In the past few days, Queen Medusa's strength had improved.
She could feel that the Dou Qi within her was much more potent than before, and she seemed close to a breakthrough.
But that bottleneck remained stubbornly in place, unmoving.
Queen Medusa sat cross-legged in the cultivation room. She opened her eyes, a trace of unwillingness flashing in them.
She was still just a little short.
She rose and left the cultivation room, making her way into the great hall.
Seated on her throne, Queen Medusa lightly tapped the armrest with her fingers, lost in thought.
If she fought Xiao Chen now, she was afraid she would no longer be his match.
The thought stirred a sense of defiance within her.
She was the queen of the Snake-People Tribe, proud by nature and never willing to be beneath anyone.
"Someone."
Queen Medusa called out calmly.
A Snake-People maid entered the hall and bowed respectfully.
"Your Majesty."
"Go call Xiao Chen."
Queen Medusa ordered.
"Yes."
The maid answered and turned to leave.
A short while later, Xiao Chen entered the hall.
He walked to the center and looked at Queen Medusa on her throne.
"Your Majesty, what did you need me for?"
Xiao Chen asked.
Queen Medusa rose and walked over to him.
"My strength has improved these past few days. I want to test your skills."
Queen Medusa said.
Xiao Chen raised an eyebrow.
"You want to spar with me, Your Majesty?"
Xiao Chen asked.
"That's right."
Queen Medusa nodded.
Xiao Chen looked at her, the corners of his lips lifting slightly.
"Sure."
Xiao Chen replied.
The two left the hall and headed to an open patch of ground deep within the tribe.
The clearing was spacious, with no tribespeople nearby.
Queen Medusa turned to face Xiao Chen.
"Make your move."
Queen Medusa said.
Xiao Chen didn't move.
"Your Majesty first."
Xiao Chen said.
Queen Medusa furrowed her brow but said nothing more.
She circulated the Dou Qi within her, and the aura of a Dou Zong burst from her.
Queen Medusa raised her right hand, light gathering in her palm.
Heavenly Underworld Asura Hand.
She opened with a high-tier Earth-class Dou Technique, holding nothing back.
A dark palm shot toward Xiao Chen, carrying terrifying pressure.
Xiao Chen looked at the black palm and raised his hand, meeting it with his own.
Their palms collided with a thunderous boom.
Queen Medusa's black palm instantly shattered.
She was sent stumbling backward several steps before she managed to steady herself.
Queen Medusa looked up at Xiao Chen, shock filling her eyes.
"Your strength..."
Queen Medusa's voice trembled.
She had put all her strength into that strike, yet before Xiao Chen, it had been utterly ineffective.
Xiao Chen lowered his hand and looked at her.
"Again."
Xiao Chen said.
Queen Medusa gritted her teeth and attacked again.
She circulated all her Dou Qi, blurred forward, and charged at Xiao Chen.
She struck at his chest with her palm.
Xiao Chen dodged to the side and countered with a palm aimed at her shoulder.
Queen Medusa hurriedly raised her hand to block.
A muffled thud rang out, and she staggered back several more steps.
Xiao Chen gave her no chance to catch her breath. He closed in, his palms flashing in a flurry.
Queen Medusa retreated again and again, barely managing to defend herself.
Xiao Chen's strength completely overwhelmed hers.
His speed and power were both far beyond hers.
An absurd thought arose in Queen Medusa's mind.
Could Xiao Chen have already reached the realm of a Dou Venerate?
The thought sent a jolt through Queen Medusa.
A Dou Venerate.
That was a realm above Dou Zong.
There wasn't a single Dou Zun expert in the entire Jia Ma Empire.
Xiao Chen was so young—how could he possibly have reached the Dou Venerate realm?
Queen Medusa gritted her teeth and attacked once more.
She gave it everything she had, unleashing every Dou Technique at her disposal.
A wave of frustration welled up within Queen Medusa.
She stopped, standing still and panting heavily.
Xiao Chen stopped as well and looked at her.
"Your Majesty, do you want to keep going?"
Xiao Chen asked.
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