Subduing Medusa

Hmm?

Zhang Nian only then remembered he hadn't lifted the restrictions on the two, so he waved his hand, releasing a faint ripple of spatial power.

With the restrictions lifted, Granny Snake and the other bowed with cupped hands, their voices hurried yet filled with joy:

"It is our Snake-People Tribe's fortune that you would take Medusa as your disciple! It is just that your status is noble, and our tribe has no decent gift to offer as a token of apprenticeship. However, we do understand some human customs, and for someone like you..."

Before Granny Snake could finish, Zhang Nian raised a hand to interrupt her, using spatial laws to seal her mouth shut. Staring at the countdown on his panel, he had no heart to enjoy their kowtowing and worship. He turned his head toward Elder Li at the side and said impatiently:

"Troublesome. I am truly in a rush. Where is Medusa? I will take her away immediately. I will be settling in the Jia Ma Empire, so you will naturally know where to find us when the time comes."

Elder Li had never seen such a person... and felt quite confused in her heart.

Was it not said that these powerful experts were all very particular? Why was this young man so anxious? He didn't look like he was here to take a disciple, but rather like he was here to snatch someone away...

Seeing that Elder Li remained silent and kept glancing at Granny Snake, Zhang Nian realized that this nagging old snake-person was likely the one in charge. With no other choice, he waved his hand to undo the restriction. Seeing her about to speak again, he immediately stopped her:

"Please, say no more. I do not care for these tedious formalities. Would you kindly bring her before me?"

Granny Snake nodded. She would certainly obey Zhang Nian's words, so she immediately shouted toward the ground below:

"Medusa, come up quickly and meet your future master."

Master?

Medusa was slightly stunned. However, she had been watching the sky the entire time and knew one thing clearly: the person in the sky possessed immense strength, as even Granny Snake and Elder Li were being respectful to him.

In an instant, Dou Qi surged from her back, forming a pair of wings. With a flap of her wings, she shot straight into the sky.

She arrived directly before Granny Snake, staring at the strange man with a look of vigilance. She, Medusa, was destined to be the Queen of the Snake-People Tribe; how could she possibly leave with this man and acknowledge him as her teacher?

"I..." She hesitated, her beautiful eyes filled with hostility. She then took Granny Snake's slender hand, her pretty face etched with 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? If I leave, what will happen to the tribe?"

Upon hearing the first part of Medusa's words, Granny Snake's old face turned deathly pale. How could she speak such rebellious words in front of this great master? For a moment, she had even imagined the entire Snake-People Tribe being wiped out in an instant. Fortunately, Zhang Nian did not take offense, and she let out a sigh of relief, looking at Medusa with a gratified expression:

"It is alright, go with this master. He will be a good teacher, and by taking him as your master, it will be nothing but beneficial for both you and the Snake-People Tribe."

Granny Snake's eyes were filled with reluctance. In truth, she did not know if Zhang Nian truly wanted a disciple or had other motives, but the Snake-People Tribe could exist without Medusa, yet it could not be destroyed because of her. This... was her duty as a Guardian Elder.

Medusa seemed to have a moment of realization, then turned to look at Zhang Nian: "If I go with you, will you stop making things difficult for the Snake-People Tribe?"

Zhang Nian gave a helpless smile. It seemed this old woman and young girl had pegged him as a villain. He had grievances he couldn't voice. He glanced at the time in his mind—forty-five minutes remained—and began to explain:

"I truly wish to take you as my disciple. As for the reason, a fortune-telling master said that we have a bond of master and disciple. If I do not take you, I will suffer from a karmic backlash. He also told me I must root myself in the Jia Ma Empire from now on, so you have nothing to worry about."

Uh...

Granny Snake and Elder Li exchanged a glance. They had never heard of such a thing as "karmic fate" on the continent, let alone any profound metaphysical arts, and they couldn't help but mutter to themselves.

Could it be? Do experts at the level of Dou Sheng actually believe in these things? Are we just ignorant?

But more than that, the two were concerned about Medusa's attitude. They knew that if this girl's stubborn temper flared up now, this master might not have the same patience.

The three pairs of eyes converged on Medusa. They saw her beautiful eyes shift, as if she were weighing something, and soon she spoke:

"Although I don't understand, you seem to have some sincerity. I will acknowledge you as my master."

"Whew."

"Whew."

"Whew."

All three let out a sigh of relief. Granny Snake and Elder Li were relieved because the Snake-People Tribe was preserved, while Zhang Nian was relieved because a task was completed; he did not want to waste any more time here.

"In that case, let us go."

Zhang Nian turned and waved his hand. Space surged behind him, instantly tearing open a rift. He stepped forward and waited quietly inside for Medusa.

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

After saying this, she followed Zhang Nian into the spatial rift.

As the rift slowly closed, Elder Li and Granny Snake looked at each other, both seeing the helplessness in the other's eyes, yet there was nothing they could do.

Both understood that regardless of the outcome for Medusa, preserving the Snake-People Tribe was the top priority. Perhaps they couldn't cultivate a second Medusa within ten years, but what choice did they have when facing a Dou Sheng?

Inside the spatial rift, Zhang Nian reached out a hand toward Medusa, condensing a faint protective film around her. This powerful spatial ability was far more than a Dou King could withstand.

Medusa remained silent, perhaps because of Zhang Nian's immense strength, or perhaps because of her anxiety over her future fate.

If this person truly wants to take me as a disciple, then I will serve him as my master. If not... then I will consider this my final contribution to the Snake-People Tribe...

In fact, the moment she saw the look in Granny Snake's eyes, Medusa knew clearly that she had no choice. It was a look of expectation, and Medusa also understood that Zhang Nian's realm was that of a Dou Sheng. Never before had she desired power so desperately.

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

It was at this very moment that a crisp, pleasant system notification rang in Zhang Nian's ears.

[Ding! Detected that Medusa has sincerely requested apprenticeship. Binding...]

[Ding! Apprenticeship successful. Current number of disciples: 1. Remaining apprenticeship slots: 1. Updating Medusa's attribute panel...]

[Name: Medusa]

[Strength: Nine-Star Dou King]

[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. This pill can be consumed by anyone regardless of their cultivation level; it seizes the creation of heaven and earth to reshape the body and defy fate. (Note: System-rewarded items granted to disciples will not be returned.)]

Fine...

Seeing the final note, a bitter smile appeared on the face of Zhang Nian. His little scheme had been calculated perfectly by the system. He had originally hoped to pull off a nesting doll trick, but that idea had died in the cradle. Still, perhaps he could plan for the long term; after all, there was plenty of time, and there was a more important matter at hand right now.

A glimmer of light appeared, marking the approximate location found according to the system's guidance.