Submit to Me

Medusa's figure flashed before the Flying Boat, blocking Cao Ying and the Four Elders.

Her face was frosty, her voice regal. "Stop! Great Elder, these are This Queen's honored guests. Do not be disrespectful!"

Yet Dou Qi still surged around the Four Elders. The Great Elder leading them was a withered old woman.

The Great Elder glared fixedly at Shen Wen and the others, speaking hoarsely. "Her Majesty the Queen! Kui Xing has already reported that you were coerced by these despicable humans!

And now they dare step into the Holy City? They have gone too far!

Six Dou Huang Peak experts of our clan are here. Why should we fear them? We must keep these thieves here!"

When Medusa heard that this was Kui Xing's claim, anger rose in her heart. As expected, Kui Xing had not taken her words seriously.

Kui Xing believed that with the clan's four Dou Huang Peak experts, he could keep Shen Wen and the others here.

She had witnessed Shen Wen withstand Pill Lightning head-on and defeat Kui Xing with a single fist. She understood even more clearly how terrifying the Pill Pagoda was.

Even if they could claim a miserable victory today through their geographical advantage and superior numbers, what then?

The Pill Pagoda's thunderous wrath would be enough to doom the Snake People Clan beyond redemption!

This was not a question of victory or defeat at all. It was a choice concerning life and death!

"Coerced?" Cao Ying smiled mockingly as the Green Lotus Core Flame dancing at her fingertips suddenly swelled. The scorching heat warped the air itself.

"Just the four of you old fools?

This Miss has already reached the Eight-star Dou Emperor, and with a Heavenly Flame in hand, fighting two of you alone would be no trouble!

With my Husband and Sister Dan Chen as well, shall we see if we can make this Snake People Holy City change masters today?"

The killing intent and confidence in her words were completely undisguised. Her skyrocketing strength after refining the Green Lotus Core Flame gave her absolute confidence.

As it happened, she also wanted to test the power of a Heavenly Flame in battle.

Though Dan Chen said nothing, she quietly stepped forward as well. Her Soul Power faintly locked onto one of the elders, making her stance clear.

The atmosphere instantly became taut, and a great battle seemed ready to erupt at any moment.

"Great Elder!" Medusa's voice carried urgency and resolve. "Kui Xing does not know the full story!

They... truly came to help me Purify Bloodline and Breakthrough Dou Ancestor!

This concerns our clan's future. It is absolutely not what you believe! This Queen will bear all consequences alone!

Now, immediately withdraw your auras!"

"Purify Bloodline?" The Four Elders were all stunned, their auras stalling as uncertainty filled their faces.

This was completely different from the "coercion" Kui Xing had described.

Medusa's solemn, earnest expression did not seem false.

The Four Elders looked at one another.

In the end, at the Great Elder's signal, they slowly withdrew their oppressive pressure, though the vigilance in their eyes did not diminish in the slightest.

Medusa secretly sighed in relief, then turned to Shen Wen and the others. "Everyone, please follow This Queen into the city."

Shen Wen and the others left the Two-headed Fire Spirit Snake aboard the Flying Boat.

Shen Wen and the others followed Medusa into the Snake People Holy City. Along the way, the snake people guards examined this rare group of humans with reverence and curiosity.

The city's architectural style was rugged and unusual, permeated by an exotic atmosphere.

Upon arriving at the Queen's Great Hall, Medusa dismissed everyone else.

Medusa looked impatiently at Shen Wen, final hope and unease in her Purple Eyes. "Shen Wen, the Heavenly Flame has already been refined by Cao Ying. How exactly will you fulfill your previous promise?

What price must This Queen—must my Snake People Clan—pay?"

Shen Wen sat down unhurriedly, calmly meeting Medusa's eyes, which could entrance any man.

Without beating around the bush, he gave his answer directly, his voice clear and indifferent.

"It is very simple."

"Submit to me."

Medusa's breath caught sharply. Her chest heaved violently, and raging fury instantly ignited in her Light Purple Eyes.

"Shen Wen!"

She nearly growled the words through clenched teeth. "This Queen exhausted all her efforts seeking a breakthrough.

It was so that the Snake People Clan would no longer have to depend on others and could leave this desert with dignity!

And now you want me to submit? That runs completely contrary to my original purpose!"

She forced down the humiliation and fury that nearly burst from her body. Her voice trembled with suppressed emotion as she stared fixedly at Shen Wen. "If you find mocking This Queen amusing, there is no need to go this far!"

Shen Wen's expression did not ripple in the slightest.

He slowly rose to his feet and approached Medusa step by step with calm, unhurried strides.

He stopped only when they were close enough to feel one another's breath.

His gaze was calm, yet carried an unquestionable force. "Mocking you?

Medusa, think carefully. If you submit to me, will it be a loss or an opportunity for the Snake People Clan?"

Ignoring how she instantly tensed as though facing a great enemy, he laid out his reasoning clearly. "First, I can help you Purify Bloodline and Breakthrough Dou Ancestor. That goal remains unchanged.

Second, the Snake People Clan will receive the Pill Pagoda's protection.

With that golden name behind you, even if your entire clan moves out of the Tagor Desert, would any of the Four Great Empires—Jia Ma, Chu Yun, Mulan, and Luoyan—dare provoke you lightly?

Can they bear the Pill Pagoda's wrath?"

He leaned slightly closer, closing the final distance. His low voice carried a deadly allure. "Besides, I myself am a Seventh-Grade Alchemist.

If word of that identity spread through the Central Continent, who knew how many Dou Emperors, or even those newly entered into the Dou Zong realm, would be willing to serve at my command.

The resources and influence I possess far exceed anything you can imagine in this place."

At this point, his tone suddenly turned sharp, utterly blunt. "The reason I proposed this condition

is because I value the potential of that trace of Ancient Bloodline within you, and the heights you may reach in the future.

To put it bluntly."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across her pale yet stubborn face. His tone was casual, but his words weighed a thousand pounds. "Your Snake People Clan may have five Dou Huang Peak experts, but how much value do they truly hold to me?

If all I wanted were fighters, would the Central Continent lack them?"

Those merciless words were like a cold blade.

They instantly pierced through all of Medusa's anger and defenses, leaving her frozen in place, her mind reeling.

Cao Ying, watching from the side, slightly raised the corners of her lips.

She stepped forward at just the right moment and affectionately hooked her arm through Shen Wen's. Her tone held a matter-of-fact arrogance. "Husband is absolutely right.

If we did not value your potential, why would we waste so much breath on you here?

Such terms are an opportunity that countless factions could only beg for."

Medusa abruptly looked at Cao Ying, then turned to Shen Wen, whose expression was indifferent but whose gaze was profound. The lower lip she had bitten tightly carried a faint taste of blood.

She had to admit that although Shen Wen's words were harsh, every sentence struck at the heart of the matter.

Refusing meant that her people would continue struggling to survive in this barren, bitter land, with a long and difficult road ahead.

Accepting meant losing her present dignity, but perhaps gaining an unprecedentedly broad future and a solid protector for her entire clan.

The immense conflict tore wildly through her heart. The Queen's pride clashed fiercely with her responsibility toward her people.

Dan Chen, who had been quietly watching all along, also spoke softly, her tone gentle. "Queen Medusa, Brother Shen Wen has always kept his word.

For the Snake People Clan, this may perhaps... be an opportunity to break free from its predicament."

Medusa closed her eyes and took a long breath. Her slender fingers trembled faintly from the force she was using.

When she opened her eyes again, struggle still remained in them, but there was more heaviness than before.

She looked directly at Shen Wen. "If This Queen... agrees,

how will you ensure that you keep your promise? And how will you arrange matters for my Snake People Clan?"

Shen Wen knew that she had already wavered.

"The specific details can naturally be discussed. But before that."

He locked his gaze firmly onto hers and pressed without allowing her to evade. "Medusa, I need a clear answer from you.

Are you willing to represent the Snake People Clan and submit to me?"