Confrontation, Infiltrating the Divine Hall

"Why do I feel like the atmosphere in this desert is somewhat off? It's filled with a sense of impending slaughter. Look at how hurried these Snake-People are—did something major happen?" Beneath a bright yellow blanket, Xiao Yan quietly discussed the matter with Yao Lao.

This bright yellow blanket was also a rare treasure. Its color was extremely similar to the surrounding sand. Draping it over one's body could not only conceal all of one's aura, but also allow one to blend perfectly into the yellow sand around them. Unless someone came close and searched carefully, it would be impossible to discover the person hidden beneath it.

Over the past few days, the atmosphere in the Tagor Desert had been ever-changing and unpredictable. The Snake-People Tribe had frequently mobilized large numbers of troops, and judging by the direction they were heading, they seemed to be moving toward the center of the desert.

At the center of the desert lay the Snake-People Tribe's Divine Hall Royal Court, the residence of the legendary supreme ruler of the Snake-People Race, the Medusa Queen.

No one knew what had happened at the Divine Hall to require support from so many troops, but it was surely no minor matter.

Xiao Yan was somewhat worried that this unexpected development would hinder his efforts to obtain the Azure Lotus Core Flame. After all, his strength was what it was. If there were too many experts around, he feared it would be difficult to get what he wanted.

"Forget it. We'll take it one step at a time. If there really is no opportunity, then I can only give up." Xiao Yan was unwilling to accept that, so he decided to make his decision after arriving at the scene. Perhaps there would be a chance to fish in troubled waters.

"Don't worry. At worst, I'll personally make a move then. The Azure Lotus Core Flame concerns your future cultivation. Although you already possess a Heavenly Flame, this one is still extremely precious. It's best not to give up if you can avoid it," Yao Lao said.

"Don't worry, Teacher. Looking at the situation, we might have a chance to take advantage of the opening," Xiao Yan said firmly.

In any case, he could not possibly give up. He had prepared for so long and was only one final step away. No matter what, he had to give it a try.

Thus, Xiao Yan hid during the day and traveled at night. During the day, he used the Yellow Sand Blanket to conceal himself; at night, he hurried onward madly under the cover of darkness.

The journey naturally went very smoothly. Because something had happened at the Snake-People Royal Court, most of the soldiers from the Snake-People tribes had been transferred away, leaving only a small number behind to guard their homes. Their defenses were greatly weakened, and Xiao Yan easily avoided the patrolling soldiers.

After traveling for three days, Xiao Yan finally arrived at the Snake-People Divine Hall around midday. He happened to spot three figures in the sky.

"Strange. What are these people doing at the Snake-People Divine Hall?" Though they were some distance away, Xiao Yan still recognized two of them at a glance.

Both had once appeared in the Xiao Clan. One was Jia Xingtian, the guardian of the Gama Empire, while the other was Yun Yun, the Sect Leader of the Yunlan Sect.

As for the last old man, dressed in coarse cloth and covered in a beard, Xiao Yan had never seen him before and had no way of guessing his identity.

So beautiful!

All of a sudden, Xiao Yan's gaze shifted to a figure standing opposite the three of them. His eyes immediately became dazed, and an intoxicated expression appeared on his face.

"So this is the Snake-People Queen, Medusa? She really is unbelievably beautiful," Xiao Yan blurted out.

Although Xiao Xun'er's beauty was no less than Medusa's, she fell short in terms of bearing. Xiao Xun'er was still too youthful. Though her appearance could topple cities and kingdoms, she could not compare to the intense aura of a regal mature beauty radiating from Medusa.

"Kid, I advise you not to stare at others for too long. Many experts are extremely sensitive to being watched. If you keep staring, they may sense it and trace your gaze back to your hiding place," Yao Lao said irritably when he saw Xiao Yan's lecherous expression.

"Cough, cough!" Xiao Yan coughed awkwardly. "If all these experts have been drawn here, doesn't that mean the Divine Hall's defenses are very weak?"

To prevent himself from making a fool of himself again, Xiao Yan decisively changed the subject.

"That makes sense!"

Yao Lao agreed.

With the attention of all the experts focused here, the Divine Hall's defensive forces would certainly be much weaker. As long as they seized the right moment and avoided being discovered, it was not impossible to sneak inside.

"Teacher, I'll be relying on you next," Xiao Yan said softly.

"No problem. I'll use my soul power to conceal the energy fluctuations around you now. As long as you don't fight anyone else, you won't need to worry about your aura leaking and exposing you." After Yao Lao spoke, an invisible wave of energy enveloped Xiao Yan's entire body. The energy fluctuations and life aura around him were instantly concealed, making him seem like a piece of wood that had been dead for a long time.

Afterward, he carefully moved to the rear of the Divine Hall, avoiding the gazes of the powerful experts. Then, with several leaps, he sprang onto the wall, and his figure swiftly vanished into the city.

"Humans, why did you call this Queen out? Aren't you afraid that I'll make a move and leave all of you here?" The Medusa Queen looked at Gu He. She had vaguely guessed his purpose, but still knowingly asked the question.

"Hehe." Gu He smiled faintly. He knew that the Medusa Queen was merely trying to seize the initiative and gain control of the conversation. Otherwise, why would she waste words with them? She would have attacked the moment she appeared.

"Respected Your Majesty, coming to your people's territory this time was truly unavoidable. I merely have a matter to request, which is why I had no choice but to trouble Your Majesty. Please forgive any offense," Gu He said eloquently as he stood in the sky. He did not humble himself merely because the Medusa Queen was one rank stronger than him.

"Impossible!"

The Medusa Queen was now certain that Gu He had indeed come for the Azure Lotus Core Flame. She immediately lost interest in exchanging empty courtesies with him and sternly refused him at once.

Gu He's expression froze. He had originally intended to exchange a few flattering words with her, but he had not expected the Medusa Queen to disregard all conventions. He had barely spoken a single sentence and had not even stated the purpose of his visit before she interrupted him without the slightest courtesy and rejected him without mercy.

That was rather humiliating. Shouldn't she first ask what he had come for? Then they could bargain back and forth, and finally declare the negotiations broken down after failing to reach an agreement. That was the normal process.

Yet the Medusa Queen had suddenly skipped all the countless steps in between and gone straight to the final one, catching him completely off guard.

"Will Your Majesty not reconsider? You should know that I am very sincere. As long as Your Majesty agrees, I will owe you a favor. Should Your Majesty ever have any command for me in the future, Gu He will not refuse even death." Gu He wore an utterly serious expression. Clearly, these words came from the bottom of his heart.

The Heavenly Flame was simply too important to him. So long as there was even the slightest chance, Gu He would do everything in his power to fight for it. To an alchemist, a Heavenly Flame was like a second life. No alchemist did not yearn to obtain such a wondrous treasure of heaven and earth.