Gu He's Retreat and a Deal with Medusa

At the Dou Emperor level, one would not act lightly.

Medusa and Jia Xingtian were both Peak Dou Emperors.

Even though Medusa believed herself to be somewhat stronger than Jia Xingtian, she was unwilling to make a move lightly.

If she sustained any injuries, she would have to postpone her Heavenly Flame evolution once again. Keeping the Heavenly Flame in her possession would only invite who knew how many more troubles.

With that thought,

Medusa slightly reined in her aura and looked at Gu He. "Alchemist Gu He, renowned throughout the Jia Ma Empire, what business 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 battle would cost him a portion of his lifespan.

If not for the immense allure of the Break-Ancestor Pill Gu He had promised, he would never have come.

With both Peak Dou Emperors wary of each other, the situation gradually stabilized.

When Gu He saw that Jia Xingtian did not seem willing to go all out, he knew that forcefully seizing it would not work.

Fortunately, he had another plan prepared.

He looked at Medusa and said, "Your Majesty Queen Medusa, I did not come here with the intention of provoking you."

"I merely have a matter to discuss. I had no choice but to display some strength before we could communicate."

Medusa had no interest in responding and continued waiting to see what nonsense Gu He would come up with.

Gu He was not angered by this and continued calmly, "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. Another Heavenly Flame.

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 came to steal it, while another brought people to seize it. When seizing it failed, he intended to trade for it?

Anger rose in Medusa's heart, and she developed killing intent toward Yun Yun in the prison.

In her view, Yun Yun and Gu He were both from the Misty Cloud Sect. Gu He could only have learned of the Heavenly Flame's existence because Yun Yun had told him.

Now, she no longer intended to spare Yun Yun's life.

Someone with such a loose tongue would inevitably bring endless trouble if released!

Medusa decided that once she had dealt with Gu He's 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."

Hearing that Medusa had not rejected him outright, delight flashed in Gu He's eyes. He immediately added, "One sixth-rank Dou Ling Pill and one seventh-rank 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. Let alone 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 wished to trade, Medusa did not believe Gu He had any chance of obtaining one. If his strength was insufficient, he would not even be able to come into contact with it.

Thinking of this, Medusa immediately lost interest in making a trade.

Gu He simply could not produce a Humanoid Transformation Pill. If he could, she would not mind exchanging 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. A single misstep could cost her life.

The Humanoid Transformation Pill, on the other hand, could not only allow her to completely assume human form, but also use its immense medicinal power to break through to the Dou Zong realm in one stroke.

Though she thought this, Medusa put on a hesitant expression and only slowly spoke after a long while. "Your terms are generous, but I still do not intend to make this exchange."

"The Heavenly Flame has its uses for me."

Gu He looked dejected and said to Jia Xingtian, "Jia Lao, since Queen Medusa remains unwilling, let us leave."

"Very well." Jia Xingtian nodded.

Gu He then directed the four Dou Lings to carry Yan Shi and Feng Li away, and the group departed in disappointment.

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 need to delay her Heavenly Flame evolution again.

Otherwise, if she were halfway through evolving and Jia Xingtian returned for another strike, it would be too late for regrets.

Damn 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, things would not have come to this.

On the way back to the main hall, Xiao Yan and Medusa walked slowly as they talked.

"Is Your Majesty truly not tempted? If you use the Heavenly Flame to evolve, the rewards may be greater if you succeed, but the danger is just as great. The Humanoid Transformation Pill is different," Xiao Yan said.

Queen Medusa curved her lips slightly and smiled with captivating charm. "Gu He could never 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 it?"

Medusa turned and stared 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 it."

"Am I right?"

Xiao Yan froze, then smiled. "Your Majesty's guess is quite bold. But..."

He spread open his palm, and the 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 not without reason.

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 somewhat resembled that of the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame.

Since that was the case, why could she not make a bold guess?

The facts proved that she had been right.

"So, let us make a deal, Your Majesty." Xiao Yan's tone turned 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 free. In exchange, after this is done, Your Majesty must give me the Green Lotus Core Flame. What do you say?" Xiao Yan asked sincerely.

Queen Medusa stopped where she was. After pondering for several seconds, she broke into a smile. "Congratulations. You have persuaded me."

She slowly extended her hand, her purple brocade robe fluttering in the wind. "Queen Medusa of the Snake-People Tribe."

Xiao Yan stopped, reached up to remove his mask, and revealed his young, handsome face.

Imitating her, he extended his hand. "Xiao Yan."

Medusa's eyes slowly widened. She had never expected Xiao Yan to be so young.

A youthful voice could mean nothing, but Xiao Yan's face was so young it still held a trace of boyishness, and the spirited vigor unique to youth in his eyes could not be faked.

Medusa felt that perhaps her connection with the man before her could go deeper.

"Deal." Xiao Yan took the initiative to clasp her hand and laughed brightly.

Medusa's heart fluttered slightly. She swiftly withdrew her hand and changed the subject. "The deal is made. But before carrying it out, there is one more matter I must handle."

Xiao Yan asked, "What is it?"

Medusa's expression changed instantly, her voice turning icy. "I must deal with Yun Yun, the Misty Cloud Sect leader who may bring future trouble!"