Yun Leng, Half-Crippled

Yang Chen, who had been about to leave, paused. After glancing at Gu He, he turned to meet Medusa Queen's gaze. Looking at the wild snake-tribe queen, the faint seductiveness visible in her eyes made his heart skip a beat. He hurriedly darkened his expression and spoke with a trace of warning.

"Medusa Queen, are you planning to interfere in the dispute between him and me? Don't blame me for not warning you, Your Majesty. It would be best if you did not meddle in matters between alchemists!"

Medusa Queen secretly rolled her eyes at this timid little man. It was merely the magical beast bloodline within her reacting; she had not truly lost control. More than anything, she simply wanted to tease this little man properly.

However, seeing that Yang Chen seemed somewhat frightened by her, Medusa Queen restrained herself a little. She still cared deeply about Yang Chen's affairs.

After glancing at Yang Chen, Medusa Queen's face clearly showed hesitation. She seemed worried that this matter would cause her deal with Gu He to fail and prevent her from obtaining the remaining pills, yet she was also afraid that interfering would completely offend Yang Chen.

"If Your Majesty is willing to assist me and save Yun Leng and the other two, I am willing to offer one Spirit-Fighting Pill!"

Seeing that Medusa Queen seemed tempted, Gu He quickly spoke again. However, after finishing, he saw that she did not seem particularly interested. He gritted his teeth once more and said,

"One pill per person, three pills in total. I can pay one in advance, and half a year from now, I will deliver the remaining two to Your Majesty as well. What do you say?"

Medusa Queen nearly agreed. When had the snake people ever been so wealthy? Couldn't he see that Yue Mei, Yan Ci, and the others all had reddened eyes?

One Spirit-Fighting Pill per person meant three Spirit-Fighting Pills for three people. That price was already high enough. Yet after seeing Yang Chen's look, Medusa Queen immediately understood. She gave a cold snort and said,

"Hmph, the Yunlan Sect has long been at odds with me. Why should I save them?"

Yan Shi and Feng Li, standing nearby, had long since been dumbfounded. How many pills had been offered in this whole deal? One seventh-tier Transformation Pill, four sixth-tier Sect-Breaking Pills, and seven Spirit-Fighting Pills—eleven pills in total. Hiss!

The two of them had never seen so many sixth-tier pills in their entire lives. As expected of alchemists, every one of them was filthy rich!

What shocked them even more, however, was Medusa Queen's reaction. Even this did not satisfy her. As expected of the infamous snake-tribe queen, her appetite was enormous. Still, it truly suited Medusa Queen's proud nature.

Gu He's teeth ached. Exchanging for that Heavenly Flame had already drained him dry, and now they wanted to squeeze out every last drop of his remaining hard-earned wealth. Yet Yun Leng and the others had to be saved. Otherwise, Yun Yun might fall victim to that bastard!

"What does Your Majesty think would be appropriate?"

Medusa Queen said nothing, merely raising the index and middle fingers of her right hand. The sight made Gu He feel dizzy. Another six sixth-tier Spirit-Fighting Pills—he would have to spend his life at the alchemy furnace.

"Impossible. Six is too many. How about we each take a step back—four Spirit-Fighting Pills in total?"

This time, Gu He did not even address her as Your Majesty, clearly pushed to his limit. Medusa Queen understood that this was his final offer. If she pressed any further, Gu He might renege on their earlier deal as well.

After nodding to Gu He, Medusa Queen gently waved her jade-like hand. At once, Yue Mei and the others leaped into the air, surrounding Lei Na and Lin Sen.

Looking at Yue Mei, Yan Ci, and the others around them with teasing expressions, then at the amusement in Hai Bodong's old eyes, Lei Na and Lin Sen's faces turned black. Why was it that, in the same play, they were the ones who had to suffer such humiliation? No, they had to cultivate harder and break through to the Dou Huang realm!

"Yang Chen, release Great Elder Yun Leng. Otherwise, it will not be so easy for you to leave here today!"

Seeing Lin Sen and Lei Na trapped, and confirming that Yun Leng and the other two were safe for the moment, Gu He finally breathed a sigh of relief. Then he glared angrily at Yang Chen and shouted.

Yang Chen merely flicked his sleeve, casting Gu He a cold glance before looking toward Medusa Queen and throwing down a harsh warning.

"Medusa Queen, the mountains may not move, but the waters will turn. We'll see each other again!"

"Is that so? Then I'll be waiting anytime."

Medusa Queen chuckled and replied to Yang Chen with meaningful intent. Unfortunately, it was entirely wasted effort, like casting flirtatious glances at the blind.

Yang Chen directly ignored Medusa Queen's soul-stealing charm. He turned to Gu He without saying anything, merely studying him in silence. After staring until Gu He was thoroughly bewildered, he finally said with a faint smile,

"Elder Gu He, there's a saying: only what you hold in your hand is truly yours. It is still too early to speak of victory or defeat."

"Heh, you needn't concern yourself with that!"

Gu He immediately replied coldly. Although Yang Chen was strong, it was not as though Gu He had no allies. Even if Medusa Queen was unavailable, he could surely find powerful experts to stop Yang Chen.

"Is that so? Lin Sen, release them!"

Yang Chen merely chuckled and did not respond to Gu He. Instead, he ordered Lin Sen.

After Lin Sen opened the cage and released Yun Leng and the other two, Yue Mei, Yan Ci, and the others immediately made way, allowing Lin Sen and Lei Na to leave.

Having heard everything clearly from inside, Yun Leng was naturally unwilling to accept this. The humiliation of being imprisoned together with two others by Lin Sen alone had nearly driven him mad. He immediately shouted furiously,

"Die!"

Seeing Yun Leng charging alone, Lei Na and Lin Sen exchanged a glance. The next instant, the two transformed into streaks of light and flew to meet him.

Bang!

Aah!!

As a powerful wave of energy spread out, a miserable scream echoed in everyone's ears. Immediately afterward, they saw Yun Leng crash onto the sand like a dead dog, the aura within him becoming unsteady and on the verge of collapse.

Gu He's expression changed. He wanted to say something, but upon meeting Yang Chen's gaze, he could only swallow his words.

"Hmph! For the sake of Second Master's relationship with Sect Leader Yun, I'll spare your life. If you still fail to appreciate kindness next time, I won't merely cripple half your meridians and leave you unable to advance!"

Lei Na gave a cold snort and returned to Yang Chen's side. Then, together, they followed behind Yang Chen and flew into the distance.

After Yang Chen and the others left, Medusa Queen also waved her hand with little interest and said,

"Master Gu He, you have achieved your goal. You should leave now—and preferably quickly. I cannot guarantee that they will not block your path outside the Tagore Desert. Once you are out there, it will no longer be my concern!"

"Many thanks, Your Majesty. Gu He takes his leave!"