Confrontation Above the Plaza

"Impossible! To be on friendly terms with this human, and even have our tribe's women associate with him—this is a disgrace to our Snake-People Tribe! Where would our dignity remain?"

Just as the Second Elder suggested making peace with Yao Chen, the First Elder, along with the Third and Fourth Elders, immediately spoke up to voice their firm opposition.

A wave of arguing broke out around Medusa.

"Enough. The priority is to find him first; we can decide whether to make peace or wage war when the time comes."

A cold, sharp voice came from Medusa.

Upon hearing Medusa speak, the four elders ceased their chatter and vanished behind her throne.

Medusa sat alone on her throne, pondering how to deal with Yao Chen.

This person's strength is formidable, but if the four elders of my Snake-People Tribe join forces with me, it is not impossible to defeat him.

Just as Medusa sat on her throne in thought, a figure suddenly appeared over the city square outside.

"Finally found you!"

After emerging from the Green Lotus Core Flame, Yao Chen had used his powerful soul perception to explore the desert, discovering several Snake-People Tribe settlements.

Yao Chen had searched them one by one, relying on the Flying Thunder God and his profound cultivation to deliberately conceal his presence, allowing him to go undetected by the various snake-people.

Finally, he had arrived at the city where Medusa resided.

Hovering above the square, Yao Chen began to gather his momentum, waiting quietly for Medusa's arrival.

The snake-people around the square felt the overwhelming pressure and scattered in all directions.

At that same moment, Medusa, sitting on her throne, and the four elders behind her felt the oppressive force immediately.

"He is here!"

Medusa furrowed her brows and shouted to the four elders.

"In just one week, this man's strength has reached the peak of a nine-star Dou Emperor! Elders, follow me out to meet the enemy!"

In the blink of an eye, Medusa and the four elders arrived above the square, facing Yao Chen head-on.

"So you are the one who wounded the leader of my Snake-People Tribe?"

The First Elder, his face full of murderous intent as if he wanted to devour Yao Chen, roared at him.

Yao Chen, however, remained composed and replied with a faint smile.

"That is correct. It was indeed this old man who wounded your Queen Medusa. Had Medusa not moved to kill my friend, I would not have been forced to take action."

"If your friend hadn't relied on his Dou Emperor cultivation to barge into my Snake-People Tribe's territory, and if I hadn't warned him repeatedly to leave while he remained arrogant and fearless, I would not have struck so heavily."

Seeing that Yao Chen's cultivation had reached the peak of a nine-star Dou Emperor—the same level as theirs—Medusa began to explain.

Upon hearing Medusa's explanation, Yao Chen inwardly wondered why that brat Hai Bodong had provoked them, but he had to save him, as the fragment of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame was in his possession. He spoke to Medusa:

"My friend Hai Bodong may have had a misunderstanding with you, but there was no need for such a ruthless strike. Had I not arrived in time, he might have perished."

Just as Medusa was about to say she had only intended to seal Hai Bodong's cultivation, the First Elder beside her shouted:

"Your Majesty, do not explain yourself to him. Our Snake-People Tribe is not a soft persimmon for anyone to bully at will."

With that, the First Elder launched an attack on Yao Chen.

Above the square of the Snake-People Tribe, the previously calm atmosphere was instantly shattered.

Yao Chen hovered quietly in the air, his figure appearing somewhat solitary under the sunlight.

A breeze blew, causing his robes to flutter gently, as if he had merged with the world around him.

Suddenly, a powerful aura approached rapidly from the distance.

The First Elder of the Snake-People Tribe flashed out like a phantom, his eyes fixed on Yao Chen with cold, murderous intent.

The First Elder waved his hands, and the energy of heaven and earth began to converge frantically.

He muttered an incantation, and a powerful surge of Dou Qi erupted from his body.

In an instant, the sky was covered in dark clouds, accompanied by thunder and lightning. The First Elder swung his hand, and a massive beam of black energy shot toward Yao Chen.

Wherever the beam passed, the space seemed to tear, emitting a sharp, whistling sound.

Yao Chen's eyes narrowed as he instantly sensed the immense power of the attack.

Yet, he remained unruffled, quickly channeling the Ice Lotus Heart-Burning Flame Dou Qi within him to form a sturdy ice lotus shield before him.

The black energy beam slammed into the lotus shield with a deafening roar.

The powerful impact caused the surrounding air to explode instantly, creating visible ripples of shockwaves.

Yao Chen's body trembled slightly, but he remained standing firmly in the air.

A cold smirk curled his lips as he said, "Is that all you've got?"

Hearing this, the First Elder's expression grew even gloomier.

He waved his hands again and let out a roar.

A massive phantom of a black python suddenly emerged behind him, its jaws wide open as it lunged toward Yao Chen.

Yao Chen's gaze was like a torch as his hands quickly formed seals.

A blue ray of light shot from his hand, heading straight to meet the incoming phantom of the black python.

The two collided violently in mid-air, scattering light in all directions as the entire plaza was shrouded in the glow of this powerful energy.

The Snake-People Tribe members below looked up one after another, their eyes filled with tension and worry.

"Great Elder, stop!"

Seeing that the Great Elder had not gained the slightest advantage and that Yao Chen was responding with ease, Medusa called out to stop him.

The Great Elder immediately retreated upon hearing Medusa's voice.

However, Yao Chen's attack could not be withdrawn in time and followed right after; caught off guard, the Great Elder spat out a mouthful of blood instantly.

If Yao Chen had not used only two-tenths of his strength, that palm strike would have claimed the Great Elder's life.

"Great Elder, are you alright?"

Seeing the Great Elder spitting blood, Medusa asked with concern.

"Your Majesty, it is nothing serious."

The Great Elder wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and replied to Medusa.

Medusa nodded upon seeing this, thinking to herself that the situation was dire.

This Great Elder is too impulsive, attacking alone. Although that man's cultivation is on par with ours, his strength is unfathomable. Only by joining forces, the five of us, can we hope to contend with him.

"Queen Medusa, your Great Elder's strength is lacking; I hadn't even warmed up yet and he already withdrew."

Yao Chen mocked from the side.

Hearing Yao Chen's taunt, the faces of the Snake-People Tribe members darkened instantly, though only the Second Elder spoke to Yao Chen with flattery.

"Senior's strength is formidable; no one in our Snake-People Tribe has been able to surpass you."

"The previous matter was all a misunderstanding. Our Snake-People Tribe is willing to apologize, and we are prepared to satisfy any request Senior may have."

"Senior, the women of our Snake-People Tribe are all exceptionally beautiful. As long as you desire it, you may choose any of our women to serve you."