"Stop!"
A sharp shout rang out from afar, gradually subsiding after a moment. The remaining seven leaders of the Snake-People tribe looked in that direction almost simultaneously.
But when they noticed the Queen's change, deep shock appeared on each of their faces.
The previously furious Snake-People powerhouses froze in place, a hint of intoxication and hidden admiration flashing in their eyes.
Especially after seeing the Queen's almost maddeningly long legs, they unconsciously swallowed hard.
The Grand Elder of the Underworld was so excited he almost cried, kneeling on the ground, his voice booming: "For a thousand years, the Queen has finally succeeded in reaching a realm that no Medusa of all generations has ever attained! The restriction that has plagued my Snake-People tribe for a thousand years has finally been broken!"
Queen Medusa had advanced to the half-step Dou Zong realm, and as she walked, the surrounding space changed, shimmering with light. At the same time, all the Snake-People around her knelt on the ground, shouting out in unison.
"Your Majesty!"
Queen Medusa looked at the fallen Mobas, then turned to glare at Jiang Cheng, saying, "You went a bit too far."
"In the heat of the moment, it was understandable."
Jiang Cheng took out a pill to restore his fighting spirit and tossed it into the mouth of Ice Emperor Hai Bodong. With the help of the seventh-grade pill, Hai Bodong's injuries were completely healed in just a moment.
Truly a miraculous elixir!
A full recovery!
Queen Medusa frowned slightly and said, "Elder Yin Shi."
"Your Majesty," Yin Shi hurriedly replied.
"From this day forward, all affairs of the Snake-People Clan will be handled by you, and I will leave the depths of the Tagor Desert."
These words caused an uproar!
The Snake-People Clan's experts were stunned, some even unwilling to believe their ears.
If they weren't mistaken, Her Majesty the Queen was leaving the Snake-People Clan?!
Yin Shi looked up in astonishment and asked, "Your Majesty, are you abandoning us?"
"No,"
Queen Medusa slowly extended her slender fingers, catching a falling ice flower, her voice resounding, "I will reach a new height never before achieved by any Medusa, and I will also liberate the Snake-People from the harsh environment of the Tagor Desert."
"In my own way, I will lead the Snake-People to true freedom!"
Her clear voice lingered for a long time, and all the Snake-People laid down their weapons, knelt on the ground, and shouted with boundless longing, "We swear to serve Your Majesty to the death!"
Hai Bodong stood up, grinning, and said, "Brother Jiang Cheng, what exactly happened just now? Why did Queen Medusa break through to the half-step Dou Zong realm?"
"That's a secret,"
Jiang Cheng nodded and smiled, naturally unable to tell Hai Bodong the details. He possessed the bloodline of a Dou Di; whether it was a magical beast or a human, anyone who obtained his blood could enhance their strength.
Some could even directly advance to the peak.
Queen Medusa approached Jiang Cheng, her voice cold, and said, "Where do you plan to go next? After this is done, don't forget our agreement."
In Medusa's eyes, Jiang Cheng was still the same lecherous man who had accidentally wandered out of the Snake-People's Sacred Pool and spied on her bathing years ago. Even if he had broken through to the Dou Sheng realm, it wouldn't change his inner thoughts.
Jiang Cheng didn't intend to explain further; it was just a misunderstanding, a chance encounter.
"I intend to retrieve the Azure Lotus Throne."
Queen Medusa frowned upon hearing that the other party wanted the Azure Lotus Core Flame Throne. "You still want to go to that godforsaken place? Do you know the price I paid to obtain the Azure Lotus Core Flame?"
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
Jiang Cheng rose into the air. "Elder Hai, I have a list of medicinal herbs here. Go to the desert and help search for them. We'll meet on the outskirts of the Tagor Desert afterward."
Hai Bodong's lips twitched. He finally understood why Jiang Cheng had brought him to the Snake-People tribe—to use him as a laborer to gather medicinal herbs.
Before he could finish speaking, Jiang Cheng and Queen Medusa vanished, leaving behind a bewildered Ice Emperor Hai Bodong and the Snake-People warriors who were eyeing him menacingly.
The Ice Emperor turned to the side and said, "What, you still want to be my enemies? You'd better find the medicinal herbs for me, otherwise when Jiang Cheng returns, I'll say you interfered with my search."
Yin Shi: "???"
The Snake-Man Clan expert: "???"
You wouldn't want to see your queen bullied, would you...?
Yan Ci said foolishly, "Elder Yin Shi, why don't we go look for them? Otherwise, when that guy comes back, we'll be in real trouble."
Elder Yin Shi, as the Snake-Man Clan's only sage, possessed unparalleled wisdom. Looking at the Ice Emperor before him, he was also furious.
However, the queen's words had restored the Snake-Man Clan's confidence. Perhaps only Jiang Cheng could help the Snake-Man Clan completely escape their predicament.
After a moment's hesitation, Yin Shi nodded. "Ice Emperor, our Snake-People clan can help you find medicinal herbs, but you must promise me you won't harm a single member of the Snake-People clan."
"Alright, on the condition that you don't try anything clever, otherwise, the consequences will be yours, and you know that very well."
Hai Bodong replied calmly. With Jiang Cheng backing him up, he inexplicably felt powerful again.
The Snake-People clan also dispatched everyone to the desert to search for the medicinal herbs on the list. With their familiarity with herbs, gathering them shouldn't be difficult.
...…
The Stone Desert City, located deep in the Tagor Desert.
Queen Medusa found the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame here. Now, the entrance is covered by yellow sand, and those who don't know the area well could easily get lost.
Medusa landed steadily on the ground, her right foot gently sinking down. Instantly, the earth shook, and the yellow sand beneath her was shattered, revealing the bottomless entrance.
Even before getting close, the two could feel the intense heat emanating from the cave entrance. It was the residual power from the Azure Lotus Core, a heat that even ordinary fighters would likely find unbearable.
"This is it, but are you sure you want to experience that feeling?"
Medusa scrutinized Jiang Cheng, his skin delicate and fragile, fearing his clothes would be burned to ashes. If that happened, her eyes would be…
Queen Medusa had used countless rare and precious materials to find the Azure Lotus Core Flame, all designed to withstand the extreme heat. However, the closer she got to the flame, the more materials she consumed.
In the last ten minutes or so before her treasures were exhausted, Queen Medusa hastily obtained the Azure Lotus Core Flame. At the same time, she didn't care whether she obtained the Azure Lotus pedestal or the core lotus seeds, and immediately left the underground world.
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
(End of Chapter)