The Red-Eyed Rival

Misty Cloud Sect?!

A chill flashed through those soul-captivating eyes. After hesitating for a long while, Medusa chose to set aside her prejudice. After all, before leaving, her master had told her she would represent him in all matters. It wouldn't do to appear too petty now.

She immediately circulated Dou Qi, channeling it out from her back. A surge of deep purple energy gathered into a pair of wings.

With a whoosh, she soared into the sky. The mountain gate wasn't far from the barrier's exit, but Yun Shan and Yun Yun outside had still been left waiting for more than ten minutes.

"Mas... Ahem, Sect Master... Could Saint Qinglian be away from the mountain? Why has there been no response for so long?" As time passed, Yun Yun noticed Yun Shan's awkwardness. When the Mittel Family had come to present their gifts, things hadn't gone like this. Whether intentional or not, that had clearly shown Saint Qinglian's attitude toward the Jia Ma Empire and the Misty Cloud Sect, a local power. That was why Yun Yun had brought it up, hoping to ease Yun Shan's concerns...

"I'm not in a hurry. The Saint may have been held up by something else. When you're dealing with an expert of that rank, even if we have to wait here until we die, we must wait respectfully. Don't forget why we came!" Yun Shan's resolve was firm, and he understood perfectly well why they were being treated differently. Ever since he'd seen Medusa beside Zhang Nian that day, he hadn't slept well. He was terrified that one day this Dou Sheng Expert might fly into a rage and leave corpses strewn for miles...

"Yes... I'll stay with you, Master." Yun Yun said no more. She stood respectfully behind Yun Shan and waited in silence, repeatedly reminding herself: This is all for the Misty Cloud Sect... Even if I have to brave fire and water, I won't hesitate...

Medusa stood within the barrier. Though only a wall separated them, it felt like an insurmountable divide. She gave a cold laugh. Heh. So they're just a bunch of fair-weather followers who bully the weak and fear the strong. They think the Snake-People Tribe is easy to push around? Today, I'll let them taste what it's like to be turned away at the door.

A faint glimmer passed over the Storage Ring on her slender finger, and a diamond-shaped emblem appeared in her palm. Space rippled, and the barrier slowly opened a gap wide enough for one person to pass through. Medusa appeared before them.

Uh...

The scene grew awkward. Yun Shan had never imagined the person coming to open the barrier would be that woman from the Snake-People Tribe... Talk about walking straight into trouble...

Though he felt awkward, decades of practice had given him a thick enough skin to force a kindly smile onto his wrinkled face. He then led Yun Yun in a respectful bow.

"We respectfully welcome the Saint's disciple. May I ask whether Saint Qinglian is currently at the mountain gate? Heh, heh..."

This old man must think he looks kind with that expression... Medusa felt disgusted. She kept her face stern, unmoved by Yun Shan's groveling.

"My master isn't at the mountain gate. I'm handling matters here. Didn't you come to present gifts? Leave them and go." Her tone was icy, keeping them at arm's length. Yun Shan was caught completely off guard. The generous gifts he'd prepared suddenly didn't seem so appealing. They were all top-quality treasures he'd dug out of his hoard, saved up over the years as a thank-you gift for the Saint. Now, he hadn't even gotten to make his request, and the gifts were already gone.

Seeing Yun Shan's predicament, Yun Yun spoke up at once. "We came first to congratulate the Saint on his new residence, and second because we have a request to make. Since the Saint isn't at the mountain gate, we won't trouble you while you're cultivating..." As women, Yun Yun already found Medusa quite unpleasant, while Medusa sensed a deep threat from Yun Yun.

Medusa eyed Yun Shan suspiciously. In their conversation, the old man had mentioned that he'd come to see her master with a specific purpose in mind. Was he here to discuss the Snake-People Tribe? Or perhaps...

Her gaze abruptly shifted to Yun Yun behind Yun Shan. Suddenly, she understood. Among the group the Mittel Family had sent over recently was an exceptionally beautiful woman, so charming that even Medusa had felt outshone by her. Was this the sort of beauty Granny Snake always called a feast for the eyes?

Then the Misty Cloud Sect must have the same idea. Heh. What a clever scheme. Hm? A five-star Dou Wang?

Seeing through Yun Yun's cultivation level only strengthened her suspicion.

There's no way I'm letting this woman through the mountain gate!

That was Medusa's truest thought at that moment. Their positions were diametrically opposed, and Medusa loved the life she had now. She had no desire to leave her comfort zone.

No. I can't let them leave so easily, or they'll definitely come back in a few days!

"So you came empty-handed and plan to leave empty-handed?" Medusa's mocking tone dripped with contempt. She was putting on an act deliberately, determined to make the master and disciple feel uncomfortable.

Sure enough, Yun Shan had just started to follow up on his disciple's words when the Saint's disciple suddenly struck. The disdain in her eyes was unmistakable. Even his thick skin couldn't withstand that remark; a faint flush crept across his old face. He lowered his head and replied politely, "Of course not. These are the gifts our Misty Cloud Sect has prepared for the Saint. Please pass them on to him. Since the Saint isn't here today, we'll come back another time and trouble you then." With that, he left with Yun Yun, flying off into the distance.

Watching them disappear, Medusa thought of the old man's crestfallen expression and felt a wave of satisfaction. She smiled, put away the Storage Ring, and silently scoffed: Hmph. Don't even think about entering this mountain gate!

Just then, a rift slowly opened in the air above the barrier, and Zhang Nian flashed through it. He happened to see Medusa standing at the mountain gate, so he flew down and asked in confusion:

"Medusa, what are you doing at the mountain gate? Who was here just now?"

Her eyes darted about. She raised her jade-like arm and held out the Storage Ring she'd just received, her voice lilting sweetly. "Master~ This is from Yun Shan, the Misty Cloud Sect Master. He said it was to congratulate you on your new residence."

"The Misty Cloud Sect..."

Zhang Nian didn't think much of it. It was perfectly normal; the major families of the Jia Ma Empire would likely offer their congratulations in the days to come. But the Misty Cloud Sect and the Jia Ma Imperial Family weren't on good terms with the Snake-People Tribe. Thinking of that, he couldn't help sighing.

"That's a shame. We still need to talk to them about the Snake-People Tribe's affairs. Never mind. There'll be another chance."

In truth, Zhang Nian wasn't too concerned. Regardless of whether he was actually a Dou Sheng right now, he had the extraordinary Nanming Li Fire. Dealing with a few Dou Emperors would be a piece of cake. He looked up at the barrier overhead. Since he still had some time left to enjoy this power, he might as well reinforce it. The power of a five-star Dou Sheng was far beyond that of a one-star Dou Sheng.

He acted at once.

"Whoosh!"

He shot into the air and raised both palms toward the void. Invisible, colorless spatial energy slowly unfolded, while milky-white flames rose in turn. That was the Nanming Li Fire, the Phoenix Flame. Anyone who dared to touch the barrier without permission would be attacked by the Nanming Li Fire.

With this extra layer of protection, even a Dou Sheng who came calling would have no choice but to turn back!

That milky-white flame...

Medusa shuddered inside. The instant the Nanming Li Fire appeared, she sensed danger... Even as someone who had awakened the extraordinary bloodline of the Nine-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python, she couldn't help feeling a chill of dread.