Seven-Star Dou Zong Medusa!

In the blink of an eye, two days passed.

Much of the stone chamber's walls had melted, leaving pits and hollows everywhere. Behind Gu Shenge, a Green Lotus Divine Sun wreathed in azure flames floated and slowly revolved, radiating scorching heat as it burned the world and smelted all things. Even the space around it seemed warped.

Gu Shenge's aura was even stronger than it had been two days ago. The Sun God Mark between his brows shone with dazzling rays like swords, sending ripples through the air. A faint golden glow flowed across his skin, and his vigorous, surging lifeblood rose like crimson clouds. With the Green Lotus Divine Sun behind him, he looked sacred and noble, like a god who commanded the sun.

After a long while, he slowly opened his eyes. A brilliant golden glint appeared in his pupils, as if he could see through illusions and observe things beyond the perception of ordinary people. The Green Lotus Divine Sun behind him returned to his body.

"Five-Star Dou Emperor..."

Gu Shenge sensed the changes in his Battle Qi cultivation. After refining the Green Lotus Core Flame, he had used its energy to break through to Five-Star Dou Emperor. That wasn't all: tempering by the Heavenly Flame had strengthened his body, and his meridians had grown broader and sturdier. He had gained a great deal.

He looked down at his naked body. A set of clothes appeared in his hands, and after putting them on, he walked out of the stone chamber.

Not long after he emerged, the First Elder found him. Seeing the stone chamber behind Gu Shenge, ravaged by the Heavenly Flame beyond recognition, a trace of surprise flashed in her eyes. It seemed that chamber would never be usable again. Then she spoke.

"Wang Fu, you came out at just the right time. The Queen has emerged from seclusion too."

Hearing that Medusa had also emerged, Gu Shenge looked surprised. It had taken him a whole month to fuse with the Origin of the Flawless Sun Physique, yet his beloved wife had finished so quickly.

He said goodbye to the First Elder and hurried off to see Medusa.

Meanwhile, Medusa sat upon her throne. She had made even greater progress. After fusing with the Origin of the Nine-Colored Heaven-Swallowing Python, she had evolved into one herself.

An ancient magical beast capable of contending with the Ancient Heaven Snake King, it was no less promising than a Divine Grade Dou Di Bloodline. Her cultivation had leaped forward as well, rising from One-Star Dou Zong to Seven-Star Dou Zong—a full six-star increase. In the Northwest Continent, where Dou Zong experts were scarce, she could be called a top powerhouse.

With the Nine-Colored Heaven-Swallowing Python's tremendous strength, fighting above her level was no challenge. Ordinary Eight-Star, or even Nine-Star Dou Zong experts, might not be a match for Medusa.

Naturally, her newfound strength had gone to her head.

The strongest expert among the four great empires of the Northwest Continent was Xie Biyan, the Supreme Elder of the Wanxie Sect in the Chu Yun Empire. He was a Four-Star Dou Zong—and no match for the Medusa of today.

Medusa pondered for a long time, unable to decide which empire to strike first.

"My beloved wife, what are you thinking about?"

Gu Shenge's voice interrupted Medusa's thoughts. She looked up and saw her husband enter, sensing that his aura had grown even more powerful. Her red lips parted as she asked, "Have you finished refining the Green Lotus Core Flame?"

Gu Shenge nodded and said with a smile, "Yes. I gained a lot and broke through to Five-Star Dou Emperor. What about you, my beloved wife?"

At his question, a hint of pride appeared on Medusa's enchanting face, though she put on an indifferent air as she replied, "I didn't gain much. I only broke through to Seven-Star Dou Zong."

Seven-Star Dou Zong! Surprise showed in Gu Shenge's eyes. He hadn't expected Medusa to make such a huge leap after fusing with the Origin of the Nine-Colored Heaven-Swallowing Python. At her current level, she would be a top powerhouse even in the Black-Corner Region.

Apart from Jia Nan Academy, the strongest expert in the Black-Corner Region was Old Demon of Earth from Diyan Valley, who had reached Seven-Star Dou Zong. But he was definitely no match for Medusa.

After all, in the original story, once Medusa became a Nine-Colored Heaven-Swallowing Python, she had defeated the leader of the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan despite being two stars weaker—a Six-Star Dou Sheng.

The gap between Dou Sheng experts was nothing like the gap between Dou Zong experts.

He suspected Medusa could pin Old Demon of Earth to the ground and beat him senseless. She might even be a match for Qian and Bai Elders of Jia Nan Academy.

Suddenly, Gu Shenge felt a lot of pressure. His beloved wife was so strong now—did that mean they would have to switch positions in bed tonight?

He hurried over behind Medusa, put his hands on her shoulders, and began to massage her in an attempt to curry favor.

"You must be tired from cultivating in seclusion, my beloved wife. Let me massage your shoulders."

"What would you like to eat tonight, my beloved wife? I'll prepare it for you."

"My beloved wife..."

Watching Gu Shenge fuss over her, Medusa rolled her eyes. What was this scoundrel pretending for? Even though she had reached Seven-Star Dou Zong, the Marriage Contract meant she couldn't do anything to him even if she wanted to.

She raised a hand and lightly tapped the one he had placed on her shoulder, telling him to behave himself. He was a Dou Huang expert, after all. He shouldn't act so frivolously.

Gu Shenge smiled faintly but didn't take his hand away. Instead, he asked again what she had been thinking about.

Medusa told her husband what had been on her mind. After hearing her out, Gu Shenge told her to set her sights farther afield.

"My beloved wife, now that you've reached Seven-Star Dou Zong, you're unmatched across the four great empires. But the natural energy in their territories is much thinner than elsewhere. And with the Snake-People Tribe's population, you couldn't possibly make use of an entire empire's land. Rather than waste time here, why don't we move somewhere else?"

"Somewhere else?" Medusa asked, puzzled. "Where?"

"Exactly. In my view, the Black-Corner Region is an excellent choice. It's chaotic and lawless, and the strong rule there without exception. Its natural energy is among the richest in the Northwest Continent, and it has plentiful resources. The Snake-People Tribe is warlike, so it would be a good fit. There's one more important thing: Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Cave is in the Black-Corner Region."

"What! Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Cave is in the Black-Corner Region!"

Hearing that the Ancient Emperor's Cave was in the Black-Corner Region, Medusa instantly lost her composure. Her enchanting face was full of shock. The news was simply too astonishing.

Gu Shenge nodded, then cautioned her so she wouldn't act rashly.

"My beloved wife, calm down first. Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Cave is in the Black-Corner Region, but we can't open it without the key. Even the Ancient Void Dragon Clan's Old Dragon Emperor, a Peak Nine-Star Dou Sheng, tried to force his way into the cave because he didn't have the key. He's still trapped inside."

Medusa gradually calmed down. If Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Cave really was in the Black-Corner Region, she could move the Snake-People Tribe there and seize control in advance. Once they found the key, they could enter ahead of everyone else.

With that thought, Medusa had made up her mind.

To hell with the four great empires and the Tagor Desert! She was going to take over the Black-Corner Region!

"But with the Snake-People Tribe as it is, taking over the Black-Corner Region won't be easy. Let's wait until the four elders break through to Dou Zong."

Gu Shenge could tell that his beloved wife was tempted by the Black-Corner Region, but he still urged her to wait. There were quite a few powerful experts there, and Jia Nan Academy was another factor. Its founder had been a Half-Saint. Though he was rarely around, the Snake-People Tribe was in no position to offend the academy just yet.

Medusa nodded. She wouldn't act recklessly; she needed to plan things carefully.

PS: The protagonist will be leaving the Snake-People Tribe soon, and another identity will make its debut. Heh heh heh.