The next morning, when Yue Mei awoke, she felt a strange change inside her.
She sat up and closed her eyes, carefully sensing it.
A moment later, Yue Mei opened her eyes, shock filling them.
Peak Eight-Star Dou Wang.
She had only broken through to Eight-Star Dou Wang yesterday, yet today she had reached its peak.
She was just one step away from Nine-Star Dou Wang.
"How is this possible..."
Yue Mei murmured.
She had cultivated for many years, trapped at the bottleneck of Seven-Star Dou Wang for a long time.
When she had suddenly broken through to Eight-Star Dou Wang yesterday, she had thought it was just a coincidence.
But today, she had risen to the peak of Eight-Star Dou Wang.
It definitely wasn't a coincidence.
Yue Mei looked at Xiao Chen beside her.
Xiao Chen stood by the window, his back turned to her.
Yue Mei stared at his back, a thought rising in her mind.
Ever since she had been with him... her strength had started increasing.
First, she had gone from Seven-Star Dou Wang to Eight-Star Dou Wang.
And now she had reached the peak of Eight-Star Dou Wang.
It was far too much of a coincidence.
Yue Mei bit her lip.
She stared at Xiao Chen's back, wanting to ask him about it.
But when the words reached her lips, she swallowed them back.
Yue Mei looked away and said nothing.
She got dressed and went to stand beside Xiao Chen.
Just as she was about to speak, a Snake-Person came over and said,
"Lady Yue Mei, you and Xiao Chen are to come to the main hall. The elders asked me to notify you."
"Okay, I understand."
Yue Mei and Xiao Chen left their residence together and headed to the main hall.
Several elders had already gathered in the main hall of the Snake-People Tribe.
The First Elder sat in the seat of honor on the left, while the Second Elder sat in the seat of honor on the right.
The Third Elder and Fourth Elder sat below them.
They were discussing something in low voices.
When Xiao Chen and Yue Mei entered, everyone stopped talking.
The First Elder looked at Xiao Chen, his eyes full of satisfaction.
"Xiao Chen, you're here."
The First Elder said.
Xiao Chen nodded and stood in the middle of the hall.
Yue Mei stood beside him.
The Third Elder spoke first.
"Xiao Chen, your defeat of Mo Basi has caused quite a stir in the tribe."
The Third Elder said, "I have to say, the strength of a Nine-Star Dou Wang is already top-tier among the Snake-People."
"When the Queen returns, we plan to propose making you one of the tribe's leaders."
The Fourth Elder nodded as well.
"Indeed. With your strength, you are more than qualified to be a leader."
The Fourth Elder said, "It would also raise your standing in the tribe."
The First Elder smiled when he heard this.
"Thank you, both of you."
The First Elder said.
The Second Elder sat to one side, his expression displeased.
"Wait."
The Second Elder suddenly spoke. "I admit that Xiao Chen has become powerful."
"But how old is he? He's still far too young."
"Isn't it too hasty to make him a leader?"
The First Elder's expression darkened.
"Second Elder, what do you mean?"
The First Elder said coldly. "Xiao Chen's strength speaks for itself. He's a Nine-Star Dou Wang. Isn't that enough?"
"I'm not saying he isn't qualified."
The Second Elder said calmly. "I just think he's still too young and needs more experience."
"You can't become a leader through strength alone. Besides, the tribe won't accept it."
"You!"
The First Elder rose to his feet and glared at the Second Elder. It was obvious he was deliberately targeting Xiao Chen.
"Everyone here saw Xiao Chen's strength."
The First Elder said coldly. "When he defeated Mo Basi, he settled it with a single palm strike."
"Isn't that enough?"
The Second Elder also stood up.
"Elder Brother, I'm not targeting you."
The Second Elder said, "I'm just discussing the matter at hand."
"Xiao Chen is certainly strong, but he's too young and lacks experience."
"I wouldn't feel comfortable making him a leader."
The First Elder's face turned livid.
"You wouldn't feel comfortable?"
The First Elder said coldly. "What is there to feel uncomfortable about?"
"Xiao Chen is my grandson. I will vouch for him."
"If anything goes wrong, I'll take responsibility."
The Second Elder looked at the First Elder and said nothing.
The Third Elder and Fourth Elder exchanged glances but remained silent.
The atmosphere in the hall grew tense.
Xiao Chen stood in the middle of the hall without saying anything.
Yue Mei stood beside him, also silent.
"Let's wait until the Queen returns. There's no point in discussing it further."
After saying this, the Second Elder turned and left the hall.
The First Elder watched him go and snorted.
The Third Elder and Fourth Elder also stood up.
"Elder Brother, we'll take our leave too."
The Third Elder said.
The First Elder nodded.
After they left, only the First Elder, Xiao Chen, and Yue Mei remained in the hall.
Meanwhile, Queen Medusa had already left the Tagor Desert.
She flew east toward the Jia Ma Empire.
A Dou Huang expert moved at incredible speed. Before long, she spotted a town in the distance.
Medusa suppressed her aura and landed.
Her purpose on this trip was to find Xiao Chen a concubine.
Since Multi-Child Multi-Blessing was real, she would have to keep helping him find wives.
The more wives he had, the stronger Xiao Chen would become.
And the stronger Xiao Chen became, the better it would be for the Snake-People Tribe.
After thinking it over, Medusa decided to visit Shimo City first.
Shimo City was a border city in the Jia Ma Empire. It was full of all sorts of people and also the closest city to the desert.
She might find someone suitable there.
Medusa flashed away toward Shimo City.
Outside Shimo City, at the Moti Mercenary Group's base,
Xiao Ding and Xiao Li were discussing something inside a tent.
A mercenary hurried in.
"Captain, this is bad!"
The mercenary said urgently.
"What is it?"
Xiao Ding asked, frowning.
"A powerful person has appeared outside the city. Her aura is terrifying."
The mercenary said, "It seems to be... it seems to be Queen Medusa of the Snake-People Tribe!"
Xiao Ding and Xiao Li's expressions changed drastically.
"What did you say?"
Xiao Li sprang to his feet. "Queen Medusa?"
"Yes. Our people saw her from a distance."
The mercenary said, "There's no way we could mistake her."
Xiao Ding's expression changed too.
Queen Medusa was a Dou Emperor expert.
If she attacked the Moti Mercenary Group, they wouldn't even have a chance to escape.
"What do we do?"
Xiao Li asked urgently. "Elder Brother, should we retreat?"
Xiao Ding gritted his teeth.
"Retreat?"
Xiao Ding said gravely. "Could we outrun Queen Medusa?"
Xiao Li fell silent.
Just then, the tent flap was lifted.
A delicate little girl walked in.
"Captain, I heard there's a powerful Snake-Person outside?"
The little girl asked, worry filling her eyes.
"Qing Lin, go back to your room and stay there. Don't come out."
Xiao Ding said.
Qing Lin nodded and was about to turn around and leave.
Just then, a cool voice came from outside.
"You don't need to leave."
The tent flap was lifted, and Medusa walked in.
Xiao Ding and Xiao Li's expressions changed drastically. They hurried to stand in front of Qing Lin.
Medusa looked at them but said nothing.
Her gaze passed over Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, settling on Qing Lin.
She noticed the girl's appearance and the scales on her body.
"Is this girl a child of a Snake-Person and a human?"
Medusa asked.
Xiao Ding's expression changed.
"She isn't..."
Xiao Ding began to say.
Medusa raised a hand, cutting him off.
Her gaze fixed on Qing Lin's eyes.
Three green markings swirled in Qing Lin's eyes.
Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils.
A hint of surprise flashed in Medusa's eyes.
"To think she has the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils."
Medusa murmured.
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