The Seven-Colored Heaven-Swallowing Python

"Having a good teacher really is wonderful."

Gu He gazed enviously at Xiao Yan. He had clawed his way up from an alchemy apprentice to a Second-Rank Alchemist, and that had seemed to be the end of the road.

Fortunately, the president of the Alchemist Guild had recognized his talent and granted him access to the Guild's resources. That had allowed him to advance by leaps and bounds, becoming a Fourth-Rank Alchemist in his twenties and winning first place in that year's Alchemist Tournament. Later, after meeting the old sect master Yun Shan, he had relied on the Misty Cloud Sect to reach the level of a high-ranked Sixth-Rank Alchemist.

With a renowned master guiding him, Xiao Yan had already become a Second- or Third-Rank Alchemist in just a year or two. By the time he reached Gu He's age, he would likely have far surpassed him!

"Everyone has their own fate. It can't be forced."

Gu He consoled himself with that thought, then advanced alongside Yao Lao, taking up positions on either side of the Ice Spirit Cold Spring.

Their soul power spread out as they carefully controlled the Earth Fire Lotus Platform, releasing the Green Lotus Core Flame bound within.

"Master Green Fire, your soul power far surpasses mine. I'll help you control the Green Lotus Core Flame. You may direct my soul power as you see fit!"

Gu He's soul transmission reached the air above them, and Yao Lao received the message clearly.

How trusting!

If Yao Lao had been even a little malicious and tampered with Gu He's soul, the man's life would have been ruined. But to finally meet such a "foolish" young man after all this time—well...

"All right!"

Gu He was taking a gamble, too. Based on what he had learned from Yun Zimo over the past few days and his own observations of Xiao Yan, he knew the young man was virtuous in both temperament and character. If Xiao Yan had turned out so well, then Yao Lao could hardly be a great villain!

"It's been so long since I've felt this powerful!"

After receiving the boost from Gu He's soul power, Yao Lao murmured softly. Since falling into a deep sleep, this was the first time he had felt this way.

"Pay close attention to how soul power is used."

Yao Lao reminded Xiao Yan, then used his soul power to lift the Ice Spirit Cold Spring. Layers of mist gently enveloped the Green Lotus Core Flame, which had grown to the size of a human.

"Medusa! Now!"

Once he had brought the Green Lotus Core Flame under sufficient control, Yao Lao shouted. Medusa hesitated no longer. With a flick of her tail, she plunged into the flame.

"Hiss~!"

A shrill, anguished hiss rang through the sky. The Green Lotus Core Flame swelled in an instant, engulfing the Purple Nether Flame Snake, which was more than ten zhang long.

The Purple Nether Flame Snake writhed within the Green Lotus Core Flame, sending out waves of savage energy. The Snake-People elders, Yun Zimo, and the other Dou Emperors all moved to intercept them.

Hai Bodong's Dou Qi Wings beat as snow whirled through the sky. The desert's scorching heat rapidly faded, and layers of icy mist spread across the land, turning the underground island beneath the Divine Temple—and the temple itself—into a world of white.

Yao Lao and Gu He kept using the Ice Spirit Cold Spring to suppress the Green Lotus Core Flame's savage force, preventing a sudden burst of fire from burning Medusa to ashes.

"Medusa's soul fluctuations are weakening!"

With the boost to his power, Yao Lao clearly sensed what was happening inside the Green Lotus Core Flame.

"Medusa, focus your mind! Gather the blood energy around you, and sense the call from the deepest part of your bloodline!"

Yao Lao suddenly recalled the Fallen God Ice Plains long ago. Back then, he had nearly been swallowed by the Bone Spirit Cold Flame. How much like Medusa now he had been!

His soul transmission entered the Green Lotus Core Flame, but Yao Lao had no idea whether Medusa, whose consciousness was fading, had heard him.

The flames continued to burn for most of the day. Medusa's hisses gradually weakened, and even her Dou Emperor aura kept declining.

Yao Lao, who had been calling out to Medusa with his soul, sensed the situation growing worse and worse.

"Only by being driven to the brink of death can one be reborn!"

Yao Lao suddenly seemed to realize something. Gritting his teeth, he sent all his soul power into the Green Lotus Core Flame. It was like pouring oil onto a raging fire—the flame's power surged at once.

"Master Green Fire!"

Gu He's soul rippled with alarm. He had no idea what Yao Lao intended to do, but there was nothing he could do except maintain the flow of his soul power and do his utmost to control the Green Lotus Core Flame.

"Boom!"

Under the Green Lotus Core Flame's scorching heat, the Purple Nether Flame Snake's body blackened until it was almost unrecognizable. A faint smell of roasting flesh even drifted through the air. Then Medusa's aura vanished completely from everyone's senses.

The Snake-People elders' faces changed drastically. Their expressions turned frantic, and they rushed forward.

"Wait a little longer!"

Yun Zimo and his three clones stood in the four directions, swords raised. Their sword energy crisscrossed as their soul-charged shout rang out.

"These hateful humans!"

Yan Ci glared at the humans. Yin Shi's eyes were cold, too, as they waited for the Four Great Elders to give the order.

Just as both sides were poised to clash, everyone suddenly stiffened and looked toward the ground above the Divine Temple.

A melodious, ancient song seemed to pierce through time and space from the primordial past.

Every Snake-Person in the Holy City seemed to sense something. They all knelt before Medusa's statue and began singing the Snake-People Tribe's battle hymn.

"Hmm?"

Yao Lao suddenly frowned. What had that been just now...? What was Medusa trying to do?

"Rumble!"

In the depths of the desert, where the sky was clear all year round, dark thunderclouds appeared from nowhere. Layer upon layer, they formed a nine-tiered black tower over the Snake-People Holy City.

Silver lightning danced among the clouds. Bolts intertwined, writhing like serpents and baring their fangs, as if they meant to destroy the tiny insects on the earth who dared to stare into the heavens' might!

A pillar of silver lightning pierced the Divine Temple's roof and struck the charred snake body wrapped in blue flames. Its dazzling light made everyone squeeze their eyes shut.

Before the deafening thunder had even faded, the dark clouds had vanished. Sunlight shone through the gaping hole in the roof once more, reaching the depths of the Divine Temple.

Thick blue mist spilled from the blue flames and spread outward, shrouding the entire Snake-Person Holy City.

"This mist can actually block soul power!"

Gu He's soul power was forced back into his body. When he tried to send it out again, the blue mist held it back within three chi of him.

"Smack! Splash!"

It sounded as if something had fallen heavily into the Ice Spirit Cold Spring, now reduced to little more than a puddle. Everyone cautiously approached and made out a long, black shape lying in the shallow water. A thick layer of frost clung to it, revealing patches of densely packed scales, black against white.

Snake scales?!

"Her Majesty the Queen!"

The Snake-People elders cried out in alarm. Medusa's bloodline had yet to be passed on. Her Majesty absolutely could not come to harm!

"Crack!"

Just as the Snake-People elders were about to charge forward, a crisp cracking sound came from within the blue mist. Everyone stopped dead in their tracks.

"Crack! Crack-crack!"

The clear, brittle sounds grew louder and louder, like something breaking out of its shell. They tugged at the Snake-People elders' hearts.

An immense, terrifying aura shot into the sky and spread outward. The pressure from their bloodline forced every Snake-Person in the Holy City to kneel.

"The Queen... Her Majesty the Queen!"

The Snake-People's trembling, joyful cries rang throughout the Holy City. Yet despite the cheers that shook heaven and earth, the people beneath the Divine Temple weren't nearly so optimistic.

"Th-this is Her Majesty the Queen?!"

The immense aura withdrew underground. Everyone stared at the tiny snake shadow darting and circling through the air, exchanging bewildered looks.

"Seven-colored scales, purple eyes, and a fragrant body..."

Yao Lao spoke softly. Then he glanced at the black snake body and shook his head with a sigh.

"Queen Medusa truly is a decisive woman!"

"Master Green Fire! Her Majesty the Queen, she... she's..."

Hearing Yao Lao speak, the Snake-People elder hurriedly bowed and asked.

"She split the twin eggs and took one, then united two hearts as one. Medusa has indeed succeeded in returning to her ancestral form, becoming the legendary Seven-Colored Heaven-Swallowing Python!"

Yao Lao extended his soul power and gently drew the little snake before them.

The little snake was barely an inch long, covered from head to tail in seven-colored scales. Hints of purple gleamed in its eyes. Though its body was no longer than a finger, it radiated elegance and nobility.

It circled the orb of soul light enclosing it and hissed softly at the others. Eyes wide, it gazed curiously through the orb at the strange creatures outside, who looked rather different from itself.

"Th-this..."

The elder's mouth twitched slightly. The little snake did look much like the Seven-Colored Heaven-Swallowing Python described in the tribe's ancient texts.

But that silly, clueless look didn't suit their usually noble, aloof, decisive queen at all!

"Look over there, too. There may be another surprise."

Yao Lao spoke up suddenly. The Snake-People elder hurried over to examine the frost-white snake body.

"Th-this is?!"

A seven-colored snake egg lay quietly inside the blackened snake body...