Yue Mei hurried into the hall, her steps quick.
Her expression was grim, and her eyes held a hint of concern.
Queen Medusa sat on her throne. When she saw Yue Mei enter, she raised an eyebrow slightly.
"What is it?"
Queen Medusa asked.
Yue Mei cupped her fists and spoke in a low voice.
"Your Majesty, the experts from the Jia Ma Empire have arrived at the Tagor Desert."
"They're calling for a fight outside the tribe," Yue Mei said.
Queen Medusa narrowed her eyes slightly.
Yue Mei continued.
"Jia Xingtian and Yun Shan are among them, along with Nalan Jie and several Dou Wang experts."
"They've declared that our Snake-People Tribe must hand over Yun Yun, her disciple, and the two princesses immediately."
"Otherwise, they'll raze the Snake-People Tribe to the ground."
As soon as she finished speaking, the atmosphere in the hall froze.
The elders' expressions darkened at once.
The First Elder spoke first, his voice full of anger.
"Raze us to the ground? What a boast."
The First Elder said coldly.
The Third Elder could no longer hold back.
"That old bastard Jia Xingtian! Her Majesty spared his life last time, and instead of learning his lesson, he dares to bring people here to provoke us."
The Third Elder's voice was filled with barely contained fury.
The Fourth Elder shook his head repeatedly.
"Who do they think they are? They think a handful of people can raze the Snake-People Tribe to the ground?"
The Fourth Elder's tone was full of disdain.
The Second Elder stood to one side, his expression equally grim.
Queen Medusa slowly rose from her throne.
Her face showed no emotion, but the chill in her violet eyes seemed ready to spill out.
"Since they're looking for death, I'll oblige them."
After speaking, Queen Medusa flashed toward the entrance of the hall.
The elders hurried after her.
Xiao Chen was among them, heading out of the tribe as well.
The Tagor Desert.
The sun blazed overhead, and yellow sand filled the sky.
The experts from the Jia Ma Empire stood in the desert, each of them radiating menace.
Jia Xingtian stood at the front, emanating the aura of a Peak Dou Emperor.
Yun Shan stood beside him, his white hair fluttering in the wind and his gaze dark.
Nalan Jie and his son, Nalan Su, stood behind them.
Several other Dou Wang experts from the Jia Ma Empire stood in a line.
When they saw Queen Medusa lead the Snake-People Tribe out of the tribe, Jia Xingtian stepped forward.
"Queen Medusa, you've finally come out."
Jia Xingtian said in a low voice.
Queen Medusa stopped and looked at him, her expression indifferent.
"Jia Xingtian, I spared your life last time. Instead of being grateful, you dare bring people here to cause trouble for my Snake-People Tribe."
Queen Medusa's voice was frighteningly calm.
Jia Xingtian's expression changed.
Yun Shan spoke up then.
"Medusa, enough talk."
Yun Shan said coldly, "Hand over Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran."
"Otherwise, we'll raze your Snake-People Tribe to the ground today."
Queen Medusa looked at Yun Shan, the corner of her mouth curving into a mocking smile.
"Raze the Snake-People Tribe?"
Queen Medusa said lightly.
"Just you people?"
Yun Shan's expression darkened.
"Medusa, don't get too arrogant."
Yun Shan said coldly. "Although I lost last time, Elder Jia and I are joining forces this time. We may well be your match."
Jia Xingtian stepped forward as well, Dou Qi surging around him.
"Exactly. Medusa, you may be a Dou Zong, but the two of us can hold our own against you."
Jia Xingtian said gravely. "If you know what's good for you, hand them over."
Queen Medusa looked at the two men as if they were a pair of ants.
"Then let's find out."
As Queen Medusa spoke, a terrifying aura burst from her.
The pressure of a Dou Zong swept toward Jia Xingtian and Yun Shan.
Their expressions changed at the same time.
They exchanged a glance and attacked together.
Jia Xingtian struck with his palm, his Peak Dou Emperor Dou Qi condensing into a palm print that hurtled toward Queen Medusa.
Yun Shan attacked too, his Dou Qi transforming into a streak of sword light aimed straight at Queen Medusa's chest.
They attacked from either side, sealing off every escape route.
As Queen Medusa watched them attack together, a trace of disdain flashed in her eyes.
She raised her right hand, and the Dou Qi within her surged wildly.
A dark light gathered in her palm, radiating a chilling aura.
Heavenly Underworld Asura Hand.
A high-tier Earth-rank Dou Technique Xiao Chen had taught her.
Queen Medusa struck with her palm.
The dark Dou Qi transformed into an enormous black hand that slammed toward Jia Xingtian and Yun Shan.
Jia Xingtian's palm print was shattered instantly before the black hand.
Yun Shan's sword light was just as helpless.
The black hand pressed forward like a breaking tide and struck them both directly.
Jia Xingtian was sent flying, spitting out a mouthful of blood before crashing heavily onto the sand.
Yun Shan fared no better. The black hand struck him in the chest, sending him flying several yards.
He hit the ground, kicking up a cloud of sand.
The entire scene fell silent.
The experts from the Jia Ma Empire stood rooted to the spot, their eyes wide.
Jia Xingtian and Yun Shan had joined forces, yet Queen Medusa had defeated them with a single strike.
What kind of strength was this?
Nalan Jie stood behind them, his face turning deathly pale.
"Th-this is impossible..."
Nalan Jie's voice trembled.
Jia Xingtian struggled to his feet and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.
He stared at Queen Medusa, shock practically spilling from his eyes.
"Y-you... what kind of Dou Technique was that?"
Yun Shan got up too, his expression even worse than Jia Xingtian's.
He stared at Queen Medusa, waves of shock rising in his heart.
The power of this Dou Technique surpassed any he had ever seen.
It had to be an Earth-rank Dou Technique.
How could the Snake-People Tribe have an Earth-rank Dou Technique?
Queen Medusa looked at the two men's miserable state, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly.
She couldn't help admiring it to herself.
The Earth-rank Dou Technique Xiao Chen had given her was indeed astonishingly powerful.
Jia Xingtian and Yun Shan couldn't even withstand a single move from her when they joined forces.
A high-tier Earth-rank Dou Technique truly lived up to its reputation.
Queen Medusa gathered her thoughts and turned her gaze back to Jia Xingtian and Yun Shan.
A trace of killing intent flashed in her eyes.
"Since you've delivered yourselves to my doorstep, don't blame me for showing no mercy."
As Queen Medusa spoke, she raised her palm.
Dark light gathered in her palm once more.
Jia Xingtian's expression changed drastically.
Yun Shan's pupils contracted sharply too.
They both sensed that terrifying aura.
If Queen Medusa struck again, they would be doomed.
Just then, several figures rushed out of the Snake-People Tribe.
Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran.
The sisters Yao Yue and Yao Ye appeared as well. The four of them stood before them.
"Queen Medusa, please spare them."
Yun Yun cried out urgently.
Queen Medusa frowned.
"Move aside."
Queen Medusa said coldly.
Yun Yun did not move.
Nalan Yanran spoke up too.
"Queen Medusa, please spare my grandfather and the others."
Nalan Yanran said, her voice pleading.
Yao Yue quickly added,
"Queen Medusa, I beg you not to hurt my imperial grandfather."
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