The Snake-People Tribe's Meeting

"Now, my strength is enough to crush the Snake-People Tribe at will."

Yao Chen had just tested the power of his newly fused Heavenly Flame, the Ice Lotus Blazing Heart Flame, and was quite satisfied. However, he recalled that when he first arrived in the desert to save Hai Bodong, he had been placed on a wanted list by the Snake-People.

Although the Snake-People posed no threat to him, Yao Chen felt that being a wanted man was a nuisance that needed to be resolved.

"I should first collect this Green Lotus and the Earth Fire Lotus Seeds within it; these are all treasures."

With that, Yao Chen took a jade ruler from his storage ring and carefully made a light incision at the base of the lotus seat where it connected to the rhizome.

Instantly, the Green Lotus, perfect as a work of art, detached itself.

Yao Chen then used a small jade bottle to collect the eleven Earth Fire Lotus Seeds.

"These treasures can be given to Xiao Yan for his cultivation later on. As for Xiao Yi Xian, I must first stabilize her constitution before giving anything to that girl."

After stowing away these treasures, Yao Chen decided to head to the Snake-People Tribe to settle the trouble.

"It is time to go pay Medusa a visit!"

With a flick of his figure, only Yao Chen's shadow remained within the scorching magma.

In the vast and boundless Tagor Desert, Snake-People tribes of all sizes were scattered throughout.

These tribes were surrounded by massive sand dunes, which acted as natural barriers, isolating them from the noise and dangers of the outside world.

Looking from afar, those dunes shimmered with a golden light under the scorching sun, their lines smooth and graceful.

The place where Medusa resided was the largest central city, known to the Snake-People as the Royal City.

The entrance to this city in the heart of the desert was woven from massive stone pillars and thick, sturdy vines.

The stone pillars were carved with ancient snake patterns, telling the long history and mysterious heritage of the Snake-People.

Vines snaked and climbed, blooming with brilliant flowers that emitted an enchanting fragrance.

The first thing that caught the eye in this desert city was a cluster of well-arranged houses.

Most of these houses were built from sand, stone, and wood, with peculiar shapes—some resembling winding snake bodies, others like massive snake heads.

The roofs were covered with thick thatch, providing both shade and shelter from the rain.

The paths between the houses were narrow and winding, the ground covered in fine sand, leaving deep footprints with every step.

In the center of the city was a wide plaza, the ground paved with smooth stone slabs engraved with exquisite snake-shaped patterns.

On one side of the plaza lay a massive pool, the water crystal clear and shimmering.

The area around the pool was planted with various exotic plants, some blooming with gorgeous flowers, others bearing bountiful fruit.

Deep within the city stood a magnificent temple.

The temple's architectural style was solemn and majestic, its walls inlaid with countless gems and pearls that sparkled under the sunlight.

The temple doors remained closed year-round, opening only for important meetings and ceremonies of the Snake-People Tribe.

In front of the gates stood two massive snake statues, heads held high, gazes stern, guarding this sacred hall.

At this moment, the temple gates were open. Queen Medusa sat upon the throne in the center of the temple, her posture graceful yet radiating a formidable majesty.

Her gaze was sharp, like two bolts of cold lightning, making one dare not look directly at her.

The four great commanders stood on either side below the throne: Mo Basi was burly with bulging muscles, his face rugged and resolute; Yin Shi had a slender frame, his eyes cold and deep, revealing unfathomable cunning; Yan Ci radiated a scorching aura, as if he were a burning flame; Hua She'er had a lithe figure, her charm laced with a hint of craftiness.

The temple was so quiet that one could almost hear the sound of breathing. Queen Medusa was the first to break the silence, her voice cold and authoritative.

"I have summoned you all today to discuss the human Dou Emperor who broke this Queen's Snake Emperor Heart-Protecting Shield in the desert not long ago."

"Mo Basi! I ordered you to lead the tribe's champions to track this person down days ago. Have you found him?"

Mo Basi stepped forward and cupped his fists.

"Your Majesty, this person's movements are mysterious and unpredictable. My subordinates searched the desert for three days without finding any trace of him; it is as if he fled back to the human cities! If he dares to set foot in the desert again, I will surely lead our tribe's champions to slaughter him without leaving a single piece of armor behind!"

"Do not be reckless; we must deliberate carefully. This human's strength is unfathomable. There are few in this Jia Ma Empire capable of breaking Your Majesty's Snake Emperor Heart-Protecting Shield," Yin Shi said, shaking his head slightly.

"The top priority now should be to dispatch our human spies to infiltrate the human cities and ascertain this person's strength and intentions before making further plans."

Yan Ci added immediately, "Your Majesty, we cannot sit idly by. We should strengthen the Royal City's defenses and be ready for battle at any time to prevent this person from launching a sneak attack."

Hua She'er let out a delicate laugh and spoke to the other three commanders.

"Do not be anxious, everyone. Perhaps we can negotiate with this human Dou Emperor and seek a peaceful resolution."

Queen Medusa frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then spoke to the four commanders.

"Mo Basi, go reorganize the tribal champions and intensify their training; we shall act only after we have determined this person's intentions. Yin Shi, you are responsible for gathering intelligence on this human Dou Emperor. Yan Ci, oversee the construction of the defensive works. Hua She'er, once Yin Shi's people locate him, attempt to make contact and probe his stance."

"We obey the Queen's decree!"

The four commanders replied in unison.

The atmosphere in the temple grew increasingly tense, as a decision concerning the fate of the Snake-People Tribe was set in motion.

After the four commanders left, Medusa sat on her throne in the temple and began to cough; it was clear that the injuries inflicted by Yao Chen had not yet fully healed.

"Your Majesty, I fear this person poses a threat to our Snake-People Tribe."

From the shadows behind the throne of Medusa, four robed elders of the Snake-People Tribe spoke up.

Medusa nodded in agreement and spoke aloud.

"I am also aware that this person poses a great threat to our tribe. We have always had little contact with humans; previously, when the human Dou Emperor Hai Bodong trespassed into our territory, I struck him down and left him severely wounded, but this man saved him and even shattered our tribe's supreme treasure in retaliation."

"If it weren't for Hai Bodong speaking up and the elders arriving immediately, I fear I would have perished on the spot."

Even now, as Medusa recalled the incident, she felt a lingering sense of fear at the terrifying Dou Technique that man possessed.

"As far as I know, among the human powerhouses of the Jia Ma Empire, there is not one whose strength is comparable to this person," the Great Elder stated.

"This man is likely not from the Jia Ma Empire, but appearing suddenly in our territory and rescuing the human Hai Bodong suggests he harbors ill intent and is targeting our tribe!"

"Your Majesty, I believe this person possesses extraordinary strength and should not be offended. We ought to send our people to befriend and seek peace with him. If he is willing to unite with one of our tribe's women, we will no longer fear the other factions of the Jia Ma Empire and will surely be able to ensure our tribe's stability for a hundred years."

The Second Elder expressed to Medusa his desire to befriend Yao Chen.