Teasing Medusa!

Ao Qing's figure slowly emerged from the void as well, and Medusa instantly bristled with vigilance!

Those capable of wielding spatial power were at least Dou Zun-level beings. In other words, although the man before her appeared young, his strength had already surpassed anything she could imagine.

At this point, it was necessary to explain the characteristics of each stage of Dou Qi cultivation.

Dou Qi: One could shatter rocks barehanded, similar to modern Iron Sand Palm techniques, and could also use Dou Qi to attack opponents. However, it was limited to protecting the flesh and could still be injured by cold weapons and firearms. In ordinary minor conflicts or acts of punishing the wicked and aiding the weak, one could basically rule supreme.

Dou Zhe: One could release Dou Qi to form small cyclones. A full-powered strike could produce explosive force similar to a grenade. Even with Dou Qi protecting the body, one could generally defend against cold weapons, but firearms remained a major weakness.

Dou Shi: One could form a gauze-like Dou Qi garment around the body. A full-powered strike could rival the targeted demolition blasts used by a small demolition crew, enough to destroy a two-story building, while the Dou Qi garment could withstand ordinary pistols.

Da Dou Shi: One could transform Dou Qi into Dou Qi armor to equip oneself. The power of a full strike was enough to destroy an ordinary five-story residential building, and the Dou Qi armor could withstand ordinary grenades or sniper rifle attacks.

Dou Ling: One could already skillfully condense Dou Qi into objects and form Dou Qi similar to small energy blasts. A full-powered strike could easily destroy ordinary residential buildings under twenty stories tall. When Dou Qi was released outward, it could defend against ordinary artillery shells, though one could not take them head-on.

Dou Wang: At this stage, one could form Dou Qi wings. Their strength surpassed that of a Dou Ling, and they themselves were like mobile fighter jets, striking wherever they pointed. If one had to describe their destructive power, casually destroying an entire city block would not be a problem.

Dou Emperor: The battle between Yun Zhi and the Amethyst Winged Lion King, as well as the battle between Xiao Yan and the Ice Emperor—both sides had been Dou Emperor experts at the time. Even ordinary exchanges of techniques could cause immense destruction across an area, while a major move could inflict massive damage over a vast range. Therefore, in the real world, one person resisting a fully armed terrorist organization of a hundred people should not be a problem. Unless there were large guided missiles, it would be difficult to harm them in the slightest. Thus, Dou Emperors were supreme existences within the Jia Ma Empire.

Dou Zong: Dou Zong experts could already remain suspended in the air without relying on external force and create spatial locks, so missile attacks were ineffective against experts of this level. With a full-powered strike, an ordinary small village would be erased from the map. Dou Zongs could also teleport, and speed was part of one's strength. This level was already extremely terrifying, though in the Central Continent, it could only barely be considered decent.

Dou Zun: Experts at this stage could skillfully wield spatial power. It felt somewhat like the Fourth Hokage's Body Flicker Technique in Naruto. In terms of attack power, they were likely comparable to an ordinary nuclear explosion, capable of instantly reducing a small city to ashes. Even in the Central Continent, beings of this cultivation level were considered experts.

Half-Saint: A casual move could reach the level of a small nuclear explosion, and their command over spatial power had also reached a certain level. In the lands of the Central Continent, while Dou Saints remained in seclusion, they served as the foundation of respectable factions.

Dou Saint: Experts from one to five stars could already open up a world of their own within an alternate spatial realm. The attack power of experts at this stage could no longer be described in words, and their control over strength had reached the pinnacle. They were the core of the continent's top factions.

Dou Saint: From six stars to Peak Dou Saint, spatial displacement was the signature ability of this stage. Therefore, experts at this level were basically impossible to kill if they wanted to flee, and their strength was so terrifying that they absolutely stood at the peak of the continent.

Dou Di: They could alter their own bloodline, allowing later generations to benefit from it. In terms of attack power, they could transform into colossal bodies tens of thousands of feet tall, and even Peak Dou Saints would be no challenge. An ordinary move could inflict exterminating devastation upon the Dou Qi Continent. The energy within their bodies was inexhaustible, allowing them to break through the restrictions of heaven and earth and travel to the Great Thousand World. On the continent, they were existences akin to gods.

Back to the depths of the underground magma.

Ao Qing had not expected to encounter such a scene the moment he arrived. Looking at the excited Yun Leng, then at the beautiful snake facing a great enemy, Ao Qing suddenly became interested. He said to Yun Leng and Hai Bodong,

"Yun Leng, you did well this time. You actually found a Heavenly Flame for me. Once we return, I'll have that little girl Yun Yun reward you properly.

This must be Ice Emperor Hai Bodong. I heard it was thanks to your information that they found the Heavenly Flame. Not bad! I'll remove the seal on your body later as well."

Upon hearing Ao Qing's words, Yun Leng and Hai Bodong were both stunned, so overjoyed that they could not even smile.

"Then I thank you in advance, Lord Venerable."

Hai Bodong did not know Ao Qing's exact strength, but addressing him as Lord Venerable seemed appropriate. Yun Leng came to his senses at this moment as well and followed Hai Bodong's example in thanking Ao Qing.

Medusa looked at the people before her. Though she desperately wanted to flee, she knew that no matter what, she would not be getting out today. A Dou Zun! She was not even a Dou Zong yet, so how could she possibly be a match for this Dou Zun expert? She simply stood where she was, waiting to see how this Dou Zun would deal with her.

Ao Qing saw this and found it somewhat amusing. She had given up already? She could not even be bothered to run?

During the time since his transmigration, Ao Qing's heart had gradually ceased to be so cold. After taking in Little Fox, he had become even gentler.

"Why didn't you choose to run, little snake? Are you standing here waiting to die? Or do you think I won't kill you?" As he spoke, Ao Qing's aura abruptly surged. That terrifying pressure instantly inflicted severe injuries upon Medusa, and she spat out a mouthful of blood.

Ao Qing smiled as he looked at Medusa, who had already lost all ability to resist, but he had no intention of killing her.

Medusa was in an extremely sorry state at this moment. She had thought she could strike forcefully and kill the little thief who dared covet her Heavenly Flame, only for a Dou Zun to appear at the critical moment. Naturally, she did not dare imagine that Ao Qing might be a Dou Saint. But whether he was a Dou Zun or a Dou Saint made no difference to Medusa.

Medusa gave a miserable smile, her eyes filled with reluctance and regret. As the Queen of the Snake-People Race, she had always worked tirelessly to lead the Snake-People Race out of the desert. But today, everything would turn to nothing, and she herself would perish here. She could also imagine just how miserable the fate of the Snake-People Race would be.

Medusa closed her eyes and quietly awaited death's arrival.

Yet even after some time had passed, the fatal blow from the man before her never came. Instead, Ao Qing spoke.

"You little snake really aren't afraid of death. Fine, I happen to lack a servant to help feed Little Fox. If you are willing, I'll spare your life today. But if you refuse, then not only will you die, there will be no need for the Snake-People Race in this desert to continue existing either."

Ao Qing still held Little Fox in his arms, stroking her soft, smooth fur as he spoke in an indifferent tone.

A sense of humiliation immediately flooded Medusa's heart. She knew what becoming the servant of the man before her would mean to her. After all, no man had ever been able to resist her beauty.

But if she refused, it would mean utter disaster for her people. If she had been alone, she would rather die than submit. But now, for her people to survive, she decided to sacrifice herself!

"I'm willing! As long as Your Excellency spares my Snake-People Race, I'm willing to do anything!"

Having made up her mind, Medusa clenched her hands tightly. Her pale face looked somewhat miserable, and the light seemed to have vanished from her eyes. She no longer held any hope for the days ahead.

Listening to Medusa's cold reply,

Ao Qing instead found it rather strange. He was merely asking Medusa to help him look after Little Fox. If he was in a good mood, he could casually give her something and breaking through to Dou Zong would be as easy as playing for Medusa.

After all, he often entered seclusion to cultivate, and sometimes he simply had no way to care for his beloved Little Fox.

He had not expected Medusa to react so strongly. Someone who did not know better might think she had gone stupid. But he did not care what Medusa thought. In any case, she had agreed.

After finishing all this, Ao Qing turned his gaze toward the Green Lotus Core Flame in the distance, a hint of interest in his eyes.

Thank you all for your support, readers. Another day full of energy! Keep it up!