Medusa Queen's Longing

Ice Emperor Hai Bodong nodded. This was naturally for the best; otherwise, given his talent, it would probably take him quite some time to recover to the Five-star Dou Huang realm.

If he could recover sooner, he would also save a great deal of resources in his future cultivation. Otherwise, no one could guarantee whether they would be able to break through the peak Dou Huang realm.

Hai Bo Dong was already several decades old. The average lifespan of a Dou Huang expert was merely one hundred and twenty years. By the time he broke through to Dou Zong, he would likely already be at the end of his life.

Jia Ma Empire, Monster Mountain Range.

Surrounded by mountains on all sides, the place brimmed with life. A crystal-clear stream ran straight through the village.

Whenever spring arrived, peach blossoms would bloom here, forming a sea of pink across the mountains that complemented the lush green forests, making visitors reluctant to leave.

A small path paved with blue bricks wound through the quiet Bamboo Forest.

Not far from the Bamboo Pavilion stood a century-old willow tree. Many red wooden plaques were tied to its branches, each carved with a different name, as though this were a place for making wishes.

The cold wind swept through the withered branches and fallen leaves, producing a soft rustling sound. The silent, chilly air was filled with a bleak yet sorrowful beauty.

The sight of peach blossoms blooming across the mountains was unforgettable. Their unique fragrance washed over them, and taking a deep breath of it was utterly refreshing.

"Bamboo forests, peach trees... Little Brother Lin Che truly lives a pleasant life."

Hai Bo Dong shrugged. Looking at such a tranquil place, a trace of longing appeared on his face. This was the kind of life he loved most.

Lin Che said softly, "I do not enjoy the clamor of the mortal world. This place is nice—quiet mountains, no disturbance from magical beasts, and peach trees covering the hills. It feels as though one is in nature itself, allowing both body and mind to relax."

"Mm, indeed."

Hai Bo Dong nodded. To think that the Monster Mountain Range of the Jia Ma Empire contained such scenery—it was truly unbelievable.

Had he known of this place back then, he might not have gone to the outskirts of the Tagor Desert to sell maps.

As they entered the Bamboo Forest, a bamboo house came into view.

Xiao Yi Xian was still tidying up the clutter in the room. When she heard someone arriving, she came outside. Upon seeing that it was her master, longing appeared on her delicate face.

"Sir, you are back."

Lin Che nodded. "Nothing happened here while I was away, right?"

Xiao Yi Xian obediently shook her head. "Nothing. It was the same as before."

Hearing this, Lin Che said nothing further. Instead, he took out the Green Lotus Core Flame and held it out before Xiao Yi Xian.

"This is the Green Lotus Core Flame, ranked nineteenth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking. Yao Chen should have already given you the items needed to consume a Heavenly Flame."

The first item needed to consume a Heavenly Flame was the Blood Lotus Pill, a Fifth-grade Pill of considerable rank. It was specifically taken when consuming a Heavenly Flame, refined to resist its terrifying temperature. It was an indispensable item for consuming a Heavenly Flame.

Next was the Ice Spirit Cold Spring, a spiritual object with an Ice Attribute and another essential item for consuming a Heavenly Flame. The Ice Spirit Cold Spring weakened the temperature and energy of the Heavenly Flame, making it equally indispensable.

Lin Che happened to have a bottle of Ice Spirit Cold Spring, enough for Xiao Yi Xian to use.

The last item was Spirit Gathering, an exceedingly rare natural treasure. It could only be unearthed from high-grade Spirit Stones, and even then, the chance was minuscule. Do not underestimate this tiny thing—its value far exceeded that of the Blood Lotus Pill and Ice Spirit Cold Spring.

Fortunately, Yao Chen had some Spirit Gathering. Otherwise, finding it would have taken quite some time.

Looking at the Green Lotus Core Flame slowly burning in her master's hand, Xiao Yi Xian gradually accepted it. She could even feel the scorching power radiating from the Heavenly Flame.

Medusa Queen's beautiful eyes were also fixed on the Green Lotus Core Flame. This was the item her Snake People Clan had guarded for a thousand years, yet this man had gotten to it first.

With Yao Chen guiding her at her side, Xiao Yi Xian would not face any danger in consuming the Heavenly Flame. Meanwhile, he still needed to deal with Medusa Queen's matters.

"Your Majesty, you still need to wait eighty-one days before you can drink this jar of wine. Otherwise, with your current strength, there is simply no way for you to improve."

Medusa Queen merely nodded. She was not an unreasonable person. Since the other party had promised that she would break through to become a Dou Zong expert within two years, she would not press the matter now.

Hai Bo Dong, on the other hand, was easier to handle. By drinking wine every day, he could restore his Dou Qi. Before long, he would surely return to his former peak glory.

Hai Bo Dong stroked his small mustache and said with a smile, "Alright. I want to return to the Jia Ma Empire. Little Brother Lin Che, I will have to trouble you during this time. If you need anything, you may go to the Mite'er Family. I will be staying there."

Lin Che said, "Very well. Then I shall not see you off. Elder Hai, just come here once a month."

After exchanging a few pleasantries with Hai Bo Dong, he swiftly vanished from the area. He had not returned for twenty years, and he wondered how the Mite'er Family was doing now.

Lin Che looked at the alluring woman beside him and asked, "You may stay here. I will build a room for you separately so that you can live here conveniently."

Medusa Queen nodded charmingly. "Then I will trouble you. If you can help This Queen break through to the Dou Zong realm, This Queen can grant you one request. Anything at all."

"Hehehe, good. Then it is a deal."

Lin Che nodded with a smile, then shifted his gaze toward the Bamboo Forest. From the power radiating from the Heavenly Flame, he could tell that Xiao Yi Xian was currently consuming the Green Lotus Core Flame.

With Yao Chen there, there should not be any great danger.

Medusa Queen walked to the Bamboo Pavilion and enjoyed the comfort brought by the breeze off the lake. The bloodline within her body was cold in nature, making her especially suited to such a life. This was also why every generation of Medusa Queen chose to escort powerful members of the clan to the human world.

Or to the Monster Mountain Range.

The main reason was that the Snake People Clan's bloodline was naturally opposed to the Tagor Desert. Every day, the Snake People Clan had to endure the scorching sunlight. This was the punishment they had suffered for a thousand years.

Only by breaking through to the Dou Zong realm would they have a chance to gain some influence within the Jia Ma Empire, allowing the Snake People Clan to return to its former peak glory.

Her jade-like hand gently brushed across the lake's surface. The rippling water was crystal clear, and its icy touch caused a trace of longing to flash across Medusa Queen's beautiful face.

Perhaps she had already fallen in love with this place.

It was too beautiful.

Lin Che sat in his chair with one hand behind his back, personally pouring himself a cup of wine. "It is not bad, is it?"

"Mm."

Medusa Queen nodded without hesitation. "The environment here is beautiful and well-suited for cultivation. Perhaps even without that wine, This Queen's speed of breaking through to Dou Zong could increase by more than double."