Two-Star Dou Shi

After Yao Chen left, Medusa sensed it too and immediately went to the guest room where he had been staying.

She found a letter and a jade pendant on the table.

Medusa opened the letter and began to read.

"Queen Medusa,

I hope this letter finds you well.

By the time you read this, I will have already left the Snake-People Tribe's territory. First, please allow me to offer my sincerest apologies for what happened last night. It was a disgraceful lapse caused by drunkenness, and I never intended for it to happen. I hope you will be magnanimous and forgive this rash man.

During my time with the Snake-People Tribe, I came to deeply appreciate the authority and responsibility you bear as its ruler, as well as the resilience and unity of your people. Every moment I spent with you and your people will remain a precious memory.

But all feasts must end, and I have my own mission and path to pursue. I have no choice but to leave. Still, please believe that my affection for the Snake-People Tribe is sincere and profound.

I know that in this ever-changing world, the road ahead for the Snake-People Tribe may not be smooth. You may encounter all sorts of unforeseen dangers. That is why I have left you this jade pendant. It is no rare treasure, but it carries my promise to the Snake-People Tribe.

If the Snake-People Tribe ever faces a crisis that threatens its very survival, simply pour your Dou Qi into this pendant, and it will shine. No matter where I am—even at the ends of the earth—I will sense it and hurry to your aid as fast as I can. I, Yao Chen, will do everything in my power to help the Snake-People Tribe overcome its difficulties and keep it safe.

Finally, I sincerely hope that under your leadership, the Snake-People Tribe will grow ever stronger and flourish. And I hope that, while shouldering the heavy responsibility of your people's fate, you can find more ease and happiness.

Written by Yao Chen"

After reading the letter, Medusa gazed at it for a long time. There seemed to be a different feeling in her eyes. Only after a while did she speak slowly.

"So your name is Yao Chen."

Medusa then tucked the letter and the jade pendant from the table into her robes.

Half a day later.

In the temple, Medusa still sat upon her throne. Her back was straight, like a perfect sculpture, and she radiated a cold, dazzling air that made people hesitate to approach.

She seemed like a completely different person from the shy woman who had been in Yao Chen's room the night before.

The four commanders stood below the throne, while the four elders remained behind it.

"Everyone, the crisis facing the Snake-People Tribe has passed without incident."

Medusa was the first to break the silence as she addressed the crowd.

As soon as she finished speaking, the people below began discussing among themselves.

"Your Majesty, that senior attended the banquet just last night. Why did he suddenly leave this morning?"

The Second Elder's voice rang out beside her as he asked Medusa why Yao Chen had left so quickly.

At the Second Elder's question, a faint blush instantly appeared on Medusa's face, barely noticeable, and she explained, "An urgent matter came up, so the senior had to leave at once."

"That's enough about this. If there's nothing else, everyone may leave."

The crowd stopped talking and began to disperse.

Jia Ma Empire, Wutan City, Xiao Clan.

Xiao Yan had just finished cultivating in his room.

In just over a month, Xiao Yan had broken through again, reaching the Two-Star Dou Shi level.

Suddenly, there was a hurried knock at the door. Xun Er called from outside, "Brother Xiao Yan, open up! The annual test is about to begin."

Xiao Yan immediately got up and answered Xun Er, then quickly opened the door.

"Coming! You little rascal, why are you in such a hurry? Let's go together."

Xun Er linked her arm with Xiao Yan's as they walked and said, "Brother Xiao Yan, you were already at the Ninth Stage of Dou Qi when you were tested last year. You should be a Dou Zhe by now, right?"

Xiao Yan affectionately ruffled Xun Er's hair and said with a doting smile, "I'll keep it a secret for now. You'll find out after the test."

"All right, then. Come on, Brother Xiao Yan. Let's hurry."

Hearing that, Xun Er pulled him along toward the testing area.

Xun Er tugged Xiao Yan along so quickly that he nearly stumbled. He called out helplessly, "Slow down, Xun Er."

Sunlight spilled over the broad training grounds of the Xiao Clan, lending the place a solemn air.

Today was the Xiao Clan's annual test. Clan members gathered around, their eyes fixed eagerly on the testing platform.

Xiao Yan walked calmly onto the platform. He stood tall, his expression resolute, and his black robe fluttered in the wind, making him especially conspicuous.

The elder in charge of the test regarded Xiao Yan with a stern gaze and motioned for him to begin.

Xiao Yan took a deep breath and circulated the Dou Qi within him. In an instant, a powerful aura burst from his body.

Light blazed across the Magic Stone Tablet, illuminating four characters so brightly they were almost blinding.

"Two-Star Dou Shi!"

Everyone stared at the tablet. As the light faded, the entire venue fell into deathly silence.

"Two-Star Dou Shi!" The elder's voice trembled with disbelief.

The four characters exploded through the crowd like a thunderclap. Everyone gaped in shock, their eyes filled with disbelief.

"How is that possible? Xiao Yan actually reached the Two-Star Dou Shi level!" someone cried out.

"This is unbelievable. When he was tested last year, he was only at the Ninth Stage of Dou Qi..." Before the speaker could finish, the surrounding exclamations drowned him out.

Xiao, the Xiao Clan's leader, stood to one side. His normally stern face was now filled with delight and relief, and his eyes gleamed with excitement.

Xiao Yan's peers were even more dumbfounded. They had once cultivated alongside him, never imagining that he would leave them so far behind.

"Xiao Yan, well done! You truly are a genius of our clan!" someone shouted. Cheers immediately surged like a rising tide.

Standing on the testing platform and feeling the eyes of the crowd upon him, Xiao Yan showed not the slightest trace of pride. He simply lifted his chin slightly and stared resolutely into the distance.

When Xun Er heard that Xiao Yan had reached the Two-Star Dou Shi level, she was happy at first. But once her excitement passed, she began to worry about his strength.

"To go from the Ninth Stage of Dou Qi to Two-Star Dou Shi in a year is rare even in our clan. But Brother Xiao Yan only advanced to Dou Zhe last month. What happened over the past month? Could he have taken some pill that raised his cultivation by draining his life force?"

"I have to ask Brother Xiao Yan what he's been doing over the past month."

"If he really took a pill like that, I'll have to ask Elder Ling to look through the clan for medicine that can extend his life."

By then, Xiao Yan had stepped down from the platform and come over to Xun Er. He bragged to her, "Little rascal, how about my cultivation? Impressive, right? If anyone bullies you from now on, big brother will bully them right back for you."

Xun Er looked worried as she asked him, "Brother Xiao Yan, what happened during this time?"