Cooperation Reached with Queen Medusa, Gu He and the Others Arrive

"Oh?"

Ji Changqing looked at Queen Medusa's panicked expression in surprise.

Though she had been affected by the Green-Eyed Three-Flower Pupils, she had not been completely enslaved.

It seemed the Sky-Swallowing Python bloodline truly was extraordinary.

Even halfway through its evolution, it differed from other snake-type magical beasts.

"Your Majesty, don't panic."

"I only wanted you to speak with me calmly."

Queen Medusa wiped away a trace of blood from the corner of her lips, making them appear even more alluring.

She stared coldly at Ji Changqing and slowly said:

"You barged into my temple and interfered with my evolution."

"If you wish to speak with me calmly, have you shown enough sincerity?"

Ji Changqing said helplessly:

"Let's be reasonable, Your Majesty. I didn't interfere with your evolution—I saved you."

"I don't need it!"

Queen Medusa let out a sharp cry.

Behind her graceful figure, a gigantic python faintly shimmering with seven-colored light condensed into being. Boundless Dou Qi energy tore through the skies as it dove toward Ji Changqing.

A flash of emerald light flickered through Ji Changqing's bewitching Three-Flower Pupils.

The seven-colored giant python stopped a foot before Ji Changqing.

Queen Medusa nearly ground her teeth to pieces.

Yet no matter what she did, she could not bring herself to attack.

Ji Changqing reached out and pressed a hand against the seven-colored python's head. Pale red fused Heavenly Flames surged from his palm, burning the python into nothingness.

Feeling the destructive aura of the pale red Heavenly Flames,

Queen Medusa, who had just experienced the agony of having her body tempered by Heavenly Flames, could not help but turn pale and take two steps back. Gritting her teeth, she said:

"What exactly do you want?"

Ji Changqing thought for a moment before speaking:

"I already told you that human experts will covet your Heavenly Flames in the next few days."

"I wish to discuss something with Your Majesty. When the time comes, put on an act and deliberately let the Heavenly Flames fall into the hands of their only Dou Emperor."

"However, Your Majesty, rest assured. Didn't you seek the Heavenly Flames in order to evolve? I possess Heavenly Flames and can help you complete your evolution."

"What do you think, Your Majesty?"

Queen Medusa clenched her delicate hand and sneered.

"Do I have the right to refuse?"

Hearing this, Ji Changqing said gently:

"Whether Your Majesty believes me or not,"

"Since coming to the desert, I have done nothing to harm the Snake People Race."

"I merely wish to accomplish my goal peacefully."

Queen Medusa glanced at Ji Changqing, and the icy chill in the depths of her eyes faded slightly.

If an expert who left her powerless to resist truly wished to harm the Snake People Race, all she could do was watch helplessly.

That alone showed that his words were likely true.

"I can agree to it."

"But I hope you will fulfill your promise."

"If..."

Queen Medusa turned around.

Her seven-colored snake tail, brimming with a different kind of temptation, swayed from side to side, making her perky hips beneath the brocade robe sway alluringly.

Her cold words, carrying a stern killing intent that feared death not at all, drifted into Ji Changqing's ears.

"If you harbor any improper intentions,"

"Even if I am no match for you, I will lead every tribe of the Snake People Race and fight you to the death."

Watching Queen Medusa's retreating back, Ji Changqing shook his head helplessly.

Queen Medusa truly had an unyielding temperament.

That night.

Behind the temple screen.

Ji Changqing and Queen Medusa sat cross-legged on the floor.

Female snake-person guards poured wine for them.

"It smells quite good."

Ji Changqing raised his cup and drained it in one gulp.

Queen Medusa, seated across from him, curled her lips into a cold arc. She appeared to be smiling seductively, but her pretty face was frosty.

"Aren't you afraid that I poisoned the wine?"

Ji Changqing sat upright and answered seriously:

"How could Your Majesty be such a despicable person? Of course I trust Your Majesty."

Such words...

Were naturally false.

When traveling outside, one had to be exceedingly cautious and always keep a hundred precautions in mind.

Ji Changqing dared to drink only because he possessed the Calamity Poison Body and was completely unafraid of poison.

Being poisoned would be even better.

It could even increase his cultivation.

But Queen Medusa did not know this.

Hearing the mysterious black-robed man praise her so highly, the coldness at the corner of Queen Medusa's lips lessened somewhat. She raised her cup and drained it in one gulp.

"Your strength has shocked me."

"In the Jia Ma Empire... or rather, in the entire Northwest Region, there are no experts like you."

"Could it be that you came from the prosperous Central Continent?"

She made no attempt to conceal her probing of Ji Changqing's background.

"The Central Continent is filled with hidden dragons and crouching tigers. My little bit of strength is still far from enough."

"I am merely an idle wanderer. Your Majesty need not investigate further."

Queen Medusa smiled noncommittally at that.

The two simply drank and talked through the night.

By the next day,

when the sky had begun to brighten with the pale light of dawn,

Ji Changqing had already vanished.

Queen Medusa sat upon her throne, propping her cheek up with a delicate hand. She closed her eyes and rested lightly.

The air within the temple fell silent.

No one knew how much time had passed.

A loud shout wrapped in Dou Qi rolled through the entire city.

"Queen Medusa, I am Gu He of the Jia Ma Empire. I did not come here to wage war against your race, but merely to discuss a matter with you. Please show yourself!"

Queen Medusa opened her eyes, and a flash of seven-colored radiance flickered within them.

"So human experts truly have come..."

Her faint voice dissipated into the air, and Queen Medusa vanished from the throne along with it.

Outside the city walls.

Gu He's group was confronting the experts of the Snake People Race.

The Snake People Race had eight major tribes, and the leaders of all eight were Dou Wang experts.

Gu He's actions had caused the snake people within the city to become somewhat flustered.

However, Yue Mei and Mo Bass, the two tribal leaders, merely furrowed their brows and did not speak to stop him.

Under such circumstances, it was indeed better for Her Majesty to appear personally.

After all, the other tribal leaders had yet to arrive. With only the two of them, they could not possibly withstand these human experts.

The rolling shout gradually subsided.

After the inside and outside of the city walls had remained silent for quite some time, there was still no response.

A gloomy look flashed across Gu He's face. Just as he was about to shout again,

the space high above the city walls suddenly twisted in a strange manner.

At this sight,

apart from the silent black-clothed man in Gu He's camp,

everyone took a step back and stared solemnly at the distorted space.

At this moment, it was evening, and the afterglow of the setting sun spilled down.

Within the distorted space, a graceful figure slowly appeared before everyone's eyes.

Outside the city walls, amid the boundless yellow sand,

Xiao Yan was wrapped in a blanket that blended into the sand. He cautiously watched both sides facing off and nervously said to Yao Lao:

"Teacher, you must make sure to conceal your aura!"

Yao Lao said:

"Don't worry. The enemy is in the open while we are in the dark. No one can discover us."

High in the sky.

Ji Changqing looked down at the scene below, taking everything in. Stroking his chin, he muttered:

"I hope nothing goes wrong..."