Two-star Dou Shi

Following the departure of Yao Chen, Medusa sensed the change and immediately headed to the guest room where he had been staying.

She discovered a letter and a jade pendant resting on the table.

Medusa promptly 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 surely left the territory of the Snake-People Tribe. Please allow me to offer my most sincere apologies for the absurd scene that occurred last night. It was truly a lapse in judgment caused by intoxication, and by no means was it my intention. I hope that you, in your magnanimity, will not hold it against a reckless man such as myself.

Reflecting on my time with the Snake-People Tribe, I have deeply felt your majesty and sense of responsibility as the leader of your people, and I have come to appreciate the resilience and unity of your tribe. Every moment spent with you and your people will become a cherished memory in my life.

However, all good things must come to an end. I have my own mission and path to pursue, and I must leave this place. But please believe that my affection for the Snake-People Tribe is sincere and profound.

I am well aware that in this world full of variables, the future path of the Snake-People Tribe may not always be smooth, and you may encounter various unforeseen dangers. Therefore, I have left this jade pendant. It is not a rare treasure, but it carries a promise I make to your tribe.

When the Snake-People Tribe falls into a crisis of life and death, you need only inject your own Dou Qi into this pendant, and it will emit a glow. No matter where I am, even to the ends of the earth, I will surely sense it and rush to assist with the greatest speed. I, Yao Chen, will certainly do everything in my power to resolve the troubles of the Snake-People Tribe and ensure your safety.

Finally, I sincerely wish that under your leadership, the Snake-People Tribe may grow stronger and more prosperous with each passing day. I also hope that beyond the heavy burden of the rise and fall of your tribe, you may find more moments of ease and happiness.

Signed, Yao Chen"

After finishing the letter, Medusa stared at it for a long time, as if harboring some different emotion within, and only after a long moment did she speak slowly.

"So, your name is Yao Chen!"

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

Half a day later.

In the temple, Medusa sat upright on her throne, her posture straight as a perfect statue, exuding a cold, glamorous aura that made others afraid to approach her easily.

This demeanor was like that of a different person compared to the shy woman in Yao Chen's room the previous night.

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

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

Medusa was the first to break the calm atmosphere, speaking to the crowd.

As soon as Medusa finished speaking, the space below was filled with discussion.

"Your Majesty, that senior only attended the banquet last night, why did he leave so suddenly this morning?"

The voice of the Second Elder rang out from the side, asking Medusa why Yao Chen had left in such a hurry.

Upon hearing the Second Elder's question, a faint, imperceptible flush appeared on Medusa's face, and she explained.

"The senior had an urgent matter arise, so he departed directly."

"Let this matter end here; everyone may disperse if there is nothing else."

The crowd ceased their discussion and left one after another.

Jia Ma Empire, Wutan City, Xiao Clan.

At this moment, Xiao Yan had just finished his cultivation in his room within the Xiao Clan.

In just over a month, Xiao Yan had broken through once again, his cultivation reaching the level of a two-star Dou Shi.

Suddenly, a series of urgent knocks sounded at the door, and Xun Er called out from the entrance.

"Brother Xiao Yan, open the door quickly; the annual test is about to begin."

Xiao Yan immediately stood up to answer Xun Er and quickly opened the door.

"I'm coming. Why are you in such a rush, little girl? Let's go together."

Xun Er took Xiao Yan's arm, speaking as they walked.

"Brother Xiao Yan, you were already at the ninth stage of Dou Zhi Qi during last year's test. This year, you must be a Dou Practitioner, right?"

Xiao Yan patted Xun Er's little head dotingly and said with a fond smile.

"I'll keep it a mystery for this year; you'll know once the test is over."

"Alright then, Brother Xiao Yan, let's hurry."

Hearing Xiao Yan say this, Xun Er pulled him and walked quickly toward the testing grounds.

Xiao Yan was dragged along by Xun Er and nearly tripped, calling out helplessly.

"Slow down, Xun Er."

On the spacious martial arts field of the Xiao Clan, the sunlight poured down, creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere.

Today was the day of the Xiao Clan's internal test, and the clansmen had gathered here, their eyes fixed eagerly on the testing platform.

Xiao Yan walked quietly onto the testing platform. His posture was upright, his face resolute, and a black robe fluttered in the wind, making him particularly eye-catching.

The elder in charge of the test looked at Xiao Yan with a serious expression, signaling for him to begin.

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

Light shone, and four large characters appeared on the magic testing stele, shining so brightly they were almost blinding.

"Two-star Dou Shi!"

The crowd's gazes were locked tightly onto the stone tablet; as the light ceased, the entire venue instantly fell into a deathly silence.

"Two-star Dou Shi!" The elder's voice trembled, filled with disbelief.

These four words exploded among the crowd like a thunderclap, leaving everyone with their mouths agape in utter shock, their eyes filled with incredulity.

"How is this possible? Xiao Yan has actually reached the cultivation level of a two-star Dou Shi!" someone couldn't help but exclaim aloud.

"This is too hard to believe; his test last year was only at the ninth stage of Dou Zhi Qi..." Before the words could be finished, they were drowned out by the surrounding gasps of amazement.

Xiao Clan Patriarch Xiao stood to the side, his originally stern face now filled with surprise and gratification, his eyes shimmering with excitement.

Xiao Yan's peers were even more dumbstruck; they had once cultivated alongside him, yet they never imagined that he would now leave them so far behind in the dust.

"Xiao Yan, well done! You truly are the genius of our clan!" Someone shouted, and immediately after, cheers erupted like a tidal wave.

Xiao Yan stood on the testing platform, feeling the gazes of the crowd. There was not a hint of arrogance on his face; he merely tilted his head slightly, his eyes fixed firmly on the distance.

Standing to the side, Xun Er felt happy upon hearing of Xiao Yan's two-star Dou Shi cultivation, but that joy was quickly replaced by concern for the strength he had displayed.

To go from the ninth stage of Dou Zhi Qi to a two-star Dou Shi in one year is an extremely rare occurrence even within our clan, but Brother Xiao Yan only just advanced to a Dou Practitioner last month. What on earth happened over this past month? Could it be that he consumed medicinal pills that overdraft his life force to boost his cultivation?

I must ask Brother Xiao Yan properly later about what he has been doing this past month.

If he really did take such pills, I will have to ask Elder Ling to search the clan for medicine that can extend his lifespan.

Just then, Xiao Yan stepped down from the platform and arrived before Xun Er, saying to her with a smug grin.

"Little girl, look at my cultivation—is it impressive? From now on, if anyone bullies you, your brother will bully them right back."

Xun Er looked at Xiao Yan with a face full of worry and asked.

"Brother Xiao Yan, what exactly happened during this period of time?"