Queen Medusa, a Half-step Dou Zong

"That Dou Technique is terrifying. Could such a fearsome technique be an Earth-tier Dou Technique?"

The Gray Robe Old Snake Person's trembling voice rose from below. Though his eyes were hidden beneath his cloak, anyone could guess the shock in his gaze.

"A Dou Emperor expert wielding an Earth-tier Dou Technique... There shouldn't be anyone like that in the Jia Ma Empire. Could he be an expert from elsewhere on the continent?"

Just as everyone stood stunned, another disturbance arose in the sky, drawing all eyes upward.

"Heavens, what is that?!"

All the snake people stared at the sky in horror. Amid layers of Golden Light, an enormous illusory Kun Peng slowly condensed. The Giant Kun seemed to soar through the clouds, intimidating everything beneath it!

Following that earth-shattering clash, Queen Medusa's figure emerged once more. Her expression had changed slightly, and the Dou Qi within her body fluctuated.

She had not gained the upper hand in that exchange.

Lin Mu's strike had been truly terrifying!

"She actually took that sword strike."

Lin Mu also felt a wave of weakness. Earlier, when he used the Kun Peng Method, he had not unleashed it directly, but had instead condensed all its power onto the Purple Spirit Sword.

Although he had forced Queen Medusa back, he too had weakened from excessive Dou Qi consumption.

"Now, let's try the true Kun Peng Method!"

In midair, the Giant Kun tore through space as though it intended to devour Queen Medusa whole. For the first time, shock appeared on Queen Medusa's beautiful face.

"What kind of Dou Technique is this?"

Before she could think further, the Crimson Light Pillar shot into the heavens. An immense Snake Shadow also extended through the sky, encircling Queen Medusa. Every scale on its body gleamed.

"Hehe, Your Majesty, I suppose this is the final strike. If you lose, shouldn't you agree to become my Dao companion?"

Lin Mu's laughter rang out from the sky.

"Dream on. You are still no match for me."

Queen Medusa sneered. The killing intent in her eyes deepened, Crimson Light nearly flashing from her pupils. Her aura even faintly surpassed the Dou Emperor level at that moment!

Boom!

Heaven-shaking Dou Qi continuously spread outward.

"Her Majesty the Queen..."

Mo Bass had kept his eyes fixed on Queen Medusa in the sky from beginning to end. Suddenly, he raised a trembling arm and pointed at her. "Th-that is...!"

"Her Majesty the Queen's Dou Qi Wings..."

Indeed, Queen Medusa, surrounded by the Snake Shadow in the sky, saw her magnificent crimson Dou Qi Wings gradually dissipate as her body stood steadily in the void!

"Standing in the void... a Dou Zong expert?!"

The Gray Robe Old Snake Person's staff fell to the ground. Could it be that Her Majesty the Queen had already taken that step and become a true Dou Zong expert?!

"Wonderful! Her Majesty the Queen has actually become a Dou Zong expert! How can that human keep acting so arrogantly now?"

Joy appeared on Yue Mei's delicate face.

From the battle just now, she truly had not been certain that the human before them would definitely lose to Queen Medusa!

But now, if Queen Medusa had truly become a Dou Zong, then Lin Mu was undoubtedly doomed.

"Human, pay the price for your insolence."

Queen Medusa moved a finger, and the enormous Snake Shadow let out roars after roars, seeming to challenge the Giant Kun above!

The illusory forms of two savage beasts appeared in the sky, their terrifying might spreading across dozens of miles.

Looking at Queen Medusa standing in the void, Lin Mu said in surprise, "A Dou Zong?"

"No..."

A moment later, Lin Mu finally realized. "So you only have one foot in the Dou Zong realm. As long as you have not truly evolved, you cannot become a genuine Dou Zong expert."

"You are somewhat clever, but unfortunately, you will die here."

Queen Medusa attacked. Crimson Light stained the sky red, and after space twisted repeatedly, it finally could not withstand such power and was shredded by Energy Storms!

"Go."

Lin Mu said in a deep voice.

The Giant Kun, gleaming with Golden Light, suddenly collided with the Snake Shadow wreathed in Crimson Light. At that instant, the two forces seemed to maintain a certain balance, continuously merging in the air.

Boom!

Then, that strange balance was swiftly broken. Waves of energy powerful enough to kill Dou Wang experts fell from the sky like meteors.

At the center of the collision, the surging flames spread across the heavens like burning clouds, making hearts tremble in fear.

"What a terrifying human. His own strength is clearly only that of a Three-star Dou Emperor, yet his combat power has likely already reached the Dou Zong level..."

An Old Woman below spoke, her voice hoarse and her throat dry. Other than her stunned expression, she could no longer show any other emotion.

"His terrifying combat power must come from his Heavenly Flames, as well as this fearsome Dou Technique."

"A technique like this can perhaps only be an Earth-tier Dou Technique..."

Suddenly, another Snake People Elder said, "Do you think what this human said is true?"

"You mean his claim that he would help Her Majesty the Queen obtain the Heavenly Flames?"

The Old Woman from before nodded.

"Yes. He truly does not seem hostile toward our Snake People Race. Whatever his intentions, if he really has the ability to help Her Majesty the Queen obtain the Heavenly Flames and evolve, perhaps we should not turn our relationship with him sour."

As soon as those words were spoken, silence fell over the area.

"This man is clearly a lecher. The moment he opened his mouth, he asked Her Majesty the Queen to become his Dao companion. How can such a human be trusted? Elders, please reconsider."

Yue Mei stepped forward anxiously.

"At the very least, he is not like those hypocritical humans who act one way before others and another behind their backs. Since he bears no hostility and has come for Her Majesty the Queen, there is no need for us to become mortal enemies with him."

Perhaps agreeing somewhat with that elder, another Snake People Elder behind him nodded.

"This human does not appear to be over twenty years old. At twenty, he already possesses terrifying combat power comparable to a Dou Zong. His future achievements will be immeasurable!"

Hearing the two elders seemingly trying to bring Queen Medusa and Lin Mu together, Mo Bass, standing some distance away, nearly exploded with rage. Yet with only the strength of a Dou Wang, there was nothing he could do. He could only clench his fists tightly and stare into the sky with bloodshot eyes.

Now, he only hoped that Queen Medusa could kill Lin Mu!

"However, everything still depends on Her Majesty the Queen's wishes. Even though our Snake People Race has withdrawn from the world, if this human tries to pressure Her Majesty the Queen into becoming his Dao companion, then even if our Snake People Race suffers grievous losses, we will make him fall here."