The Queen's Promise and the Buddha's Fury Blooms

Inside the secret underground chamber of the Snake-People Holy Temple.

This frigid stone room resembled a cold palace sealed away by the passage of time, with a chilling aura silently permeating every inch of space. Xiao Zhan sat cross-legged, his posture as steady as a calm statue. A faint, reddish-gold light gently enveloped his body, as if draping him in a sacred suit of armor. At this moment, he was channeling the Dragon Phoenix Tyrant Body Art with all his might. This Heaven-tier cultivation technique was like a treasure trove containing endless mysteries, bringing him far more than just peerless physical strength. The trace of the Dragon Phoenix origin energy it contained was like a scorching, dazzling sun—supremely yang and rigid—possessing a natural restraining power over the cold, Soul-Eroding Dou Qi left behind by Protector Wu, much like light dispelling darkness.

"Sss..."

Wisps of black energy, resembling hideous venomous snakes, twisted and struggled in the air as if they were living things, being forced out of his wounds and meridians bit by bit by the overbearing Dragon Phoenix energy. These black wisps emitted a faint corrosive sound in the air, as if the darkness were letting out a final wail, before being rapidly purified by the intense heat and dissipating into nothingness. This process was slow and agonizing, much like scraping bone to remove poison; every bit of purification was accompanied by piercing pain, yet the results were remarkably effective. Although Xiao Zhan's face remained pale as paper, his aura had already stabilized significantly, like a sea gradually calming after a storm.

Soul-Eroding Dou Qi clearance progress: 42%...45%...

The system's prompt tone advanced steadily and clearly, like a loyal companion silently recording the progress of this battle.

Suddenly!

"Hum..."

The energy barrier at the entrance of the stone room rippled gently like water brushed by a breeze, and the stone door slid open silently, as if opening a gateway to a mysterious world. Yue Mei's enchanting figure appeared at the entrance once more, like a poisonous flower blooming in the night. Her emerald vertical pupils flickered with an unusual light in the dim surroundings, like two mysterious green lanterns, revealing a sense of mystery and danger.

"Xiao Zhan," her voice lacked its usual languor, carrying instead a weight of gravity, as if she were burdened with a solemn mission, "Her Majesty the Queen wishes to see you. Now. Immediately."

Xiao Zhan's heart stirred slightly, like a ripple on a calm lake. He slowly ceased his cultivation, and the reddish-gold light around his body receded like a retreating tide. He opened his eyes and looked calmly at Yue Mei, his gaze deep and steady: "My injuries have not yet healed; I fear I may offend the Queen's holy sight." His voice was neither servile nor overbearing, carrying a unique composure and confidence.

"This is not a request." Yue Mei's long, slender snake tail swayed gently like a nimble silk ribbon, each movement seemingly containing a mysterious rhythm. Her tone carried an unquestionable majesty, as if she were a high-ranking judge who would tolerate no defiance. "Your 'intelligence' and your 'bloodline' have successfully piqued Her Majesty's interest. This is a rare opportunity for you, and furthermore... your final chance." She deliberately emphasized the word "final," like a heavy hammer striking a heart, carrying an invisible sense of oppression.

Xiao Zhan slowly stood up and flexed his left arm, which was still aching intensely but was now capable of movement. The pain in his arm felt like needle pricks, yet it could not shake his firm will. He nodded, his voice steady and resolute: "Lead the way." He knew clearly that the true test had arrived. Facing the notorious and fearsome Queen Medusa, any hypocritical disguise might be instantly seen through by her torch-like gaze. Only by maintaining a degree of honesty and fully demonstrating his own value could he hope to find a glimmer of survival in this desperate situation.

Following Yue Mei through the labyrinthine and complex corridors of the Holy Temple, Xiao Zhan could keenly sense the heavy atmosphere permeating the air—an atmosphere like materialized storm clouds that made it difficult to breathe. At the same time, powerful and violent energy fluctuations remained in the air; clearly, the earth-shattering battle between Queen Medusa and Protector Wu, though concluded, still left behind a lingering might like a dormant beast, not to be underestimated. The snake-people guards they passed along the way all had eyes like torches, looking at him with undisguised hostility and cold killing intent, as if he were an uninvited guest who had trespassed into forbidden territory.

Finally, they arrived before a magnificent stone door ten zhang high. Carved upon the door was a lifelike totem of a nine-headed giant snake, its heads baring fangs and brandishing claws as if it might leap from the door at any moment to devour everything. The stone door slowly opened, and a suffocating majesty and scorching heat rushed toward them like a surging tide, making one feel as if they were standing at the edge of a fiery crater.

Inside the massive hall, the light was dim, resembling a mysterious abyss. In the center, the ancient altar that bound the Green Lotus Core Flame still emitted heart-palpitating energy fluctuations; those fluctuations were like a beating pulse, telling of the altar's mystery and power. Below the altar, a purple figure stood silently, like an inviolable statue, radiating an aura that inspired awe.

Queen Medusa!

She stood quietly in the depths of the great hall, her back to the entrance, resembling a statue of a deity isolated from the world. Her purple brocade robes draped down like flowing clouds, the hem trailing gently on the ground as if laying a luxurious carpet upon the cold floor. Her snake tail, covered in fine scales, was coiled elegantly; every scale shimmered with a mysterious and cold luster, as if containing endless secrets. A mere back view exuded an supreme majesty that looked down upon all living things, as if everything in the world were but ants in her eyes. The air in the entire hall seemed to have frozen due to her powerful presence, as if under a binding spell.

"Your Majesty, the person has been brought." Yue Mei bowed respectfully, her posture so low it nearly touched the ground, her voice filled with piety and awe. After performing the salute, she retreated silently to the side, her emerald vertical pupils fixed tightly on Xiao Zhan, her gaze like two sharp daggers, revealing a hint of vigilance.

Xiao Zhan took a deep breath, letting it circulate slowly in his chest as if to inject himself with courage. He struggled to suppress the shock surging in his heart like a tide, bowed neither servilely nor overbearingly, and spoke in a steady, powerful voice: "Xiao Zhan, greets Her Majesty the Queen."

Silence—a suffocating silence like a thick haze—permeated the great hall. Queen Medusa did not turn around, yet Xiao Zhan felt as if he had been locked onto by a ferocious beast from the primordial era. The hair all over his body stood on end, each strand seemingly sounding an alarm. That invisible pressure, like a ten-thousand-foot mountain, weighed heavily upon his soul, making it nearly impossible for him to breathe. Had he not been a Dou Zong and possessed the Dragon Phoenix Tyrant Body Art to protect his soul, he would likely have already knelt under this powerful pressure, becoming a submissive subject to her majesty.

"You... know of the Soul Hall?" Her cold, majestic voice, carrying a strange magnetism, finally rang out. The sound was like ice beads falling onto a jade plate—crisp and cold—echoing leisurely through the hall like a gust of cold wind that made one shiver involuntarily.

"Yes." Xiao Zhan replied in a deep voice. Bearing that mountain-like pressure, his voice remained as firm as a rock. "It is an extremely mysterious and powerful organization. Its members are mostly soul bodies or existences skilled in manipulating soul power. Their actions are secretive and unpredictable, and their goals are even more unfathomable. As far as I know, they have been secretly collecting powerful souls and strange flames across the continent, as if plotting some earth-shattering event."

"How exactly did they infiltrate this King's barrier?" Queen Medusa turned slowly, her movements as elegant and composed as a dancer spinning lightly on a stage. Her purple brocade robes fluttered gently with her turn, like a flowing river of stars in the night sky.

The moment she turned, Xiao Zhan felt a flash of brilliance before his eyes, as if a dazzling light had streaked past, and his breath hitched! It was a beauty that transcended mortal cognition, heart-stopping and intoxicating, yet also awe-inspiring. Her purple eyes were like deep, starry vortexes—mysterious and enchanting—carrying a coldness that scrutinized everything and a sharpness that pierced the heart, as if she could see through every secret in the world. Her gaze fell upon Xiao Zhan like an invisible blade, capable of piercing through his skin and stabbing directly into the depths of his soul, making him feel as if his very soul were trembling under her stare.

Xiao Zhan endured the agitation of his soul being pierced, an agitation that traveled through his body like an electric current, causing his heart to beat uncontrollably fast. He took a deep breath and slowly recited the explanation he had long prepared: "The Soul Hall's methods are bizarre and unpredictable, and their mastery of spatial power is profound. Like ghosts hidden in the darkness, they are impossible to guard against. They seem to have mastered a secret technique capable of briefly interfering with or even assimilating barrier energy, as if opening a hidden gap in the barrier. That black-robed protector (Protector Wu) was able to sneak in, so he must have paid a heavy price—a price perhaps too great for him to bear." He deliberately avoided the details of how he had used the gap to sneak in himself, fearing it would arouse Queen Medusa's suspicion.

"Where did your bloodline power come from?" Queen Medusa's gaze was like a physical blade, piercing toward Xiao Zhan with a sharp momentum, as if she intended to dissect him entirely. A hint of inquiry and gravity flashed in her purple eyes; that faint yet incomparably noble Dragon Phoenix aura was like a strange star flickering in the night sky, making even her feel a tremor from the depths of her own bloodline, as if an invisible force were pulling at her.

"My ancestors once had a fortuitous encounter and fused with a trace of Ancient Heaven Phoenix essence blood. That essence blood was like a precious treasure, carefully preserved by my ancestors. Passed down to this day, it has become extremely thin, like a candle in the wind, but that noble aura can still be faintly sensed." Xiao Zhan spoke half-truths, while simultaneously taking the initiative to trigger a trace of the Dragon Phoenix Tyrant Body Art. The reddish-gold shimmer flashed across his skin and vanished, like a meteor streaking across the night sky, carrying an ancient and noble pressure, as if the roar of an ancient divine beast were echoing in the air.

This time, the distance was closer, and the sensation was clearer! Queen Medusa's purple pupils visibly contracted, like stars in the night sky suddenly dimming for an instant! Heaven Phoenix! That was an ancient divine beast on the same level as the Seven-Colored Heaven-Swallowing Python, a legendary existence that stood above all things! Although this aura was weak, its essence was of the highest order and absolutely genuine, like a brilliant gemstone that, even if covered in dust, could not hide its dazzling light.

"You snuck into the Holy Temple—what exactly was your intent?" Queen Medusa's voice remained like a cold wind in the dead of night, icy and bone-chilling, but the killing intent hidden within seemed to have been brushed away by a thin veil, weakening by a fraction.

"To warn you." Xiao Zhan's gaze was firm, meeting those heart-palpitating purple eyes directly—eyes that were like deep, dark pools, hiding endless secrets and majesty. His tone was honest and sincere, as if every word carried heavy weight. "I accidentally learned that the Soul Hall was plotting against Your Majesty and the Heavenly Flame. I was extremely anxious and intended to sneak into the Holy Temple to find an opportunity to report this to you, but I encountered an unexpected turn of events. Like a lone boat caught in a storm, I nearly lost my life. It was only thanks to Chief Yue Mei's intervention that I managed to survive." He cleverly positioned himself as a "messenger" rather than an uninvited "intruder," attempting to dissolve Queen Medusa's hostility.

The great hall fell into a deathly silence once more, as if time itself had frozen at this moment. Queen Medusa's gaze was like a cold probe, scanning Xiao Zhan repeatedly; that gaze seemed capable of piercing through his body and reaching the depths of his soul, as if she were carefully judging the truth of his words. That unique pressure originating from his bloodline, combined with the reasonable excuse of "issuing a warning," indeed added a heavy weight to his credibility, causing his image to improve slightly in Queen Medusa's heart.

"The wounds on your body—were they left by that Soul Hall protector?" Queen Medusa's gaze was as sharp as a falcon's, sweeping over Xiao Zhan's still-bandaged left shoulder, where a trace of cold aura faintly leaked, as if telling of the previous danger.

"Yes. The Soul Hall's Dou Qi is vicious and soul-eroding, like a maggot in the bone, extremely difficult to remove." Xiao Zhan admitted frankly, without a hint of fear or concealment on his face.

"Hmph." Queen Medusa let out a cold snort, her voice carrying a hint of disdain and majesty. Then, she raised her jade hand, her movements elegant and composed, as if playing a beautiful piece of music. A wisp of refined purple Dou Qi shot out like a nimble spirit snake, carrying a sharp momentum and scorching heat, instantly entering Xiao Zhan's body!

Xiao Zhan's body shuddered as he felt a domineering and scorching energy rush into his meridians like a surging tide; wherever that energy passed, it felt as if a blazing fire had been ignited. It precisely located the Soul-Eroding Dou Qi lurking in his meridians. In the face of Queen Medusa's pure, peak Dou Emperor Dou Qi, that cold black energy was like snow meeting the sun, rapidly being dispelled, purified, and vanishing without a trace.

In just a few breaths, the Soul-Eroding Dou Qi that had plagued Xiao Zhan for days like a maggot in the bone was swept away like clouds before a gale, cleared out entirely! Xiao Zhan felt his entire body lighten, as if he had broken free from invisible shackles, and the gloom that had long been suppressed within him dissipated in an instant.

"Many thanks, Your Majesty!" Xiao Zhan was shocked by the opponent's unfathomable strength—a strength like a towering mountain that made one look up in awe. At the same time, he bowed sincerely to express his gratitude, his voice filled with appreciation. With his injuries healed, it was as if a sturdy suit of armor had been re-equipped for a warrior about to head to the battlefield; his strength would recover faster, allowing him to face the various challenges that might arise in the future.

"Do not thank this King." Queen Medusa elegantly withdrew her hand, the movement like a dancer retracting a light skirt. Her purple eyes were as deep as the sea, seemingly hiding endless stars and mysteries. "The intelligence you brought is of some value. This act of clearing the Soul-Eroding Dou Qi shall be considered your reward."

She paused, her tone suddenly turning cold like a biting winter wind, carrying unquestionable majesty: "But the crime of trespassing into the Holy Temple cannot go unpunished! The Holy Temple is this King's forbidden ground; how can others be allowed to violate it at will!"

Xiao Zhan's heart tightened, as if struck by a cold bolt of lightning, and all the nerves in his body tensed up.

"This King will give you a chance to redeem your crimes through service." Queen Medusa's gaze turned toward the Green Lotus Core Flame, which was heavily bound upon the altar; the flame was like a caged beast, emitting a scorching and violent aura. A hint of resolve flashed in her purple eyes, like a warrior about to head to the battlefield. "This King is about to use the power of the Heavenly Flame to break through the shackles of my bloodline. This process is extremely dangerous, like walking on the edge of a cliff—a life-and-death gamble—requiring absolute silence, and no interference will be tolerated!"

"Although the thieves from the Soul Hall have retreated for now, they will certainly not let the matter rest. They are like venomous snakes hidden in the darkness, capable of launching another attack at any moment. My Four Great Elders must focus all their efforts on maintaining the sealing barrier and have no time to attend to other matters." Her gaze locked onto Xiao Zhan once more, like the edge of a sharp sword. "I want you, with Yue Mei's cooperation, to guard the perimeter of the Holy Temple! Until this King succeeds... or falls!"

Guard the Holy Temple? Oppose the Soul Hall should they return?!

Xiao Zhan's heart shook violently, as if a giant rock had been thrown into a calm lake, stirring up layers of ripples. The danger level of this task was extremely high, like dancing on the tip of a blade; a moment of carelessness could lead to total destruction. But this was also a massive opportunity! An opportunity to get close to Queen Medusa and establish a connection at her weakest (during the evolution process) and most critical moment! It was like finding a glimmer of light in the darkness—though faint, it was filled with hope.

"If this King succeeds in breaking through the bloodline shackles, your crime of trespassing will be wiped clean, and this King will grant you a promise to help you achieve your heart's desire." Queen Medusa's voice was cold yet carried a hint of imperceptible temptation, like a faint light flickering in the darkness, inviting exploration. "If this King fails..." Her gaze swept over Xiao Zhan like a cold blade, the implication clear—once she failed, the Holy Temple would collapse, and everyone present would be buried with her!

Fortune favors the bold! A flash of resolve appeared in Xiao Zhan's eyes, a light like a burning flame, firm and scorching. He said in a deep voice: "Xiao Zhan is willing to act as your protector, Your Majesty. Even if it means a mountain of blades or a sea of fire, I shall not refuse!"

"Very well." Queen Medusa nodded slightly, her exquisite face devoid of excessive expression, as if everything were under her control. She said no more and turned to face the Green Lotus Core Flame on the altar once again. Her purple brocade robes fluttered without wind, like a purple lotus blooming in the dark night, radiating a mysterious and noble aura. A more powerful and resolute aura began to rise from her body, like a volcano about to erupt, containing endless power. She had already begun to adjust her state, making final preparations for that life-or-death evolution, every movement revealing firmness and decisiveness.

Yue Mei looked at Xiao Zhan, her emerald vertical pupils filled with complex emotions—a mix of worry and expectation. She whispered: "Follow me. Familiarize yourself with the perimeter defenses; do not let there be any mistakes."

Xiao Zhan took one last look at that proud and resolute purple back before the altar; that figure stood like an unshakeable mountain, giving one a sense of immovability. He turned and followed Yue Mei away, his footsteps steady and firm. He knew that the true storm was about to sweep in like a tidal wave, and he would be the one to meet his own challenges within that storm.

Magical Beast Mountain Range, outside the entrance of the mysterious cave.

"You little bastard! Get out here, now!!" The roar of Mu Li (Young Leader of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group, one-star Dou Grandmaster) echoed beneath the cliff like a thunderclap, filled with such venom and killing intent that it seemed capable of shattering the entire valley. Dozens of Wolf Head mercenaries surrounded the cliff, their blades unsheathed and glinting with cold light, their crossbows drawn and taut with thick murderous aura, like a pack of starving wolves ready to pounce on their prey. The vengeance for He Meng's severed arm and the humiliation brought by that terrifying cold snort in the valley burned like a raging fire, plunging the entire mercenary group into a frenzy of retaliation; they swore to tear the people inside that cave into pieces.

Inside the cave, in the stone chamber.

The gray-white cocoon of light around Xiao Yi Xian had vanished, as if it had never existed. She sat cross-legged on the ground, her face still pale as paper, yet her aura had undergone a heaven-shaking transformation. A cold, restrained, yet terrifyingly destructive temperament lingered around her; she was like a volcano on the verge of eruption, calm on the surface but containing endless energy within. Her eyes opened slowly, and deep within her pupils, faint gray-white specks of light swirled like stars in the night sky—still clear, yet possessing a heart-stopping depth, as if hiding infinite secrets. She had successfully received the inheritance of the Seven-Colored Poison Scripture and initially stabilized the rampaging poison power within her, but the price was that she felt her connection to that destructive force had grown tighter, like walking a tightrope over a cliff, every step fraught with danger.

"Outside... is that the Wolf Head Mercenary Group?" Xiao Yi Xian's voice carried a hint of chill, like a cold wind blowing through a frigid night, making one shiver involuntarily.

"Yes, the leader is Mu Li, son of Mu She." Xiao Yan's face was as heavy as ink, his hands gripping the Heavy Xuan Ruler (the treasure found in the cave) tightly. His eyes were sharp as a falcon's, as if they could pierce through any obstacle. "The entrance has been completely blocked by them. They can't get in, but we can't get out either; we're like birds trapped in a cage."

"Xiao Yan! I know you're in there!" Mu Li's voice came again like a thunderbolt, accompanied by a hair-raising, sinister laugh. "And that little bitch! You caused my Uncle He Meng to lose an arm and killed many of my brothers! Today, I will definitely tear you to pieces! Fire! Shoot with everything you've got! Use fire arrows! Burn those bastards to death!"

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh--!"

A dense sound of arrows piercing the air erupted suddenly, like the death knell of the Grim Reaper! Arrow after arrow, burning with raging flames, shot toward the vine-covered entrance like a rain of fire! The vines were instantly ignited, and the fire spread into the cave like a ferocious beast!

Thick smoke billowed in, like a black demon rampaging through the air, and the heat wave rushed forward, as if it would roast a person alive.

"Cough, cough... Teacher! What do we do?" Xiao Yan swung the Heavy Xuan Ruler with all his might, acting like a moving shield to deflect the incoming fire arrows. His face was full of anxiety, and his voice carried a trace of panic.

Yao Lao's illusory figure floated beside Xiao Yan like a ghost, his old face as solemn as ice. "The entrance is narrow, so they won't be able to get in for a while, but this fire attack and the thick smoke are truly troublesome. Little girl, your poison... can you control it now?"

Xiao Yi Xian looked at her snow-white palms, where a wisp of gray-white poison mist lingered at her fingertips like a nimble little snake. She nodded gently, her eyes filled with a coldness and resolve, like a champion about to head to the battlefield. "I can, but the range is small. However, the toxicity... is very strong."

"Good!" A fierce light flashed in Yao Lao's eyes, like lightning in a cold night. "Kid, listen well! I will temporarily lend my power to you! Remember, you only have one chance! Use your strongest Dou Technique, combined with the little girl's poison, and target that Mu Li! Capture the bandits by capturing their leader first; if we take him down, the situation might turn around!"

"Yes, Teacher!" Xiao Yan's eyes instantly became as firm as a rock, his gaze filled with such resolve and fearlessness that it seemed capable of piercing through any obstacle.

"Relax your mind!" Yao Lao let out a low shout, his voice carrying unquestionable majesty. His illusory figure turned into a brilliant white light and slammed into Xiao Yan's body. In an instant, it was as if stars had converged, and light scattered in all directions.

"BOOM!"

A terrifying aura, impossible to describe in words, erupted from Xiao Yan like a volcanic eruption! His hair moved without wind, like black silk dancing in a gale; his robes snapped loudly, like a war banner whistling in the wind. Pale white flames burned within his eyes—the aura of the Bone Chilling Flame, cold yet scorching, as if it could freeze everything and incinerate all things. The Dou Zhi Qi around him surged like a raging tide, instantly breaking through the boundaries of a Dou Practitioner and Dou Master, charging forward with unstoppable momentum until it reached the peak of a Dou Grandmaster! That majestic aura made the entire stone chamber tremble.

"AHHH!!!" The tearing sensation brought by the sudden surge of power felt like thousands of steel needles piercing his body at once, forcing Xiao Yan to let out a low roar filled with pain and perseverance. Yet, he gritted his teeth so hard that blood seeped from his gums, his hands gripping the Heavy Xuan Ruler like iron pincers, as if he would fuse the ruler into his own flesh. The Burning Mantra within him operated frantically, like high-speed gears, and the Dou Zhi Qi vortex in his dantian spun rapidly, emitting a "humming" sound as if it were roaring.

"Guide the power of the Heavenly Flame out! Merge it with your Dou Zhi Qi! Compress it! Compress it again!" Yao Lao's voice roared instructions from the depths of Xiao Yan's soul, the sound like a great bell, deafening and making Xiao Yan's very soul tremble.

Xiao Yan endured the searing pain in his meridians, a pain like fire rampaging through his body, as if every inch of his meridians were being roasted. But he desperately mobilized that wisp of Bone Chilling Flame essence refined by the Burning Mantra. The ghostly white flames and the pale yellow Dou Zhi Qi intertwined, collided, and fused on the Heavy Xuan Ruler, like two giant dragons locked in a fierce struggle, or a collision between two worlds of ice and fire.

A violent, destructive aura began to condense on the ruler, an aura like a storm about to break, filled with endless power. The temperature in the stone chamber plummeted, as if entering the dead of winter; frost even condensed on the ground, crystal clear like a silver-white world. Yet, the space around the ruler distorted due to the high heat, appearing like a shattered mirror with strange wrinkles.

"It's not enough! Pour your anger! Your will! Pour it all in! Let it erupt!" Yao Lao's voice sounded again, like the beating of war drums, encouraging Xiao Yan to press forward.

Outside the cave, Mu Li stared cruelly at the entrance completely swallowed by raging flames, a bloodthirsty curve hooking his lips, as if he could already see the miserable state of those inside being burned to ashes.

However, a sudden change occurred!

"BOOM!!!"

As if the heavens were collapsing and the earth splitting, the entire cliff trembled violently, as if a sleeping beast had been suddenly awakened. The burning vines and heavy rocks blocking the entrance were instantly blown apart from within by a terrifying, peerless force! Rubble flew in all directions like rain, and dust billowed like thick, dark clouds, blotting out the sky.

Amidst the swirling dust, a figure shrouded in ghostly white flames stood like a demon god stepping out of the Nine Nether Hells, majestic and awe-inspiring. He held a massive black ruler burning with eerie white flames, like a scythe in the hands of the Grim Reaper, carrying endless killing intent. The figure shot out from the dust like a cannonball, moving so fast that the naked eye could barely track him, leaving only a trail of afterimages.

"What is that?!" The cruel smile on Mu Li's face froze instantly, as if he had been struck by a binding spell, replaced by boundless fear that flooded him like a tide. He felt a thick aura of death emanating from that figure, as if he would be torn to shreds by that power in the next second.

"Mu Li! Prepare to die!" A cold voice, like the wind from the Nine Nethers, pierced through the dust and echoed throughout the forest, making one's blood run cold. This voice was none other than Yao Lao, controlling Xiao Yan's body.

Xiao Yan raised the Heavy Xuan Ruler high. On the ruler, a highly compressed energy sphere emitted a terrifying aura capable of destroying everything. Inside the sphere, ghostly white and pale yellow intertwined like a raging storm; yet, on the outside, it was eerily restrained, like a crouching beast ready to deliver a fatal blow at any moment.

"Flame Splitting Devouring Wave Ruler, Ultimate Art—"

"Buddha! Wrath! Fire! Lotus!"

(Prototype version!)

The Heavy Xuan Ruler, burning with ghostly white flames and carrying that compressed prototype fire lotus, struck down toward the terrified Mu Li like a bolt of lightning tearing through the sky, with an unstoppable force! The momentum was as if it would split the entire world in two.

At the same time, a wisp of gray-white air, so faint it was almost imperceptible, silently merged into the violent energy storm like a maggot on a tarsal bone, shooting toward Mu Li like a hidden blade.

Wutan City, Miteer Auction House, top-floor reception hall.

The atmosphere in the reception hall was as heavy as the suffocating silence before a storm; every bit of air seemed frozen, permeated with endless oppression.

Ya Fei sat gracefully in the main seat, her face still wearing that charming, alluring smile, like a delicate flower in full bloom during spring, yet the depths of her eyes were cold to the bone, like frost in the dead of winter. Opposite her sat a middle-aged man with a physique as sturdy as an iron tower. His face was rigid, his features sharp as if carved by a knife, and his eyes were as sharp as a falcon's, as if they could pierce through any disguise. He wore the standard-issue combat gear of the Miteer Family's core members, and on his chest hung a badge symbolizing the Great Elder's confidant, glinting with a cold light under the lamps. He exuded an undisguised, formidable aura belonging to a peak Dou Grandmaster, an aura like a heavy rock pressing down on the entire hall, making it hard for anyone to breathe.

This man was none other than Mu Tie! The commander of the direct guards for Great Elder Teng Shan, like the sharpest blade at the Great Elder's side!

"Miss Ya Fei," Mu Tie's voice was as resonant as clashing metal, carrying an unquestionable tone of command, as if every word weighed a thousand jun. "I have the Great Elder's order here! I am commanded to take over the two Yin-Yang Profound Dragon Pills immediately and escort them back to the Imperial Capital! At the same time, the Great Elder demands that you report everything regarding the source of the pills, including that Clan Leader Xiao Zhan, immediately and without reservation!"

His sharp gaze scraped across Ya Fei's charming face like a keen blade, as if he wanted to see through her thoughts. "The Great Elder is very dissatisfied with your recent 'acting on your own' in Wutan City."

Ya Fei remained calm, picked up the teacup in front of her, and took a sip with elegant movements. Her red lips curled slightly, revealing a smile that was not quite a smile, a smile that carried an unfathomable meaning. "Commander Mu Tie, what a grand display of power. These pills were entrusted to my Miteer Auction House by Clan Leader Xiao for auction. The contract is here, in black and white, clear as day. Before the auction is completed, they belong to the client, not my auction house. I truly have no authority to let you 'take over'."

She set the teacup down gently, her beautiful eyes meeting Mu Tie's oppressive gaze. Her voice remained soft and melodious, yet carried a coldness that countered his, like a cold wind in the night. "As for the source of the pills and Clan Leader Xiao... that is a trade secret, and even more so a private agreement between myself and Clan Leader Xiao. Commander Mu Tie, could it be that the Great Elder's order is so great that it can trample upon the reputation and rules of my Miteer Auction House at will?"

"You!" Mu Tie's face instantly darkened like the sky before a storm; he never expected Ya Fei to dare to defy him so forcefully. Anger surged from his heart, and he slammed the table with a loud "BANG!" The aura of a peak Dou Grandmaster erupted like a raging gale, instantly sweeping through the entire reception hall. Tables and chairs shook violently, and cups and plates collided, emitting a "humming" sound as if trembling in fear.

"Ya Fei! Don't think that just because you have some beauty and means, you can play tricks in front of the family! The Great Elder's order is the family's rule, and it cannot be defied! Hand over the pills and the information! Otherwise..." A cold light flashed in Mu Tie's eyes like a frigid blade, the threat self-evident and chilling.

Facing this tangible pressure, the smile on Ya Fei's face finally vanished completely, like a flower in spring instantly withering. She stood up slowly, her graceful figure standing straight under the powerful aura, like a snow lotus standing proudly in a gale, exuding an unyielding resilience.

"Otherwise what?" Ya Fei's voice was as cold as ice, as if it could freeze the air, and for the first time, anger ignited in her beautiful eyes like two burning flames. "Mu Tie, you are nothing but a dog of the Great Elder, a lapdog that only knows how to beg for pity! This is Wutan City, not the Imperial Capital, and not a place for you to run wild! If you want to show off your power here, you aren't qualified!"

Her jade hand flipped gently, and a token carved with the golden Miteer Family emblem, with seven tiny purple crystals embedded along the edge, appeared in her palm. The moment the token appeared, an ancient and majestic aura permeated the air like a tide, as if carrying the weight of time and the glory of the family, actually suppressing Mu Tie's aura as if a giant rock were pressing down on a gale.

"The Seven Purple Gold Token?!" Mu Tie's pupils shrank, as if he had seen the most incredible thing in the world, and he gasped in shock. His face was filled with unbelievable horror, as if he had seen a ghost.

This was one of the highest-authority tokens of the Miteer Family! The holder possessed authority equal to an Elder; seeing the token was like seeing the Clan Leader, possessing supreme authority. There were no more than five such tokens in the entire family, precious beyond measure, like a rare treasure. How could it be in the hands of this woman who had been "exiled" to a border town? This simply exceeded his imagination.

Holding the token like a queen wielding power, Ya Fei looked down coldly at the pale-faced Mu Tie, her eyes filled with disdain and majesty. "To see this token is to see the Clan Leader! Commander Mu Tie, do you still wish to 'take over'? Do you still want me to 'report'?"

Mu Tie's face was a palette of colors, green and red, and the veins on his forehead throbbed like wriggling earthworms. He looked at the Seven Purple Gold Token, which radiated unquestionable majesty, and then at the charming woman before him whose aura had suddenly become incomparably strong. A chill shot from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, making him shiver involuntarily.

For the first time, he realized that this "Empress of Gold," who seemed to have risen by relying on her beauty, was likely far more unfathomable than he had imagined, like an abyss hidden in the fog, making it impossible to glimpse her true strength.