How Zhang Nian Took Medusa as His Disciple

"Hm?"

Only then did Zhang Nian remember that he hadn't lifted the restrictions around the two of them. With a wave of his hand, he released a faint ripple of spatial energy.

Once the restrictions were lifted, Granny Snake and Elder Li bowed and clasped their hands, their voices urgent yet filled with joy. "It's a blessing for the Snake-People Tribe that you're willing to take Medusa as your disciple! It's just that your status is so esteemed, and our tribe has nothing worthy to offer as a gift of gratitude. Still, we do understand some of the customs of the human race, like how someone of your standing..."

Before Granny Snake could finish, Zhang Nian raised a hand to interrupt her and used the laws of space to seal her mouth. He had no interest in basking in their reverence; his attention was fixed on the countdown panel. Turning to Elder Li, he said impatiently, "Sorry for the trouble, but I really am in a hurry. Where's Medusa? I'll take her with me right away. I'll settle in the Jia Ma Empire from now on, and when the time comes, you'll know where to find me."

Elder Li had never encountered anyone like this before, and she was just as baffled.

Wasn't it said that powerful experts were always particular about such things? Why was this young man in such a hurry? He seemed less like someone here to take a disciple and more like someone here to snatch one...

Seeing that Elder Li said nothing and kept glancing at Granny Snake, Zhang Nian realized that the talkative old snake-person was probably the one in charge. With no other choice, he waved his hand and lifted the restriction. When she looked ready to speak again, he immediately stopped her. "Please don't. I don't care for all these formalities. Could you just bring her here?"

Granny Snake nodded. She would certainly obey Zhang Nian's words. Immediately, she called down to the people below, "Medusa, come up and meet your future master!"

Master?

Medusa paused in confusion. But she had been watching the sky the entire time, and one thing was clear: the person up there was powerful. At the very least, both Granny Snake and Elder Li treated him with utmost respect.

In an instant, Dou Qi surged from her back and formed a pair of wings. She flapped them and shot straight into the sky.

She flew directly to Granny Snake's side, warily eyeing the unfamiliar man before her. Medusa intended to become the Snake-People Tribe's queen. How could she possibly leave with this man and acknowledge him as her master?

"I..." She hesitated, her beautiful eyes full of hostility. Then she took Granny Snake's hand, her pretty face showing nothing but reluctance. "Granny Snake, didn't you say the future of the Snake-People Tribe rests on my shoulders? How can I leave at a time like this? What will happen to the tribe if I go?"

When Granny Snake heard Medusa's first words, her old face went pale with fear. How could she say something so defiant in front of this esteemed lord? For an instant, Granny Snake had imagined the entire Snake-People Tribe being destroyed in the blink of an eye. Thankfully, Zhang Nian hadn't taken offense. She sighed in relief and looked at Medusa with fondness. "All right, go with this lord. He'll be a good teacher. Becoming his disciple will benefit both you and the Snake-People Tribe. It can only do you good."

Granny Snake's eyes were full of reluctance. The truth was, she didn't know whether Zhang Nian genuinely wanted to take Medusa as his disciple or had some other motive. But the Snake-People Tribe could survive without Medusa; it couldn't afford to be wiped out because of her. That was the duty of a guardian elder...

Medusa seemed to understand a little. Turning to Zhang Nian, she asked, "If I go with you, will you leave the Snake-People Tribe alone?"

Zhang Nian gave a helpless smile. So the old and the young had both taken him for a villain. There was no way to explain himself. He glanced at the time in his mind; forty-five minutes remained. "I really do want to take you as my disciple. As for why, a fortune-teller told me we were destined to be master and disciple. If I don't take you, I'll suffer a backlash from fate. He also told me I have to put down roots in the Jia Ma Empire from now on, so you don't need to worry."

"Uh..."

Granny Snake and Elder Li exchanged a glance. They had never heard of any so-called destiny on the continent, let alone mystical arts. They couldn't help wondering about it.

Could even Dou Sheng Experts believe in this sort of thing? Were they simply too ignorant to know?

But more than any of that, they cared about Medusa's answer. If the girl got stubborn now, this lord might run out of patience.

All three of them turned their eyes toward Medusa. Her beautiful eyes shifted as she seemed to weigh her options. Before long, she spoke. "I didn't understand most of that, but at least you showed some sincerity. I'll accept you as my master."

"Phew."

"Phew."

"Phew."

All three of them let out a sigh of relief. Granny Snake and Elder Li were relieved that the Snake-People Tribe had been spared, while Zhang Nian was glad to have settled the matter. He didn't want to waste much more time here.

"Since that's settled, let's go."

Zhang Nian turned and waved his hand. Space rippled behind him, and an opening appeared at once. He stepped forward and waited quietly inside for Medusa.

Medusa looked at the two elders with reluctance. "Granny Snake, please take good care of yourself."

With that, she followed Zhang Nian into the spatial rift.

As the rift slowly closed, Elder Li and Granny Snake exchanged a glance. They saw the same helplessness in each other's eyes, but there was nothing they could do.

They both understood that no matter what became of Medusa, protecting the Snake-People Tribe came first. Perhaps they wouldn't be able to raise another Medusa within ten years, but what choice did they have against a Dou Sheng Expert?

Inside the spatial rift, Zhang Nian held out one hand toward Medusa and formed a faint, barely visible protective barrier around her. The powerful spatial force was far beyond what a Dou Wang could withstand.

Medusa remained silent. Perhaps it was because of Zhang Nian's strength, or perhaps she was troubled by what fate had in store for her.

If this man truly wants me as his disciple, then I'll become his disciple. If not... I'll consider it my final contribution to the Snake-People Tribe...

In truth, the moment she saw the look in Granny Snake's eyes, Medusa knew she had no choice. It was a look of hope, and she understood that Zhang Nian was a Dou Sheng. Never before had she been so desperate to gain power.

In a situation like this, what else could she do but accept her fate?

At that very moment, the system's crisp, pleasant notification sounded in Zhang Nian's ear.

[Ding! Detected Medusa's sincere desire to become your disciple. Binding...]

[Ding! Disciple accepted. Current number of disciples: 1. Remaining disciple slots: 1. Updating Medusa's attribute panel...]

[Name: Medusa]

[Strength: Nine-Star Dou Wang]

[Bloodline: Snake-Person (Hidden Bloodline: Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python)]

[Items: None]

[Ding! Successfully accepted Medusa as a disciple. Reward: Ninth-Grade Profound Pill, Heaven-Seizing Creation Pill. Any cultivator can consume this pill; it steals the fortune of heaven and earth to reshape the body and defy fate. (Note: Items rewarded by the system are not returned when given to disciples.)]

"Well..."

At the final notification, a wry smile appeared on Zhang Nian's face. The system had seen right through his little scheme. He'd originally thought he could pull off a double reward, but that idea had been nipped in the bud. Still, perhaps he could think of another way. There was plenty of time, and there was something even more important to deal with right now.

A glimmer of light appeared. It marked the approximate location he had found by following the system's instructions.