Medusa's Evolution, Preparing to Break Through to Dou Zun

Hearing Medusa's reminder, the four elders all looked toward the entrance.

A handsome, distinguished young man slowly walked in from the doorway.

From his appearance alone, the young man seemed utterly harmless, like some playboy from a great clan.

But Medusa knew exactly how powerful this playboy was. That strength left her unable to muster even the slightest thought of resistance.

Tang Chen had not deliberately concealed his aura.

Thus, the moment the four elders saw Tang Chen, they felt an overwhelming pressure. Even without making a move, merely walking casually was enough to leave them struggling to breathe.

"M-My lord... y-you've come."

Medusa had already arrived before Tang Chen. She bowed slightly and greeted him somewhat awkwardly.

She was still not quite accustomed to this feeling, especially in front of her clanspeople.

Since their queen had spoken first, the elders stepped forward one after another and bowed respectfully as well.

"I heard you were looking for me?" Tang Chen waved a hand and got straight to the point.

"Yes. I originally wanted to inform you that the evolution ritual was ready, but you were not here at the time, so..." Medusa replied.

"Then let's begin the evolution." Tang Chen did not intend to waste any time. The sooner she completed her evolution, the sooner he could obtain the Green Lotus Core Flame.

"Yes!" Queen Medusa answered.

"Elders, during this time, I need you to take turns watching over the Snake-People Tribe.

If I fail in the end and my lord wishes to leave, you must not try to stop him."

Before leaving, Medusa arranged her affairs with the four elders. Then she turned around, her gaze gradually becoming resolute.

"Your Majesty... you must succeed!"

The four elders' voices trembled as they watched Medusa's departing figure, silently praying for her in their hearts.

"Let's go."

Upon receiving Tang Chen's order, Medusa led him to the place of evolution.

It was a circular, open area. Amid the surrounding bamboo and flowerbeds was a depression formed of stones, creating a small pool.

The pool was filled entirely with Ice Spirit Cold Spring. At its center sat a trapped Crystal Lotus Pedestal, upon which a cluster of green flames slowly rose.

This flame was—

Nineteenth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking: the Green Lotus Core Flame.

Tang Chen glanced at Medusa. As she looked at the Green Lotus Core Flame, there was no fear in her eyes, only unwavering determination.

Tang Chen could not help but admire this queen. For the future of the Snake-People Tribe, she was willing to gamble even her body and bones on that tiny sliver of possibility.

"I'm ready." Medusa nodded firmly at Tang Chen.

"Then begin."

Tang Chen raised his hand and cast several isolation barriers, sealing this place off from the outside world to prevent Medusa from being disturbed.

Medusa approached the Heavenly Flame and formed seals with her hands. The lotus pedestal shifted, and the light screen around the Heavenly Flame gradually vanished. Freed from its restraints, the Heavenly Flame began to rage.

"You..." Medusa turned around and saw that Tang Chen still had no intention of leaving. Thinking of what she was about to do, her pretty face flushed.

Tang Chen naturally had no intention of leaving. First, he could act in time if Medusa was in danger. Second, he really did want to see Medusa's body. It would be a waste not to look.

Seeing that Tang Chen would not leave, Medusa had no choice.

She lightly bit her red lips, and her jade-like hands slowly undid the clasps of her brocade robe. A flawless, jade-white body that seemed to be heaven's masterpiece was completely exposed before Tang Chen.

A beautiful face, a slender waist, and a flawless, jade-like body.

That alluring, seductive body made even the Origin Flame within Tang Chen's body burn fiercely.

"This woman... she's simply incredible!"

Medusa's appearance left Tang Chen utterly stunned.

Medusa also noticed Tang Chen's reaction. Though she felt somewhat shy, she was also a little pleased. It proved that her charm was still more than enough to move even an expert like Tang Chen.

After that brief interlude, Medusa began the evolution ritual.

Her hands slowly came together, her beautiful eyes closed slightly, and her jade-like hands continuously formed strange seals.

As her hand seals changed, the energy fluctuations between heaven and earth suddenly became violent.

Then her body was enveloped by a burst of intense light. A roar sounded from within, and when the light faded, a purple giant snake more than thirty meters long hovered in the air.

The purple giant snake stared at the green flame before her. After circling it several times, she plunged headfirst into the green flames without hesitation, charging into the Green Lotus Core Flame.

The moment she entered the Heavenly Flame, its terrifying heat rapidly began to scorch her body. The scales on her body quickly fell away beneath the burning flames, exposing the tender flesh underneath.

The giant snake's body writhed within the flames, and the immense pain forced her to release heart-rending roars.

"I hope she succeeds." Even Tang Chen could hardly bear to watch. The pain of having one's body burned by a Heavenly Flame was absolutely not something an ordinary person could endure.

As time passed, the pool below had long been emptied. Not a single drop of Ice Spirit Cold Spring remained after being scorched by the flames.

Medusa's movements gradually weakened. In the end, only a charred giant snake corpse remained, lying motionless in the green flames as though she had completely died.

Yet Tang Chen could sense that Medusa was still alive. She still retained a faint trace of breath.

Suddenly, the energy of heaven and earth surged violently. Vast dark clouds began gathering above the Snake-People Temple, covering the entire sky in no time.

Boom!

A massive bolt of lightning pierced directly through the barrier and struck straight down at the giant snake's charred corpse.

Under Tang Chen's perception, Medusa's final trace of life vanished as the lightning struck.

"Failed? That shouldn't be possible."

Tang Chen came to the side of the charred giant snake corpse. He frowned, strengthened his soul perception, and carefully searched through the corpse.

"She really isn't dead. She succeeded."

Under Tang Chen's perception, a brand-new yet weak life suddenly appeared.

Gradually, the charred shell fell away, releasing a seven-colored radiance from within.

A tiny seven-colored snake covered in scales flew out and came directly before Tang Chen, its two innocent eyes fixed tightly on him.

"This little thing is rather cute." Tang Chen reached out, intending to stroke the little creature, but it dodged away.

The little creature sniffed at Tang Chen's Storage Ring, then looked up at him with its big eyes.

"This little thing has quite a sharp nose." Tang Chen smiled faintly, took out several jade bottles from his Storage Ring, and opened them.

Although he did not have Amethyst Origin Source, he had something even better. The little creature would only grow faster by following him.

Catching the scent, the little snake directly grabbed a jade bottle in its mouth and began greedily drinking from it.

After finishing its meal, the little creature yawned, wrapped itself around Tang Chen's arm, and fell asleep.

Seeing the little creature asleep, Tang Chen turned to the Green Lotus Core Flame before him, his expression solemn as he said:

"Next, I'll devour two Heavenly Flames and prepare to break through to Dou Zun."