Queen Medusa gritted her teeth and summoned all her Dou Qi.
Heavenly Underworld Asura Hand.
A dark palm shot toward the Frost Giant Ape.
The Frost Giant Ape raised its palm to meet it.
A deafening crash rang out.
The Frost Giant Ape stumbled back a few steps, shook its head, then charged again.
Queen Medusa's expression darkened.
Her full-powered Heavenly Underworld Asura Hand had only forced the beast back a few steps.
The Frost Giant Ape charged once more, its enormous palm slamming down toward Queen Medusa.
Queen Medusa tried to dodge, but the chill had slowed her movements.
That massive palm was about to strike her.
Just then, Xiao Chen moved.
He blurred forward and stood in front of Queen Medusa.
He raised his hand.
Then struck with his palm.
All the power of a Dou Venerate gathered in that single strike.
His palm slammed into the Frost Giant Ape's chest.
The Frost Giant Ape's massive body flew backward and crashed heavily into an ancient tree.
The tree snapped with a crack.
The Frost Giant Ape hit the ground and struggled a few times before lying still.
Its chest had caved in; the blow had clearly shattered its heart.
Queen Medusa watched, stunned.
She had struggled with all her might and still couldn't defeat the Frost Giant Ape, yet Xiao Chen had finished it with a single strike.
The gap between a Dou Venerate and a Dou Zong truly was like a chasm.
Xiao Chen walked over to the Frost Giant Ape's corpse and reached into its chest, retrieving a silvery-white Magic Core.
The Magic Core was about the size of a fist and radiated a faint chill.
A Sixth-tier Magic Core.
Xiao Chen turned and handed it to Queen Medusa.
Queen Medusa accepted the Magic Core and looked at him, her eyes filled with mixed emotions.
"Thank you."
Queen Medusa said.
Xiao Chen nodded.
Neither of them lingered. They turned and headed out of the Magical Beast Mountain Range.
After leaving the Magical Beast Mountain Range, the two activated their Dou Qi and flew toward the Snake-People Tribe.
Queen Medusa remained silent the whole way.
She held the Sixth-tier Magic Core in her hand, but her mind kept returning to what had just happened.
The sight of Xiao Chen killing the Frost Giant Ape with a single blow.
That thought surfaced once more.
Marrying Xiao Chen and becoming his wife or concubine...
Queen Medusa bit her lip and stole a glance at Xiao Chen.
He was focused on flying, his profile sharply defined.
After an unknown amount of time, the two finally returned to the Snake-People Tribe.
They landed in front of the main hall. Queen Medusa stopped and turned to look at Xiao Chen.
"I have you to thank for this."
Queen Medusa said.
"Your Majesty is too kind."
Xiao Chen said.
Queen Medusa looked at him, as if she wanted to say something but couldn't.
A moment later, she looked away and walked into the main hall.
Xiao Chen watched her leave, then turned and headed for his own quarters.
Ice River Valley
Inside the main hall, the master of Ice River Valley sat in the seat of honor, his expression frighteningly grim.
Several disciples stood before him, heads lowered, not daring to make a sound.
"Have the disciples sent to the Jia Ma Empire to search for Heavenly Flames still not sent any word?"
The master of Ice River Valley asked coldly.
One disciple answered in a trembling voice.
"Reporting to Valley Master, there's still no news."
"We haven't heard from them in several days."
"I'm afraid they've met with misfortune."
The disciples exchanged glances, none daring to speak.
The master of Ice River Valley slammed his hand down on the armrest.
"Who dares kill disciples of Ice River Valley?"
One disciple asked cautiously.
"Valley Master, should we send more people to investigate?"
"Investigate. Get to the bottom of it."
"I want to see who's bold enough to lay a hand on people from Ice River Valley."
"Yes."
The disciples answered and hurried out of the main hall.
Before you continue