At the Dou Emperor level, one did not act lightly.
Both Medusa and Jia Xingtian were Peak Dou Emperors.
Even though Medusa believed herself to be half a step stronger than Jia Xingtian, she was unwilling to make a move so easily.
If she suffered any injuries, she would have to postpone her Heavenly Flame evolution again. Keeping the Heavenly Flame in her possession would only bring about who knew how many more complications.
With that thought,
Medusa slightly restrained her aura and looked at Gu He. "Alchemist Gu He, renowned throughout the Jia Ma Empire, what brings you to my Snake-People Tribe with so many people in tow?"
Seeing Medusa withdraw her aura, Jia Xingtian was likewise unwilling to fight. He was old and frail; every time he fought, it cost him a portion of his lifespan.
If not for the immense temptation of the Break-Ancestor Pill Gu He had promised, he would never have come.
With both Peak Dou Emperors harboring reservations, the situation gradually settled down.
When Gu He saw that Jia Xingtian did not seem particularly willing to go all out, he knew that forcibly taking it was no longer an option.
Fortunately, he had another plan prepared.
He looked at Medusa and said, "Your Majesty Queen Medusa, I did not come here intending to provoke you."
"I merely wished to discuss a matter. I had no choice but to display some strength before we could communicate."
Medusa had no desire to respond at all and simply waited to see what nonsense Gu He would spout.
Gu He was not angered by this and continued on his own. "I came here for Your Majesty's Heavenly Flame."
"For that, I am willing to exchange pills!"
A cold glint flashed through Medusa's eyes.
Heavenly Flame. It was Heavenly Flame again.
Another person knew about the Heavenly Flame!
Queen Medusa glanced at Gu He, then thought of Yun Yun in the prison, and her heart grew even colder.
One had come to steal it, while another had brought people to seize it by force. When that failed, he planned to trade for it?
Anger surged within Medusa, and killing intent toward Yun Yun arose in her heart.
In her view, Yun Yun and Gu He were both from the Misty Cloud Sect. Gu He's knowledge of the Heavenly Flame's existence must have come from Yun Yun.
She no longer intended to spare Yun Yun's life.
Someone with such a loose tongue would surely bring endless trouble if released!
Medusa decided that once she had dealt with Gu He and his group, she would return and settle Yun Yun's matter.
Her eyes swept over Gu He as she smiled faintly. "As a Sixth-Rank Alchemist, I presume the pills Master Gu He offers will not be anything ordinary."
When he heard that Medusa had not directly refused, delight flashed through Gu He's eyes. He immediately added, "One Sixth Tier Dou Ling Pill, and one High Seventh Grade Humanoid Transformation Pill!"
"Humanoid Transformation Pill!" Medusa's eyes instantly lit up, only to quickly dim again.
The Humanoid Transformation Pill was a High Seventh Grade pill. Not to mention Gu He, an ordinary Sixth-Rank Alchemist who had not even reached the pinnacle of the sixth rank, even most Seventh-Rank Alchemists could not refine one.
Even if she wanted to trade, Medusa did not believe Gu He had any chance of obtaining one. If his strength was insufficient, he would not even have the opportunity to come into contact with it.
At that thought, Medusa immediately lost all interest in the exchange.
Gu He simply could not produce a Humanoid Transformation Pill. If he could, she would not mind trading the Heavenly Flame for it.
After all, she intended to use the Heavenly Flame to break through to the Dou Zong realm, a process fraught with countless dangers that could take her life with the slightest mistake.
But the Humanoid Transformation Pill could not only allow her to completely assume human form, it could also use its immense medicinal power to help her break through to the Dou Zong realm in one stroke.
Though she thought this, Medusa put on a hesitant expression. Only after a long while did she slowly say, "Your terms are generous, but I still do not intend to make this exchange."
"The Heavenly Flame still has its uses for me."
Gu He looked disappointed and said to Jia Xingtian, "Jia Lao, since Queen Medusa remains unwilling, let us leave."
"Very well." Jia Xingtian nodded.
Then, Gu He instructed the four Dou Ling cultivators to carry Yan Shi and Feng Li away. The group departed in low spirits.
As Queen Medusa watched Gu He's group leave, her vigilance did not lessen.
Whether Gu He and the others had truly given up or not, she would have to delay her Heavenly Flame evolution once more.
Otherwise, if Jia Xingtian returned while she was halfway through evolving, it would be far too late for regrets.
"Damned humans!" Queen Medusa cursed inwardly, her killing intent toward Yun Yun growing even stronger.
If Yun Yun had not leaked the news that she possessed a Heavenly Flame, she would not have been put in this situation.
On the way back to the main hall, Xiao Yan and Medusa walked slowly, talking as they went.
"Isn't Your Majesty tempted? If you use the Heavenly Flame to evolve, you may gain greater rewards if you succeed, but the danger is just as great. The Humanoid Transformation Pill is different," Xiao Yan said.
Queen Medusa curled her lips into a captivating smile. "Gu He cannot possibly produce a Humanoid Transformation Pill."
"Besides, using the Green Lotus Core Flame would indeed be dangerous, but it would be different if I used the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame."
"Wouldn't you say so?"
Medusa turned to stare at Xiao Yan, her alluring eyes soft as silk.
Xiao Yan shuddered all over and clicked his tongue. "From what Your Majesty means, do you think I know where the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame is?"
Queen Medusa nodded, then shook her head with a smile. "Yes and no. My intuition tells me that you do not merely know where the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame is. You... actually possess the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame."
"Am I right?"
Xiao Yan froze for a moment, then smiled. "Your Majesty's guess is quite bold. But..."
He spread open his palm, and a crimson Myriad Beast Spirit Flame rose from it.
"You guessed right!"
At the sight of the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame, understanding flashed through Medusa's eyes.
She had indeed been guessing, but it had not been without basis.
First, Xiao Yan had suddenly mentioned the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame. Either he knew where it was, or he possessed it himself.
Second, the familiar aura around Xiao Yan was somewhat similar to that of the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame.
Since that was the case, why could she not make a bold guess?
The facts proved that her guess had been correct.
"Then let us make a deal, Your Majesty." Xiao Yan's tone became solemn.
"I will use the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame to help you evolve. And the Snake-People Tribe must have accumulated quite a lot of medicinal ingredients, right? I can refine them into pills for you free of charge. In exchange, Your Majesty must give me the Green Lotus Core Flame afterward. What do you say?" Xiao Yan asked sincerely.
Queen Medusa stopped where she was. After thinking for several seconds, she broke into a smile. "Congratulations. You have convinced me."
She slowly extended her hand, her purple brocade robe fluttering in the wind. "Queen Medusa of the Snake-People Tribe."
Xiao Yan stopped as well, reached up, and removed his mask, revealing his young and handsome face.
Following her example, he extended his hand. "Xiao Yan."
Medusa's eyes slowly widened. She had never expected Xiao Yan to be so young.
A youthful voice meant nothing, but Xiao Yan's face was so young it still carried a trace of boyishness, and the spirited vigor unique to a youth in his eyes could not deceive anyone.
Medusa felt that perhaps her connection with the person before her could go deeper.
"Then the deal is made." Xiao Yan took her hand first and laughed heartily.
Medusa's heart trembled slightly. She quickly pulled her hand away and changed the subject. "The deal is made. But before fulfilling it, there is one more matter I must attend to."
Xiao Yan asked, "What is it?"
Medusa's expression instantly turned cold, and her voice was icy. "I will deal with the Misty Cloud Sect's sect leader, Yun Yun, who may bring future trouble!"
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