A One-Move Pact

Xiao Chen's words echoed through the vast Divine Temple, carrying an irresistibly calming power.

"Talk?" Queen Medusa narrowed her violet snake eyes slightly, a dangerous gleam flowing within them. As the Snake People Queen who ruled the desert, when had anyone ever barged into her domain and proposed to "talk" with an almost equal stance? Even if he was a Dou Zun, the pride ingrained deep in her bones made it difficult for her to bow her head so easily.

What was more, he had mentioned her most vital secret—the fusion of her soul with the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python, as well as the future of the Snake People Race! Beyond her vigilance, a trace of anger at being offended rose within her.

"What is there for This King to discuss with you, or with the Xiao Family?" Queen Medusa's voice was icy as seven-colored Dou Qi slowly rose around her, making her figure appear even more bewitching and powerful. "And as for This King's condition, there is no need for an outsider to concern himself with it!"

Sensing the battle intent rising from the queen, the surrounding Snake People Race experts, though filled with terror toward Xiao Chen, erupted with Dou Qi as well and locked onto this uninvited guest. They looked ready to fight to the death at the slightest disagreement.

Faced with the drawn-sword atmosphere, Xiao Chen merely smiled faintly and shook his head.

"Your Majesty need not be so nervous. If I truly harbored malicious intent, the Snake People Holy City would already be a field of ruins."

His tone remained calm, but the meaning of his words sent chills down the backs of every Snake People Race expert. No one doubted their truth. A Dou Zun capable of easily killing a Soul Hall Protector absolutely possessed the strength to do such a thing!

Queen Medusa clenched her jade-like hands, her nails nearly digging into her palms. She knew full well that he was speaking the truth, yet that feeling of helplessness humiliated her beyond measure.

Xiao Chen looked at her stubborn, icy face and continued, "I know Your Majesty is proud and will not readily trust my words. Since that is the case, how about we make a wager?"

"What do you wish to wager?" Queen Medusa asked coldly.

"Take one move from me." Xiao Chen raised his index finger. "Just one move. If Your Majesty can withstand it, I will turn around and leave immediately. I will also present you with an Earth-tier Intermediate Cultivation Method suitable for the Snake People Race, as well as three Seven-Grade Spirit Fusion Pill Recipes, to help stabilize your soul and speed up your fusion with the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python."

An Earth-tier Intermediate Cultivation Method! Seven-Grade Spirit Fusion Pill Recipes!

These two terms were like massive bombs, instantly stirring up a commotion within the Divine Temple! For the resource-starved Snake People Race, an Earth-tier cultivation method was an invaluable treasure! As for the Spirit Fusion Pill, it was precisely the medicinal pill that could solve Queen Medusa's greatest current predicament! Its value was immeasurable!

Queen Medusa's pupils abruptly contracted, and her breathing quickened for a moment. Those two conditions held far too great a temptation for her—and for the entire Snake People Race!

"And if I cannot take it?" She forcefully suppressed the turmoil in her heart, her voice still cold.

"If you cannot," Xiao Chen said, looking at her calmly, "then Your Majesty must put away your hostility and speak with me peacefully about Brother Yan and future cooperation with the Snake People Race. I, Xiao Chen, can promise that I will never make any demands detrimental to the Snake People Race's interests."

The terms sounded extremely favorable to Queen Medusa. If she took the move, she would gain tremendous benefits; if she failed, she merely had to talk, with no actual loss.

But Queen Medusa understood perfectly well that since he dared propose such a wager, he must possess absolute confidence. This move would certainly not be easy to withstand!

She stared fixedly at Xiao Chen, as if trying to see something through those deep eyes of his. Yet all she saw was a tranquil ocean, unfathomably deep.

Every gaze in the Divine Temple focused on Queen Medusa, awaiting her decision. Would she take the risk and accept this seemingly unequal wager, or continue resisting and bring a possible catastrophe upon her people?

The silence was oppressive enough to feel tangible.

A moment later, Queen Medusa took a deep breath. A trace of resolve appeared on her enchanting face. She slowly rose from her throne, her violet snake tail coiling beneath her as seven-colored Dou Qi blazed around her like flames, pushing her aura to its peak!

"Fine! This King will take your one move!"

She had no other choice. For the future of her people, and for her own ability to completely control her power, she had to take this risk! Besides, she had absolute confidence in her own strength. She refused to believe that she could not even withstand a single move from him!

"Your Majesty is indeed straightforward." Xiao Chen nodded slightly. "Please."

He still stood with his hands behind his back. He did not even assume a starting stance, merely standing there in silence.

Yet Queen Medusa did not dare lower her guard in the slightest. With a sharp cry, she formed profound hand seals, and the seven-colored Dou Qi around her madly gathered, condensing before her into a massive, incomparably solid seven-colored energy shield! Light flowed across the shield, while faint serpent-like patterns moved upon its surface, emanating an indestructible, heavy aura! This was one of her strongest defensive Dou Skills—Seven-Colored Snake Scale Shield!

At the same time, Dou Qi surged through her body as she prepared herself to withstand the impact head-on.

Xiao Chen looked at the brilliant seven-colored shield that contained Queen Medusa's full power, a trace of approval flashing through his eyes. To control energy to such an extent at the peak Dou Huang realm, Queen Medusa's talent truly was astonishing.

Then, he moved.

He did not use any dazzling Dou Skill, nor did he mobilize any vast amount of heaven and earth energy. He merely slowly raised his right hand, pressed his index and middle fingers together, and lightly slashed at the enormous seven-colored shield from dozens of meters away.

The motion was gentle, as though he had merely drawn an insignificant mark through the air.

Yet at the instant his fingers fell—

"Rip!"

A faint, nearly invisible transparent ripple, like the sharpest blade, silently sliced through space. At a speed beyond thought, it instantly swept past the seemingly indestructible Seven-Colored Snake Scale Shield!

Time seemed to freeze at that moment.

Queen Medusa's pupils shrank sharply. She had not even managed to see how that attack had arrived!

The next instant, a straight, smooth crack appeared down the middle of the seven-colored shield before her, which had gathered all her power. Then, with a bang, it shattered like broken glass into a sky full of seven-colored motes that vanished into nothingness!

The force of the shield's destruction made Queen Medusa grunt. Her delicate body shook violently, and she staggered back seven or eight steps before barely steadying herself. Her face had turned deathly pale, while her blood and Qi churned wildly within her!

She... she really had failed to withstand even one move! She had not even seen how he had broken through her defense!

The entire Divine Temple fell into Dead Silence. Every Snake People Race expert stood dumbstruck, as though turned to stone. Their invincible queen, after giving her all, had actually... been defeated so utterly, so effortlessly!

Xiao Chen slowly withdrew his fingers, as though he had merely done something insignificant. Looking at Queen Medusa, whose pale face held shock, unwillingness, and a trace of confusion in her eyes, he spoke calmly.

"You let me win, Your Majesty."

"Now, can we sit down and have a proper talk?"