During the month Gu Shenge spent fusing with the Flawless Sun Physique, Medusa not only recovered from her injuries but also took a Perfect Sect-Breaking Pill and broke through to Dou Zong.
To rid herself of the Marriage Contract inside her, she had the Four Great Elders use a secret technique to probe deep into her soul and see whether they could undo the contract.
However, the Four Great Elders concluded that there was no contract in her soul at all. Medusa was greatly puzzled. She could clearly sense the contract's presence, so why were they saying it wasn't there?
This also made her realize that the Snake-People Tribe was not powerful enough to break the Marriage Contract. The only way might be to travel to the vast and bountiful Central Plains, where experts abounded, and have a more powerful being undo it.
But Medusa didn't want to go to the Central Plains.
She trusted the Four Great Elders enough to let them use a secret technique to examine her soul, but she didn't trust the people of the Central Plains.
After thinking it over for several days, Medusa finally made her choice.
She was the dignified Snake-Person Queen. Since she had already agreed to marry that insignificant bug, she would never go back on her word. It certainly had nothing to do with the betrothal gifts; she was simply a woman of her word.
Once she got the gifts and broke the Marriage Contract, she could kill that bug afterward.
"Bug~ What's your name?"
Medusa looked at Gu Shenge. She had been about to call him a bug again, but then remembered that he was now a Dou Huang expert, and decided it would be rude. Instead, she asked his name.
"My name is Gu Shenge. But since we're husband and wife, I'd much rather you call me 'husband,' my dear wife."
Gu Shenge teased her as he sized Medusa up.
Although the Snake-Person Queen had broken through to Dou Zong, she hadn't chosen to transform. She still had a human upper body and a snake's tail. Her stately, luxurious purple tail swayed gently, looking quite enticing and making him want to grab its tip and stroke it.
This was the Snake-People Tribe's Divine Temple City, not the Jia Ma Empire. She had no need to transform her tail into legs.
Medusa gave a cold snort.
"Hmph! Silver-tongued as ever. Gu Shenge, since I've agreed to marry you and we've signed a Marriage Contract, where are the betrothal gifts you promised me?"
Hearing that she had come to demand the betrothal gifts, Gu Shenge's smile grew even wider.
"My dear wife, we've only gotten our marriage license. We haven't held the wedding banquet or even consummated the marriage. If I give you the betrothal gifts now, what if you run off with them?"
"You! Do you take me for someone who breaks her word? I said I would marry you, and I won't go back on it."
Exposed, Medusa grew flustered and angry. She really had planned to get her hands on the Nine-Colored Heaven-Swallowing Python Origin and the Heaven-Swallowing Treasure Record, then get rid of Gu Shenge.
But she hadn't expected the man to want to consummate the marriage with her, too!
What an utter delusion!
Gu Shenge shook his head, wearing an expression that plainly said he didn't believe her.
"That remains to be seen. I've heard plenty of stories about people tricking others out of their betrothal gifts."
"Fine! Since you don't trust me, let's break the Marriage Contract. I won't marry you, and I don't want your betrothal gifts either!"
Medusa immediately changed her tune. So he wouldn't give her the gifts? Then she'd call off the wedding.
Hah. Gu Shenge could see right through Medusa's little scheme, even if he had to read her mind.
She just wanted him to break the contract himself so she could snatch the betrothal gifts by force.
Gu Shenge spread his hands, as if to say, "Not a chance."
"My dear wife, I never said I wouldn't give you the gifts. But we haven't married, and we haven't shared a bed. It wouldn't be proper for me to give them to you yet."
The two of them kept going back and forth, their relationship as close as ever.
Medusa glared at Gu Shenge's handsome, striking face. She really wanted to smack him with her tail.
All this talk, and he still just wants to sleep with me!
Fine. Let's see if you're worthy.
A crafty glint flashed in Medusa's eyes. Her alluring face turned stern as she spoke solemnly.
"You want to marry me and consummate the marriage? Fine. If you can meet three conditions, I'll agree."
"I refuse."
Gu Shenge rejected Medusa without a second thought. He had schemed to marry her only for the system rewards and his own safety.
Now that he had achieved his goal, Medusa wasn't nearly as important. Why should he inconvenience himself by doing things for her?
Sure, Medusa was beautiful, and many people hailed her as a goddess of Chinese animation. So what?
He had strength and a system that could take him across countless worlds. What woman wouldn't he meet in the future? Why should he hang himself from Medusa's tree?
Medusa's lovely face darkened with anger as she bit down on her pearly teeth.
This man was refusing a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit!
Medusa could no longer suppress her fury. Killing intent surged in her beautiful eyes, her hair whipped about wildly, and her tail lashed against the ground again and again, sending碎 stone flying. She wanted to tear Gu Shenge limb from limb right there and then to vent her rage.
"Gu Shenge! You really think this Marriage Contract can keep me from dealing with you? Believe me, I'll lock you up and make sure you never see the light of day for the rest of your life!"
Facing Medusa's impotent fury, golden sword energy surged around Gu Shenge. His golden hair fluttered, and the Sun God Mark between his brows shone with dazzling golden light. Majestic and awe-inspiring, radiant and pure, Morning Dawn Sword Light circled him, destroying all evil. He looked like a sword-wielding dawn deity illuminating the world as he faced the Snake-Person Queen head-on!
"Go ahead and try."
Now that Gu Shenge was showing his strength, Medusa wanted to attack, but the Marriage Contract held her back. She couldn't fight him.
After a long standoff, the Snake-Person Queen finally let her killing intent fade and chose to compromise once again. She truly had no way to deal with Gu Shenge.
This man was far too shameless!
"Fine! Since you insist on marrying me and consummating the marriage, I'll grant your wish. Come with me."
The Nine-Colored Heaven-Swallowing Python Origin and an Emperor-Tier Cultivation Technique were far too tempting for Medusa to resist. Since this shameless man wanted so badly to share her bed, she'd grant his wish!
Hearing this, Gu Shenge nodded in satisfaction.
Women shouldn't be indulged too much. The more you indulged them, the more they demanded.
Medusa turned and flew off the small island. A pair of golden Dou Qi Wings unfurled behind Gu Shenge, trailing wisps of golden flames, brilliant and dazzling.
His golden wings beat, and Gu Shenge followed close behind Medusa as they left the island in the middle of the lake.
They passed through a dark, winding corridor and eventually arrived at the main hall of the Divine Temple.
Several beautiful snake women serving Medusa saw their queen and hurried to bow respectfully. When they noticed the human following behind her, they all looked surprised.
"Go inform the Four Great Elders and the leaders of the Eight Great Tribes. Tell them to come to the Divine Temple. I have something important to discuss."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The maids bowed in reply, then quickly left the Divine Temple to notify the Four Great Elders and the eight tribal leaders.
Medusa glanced at Gu Shenge behind her. Her red lips parted, her voice cool.
"Once the elders and leaders arrive, I'll tell them that you and I are getting married. But some of the leaders might not be happy about it and may give you a hard time. I won't help you. Don't blame me if you embarrass yourself."
Gu Shenge replied with a smile. "My dear wife, don't worry. I'll handle it."
Although he had only just advanced to Dou Huang, those Dou Wang experts were seriously underestimating him if they thought they could embarrass him.
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