Hai Bodong carefully thought over the details of their deal. The two had indeed never said he had to refine any pills. "Since the seal has been lifted, this old man will naturally honor his promise."
"I've studied this fragmentary map for decades and gotten nowhere. Perhaps this old man truly has no fate with it."
With a bitter smile and a sigh, Hai Bodong brushed his Storage Ring, took out a small piece of yellowed parchment, and handed it to Qin Chen.
How unpredictable life was!
Back then, it was this fragmentary map that had caused Queen Medusa to hunt Hai Bodong down. Though he had luckily survived, he had ended up sealed.
Now, decades later, who would have thought that it would again be because of this fragmentary map that Medusa herself had personally lifted his seal?
After confirming it was genuine, Qin Chen put the fragmentary map into his Storage Ring and smiled. "Hai Lao, do you want to know the secret of this map?"
"As long as you give me the formula for the Seal-Breaking Pill, I can tell you some secrets."
The Seal-Breaking Pill was a Sixth-Grade Pill with the miraculous ability to break seals. Its formula was far more valuable than formulas of the same grade, and it was still worth collecting for Qin Chen.
Medusa, standing nearby, revealed a curious look on her stunning face. She too wanted to know what secret the fragmentary map she had failed to seize back then held.
Even Qing Lin beside Qin Chen perked up her ears.
After thinking for only a moment, Hai Bodong made his decision—certainly not because he feared Medusa's gaze. "Fine. This formula is useless in my hands anyway. Giving it to you can fulfill one of my wishes."
Hai Bodong took a yellowed, ancient parchment from his Storage Ring and handed it to Qin Chen.
"Hai Lao is certainly straightforward!"
After putting the Seal-Breaking Pill formula into his Storage Ring, Qin Chen slowly said, "Actually, the secret recorded in this fragmentary map is also related to a Heavenly Flame. However, this Heavenly Flame is too powerful. Over the years, not a single person who tried to subdue it succeeded. All of them died without even a burial ground."
"As for the location of this Heavenly Flame, it is in the center of the Battle Qi Continent—Central Plains."
"Hai Lao, I think... you probably don't want to learn any more, do you?"
"No, no. Knowing this much is already enough for this old man." Hai Bodong smiled awkwardly and hurriedly waved his hands.
Even if Qin Chen were willing to continue, he would not dare listen any further.
What kind of place was Central Plains? It was where the experts of the entire Battle Qi Continent gathered. If even those people could not obtain it, how could a mere Dou Emperor like him possibly covet it?
If he truly got involved without knowing his limits, he probably would not even know how he died.
When Medusa heard the words "Central Plains," her phoenix eyes narrowed slightly. Naturally, she knew of its great reputation. It was not only the center of the Battle Qi Continent, but also a land where top forces from all sides contended. Though she, the queen of the Snake-People Tribe, had considerable renown in the northwest, she might not even count as an expert in Central Plains.
"Now that everything is settled, Hai Lao, what are your plans next?"
With a faint smile, Qin Chen teased, "Will you return to the Jia Ma Empire first, or come with me to the Snake-People Tribe?"
"This old man will return to the Jia Ma Empire first." Hai Bodong answered without hesitation.
The old fellow did not want to stay with Medusa for even another moment. The decades-long seal had left too deep a shadow over him.
Qin Chen nodded. He had long expected Hai Bodong's answer. Then his eyes shifted as he continued, "In that case, Hai Lao, how about we make another deal?"
Hai Bodong frowned and said softly, "What deal do you want to make this time?"
Perhaps because Medusa was beside them, the old man seemed somewhat restrained.
Qin Chen chuckled, took out a sheet of pale purple parchment, and tossed it to Hai Bodong.
Hai Bodong caught the parchment and looked it over. At first, he merely frowned deeply, but by the time he reached the end, the contents made his eyes widen and his breathing quicken.
The parchment listed many medicinal ingredients, every one of them extremely rare. At its end were several lines of small writing:
Revival Purple Pill, Tier 5 Pill. It can completely restore strength that has declined due to seals or lingering internal injuries.
Qin Chen had obtained this pill formula from Jia Nan Academy, and he had paid quite a price for it back then.
Hai Bodong stared fixedly at the parchment. Only after a long while did he raise his head and say in a deep voice, "Speak. What does this old man need to do?"
"I want Hai Lao to accompany me to the Misty Cloud Sect in one year. Also, after you return to the Jia Ma Empire, help me do two things."
"What things?"
"First, I heard that the Alchemist Guild has a pill formula called the Spirit Fusion Pill. Find a way to get it for me."
"Second, there is a city in the Jia Ma Empire called Wutan City. It lies against the Magical Beast Mountain Range. Send people there to keep watch at all times. The moment you discover Jia Nan Academy's recruitment team has arrived in the city to recruit students, notify me immediately."
"What!? Don't tell me you want to attack people from Jia Nan Academy?"
Thinking of that possibility, Hai Bodong's face paled in horror. A chill instantly ran through his entire body as he hurriedly advised, "Jia Nan Academy is a renowned institution on the Battle Qi Continent, with deep foundations. Not only is it immensely powerful itself, but it also has many graduates spread throughout various factions."
"Opposing such a force is no different from destroying your own future!"
"Nothing like that."
Seeing Hai Bodong's panicked expression, Qin Chen could not help laughing. Then he slowly explained, "I merely want to use the time that recruitment team reaches Wutan City to confirm a few things. I will not attack them."
"That is good." Hai Bodong let out a breath of relief, and the horror on his face gradually faded.
Though he did not understand what this boy was trying to do, since Qin Chen said he would not become enemies with Jia Nan Academy, he could not be bothered to investigate further.
Chapter 27: Heading to the Snake-People Tribe
"Hai Lao, this second matter is extremely important. You must act quickly, and there cannot be any mistakes!" Qin Chen instructed.
"Rest assured. Once this old man returns to the Jia Ma Empire, I will dispatch trustworthy people to keep a close eye on Wutan City."
"Sorry for the trouble, Hai Lao."
Qin Chen nodded slightly, then clasped his hands. "I will also keep an eye out for these ingredients in the Snake-People Tribe. Once I reach the Imperial Capital, if the ingredients have been gathered, I will refine the pill for you immediately."
"Many thanks." Hai Bodong returned the gesture with clasped hands.
After saying that, he could not help glancing at the silent Medusa again. With a movement of his body, he turned into a streak of light and hurriedly flew into the distance, as if some terrifying beast were chasing him from behind.
"It seems this old man is quite afraid of you." The moment Hai Bodong vanished, Qin Chen turned toward Medusa beside him, an intriguing smile curling across his lips.
Medusa's willow brows furrowed. A trace of impatience flashed through her narrow purple vertical pupils as she snorted coldly. "Since the seal has been lifted, return to the Snake-People Holy City with me now."
Before Qin Chen could reply, the crimson battle qi wings behind Medusa spread open, and her voluptuous body shot into the sky first.
"This woman." Qin Chen shook his head, picked up the Qing Lin who had been waiting for a long time, and followed Medusa's rapidly departing figure.
Seeing that Qin Chen could actually keep up with her speed, a barely noticeable trace of surprise flashed through Medusa's eyes. But she soon returned to her usual coldness and continued flying forward.
The Snake-People Tribe's Holy City was hidden deep within the Tagore Desert. Yellow sand filled the skies along the way, and waves of heat assaulted them. There was no sign of life, save for the occasional sand scorpion and venomous snake darting across the dunes, proclaiming the danger of this land.
During the flight, Qin Chen's group encountered quite a few defensive lines established by the Snake-People Tribe. However, with Medusa leading them, none of the snake-people dared question them.
After flying for about half an hour, huge rocks began to appear amid the endless yellow sands, and the outline of a colossal city finally emerged at the edge of their vision.
The city resembled a slumbering giant beast. Its walls towered into the clouds, countless spear-wielding and armored snake-people stood solemnly upon them, and more than a dozen black birds circled overhead, vigilantly scanning their surroundings.
Qing Lin trembled in Qin Chen's arms. Her little face was filled with tension and curiosity as her large eyes stared unblinkingly at the majestic city ahead, which radiated an air of mystery.
Seeing this, Qin Chen gently patted her back to soothe her.
Medusa flapped her wings, maintaining her speed as she flew directly toward the grandest palace at the center of the city. It was the core of all authority within the Snake-People Tribe.
Holding Qing Lin, Qin Chen followed close behind. His gaze swept across the snake-people guards standing ready on the walls below. Though every one of them radiated a fierce aura, they all lowered their heads in reverence upon seeing Medusa.
"She truly is a queen whose word is absolute," Qin Chen remarked.
He could not help thinking of the Gu Clan elders in the original story. Those fools had actually dared to openly oppose Gu Yuan's decisions. He truly did not know where they found such courage.
Even more laughable was that Gu Yuan, that old fellow, not only respected their opinions, but even listened to their stale arguments, sometimes choosing to compromise and yield on crucial decisions.
What a waste of Peak Nine-Star Dou Sheng cultivation.
After entering the Snake-People Holy City, Medusa brought Qin Chen to an exquisite, luxurious courtyard and said calmly, "This is where you will rest. With my orders, the nearby snake-people will not disturb you. If you are dissatisfied with anything here, tell me at any time, and I will immediately have someone make adjustments."
Qin Chen set Qing Lin down and swept his gaze through the courtyard. Then he nodded slightly and turned to Medusa. "Thank you for the arrangement. This place is very good."
Medusa nodded gently, her tone still indifferent. "I have some matters to deal with. I will come speak with you in detail tomorrow."
After saying that, Medusa spread her red wings again and flew toward the Snake-People Holy Temple in the center of the city.
Watching Medusa's departing figure, Qin Chen withdrew his gaze and lightly tapped Qing Lin's nose. "Qing Lin, now that this courtyard only has the two of us, I'll have to trouble you from now on. Not only must you cultivate diligently, you must also take care of my daily needs."
Qing Lin's cheeks reddened as she hurriedly nodded. "Rest assured, Young Master. Qing Lin will take proper care of you, and I definitely will not neglect my cultivation."
"Ha ha ha..."
Within the spacious and luxurious main hall, the leaders of the Snake-People Tribe's eight major tribes had gathered. Their expressions varied; some looked solemn, while others were puzzled...
It was because today's situation was completely unlike usual. On the high platform that had originally been trodden only by Queen Medusa, two unfamiliar humans were now standing.
One of them stood tall and upright, with handsome features and a composed bearing between his brows. It was Qin Chen.
The other was naturally Qing Lin, a petite girl dressed in simple clothes.
In order to broaden Qing Lin's horizons and cultivate her ability to adapt, Qin Chen had deliberately brought her here.
The eight leaders looked at one another, all unable to understand what was happening. The Snake-People Tribe had always been at odds with humans. Why had the queen brought two unfamiliar humans into this hall, which symbolized the core of the Snake-People Tribe's authority?
Especially this high platform. Aside from queens throughout the generations, no outsider had ever been allowed to set foot upon it. The sight before them today truly overturned everything they had long believed.
Medusa sat upon the purple crystal throne. Her violet eyes swept across the hall below as her cold voice broke the silence. "Leaders, I have gathered you here today to announce an important matter."
"This is Mister Qin Chen, a Tier 6 Alchemist. He will temporarily reside with our Snake-People Tribe. During this period, Mister Qin Chen will refine pills for our tribe. If any of you have needs, you may also ask him to act."
"You need not be hostile toward him. He differs from ordinary humans. Not only are his alchemy skills exceptional, he bears no ill will toward our tribe. Furthermore, from this day onward, no one may show disrespect to Mister Qin Chen. Those who disobey will be dealt with according to tribal law."
Over the past three days, Qin Chen and Medusa had already finalized the details of their deal. Gathering the eight leaders at the holy temple today was to announce this matter to the entire Snake-People Tribe.
Though Medusa was the Snake-People Tribe's queen, that did not mean she managed every affair within the tribe. While the Snake-People Holy City stored quite a few medicinal ingredients, they were not the main supply. Far more ingredients were controlled by the leaders of the eight major tribes.
This was especially true for the snake-people tribes located at the edge of the Tagore Desert. Because of war and trade, they had accumulated even more rare medicinal ingredients.
"What!? A Tier 6 Alchemist?"
"Such a young Tier 6 Alchemist? How is that possible?"
"Since Her Majesty the Queen said so, there should be no mistake."
The moment Medusa finished speaking, the gazes of the eight leaders all turned toward Qin Chen, who stood beside the throne.
They simply could not believe that this human youth, who appeared to be only in his teens, possessed such astonishing attainments in alchemy.
Chapter 28: Pill Refinement
Facing eight appraising and doubtful gazes, Qin Chen stood calmly in place, showing no discomfort under their scrutiny.
He stepped forward and declared, "I know you doubt my abilities, but don't worry. I will convince every one of you."
Before you continue