A lifetime of servitude as a slave or maid.

The several Snake-Person Dou Kings stood frozen in place, unable to react for a long time.

Mo Basi climbed out of the pit, staring at Ye Xiu's retreating figure with a face so ugly it could kill. But he didn't dare say a single word.

Ye Xiu followed Medusa as she flew for a while, then landed in front of a massive stone palace.

Two rows of Snake-Person guards stood at the palace entrance. Seeing Medusa return, they dropped to their knees in unison.

"Queen!"

Medusa gave a slight nod and walked straight inside.

Ye Xiu followed her into the palace.

The interior was spacious and lavishly decorated. Crystal ornaments hung on the walls, carpets covered the floor, and in the corners sat a few potted green plants whose origin was anyone's guess.

Medusa walked to the main seat and sat down, her eyes on Ye Xiu.

"Sit."

Ye Xiu didn't stand on ceremony and casually took a chair.

Medusa stared at him for a moment before speaking. "You say you can guarantee me a hundred percent success. On what basis?"

"I've already said it once. On the basis that I'm a Sixth-grade Alchemist, and on the basis that I can give you what you need," Ye Xiu replied.

To be honest, the help Ye Xiu could actually provide wasn't much. For Medusa to complete her evolution, it was still a matter of nine deaths and one chance at life.

But Ye Xiu was a transmigrator. He already knew the original story. Medusa would ultimately succeed in her evolution—that was a certainty.

So, while it was a nine-deaths-one-life gamble for Medusa, for Ye Xiu, it was a hundred percent guaranteed success.

"Do you know what it takes to complete an evolution using a Heavenly Flame?" Ye Xiu asked.

Medusa said nothing, her beautiful eyes fixed on Ye Xiu.

Ye Xiu continued. "First, you need a body strong enough to withstand the Heavenly Flame's burning. Second, you need a pill to protect your soul, ensuring it doesn't perish. Third, the evolution process requires precise control, so the Heavenly Flame actively promotes your origin evolution instead of indiscriminately burning you to ash."

The first point was obvious.

The second point meant Ye Xiu could refine a Soul-Melting Pill, preventing Medusa's soul from being overtaken by the evolved Seven-Colored Heaven-Swallowing Python's soul after the Purple-Nether Flame Snake's transformation. Instead, the two would merge directly.

As for the third point, in other words, it required an alchemist to first devour the Green Lotus Core Flame, then control the Heavenly Flame at will.

Seeing that Ye Xiu's reasoning was solid and well-supported, Medusa's gaze flickered.

What he said made sense to her. But sense was one thing; execution was another.

"On the physical side, you're already a Peak Dou Huang, and the Snake-Person Race's constitution is strong enough. That's not a big problem," Ye Xiu said. "The key is the other two. I can refine the pill to protect your soul. A single Sixth-grade Soul-Melting Pill, and your soul will be as steady as Mount Tai, never to be overtaken by a second entity."

"As for the control method..." Ye Xiu paused. "It means I need to control the Green Lotus Core Flame, preventing it from suddenly going berserk."

Medusa's pupils contracted. She looked at Ye Xiu and asked, "You can control a Heavenly Flame?"

"A Heavenly Flame is born from seizing the creation of heaven and earth. No one can control it except its master," Ye Xiu said, shaking his head.

Medusa understood his implication. Her tone turned dangerous. "So what you're saying is, you want to devour the Heavenly Flame first, then help me evolve? The thing you said you wanted earlier—that's the Green Lotus Core Flame?"

Ye Xiu nodded. "The Queen is wise."

Medusa let out a cold laugh. "Do you take me for a fool? If I let you have the Heavenly Flame, what's to stop you from going back on your word? And my evolution process is perilous beyond measure, with no room for error. If you control the Heavenly Flame and sabotage me, wouldn't I be walking into certain death?!"

Ye Xiu replied unhurriedly, "It's only natural that the Queen doesn't trust me. So we can sign a Soul Contract. If I go back on my word or sabotage you, let my soul be devoured and my body destroyed. How about that?"

Queen Medusa looked at Ye Xiu. "You truly want to sign a Soul Contract with me?"

Ye Xiu nodded. "Exactly. We'll use blood as the guide and soul as the bond. When we sign, as long as both parties willingly offer the core blood tied to their soul and life, and merge it into each other's soul, an absolute contractual relationship will be established."

Ye Xiu paused, then continued, "Of course, this is an equal contract, so the Queen must also set down the same terms."

Seeing Medusa remain silent for a long time, Ye Xiu spoke again.

"For you, this is a sure-win deal. If it succeeds, you evolve directly into a Seventh-tier Magic Beast, reaching the Dou Ancestor realm. You'll have no rivals in the entire Jia Ma Empire, and the Snake-Person Race will flourish because of it."

"Even if it fails, it's no loss. Your physical body will be gone, but your soul can still exist for a moment. I can seize that moment to aid your soul and find you a new body. Or I can even refine a batch of Bone-Shaping Pills to forge you a new fleshly form."

Medusa pondered for a moment, weighing the options.

This human's proposal was too perfect—so perfect she couldn't believe it.

But she had to admit, if what he said was true, it was indeed her only chance.

Evolution through a Heavenly Flame had rarely succeeded since ancient times. She had originally been prepared to gamble with her life. Now that someone told her they could raise the success rate to a hundred percent, she had no choice but to believe.

Medusa then said, "Fine. I'll go along with your words!"

"I will allow you to devour the Green Lotus Core Flame. If I go back on my word midway, I will be your slave for life."

Ye Xiu nodded with a smile. "Good!"

Medusa looked at him and suddenly asked, "What's your name?"

"Ye Xiu."

Medusa nodded, committing the name to memory.

"When do we start?" she asked.

Ye Xiu thought for a moment. "We'll need a few days. I need to prepare some medicinal ingredients to refine the Soul-Melting Pill. Also, where is your Heavenly Flame now?"

"Deep in the tribe, I have people watching," Medusa said. "Do you want to go see?"

Ye Xiu shook his head. "No rush. Once I finish refining the pills, we'll go together."

Medusa nodded and rose from her throne.

"Then I'll have someone arrange a place for you to stay."

Ye Xiu waved a hand. "No need. I'll just find a spot outside. Your people are watching me anyway—I'm not going anywhere."

Medusa glanced at him but said nothing.

Ye Xiu stood up and walked toward the door.

When he reached the entrance, he suddenly stopped and turned back to look at Medusa.

"By the way, Queen, there's something I'm not sure if I should say."

Medusa frowned. "Speak."

Ye Xiu smiled. "You really are quite beautiful. No wonder the rumors outside make you sound like a fairy."

With that, he pushed open the door and left.

Medusa stood there frozen, unable to react for a long moment.

By the time she snapped out of it, Ye Xiu was already gone.

She stood in the palace, her expression complicated.

In all these years, no one had ever dared speak to her like that.

This human—his nerve was truly something else.