Master and Disciple Reunited, Xiao Yan Meets Queen Medusa

"Queen Medusa, what do you want? Just say it," Yun Yun said calmly.

This was the first time Nalan Yanran had heard a sound from the cell next to hers, and that voice was incredibly familiar.

Because it clearly belonged to the master who had been by her side day and night, showering her with care!

Nalan Yanran's expression instantly collapsed.

She rubbed her ears hard, unable to believe what she had heard.

Her master was actually being held in the Snake-People Tribe's prison!

How was that possible?!

Her master had not come to rescue her after she had been imprisoned here for so long, not because something had delayed her, but because her master was imprisoned here too?!

Nalan Yanran's breathing rapidly grew heavier as she struggled to accept this fact.

She tried to steady her emotions, but her voice still trembled as she called toward the neighboring cell, "M-Master?"

In the neighboring cell.

Yun Yun maintained a composed expression. Since Medusa had not killed her immediately, it meant she wanted to use her to gain something.

Since that was the case, there was nothing to panic about.

Yet when she heard that familiar call from the neighboring cell, her mind instantly went blank.

"Yanran?"

Yun Yun called out tentatively, praying that she had merely misheard and that the neighboring cell would not answer.

But the truth was that the moment her voice fell, a voice filled with either terror or delight immediately came from the neighboring cell. "It's me, Master!"

Yun Yun felt her vision go dark and nearly fainted.

Outside the cells, Medusa raised an eyebrow with great interest.

She had deliberately placed Nalan Yanran in the cell beside Yun Yun's, intending to let the master and disciple have a little conversation.

Who would have thought that after so many days, the two of them had not exchanged a single word, making her anticipation of a good show entirely pointless.

"Sect Master Yun Yun, I placed a seal within your body. Today, I will have someone take you away and send you back to the Jia Ma Empire."

"Once you return, bring enough resources to me, and I will naturally remove your seal."

Yun Yun forced herself upright, her voice resolute. "Release Yanran with me!"

Medusa immediately sneered. "Sect Master Yun Yun, it seems you do not understand your current situation. You are on my territory. You have no right to bargain."

"Your seal is one guarantee, and your disciple is another. Do not even think of playing tricks."

"I will give you some time to consider it. I will return shortly, and you can give me your answer then."

Queen Medusa glanced at Yun Yun once more before turning and leaving directly.

If she had not had her concerns, Yun Yun would never have survived until now, much less been able to bargain with her.

She was merely worried that if Yun Yun died, the Misty Cloud Sect would go mad. Yun Shan, who was in seclusion, might even emerge.

She naturally did not fear a peak Dou Emperor under normal circumstances.

But she was about to use a Heavenly Flame to evolve her bloodline, and she was at a crucial stage where no unexpected variables could be tolerated.

After leaving the prison, a Snake-People guard hurried over.

"Your Majesty, a Sixth-Rank Alchemist has arrived at our Snake-People Tribe and wishes to see you," the guard reported.

Queen Medusa narrowed her eyes. "A Sixth-Rank... Alchemist? Why does he wish to see me?"

The guard shook his head. "Your Majesty, he did not state his purpose. He only said four words: Heavenly Flame evolution."

In an instant, overwhelming killing intent erupted from Queen Medusa's body.

The guard trembled all over and cried out in terror, "Y-Your Majesty!"

Queen Medusa took a deep breath and swiftly regained her composure. "Did he truly say that?"

"Absolutely!" Thinking that she doubted him, the guard hurriedly dropped to his knees.

Medusa's gaze turned icy. "Take him to the main hall. I permit him to see me!"

Snake-People Tribe's main hall.

Xiao Yan sat in the guest seat while Qing Lin stood timidly at his side behind him.

He examined the lavish decor of the Snake-People Tribe's main hall. Six massive pillars interwoven with gold and jade supported the entire structure, while white jade and gemstones covered the floor. On closer inspection, symbols of serpent-type magical beasts could be found everywhere.

Just then, a faint rustling sound drifted over.

Xiao Yan immediately looked toward the entrance of the main hall.

Then, a figure that made him unable to stop himself from swallowing walked in.

Naturally seductive eyes, crimson lips as vivid as blood, a slender yet voluptuous waist, and breasts of just the right size.

With every step she took, they swayed slightly, seeming ready to burst free.

Xiao Yan forcibly shifted his gaze away and kept his voice as calm as possible. "It is our first meeting, Queen Medusa."

Seeing that Xiao Yan had not been captivated by her for long, Queen Medusa's eyes showed a trace of surprise, though coldness still seeped from them. "Human, how did you learn of Heavenly Flame evolution?"

Hearing Queen Medusa get straight to the point, Xiao Yan understood that Medusa was somewhat anxious. He therefore did not beat around the bush. "The Snake-People Tribe is naturally inclined toward coldness. Merely living in the desert is already a form of suffering, so why would you willingly come into contact with something as supremely yang and fierce as a Heavenly Flame?"

"Since you, Queen Medusa, have chosen to do this, you must naturally have a reason."

"As it happens, I have seen a little more than most and know of a secret method that uses a Heavenly Flame to give snake bloodlines a chance to evolve."

"So I tested the waters slightly. Judging from Your Majesty's reaction, it seems my guess was correct."

After hearing Xiao Yan's explanation, Queen Medusa instead felt relieved.

She had thought that someone close to her had betrayed her, but it turned out Xiao Yan had merely guessed correctly by chance.

"Human, you came to me for that Heavenly Flame?" Though phrased as a question, Queen Medusa's tone was certain.

Xiao Yan did not hide his intentions and nodded openly. "That is correct. I went to the place where the Green Lotus Core Flame was born and sensed your aura, so I came here specifically in search of the Heavenly Flame."

Queen Medusa swept her gaze over Xiao Yan, a curl appearing at the corner of her lips. "Human, since you know that the Heavenly Flame is meant for my evolution, you should understand how important it is to me. You may have it, but what can you offer in exchange?"

Rather than answering immediately, Xiao Yan spoke as though changing the subject. "Does Your Majesty know much about Heavenly Flames? Have you heard of one called the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame?"

"Myriad Beast Spirit Flame!" Queen Medusa's breathing abruptly quickened.

Of all Heavenly Flames, the most suitable one for evolving a bloodline was the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame. This flame of magical beasts itself possessed the effect of slowly evolving magical beast bloodlines.

If she used the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame with her secret method to evolve her bloodline, the danger could be reduced to the lowest possible level.

Just as Queen Medusa was about to ask what Xiao Yan meant by bringing up the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame.

A Snake-People guard entered and leaned close to her ear to report, "Your Majesty, Sect Master Yun Yun has given her answer."

Queen Medusa's eyes hardened. She felt it would be better to quickly deal with Yun Yun, this uncertain factor, first, so she said to Xiao Yan, "I have something to handle. Wait here for a moment."

Xiao Yan was somewhat curious about what could make Queen Medusa suddenly restrain herself from asking about the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame.

Could it be that matter from the original story? Had Gu He brought people here to seek the Heavenly Flame?

Xiao Yan simply asked directly, "Would Your Majesty mind telling me what it is?"