricably linked to this young man.
It was just that, how could Queen Medusa have convinced this person to help her break through to Dou Zong?
Aside from the Heavenly Flame, Gu He could no longer think of any other bargaining chips the Snake-People Clan might possess.
Above the Snake-People Race Holy City, Queen Medusa's slightly narrow eyes coldly gazed at the four individuals before her, and she said indifferently, "Sirs, you are truly bold. Don't you know that this is the Holy City of my Snake-People Clan?"
"Or perhaps, you wish to die!"
Upon hearing this, Gu He, Feng Li, and Yan Shi's expressions suddenly changed.
The latter two almost turned and fled, but fortunately, reason still triumphed over fear.
Turning to flee now would only make them appear guilty, and it would be a near-certain death.
Gu He took a deep breath, bowed respectfully to Queen Medusa, and spoke with a hint of deference in his tone.
"Please forgive us, Your Majesty!"
After speaking, Gu He pointed to the three people beside him and said, "The reason why the four of us traveled thousands of miles to the Snake-People Race Holy City this time is simply because we heard that Your Majesty obtained a Heavenly Flame near Shimo City, and thus wished to conduct a transaction with Your Majesty.
These three beside me accepted my invitation, which is why they accompanied me here."
Upon hearing Gu He's words, Feng Li and Yan Shi cautiously looked at Queen Medusa.
On the opposite side, Queen Medusa, upon hearing this, gave a cold smile.
"Your information is quite well-informed!"
As soon as these words were spoken, Gu He's eyes lit up, but when his peripheral vision caught sight of Qi Lin, he sighed slightly.
If his suspicions were correct, the Heavenly Flame should have already been given to this person by Queen Medusa.
However, despite thinking this, Gu He was still unwilling to give up.
One could only say that for any Alchemist, a Heavenly Flame was an irresistible temptation.
Therefore, Gu He, with his bold confidence in his skills, continued to address Queen Medusa, "Your Majesty, as far as I know, the Snake-People Clan possesses a cold attribute, rendering the Heavenly Flame useless to you. If Your Majesty is willing, I can exchange two Dou Ling Pills and one Shapeshifting Pill for that Heavenly Flame.
Although you have already broken through to Dou Zong, your clansmen will surely still find the Shapeshifting Pill useful. If cultivated properly, it will undoubtedly lead to another Dou Zong expert in the future.
What do you think?"
Gu He could be said to be extremely sincere, especially when he mentioned trading with a Shapeshifting Pill. Even Feng Li, Yan Shi, and Yun Yun beside him were shocked.
After all, the Shapeshifting Pill was a high-grade Tier 7 medicinal pill. A pill of this grade had not been seen in the Gama Empire for a hundred years, and even Gu He himself was only a Tier 6 Alchemist.
Queen Medusa's gaze towards Gu He also flashed with a hint of surprise. She likewise hadn't expected Gu He to be able to produce a Shapeshifting Pill.
If not for Qi Lin, and if she had indeed broken through to Dou Zong, perhaps she would have taken out the Heavenly Flame to make this trade with Gu He.
But now, the Blue Lotus Earth Core Flame had already been promised to Qi Lin, so naturally, she could not trade it with Gu He.
"No, it's not possible. The Heavenly Flame has already been promised to another by this Queen. You all should leave quickly. If this Queen learns that you are causing trouble in the Snake-People Clan, then don't blame this Queen for hunting you down to the ends of the earth!" Queen Medusa said indifferently.
Upon hearing this, Gu He's expression turned Gloomy.
Feng Li and Yan Shi both breathed a sigh of relief, glad that this trip had been eventful but ultimately safe.
Just as Gu He was about to take his leave, Qi Lin suddenly spoke with a smile.
"Sect Master Yun, we meet again!"
He merely greeted an acquaintance.
After all, they had met before and he had stayed at the Yunlan Sect for a few days, so Qi Lin naturally couldn't pretend not to see Yun Yun when he did.
Although Yun Yun hadn't expected Qi Lin to suddenly greet her, she respectfully lifted her hood, revealing her elegant and refined face.
Then, under the shocked gazes of Gu He and the other two, Yun Yun cupped her hands towards Qi Lin and smiled faintly.
"Greetings, Sir Qi Lin!"